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Rawhide and Lace #2
Unlikely Lover
"The boss is fading fast. His last request is that a writer compose his memoirs" was Aunt Lillian's plea. Helping the elderly oilman seemed natural to Mari. But Ward Jessup was anything but old and sickly...."Poor little Mari," her aunt fretted. "I'm worried about her state of mind-deep emotional scars." Ward's sympathy went out to Lillian's niece, and he invited Mari to the ranch. But the woman who arrived was hardly a helpless little girl....Though they knew they had been tricked, neither could fight the power of Cupid's magic arrow.
189 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 1986
160 people are currently reading
337 people want to read
About the author
Diana Palmer
1,039 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 - 30 of 50 reviews
March 31, 2022
Не блести с някакъв замисъл. Но това е първата книга на Даяна Палмър, с която се смях. Когато всичко от деня ми дойде в повече, леката сюжетна линия и забавните диалози ми дадоха няколко часа добро настроение.
February 18, 2015
Another Diana Palmer alpha, commitment-phobic brutally cynical hero falling for a sweet feisty virgin heroine. Super funny and romantic love story! I would have loved an epilogue!
January 27, 2016
This book has so much potential but somehow it just feels flat like something was missing. They have some passion and I love that he lands in the water a couple of times thanks to the heroine. However this with any other author would be a perfect book but I expect more from Diana Palmer. It was good just not great! I wanted more raw emotions that's so good with her novels. There is not real sex but I want the tension to be there. I liked Erin story better even if it was a little harsh. At least I got to hear about Erin's twins. That was a bonus
August 11, 2013
While this wasn't nearly as good as DP's best books, I didn't have have the heart to give it a 1-star rating either; firstly because it wasn't that bad, and secondly, it is Diana Palmer after all :')
I don't feel like writing a very long review right now, so I'll say everything in brief.
In this book, Diana Palmer's writing wasn't her usual 'good'. I found Aunt Lillian a bit irritating and didn't like Mari very much either. And the hero wasn't even that much of an asshole :'( But he knew how to grovel (as usual) and was a sweetheart when he came to his senses. The story was well written and flowed smoothly, but unfortunately I couldn't really get into it. I hope my next DP will be better than this one!
I don't feel like writing a very long review right now, so I'll say everything in brief.
In this book, Diana Palmer's writing wasn't her usual 'good'. I found Aunt Lillian a bit irritating and didn't like Mari very much either. And the hero wasn't even that much of an asshole :'( But he knew how to grovel (as usual) and was a sweetheart when he came to his senses. The story was well written and flowed smoothly, but unfortunately I couldn't really get into it. I hope my next DP will be better than this one!
March 26, 2017
Really enjoyed it!
This is the story of Jessup and Mari.
Jessie is the nemesis of Ty, the hero from the first book.
The rancher earns his money by finding oil rigs and is prejudiced against women by his past with his mother and ex fiancé.
When his housekeeper Lillian gets her niece Mari to his house by lying to both of them, sparks fly.
Extremely sweet with almost no angst. The couple had instant attraction and spent a lot of time making out. The story is a typical DP plot but the hero here is much better and kinder to the heroine.
The only thing I missed was sex (all that build up for nothing) and an epilogue. Otherwise it was a good read overall.
Safe
4.25/5
This is the story of Jessup and Mari.
Jessie is the nemesis of Ty, the hero from the first book.
The rancher earns his money by finding oil rigs and is prejudiced against women by his past with his mother and ex fiancé.
When his housekeeper Lillian gets her niece Mari to his house by lying to both of them, sparks fly.
Extremely sweet with almost no angst. The couple had instant attraction and spent a lot of time making out. The story is a typical DP plot but the hero here is much better and kinder to the heroine.
The only thing I missed was sex (all that build up for nothing) and an epilogue. Otherwise it was a good read overall.
Safe
4.25/5
November 26, 2022
This was kinda meh, but still a nice read.
Mari's aunt Lily works for Ward. She's worried her almost 22 year old niece is going to end up a spinster so she invents a sob story to get Ward to allow Mari to stay on the ranch for her vacation. The aunt then tells Mari that Ward is dying and wants help writing his memoirs. So when the 2 finally meet at the airport their conversation was pretty funny. She's all concerned for his health and he's careful not to scare her.
But generally this one was mostly filler. A lot of Ward lusting after Mari but telling her he won't ever marry. Telling her he doesn't chase virgins so she's safe... at least until 2 sentences later when he's trying to get in her pants again. Mari saying she won't put out without a wedding so she plans to die a spinster. But as soon as he kisses her she's a puddle of weak kneed jelly.
Rinse and repeat.
It gets a little boring in the middle but then Ward gives her the old 'mistress proposition'. He's become that desperate and his brain isn't functioning well because all the blood is in his penis.
She leave but the last 3rd is him going after her and tricking her back so he can gently woo her for real this time.
Safety is good.
Mari's aunt Lily works for Ward. She's worried her almost 22 year old niece is going to end up a spinster so she invents a sob story to get Ward to allow Mari to stay on the ranch for her vacation. The aunt then tells Mari that Ward is dying and wants help writing his memoirs. So when the 2 finally meet at the airport their conversation was pretty funny. She's all concerned for his health and he's careful not to scare her.
But generally this one was mostly filler. A lot of Ward lusting after Mari but telling her he won't ever marry. Telling her he doesn't chase virgins so she's safe... at least until 2 sentences later when he's trying to get in her pants again. Mari saying she won't put out without a wedding so she plans to die a spinster. But as soon as he kisses her she's a puddle of weak kneed jelly.
Rinse and repeat.
It gets a little boring in the middle but then Ward gives her the old 'mistress proposition'. He's become that desperate and his brain isn't functioning well because all the blood is in his penis.
She leave but the last 3rd is him going after her and tricking her back so he can gently woo her for real this time.
Safety is good.
December 8, 2020
Have read better from DP. If you’ve read some then you know her typical H’s and h’s very well. These two were just the same but I didn’t feel the chemistry. And if there was any it seemed a little too try hard.
Ward is a Texas oil tycoon of sorts (can’t get better than that) whose housekeeper is forever hooking him up with women. And he’s sweet and lets her be a momma to him. Her final straw is a lie she brews to have her orphaned niece come visit them.
Both Ward and Mari realize that Mari’s aunt (who’s the housekeeper lady) is trying to hook them up. Ward is attracted and other times incensed with Mari’s old fashioned ways. The usual DP stuff. I didn’t like aunt Lilian at all and most of their interactions in the book involved her. Not very angsty and a HEA! Off to hunt for better, hotter DPs !
Ward is a Texas oil tycoon of sorts (can’t get better than that) whose housekeeper is forever hooking him up with women. And he’s sweet and lets her be a momma to him. Her final straw is a lie she brews to have her orphaned niece come visit them.
Both Ward and Mari realize that Mari’s aunt (who’s the housekeeper lady) is trying to hook them up. Ward is attracted and other times incensed with Mari’s old fashioned ways. The usual DP stuff. I didn’t like aunt Lilian at all and most of their interactions in the book involved her. Not very angsty and a HEA! Off to hunt for better, hotter DPs !
July 22, 2025
“A fish on the hook does fight to the bitter end,” the H says. He is a besotted man. I love how open he is about his feelings for her, even when he isn’t eager to commit to marriage.
This is the third romance in a row I’ve read from Diana Palmer. And so far they’re all four or five stars.
This is the third romance in a row I’ve read from Diana Palmer. And so far they’re all four or five stars.
November 27, 2013
This book started okay, I mean the basic is good, matchmaking aunt and stuff, but it's getting kind of boring. I want jealousy, hurt and heart broken. So I think this book isn't really my thing, it'll be good if I'm in the mood but the problem is, I'm not.
But so far so good. I enjoyed it. ;)
But so far so good. I enjoyed it. ;)
January 10, 2015
Update: Re-read in January 2015
March 1, 2020
Fue divertido de leer, como todo lo que hace Diana Palmer, me gusto, ella tiene una forma de escribir que es su marca, me gusto como se desarrolló esta historia, sin muchas complicaciones, ni enredos, por una vez agradecí que no hubiera enredos ni malos entendidos que me llegaban a desquiciar.
November 11, 2021
Diana Palmer was unknown to me 2 years ago, so when I started to randomly read her books, I had no clue how connected most of them were going to be. I have been spending this last week backtracking a little bit to try and read the Long Tall Texans in some sort of order. I don’t want to reread books I have read already so some of their stories are a little hazy and I have to read reviews where people gave a good overview. I read Rawhide and Lace 1 a while ago. Somehow I walked into this story.
This story is about Mari and Ward Jessup. Ward employs Mari’s matchmaking aunt as his housekeeper/cook. The aunt decides to play Cupid and get these 2 together under false pretenses. They figure out the ruse pretty quick, but do not let the aunt know what is going on. There is a strong attraction between the two main characters, but alas the h is 20 something virgin and the H is a committed bachelor (He was cheated on by a money grubbing gal who went for his cousin)who really doesn’t do virgins(at least all the way) because believe me he has her top down….a lot!!!DP and her breast men 😂! Anyway, the story continues with a lot of back and forth between the two. It is obvious to everyone except the hero that this is more than just lust. But he is bound determined to not be tied down with matrimonial strings. Then the black moment happens. After seeing the h with the next door neighbor’s twins(Erin and Ty from Rawhide and Lace) and being jealous of his cousin Bud, the H decides to ask the h to marry him. The story ends with their WHITE wedding, and the wedding night!
I enjoyed the angst in this story. It is standard DP. I really like that the heroine had a spine and wasn’t going to take less than what she was worth. Also she ended up pushing the H into water not once, but twice!!!!!
This story is about Mari and Ward Jessup. Ward employs Mari’s matchmaking aunt as his housekeeper/cook. The aunt decides to play Cupid and get these 2 together under false pretenses. They figure out the ruse pretty quick, but do not let the aunt know what is going on. There is a strong attraction between the two main characters, but alas the h is 20 something virgin and the H is a committed bachelor (He was cheated on by a money grubbing gal who went for his cousin)who really doesn’t do virgins(at least all the way) because believe me he has her top down….a lot!!!DP and her breast men 😂! Anyway, the story continues with a lot of back and forth between the two. It is obvious to everyone except the hero that this is more than just lust. But he is bound determined to not be tied down with matrimonial strings. Then the black moment happens. After seeing the h with the next door neighbor’s twins(Erin and Ty from Rawhide and Lace) and being jealous of his cousin Bud, the H decides to ask the h to marry him. The story ends with their WHITE wedding, and the wedding night!
I enjoyed the angst in this story. It is standard DP. I really like that the heroine had a spine and wasn’t going to take less than what she was worth. Also she ended up pushing the H into water not once, but twice!!!!!
May 27, 2018
Mari & Jessup
This book really surprised me because it does have lots of humour in it! I caught myself laughing out loud a few times. Aunt Lillian was hilarious! Mari's aunt lured her to come and stay at the ranch by lying to both Mari and Jessup. The H was not at death's door after all. Kkkk. The sparks fly between them but Jessup is not looking for a relationship. What will he do when Mari finally gives up of a future with him and accepts his love with no commitment.? This was a very funny and sweet story with tender moments and very Hot and steamy encounters. Highly recommended
This book really surprised me because it does have lots of humour in it! I caught myself laughing out loud a few times. Aunt Lillian was hilarious! Mari's aunt lured her to come and stay at the ranch by lying to both Mari and Jessup. The H was not at death's door after all. Kkkk. The sparks fly between them but Jessup is not looking for a relationship. What will he do when Mari finally gives up of a future with him and accepts his love with no commitment.? This was a very funny and sweet story with tender moments and very Hot and steamy encounters. Highly recommended
February 1, 2020
CHALLENGE #17-READ IN A DAY
This was a re-release of an earlier book by the writer. B/c she's become so popular, many of her early harlequinn/silhouette/stand-alone's written under her pen name are republished w/the more known Palmer name & new covers which is fine.
alot of her earlier stuff is formulaic & predictable. I don't mind b/c i enjoy the rhythm of the dialogue & the writing.
this was another nice story w/good characters, lots of sexual tension build-up & an HEA.
This was a re-release of an earlier book by the writer. B/c she's become so popular, many of her early harlequinn/silhouette/stand-alone's written under her pen name are republished w/the more known Palmer name & new covers which is fine.
alot of her earlier stuff is formulaic & predictable. I don't mind b/c i enjoy the rhythm of the dialogue & the writing.
this was another nice story w/good characters, lots of sexual tension build-up & an HEA.
July 15, 2018
Ward Jessup appeared in the book Rawhide and Lace. He is a wealthy man that hates women thanks to his mother and an ex-fiance. His meddling housekeeper Lillian hatches a plot to bring her niece Marianne to the ranch but things of course don't go according to plan.
Ward Jessup is a hard man and he gives Mari a hard time because he thinks she is after his money because no woman could be that innocent. She was raised by strict parents and she isn't cut out to be someone's mistress.
Ward wasn't as mean to Mari as some of the men in Ms. Palmer's stories but was was ruthless in business. Mari's presence in his life is beginning to have a positive effect on him whether he wants it to or not!
Ward Jessup is a hard man and he gives Mari a hard time because he thinks she is after his money because no woman could be that innocent. She was raised by strict parents and she isn't cut out to be someone's mistress.
Ward wasn't as mean to Mari as some of the men in Ms. Palmer's stories but was was ruthless in business. Mari's presence in his life is beginning to have a positive effect on him whether he wants it to or not!
April 1, 2022
Cute Story, with a warning
It was a cute romance between a Rancher and a city girl.
The story was well written, however I felt that I had to only give it a 4/5 rating. The missing star is because of the way the author continuously made it seem, not only acceptable but appropriate, for the much older Rancher to forcibly try to seduce the young city girl. Although he would always stop short of completing the union, so to speak, he would force his way on to her up to that point. I found that a little disturbing and surprising from a female author.
Aside from that it was a cute romance, just take the above comment to heart if you are sensitive to the topic.
It was a cute romance between a Rancher and a city girl.
The story was well written, however I felt that I had to only give it a 4/5 rating. The missing star is because of the way the author continuously made it seem, not only acceptable but appropriate, for the much older Rancher to forcibly try to seduce the young city girl. Although he would always stop short of completing the union, so to speak, he would force his way on to her up to that point. I found that a little disturbing and surprising from a female author.
Aside from that it was a cute romance, just take the above comment to heart if you are sensitive to the topic.
August 10, 2020
I think I’d enjoyed this better if I was younger and less antagonistic to such backward points of view. It was a nice story, but reading about how in one reunion the men were talking business while the girls talked babies, clothes and fashion just got me rattled. Also, having past lovers is not a bloody sin. I’m all for a virgin protagonist, but so against stoning a experienced one. The rest of the book was very Diana Palmer.
January 18, 2018
Unlikely Lover
Big strong Texas oil man has met his match when petite young Georgia girl comes to visit her Aunt Lillian, the housekeeper. Ward has been burned by life a few times and trusts no woman. Mari is young innocent and looking for the forever love of her life. Opposites. Attract.
Big strong Texas oil man has met his match when petite young Georgia girl comes to visit her Aunt Lillian, the housekeeper. Ward has been burned by life a few times and trusts no woman. Mari is young innocent and looking for the forever love of her life. Opposites. Attract.
March 20, 2022
The book started a little slow, but it brought the story up to par showing the two people sometimes need a little push to get a bad experience in the past and open up to new better relationships. The aunt was a match maker, which is sometime common. I liked that he came after her when he opened his heart after missing her being with them. Great ending.
February 1, 2023
I giggled at the descriptions of how handsome and masculine the main cowboy was, as it was mentioned frequently. This was an enjoyable, light read. The only parts that felt weird were those that mentioned and played into their age gap. He called the main lady "little sister" once in passing and I was like um no thanks lol.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2024
Your usual old school Diana Palmer, with a hero who blows hot and cold, and get's ridiculously excited over the h's virginity, and an h who is... well... a bit of a pathetic jellyfish I'm afraid to say.
I'm also baffled and intrigued by this whole stream running through the house business. What?
I'm also baffled and intrigued by this whole stream running through the house business. What?
February 13, 2021
3.5 stars. It was an okay read for me. The hero was the typical arrogant misogynist but at least the heroine stood up to him more than once. It didn’t have the same drama and passion as the first book in this series.
December 30, 2021
No thanks
Couldn't keep a time period straight, it was old timey feeling but in the present day. It was a rough read with a lot of description and little plot. Weak character development
Couldn't keep a time period straight, it was old timey feeling but in the present day. It was a rough read with a lot of description and little plot. Weak character development
April 5, 2022
Exceptional story!
Ward with so many hurts in his life wasn't ready to fall in love. Mari wasn't really looking for love either. Lots of passion and running away until they realized the couldn't live without the other.
Ward with so many hurts in his life wasn't ready to fall in love. Mari wasn't really looking for love either. Lots of passion and running away until they realized the couldn't live without the other.
April 18, 2022
This book was copyrighted in 1986 and shows its age. What was masterful and passionate in the 1980's would now be called domineering and sexual harassment at the least.
If you can make allowances for when it was written I think you'll enjoy this opposites attract romance.
If you can make allowances for when it was written I think you'll enjoy this opposites attract romance.
May 25, 2024
Delightful and unique
Delightful and a unique romance... A little trickery with humorous happenings leading to romantic situations and feelings. Romance with twists and stormy tenderness.
Delightful and a unique romance... A little trickery with humorous happenings leading to romantic situations and feelings. Romance with twists and stormy tenderness.
May 19, 2017
I enjoy Diana Palmer's writing. She creates fun, lovable, strong, hardheaded characters. Marianne and Ward are complete opposites that attract wonderfully. A fun story with a very happily ever after.
October 14, 2017
Limited story
Based on a formula predictable didn't hold my interest at all. Generally the most boring of Palmer s books overall
Based on a formula predictable didn't hold my interest at all. Generally the most boring of Palmer s books overall
September 3, 2018
Sweet love story
Love arrives even when you aren't even looking for it and no matter how you fight it. Enjoyed another Palmer story. Not her best.
Love arrives even when you aren't even looking for it and no matter how you fight it. Enjoyed another Palmer story. Not her best.
December 16, 2019
Boring
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews