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The Cowboy's Code #2
Cowboy on the Run
World’s most eligible bachelor?
Gotta be a joke. Sure, he’s heir to a Montana ranching empire, but Rance Phillips has no intention of perpetuating the dynasty just because a lifestyle magazine and his meddling father are pushing brides-to-be down his throat. But when his path unexpectedly crosses Ellie O’Connor’s, he pulls up short.
Once his college sweetheart, strong-willed, stubborn Ellie is now a widowed mother of four. Four? Rance should be running for the hills. Instead he lingers, then settles in, determined to help save her family’s ranch for Josh, her eldest son.
Ellie doesn’t want help. She doesn’t want Rance! Well, actually she does. But he won’t stay. Not forever.
So he needs to leave now. Before she falls for him again. Before her willpower crumbles. But mostly before Rance notices that Josh looks far too much like him!
Gotta be a joke. Sure, he’s heir to a Montana ranching empire, but Rance Phillips has no intention of perpetuating the dynasty just because a lifestyle magazine and his meddling father are pushing brides-to-be down his throat. But when his path unexpectedly crosses Ellie O’Connor’s, he pulls up short.
Once his college sweetheart, strong-willed, stubborn Ellie is now a widowed mother of four. Four? Rance should be running for the hills. Instead he lingers, then settles in, determined to help save her family’s ranch for Josh, her eldest son.
Ellie doesn’t want help. She doesn’t want Rance! Well, actually she does. But he won’t stay. Not forever.
So he needs to leave now. Before she falls for him again. Before her willpower crumbles. But mostly before Rance notices that Josh looks far too much like him!
Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 1999
318 people are currently reading
163 people want to read
About the author
Anne McAllister
348 books124 followersAnne McAllister has written nearly 70 romance novels for Tule Publishing and Harlequin Books.
She has won two RITA awards from the Romance Writers of America — for COWBOY PRIDE and THE STARDUST COWBOY — and has had nine other books which were RITA finalists.
Her books have also been finalists for the National Readers’ Choice Award. She was named Midwest Fiction Writers “Writer of the Year” and also received Romantic Times’ Career Achievement Award as “Series Author of the Year.”
But while the awards and sales are wonderful, Anne thinks the best part of writing is telling the story. With every new book she writes, she meets new characters – or gets to know old ones even better – and discovers what makes them and their relationships tick.
It’s the relationships that interest her most and the question about “where do you get your ideas?” has always astonished her as she has more ideas than she knows what to do with!
She has won two RITA awards from the Romance Writers of America — for COWBOY PRIDE and THE STARDUST COWBOY — and has had nine other books which were RITA finalists.
Her books have also been finalists for the National Readers’ Choice Award. She was named Midwest Fiction Writers “Writer of the Year” and also received Romantic Times’ Career Achievement Award as “Series Author of the Year.”
But while the awards and sales are wonderful, Anne thinks the best part of writing is telling the story. With every new book she writes, she meets new characters – or gets to know old ones even better – and discovers what makes them and their relationships tick.
It’s the relationships that interest her most and the question about “where do you get your ideas?” has always astonished her as she has more ideas than she knows what to do with!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 24, 2019
Rance Phillips once loved Ellie but not enough to commit. Heir to a farm empire he was set on denying his father’s wish of grandkids because he refused to be party of his father’s dynastic ambitions.
Eleven years later, Rance is still unattached and his father has taken extreme measures in order to have him settling down.
Overwhelmed, Rance runs to the countryside and ends up meeting Ellie again. This time she is a widow with four kids and struggling to cope with her ranch work.
He decides to stick around for a while to give her a hand, but old feelings started to crawl back inside and he realized what a fool he had been to let her go.
The story is sweet, the kids are wonderful and Ellie is a lovely heroine.
Eleven years later, Rance is still unattached and his father has taken extreme measures in order to have him settling down.
Overwhelmed, Rance runs to the countryside and ends up meeting Ellie again. This time she is a widow with four kids and struggling to cope with her ranch work.
He decides to stick around for a while to give her a hand, but old feelings started to crawl back inside and he realized what a fool he had been to let her go.
The story is sweet, the kids are wonderful and Ellie is a lovely heroine.
September 30, 2022
Filled with charming, personable characters and told from three points of view, Cowboy On The Run was entertaining and engaging from the start. This is a second chance at love for Ellie and Rance, with their romance neatly thwarted for much of the story by Ellie’s son Josh, who is fiercely loyal to his father Spike, who died twi years earlier. I loved watching Ellie’s other three children, Daniel, Caleb and Carrie as they hoped to lighten the tone of this story. I loved Josh too - he was beautifully portrayed by an author who clearly has a very good idea of how kids think and behave in sometimes challenging circumstance. This story really captured my imagination and was an absolute delight to read.
August 2, 2025
Rance Phillips is doing his best to just get on with his life until his father pushes him one to many times on getting married and settling down with children. He runs away from his responsibilities and manages for a young boy, Josh O'Connor, to fall off his horse and break his arm. When he takes the boy back to his house he runs into someone he hadn't seen in eleven years. It was his girlfriend from college, Ellie, and the boy was her oldest son. It seems that she did get married and now had four kids. Josh ten, Caleb and Daniel eight, and Carrie four going on five. As Ellie took off with Josh to the doctor to see about his arm Rance noticed how rundown the farm they were living on was. He decided to help the younger boys finish whatever things he outright seen needed to be fixed. About time Ellie, Josh, and Carrie got back all things were taken care of including the hanging of the laundry. The rest of this story follows this small group of people as they get to know each other and secrets come out because of another incident. But in the end all is well when a cowboy runs to the one and only person he ever fell in love with.
February 22, 2014
I liked this one because unlike many of the books in this Code of the West series, the author gave us both the hero's and the heroine's points of view.
In some ways this was a tearjerker. I cry for sentimental commercials, so your mileage may vary. Rance begins by wanting to help out the pretty widow he knew before her marriage. Then he learns a secret, then he ends by giving up the love of his life to benefit a child. It takes the child's growing maturity to engineer a happily ever after.
I respected Ellie and the choices she has made in her life. This is one strong woman! Even Rance admits that the woman she is today has made him fall much more deeply in love than the girl he knew in college could have. Ellie will always put the good of her children before her own wishes. Bless her heart.
Rance's father Trey cracks me up, literally. The uses he finds for a hot pink tour bus had me laughing aloud, both at the beginning of the book and again at the end.
That's why I like re-reading this series every seven years or so.
In some ways this was a tearjerker. I cry for sentimental commercials, so your mileage may vary. Rance begins by wanting to help out the pretty widow he knew before her marriage. Then he learns a secret, then he ends by giving up the love of his life to benefit a child. It takes the child's growing maturity to engineer a happily ever after.
I respected Ellie and the choices she has made in her life. This is one strong woman! Even Rance admits that the woman she is today has made him fall much more deeply in love than the girl he knew in college could have. Ellie will always put the good of her children before her own wishes. Bless her heart.
Rance's father Trey cracks me up, literally. The uses he finds for a hot pink tour bus had me laughing aloud, both at the beginning of the book and again at the end.
That's why I like re-reading this series every seven years or so.
September 27, 2022
I received this arc of Cowboy on the Run in exchange for my honest review. This is the second book in Anne McAllister’s The Cowboy Code series. This is a wonderful second chance romance with a surprise. As the book opens, Rance Phillips is being pursued by lots of women after a magazine lists him as an eligible bachelor. His father is also pressing him to settle down and give him grandchildren Rance is an attorney and is helping his dad on his ranch after health issues. He gets annoyed and leaves the ranch for a break. Rance ends up in the mountains and finds an injured boy. He helps him get home and discovers his mother is Rance’s ex from college. He sees Ellie for the first time in 11 years and learns she is a widow with 4 kids. The oldest, Josh is the one who ended up with a broken arm. Rance learns Ellie, Josh and her mother in law are working the ranch. He offers to stay and help since Josh is out of commission. Ellie doesn’t want him to stay but can’t afford to turn down his help. She is barely making ends meet and barely keeping the ranch running.
Ellie had always wanted to get married and Rance wasn’t interested back in college. After the first year she didn’t return and he had gone away for the summer. He learned she had gotten married and he hadn’t seen her until the present time. He bonded with the 3 younger children but Josh was afraid his mother and Rance would get back together and forget his father. Rance and her mother in law got along well too. Ellie was afraid of her feelings for Rance and made him sleep in the barn. Eventually Rance realizes that Josh is actually his biological son and he is upset about never knowing. There is quite a bit of angst and both Ellie and Rance realize they have strong feelings for each other. The secret that she kept all these years can hurt Josh. The events in the book are so exciting read. The romance is sweet and the relationships between Rance and her children makes for a page turner. I like the characters, they are genuine and likable. I recommend this book and the series highly.
Ellie had always wanted to get married and Rance wasn’t interested back in college. After the first year she didn’t return and he had gone away for the summer. He learned she had gotten married and he hadn’t seen her until the present time. He bonded with the 3 younger children but Josh was afraid his mother and Rance would get back together and forget his father. Rance and her mother in law got along well too. Ellie was afraid of her feelings for Rance and made him sleep in the barn. Eventually Rance realizes that Josh is actually his biological son and he is upset about never knowing. There is quite a bit of angst and both Ellie and Rance realize they have strong feelings for each other. The secret that she kept all these years can hurt Josh. The events in the book are so exciting read. The romance is sweet and the relationships between Rance and her children makes for a page turner. I like the characters, they are genuine and likable. I recommend this book and the series highly.
August 21, 2022
I loved book one and this one was just as good.
Rance Phillips comes from a wealthy ranching family. But he has always wanted something different. His father was demanding and had expectations for his son, making Rance turn his back and looking to be his own man.
In college he met and fell for Ellie O’Connor . But he was not interested in family and marriage, and left her behind for a trip to Ireland.
Nowadays a lawyer, though successful, amd still having to evade his father’s shenanigans, he leaves and on his ride up a mountain , encounters an injured boy. Never expecting that taking him back to his mother would bring him face to face with Ellie, now a widow with four kids. A rancher herself , struggling to keep the ranch afloat.
But Ellie has a secret she’s kept from Rance while Rance is determined to help her in the ranch.
This is a story about family expectations and pressures. It’s also a story about self discovery, doing the right thing and second chances in life and love.
Another wonderful and touching story in this series.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Tule Publishing. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
Rance Phillips comes from a wealthy ranching family. But he has always wanted something different. His father was demanding and had expectations for his son, making Rance turn his back and looking to be his own man.
In college he met and fell for Ellie O’Connor . But he was not interested in family and marriage, and left her behind for a trip to Ireland.
Nowadays a lawyer, though successful, amd still having to evade his father’s shenanigans, he leaves and on his ride up a mountain , encounters an injured boy. Never expecting that taking him back to his mother would bring him face to face with Ellie, now a widow with four kids. A rancher herself , struggling to keep the ranch afloat.
But Ellie has a secret she’s kept from Rance while Rance is determined to help her in the ranch.
This is a story about family expectations and pressures. It’s also a story about self discovery, doing the right thing and second chances in life and love.
Another wonderful and touching story in this series.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Tule Publishing. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
September 24, 2022
Rance was in love once, but not enough to settle down so he moved on. Since he is the heir to a farm empire his father wants him married with at least one heir of his own. Now eleven years later he is a lawyer and still single. His father takes finding a wife for Rance too far and he leaves to get a reprieve. While tying to regroup he finds an injured child. Despite the boy being hurt and in need of help he is stubborn and strong willed. Eventually he agrees to Rance's help because his mom will freak out when the horse returns home without him. When he sees the boy's mother he is shocked that it is his long lost love Ellie. Now she is a widow with four kids trying to run a ranch on her own. Since he needs the time away from his own ranch and father he offers to stay and help around the ranch. Old feelings that have been buried deep come out. Just when he feel like he belongs with Ellie and her kids her secret comes out. Will her secret tear them apart or give them their happy ever after? Good read.
August 22, 2022
Cowboy on the Run, the second book in The Cowboy’s Code series by Anne McAllister, demonstrates just what a talented writer Ms McAllister is…it’s rife with emotions and tenderness, yet juxtaposed by tension and conflict. The family dynamics at the heart of the story spans two very different families and with underlying messages of perseverance and love.
Though the story is effectively a second chance romance, because it also involves a family with children a decidedly new perspective on the trope is laid out very emotionally and dynamically. The story, moving quickly and succinctly, conveys the wants, needs, and desires of the characters…adults and children alike…the children’s personalities are most assuredly endearing and heartwarming.
This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.
Though the story is effectively a second chance romance, because it also involves a family with children a decidedly new perspective on the trope is laid out very emotionally and dynamically. The story, moving quickly and succinctly, conveys the wants, needs, and desires of the characters…adults and children alike…the children’s personalities are most assuredly endearing and heartwarming.
This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.
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September 23, 2022This is a super sweet romance and the second book in this series it is the perfect escape from everyday life
Years earlier Rance Phillips had loved Ellie but not enough to marry her not because if her but because he didn't want to buckle to his fathers plans to marry him off and produce heirs to the families' properties Now eleven years later his father has delivered an ultimatum This now successful lawyer isn't about to buckle though and he heads off into the mountain Where he encounters an injured child Taking him to his mother he discovers it is non other than Ellie now a widow with four children and struggling to make ends meet He decides to hang around to help her on her ranch and they discover they have feelings for one another still but what will happen when Ellie's secret comes out will Rance leave again or will they finally get a HEA
Years earlier Rance Phillips had loved Ellie but not enough to marry her not because if her but because he didn't want to buckle to his fathers plans to marry him off and produce heirs to the families' properties Now eleven years later his father has delivered an ultimatum This now successful lawyer isn't about to buckle though and he heads off into the mountain Where he encounters an injured child Taking him to his mother he discovers it is non other than Ellie now a widow with four children and struggling to make ends meet He decides to hang around to help her on her ranch and they discover they have feelings for one another still but what will happen when Ellie's secret comes out will Rance leave again or will they finally get a HEA
November 25, 2021
Better than some Silhouette books I have read in the past, at least this one held my attention!
It is a book series of which I read one of them a while ago not realising there is any connection between certain characters. Can be read as a stand alone. Apparently this is book 10 of 12. I imagine somewhere in the dim dark recess of my boxes of a bazillion and ten books from the past there are the others.
The one thing that did bother me in this story was the 10 year old Josh, I have never met a 10 year old who would be like this one. In the sense he seems far older more a 12 or 13 year old. I feel the author may have over estimated her character's abilities.
However, all in all a good read.
It is a book series of which I read one of them a while ago not realising there is any connection between certain characters. Can be read as a stand alone. Apparently this is book 10 of 12. I imagine somewhere in the dim dark recess of my boxes of a bazillion and ten books from the past there are the others.
The one thing that did bother me in this story was the 10 year old Josh, I have never met a 10 year old who would be like this one. In the sense he seems far older more a 12 or 13 year old. I feel the author may have over estimated her character's abilities.
However, all in all a good read.
September 24, 2022
Cowboy on the Run (The Cowboy's Code #2) by Anne McAllister has one of the most ridiculously funny opening scenes have ever read in a cowboy romance. It is evident from this scene that Rance can have any woman he wants especially since he is part of a Montana Ranching empire. This could have been the Dallas TV show in Montana but it takes a much different better direction.
There are ranches to save, secrets to be revealed, and old love to rekindle. An enjoyable afternoon read that is easy on the mind and the heart. You just know in this series that love will win out and all will be well by the end.
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
There are ranches to save, secrets to be revealed, and old love to rekindle. An enjoyable afternoon read that is easy on the mind and the heart. You just know in this series that love will win out and all will be well by the end.
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 24, 2024
I absolutely adored this book. I don't want to give away too many spoilers, but the heroine already having four children when getting back with the hero after a previous relationship together was unexpected. Also, the oldest child was the hero's from their previous time together, and having sections in the book from this child's point of view was so unique. Seeing him reject his biological father at first when he'd been brought up by his mother's late husband, the man she'd been with after breaking up with the boy's biological father in the first place, and then later accepting him is very touching.
September 22, 2022
SO my favorite line in this story was "Last I heard homicide was illegal in Montana". I feel like when the characters are faced with some really tough subjects that author will throw in a line like this that will have you laughing. I like Rance he seemed like he had a big heart and sought out to do what was right even when it didn't make sense. I felt like Ellie was tough and strong yet also came off broken and just looking to hang in there for her kids. I will say there is adult topics and content that may not be suitable for all readers. Overall was a fun read.
September 23, 2022
This was a great addition to this series. This the second book in this series and although I really enjoyed book one I think this one is my favorite. From the moment I began to read Rance and Ellies story I could not put it down. It was filled with a second chance at love, drama, a BIG secret and some really great moments. You couldn't ask for anything more. I look forward to reading more in this series and by this author. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 11, 2022
I voluntarily read an advanced reader’s copy of this book for a honest opinion.
Another fantastic story to add to The Cowboy's Code series, Cowboy on the Run by Anne McAllister. I've enjoyed every book I've read by this author in the past and this one didn't disappoint me. A second chance romance. There wasn't anything I didn't love about the book couldn't put it down from start to finish. Can't look forward to the next book in series.
Another fantastic story to add to The Cowboy's Code series, Cowboy on the Run by Anne McAllister. I've enjoyed every book I've read by this author in the past and this one didn't disappoint me. A second chance romance. There wasn't anything I didn't love about the book couldn't put it down from start to finish. Can't look forward to the next book in series.
August 18, 2022
Sweetest second chance story. The main characters still love each other after eleven years of separation and a decision that led them apart. There is a secret that will rattle and shake their cages and those of a young boy.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 2, 2025
Lost lovers who reunite after years and many life changes
A second chance to get back a part of life that never had a chance. The strong family ties are tested to the point of never coming back. You see the struggles and hurt that the lives have suffered. This is a good book to read and sink into.
A second chance to get back a part of life that never had a chance. The strong family ties are tested to the point of never coming back. You see the struggles and hurt that the lives have suffered. This is a good book to read and sink into.
August 21, 2022
What an awesome read, it has family drama ,a second chance love story and a big secret and plenty of heart warming moments. I loved the first in the series, loved this one and cannot wait for the next one.
My advice don’t miss this one.
My advice don’t miss this one.
March 1, 2024
If you like reading “sad” books with a HEA then this book is for you. I like reading books that are more upbeat with a HEA. I’m not continuing this series because the reviews on book 3 also reflect sadness.
August 5, 2025
Loved It
What a beautiful story. A second-chance romance with two tangled family trees. Just as you think there’s no way this complicated mess can work out, the most unexpected thing ever pulls it all together.
What a beautiful story. A second-chance romance with two tangled family trees. Just as you think there’s no way this complicated mess can work out, the most unexpected thing ever pulls it all together.
August 10, 2025
The heart of a cowboy
Grown-up cowboys and kid cowboys do what's right. All in a story that breaks your heart and then patches it up again. Extremely well written by and author who knows her stuff.
Grown-up cowboys and kid cowboys do what's right. All in a story that breaks your heart and then patches it up again. Extremely well written by and author who knows her stuff.
August 10, 2022
I really enjoyed this book and hearing it from the view points of a few of the characters.
September 26, 2022
This one is definitely worth a read. Totally unexpected.
September 26, 2022
Amazing read!
October 5, 2022
Interesting characters, good plot.
December 24, 2023
Great series
I really enjoyed this book. The story was logical and interesting. The cowboy element was exciting. Well written with wonderful character development.
I really enjoyed this book. The story was logical and interesting. The cowboy element was exciting. Well written with wonderful character development.
October 6, 2024
Very enjoyable
July 16, 2025
Fate
Loved this story , do not want to give to much away but the characters in this book are all so strong and you feel like you are watching a movie
Loved this story , do not want to give to much away but the characters in this book are all so strong and you feel like you are watching a movie
July 20, 2025
Great Read
This was a great read!! The story was fascinating and well written. I would suggest if you like reading about cowboys you should read it.
This was a great read!! The story was fascinating and well written. I would suggest if you like reading about cowboys you should read it.
July 22, 2025
sweet as
Sweet story about secrets, love, loss, trust, and growing up. All can happen, and will, in their own time. Very enjoyable
Sweet story about secrets, love, loss, trust, and growing up. All can happen, and will, in their own time. Very enjoyable
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews