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"It's up to you."
How could a four-word invitation scribbled on a business card drive a normally sensible woman to be so impulsive?
It wasn't Harley Golden's style to call a perfect stranger. But here she was, after a brief encounter on a flight home from a business trip, indulging in—and enjoying—risque phone calls with the man who'd handed her his card: the unforgettable and mysterious... and obviously—loaded Gardner Barnes.
The late-night conversations aren't enough for long, however, but she's not sure she's ready for more. So what's next? Fly across Texas in his plane? Talk face-to-face? Fall head over heels for a man who is already married to his ranch? A man who has lust down to an art but doesn't believe in love?
"Writing with powerful intensity, Alison Kent mesmerizes us with a compelling love story brimming with scorching sensuality and abiding love." - RT Book Reviews, 4.5 stars, TOP PICK
How could a four-word invitation scribbled on a business card drive a normally sensible woman to be so impulsive?
It wasn't Harley Golden's style to call a perfect stranger. But here she was, after a brief encounter on a flight home from a business trip, indulging in—and enjoying—risque phone calls with the man who'd handed her his card: the unforgettable and mysterious... and obviously—loaded Gardner Barnes.
The late-night conversations aren't enough for long, however, but she's not sure she's ready for more. So what's next? Fly across Texas in his plane? Talk face-to-face? Fall head over heels for a man who is already married to his ranch? A man who has lust down to an art but doesn't believe in love?
"Writing with powerful intensity, Alison Kent mesmerizes us with a compelling love story brimming with scorching sensuality and abiding love." - RT Book Reviews, 4.5 stars, TOP PICK
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 1996
804 people are currently reading
383 people want to read
About the author
Alison Kent
129 books643 followersI often read of or hear about authors who knew they were meant to tell stories from the time they left the crib. Me? I didn't decide what I wanted to be when I grew up until I was thirty years old - and then sold my first book at thirty-four. Still, it was obvious that I always knew I was going places.
Like so many other authors, I was a voracious reader from day one, devouring everything from Nancy Drew to My Friend Flicka, which I remember sitting hovered over the heater vent in the kitchen floor to read while my father made his coffee.
I moved on to my mother's Phyllis Whitney, Dorothy Eden, and Mary Stewart gothics before discovering my first true romances written by Lucy Walker and set in the Australian Outback. And then, at last, when I was 18 I found 'The Flame and the Flower'. (My son almost spent his life as Brandon because of that, but I spared him and named him Casey instead!)
Why write romance? Because love stories have always been a major part of the books I've loved. Father Ralph and Meggie Cleary. (I did name my daughter Megan after reading The Thorn Birds! Do you see a trend here?) The aforementioned Brandon Birmingham and Heather Simmons. Wolf Mackenzie and Mary Potter.
Even more so, it's because I love writing romance heroes. The men who sweep both heroines and readers off their feet - not to mention their authors, too!
I've spent several years happily writing action adventure romance for Kensington Brava along with hot and sexy series romances for Harlequin Blaze. Now I'm thrilled to be a launch author for Vows.
Like so many other authors, I was a voracious reader from day one, devouring everything from Nancy Drew to My Friend Flicka, which I remember sitting hovered over the heater vent in the kitchen floor to read while my father made his coffee.
I moved on to my mother's Phyllis Whitney, Dorothy Eden, and Mary Stewart gothics before discovering my first true romances written by Lucy Walker and set in the Australian Outback. And then, at last, when I was 18 I found 'The Flame and the Flower'. (My son almost spent his life as Brandon because of that, but I spared him and named him Casey instead!)
Why write romance? Because love stories have always been a major part of the books I've loved. Father Ralph and Meggie Cleary. (I did name my daughter Megan after reading The Thorn Birds! Do you see a trend here?) The aforementioned Brandon Birmingham and Heather Simmons. Wolf Mackenzie and Mary Potter.
Even more so, it's because I love writing romance heroes. The men who sweep both heroines and readers off their feet - not to mention their authors, too!
I've spent several years happily writing action adventure romance for Kensington Brava along with hot and sexy series romances for Harlequin Blaze. Now I'm thrilled to be a launch author for Vows.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
did-not-finish
August 1, 2023DNF! In the first chapter the words ‘hunk’, ‘buns’, ‘stud’ and ‘scrumptious’ were used to describe the male lead… I can’t. I’m out!
This is the last time I let my husband talk me into audiobook russian roulette!
Update: I wasn’t going to rate this because I thought it must be written in 1985, but since it’s written in 2017, I’m one starring this with no regrets.
Updated update: it was originally released in 1996, but updated and rereleased in 2017, because the update included the words above, the rating stands….NOPE!
This is the last time I let my husband talk me into audiobook russian roulette!
Update: I wasn’t going to rate this because I thought it must be written in 1985, but since it’s written in 2017, I’m one starring this with no regrets.
Updated update: it was originally released in 1996, but updated and rereleased in 2017, because the update included the words above, the rating stands….NOPE!
February 6, 2013
Rating 3.25 stars
This was to be honest not as good as the second book and is set ten years before. The hero runs a huge ranching operation and lives with his uncle and brother. He has been in-charge of his brother since the age of 22 and has a big sense of responsibility because he saw his parent's obsession with each other, exclude everyone including the kids, so he thinks love is no good and that he needs a good wife who would give him kids. The candidate for him is the heroine though they have different ideas about the future.
The heroine runs a good business but it doesn't give her much time for a personal life and she likes it that way. She grew up with self-absorbed parents and then got married to a man who wanted adulation and cheated. So, when she meets the hero on a plane and he gives her a card, she thinks to herself, he is another handsome guy. But they start talking and forge a connection but both of them are stubborn are and cannot compromise and can only agree on the pull they have for each other and their desire for each other.
The hero could act insensitively sometimes, investigating her, the way he talked about kids, could make the heroine feel that, that was all he wanted since he denounced love but the hero does get his head together.
This was to be honest not as good as the second book and is set ten years before. The hero runs a huge ranching operation and lives with his uncle and brother. He has been in-charge of his brother since the age of 22 and has a big sense of responsibility because he saw his parent's obsession with each other, exclude everyone including the kids, so he thinks love is no good and that he needs a good wife who would give him kids. The candidate for him is the heroine though they have different ideas about the future.
The heroine runs a good business but it doesn't give her much time for a personal life and she likes it that way. She grew up with self-absorbed parents and then got married to a man who wanted adulation and cheated. So, when she meets the hero on a plane and he gives her a card, she thinks to herself, he is another handsome guy. But they start talking and forge a connection but both of them are stubborn are and cannot compromise and can only agree on the pull they have for each other and their desire for each other.
The hero could act insensitively sometimes, investigating her, the way he talked about kids, could make the heroine feel that, that was all he wanted since he denounced love but the hero does get his head together.
September 11, 2018
Randomly found this freebie while looking for a good romance. And I was in the mood for a Western, so why not?
Now, this one follows Harley and Gardner. Harley love antiques and her business surrounds this. I love antiques and I envy her job! However, her life is boring. SO boring. She randomly meets Gardner who is also a businessman but in cattle (of some sort – not 100% sure it was boring though). His life is equally a snooze-fest. He leaves her a note with his number for her call him sometime. They live on opposite sides of Texas, so meeting up for dates is kinda out of the question. They get to know each other on their late night calls.
Soooo the idea is interesting, but the execution left me falling asleep. Both characters are so boring. The phone calls were not bad, but I lost interest. So slow. It dragged along and I felt like the story really wasn’t going anywhere. I did keep on with the story, but I did a lot of skimming. I was waiting for the day they would meet and maybe it would be interesting again. But nope.
The ending was just there. When I shut off my Kindle after finishing this…I felt tired. I wanted this to be good because it sounded good, but alas…I was bored with the characters and story. They were not BAD characters. I actually liked Harley, but she needed a more exciting life. Gardner was meh. He annoyed me. He said he didn’t believe in love, but he wanted a woman to marry and have kids so he can have an heir. Eerrrrr….this is modern times (*cough* 90s *cough*) and love is kinda important to the majority of society at this point. So yes, I was turned off by him after that convo. He pretty much just wanted a hot wife to give him kids. SMH.
Overall, this wasn’t really for me. Super slow and I did a lot of skimming there. Harley was okay…I liked her even though her life made me feel bad for how boring of existence she has. Garnder was meh. I’ll stamp this with 2 stars. Not a bad story or bad characters…just slow and boring…so not for me.
Now, this one follows Harley and Gardner. Harley love antiques and her business surrounds this. I love antiques and I envy her job! However, her life is boring. SO boring. She randomly meets Gardner who is also a businessman but in cattle (of some sort – not 100% sure it was boring though). His life is equally a snooze-fest. He leaves her a note with his number for her call him sometime. They live on opposite sides of Texas, so meeting up for dates is kinda out of the question. They get to know each other on their late night calls.
Soooo the idea is interesting, but the execution left me falling asleep. Both characters are so boring. The phone calls were not bad, but I lost interest. So slow. It dragged along and I felt like the story really wasn’t going anywhere. I did keep on with the story, but I did a lot of skimming. I was waiting for the day they would meet and maybe it would be interesting again. But nope.
The ending was just there. When I shut off my Kindle after finishing this…I felt tired. I wanted this to be good because it sounded good, but alas…I was bored with the characters and story. They were not BAD characters. I actually liked Harley, but she needed a more exciting life. Gardner was meh. He annoyed me. He said he didn’t believe in love, but he wanted a woman to marry and have kids so he can have an heir. Eerrrrr….this is modern times (*cough* 90s *cough*) and love is kinda important to the majority of society at this point. So yes, I was turned off by him after that convo. He pretty much just wanted a hot wife to give him kids. SMH.
Overall, this wasn’t really for me. Super slow and I did a lot of skimming there. Harley was okay…I liked her even though her life made me feel bad for how boring of existence she has. Garnder was meh. I’ll stamp this with 2 stars. Not a bad story or bad characters…just slow and boring…so not for me.
August 9, 2018
4.25 stars.
March 15, 2021
I listened to this book in audiobook format.
March 24, 2021
* Instalust is instant
" Acknowledging love took really long
* Talk of babies is very premature
* Both MCs have parental unit issues
* Light and fluffy with a near R Rating (PG16 😉)
With that being said, I actually enjoyed the story and watching the H and h work through their own personal issues with the assist of friends and family.
I do wish the H had opened his eyes earlier but the h will be able to keep him in line. Looking forward to listening to the next story in the series!
" Acknowledging love took really long
* Talk of babies is very premature
* Both MCs have parental unit issues
* Light and fluffy with a near R Rating (PG16 😉)
With that being said, I actually enjoyed the story and watching the H and h work through their own personal issues with the assist of friends and family.
I do wish the H had opened his eyes earlier but the h will be able to keep him in line. Looking forward to listening to the next story in the series!
October 20, 2020
Quick and easy read. Gardner Barnes is a millionaire rancher who is returning from a buying trip and has to take a commercial flight because his plane has to have some maintenance done who meets Harley Golden who is returning from a business trip on the same flight. Eyes across the isle and smiles at each other and they click. He gives her a business card with four words on the back "It's Up To You".
After some thought she does call and they exchange calls several times before he flies to Houston to take her to his ranch on his private plane. They want to see if there is something to the feelings they had on the plane plus over the phone.
Very likeable characters and no exes trying to muck up the mess. Just a woman who has to decide if she can be with a man who does not believe in love. Lust, not that is another thing. On to little brother's story next.
After some thought she does call and they exchange calls several times before he flies to Houston to take her to his ranch on his private plane. They want to see if there is something to the feelings they had on the plane plus over the phone.
Very likeable characters and no exes trying to muck up the mess. Just a woman who has to decide if she can be with a man who does not believe in love. Lust, not that is another thing. On to little brother's story next.
September 20, 2018
I wanted to give more but the editing was an issue. . .
This was a good read of two souls on a plane and the intensity that was there. Harley Golden was one unto herself. She was intrigued by the stranger on the plane. He, Gardner Barnes, was intrigued by the stranger in the seat across the aisle. The late night calls. The business trips. The heat between the two. Harley and Gardner were special for each other.
The secondary characters, Gardner's brother and uncle and Harley's friend, were complements to the primary characters. I enjoyed the story even with the editing and proofing issues. This was a love story that traveled. It was hot and intense even when they were not together.
This was a good read of two souls on a plane and the intensity that was there. Harley Golden was one unto herself. She was intrigued by the stranger on the plane. He, Gardner Barnes, was intrigued by the stranger in the seat across the aisle. The late night calls. The business trips. The heat between the two. Harley and Gardner were special for each other.
The secondary characters, Gardner's brother and uncle and Harley's friend, were complements to the primary characters. I enjoyed the story even with the editing and proofing issues. This was a love story that traveled. It was hot and intense even when they were not together.
October 26, 2017
Great read
This book wasn't anything like I expected, but I liked the premise and plot a lot. Gardner and Harley made this book pretty epic. I loved the family aspect of the book, even though the"family" was despondent. The only family that we get to know is Tyler and Jud, but that is enough for both of them.
I hope you like this book as much as i did. It's quick and easy to read. Much worth it.
This book wasn't anything like I expected, but I liked the premise and plot a lot. Gardner and Harley made this book pretty epic. I loved the family aspect of the book, even though the"family" was despondent. The only family that we get to know is Tyler and Jud, but that is enough for both of them.
I hope you like this book as much as i did. It's quick and easy to read. Much worth it.
August 6, 2018
Fun and a change of pace!
I had purchased this book and decided to read it, to sort of cleanse my palate of reading. It was a great story about how your younger years can truly influence your decisions later in life. These two had to come to terms with their own personal beliefs before they could move on, together. Lots of fun, sexy, and just what I was looking for the perk up my reading. I recommend it.
I had purchased this book and decided to read it, to sort of cleanse my palate of reading. It was a great story about how your younger years can truly influence your decisions later in life. These two had to come to terms with their own personal beliefs before they could move on, together. Lots of fun, sexy, and just what I was looking for the perk up my reading. I recommend it.
November 20, 2020
The book was enjoyable to read. The story was quite light. I found the characters captivating and could see how they were compatible romantically. The one thing I struggled with was the pacing of their relationship. It seemed rushed and unrealistic. I know this is a work of fiction but I was hoping for something a little more realistic and a little less fairytale. Still a good read.
February 1, 2023
When a sexy man gives you a card with his phone number. What do you do? You call him and things get heated up. He doesn't believe in love and she doesn't want children. What happens when she ends up pregnant? Will she walk away?
This was a good book. I can't wait to read the second book in series.
This was a good book. I can't wait to read the second book in series.
August 5, 2018
Past to the future.
Harley and Gardner both had crazy childhoods with parents that weren't there for them. Can they both learn from that in order to find the future that they both want and deserve?
Harley and Gardner both had crazy childhoods with parents that weren't there for them. Can they both learn from that in order to find the future that they both want and deserve?
August 7, 2018
Wow! Loved it all the way through!
What a great story! Loved the characters, the contrast between hero and heroine, the love scenes. The verbal for play was such a huge turn on. Could not put this one down.
What a great story! Loved the characters, the contrast between hero and heroine, the love scenes. The verbal for play was such a huge turn on. Could not put this one down.
August 16, 2018
It takes two to make love work
Harley and Gardner both have there own feelings regarding love and children. It taken the leap that is scaring them both, trying not to make the mistakes of their parents.
Harley and Gardner both have there own feelings regarding love and children. It taken the leap that is scaring them both, trying not to make the mistakes of their parents.
August 16, 2018
Intriguing read, I finished it in less than 2 hours!
A chance meeting on an airplane and a business card. A few late night phone calls.
A man thinking about heirs, a woman who had decided not to have children.
A lot of heat, and a lot of sweet.
I loved it!
A chance meeting on an airplane and a business card. A few late night phone calls.
A man thinking about heirs, a woman who had decided not to have children.
A lot of heat, and a lot of sweet.
I loved it!
August 22, 2018
Surprising and Filled with Smiles
I very much enjoyed Call Me. The characters were very enjoyable and there situation was unique to me. I found myself smiling quite often while I was reading. Truly and enjoyable read.
I very much enjoyed Call Me. The characters were very enjoyable and there situation was unique to me. I found myself smiling quite often while I was reading. Truly and enjoyable read.
August 31, 2018
Cowboys and the rest of US
What a wonderful story. We all need more men like this crew. Strong willed , handsome, loving, enjoy working. Keep on writing theses kind of books. Thank you.
What a wonderful story. We all need more men like this crew. Strong willed , handsome, loving, enjoy working. Keep on writing theses kind of books. Thank you.
September 16, 2018
Romance Texas Style
This light Texas love story is the perfect way to spend a lazy afternoon. The two lovers are interesting and complex. They both come with baggage from unconventional childhoods. You'll enjoy how they reconcile their differences.
This light Texas love story is the perfect way to spend a lazy afternoon. The two lovers are interesting and complex. They both come with baggage from unconventional childhoods. You'll enjoy how they reconcile their differences.
June 23, 2020
Good start
I really like this book. The way Gardner and Harley met and connected was a great way to tell a story. For each being so honest with each other at first, that connection got lost a little once she came to the ranch. I enjoyed their journey of finding their way back.
I really like this book. The way Gardner and Harley met and connected was a great way to tell a story. For each being so honest with each other at first, that connection got lost a little once she came to the ranch. I enjoyed their journey of finding their way back.
Read
February 8, 2021Gardner and Harley
I chose this rating because it was great. I love that Gardner was a good looking cowboy and Harley was an antique dealer of all kinds. I would recommend this book to anyone.
I chose this rating because it was great. I love that Gardner was a good looking cowboy and Harley was an antique dealer of all kinds. I would recommend this book to anyone.
June 21, 2017
DNF WAS JUST A LITTLE SLOW FOR ME
September 4, 2017
Great cowboy romance
An interesting book. A nice touch-the way they got to know each other. I love stories with romantic and tough cowboys.
An interesting book. A nice touch-the way they got to know each other. I love stories with romantic and tough cowboys.
September 10, 2017
I enjoyed this book from start to finish.
I love the characters and the story.
I love the characters and the story.
September 29, 2017
Sweet and Powerful story
The story kept my nose deep into the storyline. I could not put it down and that is why it got 5 stars.
The story kept my nose deep into the storyline. I could not put it down and that is why it got 5 stars.
August 3, 2018
Great story
I loved this from the first paragraph. The story had a lot of humor and teasing. I hated to see it end
I loved this from the first paragraph. The story had a lot of humor and teasing. I hated to see it end
August 4, 2018
Review
A very good book enjoyed it very much. Hope to read more from this author. Couldnt put it down Thanks
A very good book enjoyed it very much. Hope to read more from this author. Couldnt put it down Thanks
August 6, 2018
A business card
A brief moment on a plane. His business card that only says, "Call me." And so she does. WOW! This one is a keeper!
A brief moment on a plane. His business card that only says, "Call me." And so she does. WOW! This one is a keeper!
August 6, 2018
4 Stars
Good story! Different but still a romance well done. Harley and Gardner were different kind of people and it was wonderful watching them come together.
Good story! Different but still a romance well done. Harley and Gardner were different kind of people and it was wonderful watching them come together.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews