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Texas Extreme #1
The Rancher's Marriage Pact
A marriage of convenience, Texas-style Dallas Calloway is desperate to find a bride. If the billionaire former rodeo champ's not married by his birthday, his dreams for the D Bar C will end, thanks to his father's will. So Paris Reynolds's arrival at the ranch looks like the answer to his prayers. The ravishing interior designer is desperate for a job. And Dallas has a proposition he hopes she can't refuse—marry him for one year, in name only, then get an annulment. But with the irresistible passion raging between them, how will they ever make it a year without sharing a marriage bed?
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 2016
39 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Kristi Gold
352 books84 followersKristi Gold has a fondness for beaches, baseball and bridal reality shows. She saw the release of her first book in 2000 and since that time has published over thirty books for Harlequin. She's written for the Desire, Special Edition, Everlasting Love and Superromance Imprints. Kristi has also been a Romantic Times award winner, National Reader's Choice winner and three-time Romance Writer's of America RITA finalist. Kristi loves to network with readers and can be reached though her website at http://kristigold.com or FaceBook.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 11, 2017
Quite the racy romance novel. I am a sucker for cowboy stories but I love the romance genre as a whole. This book was true to Texas style, a romance in a big way. Some ups and downs and some drama in between but in the end pure love ruled. It got heated almost instantly and although many parts people may say are cliche I couldn't get enough. Quick read even though it took a few days I didn't get the opportunity to read for the last 3 days or it would have been done quite some time ago! Great read!!!
June 12, 2016
***3.5 Stars***
Dallas Calloway, gorgeous rancher and retired Rodeo champion, has been double-crossed by his father from the grave. He and pops didn't get along too well. Dallas had a mind of his own and didn't bow to his father's will. It made the old man angry. Dallas is the firstborn son and it is stipulated that the family ranch goes to the first born male and has for many generations. Unfortunately his father double crossed him adding a codicil stating Dallas had to marry by the age of 38 or he would lose the ranch. His father knew Dallas never wanted to marry so his plot is for the ranch to go to another son who has no interest in it at all. All this son wants to do is tear apart the family and cause trouble.
You see, on the day the will was read his family got a huge surprise. His father had another secret family and had been living life as a bigamist. You can imagine both families' shock when they discover each other. There were so many deeply hurt feelings, and heartache because of the betrayal and deception.
It is three or four days before Dallas' 38th birthday and he has run out of time to find a bride. Paris Reynolds shows up on his doorstep applying for a job he will soon have an opening for. They are deeply attracted to each other and he proposes a Marriage Pact with her and she accepts.
It was a sweet story but I had a major problem, trigger if you will. This man had a lot of sex with tons of women. He talked about sex constantly and made insinuations until I felt he was disrespectful. His new wife, however, had only been with one man, her first husband. It bothered her to think of all the many women before her who shared his body and I got tired of listening to him mention things about sex that didn't include her. I found it a bit heartbreaking and I was dissatisfied with that part of the story which was a focus all the way through.
Dallas Calloway, gorgeous rancher and retired Rodeo champion, has been double-crossed by his father from the grave. He and pops didn't get along too well. Dallas had a mind of his own and didn't bow to his father's will. It made the old man angry. Dallas is the firstborn son and it is stipulated that the family ranch goes to the first born male and has for many generations. Unfortunately his father double crossed him adding a codicil stating Dallas had to marry by the age of 38 or he would lose the ranch. His father knew Dallas never wanted to marry so his plot is for the ranch to go to another son who has no interest in it at all. All this son wants to do is tear apart the family and cause trouble.
You see, on the day the will was read his family got a huge surprise. His father had another secret family and had been living life as a bigamist. You can imagine both families' shock when they discover each other. There were so many deeply hurt feelings, and heartache because of the betrayal and deception.
It is three or four days before Dallas' 38th birthday and he has run out of time to find a bride. Paris Reynolds shows up on his doorstep applying for a job he will soon have an opening for. They are deeply attracted to each other and he proposes a Marriage Pact with her and she accepts.
It was a sweet story but I had a major problem, trigger if you will. This man had a lot of sex with tons of women. He talked about sex constantly and made insinuations until I felt he was disrespectful. His new wife, however, had only been with one man, her first husband. It bothered her to think of all the many women before her who shared his body and I got tired of listening to him mention things about sex that didn't include her. I found it a bit heartbreaking and I was dissatisfied with that part of the story which was a focus all the way through.
June 2, 2016
Good book and beginning to the series. Paris is an interior designer who is desperate for a job. Thanks to her ex-husband, she is in debt and jobless. She heard of Dallas's plans for Texas Extreme, and shows up to apply for a job that hasn't even been advertised yet.
