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The Texas Brands #2
The Baddest Virgin in Texas
Jessi Brand decided she wanted Lash Monroe. He was the man she'd saved herself for. But this male was going to need some convincing - Lash had vowed never to settle down - but he couldn't get Jessi out of his mind. And he couldn't resist her tempting offer. But when he discovered Jessi was pregnant with his child, everything changed.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
859 people are currently reading
702 people want to read
About the author
Maggie Shayne
257 books2,572 followersI live in the teeny, tiny town of Taylor, NY, (Alliteration Alert!) though my mailing address is Cincinnatus, my telephone exchange is Truxton and I pay taxes and vote in Cuyler. All of these are at least in the same rural county in the southern hills of New York State; Cortland County. There are more cattle than people here. The nearest “big” cities are Syracuse and Binghamton and they are an hour away, in different directions, and not really all that big by most standards, though they both seem humongous to me. I look out my window to see rolling, green, thickly forested hills, wildflower laden meadows and wide open blue, blue skies. My road is barely paved. The nearest neighboring place is a 700 acre dairy farm.
My house is a big, century old farmhouse. I moved in here after my divorce in 2006. Just a little over a year later, the house, which I had named, SERENITY, burned. It was 99% gutted, and I lost my two dogs, Sally, an 11-year-old great Dane, and Wrinkles, my 14-year-old, blind bulldog. This was the culmination of my Dark Night of the soul, which had seemed to hit me all at once in 2006-2007. My mother died that year, after a 14 month battle with pancreatic cancer. She was only 60. The youngest of my five daughters had left home that same year, and while that’s not a tragedy at all, it felt like one to me. Then came the divorce. And finally there was the fire--it seemed my darkest night wasn’t quite finished with me after all. I had lost almost everything before that point, and as I poked through the wet ashes and soot the next day, I realized that I had now been stripped all the way to the bone.
No better time to start over. (And no, I didn’t come to that realization that day--there were a few days of wallowing in pity first, particularly the day after the fire, when I hit a deer and smashed up my car, which I was practically living in!)
That’s when I started to laugh. Just sat on the side of the road as the deer bounded, uninjured and carefree, out of sight, and laughed. It was just too ridiculous at that point, to do anything else!
And from there, I picked myself up, and brushed myself off, and said, okay, there’s only one way to go from here. Forward. And that’s what I did. There I was at the age of harrurmphemmph, living in my one, mostly undamaged remaining room, with a dorm-sized mini-fridge, a futon, a TV, my cat (nine lives!) and a laptop. And not much else. (Though thank goodness the room that survived the fire, was a room that had its own attached bathroom!)
Since then I have rebuilt my beloved home, which really has become my haven, my “Serenity.” I share it now with my fiancé, Lance, and we have accumulated quite the little family together. “Little” being a relative term. We have a pair of English Mastiffs, Dozer and Daisy, who weigh 203 pounds and 208 pounds respectively, and a little pudgy English Bulldog named Niblet, who is bigger than both of them, inside her mind. We also have the aforementioned cat, Glorificus (“Glory” for short,) who adores her canine pups and keeps them firmly in line. And we've acquired a pair of stray cats as well, a mother and son, Luna (Lulu for short) and Butters aka Buddy. Lulu showed up pregnant during a lunar eclipse, had a litter, and vanished again. We found homes for all the kittens except one. Butters. We got him fixed and kept him. A few months later, Lulu returned, again expecting. This litter was born on the "Monster Moon." Again, all the kittens were spayed and neutered and placed in homes, and this time we got Lulu to the vet in time to spay her before the cycle could repeat.
Glory is not amused.
She has a story of her own, my old Glory cat, having been with me before the Dark Times descended, she went through it all with me, moved with me, survived the fire, and remains with me still. She's tolerating the newcomers. Barely.
My partner is an artist, a mechanic, a welder and an inventor, and the rumors are true, he is much younger than I
My house is a big, century old farmhouse. I moved in here after my divorce in 2006. Just a little over a year later, the house, which I had named, SERENITY, burned. It was 99% gutted, and I lost my two dogs, Sally, an 11-year-old great Dane, and Wrinkles, my 14-year-old, blind bulldog. This was the culmination of my Dark Night of the soul, which had seemed to hit me all at once in 2006-2007. My mother died that year, after a 14 month battle with pancreatic cancer. She was only 60. The youngest of my five daughters had left home that same year, and while that’s not a tragedy at all, it felt like one to me. Then came the divorce. And finally there was the fire--it seemed my darkest night wasn’t quite finished with me after all. I had lost almost everything before that point, and as I poked through the wet ashes and soot the next day, I realized that I had now been stripped all the way to the bone.
No better time to start over. (And no, I didn’t come to that realization that day--there were a few days of wallowing in pity first, particularly the day after the fire, when I hit a deer and smashed up my car, which I was practically living in!)
That’s when I started to laugh. Just sat on the side of the road as the deer bounded, uninjured and carefree, out of sight, and laughed. It was just too ridiculous at that point, to do anything else!
And from there, I picked myself up, and brushed myself off, and said, okay, there’s only one way to go from here. Forward. And that’s what I did. There I was at the age of harrurmphemmph, living in my one, mostly undamaged remaining room, with a dorm-sized mini-fridge, a futon, a TV, my cat (nine lives!) and a laptop. And not much else. (Though thank goodness the room that survived the fire, was a room that had its own attached bathroom!)
Since then I have rebuilt my beloved home, which really has become my haven, my “Serenity.” I share it now with my fiancé, Lance, and we have accumulated quite the little family together. “Little” being a relative term. We have a pair of English Mastiffs, Dozer and Daisy, who weigh 203 pounds and 208 pounds respectively, and a little pudgy English Bulldog named Niblet, who is bigger than both of them, inside her mind. We also have the aforementioned cat, Glorificus (“Glory” for short,) who adores her canine pups and keeps them firmly in line. And we've acquired a pair of stray cats as well, a mother and son, Luna (Lulu for short) and Butters aka Buddy. Lulu showed up pregnant during a lunar eclipse, had a litter, and vanished again. We found homes for all the kittens except one. Butters. We got him fixed and kept him. A few months later, Lulu returned, again expecting. This litter was born on the "Monster Moon." Again, all the kittens were spayed and neutered and placed in homes, and this time we got Lulu to the vet in time to spay her before the cycle could repeat.
Glory is not amused.
She has a story of her own, my old Glory cat, having been with me before the Dark Times descended, she went through it all with me, moved with me, survived the fire, and remains with me still. She's tolerating the newcomers. Barely.
My partner is an artist, a mechanic, a welder and an inventor, and the rumors are true, he is much younger than I
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
April 22, 2015
I really love this series. This is the second one I have read so far and I enjoyed it as much as the first one! Jessi definitely is a stubborn one who really does go after what she wants and doesn't quit trying until it seems useless to fight anymore. The guy she is after? Yeah, he isn't settling down for anyone or anything! He is very set in his ways and no tiny female is going to change his mind! Poor Lash, if he only knew what his future was going to hold...
October 15, 2016
Too much brotherly love
Another Maggie Shayne book read . I really enjoy her writing. She brings family love into all her stories but still has some mystery in the story. This book is about a fellow learning that everyone needs love and family in their life.
Another Maggie Shayne book read . I really enjoy her writing. She brings family love into all her stories but still has some mystery in the story. This book is about a fellow learning that everyone needs love and family in their life.
July 20, 2016
I borrowed The Baddest Virgin In Texas (The Texas Brand, #2) from my local library.. The title of the book is HORRENDOUS and I was almost embarrassed to check it out but I was on the hunt for a Maggie Shayne book and that was on the shelf.
July 1, 2012
Setting: Ranch and town of Quinn Texas;
Theme: love, family
Characters:
Lash Monroe: mother gave left him and his brother on the church steps… his brother fostered in Texas, He in Illinois with a Reverend and 3 other foster brothers. Even though his circumstances are bad, he recognizes the heart of the Reverend, and does his best to be respectful. He was the youngest, he was the newest, and especially Zane caused trouble and he was the scapegoat. He determined when he could, he’d go out on his own – no big family for him; and the foster mom was weak – the boys and Reverend to coddle her – and she saw the truth of Zane, but would not speak up against him so Lash determined that he never wanted to be involved with a spoiled woman. He hooks up with the Monroes when he leaves his job as firefighter to go to his brother’s aid – but he was too late… then he stuck around to help out when Garrick and Chelsea go on their honeymoon. When Garrick returns, he asks Lash to stay longer to help him track rustlers & with ranch work – not knowing that his little sister has her eye on Lash.
Reverend Ezekiel Stanton and Olive Stanton: Reverend wanted a big family, wife couldn’t produce, they foster 4 boys… too bad the Reverend didn’t quite have a handle on the character of Zane.
Zane and Peter/Pedro: Especially Zane – mean, underhanded… Pedro always boasting of a rich uncle in Mexico how would come to get him one day.
Jessica ‘Jessi’ Brand: lost her mother when she was 8; raised the rest of the way by her 4 older brothers… she is a licensed vet, 23 years old, and her brothers coddle her, try to protect her from tough things. She has inherited a lonely, elderly woman’s house and money (and cat) that she had befriended, with the woman’s request she make a vet clinic on the property.
Garrett & Chelsea: one of Jessi’s brothers, the sherriff, just married… their story was an earlier book.
Monroe Brothers: Ben/ Adam / Wes / Elliot – Ben lost his wife a year plus ago and is still mourning; Adam is a businessman in New York; Wes, half Cherokee (his dad had an affair with his mom – but his dad’s wife welcomed him into the family when he was 8); Elliot, seems to be the most light hearted of the group.
Summary:
Jessi has decided that she loves Lash – and she is going to get him to overcome his inhibitions about her, make love to her, and then he would know he loves her as much. She follows through with this plan even though her brother’s object. Lash does his best to remember that she is younger, that her brothers have treated him well and having sex with Jessi is not good, that he is a drifter who does not want a large family or a coddled wife. Some of the bible verses he memorized try to guide him into doing right. But he comes to realize that age doesn’t really matter, things would work out with the brothers, and that Jessi is not the coddling kind, she is strong willed and capable. Jessi finally manages to seduce him… but when Lash realizes she is a virgin, he feels even guiltier and takes off. Jessi is left with the realization that her dream isn’t quite turning out. After a couple of days, he goes to her and offers to do right by her and marry her – which she of course refuses – she isn’t to be his penance. Chelsea helps her realize that often men don’t know their own feelings, and love before they can label it love.
In the meantime, wranglers are taking cattle, and Garrick & Lash don’t have a clue, until Zack comes out to the ranch looking for Lash. Jessi is there, and thinking that she can learn more about Lash’s childhood and perhaps orchestrate a reunion for the 2 she escorts him around the ranch telling him all about their cattle, and tells him about the opening of her clinic, inviting him to the festivities (and letting him know when the ranch would be vacant).
When their cattle is wrangled during the party, Lash figures out that Zack must be responsible… he tracks Pedro’s uncle’s address in Mexico with its meat plant… and heads down by himself, with only Garrick (and Chelsea) knowing – wanting to keep it from Jessi since she tends to jump in. Jessi runs into him on the road, they have sex in the car – she saw his suitcase and figures since they know who, his job is done and he’s hitting the road. Then she takes a pregnancy test, and yes she’s pregnant. Chelsea clues her into picking up the phone at midnight when Lash is supposed to check in, and she heads out to help him… Garrick hears her car… they all head down… they stop her just past the border, and she tells them she’s pregnant, that Lash is part of the family… they’re angry at Lash… she takes off in the faster truck… Lash has had time to think, and realizes he loves Jessi… Jessi gets snagged (walking down the street to the hotel, eating a burrito) by Zack and pulled into a bar… Lash sees her out the window of his hotel window, goes in, challenges Zack, a fight starts, the brothers join in… they all get arrested (except the chauvinistic sheriff won’t take Jessi in)… they tell their story, the sheriff stops the meat factory until it gets straightened out… the brothers yell at Lash and tell him Jessi’s pregnant… she ‘breaks’ them out of jail… Lash asks her to marry him, she says no again because she thinks it’s because of the baby – he swears to prove to her he loves her… they get home, she has abdomen pain… he rushes her to he hospital… all are waiting with no news… when pushed a bit by the brothers, Lash says they are to stay out of it, he’ll have to prove to her on his own that he loves her baby or not… they overhear the nurse telling the doctor they lost her… Lash and Ben start to cry and Lash reiterates how much he loves her… and Jessi steps into the room, having heard their conversations, and into Lash’s arms… she had food poisoning, she left her room because she did not want to stay overnight, and that’s why the nurse said she was lost… and 8 months later, husband and wife and all the family are in the delivery room as Jessi gives birth to a baby girl… and… they… live… happily… ever… after.
Memorable scenes:
As child, sitting in church, trying to listen to Reverend but cogitating over his circumstance – and starts to feel itching and tickling coming up legs, and notices others are hopping around too… and then sees the ants, and he has the ant farm… and looks at Zane who let those ants free… church empties, Reverend ‘sentences’ him to learn 100 bible verses and make an apology to the congregation.
We meet Jessi as she is helping a cow birth – sticking her arms up the birth canal – trying to do so in secret – where her brothers won’t find out and interfere, telling her she’s not strong enough. Lash helps her out by talking to the cow, getting the cow to relax.
Jessi stops at drug store to buy condoms, thinking that maybe Lash will take the hint and come to her inherited house where she made it clears she’d be staying by herself… and is a bit embarrassed with 5 year old Ben is watching her… After they make love, and Lash leaves, she goes back to the ranch, where Ben & his mom are leaving… Ben’s mom made him report to the sheriff because he was in the prophylactic aisle and was poking holes in the condoms on a dare from his friend. Hmmmm
In the middle of a storm, Lash and jessi get washed off a bridge, after stopping because a fawn was in the middle of the bridge and she was trying to rescue it… and a flash flood carries them off the bridge, and Lash wraps himself around her, keeping her close until able to get them to the river bank.
Theme: love, family
Characters:
Lash Monroe: mother gave left him and his brother on the church steps… his brother fostered in Texas, He in Illinois with a Reverend and 3 other foster brothers. Even though his circumstances are bad, he recognizes the heart of the Reverend, and does his best to be respectful. He was the youngest, he was the newest, and especially Zane caused trouble and he was the scapegoat. He determined when he could, he’d go out on his own – no big family for him; and the foster mom was weak – the boys and Reverend to coddle her – and she saw the truth of Zane, but would not speak up against him so Lash determined that he never wanted to be involved with a spoiled woman. He hooks up with the Monroes when he leaves his job as firefighter to go to his brother’s aid – but he was too late… then he stuck around to help out when Garrick and Chelsea go on their honeymoon. When Garrick returns, he asks Lash to stay longer to help him track rustlers & with ranch work – not knowing that his little sister has her eye on Lash.
Reverend Ezekiel Stanton and Olive Stanton: Reverend wanted a big family, wife couldn’t produce, they foster 4 boys… too bad the Reverend didn’t quite have a handle on the character of Zane.
Zane and Peter/Pedro: Especially Zane – mean, underhanded… Pedro always boasting of a rich uncle in Mexico how would come to get him one day.
Jessica ‘Jessi’ Brand: lost her mother when she was 8; raised the rest of the way by her 4 older brothers… she is a licensed vet, 23 years old, and her brothers coddle her, try to protect her from tough things. She has inherited a lonely, elderly woman’s house and money (and cat) that she had befriended, with the woman’s request she make a vet clinic on the property.
Garrett & Chelsea: one of Jessi’s brothers, the sherriff, just married… their story was an earlier book.
Monroe Brothers: Ben/ Adam / Wes / Elliot – Ben lost his wife a year plus ago and is still mourning; Adam is a businessman in New York; Wes, half Cherokee (his dad had an affair with his mom – but his dad’s wife welcomed him into the family when he was 8); Elliot, seems to be the most light hearted of the group.
Summary:
Jessi has decided that she loves Lash – and she is going to get him to overcome his inhibitions about her, make love to her, and then he would know he loves her as much. She follows through with this plan even though her brother’s object. Lash does his best to remember that she is younger, that her brothers have treated him well and having sex with Jessi is not good, that he is a drifter who does not want a large family or a coddled wife. Some of the bible verses he memorized try to guide him into doing right. But he comes to realize that age doesn’t really matter, things would work out with the brothers, and that Jessi is not the coddling kind, she is strong willed and capable. Jessi finally manages to seduce him… but when Lash realizes she is a virgin, he feels even guiltier and takes off. Jessi is left with the realization that her dream isn’t quite turning out. After a couple of days, he goes to her and offers to do right by her and marry her – which she of course refuses – she isn’t to be his penance. Chelsea helps her realize that often men don’t know their own feelings, and love before they can label it love.
In the meantime, wranglers are taking cattle, and Garrick & Lash don’t have a clue, until Zack comes out to the ranch looking for Lash. Jessi is there, and thinking that she can learn more about Lash’s childhood and perhaps orchestrate a reunion for the 2 she escorts him around the ranch telling him all about their cattle, and tells him about the opening of her clinic, inviting him to the festivities (and letting him know when the ranch would be vacant).
When their cattle is wrangled during the party, Lash figures out that Zack must be responsible… he tracks Pedro’s uncle’s address in Mexico with its meat plant… and heads down by himself, with only Garrick (and Chelsea) knowing – wanting to keep it from Jessi since she tends to jump in. Jessi runs into him on the road, they have sex in the car – she saw his suitcase and figures since they know who, his job is done and he’s hitting the road. Then she takes a pregnancy test, and yes she’s pregnant. Chelsea clues her into picking up the phone at midnight when Lash is supposed to check in, and she heads out to help him… Garrick hears her car… they all head down… they stop her just past the border, and she tells them she’s pregnant, that Lash is part of the family… they’re angry at Lash… she takes off in the faster truck… Lash has had time to think, and realizes he loves Jessi… Jessi gets snagged (walking down the street to the hotel, eating a burrito) by Zack and pulled into a bar… Lash sees her out the window of his hotel window, goes in, challenges Zack, a fight starts, the brothers join in… they all get arrested (except the chauvinistic sheriff won’t take Jessi in)… they tell their story, the sheriff stops the meat factory until it gets straightened out… the brothers yell at Lash and tell him Jessi’s pregnant… she ‘breaks’ them out of jail… Lash asks her to marry him, she says no again because she thinks it’s because of the baby – he swears to prove to her he loves her… they get home, she has abdomen pain… he rushes her to he hospital… all are waiting with no news… when pushed a bit by the brothers, Lash says they are to stay out of it, he’ll have to prove to her on his own that he loves her baby or not… they overhear the nurse telling the doctor they lost her… Lash and Ben start to cry and Lash reiterates how much he loves her… and Jessi steps into the room, having heard their conversations, and into Lash’s arms… she had food poisoning, she left her room because she did not want to stay overnight, and that’s why the nurse said she was lost… and 8 months later, husband and wife and all the family are in the delivery room as Jessi gives birth to a baby girl… and… they… live… happily… ever… after.
Memorable scenes:
As child, sitting in church, trying to listen to Reverend but cogitating over his circumstance – and starts to feel itching and tickling coming up legs, and notices others are hopping around too… and then sees the ants, and he has the ant farm… and looks at Zane who let those ants free… church empties, Reverend ‘sentences’ him to learn 100 bible verses and make an apology to the congregation.
We meet Jessi as she is helping a cow birth – sticking her arms up the birth canal – trying to do so in secret – where her brothers won’t find out and interfere, telling her she’s not strong enough. Lash helps her out by talking to the cow, getting the cow to relax.
Jessi stops at drug store to buy condoms, thinking that maybe Lash will take the hint and come to her inherited house where she made it clears she’d be staying by herself… and is a bit embarrassed with 5 year old Ben is watching her… After they make love, and Lash leaves, she goes back to the ranch, where Ben & his mom are leaving… Ben’s mom made him report to the sheriff because he was in the prophylactic aisle and was poking holes in the condoms on a dare from his friend. Hmmmm
In the middle of a storm, Lash and jessi get washed off a bridge, after stopping because a fawn was in the middle of the bridge and she was trying to rescue it… and a flash flood carries them off the bridge, and Lash wraps himself around her, keeping her close until able to get them to the river bank.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2022
I'm not sure what I was expecting based on the title, but this book wasn't it. Jessi is thoroughly delightful. Lash was a little more difficult to get a handle on. He didn't seem as mature as a 34-year-old male should be. Jessi, at 23, knows what she wants. Lash doesn't know a thing. Like the last book in this series, the ending is a little far-fetched, given the state of the law in Mexico where everyone is guilty until proven innocent, but I so enjoyed the whole thing that I am willing to accept it. What a family!
May 11, 2023
Pleasant Surprise
When I started reading this, I thought it seemed very familiar. It was a lovely surprise to remember that it's actually one of my favorite paperbacks I read repeatedly years ago!
Jessi and Lash' story is one of my favorite Brand couples.
When I started reading this, I thought it seemed very familiar. It was a lovely surprise to remember that it's actually one of my favorite paperbacks I read repeatedly years ago!
Jessi and Lash' story is one of my favorite Brand couples.
July 7, 2025
WONDERFUL!
Oh my goodness, I've read this book in a day, and I just loved it! So far, this whole series has been fantastic! I would recommend it to anyone who loves humor, suspense, love, and happy endings all in one book!
Oh my goodness, I've read this book in a day, and I just loved it! So far, this whole series has been fantastic! I would recommend it to anyone who loves humor, suspense, love, and happy endings all in one book!
March 5, 2022
Nice story of the younger sister of the Brand brothers. She was a good strong heroine. There was plenty of action.
January 3, 2017
Well, I adored the first novel in this series and felt that it was very underrated. Given the fact that I knew the first novel, I felt that this second novel had more meat to it than it actually did have and so I was more given to celebrating this book and overrating it. Today, I'm honest.
I love this family and the story is good.
Nevertheless, while it was fun and had it's funny points, there was simply too much Jesse and too much talk about how fine she was becoming and how she was going to get her own way. It's kind of not my thing to read all of that...
I love this family and the story is good.
Nevertheless, while it was fun and had it's funny points, there was simply too much Jesse and too much talk about how fine she was becoming and how she was going to get her own way. It's kind of not my thing to read all of that...
January 27, 2024
I tried🥴
I tried, I really did, but Jessi annoyed me too much. This was a well-written story, and I could see the potential if Jessi would just let Lash get a complete sentence out yeesh! She cut him off repeatedly and then wanted to question his motives while he was incidentally trying to explain things to her🙄. I would love to see how the other brothers play out, but I may have to give this series a rest.
I tried, I really did, but Jessi annoyed me too much. This was a well-written story, and I could see the potential if Jessi would just let Lash get a complete sentence out yeesh! She cut him off repeatedly and then wanted to question his motives while he was incidentally trying to explain things to her🙄. I would love to see how the other brothers play out, but I may have to give this series a rest.
Read
August 14, 2019Fantastic second book
Rating: R for sex
Sex: 2.5 scenes
Language: frequently the Lord's name in vain
Violence: bar brawls, gunpoint
HEA: yes
Would I read more of the series: absolutely
Another great book in this series. The plot is character driven and intriguing. The pacing is good, the romance builds well, and we get to keep interacting with all the family. The author got a few facts wrong about birth, but no biggie.
----SPOILERS----
Jessi is a licensed veterinarian now, and has her sights on Lash for a husband. Lash has stuck around to help Garrett with a cattle rustling problem, but is determined to be a drifter. Jessi is helping a cow birth a calf, and Lash soothes the cow, which greatly helps. Their neighbors' cattle get taken, and a mare got shot in the process, so Garrett, Lash, and Jessi rush out there. Lash helps soothe again while Jessi does her thing and Garrett gets details. Jessi has inherited the means to open a clinic. There's a terrible storm, so Garrett makes Lash drive Jessi home. On the bridge is a fawn, and they get out of the vehicle to see if it's injured. It bounds away just as the flash flood hits. Lash holds onto Jessi until they get deposited into the bank of the stream/raging river. The brothers are sure grateful. She has a plan to seduce him (this girl knows what she wants!), and they make love on the floor of her future clinic. He proposes because he took her virginity, but she rejects him because he doesn't love her. She finds out the condom may have had pin pricks (prankster in the store), and she is sick with worry. Zane knocks at the ranch door. He's Lash's foster brother. Jessi shows him around the ranch, hoping to learn more about Lash. At the bar, Zane makes lewd comments about Jessi, and Lash starts a fight. Jessi hopes to bring them together, and invites Zane to the upcoming gala. Her business has an opening day party, and everyone's there, except Zane. They all come home to the ranch, the cattle are gone, and numerous other ranches have been robbed, too. Jessi knows it was Zane. Lash figures out his other foster brother inherited a meat packing business in Mexico, so he goes to investigate. Jessi thinks he's leaving, so she has sex with him one last time. At home, her pregnancy test is positive. Chelsea tells her Lash is checking in with Garrett, so listen in on the call. Jessi learns what Lash is up to, and goes to assist. He brothers follow, learn she's pregnant, and while they're figuring out what they're gonna do to Lash, she takes off in their faster truck. In the Mexican town, Lash sees her eating and then get pulled into a bar by Zane. A big bar brawl ensues including the Brand brothers, and everyone gets arrested except Jessi. The brothers tell Lash she's pregnant just before she busts them out of jail at gunpoint. Now she'll never believe he loves her, that he will marry her because it's the right thing to do even more. They get home, and she's in excruciating abdominal pain. Lash rushes her to the hospital. They're all in the waiting room, he explains to the brothers she won't marry him and that he loves her. The nurse tells a doctor they lost a patient, and Lash and Ben sob. Jessi was trying to escape and overheard everything. 9 months later, they're the proud parents of a little girl.
Rating: R for sex
Sex: 2.5 scenes
Language: frequently the Lord's name in vain
Violence: bar brawls, gunpoint
HEA: yes
Would I read more of the series: absolutely
Another great book in this series. The plot is character driven and intriguing. The pacing is good, the romance builds well, and we get to keep interacting with all the family. The author got a few facts wrong about birth, but no biggie.
----SPOILERS----
Jessi is a licensed veterinarian now, and has her sights on Lash for a husband. Lash has stuck around to help Garrett with a cattle rustling problem, but is determined to be a drifter. Jessi is helping a cow birth a calf, and Lash soothes the cow, which greatly helps. Their neighbors' cattle get taken, and a mare got shot in the process, so Garrett, Lash, and Jessi rush out there. Lash helps soothe again while Jessi does her thing and Garrett gets details. Jessi has inherited the means to open a clinic. There's a terrible storm, so Garrett makes Lash drive Jessi home. On the bridge is a fawn, and they get out of the vehicle to see if it's injured. It bounds away just as the flash flood hits. Lash holds onto Jessi until they get deposited into the bank of the stream/raging river. The brothers are sure grateful. She has a plan to seduce him (this girl knows what she wants!), and they make love on the floor of her future clinic. He proposes because he took her virginity, but she rejects him because he doesn't love her. She finds out the condom may have had pin pricks (prankster in the store), and she is sick with worry. Zane knocks at the ranch door. He's Lash's foster brother. Jessi shows him around the ranch, hoping to learn more about Lash. At the bar, Zane makes lewd comments about Jessi, and Lash starts a fight. Jessi hopes to bring them together, and invites Zane to the upcoming gala. Her business has an opening day party, and everyone's there, except Zane. They all come home to the ranch, the cattle are gone, and numerous other ranches have been robbed, too. Jessi knows it was Zane. Lash figures out his other foster brother inherited a meat packing business in Mexico, so he goes to investigate. Jessi thinks he's leaving, so she has sex with him one last time. At home, her pregnancy test is positive. Chelsea tells her Lash is checking in with Garrett, so listen in on the call. Jessi learns what Lash is up to, and goes to assist. He brothers follow, learn she's pregnant, and while they're figuring out what they're gonna do to Lash, she takes off in their faster truck. In the Mexican town, Lash sees her eating and then get pulled into a bar by Zane. A big bar brawl ensues including the Brand brothers, and everyone gets arrested except Jessi. The brothers tell Lash she's pregnant just before she busts them out of jail at gunpoint. Now she'll never believe he loves her, that he will marry her because it's the right thing to do even more. They get home, and she's in excruciating abdominal pain. Lash rushes her to the hospital. They're all in the waiting room, he explains to the brothers she won't marry him and that he loves her. The nurse tells a doctor they lost a patient, and Lash and Ben sob. Jessi was trying to escape and overheard everything. 9 months later, they're the proud parents of a little girl.
January 16, 2020
Jessi is the furthest thing from needing her brothers to protect her and you would think from Nash being around already that he would catch that. Alas he finds the assumption she is spoiled and likes being catered to. Now as their relationship develops and Jessi basically throws herself at Lash it wasn’t distasteful it was actually slightly humorous and just showed Jessi’s confidence and assurance. I liked it but when Lash basically thinks of himself as some heartbreaking criminal and basically makes Jessi sound like a pathetic weakling I was a bit annoyed. Obviously that’s the point but still it was a but extreme. Clearly he has feelings for her. No man in his right mind would ever be like “welp guess I’m just gonna have to marry her for taking her innocence” yeah right! It’s actually ridiculous. Then enter bad guy/foster brother Zane. Of course the poo hits the fan etc I’ll skip that a get to the good. Poor Jessi thinks Lash still thinks he need to be with her out of guilt when in reality he has fallen in love with her. So when she finally gets him to understand that she won’t marry him if he doesn’t know the love is real. He set his mind to it and before they even finish their talk Jessi takes a turn for the worst. Then to not ruin the book more. Things and stuff take place which I loved and she finally realizes how much Lash really loves her. I liked the story allot but there was allot of the focus on everyone assuming things about Jessi and it got to be a bit much. All in all i really like this series. It makes me smile.
August 8, 2025
Well not very memorable or maybe just not for me. Jessi 23yr old newly graduated veterinarian with several big protective brothers. Her brothers see her as a 14yr instead of a woman and treat her like a kid.
Definitely a reverse insta-lust (it's usually the guy) but in this book it is Jessi who has the hots for temp ranch worker Lash Monroe who is 11 yrs older than she is and wants nothing to do with getting tied up to Jessi. He knows she is too young and too dangerous to his single free life. He keeps trying to get away but when one of her brothers the sheriff asks him to stay to help catch some cattle thieves he agrees.
Jessi basically stalks him and finally he sleeps with her only to find out she is a virgin, yeah well not loving this story. Of course she gets pregnant with one night stand, doesn't want to tell him and the drama rolls on.
Meanwhile they track the cattle thieves to Mexico and to one of Lash's foster brothers. This was all just too much for me. A cowboy fantasy story with lust, family, and fighting bad guys in Mexico. There is a lot of grovel by the hero to get Jessi to agree to marry him and well I just wasn't buying the whole thing. He wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed and she was definitely spoiled, manipulative and juvenile. If the roles were reversed (11yr older guy won't take no from 23yr old) this would be uncool and kind of creepy.
Definitely a reverse insta-lust (it's usually the guy) but in this book it is Jessi who has the hots for temp ranch worker Lash Monroe who is 11 yrs older than she is and wants nothing to do with getting tied up to Jessi. He knows she is too young and too dangerous to his single free life. He keeps trying to get away but when one of her brothers the sheriff asks him to stay to help catch some cattle thieves he agrees.
Jessi basically stalks him and finally he sleeps with her only to find out she is a virgin, yeah well not loving this story. Of course she gets pregnant with one night stand, doesn't want to tell him and the drama rolls on.
Meanwhile they track the cattle thieves to Mexico and to one of Lash's foster brothers. This was all just too much for me. A cowboy fantasy story with lust, family, and fighting bad guys in Mexico. There is a lot of grovel by the hero to get Jessi to agree to marry him and well I just wasn't buying the whole thing. He wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed and she was definitely spoiled, manipulative and juvenile. If the roles were reversed (11yr older guy won't take no from 23yr old) this would be uncool and kind of creepy.
December 2, 2024
This is the second book of the Texas Brand series. You can read this as a stand alone, but the book does make a lot of references to what happened in the first book. I recommend you read the books in order. This is an action adventure romance story. I enjoyed the action along with the romance.
Jessi is the youngest of the Brand siblings and the only girl. She has recently finished veterinary school. An old lady friend passes away and leaves everything to Jessi with the wish that she built a vet clinic with the property and money. Meanwhile, Jessi's older brothers still think of her as a little girl and are always trying to protect her from everything and no man is good enough for their little sister. The oldest brother Garratt is the local sheriff and is investigating a series of cattle thefts in the area. He asks Lash Monroe (he featured in the first book) to become his deputy to help him solve the thefts. Jessi has her heart set on Lash Monroe and does everything in her power to convince him. He continues to try to resist her until he can't. When Jessi finds herself pregnant, she decides she would rather raise a kid alone than marry a man who doesn't love her. Will Lash figure out his feelings and convince Jessi of them?
Jessi is the youngest of the Brand siblings and the only girl. She has recently finished veterinary school. An old lady friend passes away and leaves everything to Jessi with the wish that she built a vet clinic with the property and money. Meanwhile, Jessi's older brothers still think of her as a little girl and are always trying to protect her from everything and no man is good enough for their little sister. The oldest brother Garratt is the local sheriff and is investigating a series of cattle thefts in the area. He asks Lash Monroe (he featured in the first book) to become his deputy to help him solve the thefts. Jessi has her heart set on Lash Monroe and does everything in her power to convince him. He continues to try to resist her until he can't. When Jessi finds herself pregnant, she decides she would rather raise a kid alone than marry a man who doesn't love her. Will Lash figure out his feelings and convince Jessi of them?
January 29, 2019
Hotness Rating 3 out of 5
Although the title leaves a bit to be desired I enjoyed this second installment to the Texas Brands series.
Jessi is the baby sister at the Brand ranch and has spent her entire life dealing with her overprotective brothers. There were times that they refused to see her as a grown, professional woman and it infuriated her. It was nice to see that she had so much strength considering her brothers tried so hard to pack her in bubble wrap and keep her safely on a shelf.
Lash Monroe wasn't much different than her brothers. It took him far too long to open his eyes and see Jessi as the hot young twenty something looking for love. And when he did see her as something more he fought it because - you guessed it - he didn't want to start any trouble with her brothers.
Overall an enjoyable read.
Although the title leaves a bit to be desired I enjoyed this second installment to the Texas Brands series.
Jessi is the baby sister at the Brand ranch and has spent her entire life dealing with her overprotective brothers. There were times that they refused to see her as a grown, professional woman and it infuriated her. It was nice to see that she had so much strength considering her brothers tried so hard to pack her in bubble wrap and keep her safely on a shelf.
Lash Monroe wasn't much different than her brothers. It took him far too long to open his eyes and see Jessi as the hot young twenty something looking for love. And when he did see her as something more he fought it because - you guessed it - he didn't want to start any trouble with her brothers.
Overall an enjoyable read.
April 8, 2018
This is a case where the first book is just so good, but the second book just didn't deliver. Really at times Jessi was chasing Lash like a man hungry... you get it. Normally I love strong and sufficient women but I really didn't like the approach to this novel. But Lash was a great read, his struggles with trying to stay what he was a "drifter" by choice and a honorable man. Jessi definitely was strutting to get his attention. Guess I'm a little old fashion.
Anyway, the actual "crime" plot wasn't half as good as book 1. I'll give book 3 a try and if it falls flat that will be it.
Anyway, the actual "crime" plot wasn't half as good as book 1. I'll give book 3 a try and if it falls flat that will be it.
January 4, 2020
So, I adored Jessi’s fierce firebrand attitude in the first book. I was pretty tired of it by the time I got to the end of this book. She’s so unbelievably capable at everything, except listening to good common sense. The chip on her shoulder the size of the state gets her in all kinds of trouble, that she instigates herself, yet she blames and doubts Lash for everything. I didn’t enjoy that he was the one that had to “prove” his love and commitment. I still love the Brands as a family, but I’m beginning to wonder what I think about them on an individual basis.
December 9, 2022
The Baddest Virgin in Texas (The Texas Brands Book 2)
I'm really enjoying getting to know the Brands of Texas. A big family full of love and laughter, with a little intrigue and a lot of protectiveness thrown into the mix.
This book flowed much more smoothly than the previous one. Still a quick, simple read in the way that a lot of the details are either skimmed over or referred to after the fact. Like what happened to their cattle and what was the response to the jailbreak?
I'm really enjoying getting to know the Brands of Texas. A big family full of love and laughter, with a little intrigue and a lot of protectiveness thrown into the mix.
This book flowed much more smoothly than the previous one. Still a quick, simple read in the way that a lot of the details are either skimmed over or referred to after the fact. Like what happened to their cattle and what was the response to the jailbreak?
November 1, 2021
Jessi knows what she wants and goes about getting it. Lash didn’t stand a chance. Although her brothers were overbearing and protective, I still love them all.
Chelsea was much more loveable in this book rather than the previous book which is ironic because she was the main character last time.
Chelsea was much more loveable in this book rather than the previous book which is ironic because she was the main character last time.
June 8, 2017
Good uplifting read
Editting issues. Love the family dynamics, but I hope the next books in the series change it up a little - Chelsea and Lash determined not to get sucked into the big happy family is enough of that plot. And gorgeous mid 20 y.o. virgins? Come on.
Editting issues. Love the family dynamics, but I hope the next books in the series change it up a little - Chelsea and Lash determined not to get sucked into the big happy family is enough of that plot. And gorgeous mid 20 y.o. virgins? Come on.
August 21, 2017
I always start saying this:
I LOVED IT.
I loved this book so much.
The story was simple but real.
We have a girl that knows what she wants and do
whatever she needs to get it haajahajahja.
Poor Lash jajajajah.
5 stars ♥
I LOVED IT.
I loved this book so much.
The story was simple but real.
We have a girl that knows what she wants and do
whatever she needs to get it haajahajahja.
Poor Lash jajajajah.
5 stars ♥
May 9, 2021
I found myself smiling at different places in this novel. Jessie was determined to get Lash to fall in love with her, and Lash was just as determined to resist her. Add five overly protective, interfering older brothers and some busy rustlers and we have a good story.
December 10, 2022
Must Read More
I have found another author I love. Her storylines are great, her characters have depth and each book seems to finish the previous book's story.
The Brands are a family I need to read more of.
I have found another author I love. Her storylines are great, her characters have depth and each book seems to finish the previous book's story.
The Brands are a family I need to read more of.
February 18, 2023
Not a fajita it was a burrito jeez that was weird
This was good, I'm enjoying the series. Although one of my pet peeves is the women being so clueless and getting into trouble, when using their common sense would I hope be more realistic.
This was good, I'm enjoying the series. Although one of my pet peeves is the women being so clueless and getting into trouble, when using their common sense would I hope be more realistic.
May 27, 2024
Let's make sure it's real
You never known until you know. The man was so sure he wanted to drift until he found the right women. It's true some people don't know what love is until they! Lose it or they see it walk away from them. Great Book.
You never known until you know. The man was so sure he wanted to drift until he found the right women. It's true some people don't know what love is until they! Lose it or they see it walk away from them. Great Book.
May 28, 2024
Great Storyline and Characters
The book was really good, but the cattle rustling operation could not have been run by only two people. Yet only two apparently were arrested and in jail. Then it went from being in Mexico to Jessi giving birth. No wedding just the mention of it.
The book was really good, but the cattle rustling operation could not have been run by only two people. Yet only two apparently were arrested and in jail. Then it went from being in Mexico to Jessi giving birth. No wedding just the mention of it.
August 24, 2024
Lash and Jessi
Jesus Brand puts Lash Monroe through the wringer. But he is able to show her that he loves her and not that he must marry her. A drifter since he left a foster home and swore to never settle down. Only love can change his mind.
I enjoyed this story.
Jesus Brand puts Lash Monroe through the wringer. But he is able to show her that he loves her and not that he must marry her. A drifter since he left a foster home and swore to never settle down. Only love can change his mind.
I enjoyed this story.
August 13, 2025
Great storyline and I will continue to read the series, but it is dated. I’m not sure what year this was supposed to have occurred, but it’s before cell phones. I prefer to read books that are more current.
November 28, 2019
Okay read
Usually love these books but jessi was given an annoying personality and for someone supposedly grown up acted like a child. Not a favourite of this authors work.
Usually love these books but jessi was given an annoying personality and for someone supposedly grown up acted like a child. Not a favourite of this authors work.
June 2, 2022
This series is so funny... it feels like it had been written in the 1970's with the moralities of 1950's middle America.
( am continuing to read cos there is one that I want to!! )
( am continuing to read cos there is one that I want to!! )
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