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The Sheriff's Woman
Recently widowed, Rachel Cameron prefers to lick her wounds and protect her children from gossip and shame in isolation on a small homestead in the Ozark Mountains.
But life-long bachelor and ex-Marine, Sheriff Garrett Stark has other ideas. Drawn to Rachel, he wields all the power and charm he can muster to insist Rachel return to town for her safety and that of her children.
Exasperation and anger rule on both sides. Rachel balks, but does not anticipate the raft of dizzying emotions stirred by the Sheriff’s relentless attention. The moment Garrett takes her into his arms Rachel knows she has to make a choice. Honor the truth and face her fears or live forever as an outsider.
But life-long bachelor and ex-Marine, Sheriff Garrett Stark has other ideas. Drawn to Rachel, he wields all the power and charm he can muster to insist Rachel return to town for her safety and that of her children.
Exasperation and anger rule on both sides. Rachel balks, but does not anticipate the raft of dizzying emotions stirred by the Sheriff’s relentless attention. The moment Garrett takes her into his arms Rachel knows she has to make a choice. Honor the truth and face her fears or live forever as an outsider.
449 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1986
1359 people are currently reading
696 people want to read
About the author
Jackie Weger
39 books325 followersI would rather write an obit than my bio, mostly because I'm one of the most boring souls you'll ever meet. I have been to interesting places and met interesting people, but none of it rubbed off on me. Some of those places and some of those people found their way into characters or settings in my romance novels which lends me about an inch of panache--on the table below the salt. With family or solo, I've traveled since I was about eleven. I spent years living abroad in Central America in little jungle villages absorbing the native culture and language. I spent months on off-islands and sailed in the Pacific with a friend until his sloop sank--not with us on it--thank goodness. I spent a New Year's in Montreal, a summer semester in the U.K and a few glorious days in Paris before returning Stateside to finish a degree in history, then it was off to Panama and Costa Rica. While my passport is always handy, I've settled down in Texas to be near my family. Since I'm sitting still, I've plugged in my laptop and started writing again. After an absence of a few years, I've jumped back into the publishing world which has changed dramatically. I love the changes. In the past, category romance novels had a shelf life between yogurt and ice cream, but with the advent of e-books they can live on the Web for years. I'm excited to be publishing my backlist. I'm working on a new novel. I live with a man, a dog, seven feral cats and go to Bingo on Friday night. The most exciting thing that's happened in my life recently is a cow wandered into my yard and ate my garden. See what I mean about being boring?
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
January 18, 2021
I needed something with a feisty heroine, a decent but strong hero, lots of longing and sighs - to match my own during these COVID TIMES! - plus some suspense, danger, action , and a happy ending.
This one gave me all of the above. I got this free quite some time ago from Amazon and have slowly been making my way through my back titles. THIS WAS LIKE FINDING HIDDEN TREASURE!!!
The story line was riveting, the heroine's kids were adorable - loved loyal Pete, felt like sending Caroline to her room more than once, and wanted a little Sara all of my own!!!! This author can write very well, and she is excellent at creating likeable (and unlikable!) characters.
What I really loved about this story is that the characters (and even the narrator) are speaking in the Ozark vernacular. The dialogue was invariably amusing, and the little pearls of wisdom here and there made me itch for a pen. This author has a dry writ and does banter very well. I enjoyed this one so much that I immediately went on Amazon and got another one of her books to read.
When I have a tough work week, this is exactly the type of book I can disappear into and be guaranteed a happy ending. Jackie Weger did not disappoint!!! I rate this one a 3.95 out of 5.
This one gave me all of the above. I got this free quite some time ago from Amazon and have slowly been making my way through my back titles. THIS WAS LIKE FINDING HIDDEN TREASURE!!!
The story line was riveting, the heroine's kids were adorable - loved loyal Pete, felt like sending Caroline to her room more than once, and wanted a little Sara all of my own!!!! This author can write very well, and she is excellent at creating likeable (and unlikable!) characters.
What I really loved about this story is that the characters (and even the narrator) are speaking in the Ozark vernacular. The dialogue was invariably amusing, and the little pearls of wisdom here and there made me itch for a pen. This author has a dry writ and does banter very well. I enjoyed this one so much that I immediately went on Amazon and got another one of her books to read.
When I have a tough work week, this is exactly the type of book I can disappear into and be guaranteed a happy ending. Jackie Weger did not disappoint!!! I rate this one a 3.95 out of 5.
November 22, 2017
Very good read. The story moved fast with no let down for a bunch of rolling around in the characters thoughts. There was just enough that you felt like you knew the characters. The strength of the story was in the interactions of the characters. All of them. There were lots of secondary characters who all seemed real. The children were well done and seemed pretty age appropriate. The dialog was very strong and flowed well and seemed totally realistic. I am definitely going to try more from this author's backlist.
February 28, 2024
I'm sorry, but no. Just no. I just couldn't get behind either of these leads or their relationship.
Rachel (h) is a recent widow who had moved to her family's cabin in the Arkansas mountains to recover with her three small children. She blames her husband's suicide on the officer who arrested him - Sheriff Garrett Stark (H). Garrett meanwhile worries about the young widow who's hidden herself away from town, especially when a pack of feral dogs starts stalking the edges of town, putting her and her children in danger.
Rachel got to me hard and fast. She's proud to the point of stupidity. And she's angry as all get-out. Yes, I get financial reasons might move her away from town, but when she has no communication with the outside world - no phone, no cell phone, unreliable vehicle... Living off the grid with 3 small children and her own case of anxiety just doesn't seem like the smartest of life choices. And how was she so ignorant of Clive's behavior? She was covering his bad checks for years, for crying out loud! She was as much of an enabler as his mother, but when it explodes in his face and he commits suicide, it's suddenly everyone else's fault and she's mentally over-writing her whole marriage. Her husband becomes blameless and the (popular! elected!) sheriff is a horrible villain. She's angry, spiteful, bitter to the detriment of her children and her own mental health. But then seems to flip on a dime when Garrett starts showing interest (and points out that her husband was in fact a criminal)? Very frustrating character.
Speaking of her MIL, how had she put up with that much venom for a decade?? And why was Adele angry enough to destroy her grandchildren too? Yes, she wants her son back and hates Rachel, but in destroying Rachel, she's destroying the children too, and I never understood that part. Aren't they some lasting piece of him? And the final confrontation that drives Adele out of town?
Garrett was a better character than Rachel in a lot of ways, but still not particularly likeable. He was cocky without the charm of some of the other alphas I've read. Plus just sexist and dated views of women. This guy is my age (actually a little younger), served in the military nearly 20 years and traveled all over, but sounds like his view of women and marriage came from the 1950s. But this is a modern story! They talk about cell phones and wifi! It just didn't ring true in a lot of ways. Not that there aren't young "traditional" family values types today too, but there was just something off. Oh, and a wife who "would bear two perfect children in his image" (among other duties serving his house and needs) doesn't make him a romantic - more like egotistical. Always sounds cuter when the H wishes the baby takes after the woman he loves, not himself. IMHO, at least.
Not liking either lead (while they do improve through the story, it takes a while, and then is too little, too late) does make it hard to get behind the romance. Especially when their romance is on warp speed. At the beginning of the story (June sometime), she hates him. I'm not even exaggerating. "He was notorious, venal, a scoundrel, a rogue, a pervert. He was in league with the devil, and he had not brought her tire back as he said he would. Just to spite her for speaking her mind." No, she's not being sarcastic - that's her honest appraisal of the situation. And then they are getting married the first weekend in August! So in - what - 6, 7 weeks? she's done a complete 180 in her emotions? Less than that even - she said she'd marry him at the Fourth of July picnic!! It's not instalove - it's emotional whiplash.
I'm always hit or miss about kids in these books. It's not that I don't like kids or that I don't like them in a romance. I just have found that quite a lot of them are either precociously irritating or saccharine sweet or just sound unnatural for their age - I guess it's hard to write a good child character. Here, I didn't mind Sara or Pete, but Caroline was an outright brat. And her mother just excused her attitude! She's 7 - that's old enough to know some manners, even in a very stressful time. The child just had no redeeming moments, and Rachel (and later Garrett) caved to her every time.
The writing is all over the place. Southern country dialect is one thing (can totally roll with that), but then the actual narration pulls out every dollar word it can. And - a common side effect of this vocabulary style - they are often used incorrectly, or using definition number 4 or 5 in the dictionary, making it a very awkward or stretched meaning in the sentence. Like when she runs her hands through her hair, "which only served to create more dishabille" (running her hands through her hair makes her scantily clothed?). Or the moon is "long past its equinox" when she falls asleep (not what an equinox is - or is she only falling asleep twice a year?). Lots of examples like that, where it sounds nice but you have to pause and try to figure out what she's actually trying to say because the word doesn't really fit.
Alternating 3rd person POV. No OW/OM drama, no cheating, no love triangle. Mean Girl drama from the B*tchy MIL from Hell. Unlikable leads and forced chemistry (especially on the timeline of the story), with some seriously irritating side characters. HEA and no cliffhangers.
Would I read more from this author? No. She's just not my taste, and this book seemed par for the course for her (judging by her Author's Biography and by the reviews from fans here and on Amazon). If she writes her "stories with good girls yearning to find an honest, hard-working man of integrity so they can have babies, stay home, and go to yard sales, join the PTA, watch soap operas, or reality shows" and this is the result? Definitely not one for me.
Rachel (h) is a recent widow who had moved to her family's cabin in the Arkansas mountains to recover with her three small children. She blames her husband's suicide on the officer who arrested him - Sheriff Garrett Stark (H). Garrett meanwhile worries about the young widow who's hidden herself away from town, especially when a pack of feral dogs starts stalking the edges of town, putting her and her children in danger.
Rachel got to me hard and fast. She's proud to the point of stupidity. And she's angry as all get-out. Yes, I get financial reasons might move her away from town, but when she has no communication with the outside world - no phone, no cell phone, unreliable vehicle... Living off the grid with 3 small children and her own case of anxiety just doesn't seem like the smartest of life choices. And how was she so ignorant of Clive's behavior? She was covering his bad checks for years, for crying out loud! She was as much of an enabler as his mother, but when it explodes in his face and he commits suicide, it's suddenly everyone else's fault and she's mentally over-writing her whole marriage. Her husband becomes blameless and the (popular! elected!) sheriff is a horrible villain. She's angry, spiteful, bitter to the detriment of her children and her own mental health. But then seems to flip on a dime when Garrett starts showing interest (and points out that her husband was in fact a criminal)? Very frustrating character.
Speaking of her MIL, how had she put up with that much venom for a decade?? And why was Adele angry enough to destroy her grandchildren too? Yes, she wants her son back and hates Rachel, but in destroying Rachel, she's destroying the children too, and I never understood that part. Aren't they some lasting piece of him? And the final confrontation that drives Adele out of town?
Garrett was a better character than Rachel in a lot of ways, but still not particularly likeable. He was cocky without the charm of some of the other alphas I've read. Plus just sexist and dated views of women. This guy is my age (actually a little younger), served in the military nearly 20 years and traveled all over, but sounds like his view of women and marriage came from the 1950s. But this is a modern story! They talk about cell phones and wifi! It just didn't ring true in a lot of ways. Not that there aren't young "traditional" family values types today too, but there was just something off. Oh, and a wife who "would bear two perfect children in his image" (among other duties serving his house and needs) doesn't make him a romantic - more like egotistical. Always sounds cuter when the H wishes the baby takes after the woman he loves, not himself. IMHO, at least.
Not liking either lead (while they do improve through the story, it takes a while, and then is too little, too late) does make it hard to get behind the romance. Especially when their romance is on warp speed. At the beginning of the story (June sometime), she hates him. I'm not even exaggerating. "He was notorious, venal, a scoundrel, a rogue, a pervert. He was in league with the devil, and he had not brought her tire back as he said he would. Just to spite her for speaking her mind." No, she's not being sarcastic - that's her honest appraisal of the situation. And then they are getting married the first weekend in August! So in - what - 6, 7 weeks? she's done a complete 180 in her emotions? Less than that even - she said she'd marry him at the Fourth of July picnic!! It's not instalove - it's emotional whiplash.
I'm always hit or miss about kids in these books. It's not that I don't like kids or that I don't like them in a romance. I just have found that quite a lot of them are either precociously irritating or saccharine sweet or just sound unnatural for their age - I guess it's hard to write a good child character. Here, I didn't mind Sara or Pete, but Caroline was an outright brat. And her mother just excused her attitude! She's 7 - that's old enough to know some manners, even in a very stressful time. The child just had no redeeming moments, and Rachel (and later Garrett) caved to her every time.
The writing is all over the place. Southern country dialect is one thing (can totally roll with that), but then the actual narration pulls out every dollar word it can. And - a common side effect of this vocabulary style - they are often used incorrectly, or using definition number 4 or 5 in the dictionary, making it a very awkward or stretched meaning in the sentence. Like when she runs her hands through her hair, "which only served to create more dishabille" (running her hands through her hair makes her scantily clothed?). Or the moon is "long past its equinox" when she falls asleep (not what an equinox is - or is she only falling asleep twice a year?). Lots of examples like that, where it sounds nice but you have to pause and try to figure out what she's actually trying to say because the word doesn't really fit.
Alternating 3rd person POV. No OW/OM drama, no cheating, no love triangle. Mean Girl drama from the B*tchy MIL from Hell. Unlikable leads and forced chemistry (especially on the timeline of the story), with some seriously irritating side characters. HEA and no cliffhangers.
Would I read more from this author? No. She's just not my taste, and this book seemed par for the course for her (judging by her Author's Biography and by the reviews from fans here and on Amazon). If she writes her "stories with good girls yearning to find an honest, hard-working man of integrity so they can have babies, stay home, and go to yard sales, join the PTA, watch soap operas, or reality shows" and this is the result? Definitely not one for me.
November 14, 2018
A DELIGHTFULLY REALISTIC GLIMPSE OF ROMANCE IN A SMALL TOWN!!!
Title: The Sheriff's Woman
Author: Jackie Weger
Designation: Full-Length(430 pages), Standalone, No Cliffhanger #contemporaryromance #smalltown #enemiestolovers #humor #heart #wholesome #sweetheat #noprofanity #noexplicitsex
My Rating: 4.5 Delightfully Entertaining Stars*****
This was my first time reading the work of Jackie Weger, but I can say with utmost certainty that it won't be my last! I loved The Sheriff's Woman! It was a lovely read and such a breath of fresh air. It was so refreshing to read a book in which the author took her time developing the characters, allowing the reader to truly get to know them and not just the hero and heroine, but also the entire very eclectic cast of ensemble players included in this delightfully realistic and heartwarming small-town romance. And I should know all about small towns since I was born and raised in one exactly like Hickory Oak, Arkansas where everyone knew everyone, along with all their personal business. lol... But just like the heroine and hero, recently widowed schoolteacher and now struggling single mother Rachael Cameron and Lackawanna County Sheriff Garrett Stark, I learned to appreciate the many benefits of having friends and neighbors who always answered the call for help, without ever being asked, because that's just the way it works in small towns. I was immediately smitten with Hickory Oak's most sought-after bachelor, swoony former Marine Garrett Stark. And the beautiful, headstrong, independent, and supremely stubborn Rachael Cameron was an absolute hoot! At first, Garrett and Rachael appeared to have nothing in common, except an extreme dislike for the other, complicated by an unexplainable, very unwelcome, yet undeniable attraction, especially since Rachael blamed Garrett for her husband's suicide six months earlier. But we all know, the heart wants what the heart wants, no matter what our head tells us, and no matter how much they tried to deny, ignore, or fight it, Garrett Stark and Rachael Cameron wanted each other. There's no nail-biting suspense, life-threatening danger, or heart-pounding action in this story unless, of course, you count trying to deal with a pack of feral dogs, three precocious children under the age of seven, as well as a community of colorful locals always ready to serve up helpful yet sometimes questionable advice as hazardous. But if you enjoy a well-written, enemies to lovers trope filled to the brim with heart, agonizing angst, sweet heat, an abundance of humor, and a menagerie of unforgettable characters, then The Sheriff's Woman is definitely worth your time.
Did I like this book? No, I loved it! If I loved it so much, then why only 4 stars? Actually, my rating is 4.5 stars. I subtracted a half star for the minor mistakes and pesky little typos that were missed in the final edit. Nothing that actually distracted me from the story but as an English major, I simply couldn't ignore them. Will I read this author again? Absolutely! Would I recommend this book? You bet, and I am for anyone who loves a heartwarming, realistic romance with a healthy measure of small-town drama, a heaping helping of old-fashioned angst, a generous splash of humor, and a little sweet heat. I laughed, I cried, and I laughed some more but by the end, I was happy, satisfied and well entertained. And fyi, there was no profanity or explicit sex so it's safe for everyone. And finally, was I entertained? Completely! Fabulous entertainment and an awesome read!
Title: The Sheriff's Woman
Author: Jackie Weger
Designation: Full-Length(430 pages), Standalone, No Cliffhanger #contemporaryromance #smalltown #enemiestolovers #humor #heart #wholesome #sweetheat #noprofanity #noexplicitsex
My Rating: 4.5 Delightfully Entertaining Stars*****
This was my first time reading the work of Jackie Weger, but I can say with utmost certainty that it won't be my last! I loved The Sheriff's Woman! It was a lovely read and such a breath of fresh air. It was so refreshing to read a book in which the author took her time developing the characters, allowing the reader to truly get to know them and not just the hero and heroine, but also the entire very eclectic cast of ensemble players included in this delightfully realistic and heartwarming small-town romance. And I should know all about small towns since I was born and raised in one exactly like Hickory Oak, Arkansas where everyone knew everyone, along with all their personal business. lol... But just like the heroine and hero, recently widowed schoolteacher and now struggling single mother Rachael Cameron and Lackawanna County Sheriff Garrett Stark, I learned to appreciate the many benefits of having friends and neighbors who always answered the call for help, without ever being asked, because that's just the way it works in small towns. I was immediately smitten with Hickory Oak's most sought-after bachelor, swoony former Marine Garrett Stark. And the beautiful, headstrong, independent, and supremely stubborn Rachael Cameron was an absolute hoot! At first, Garrett and Rachael appeared to have nothing in common, except an extreme dislike for the other, complicated by an unexplainable, very unwelcome, yet undeniable attraction, especially since Rachael blamed Garrett for her husband's suicide six months earlier. But we all know, the heart wants what the heart wants, no matter what our head tells us, and no matter how much they tried to deny, ignore, or fight it, Garrett Stark and Rachael Cameron wanted each other. There's no nail-biting suspense, life-threatening danger, or heart-pounding action in this story unless, of course, you count trying to deal with a pack of feral dogs, three precocious children under the age of seven, as well as a community of colorful locals always ready to serve up helpful yet sometimes questionable advice as hazardous. But if you enjoy a well-written, enemies to lovers trope filled to the brim with heart, agonizing angst, sweet heat, an abundance of humor, and a menagerie of unforgettable characters, then The Sheriff's Woman is definitely worth your time.
Did I like this book? No, I loved it! If I loved it so much, then why only 4 stars? Actually, my rating is 4.5 stars. I subtracted a half star for the minor mistakes and pesky little typos that were missed in the final edit. Nothing that actually distracted me from the story but as an English major, I simply couldn't ignore them. Will I read this author again? Absolutely! Would I recommend this book? You bet, and I am for anyone who loves a heartwarming, realistic romance with a healthy measure of small-town drama, a heaping helping of old-fashioned angst, a generous splash of humor, and a little sweet heat. I laughed, I cried, and I laughed some more but by the end, I was happy, satisfied and well entertained. And fyi, there was no profanity or explicit sex so it's safe for everyone. And finally, was I entertained? Completely! Fabulous entertainment and an awesome read!
April 8, 2020
DNF at 18%
These characters are ridiculous. The widow had no idea her husband was a criminal many times over, and also will not accept help she obviously needs, to the point of silliness... I do not like her, and she’s the primary voice. The sheriff’s idea of the perfect wife is someone who cooks and cleans for him and gives him two perfect babies, and he thinks this means he is romantic... (and the author seems to agree with him?!?). Ummmm... no. Just no. I quit.
These characters are ridiculous. The widow had no idea her husband was a criminal many times over, and also will not accept help she obviously needs, to the point of silliness... I do not like her, and she’s the primary voice. The sheriff’s idea of the perfect wife is someone who cooks and cleans for him and gives him two perfect babies, and he thinks this means he is romantic... (and the author seems to agree with him?!?). Ummmm... no. Just no. I quit.
November 24, 2017
Couldn't get into this one. Didn't like the characters at all! The very rarely happens in a book but it did this time. The sheriff was too cocky, Rachel, too proud. Something about them set my teeth on edge!
April 22, 2024
A favorite author. Small town in the Ozarks.
This may have been a reread but todays technology is mentioned so substantial changes .. maybe the author was able to get control over her original work from Harlequin ?
The original title was On Wings of the Morning.
It was published by Harlequin and different from this version. Maybe that’s why the title change ?
Free ebook courtesy of author -2024.
This may have been a reread but todays technology is mentioned so substantial changes .. maybe the author was able to get control over her original work from Harlequin ?
The original title was On Wings of the Morning.
It was published by Harlequin and different from this version. Maybe that’s why the title change ?
Free ebook courtesy of author -2024.
October 23, 2017
I don’t remember how I came across this book. It is the first one that I have read by Jackie Weger. The cover attracted me—and the blurb reached out to me as if to say “This is your kind of book”—and OMG, it definitely was!! I LOVED it. I also liked the “A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR” at the end of the story—I have never read a “Bio” quite like it before. It was so honest, self-depreciating, and humorous—I thought to myself, this is a woman after my own heart!
The Sheriff’s Woman is a story of second chances. Rachel Cameron has been dealt a difficult hand. Her husband committed suicide while incarcerated in the county jail for theft. He left her and their three children (Peter, Caroline, and Sara) to deal with the fallout. Rachel flounders in grief, guilt, and anger. When gossips start talking in the small town of Hickory Grove, she packs up her kids and moves to her family’s dilapidated old homestead. They leave behind the normal amenities that they had enjoyed—like TV-, but she wants to protect them from the painful talk.
She needs to blame someone for Clive Cameron’s death. Sheriff Garrett Stark had imprisoned him and left him in his cell when he declined to join the other prisoners while they ate, so Stark became her target.
While Garrett Stark knows he isn’t responsible for Clive’s death, he is concerned about Rachel and her family’s welfare. He reaches out to help her, but Rachel holds fast to her resentment and anger. Garrett feels more than concern for Rachel, but she fights him at every turn.
Jackie Weger weaves a delightful tale of love, pain, anger, humor and a town that stands up for its own. Throw in a son who knows he is too young to be “the man of the house,” a daughter who is a snit, a kitten, some feral dogs and a couple of polar-opposite mother-in-laws; for me, it was a winner. I enjoyed it so much that I did something I seldom ever do—I read this book twice.
I had no idea who Jackie Weger was, until I decided to see if she had more books to her credit. I was amazed to see how many—and impressed by all the positive reviews. I purchased two more that appealed to me, and I am looking forward to reading them. I am delighted to have discovered her work.
The Sheriff’s Woman is a story of second chances. Rachel Cameron has been dealt a difficult hand. Her husband committed suicide while incarcerated in the county jail for theft. He left her and their three children (Peter, Caroline, and Sara) to deal with the fallout. Rachel flounders in grief, guilt, and anger. When gossips start talking in the small town of Hickory Grove, she packs up her kids and moves to her family’s dilapidated old homestead. They leave behind the normal amenities that they had enjoyed—like TV-, but she wants to protect them from the painful talk.
She needs to blame someone for Clive Cameron’s death. Sheriff Garrett Stark had imprisoned him and left him in his cell when he declined to join the other prisoners while they ate, so Stark became her target.
While Garrett Stark knows he isn’t responsible for Clive’s death, he is concerned about Rachel and her family’s welfare. He reaches out to help her, but Rachel holds fast to her resentment and anger. Garrett feels more than concern for Rachel, but she fights him at every turn.
Jackie Weger weaves a delightful tale of love, pain, anger, humor and a town that stands up for its own. Throw in a son who knows he is too young to be “the man of the house,” a daughter who is a snit, a kitten, some feral dogs and a couple of polar-opposite mother-in-laws; for me, it was a winner. I enjoyed it so much that I did something I seldom ever do—I read this book twice.
I had no idea who Jackie Weger was, until I decided to see if she had more books to her credit. I was amazed to see how many—and impressed by all the positive reviews. I purchased two more that appealed to me, and I am looking forward to reading them. I am delighted to have discovered her work.
November 21, 2017
This was a fun read and provided good escape from some of the more serious reading I have been doing. I liked the hero and rooted for him to win the girl!!! I'll read other books by Jackie Weger.
July 12, 2022
More like 3.5 stars.
I don't like the sense of possession in the title of the book. However, the writing was good, with vivid descriptions. There was some good dialogue too.
Rachel harped on a bit too long about the reason for her anger towards Garrett, but I had to give it to Garrett - he just didn't give up. There was some bossiness on his part though. The young children in the story were generally not annoying and did have quite a bit to do with the storyline.
Want to read
November 15, 2017FREE on Amazon today (11/15/2017)!
January 8, 2021
This touching, at times heartbreaking story centers around Rachel Cameron and Garrett Stark.
Rachel is a widow with three kids, one that has stopped talking since her daddy’s death, a boy that feels the weight of being “the man of the family” and a nine year old who challenges everyone and everything. Though Rachel is living in the country in her family’s homestead, the house is falling apart, they have little money and her former mother-in-law has done everything she can to block any chances of Rachel going back to teaching.
Garrett is the local sheriff. A man that Rachel blames for her husband’s death. He is also a man that wants to help Rachel have an easier life. Also the man that has been fascinated with her since HS.
As we visit with all of them, meet the other characters and the ups and downs of their lives, we realize that as complicated as life is, finding love and gaining new friends is what life is all about.
Rachel is a widow with three kids, one that has stopped talking since her daddy’s death, a boy that feels the weight of being “the man of the family” and a nine year old who challenges everyone and everything. Though Rachel is living in the country in her family’s homestead, the house is falling apart, they have little money and her former mother-in-law has done everything she can to block any chances of Rachel going back to teaching.
Garrett is the local sheriff. A man that Rachel blames for her husband’s death. He is also a man that wants to help Rachel have an easier life. Also the man that has been fascinated with her since HS.
As we visit with all of them, meet the other characters and the ups and downs of their lives, we realize that as complicated as life is, finding love and gaining new friends is what life is all about.
never-reading-andor-finishing
July 2, 2020DNF 28% - the main characters are honestly annoying me too much to continue
Freebie on amazon.
Freebie on amazon.
May 3, 2024
No absolutely not. The heroine is just awful and making absolutely bizarre choices.
September 8, 2020
GoodRead
This book as a cute story wonderful characters and twist so normal it makes you keep reading. This book is fairly clean of sexually scenes. Just enjoyed reading this book. Going to look for more books from this author.
This book as a cute story wonderful characters and twist so normal it makes you keep reading. This book is fairly clean of sexually scenes. Just enjoyed reading this book. Going to look for more books from this author.
July 16, 2022
dnf at page 82: I couldn't stand one more paragraph of Rachel's angry tandrums. Her behavior would have been somewhat understandable in a 3-year-old, but it got real old real fast in an adult who was modeling that behavior for her young children - one of whom was special needs. Life is too short, and my TBR stack is too enticing, to waste any more time on this dysfunctional character and the damage she is inflicting on her children.
August 8, 2018
The main characters were over the top rude to each other. I didn’t have time to get to know either of them before they were spouting unkindness to each other, so didn’t particularly like either of them. The book was pretty clean of bedroom scenes but it was still a bit coarse. I skimmed through to the end.
August 13, 2022
Don't like the heroine
I'm only 13% through this book and this heroine is TDTL. I just don't like her and think she is childish and mean. He husband was horrible but she refuses to believe it. Just no.
I'm only 13% through this book and this heroine is TDTL. I just don't like her and think she is childish and mean. He husband was horrible but she refuses to believe it. Just no.
August 4, 2022
Sheriff Garrett Stark & Rachel. A new beginning for a mother of 3 who has done everything to support her children after her husband's suicide.
Sweet story about, letting go of the past. Can Rachel have a new beginning? Or will she hide away from the town to prevent from being the town gossip.
When the town finds out that her husband Cline was a thief, committed bank fraud, schemes & couldn't hold a job. There was always an excuses in the 12 yrs they were married.
Rachel was the one who provided the bacon!! Clive even stole in her name with fraudulent credit card accounts. She had to pay for everything with the sell of the house. Which is why she lives in the mountains with barely anything. She is a teacher at the local school waiting for the upcoming contract for next year.
Unfortunately, her mother-in-law has it out for her. Writing letters to the school board to remove her as a teacher. This nasty women blames Rachel for her son's suicide. When in fact the federal investigation on her son was because of his actions. When he was put in jail he called his mother for bail. She told him NO. SO when the local & federal investigation was concluded it was clear that Clive was a criminal of corruption, bank fraud & he didn't want to deal with the consequences.
Rachel cannot seem to get a break, from lack of funds to provide for her children. To feral dogs killing the towns animals, which she gets hit hard on her farm.
Sheriff Garrett Stark Ex-Marines didn't like Rachel in the beginning. Maybe because he believed she was involved in husband dealings. But he comes to find out she knew nothing about his criminal ways.
When Sheriff Garrett Stark realizes that there is something going on between these two that cannot be denied. Garrett will do anything to win the mother of three. Especially when he knows that Rachel also knows their is an attraction between the two. But she won't let it go further. She doesn't want the town gossiping especially during the local school still deciding on re-hiring her for the next school year.
Though, Garrett seems to be around Rachel whenever she needs help. Between the storms destroying her farm, feral dogs have come & killed all the animals. Sherriff Starks is there for her.
When Garrett finally tells her that he is interested in her. She pushes him away. But he won't give up. When she opens up a little that is when he takes the opportunity to find a way to get her out on a date.
By bringing his mother Martha Stark to watch her children.
During that dinner Rachel finally admits to her feelings for Garrett but they cannot do anything in public. Not to mention her children.
Her children are her first priority. Her kids have their own views of their lives. se Caroline-7 yrs. masks her emotions with not liking any changes within her family. She is very judgmental & dislikes Sherriff Stalk. Sara - 4 yrs. does all her communication thru signing, or giggling. She has chosen not to speak.
Then the boy, he just wants a father. So when he & Sherriff Stark start talking & building a bond; Garrett decides to tell him that he wants to Marry his mama. Rachel Son is thrilled. He knows his mama needs help.
Garrett finds Rachel, smart, strong, determined & of course beautiful. He is going to break her walls down to have her as his wife & be a father to those children.
Read how Sherriff Stark builds love, trust, & protection for Rachel's entire family. Can he get Rachel to be his wife? Can Sherriff Stark get Caroline to believe he is here for good. Not run out like her father did?
Sweet story about, letting go of the past. Can Rachel have a new beginning? Or will she hide away from the town to prevent from being the town gossip.
When the town finds out that her husband Cline was a thief, committed bank fraud, schemes & couldn't hold a job. There was always an excuses in the 12 yrs they were married.
Rachel was the one who provided the bacon!! Clive even stole in her name with fraudulent credit card accounts. She had to pay for everything with the sell of the house. Which is why she lives in the mountains with barely anything. She is a teacher at the local school waiting for the upcoming contract for next year.
Unfortunately, her mother-in-law has it out for her. Writing letters to the school board to remove her as a teacher. This nasty women blames Rachel for her son's suicide. When in fact the federal investigation on her son was because of his actions. When he was put in jail he called his mother for bail. She told him NO. SO when the local & federal investigation was concluded it was clear that Clive was a criminal of corruption, bank fraud & he didn't want to deal with the consequences.
Rachel cannot seem to get a break, from lack of funds to provide for her children. To feral dogs killing the towns animals, which she gets hit hard on her farm.
Sheriff Garrett Stark Ex-Marines didn't like Rachel in the beginning. Maybe because he believed she was involved in husband dealings. But he comes to find out she knew nothing about his criminal ways.
When Sheriff Garrett Stark realizes that there is something going on between these two that cannot be denied. Garrett will do anything to win the mother of three. Especially when he knows that Rachel also knows their is an attraction between the two. But she won't let it go further. She doesn't want the town gossiping especially during the local school still deciding on re-hiring her for the next school year.
Though, Garrett seems to be around Rachel whenever she needs help. Between the storms destroying her farm, feral dogs have come & killed all the animals. Sherriff Starks is there for her.
When Garrett finally tells her that he is interested in her. She pushes him away. But he won't give up. When she opens up a little that is when he takes the opportunity to find a way to get her out on a date.
By bringing his mother Martha Stark to watch her children.
During that dinner Rachel finally admits to her feelings for Garrett but they cannot do anything in public. Not to mention her children.
Her children are her first priority. Her kids have their own views of their lives. se Caroline-7 yrs. masks her emotions with not liking any changes within her family. She is very judgmental & dislikes Sherriff Stalk. Sara - 4 yrs. does all her communication thru signing, or giggling. She has chosen not to speak.
Then the boy, he just wants a father. So when he & Sherriff Stark start talking & building a bond; Garrett decides to tell him that he wants to Marry his mama. Rachel Son is thrilled. He knows his mama needs help.
Garrett finds Rachel, smart, strong, determined & of course beautiful. He is going to break her walls down to have her as his wife & be a father to those children.
Read how Sherriff Stark builds love, trust, & protection for Rachel's entire family. Can he get Rachel to be his wife? Can Sherriff Stark get Caroline to believe he is here for good. Not run out like her father did?
June 24, 2019
Great characters that come alive with true Southern hospitality...the good and bad of that. Combined with the menus it gave the book a strong sense of place/setting.
A strong hero that goes for what he wants once he figures it out. I especially appreciate the way he sticks around when the going gets tough. And I love what the author says in the notes at the end...
"I don't write about bad boys because bad boys are self-centered, eat Stupid for Breakfast, make bad men and worse fathers."
Oh, how true that is.
I truly respect the way that the author intersperses what we called 'fifty cent' words with downhome cliches, like 'this ain't our first rodeo', 'full of corn', and 'clabber' with loquacious and doyenne (had to look that one up).
A couple of things did bother me...
1) A few editorial issues with sentence structure such as 'Garrett looked a Julie askance.'
2) Lack of sex - Of course, this is a personal taste issue and may be a plus for some people, but for me, the book was more than a bit of a tease. The author built sexual tension with melting kisses, feeling one another up, erections, and wet panties. Then the couple of times that they did make love she faded to black. Her explanation in the notes:
"I don't write titillating sex scenes because you already know where the body parts go and you don't need an anatomy class from me. As I recall bedroom events, it was fifteen minutes and he turned over and went to sleep. I got up, changed diapers or washed dishes or ironed my clothes for work the next day."
That left me both sad that such a great writer saw it that way and a bit angry about all the build up. I can respect if someone fades to black for religious or moral reasons but those writers don't spend the first two-thirds or more of the book building this level of sexual tension. It sort of felt like the 4th of July picnic in the book...when the fireworks sunk to the bottom of the lake.
But in the end, despite these issues, I simply could not give a book with such strong character development, setting, and depth of meaning four stars. The true rating is a four-and-a-half, but neither Amazon or GoodReads do those.
A strong hero that goes for what he wants once he figures it out. I especially appreciate the way he sticks around when the going gets tough. And I love what the author says in the notes at the end...
"I don't write about bad boys because bad boys are self-centered, eat Stupid for Breakfast, make bad men and worse fathers."
Oh, how true that is.
I truly respect the way that the author intersperses what we called 'fifty cent' words with downhome cliches, like 'this ain't our first rodeo', 'full of corn', and 'clabber' with loquacious and doyenne (had to look that one up).
A couple of things did bother me...
1) A few editorial issues with sentence structure such as 'Garrett looked a Julie askance.'
2) Lack of sex - Of course, this is a personal taste issue and may be a plus for some people, but for me, the book was more than a bit of a tease. The author built sexual tension with melting kisses, feeling one another up, erections, and wet panties. Then the couple of times that they did make love she faded to black. Her explanation in the notes:
"I don't write titillating sex scenes because you already know where the body parts go and you don't need an anatomy class from me. As I recall bedroom events, it was fifteen minutes and he turned over and went to sleep. I got up, changed diapers or washed dishes or ironed my clothes for work the next day."
That left me both sad that such a great writer saw it that way and a bit angry about all the build up. I can respect if someone fades to black for religious or moral reasons but those writers don't spend the first two-thirds or more of the book building this level of sexual tension. It sort of felt like the 4th of July picnic in the book...when the fireworks sunk to the bottom of the lake.
But in the end, despite these issues, I simply could not give a book with such strong character development, setting, and depth of meaning four stars. The true rating is a four-and-a-half, but neither Amazon or GoodReads do those.
July 3, 2020
2.5
Blah... I really didn’t like either of these two leads. Not entirely sure why I kept reading when they were both as horrible and yak as characters can get without being hellspawn. There was snarking (and not the good kind) and tantrums and terrible life choices after terrible life choices. If they could screw something up, they did.
They did get a tiny bit better, but not by much, and not enough to like them... only enough to not want to run them over in a bus so we could get better characters... kind of, maybe, sometimes. The improvement was that they seemed to realise they were being icky people and needed to change their ways, that’s always promising, but it wasn’t enough in here for me. Their romance just didn’t work or build imo. I could see how it was supposed to go, but that wasn’t what was coming across.
A few of the support characters were mostly ok, but most were just blah and it was all a little off.
0720
Blah... I really didn’t like either of these two leads. Not entirely sure why I kept reading when they were both as horrible and yak as characters can get without being hellspawn. There was snarking (and not the good kind) and tantrums and terrible life choices after terrible life choices. If they could screw something up, they did.
They did get a tiny bit better, but not by much, and not enough to like them... only enough to not want to run them over in a bus so we could get better characters... kind of, maybe, sometimes. The improvement was that they seemed to realise they were being icky people and needed to change their ways, that’s always promising, but it wasn’t enough in here for me. Their romance just didn’t work or build imo. I could see how it was supposed to go, but that wasn’t what was coming across.
A few of the support characters were mostly ok, but most were just blah and it was all a little off.
0720
July 12, 2020
I've been on the fence about the rating and review for this one.
Overall, I liked it - in the sense that I enjoyed the sense of community once we got there, the chemistry between the two leads, and that it had a happy ending.
But I'll admit that the female bugged me so hard.
Initially, her decision to remove herself and her kids away from the current situation was a good one - but she took it waaay too far and ended up turning her back on sensible offers to help. Not to mention she was so rude to the sheriff! Like, come on lady!
Something about this rubbed me just wrong, but I have no idea what specifically it was. Probably the female lead though. I could have tolerated the male, but I didn't quite get why he was so hung up about her.
Also, it'd be nice if the editor caught she had different coloured hair every single page - it went from auburn through chesnut to mahogany. I'm PRETTY sure those are three DIFFERENT colours!
Overall, I liked it - in the sense that I enjoyed the sense of community once we got there, the chemistry between the two leads, and that it had a happy ending.
But I'll admit that the female bugged me so hard.
Initially, her decision to remove herself and her kids away from the current situation was a good one - but she took it waaay too far and ended up turning her back on sensible offers to help. Not to mention she was so rude to the sheriff! Like, come on lady!
Something about this rubbed me just wrong, but I have no idea what specifically it was. Probably the female lead though. I could have tolerated the male, but I didn't quite get why he was so hung up about her.
Also, it'd be nice if the editor caught she had different coloured hair every single page - it went from auburn through chesnut to mahogany. I'm PRETTY sure those are three DIFFERENT colours!
July 1, 2020
Sweet Romance
Strong single mom, Rachel, deals with alpha male Garrett, as they try to find a way to deal with past misunderstandings and current attractions. Rachel needs time to heal from suicide of his and who was weak, a lier, verbally abusive and a their. She wants to protect her 3 kids and her heart from gossip and another chance at love. Garrett is the town sheriff, all around great guy with some old fashion ideas about women and relationships. Both have to grow and change before they can make their relationship work. Throw in packs of feral dogs, former MIL from hell, town gossips and a hard scrabble life in general and you have a good read.
This is a behind the doors romance, so hint of sexual situations but no more. Thought book needed “the more” or at least a bigger taste. Author explains her reasoning about sexual scenes in the afterthought.
Strong single mom, Rachel, deals with alpha male Garrett, as they try to find a way to deal with past misunderstandings and current attractions. Rachel needs time to heal from suicide of his and who was weak, a lier, verbally abusive and a their. She wants to protect her 3 kids and her heart from gossip and another chance at love. Garrett is the town sheriff, all around great guy with some old fashion ideas about women and relationships. Both have to grow and change before they can make their relationship work. Throw in packs of feral dogs, former MIL from hell, town gossips and a hard scrabble life in general and you have a good read.
This is a behind the doors romance, so hint of sexual situations but no more. Thought book needed “the more” or at least a bigger taste. Author explains her reasoning about sexual scenes in the afterthought.
November 3, 2023
This was a nice enough read. I mean, I did finish it. However, I can't see me picking up something like this again. I had to pretend this took place years ago before the internet and smart phones. Both of these characters had very old world way of thinking that grated on me most of the time. I didn't feel the heat or romance really between them. I thought it started as a decent enemies to lovers but the more I learned about Rachel's husband that more I didn't understand her view point at all. And Garrett really wasn't all that likeable either with his caveman view of her. Not the way I thought this would play out. Rachel sure pulled a huge 180 in her thinking of Garrett though. Some of the side characters were entertaining I like Rachel's kids for the most part.
I'd give this a 2 1/2 stars as it was just okay.
I'd give this a 2 1/2 stars as it was just okay.
June 14, 2018
A fun contemporary romance set in Arkansas
While fun this book touches on parts of life and peoples' character that are anything but fun. I have a feeling that the reason this author can write about those topics so well is because they have touched and not lightly.
Where it is that one can be enjoying a book so much you don't want to see it end . I simply love the characters in the story . The little girl Sara will grab your heart and by the way that's the only air I found. In one spot Sara's name changed to Sarah and then back to Sara.
Make no mistake this is a love story from beginning to end and you will want to cheer for all the characters . Well, there is that one that you both so enjoy her last scene...
While fun this book touches on parts of life and peoples' character that are anything but fun. I have a feeling that the reason this author can write about those topics so well is because they have touched and not lightly.
Where it is that one can be enjoying a book so much you don't want to see it end . I simply love the characters in the story . The little girl Sara will grab your heart and by the way that's the only air I found. In one spot Sara's name changed to Sarah and then back to Sara.
Make no mistake this is a love story from beginning to end and you will want to cheer for all the characters . Well, there is that one that you both so enjoy her last scene...
June 25, 2018
I enjoyed this second chance romance that takes place in Appalachia. The title notwithstanding, this was a clean romance with just a few hints of heat. I liked how the author used slow disclosure to let us know the back story. I really enjoyed all the characters and found none of them to be too good to be true. But, I didn't like that the hero smoked cigars, and the heroine an occasional cigarette. It made me feel that this story must have been written decades ago, yet there were modern touches such as cell phones and video games. A few things didn't make sense, such as the detail that family friends had TVs in all the (many) children's bedroom. And I wasn't sure about the likelihood of the wild dog story line and the danger. Anyway, I did enjoy this and plan to read more by the author.
December 7, 2018
Her nine year old son asking his mother if she was still pretty.If she was maybe she could find another daddy to take care of us. She spent every hour of every day surviving She had the children,they were alone in the old homestead cabin and she was lonely. Garrett being sheriff, was checking up on the people in his county. He was wanting her to come back to town, he’d help her find a job, nobody would hold it against about Clive. He admire her for being independent and the responsibility of the three kids.
She notices him, and doesn’t want to dwell that she does, she likes his attention. The author did a good job with the characters, and what they were going through. This was a good story of family trying the best they could without a daddy.
She notices him, and doesn’t want to dwell that she does, she likes his attention. The author did a good job with the characters, and what they were going through. This was a good story of family trying the best they could without a daddy.
January 28, 2021
This was a sweet small town romance with a bit of edge.
For anyone who has ever lived in a small town you know how gossipy and in your business people can be. For Rachel she has been the center of it for years. She recently lost her husband and is struggling to hold things together for her children. When the Sheriff starts snooping around it sets her world on another spin.
Garrett has had his eyes on Rachel for years but when she married he figured he lost his chance for good. Fate has a way of changing things but in his case, not for the better. Rachel blames him for her husbands death. He tries his best to get back in to her good graces and he will never be the same!
I really enjoyed this story. There is sadness, strength, overcoming, romance and even some terror/excitement.
For anyone who has ever lived in a small town you know how gossipy and in your business people can be. For Rachel she has been the center of it for years. She recently lost her husband and is struggling to hold things together for her children. When the Sheriff starts snooping around it sets her world on another spin.
Garrett has had his eyes on Rachel for years but when she married he figured he lost his chance for good. Fate has a way of changing things but in his case, not for the better. Rachel blames him for her husbands death. He tries his best to get back in to her good graces and he will never be the same!
I really enjoyed this story. There is sadness, strength, overcoming, romance and even some terror/excitement.
November 20, 2017
I obtained this free e-book from Amazon and I am voluntarily writing a review. Racheal is a new widow with 3 children after her husband was arrested for robbing a convenience store and hung himself in his jail cell. Grief stricken, embarrassed broke and homeless after her home was foreclosed on she moves back to the family homestead cabin where she was raised without any of todays modern convenience's. She blames Sheriff Garrett for her husbands death. Garrett has always been aware of Racheal who was a couple of years behind him in school and when he returned home on leave from the Marines she was already married to the town's bad boy with a baby in her arms.
December 5, 2017
Rachel Cameron is raising her children with basically no money, in a cabin where she herslf grew up. A recent widow, Rachel wanted to be away from the shares and talk in town, about her late husband, who committed suicide rather that face jail time for his crimes. Also, her late husbands mother has the money to alleviate Rachel's problems but she never liked Rachel and in fact blames all of her son's shortcomings on Rachel.
The Sheriff in town, has always liked Rachel, although she blames him or leaving her husband alone in his cell, but he comes out to visit to help her, even though she tells him not to.
The Sheriff in town, has always liked Rachel, although she blames him or leaving her husband alone in his cell, but he comes out to visit to help her, even though she tells him not to.
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