Dallas is the oldest of the six Calloway sons. He is strong-willed and determined, which put him at odds with his father. After JD's death, Dallas discovered that he only inherits the ranch if he is married by his thirty-eighth birthday, which is only a few days away. As he isn't sure that his plans for the ranch will happen, he sends Paris away. Then his two stepmothers suggest he offer her a job as his wife, killing two birds with one stone.
Sparks fly between Dallas and Paris from the start. The chemistry is strong, but both are wary of getting involved. Paris isn't sure she can trust another man after being used so badly by her ex. Dallas has no intention of committing permanently to anyone. Finding out that his father was a bigamist has wrecked his ability to trust in any relationship, so he's decided to avoid them all together. He and Paris agree to a marriage in name only, with an annulment at the end, but the heat between them puts a strain on that plan. Discovering that an annulment would negate the reason for the marriage opens up the bedroom door for them. Giving in to the passion isn't a problem for them, but keeping their feelings out proves to be much harder.
I loved seeing the relationship develop. Paris knows immediately that she's going to have trouble keeping her heart safe. Though he appears to be pretty cynical, Paris sees glimpses of another side to him. Dallas has been determined to stay alone, but the more time he spends with Paris the more he finds visions of his future including her. This freaks him out a bit, and he does some pulling away before Paris confronts him about his behavior. There are some pretty sweet scenes of his protectiveness as he learns a little about her past. Things are looking promising for them as they both consider making the marriage permanent, when Paris's ex shows up, looking to make trouble. There are some things that come out that play on Dallas's fears, and he says some terrible things to Paris. I loved seeing her give as good as she got. It was fun to see Dallas's brothers and stepmothers get in on the act too. I especially liked his conversation with Maria, or as she put it "I verbally beat him over the head." I liked his big moment at the end with just a bit of groveling. The epilogue was good, with a not so surprising surprise at the end.
I really enjoyed the secondary characters of the two stepmothers. Their background story is a little odd, but it really works for the book. Each of them is an interesting character and their involvement adds a bit of fun. We didn't see too much of the brothers, and I'm looking forward to getting to know them.
Dallas is the oldest of the six Calloway sons. He is strong-willed and determined, which put him at odds with his father. After JD's death, Dallas discovered that he only inherits the ranch if he is married by his thirty-eighth birthday, which is only a few days away. As he isn't sure that his plans for the ranch will happen, he sends Paris away. Then his two stepmothers suggest he offer her a job as his wife, killing two birds with one stone.
Sparks fly between Dallas and Paris from the start. The chemistry is strong, but both are wary of getting involved. Paris isn't sure she can trust another man after being used so badly by her ex. Dallas has no intention of committing permanently to anyone. Finding out that his father was a bigamist has wrecked his ability to trust in any relationship, so he's decided to avoid them all together. He and Paris agree to a marriage in name only, with an annulment at the end, but the heat between them puts a strain on that plan. Discovering that an annulment would negate the reason for the marriage opens up the bedroom door for them. Giving in to the passion isn't a problem for them, but keeping their feelings out proves to be much harder.
I loved seeing the relationship develop. Paris knows immediately that she's going to have trouble keeping her heart safe. Though he appears to be pretty cynical, Paris sees glimpses of another side to him. Dallas has been determined to stay alone, but the more time he spends with Paris the more he finds visions of his future including her. This freaks him out a bit, and he does some pulling away before Paris confronts him about his behavior. There are some pretty sweet scenes of his protectiveness as he learns a little about her past. Things are looking promising for them as they both consider making the marriage permanent, when Paris's ex shows up, looking to make trouble. There are some things that come out that play on Dallas's fears, and he says some terrible things to Paris. I loved seeing her give as good as she got. It was fun to see Dallas's brothers and stepmothers get in on the act too. I especially liked his conversation with Maria, or as she put it "I verbally beat him over the head." I liked his big moment at the end with just a bit of groveling. The epilogue was good, with a not so surprising surprise at the end.
I really enjoyed the secondary characters of the two stepmothers. Their background story is a little odd, but it really works for the book. Each of them is an interesting character and their involvement adds a bit of fun. We didn't see too much of the brothers, and I'm looking forward to getting to know them.
September 13, 2017
After reading book three - Expecting the Rancher's baby (Houston 's story) I'm so glad I decided to read Dallas's story because a) I had more insight into the family members and b) I absolutely fell in love with Dallas. In book 3, everyone seemed a bit wary about Dallas's reaction, so I couldn't help wonder if he was some hot-tempered, brooding guy, but he wasn't. He did have a temper and used it well when it needed to be used. He was also a little pig-headed in his adamancy to stay away from commitment and fatherhood because thanks to his bigamist father he feared he wouldn't be a good husband or father. Otherwise, he was one hot, sexy, humorous cowboy. I enjoyed his sexual innuendos and runaway imagination where Paris was concerned.
I liked Paris a lot, too. Usually, I avoid reading books where the heroine has been married before, but Paris was such a lovely person. For someone, who's been so badly burnt and left high and dry, she was gutsy enough to go after what she wanted, whether asking Dallas for a job or taking the risk of getting closer to him, knowing she was headed toward another heartache.
The chemistry between the two was volatile. I loved their honeymoon scenes, their frustrations at having to abstain from consummating the marriage, their flirting until they finally succumbed. Also, loved how Paris didn't allow Dallas to pull away from her when he freaked at their growing closeness, only for everything to be ruined by that stupid ex-husband of hers. Liked how Dallas handled him.
I absolutely loved Dallas' interfering, but well-meaning step-moms. Enjoyed the banter between the two women, and how they had no qualms about eavesdropping on Dallas and Paris or walking in and out of his house as and when it pleased them. Liked that Dallas loved them and was sweetly tolerant toward them.
Although the angst was low, there was enough action to keep it interesting. Overall, a fun and enjoyable read.
I liked Paris a lot, too. Usually, I avoid reading books where the heroine has been married before, but Paris was such a lovely person. For someone, who's been so badly burnt and left high and dry, she was gutsy enough to go after what she wanted, whether asking Dallas for a job or taking the risk of getting closer to him, knowing she was headed toward another heartache.
The chemistry between the two was volatile. I loved their honeymoon scenes, their frustrations at having to abstain from consummating the marriage, their flirting until they finally succumbed. Also, loved how Paris didn't allow Dallas to pull away from her when he freaked at their growing closeness, only for everything to be ruined by that stupid ex-husband of hers. Liked how Dallas handled him.
I absolutely loved Dallas' interfering, but well-meaning step-moms. Enjoyed the banter between the two women, and how they had no qualms about eavesdropping on Dallas and Paris or walking in and out of his house as and when it pleased them. Liked that Dallas loved them and was sweetly tolerant toward them.
Although the angst was low, there was enough action to keep it interesting. Overall, a fun and enjoyable read.
April 15, 2016
This was a fun story, that I really enjoyed. I loved the way Dallas, and Paris flirted back and forth. Paris needed a job. The attraction between Paris, and Dallas was instant. Dallas needed a wife in order to keep his Ranch. Why not ask Paris to marry him for one year in name only? They agreed that they would get a annulment and not a divorce after the end of the year. The only way they can get a annulment is if they don't sleep together. The attraction burns hot, so they flirt with one another, and tease each other. Can the two make it a year??? You will have to read this fun book, and find out. This is one book that I highly recommend, if you are looking for a light read that will leave you smiling!
March 25, 2024
I want to thank Kristi Gold, author and the Harlequin Desire Giveaway that I won my copy of The Rancher's Marriage Pact in the Giveaway.
Dallas Calloway and Paris Reynolds seem to be complete opposites but they each need something from the other. Dallas needs a wife to inherit his ranch and Paris needs help to get out from under the debt left by her ex-husband. The Rancher's Marriage Pact is made to solve both of their problems as they face the ups and downs of life with some very humorous situations to make it an enjoyable romance.
Dallas Calloway and Paris Reynolds seem to be complete opposites but they each need something from the other. Dallas needs a wife to inherit his ranch and Paris needs help to get out from under the debt left by her ex-husband. The Rancher's Marriage Pact is made to solve both of their problems as they face the ups and downs of life with some very humorous situations to make it an enjoyable romance.
April 9, 2016
2.5 stars
Marriage of convenience trope. This just did not work for me. Character development was weak, and the plot didn't have much depth. It's a diversion for an hour or so, and then pretty forgettable. Writing style reminds me a lot of Carolyn Brown, and her books don't usually work for me either.
Marriage of convenience trope. This just did not work for me. Character development was weak, and the plot didn't have much depth. It's a diversion for an hour or so, and then pretty forgettable. Writing style reminds me a lot of Carolyn Brown, and her books don't usually work for me either.
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March 31, 2016"Dallas and Paris end up falling hard and fast, which fits into the crunched timeline without becoming too far-fetched" (RT Book Reviews).
Miniseries: Texas Extreme
Miniseries: Texas Extreme
February 2, 2016
JUST LOVED IT...
March 2, 2016
Wonderfully written romance Loved it.
May 2, 2016
Good overall. I enjoyed the progression of feelings.
March 20, 2016
Fun, flirty and a great read!
August 13, 2016
I read everything by her in the desire line if I can.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews