Light the Stars

Cowboys of Cold Creek #1

by RaeAnne Thayne

Wade Dalton was having a very bad day.

His five-year-old had accidentally set the kitchen on fire. His daughter was surly, as usual. The baby hadn't been fed yet. And his mother—aka "The Childminder"--had eloped...with a scam artist. Could it get any worse?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Westerns, Contemporary, Fiction, Harlequin, Chick Lit

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 28, 2006

About the author

I'm not one of those people who knew from birth she was destined to become a writer. I always loved to read and throughout my childhood I could usually be found with a book in my hands. To the disgust of my friends, I even enjoyed creative writing assignments that made them all groan. But I had other dreams besides writing. I wanted to be an actress or a teacher or a lawyer.

Life took a different turn for me, though, when my mother made me take a journalism elective in high school (thanks, Mom!). I knew the first day that this was where I belonged.

After I graduated from college in journalism, I took a job at the local daily newspaper and I reveled in the challenge and the diversity of it. One day I could be interviewing the latest country music star, the next day I was writing about local motorcycle gangs or interviewing an award-winning scientist.

Through it all -- through the natural progression of my career from reporter to editor -- I wrote stories in my head. Not just any stories, either, but romances, the kind of books I have devoured since junior high school, with tales about real people going through the trials and tribulations of life until they find deep and lasting love.

I had no idea how to put these people on paper, but knew I had to try -- their stories were too compelling for me to ignore. I sold my first book in 1995 and now, more than 30 books later, I've come to love everything about writing, from the click of the computer keys under my fingers to the "that's-it!" feeling I get when a story is flowing.

I write full-time now (well, as full-time as I can manage juggling my kids!) amid the raw beauty of the northern Utah mountains.

Even though I might not have dreamed of being a writer when I was younger, now I simply can't imagine my life any other way.

I love to hear from readers. You can reach me at my email address, raeannethayne@gmail.com

Reviews

[~Sofia~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like your romance books a bit more tame but with just the right amount of drama, this ones for you!

This is my first book by Thayne that I have read. I was expecting the same sort of storylines that are a common theme throughout these romance novels and yes It was exactly as I expected. Was it predictable, Yes. Was it slushy romance, Yes. Did I roll my eyes, Of course. Did I love It, Yes I have to say I did. I got that warm “ahh” feeling when I got to the end and I think that’s the point of these books isnt it? It delivers what it says it will. Romance.

There was nothing not to like about the characters In Light the Stars. The hunk in this one, Wade was just the right amount of sexy and arrogance and his female co-lead was just the right amount of sweet and ballsy. It has everything you would expect, however no hanky panky in this one. If that’s what you’re after put this one down and go in search of the Blaze section of Romance.

All in all I can complain, It’s light fluffy and gooey without being too taxing. It’s not the most riveting book but It’s a great companion for an afternoon in the sunshine with a glass of wine.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has enjoyable characters and the happy ending you are guaranteed when you read a Harlequin romance. Wade Dalton's children play a major part in here and give it a nice touch. A lovely romance for anyone who loves contemporaries.

[Elaine Hathaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

So this is a series, I will have to find the others in it, as it was a good book, about a widower and the lady he makes him learn how to love again. I enjoyed reading this

[Carolien · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't resist the intro to this one, a rancher having a really bad morning including his widowed mother eloping. Lovely characters, but a bit predictable.

[Morgan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would have been alright with the story, but Wade Dalton ruined it all. I would be mad if my mom ran off with someone they only corresponded on the phone or internet, but I think Wade was already a moody little bitch way before he had kids and went through his tragedy with his wife. The reason is his dad was a horse's ass to his family before he croaked. I honestly find it hard to believe that he was able to find and marry a nice woman in the first place unless she was a doormat. I guess after dating a jackass and having a boss as an asshole in the past, I know I don't tolerate anyone who'll treat me like shit or sucking the life out of the room.

He is a hard worker and does care about his family's welfare, but I was glad Caroline did point out that he was missing out on his children's critical moments. I know it's not her business, but his life basically merges with hers after both his mom and her dad run off getting married. Throughout the story, he is a complete hard-ass to her. All the way to the end. After finding out that her father was a convict, he basically tells Caroline to spare the tears and hit the bricks after she got gored by an angry cow for pushing his son out of the way. She was still recovering from the wound and he did tell her she could remain a little until she gained some of her strength back, but I don't blame her for leaving right away. It was truly out of pity and slight guilt that he took care of her. That is not love or respect in my book.

Even if he found me after two weeks of what is barely called groveling, I would have pummeled him into the ground. I would still go and visit the kids, but I would not marry Wade for what it's worth. I would just marry one of his brothers out of spite and I would actually fall in love with his brothers because they truly respected her despite some initial suspicions of her. Wade deserves to be miserable, because most of it is on him. You have every right to grieve for the loss of your wife and be upset with your mom's flighty behavior, but treating the other loved ones in your life or someone who had no control over the changes in your life like crap is unacceptable.

[Bee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why did I read thissssssssss

Review time (basically, please don’t read this book)
1. It’s kind of a big issue in a romance when you aren’t actively rooting for the romance to happen. Big yikes. All the characters were the absolute worst (obviously my opinion and an exaggeration)

1.1 To elaborate on my previous point, let me explain; Wade (male love interest) is a neglectful father. Enough said. Caroline is just annoying tbh (not much wrong with her but she’s annoying to read about). The mother acted like a child?? Oof. The father was somehow redeemed even though he pretty much abused/manipulated his daughter. Big yikes. The kids were annoying but that’s not really on them, all kids are annoying.

2. So much instalove. They knew each other for a week and they’re already in love. Gross.

3. Wade is still very much grieving for his late wife’s death and hasn’t really gotten over it. I know that it happens, but I don’t like reading about someone who hasn’t gotten over their past lover falling in love with another one.

4. Why does she smell like vanilla ice cream. Wtf

5. Probably just the edition I read but mannnn the cover cracksss me up. The hat is sooo badly photoshopped it’s actually funny. (I know it’s published in like 2006 but still they could have had him just wear a hat, y’a know?

6. 320 pages were them “falling in love” and then page 330 is “oh no her father is a criminal so she’s a criminal” page 340 is depression and it’s done on page 345. Rushed, much?

7. The writing wasn’t really that bad. I would mayyyybe pick up a different book by this author, but at times it was still juvenile and there is no way I can believe Wade is 36.

In conclusion, no

[Dasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 estrellas. Redondeo a dos estrellas porque lo he terminado y se lee rápido.

Para mí, lo que le ha quitado más estrellas a esta lectura (y a su disfrute) ha sido el protagonista masculino: Wade. Es uno de los arquetipos que peor me caen y, encima, es mal padre durante casi toda la novela.
El final me ha parecido precipitado. Wade se arrepiente de comportarse como el idiota que es pero no sabemos porqué, cómo ni cuándo. La cuestión es que nos enteramos de todo a través del punto de vista de Caroline, nuestra protagonista.
Para más inri, es una historia bastante conservadora y tradicional. Que no siempre me molesta pero si ni siquiera me gustaban los personajes poco me quedaba para disfrutar.
Lo he terminado, más que nada, porque sabía que iba a seguir leyendo esta serie.

[Skittles Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of this book is awesome: a widower rancher who has three kids, whose mom made an up and about surprise and left him to marry a man she met on the internet. Then on that same day when he found out, the man on the internet’s daughter arrived at his doorstep and offered to help him care for his kids and household. It’s brilliant, simple, and set up for a whole lot of angst and mistrust. And so, I was sucked in.

Did I enjoy the ride? Yes. Was it memorable? Average. Sigh. How I wish it could have been better but this was low angst, even if the premise kind of promised high angst. There was drama, heartwarming moments, sweet encounters, and there was grovelling, but something was lacking.

Wade and Caroline just didn’t capture my heart as much as I wish they did. 3 stars.

[Desi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leído el 23/10/2010

Argumento:
Cuando pensaba que nada podría irle peor… apareció ella.
Su hijo de cinco años había prendido fuego a la cocina accidentalmente. Su hija estaba de mal humor, como siempre. Nadie había dado de comer al bebé. Y la abuela de las criaturas, que era la «niñera», se había fugado con un artista. ¿Qué más podía pasarle?
Pues que apareciera la bellísima hija del artista ofreciéndose a cuidar a los niños hasta que volvieran los recién casados. ¿Podía confiar en ella y dejarla vivir bajo su mismo techo? Y sobre todo, ¿podía fiarse de sí mismo?

[Sanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

RaeAnne Thayne- the familiar small town ranch stories, but the first of the Cold Creek Cowboys. It's not my favourite, it's a definite case of falling in love via children. This has both cute and annoying moments, your mileage may vary depending on how much you like children and appreciate traditional gender roles in romance novels.

[Hina · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars!

[Julie (Let's Read Good Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Val · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as I thought it would be. I found it boring.

[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read, and for the most part loved, RaeAnne Thayne’s other series Hope’s Crossing and Haven Point. I decided it was time to go back and read some of her older stuff. I’m happy I did. Even as this story played out pretty much as expected, it was still a joy to read.

Wade is a man’s man and seems to have an old-fashioned view on gender roles, although he never outright says as much. It doesn’t seem as though he thinks the traditional female roles (cooking, child rearing, etc.) are beneath him; he just doesn’t have time for that stuff and doesn’t think that it’s an issue since he’s running the ranch and a man. It doesn’t seem to faze him that his mom is raising his children…not helping to raise them but actually raising them.

Caroline is the perfect heroine for Wade. She’s loving and kind and has a knack for seeing what people need even when they don’t express those needs. Caroline is also not one to hold her opinions to herself. She never is really rude or mean about speaking her mind, but she does get her point across. Sure she takes on the gender normative role of caregiver to the kids when the need arises, but she doesn’t let Wade get away with not being involved in their care.

As grumpy as Wade could be about being told what his children do and don’t need, once he thinks about the things said to him he follows through on doing the right thing. Baby steps are the way to go! And when it really matters he steps up and proves to himself that he can have more.

The growing feelings between Wade and Caroline are very sweet and warm. I love when a first kiss is as unexpected for me as it is for the characters. There were a few issues that were raised about how Wade’s daughter may feel about her dad and Caroline being together but that was never followed up with a resolution. I’m not sure if that means it may carry over into the next book, but I would kind of doubt that it would. Also, I recall realizing I was on the last chapter and expressing to my husband that I didn’t know how it could actually all be wrapped up in that last chapter. The author accomplished getting it all in, but it felt a bit rushed.

https://allingoodtimeblog.wordpress.c...

[lily (powpowpup) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,75 stars!

don't you just love when at the beginning of a book you think it is going to be max 3 stars but then it just keeps getting better? well, this is what happened here. the writing was a little cringy to me at first but it got better and better the more you read. i do feel like the third person was a little bit confusing as you do follow both points of view but you get used to it pretty easily. it was soft and adorable and easy. i loved how, yes it was a little turn off for the instalove part, but they didn't get together as soon as both knew the other's emotions. the story really focused on both of them getting to know and trust one another and dealing with their own problems on the side. it was a discovery of something beautiful and i loved it. Wade's children were absolutely adorable and added some points to the book. i just love seeing single fathers or mothers or accidental pregnancies in books when done right just because it makes me dream so much of having my own one day. i feel also that kids add so much to the parent's character. i know I won't keep remembering this book all my life but it was the perfect in-between books for my slump. if you want a quick adorable cowboy love story this is a good one. grumpy and sunshine, single father. i am now on the hunt for every book in this series ahaha.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy Thayne's novels - her writing style, grumpy heroes, and wry wit. But this book has a specific detail that happens ALL OVER THE ROMANCE GENRE AND IT DRUVES ME NUTS.
Caroline and Wade know each other for a week...and yet she has already fallen in love with him. He's in love with her, too by end of week 2 and they are already going to make a lifetime commitment to eachother. What?! No one does that! This is so unrealistic that it really puts a dent in my enjoyment of the book. It gives the impression is that the love is very shallow and will not stand the test of time. They barely know each other.
I am frustrated with the story for that but Thayne did do good job of making Wade's grieving believable and my heart did go out to him. I guess the book felt too rushed to me as I would have liked to spend more time with these characters, even the kids.

[Mary Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

RaeAnne Thayne has been one of my favorite authors for several years. When I see her name on the cover of a book, I know I'll probably like the book. This novel is a fun, safe read. Wade's mother has run off with Caroline's father, and Wade isn't happy about it. He is a widower with three children to look after in addition to being a rancher. When Caroline comes to the ranch, Wade is suspicious and ungracious toward her. She quickly wins the children's affection, but Wade is much more difficult to reach. They do have their problems until Wade finally realizes how valuable Caroline is to him and his family. I enjoyed this novel.

[Marcia Haskell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Falling in love with a family, not just the man.

A little too predictable, for my taste, but a pleasant romance. Her father was a grifter and she travels to the ranch to prevent him from hurting one of her clients and the client's family. As she starts to care for her client's son and his 3 children, she finds herself caring for the entire family more than she expected.

I enjoyed the earlier books in this series more than this this book, but it is a fast read and the description of the children and their personalities is well done.

[Becky Tatar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wade Dalton is on his last nerve, trying to take care of his three children. His mom has left with a man she met over the phone, who's the father of the 'life coach,' Caroline Montgomery. Who shows up at the ranch looking for her father, who has a long history of running cons. Wade is a hard man, focused on his ranch, then his kids, but his mom, Marjorie is the primary caregiver. Caroline volunteers to help with the kids until her dad and Wade's mom get back. But sparks fly, and not in a good way. Until Caroline is injured saving one of the children from a bull.

[Marcia Haskell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little too predictable, for my taste, but a pleasant romance. Her father was a grifter and she travels to the ranch to prevent him from hurting of her clients and the client's family. As she starts to care for her client's son and his 3 children, she finds herself caring for the entire family more than she expected.

I enjoyed the earlier books in this series more than this this book, but it is a fast read and the description of the children and their personalities is well done.

[C. Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read this twice, apparently the first time an edition with a different cover. This is a reprint edition from the "Western Promises" series by the publisher. As for the story, the ending seems rushed, though the standing-at-the-door scene is nice. I'm not sure that the TV crew being on the ranch is a useful plot addition. The main story could have been told without the characters occasionally mentioning the upcoming interview, and once it happens, nearly nothing more is said about it.

[Jeannine Wickliffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. Is it predictable, yes. It is a great story about a widower, his children, and the unexpected arrival of a woman. Wade Dalton has 3 adorable kids and spends 18 hours a day working his ranch. His mother takes care of the kids, until she runs off ad gets married, leaving him stranded. Enter Caroline Montgomery, whose father is the man Wade's mother elopes with. Caroline stays to help Wade. As the say the rest in foretold with a few twists.

[Linda Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this clean romantic story of "The Cowboys of Cold Creek" as we watch the three brothers involved in this story grow together as a family. One falls in love and that is the premise of the story. There is good character development and that makes the story more interesting. This one has the same them, boy meets girl and in spite of the problems involved in the budding romance, but it is one that you should read yourself.

[jimtown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Light the Stars is what reading for pleasure should be. It's an enjoyable story with likable characters and has a happy ending. It was pretty well done too. The kids have realistic traits, there's some drama, and I liked the way Wade redeemed himself after Caroline packed up and left on her crutches. Reading this has prompted me to look for more 'feel good' books.

[Laura Aase · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wade is a widower with 3 small children and a big news ranch event in a week when his mother runs off with a guy she met online leaving hi. Without childcare. Then Caroline shows up at his door looking for her father- too late they e already eloped. So she offers to stay and care for the kids. Wonder if they’ll fall in love?

[Jessie Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet

A sweet story of how a woman comes to a ranch to save a client from her con artist father. Instead she finds her client has eloped with her father. Wade is left to care for his three kids as well as to manage the ranch. Luckily Caroline steps in to help. The slow burn of attraction between them sizzles.

[Donna Duggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beginning again

Life coach meets cattlemen. Raising children, running a ranch and changing to a new path of farming a man suddenly sees that being a widower is not what he needs. The life coach has stepped in for her new stepmother and she realized that family and children are what she is missing.

[Nancy N. Phelan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second Chance on Love

A second chance T love is what Wade Dalton received after he met Caroline Montgomery. I gave Light the Stars a five-star rating because it was such an entertaining book to read. I liked every part of it and would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading Rae Ann Thayne's books

[Jasmyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty traditional rancher-style romance with some sort of forced proximity. Caroline was a little too good of a person, I would have liked to see a little flaw in there somewhere. Wade was a great character - and I really enjoyed him and the brief look we get at his two brothers. This was a great novella set up for the rest of the series.

[Dana Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caroline and Wades story starts out of their parents running off to get married. Caroline helps care for his children and falls in love with him and his children. Is a wonderful love story on a ranch. Definitely will fall in love with them as you read the story.