Pete Higgins is an honorary Westmoreland, a man of his word—of course he’ll put duty to his orphaned niece first. Too bad the temporary nanny is tempting him with every look. Myra Hollister captivates him. But she’s keeping dangerous secrets, the kind that remind Pete of all he’s lost before and what he can’t afford to lose again…
In 1994, Brenda Jackson’s first novel, Tonight and Forever, was released. Since then she has had more than 100 novels and novellas published (the first African-American author to accomplish such a feat) and has over 3 million books in print.
A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Brenda is the first African-American author to have a book published by Harlequin Desire and the first African-American romance author to make the New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller lists within the series romance genre.
In 2012, Brenda received the Romance Writers of America’s Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award—one of the highest literary awards a romance author can receive. In 2013, she was recognized by the mayor and the city of Jacksonville as being a Trailblazer in the literary field.
In 2010, she collaborated with Five Alive Films to turn her Truly Everlasting title into a feature film. Brenda’s 2011 novel A Silken Thread is scheduled to be filmed with Debbie Allen attached as director in 2015.
Email Brenda at authorbrendajackson@gmail.com or visit her on her website at brendajackson.net.
Brenda Jackson alway delivers a solid story. This one was shorter than her usual books but still featured an entertaining story.
Pete Higgins was raising his niece Ciara since his brother died in a car accident along with his sister in law. As a sheriff, Pete worked long hours and needed help so He hired Myra Hollister to be the baby’s nanny. From the start, sparks flew between those two but they were grappling with unfinished business from their past. In this book, Pete and Myra has to confront the past and learn to trust each other in order to move on together.
I really appreciate that the author writes great sex scenes without the vulgarity that has become common in romance today. It was hot, heavy and tastefully done. I could read this book sitting next my kids without glancing up every few minutes to make sure I haven’t been exposed.
This book mentioned the Westmorelands, but they are secondary characters.
I devoured your book and I'm not sorry Ms Jackson... Because I freaking loved it! And I'm for real... :)
It's a low-angst read, true, but the characters and the writing style make it up to you. I loved Pete and Myra, their first encounter was absolutely my favourite where she applies for a job to be a sitter for his niece and he's smitten with her and finds her really attractive and for that reason he chickens out and decides not to hire her. But then he comes to her and offers her the job but tells her that people might talk when they live together and that's when she tells him he shouldn't worry because he's NOT her type and he's too old for her! And I loooooved her character for that!
There's an age gap of 12 years I think but she's 24-25 so she deffo isn't too young and the difference in age isn't distasteful. It's actually pretty great because after a while he wants to prove to her that he isn't too old for her and that's how it all starts. We do have some elements of slow burn here so I was sold. All in all, a great read. I'll definitely read more books from the series!!
Who would believe that Myra will be the CEO of her late father's Company in a couple of months if her lunatic 1/2 brother doesn't kidnap her first?
So in the meantime she is hiding out in Colorado until she turns 25 and can receive her inheritance. When Myra applies to be Sheriff Pete Higgins' live in nanny, for his toddler niece, Pete is so shook by Myra's beauty and kindness that he turns her down. I laughed so hard at this big old lawman getting caught up so quickly when he first meets Myra.
Absolutely loved their chemistry in this awesome story.
I'm so new to this series and considering that I read the fifth book first... well, that was a new thing for me and my reading. A steamy romance featuring Pete Higgins, a sheriff who has just gotten custody of his niece and the nanny that he hires to help look after her called Myra. Their growing attractions that both of them try to hide and deny, but as weeks past, feelings keep getting stronger. The ending felt a little crazy when a side character got introduced. It was a good listen, I liked the narrator.
A young petite hazel eyed 24 year old is the temporary nanny for a 36 6’3 broad shouldered sexy Sheriff. Now, what could go wrong there. There wasn’t much of a story here. It was the same old same. The sexy parts were awkward and a bit unrealistic, in my opinion. We were given two really good subplots that were wrapped up quickly and without depth. I wanted the author to go into the backstory of Baron, Myra’s deranged brother and his crazy mother Charlene, but I knew at 86% in that I would be disappointed with a quick and tidy wrap up.
However, there may be promise in Garth Outlaw and Regan’s story released in December 2020.
I was given an ARC of this book by Harlequin via Netgalley
Duty or Desire (The Westmoreland Legacy) by: Brenda Jackson
From old friends to new acquaintances, the Westmorelands are ever growing. Brenda Jackson drives that point home with The Westmoreland Legacy series. Duty or Desire is the latest asset to this wonderful dynasty that Jackson has created. Pete is a friend of the family. Responsible, wealthy, a bit jaded, but all heart. Pete is struggling with heartbreaking life twists both in his past and present. The most recent tragedy has left him guardian to his baby niece. Love does not come easy to him, but when he gives his heart like everything, he gives 100%. When a surprising turn of events brings him face to face with his destiny, he has some choices to make. Will he spend his life, living in the past, nursing heartache or will open his heart to a second chance, before it slips through his fingers? I'm a sucker for a single dad story. They are so adorable that they make my heart hurt.
Pete is a Sheriff who finds himself the guardian of his infant niece Ciara after his brother and sister in-law pass away. When his nanny has to spend a few months with her sister who is ill he finds himself in need of a nanny and Myra credentials are perfect but his attraction to her isn’t.
Myra needs to keep a low profile in the hopes that her family won’t track her down until it is time for her to return to her hometown. The opportunity to be Ciara’s nanny seems like the perfect solution, but she wasn’t counting on her attraction to Pete. There is no denying the chemistry between them but is Pete ready to move on from his past and accept Myra into his life and his heart?
It is always fun to re-visit the experience the close relationship that the Westmoreland’s share and this story is no different.
You can never go wrong with author Brenda Jackson's stories, I just love them.
Sheriff Pete Higgins is an honorary Westmoreland, having grown up with them he is more like family than friend. So with the help of his parent's friend, Ms. Bonnie she is the nanny for his niece Ciara. Ciara's dad (Pete's) brother died in a plane crash along with his wife, his brother's in-laws were granted full custody of Ciara but now due to them being older and facing health challenges they can no longer care for their granddaughter. Now Pete is not only a lawman but a full time dad for his niece. Ms. Bonnie has to leave for a couple of weeks because her sister is ill but she already has so one in mind that would be perfect to fill in for her while she is away.
Myra Hollister has been in hiding from her brother, waiting patiently to come out and rightfully claim the business that her father has left to her. Myra's brother thinks she is in another country but really she is in Denver staying at her friend's house. When the opportunity to work as a nanny presents itself Myra is excited but the daddy not so much. Although these two got off on the wrong foot, can they make it right? And can these two work together in peace? or will it be a disaster?
A great read that kept me intrigued with Pete and Myra. I definitely loved these two. It was also great catching up with some of the Westmoreland's.
I am off to start reading my first "Outlaws" book, they are the cousins of the Westmoreland's.
Myra becomes Pete's nanny after his usually nanny has to leave to be with her sister for a couple months. The two of them are automatically attracted to each other but because of reasons neither of them want to act on those attractions until it becomes too much.
This was cute. I unfortunately didn't feel the chemistry between Pete and Myra. I feel like this should've focused more on their relationship, shown us them flirting or just getting to know each other more. There was a side plot with Pete that I don't think was needed and the secret Myra keeps from Pete could've been handled differently and had a too quick of a resolution.
I do plan on reading the others in the series though. Brenda shown the characters of the other books and it made me intrigued.
I loved ❤ this book's storyline. I loved ❤ the hot & steamy scenes. I loved ❤ Pete's character. I loved ❤ Ciara. I loved ❤ Myra's character. I loved ❤ the ending. Awesome job Ms. Jackson.
I enjoyed reading Duty or Desire. With both Pete and Myra experiencing tragedy in their lives. Neither one of them didn't realize they were not living but just existing. So take the journey with Pete and Mrya find what happens. I definitely recommend this book.
Why choose when you can embrace both duty and desire?
Denver's very handsome, very single Sheriff has his equilibrium rocked twice in the space of five months! First he assumed custody of his deceased brother and sister-in-law's infant child. Fast forward five months and a beautiful young woman jump starts his heart that has been frozen over for at least twelve years when she applies for the job of Nanny! Sheriff Peterson Higgins or as his friends call him Pete is enamored with Myra from the moment he sees her. Things are never what they appear on the surface to be and suffice it to say all comes out right in the end. The characters most of which we know from other Westmoreland friends and family novels are still there and still supportive. Some new ones introduced in Pete and Myra's story we hope to read more about later especially Garth Outlaw (even though Garth is not new to us, his brewing story is) and his beautiful pilot Regan! Then there is the guy Myra relates to as more of a brother than the one who actually is her brother seems like he would be an interesting character to build a story around! This story was well worth the wait both the print and audio version. Thank you Mrs. Jackson for another story well told!!! I am waiting on bated breath to see what you pen next!!!!!!
A very good romance story. Very well written, just like all of Mrs Jackson 's books. I can't wait to read more stories about the Westmoreland family and their friends.
Delectably delicious! With DUTY OR DESIRE (the fifth book in The Westmoreland Legacy series) Brenda Jackson brings us the ultimate of heroes ... he's a lawman, he's loyal, he's ruggedly handsome ... and he simply melted this readers heart!
Sheriff Pete Higgins is an attention grabbing character. He's strong and fierce in his love and protection for those he cares about, but he's easily soft and tender when showering love on his infant niece. He was easy to like, enjoyable and heartwarming.
Myra was likable right from the start. She has secrets that she's not sharing, but they aren't detrimental to Pete and their relationship. I liked the gentleness she brought out in him and the way she brought him back to life again.
I highly recommend this story for anyone who loves a secure man who simply melts when the right woman comes along. There were some fireworks along the way, but their relationship was a slow, steady burn and oh so satisfying. Great character development, a fast paced story line and just enough drama to keep us guessing. I really enjoyed Pete and Myra!
This story has all of the above. Another well told story from the amazing Brenda Jackson. Myra and Peterson's story reminded me of the tv show The Nanny, and I loved that show. Hhired to take care of the sheriff's young niece the attraction between the two was immediate and they both fought it as long as the could. Even though he was only mentioned and didn't have an actual presence in the book I liked Wallace as Myra's protector and surrogate big brother. Byron and his mother wow just wow but greed and jealousy will make you do cruel and crazy things. Looking forward to the next amazing story that Brenda has for us. I reccomend this book to any and all Brenda Jackson fans.
Myra is new to town. Pete needs a new nanny for a couple months while the regular sitter is gone..Myra is hiding away from her rotten brother. Pete has his heart locked down but the first time he sees Myra it is like lightening..He finally agrees to let her be the nanny! From there they are staying away from each other but not for long.Pete is a sheriff so he is doing his duties. Luckily an FBI friend of his helps him to keep Myra safe..Their love story is explosive and oh so good.I really enjoyed this story.
Pete Higgins is an honorary Westmoreland who takes over custody of his orphaned niece. He needs to hire a temporary nanny and finds himself tempted by a much younger Myra Hollister. They both assure each other that they have nothing to worry about -- since both say that they are not each other's type. But time will prove them wrong. But will keeping dangerous secrets jeopardize newly established feelings?
Duty or Desire brings Peterson Higgins, friend of the Westmorelands, onto center stage. left with his orphaned niece Ciara, Pete is in need of a temporary nanny when his nanny Bonnie's sister becomes ill. The beautiful Myra is hired for the job, and not only takes excellent care of Ciara, but captures Pete 's heart as well! Want to know how? Read the book!!! Another excellent Brenda Jackson creation!
Duty or Desire has heat oozing off the pages. If I didn't already have a thing for cowboys, I do now! Pete is strong and sexy in all the right ways - and Myra is beautiful, strong, and confident. Together they make a fire that'll keep you warm through the coldest days of winter. I have to admit I couldn't put this one down. So grab your favorite bottle of wine and curl up for a wild ride that's both sweet and sensuous.
As usual Mrs. Jackson brought it with Pete and Myra's story. The building of their coming together is so touching. Although Pete fought hard, he gave in and walked into a live he hadn't expected. Myra's love for Ciara was touching and just what Pete needed.
Beautiful story. I liked the way the couple embraced their attraction to each other. And re Really enjoyed the inclusion of the Westmoreland 's and Outlaws. Cannot wait to read the next 3 books. Another winner Mrs. Jackson. In fact, this book made me want to re-read "Whispered promises." I don't know why, but Pete reminded me of Dex and Caitlin.
Mrs. Jackson has once again created another masterpiece. The Westmoreland family and friends are all captivating reads. Mrs. Jackson has a way of making you feel apart of the love stories. And Pete and Myra's love story is awe inspiring. Thanks for sharing your talent Mrs. Brenda Jackson
Another Westmoreland family friend, Pete is a sexy sheriff who hires a young nanny to care for his niece but only temporarily. The sheriff is broken-hearted but the nanny helps help his heart. The sheriff and the nanny enter into a “sex-only” relationship that burns the sheets up! Highly recommend this one it’s very good!
I throughly enjoyed reading about Pete and Myra. They both have reservations about giving unto their attraction to one another. Will either let go of their reservation and allow love to take over?
Pete and Myra’s attraction was there from the start. I liked how their relationship was slowly built and their love for one another grew. The updates on the Westmoreland family was awesome. Kudos to Mrs. Jackson on another best seller.
A handsome lawman in need of a nanny. A beautiful woman who needs a place to hide. Both with wants of each other. Mrs. Jackson the wonderful storyteller she is gives us a sensual story of lust turned to love Each page turned draws you deeper into this mysterious tale.