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Americana #9
Southern Nights
Todd was the brother of the man she loved!
Barbara was not prepared for the shock awaiting her when her fiance, Todd, took her on holiday to his family's ranch.
All the heartache of her brief affair with Jock Malloy surfaced again as she discovered that not only was he the owner of the ranch, he was Todd's half brother.
Not even Todd could protect her from Jock's renewed assault on her battered and confused emotions. Knowing and loving Jock as she did, how could she ever be a proper wife to Todd?
Barbara was not prepared for the shock awaiting her when her fiance, Todd, took her on holiday to his family's ranch.
All the heartache of her brief affair with Jock Malloy surfaced again as she discovered that not only was he the owner of the ranch, he was Todd's half brother.
Not even Todd could protect her from Jock's renewed assault on her battered and confused emotions. Knowing and loving Jock as she did, how could she ever be a proper wife to Todd?
186 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1980
About the author
Janet Dailey
410 books1,878 followersJanet Anne Haradon Dailey was an American author of numerous romance novels as Janet Dailey (her married name). Her novels have been translated into nineteen languages and have sold over 300 million copies worldwide.
Born in 1944 in Storm Lake, Iowa, she attended secretarial school in Omaha, Nebraska before meeting her husband, Bill. Bill and Janet worked together in construction and land development until they "retired" to travel throughout the United States, inspiring Janet to write the Americana series of romances, where she set a novel in every state of the Union. In 1974, Janet Dailey was the first American author to write for Harlequin. Her first novel was NO QUARTER ASKED.
She had since gone on to write approximately 90 novels, 21 of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List. She won many awards and accolades for her work, appearing widely on Radio and Television. Today, there are over three hundred million Janet Dailey books in print in 19 different languages, making her one of the most popular novelists in the world.
Janet Dailey passed away peacefully in her home in Branson on Saturday, December 14, 2013. She was 69.
Born in 1944 in Storm Lake, Iowa, she attended secretarial school in Omaha, Nebraska before meeting her husband, Bill. Bill and Janet worked together in construction and land development until they "retired" to travel throughout the United States, inspiring Janet to write the Americana series of romances, where she set a novel in every state of the Union. In 1974, Janet Dailey was the first American author to write for Harlequin. Her first novel was NO QUARTER ASKED.
She had since gone on to write approximately 90 novels, 21 of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List. She won many awards and accolades for her work, appearing widely on Radio and Television. Today, there are over three hundred million Janet Dailey books in print in 19 different languages, making her one of the most popular novelists in the world.
Janet Dailey passed away peacefully in her home in Branson on Saturday, December 14, 2013. She was 69.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 12, 2010
What a smug shit that Jock was. Lives up to his name. That said, he sounds really hot (for a dude from the 70s). Laugh at me, go on.
March 28, 2020
“Good, because I would hate to be put in a position where I would have to beat up my own brother for taking what was mine.”
“I’m not yours.” Her denial was taunt and breathless, the wary blue of her eyes darting over the complacent expression on his rugged face, a face that was much too close.
“Regardless of that ring on your finger, you gave me rights over you six months ago.”
"Southern Nights" is the story of Barbara and Todd.
Oh LORD! SO GOOD!!
Come along for a super passionate and angsty ride in this gem by Janet Dailey!
When our h goes to meet her new fiance's family, she is nervous but excited. What she does not expect is the unthinkable- the man who broke her heart after a brief affair is her fiance's step brother!
But instead of letting her ago, he relentlessly pursues her, declaring his intentions, branding her with his kisses and reminding her of their passionate interludes.
The h is torn between her caring fiance and her possessive tormentor. That forms this roller coaster of a read!
I cried and thoroughly enjoyed this book! Even with the way the h described the H, we never feel any resentment towards him, and he came off as a caring but obsessed man- she on the other hand was confused but knew that she could never forget the H. She still tried to continue her relationship with OM and that's my only grievance with this book. Also enjoyed the small parallel the author made between the mother's circumstances and the h's.
No negative or bitchy characters, just really tangled relationships in this unlikely love triangle.
Recommended!
SWE
4.5/5
“I’m not yours.” Her denial was taunt and breathless, the wary blue of her eyes darting over the complacent expression on his rugged face, a face that was much too close.
“Regardless of that ring on your finger, you gave me rights over you six months ago.”
"Southern Nights" is the story of Barbara and Todd.
Oh LORD! SO GOOD!!
Come along for a super passionate and angsty ride in this gem by Janet Dailey!
When our h goes to meet her new fiance's family, she is nervous but excited. What she does not expect is the unthinkable- the man who broke her heart after a brief affair is her fiance's step brother!
But instead of letting her ago, he relentlessly pursues her, declaring his intentions, branding her with his kisses and reminding her of their passionate interludes.
The h is torn between her caring fiance and her possessive tormentor. That forms this roller coaster of a read!
I cried and thoroughly enjoyed this book! Even with the way the h described the H, we never feel any resentment towards him, and he came off as a caring but obsessed man- she on the other hand was confused but knew that she could never forget the H. She still tried to continue her relationship with OM and that's my only grievance with this book. Also enjoyed the small parallel the author made between the mother's circumstances and the h's.
No negative or bitchy characters, just really tangled relationships in this unlikely love triangle.
Recommended!
SWE
4.5/5
May 30, 2020
Again a silly misunderstanding and meaningless angst but not much.
April 26, 2023
I love Janet Dailey books. Reading or re-reading one of her books is nostalgic as teen I devoured so many of her books. I loved the Calder series.
This is a new book for me, about the time she started publishing the Americana series, with school and working part time I didn't have the same amount of reading time.
I so enjoyed this book! The main characters all had unique qualities and strengths and weaknesses. The author tried to keep secret which man was going to marry the female main character but it was obvious to me.
This story sucked you in from the beginning and you were rooting for all three main characters even though you knew only one male could win.
I would recommend this to everyone to read if you want to escape for a little while.
This is a new book for me, about the time she started publishing the Americana series, with school and working part time I didn't have the same amount of reading time.
I so enjoyed this book! The main characters all had unique qualities and strengths and weaknesses. The author tried to keep secret which man was going to marry the female main character but it was obvious to me.
This story sucked you in from the beginning and you were rooting for all three main characters even though you knew only one male could win.
I would recommend this to everyone to read if you want to escape for a little while.
September 14, 2018
I enjoy most of Janet Dailey’s stories, yet a majority of them end very abruptly. When the book was written most novels published by Harlequin ended this way. Novels now have a longer conclusion with many having epilogues. Didn’t dislike the novel, wanted a longer conclusion.
January 14, 2021
The h has known the OM only for a month and she’s already engaged to be married to him. She goes with the OM to meet his mother and then finds out that his halfbrother is the H. 6 months before she was in a relationship with the H. She hasn’t slept with the OM, but she did sleep with the H 6 months before.
The H tells his brother (the OM) that the h is his and that he wants her back. The OM says he has found the h and he won’t let her go.
The tension in this book and the chemistry with this manly man H is what makes it a 5 stars read. The H challenges the h to see if she can stay neutral to him. When he asks her to come and comfort him, that’s sexy. Even I felt that, lol.
What I didn’t like was that the h stayed in a relationship with the OM after she found out that he is the H’s half-brother. And I didn’t like the fact that the OM is his half-brother. That was a bit too The Bold and the Beautiful. Even though she hadn’t slept with the OM, she kissed him and I assume she also made out with him since they are engaged. And I also didn’t like that the OM was too much of a doormat.
But even with the dislikes, it is still a 5 star read in my opinion. Janet Dailey is a legend regarding her writing skills.
The H tells his brother (the OM) that the h is his and that he wants her back. The OM says he has found the h and he won’t let her go.
The tension in this book and the chemistry with this manly man H is what makes it a 5 stars read. The H challenges the h to see if she can stay neutral to him. When he asks her to come and comfort him, that’s sexy. Even I felt that, lol.
What I didn’t like was that the h stayed in a relationship with the OM after she found out that he is the H’s half-brother. And I didn’t like the fact that the OM is his half-brother. That was a bit too The Bold and the Beautiful. Even though she hadn’t slept with the OM, she kissed him and I assume she also made out with him since they are engaged. And I also didn’t like that the OM was too much of a doormat.
But even with the dislikes, it is still a 5 star read in my opinion. Janet Dailey is a legend regarding her writing skills.
December 1, 2010
Todd was the brother of the man she loved!
Barbara was not prepared for the shock awaiting her when her fiance, Todd, took heron holiday to his family's ranch.
All the heartache of her brief affair with Jock Malloy surfaced again as she discovered that not only was he the owner of the ranch, he was Todd's half brother.
Not even Todd could protect her from Jock's renewed assault on her battered and confused emotions. Knowing and loving Jock as she did, how could she ever be a proper wife to Todd?
Barbara was not prepared for the shock awaiting her when her fiance, Todd, took heron holiday to his family's ranch.
All the heartache of her brief affair with Jock Malloy surfaced again as she discovered that not only was he the owner of the ranch, he was Todd's half brother.
Not even Todd could protect her from Jock's renewed assault on her battered and confused emotions. Knowing and loving Jock as she did, how could she ever be a proper wife to Todd?
May 18, 2025
Our heroine, Barbara, is torn between two lovers and is feeling like a fool. Her fiancée, Todd, is a genuinely nice guy who enjoys rescuing stray pets, doesn’t begrudge Barbara her prior sexual experiences, respects her opinion, and believes in her right to choice and agency. Todd’s brother, Jock (or JR, which is how Todd refers to him and what leads Barbara into this rather contrived triangle) however has different ideas. He takes Barbara’s devotion for granted, believes that since they’ve slept together he has the right to claim her, and often talks about her as though she wasn’t there. But Jock’s mere presence drives poor, conflicted Barbara to the heights of lust. Guess which fellow she ultimately chooses?
May 19, 2019
Todd was the brother of the man she loved!
Barbara was not prepared for the shock awaiting her when her fiance, Todd, took her on holiday to his family's ranch.
All the heartache of her brief affair with Jock Malloy surfaced again as she discovered that not only was he the owner of the ranch, he was Todd's half brother.
Not even Todd could protect her from Jock's renewed assault on her battered and confused emotions. Knowing and loving Jock as she did, how could she ever be a proper wife to Todd?
Barbara was not prepared for the shock awaiting her when her fiance, Todd, took her on holiday to his family's ranch.
All the heartache of her brief affair with Jock Malloy surfaced again as she discovered that not only was he the owner of the ranch, he was Todd's half brother.
Not even Todd could protect her from Jock's renewed assault on her battered and confused emotions. Knowing and loving Jock as she did, how could she ever be a proper wife to Todd?
August 14, 2011
Janet Dailey is in my top 5 romance authors. I love her wounded heroines and her dark heros. This is one of my favorites of love reunited.
August 11, 2013
This is a favorite book of mine. I first read it in the "80s" when I started reading Harlequin. Loved the last scene when Barbara realizes Jock wants to marry her.
September 9, 2015
A very good read and one of my favourites to this day.
October 1, 2026
I might have liked this better if the H and OM weren't brothers, which gives the story a sleazy vibe (though she only got naked with the H). And I didn't like the h having hot make out sessions with the H while engaged to the OM, not to mention letting him fondle her breasts.
The H could be a bit of an alpha jerk, and the OM was too much of a beta simp. And the H's mother's remark that getting engaged is a time to explore your options, WTF???? Excuse me, Ma'am, but that's what you do BEFORE you get engaged!! Engagements mean you made up your mind about who you want and are ready to commit, which of course, this h was NOT, so why didn't the mother just tell her to cut the crap and stop playing games with her sons, that's what I would have done! Then again, maybe mom was a waffler herself!
At any rate, I didn't stick around for the HEA, because, to paraphrase Rhett Butler, I didn't give a damn!
The H could be a bit of an alpha jerk, and the OM was too much of a beta simp. And the H's mother's remark that getting engaged is a time to explore your options, WTF???? Excuse me, Ma'am, but that's what you do BEFORE you get engaged!! Engagements mean you made up your mind about who you want and are ready to commit, which of course, this h was NOT, so why didn't the mother just tell her to cut the crap and stop playing games with her sons, that's what I would have done! Then again, maybe mom was a waffler herself!
At any rate, I didn't stick around for the HEA, because, to paraphrase Rhett Butler, I didn't give a damn!
November 24, 2024
Maybe it's the 1980s of it all, but all of the characters were absolutely insufferable. A poster book for "turning a blind eye", this was one of the most bizarre love stories I've ever read. Extra star though bc some of the spice was good.
April 15, 2026
2-1/2 stars. Lots of ick factor. Not just torn between two lovers, but torn between two brothers. And all the drama is just because they’d rather talk than have a single conversation. Took two seconds to clear up once they finally spoke about what happened.
February 14, 2014
So, I read this in stealing kisses, a two story novel of Janet Dailey, but it says that she re-wrote it; so, not sure if that means this version is different or not. I really enjoyed the story and commentary but the grammar of this book is awful, cans were cants and stuff like that. And some of her description of scenes didn't seem to give me a clear picture of what was going on. I just loved Barbara and Jock, however; and quite an f-ed up situation, I might add. but this book was: An enjoyable beautifully, simple love story.
January 11, 2011
This is the first book that I have read by Janet Dailey. I liked this book and I'm looking forward to reading more of her books. This was a nice love story about a girl torn between two brothers.
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August 9, 2013Read 2/99
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June 28, 2018Todd was the brother of the man she loved!
Barbara was not prepared for the shock awaiting her when her fiance, Todd, took her on holiday to his family's ranch.
All the heartache of her brief affair with Jock Malloy surfaced again as she discovered that not only was he the owner of the ranch, he was Todd's half brother.
Not even Todd could protect her from Jock's renewed assault on her battered and confused emotions. Knowing and loving Jock as she did, how could she ever be a proper wife to Todd?
Barbara was not prepared for the shock awaiting her when her fiance, Todd, took her on holiday to his family's ranch.
All the heartache of her brief affair with Jock Malloy surfaced again as she discovered that not only was he the owner of the ranch, he was Todd's half brother.
Not even Todd could protect her from Jock's renewed assault on her battered and confused emotions. Knowing and loving Jock as she did, how could she ever be a proper wife to Todd?
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews