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Join New York Times bestseller Diana Palmer as she revisits another unforgettable Long, Tall Texans story!
Tom Walker has never believed in true love. A difficult upbringing hardened his heart many years ago, but Elysia Craig is slowly but surely melting his tough exterior. The innocent blonde makes him want to be a different man. But can Tom change from a rough ‘n’ tumble bachelor to the forever husband Elysia deserves?
Tom Walker has never believed in true love. A difficult upbringing hardened his heart many years ago, but Elysia Craig is slowly but surely melting his tough exterior. The innocent blonde makes him want to be a different man. But can Tom change from a rough ‘n’ tumble bachelor to the forever husband Elysia deserves?
- GenresWesterns
80 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 11, 2018
222 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
About the author
Diana Palmer
1,049 books3,097 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Diana Palmer is a pseudonym for author Susan Kyle.
(1)romance author
Susan Eloise Spaeth was born on 11 December 1946 in Cuthbert, Georgia, USA. She was the eldest daughter of Maggie Eloise Cliatt, a nurse and also journalist, and William Olin Spaeth, a college professor. Her mother was part of the women's liberation movement many years before it became fashionable. Her best friends are her mother and her sister, Dannis Spaeth (Cole), who now has two daughters, Amanda Belle Hofstetter and Maggie and lives in Utah. Susan grew up reading Zane Grey and fell in love with cowboys. Susan is a former newspaper reporter, with sixteen years experience on both daily and weekly newspapers. Since 1972, she has been married to James Kyle and have since settled down in Cornelia, Georgia, where she started to write romance novels. Susan and her husband have one son, Blayne Edward, born in 1980.
She began selling romances in 1979 as Diana Palmer. She also used the pseudonyms Diana Blayne and Katy Currie, and her married name: Susan Kyle. Now, she has over 40 million copies of her books in print, which have been translated and published around the world. She is listed in numerous publications, including Contemporary Authors by Gale Research, Inc., Twentieth Century Romance and Historical Writers by St. James Press, The Writers Directory by St. James Press, the International Who's Who of Authors and Writers by Meirose Press, Ltd., and Love's Leading Ladies by Kathryn Falk. Her awards include seven Waldenbooks national sales awards, four B. Dalton national sales awards, two Bookrak national sales awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award for series storytelling from Romantic Times, several Affaire de Coeur awards, and two regional RWA awards.
Inspired by her husband, who quit a blue-collar manufacturing job to return to school and get his diploma in computer programming, Susan herself went back to college as a day student at the age of 45. In 1995, she graduated summa cum laude from Piedmont College, Demorest, GA, with a major in history and a double minor in archaeology and Spanish. She was named to two honor societies (the Torch Club and Alpha Chi), and was named to the National Dean's List. In addition to her writing projects, she is currently working on her master's degree in history at California State University. She hopes to specialize in Native American studies. She is a member of the Native American Rights Fund, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Cattlemen's Association, the Archaeological Institute of Amenca, the Planetary Society, The Georgia Conservancy, the Georgia Sheriff's Association, and numerous conservation and charitable organizations. Her hobbies include gardening, archaeology, anthropology, iguanas, astronomy and music.
In 1998, her husband retired from his own computer business and now pursues skeet shooting medals in local, state, national and international competition. They love riding around and looking at the countryside, watching sci-fi on TV and at the movies, just talking and eating out.
Diana Palmer is a pseudonym for author Susan Kyle.
(1)romance author
Susan Eloise Spaeth was born on 11 December 1946 in Cuthbert, Georgia, USA. She was the eldest daughter of Maggie Eloise Cliatt, a nurse and also journalist, and William Olin Spaeth, a college professor. Her mother was part of the women's liberation movement many years before it became fashionable. Her best friends are her mother and her sister, Dannis Spaeth (Cole), who now has two daughters, Amanda Belle Hofstetter and Maggie and lives in Utah. Susan grew up reading Zane Grey and fell in love with cowboys. Susan is a former newspaper reporter, with sixteen years experience on both daily and weekly newspapers. Since 1972, she has been married to James Kyle and have since settled down in Cornelia, Georgia, where she started to write romance novels. Susan and her husband have one son, Blayne Edward, born in 1980.
She began selling romances in 1979 as Diana Palmer. She also used the pseudonyms Diana Blayne and Katy Currie, and her married name: Susan Kyle. Now, she has over 40 million copies of her books in print, which have been translated and published around the world. She is listed in numerous publications, including Contemporary Authors by Gale Research, Inc., Twentieth Century Romance and Historical Writers by St. James Press, The Writers Directory by St. James Press, the International Who's Who of Authors and Writers by Meirose Press, Ltd., and Love's Leading Ladies by Kathryn Falk. Her awards include seven Waldenbooks national sales awards, four B. Dalton national sales awards, two Bookrak national sales awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award for series storytelling from Romantic Times, several Affaire de Coeur awards, and two regional RWA awards.
Inspired by her husband, who quit a blue-collar manufacturing job to return to school and get his diploma in computer programming, Susan herself went back to college as a day student at the age of 45. In 1995, she graduated summa cum laude from Piedmont College, Demorest, GA, with a major in history and a double minor in archaeology and Spanish. She was named to two honor societies (the Torch Club and Alpha Chi), and was named to the National Dean's List. In addition to her writing projects, she is currently working on her master's degree in history at California State University. She hopes to specialize in Native American studies. She is a member of the Native American Rights Fund, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Cattlemen's Association, the Archaeological Institute of Amenca, the Planetary Society, The Georgia Conservancy, the Georgia Sheriff's Association, and numerous conservation and charitable organizations. Her hobbies include gardening, archaeology, anthropology, iguanas, astronomy and music.
In 1998, her husband retired from his own computer business and now pursues skeet shooting medals in local, state, national and international competition. They love riding around and looking at the countryside, watching sci-fi on TV and at the movies, just talking and eating out.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 10, 2020
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A rather odd little short from DP. Not sure why there's a cowboy on a horse on the cover, as Tom is a financial advisor.
Tom and Elysia new each other 6 years ago when they had a ONS. It did not go well and shortly after Elysia moved away. Now Tom finds that when he moves to Jacobsville, Elysia already lives there too. Awkward coincidence? Hmmmm...
They tentatively reacquaint themselves but it doesn't take long for Tom's bad temper to push nasty words out of his mouth. This kinda becomes a habit, his jumping to the wrong conclusions and taking out his unhappiness on her.
Of course he learns the truth and also learns that Elysia's little girl looks a lot like him. Now how to convince Elysia to let him into their lives after all the douche bag things he's said to her...
It's a straight forward story but with a bit of a twist with their histories.
Elysia's brother plays match maker (as well as a few others) when he explains to Elysia about Tom's background. Now this was the part I was like WTF? If her brother new so much, and new about Elysia's daughter, Crissy, then why the F didn't he mention these pertinent deets sooner???
There's a fair bit of convenient verbal regurgitation from side characters to help the MCs bridge the gap.
But I still enjoyed it and Tom grovels quite nicely. Both MCs were great (especially Elysia and her spine of steel... well aluminum I guess) but the story was too clunky to be more than 3 stars.
Safety is surprisingly good
A rather odd little short from DP. Not sure why there's a cowboy on a horse on the cover, as Tom is a financial advisor.
Tom and Elysia new each other 6 years ago when they had a ONS. It did not go well and shortly after Elysia moved away. Now Tom finds that when he moves to Jacobsville, Elysia already lives there too. Awkward coincidence? Hmmmm...
They tentatively reacquaint themselves but it doesn't take long for Tom's bad temper to push nasty words out of his mouth. This kinda becomes a habit, his jumping to the wrong conclusions and taking out his unhappiness on her.
Of course he learns the truth and also learns that Elysia's little girl looks a lot like him. Now how to convince Elysia to let him into their lives after all the douche bag things he's said to her...
It's a straight forward story but with a bit of a twist with their histories.
Elysia's brother plays match maker (as well as a few others) when he explains to Elysia about Tom's background. Now this was the part I was like WTF? If her brother new so much, and new about Elysia's daughter, Crissy, then why the F didn't he mention these pertinent deets sooner???
There's a fair bit of convenient verbal regurgitation from side characters to help the MCs bridge the gap.
But I still enjoyed it and Tom grovels quite nicely. Both MCs were great (especially Elysia and her spine of steel... well aluminum I guess) but the story was too clunky to be more than 3 stars.
Safety is surprisingly good
November 8, 2018
Two and a half stars. Very, very simple plotline. The H has some demons, but they are fairly easily vanquished. Suuuuuuuuuuuuper safe. No OW or OM -- the only barriers are the lack of communication and his past. He's even fairly understanding about something that most H's would freak out about.
June 28, 2018
Love the secret child trope. I loved Tom but Elysia was cold. Safe: hero and heroine are virgins and celibate during separation. Sweet HEA.
February 16, 2021
Audiobook review:
Story – 4
Performance – 5
Overall – 4
I enjoyed this.
This was a sweet story but it’s definitely a bit dated. I could tell while listening to it that it much have been written many years ago. When I researched it I found that it was first published in 1997. A lot of things have changed in the world of romance book since then. Having said all of that I still enjoyed listening to this story.
I thoroughly enjoyed Todd McLaren’s voice; it’s soothing to listen to and he did a great job with the different character voices. His voice seemed very familiar to me so perhaps he also narrates under another name, too.
Tom had an unusual background that Elysia wasn’t aware of when they had their first encounter. When her brother explains Tom’s background to her it does change her attitude towards Tom.
This story is part of a series with many, many books in it. I haven’t read any of the other books but that didn’t affect my enjoyment of the story at all.
A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author and/or narrator.
Story – 4
Performance – 5
Overall – 4
I enjoyed this.
This was a sweet story but it’s definitely a bit dated. I could tell while listening to it that it much have been written many years ago. When I researched it I found that it was first published in 1997. A lot of things have changed in the world of romance book since then. Having said all of that I still enjoyed listening to this story.
I thoroughly enjoyed Todd McLaren’s voice; it’s soothing to listen to and he did a great job with the different character voices. His voice seemed very familiar to me so perhaps he also narrates under another name, too.
Tom had an unusual background that Elysia wasn’t aware of when they had their first encounter. When her brother explains Tom’s background to her it does change her attitude towards Tom.
This story is part of a series with many, many books in it. I haven’t read any of the other books but that didn’t affect my enjoyment of the story at all.
A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author and/or narrator.
December 26, 2021
This is one of those books when I do not know if I should call him a virgin or not. The book describes his first experience but in the past tense. This story picks up with him interested in doing it again with the same woman. It did not go well the first time and the book revolves around this couple possibly getting together again.
And suddenly, even though he has never seen a woman naked, the second time around, he can last, give multiples, and change positions all night. Okayyyyyy……..
And suddenly, even though he has never seen a woman naked, the second time around, he can last, give multiples, and change positions all night. Okayyyyyy……..
May 13, 2025
4 Stars
I purchased a copy of the steamy Long, Tall Texans: Tom by Diana Palmer, and this review was given freely.
An ironic second chance at love story blended with a history lesson, and brightened by the antics of a young dog.
Products of childhood abuse, Tom and his secretary Elysia have their first intimate encounter, but fear and the lack of communication separate them for years until they are reunited years later in Texas with the help of their daughter.
I purchased a copy of the steamy Long, Tall Texans: Tom by Diana Palmer, and this review was given freely.
An ironic second chance at love story blended with a history lesson, and brightened by the antics of a young dog.
Products of childhood abuse, Tom and his secretary Elysia have their first intimate encounter, but fear and the lack of communication separate them for years until they are reunited years later in Texas with the help of their daughter.
June 18, 2025
I never thought I would give a Diana Palmer book a 5 stars 😭 but here I am eating my words.
Usually after reading a DP book I would come out angry or disappointed because her MMCs are for the trash but this one surprisingly is not. He’s not an undesirable asshole and what more he’s a virgin and has been celibate ever since they got separated 😮💨
Usually after reading a DP book I would come out angry or disappointed because her MMCs are for the trash but this one surprisingly is not. He’s not an undesirable asshole and what more he’s a virgin and has been celibate ever since they got separated 😮💨
June 18, 2018
Loved it
I'm so glad that Thomas got a story, After reading his sister Kate's story. Thomas runs into the only woman he loved ( who he had a one night stand with) after 6 years and she has a big secret.
I'm so glad that Thomas got a story, After reading his sister Kate's story. Thomas runs into the only woman he loved ( who he had a one night stand with) after 6 years and she has a big secret.
December 29, 2022
Tom and Elysia
It was ok, I didn't really like how short it was and I doubt I'd want to re-read.
I liked that both were virgins when they were first together 6 years before and both didn't sleep with other people after.
I liked that Tom was never attracted to anyone but Elysia. P.
It was ok, I didn't really like how short it was and I doubt I'd want to re-read.
I liked that both were virgins when they were first together 6 years before and both didn't sleep with other people after.
I liked that Tom was never attracted to anyone but Elysia. P.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2018
Wonderful
As always Diana Palmer have us a really great read.One that holds you from the very beginning to the end.Thank you.
As always Diana Palmer have us a really great read.One that holds you from the very beginning to the end.Thank you.
July 2, 2021
It is a quick read. Not sure if I would consider the story believable.
August 17, 2022
This was a quick and cute read! I wish we had more book in which to bond with the characters, but it is a novella after all!
October 25, 2023
Audiobook. A sweet, short story.
February 27, 2024
Very quickly.
December 31, 2024
Great read!
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January 8, 2025Cute
June 5, 2025
1.25⭐️’s
“𝓛𝓸𝓿𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾, 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝓪𝓵𝓵 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓘 𝓪𝓶, 𝓪𝓵𝓵 𝓘 𝓴𝓷𝓸𝔀, 𝓪𝓵𝓵 𝓘 𝓯𝓮𝓮𝓵. 𝓘’𝓵𝓵 𝓷𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓼𝓽𝓸𝓹, 𝓷𝓸𝓽 𝓪𝓼 𝓵𝓸𝓷𝓰 𝓪𝓼 𝓘 𝓵𝓲𝓿𝓮.”
Tropes:
🤍Small-town
🤍Second Chance
🤍Secret Child
“𝓛𝓸𝓿𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾, 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝓪𝓵𝓵 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓘 𝓪𝓶, 𝓪𝓵𝓵 𝓘 𝓴𝓷𝓸𝔀, 𝓪𝓵𝓵 𝓘 𝓯𝓮𝓮𝓵. 𝓘’𝓵𝓵 𝓷𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓼𝓽𝓸𝓹, 𝓷𝓸𝓽 𝓪𝓼 𝓵𝓸𝓷𝓰 𝓪𝓼 𝓘 𝓵𝓲𝓿𝓮.”
Tropes:
🤍Small-town
🤍Second Chance
🤍Secret Child
October 14, 2025
i have always love diana Palmer's books. this one was as good as the other.
February 17, 2024
It wasn’t my favourite. Normally I can smash out one of this authors books in a matter of hours but this took me days and it’s only a novella. It just wasn’t that captivating.
We have the hero and heroine who have only slept with each other once due to childhood trauma. Then the hero bails and the heroine leaves down, pregnant. Years later and she’s been married and widowed and the hero is still single and alone, grumpy and angry. He finds himself in the same town as the heroine and temptations flare and then he finds out about the child.
There is no real remorse on her side from not telling him about the kid and he wasn’t really pissed about it either. They just kind of got together and got married and yeah. Not the angst riddled story I’m used to.
It was fine, but I wanted more.
We have the hero and heroine who have only slept with each other once due to childhood trauma. Then the hero bails and the heroine leaves down, pregnant. Years later and she’s been married and widowed and the hero is still single and alone, grumpy and angry. He finds himself in the same town as the heroine and temptations flare and then he finds out about the child.
There is no real remorse on her side from not telling him about the kid and he wasn’t really pissed about it either. They just kind of got together and got married and yeah. Not the angst riddled story I’m used to.
It was fine, but I wanted more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2022
This is a really short novella for DP at around 80 pages.
The h worked for the H in NYC and was head over heels for him but he was not into any form of relationships due to a horrible upbringing.
They end up in bed together and due to a misunderstanding neither contacts the other again mainly due to being each others firsts.
The h is of course left with a gift and in order to be respectable in her small town gets married to a guy who is dying of cancer. He needs a nurse and she needs respectability so they marry and he is kind to her and her baby although they never consummate.
They end up in the same town and of course he eventually realises her kid is his. They clear up all their misunderstandings for another night in bed a trip to the minister and another kid on the way.
Moose the giant dog gets a star all of his own for this book.
The h worked for the H in NYC and was head over heels for him but he was not into any form of relationships due to a horrible upbringing.
They end up in bed together and due to a misunderstanding neither contacts the other again mainly due to being each others firsts.
The h is of course left with a gift and in order to be respectable in her small town gets married to a guy who is dying of cancer. He needs a nurse and she needs respectability so they marry and he is kind to her and her baby although they never consummate.
They end up in the same town and of course he eventually realises her kid is his. They clear up all their misunderstandings for another night in bed a trip to the minister and another kid on the way.
Moose the giant dog gets a star all of his own for this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2019
I would have rate it 3.5 stars.
it had all what I love, a brooding dark skinned hero, a difficult past of abuse (physical and mental) and a journey to reconstruction. A fine young woman, a bright child and a small town atmosphere were fine.
I would have more development in the story, more details to the construction of the characters and more in the story itself. a too quick read, the story would have been wonderful if more devloped but a good story as the topic is still rare and Tom is unique with his doubts.
it had all what I love, a brooding dark skinned hero, a difficult past of abuse (physical and mental) and a journey to reconstruction. A fine young woman, a bright child and a small town atmosphere were fine.
I would have more development in the story, more details to the construction of the characters and more in the story itself. a too quick read, the story would have been wonderful if more devloped but a good story as the topic is still rare and Tom is unique with his doubts.
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July 2, 2018Miniseries: Long, Tall Texans
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews