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Montana Mavericks: Return to Big Sky Country #1
Rogue Stallion
"I don't want kindness - or your kind of woman."
Sterling McCallum gave the plain, hard warning to Jessica Larson. The brooding rouge cop had a stone place of a heart and a past as mysterious as the case that had brought them together. But this time Jessica couldn't back off. Something compelled her to stand her ground and brave the emotions this man had long aroused. Suddenly, their darkest secrets, their deepest desires, shimmered to the surface...about to explode.
250 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 1994
261 people are currently reading
640 people want to read
About the author
Diana Palmer
1,041 books3,097 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Diana Palmer is a pseudonym for author Susan Kyle.
(1)romance author
Susan Eloise Spaeth was born on 11 December 1946 in Cuthbert, Georgia, USA. She was the eldest daughter of Maggie Eloise Cliatt, a nurse and also journalist, and William Olin Spaeth, a college professor. Her mother was part of the women's liberation movement many years before it became fashionable. Her best friends are her mother and her sister, Dannis Spaeth (Cole), who now has two daughters, Amanda Belle Hofstetter and Maggie and lives in Utah. Susan grew up reading Zane Grey and fell in love with cowboys. Susan is a former newspaper reporter, with sixteen years experience on both daily and weekly newspapers. Since 1972, she has been married to James Kyle and have since settled down in Cornelia, Georgia, where she started to write romance novels. Susan and her husband have one son, Blayne Edward, born in 1980.
She began selling romances in 1979 as Diana Palmer. She also used the pseudonyms Diana Blayne and Katy Currie, and her married name: Susan Kyle. Now, she has over 40 million copies of her books in print, which have been translated and published around the world. She is listed in numerous publications, including Contemporary Authors by Gale Research, Inc., Twentieth Century Romance and Historical Writers by St. James Press, The Writers Directory by St. James Press, the International Who's Who of Authors and Writers by Meirose Press, Ltd., and Love's Leading Ladies by Kathryn Falk. Her awards include seven Waldenbooks national sales awards, four B. Dalton national sales awards, two Bookrak national sales awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award for series storytelling from Romantic Times, several Affaire de Coeur awards, and two regional RWA awards.
Inspired by her husband, who quit a blue-collar manufacturing job to return to school and get his diploma in computer programming, Susan herself went back to college as a day student at the age of 45. In 1995, she graduated summa cum laude from Piedmont College, Demorest, GA, with a major in history and a double minor in archaeology and Spanish. She was named to two honor societies (the Torch Club and Alpha Chi), and was named to the National Dean's List. In addition to her writing projects, she is currently working on her master's degree in history at California State University. She hopes to specialize in Native American studies. She is a member of the Native American Rights Fund, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Cattlemen's Association, the Archaeological Institute of Amenca, the Planetary Society, The Georgia Conservancy, the Georgia Sheriff's Association, and numerous conservation and charitable organizations. Her hobbies include gardening, archaeology, anthropology, iguanas, astronomy and music.
In 1998, her husband retired from his own computer business and now pursues skeet shooting medals in local, state, national and international competition. They love riding around and looking at the countryside, watching sci-fi on TV and at the movies, just talking and eating out.
Diana Palmer is a pseudonym for author Susan Kyle.
(1)romance author
Susan Eloise Spaeth was born on 11 December 1946 in Cuthbert, Georgia, USA. She was the eldest daughter of Maggie Eloise Cliatt, a nurse and also journalist, and William Olin Spaeth, a college professor. Her mother was part of the women's liberation movement many years before it became fashionable. Her best friends are her mother and her sister, Dannis Spaeth (Cole), who now has two daughters, Amanda Belle Hofstetter and Maggie and lives in Utah. Susan grew up reading Zane Grey and fell in love with cowboys. Susan is a former newspaper reporter, with sixteen years experience on both daily and weekly newspapers. Since 1972, she has been married to James Kyle and have since settled down in Cornelia, Georgia, where she started to write romance novels. Susan and her husband have one son, Blayne Edward, born in 1980.
She began selling romances in 1979 as Diana Palmer. She also used the pseudonyms Diana Blayne and Katy Currie, and her married name: Susan Kyle. Now, she has over 40 million copies of her books in print, which have been translated and published around the world. She is listed in numerous publications, including Contemporary Authors by Gale Research, Inc., Twentieth Century Romance and Historical Writers by St. James Press, The Writers Directory by St. James Press, the International Who's Who of Authors and Writers by Meirose Press, Ltd., and Love's Leading Ladies by Kathryn Falk. Her awards include seven Waldenbooks national sales awards, four B. Dalton national sales awards, two Bookrak national sales awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award for series storytelling from Romantic Times, several Affaire de Coeur awards, and two regional RWA awards.
Inspired by her husband, who quit a blue-collar manufacturing job to return to school and get his diploma in computer programming, Susan herself went back to college as a day student at the age of 45. In 1995, she graduated summa cum laude from Piedmont College, Demorest, GA, with a major in history and a double minor in archaeology and Spanish. She was named to two honor societies (the Torch Club and Alpha Chi), and was named to the National Dean's List. In addition to her writing projects, she is currently working on her master's degree in history at California State University. She hopes to specialize in Native American studies. She is a member of the Native American Rights Fund, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Cattlemen's Association, the Archaeological Institute of Amenca, the Planetary Society, The Georgia Conservancy, the Georgia Sheriff's Association, and numerous conservation and charitable organizations. Her hobbies include gardening, archaeology, anthropology, iguanas, astronomy and music.
In 1998, her husband retired from his own computer business and now pursues skeet shooting medals in local, state, national and international competition. They love riding around and looking at the countryside, watching sci-fi on TV and at the movies, just talking and eating out.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
December 14, 2020
Hated this guy, who was childish and cruel in a particularly petty way, but I'm hoping for a sequel that takes place a few years after this one: Rogue Gelding.
July 13, 2014
Rogue Stallion is a romance novel by Diana Palmer and is the first book in the Montana Mavericks series. Social worker Jessica Larson and Deputy Sheriff Sterling McCallum both have dark secrets in their past. Jessica seems determined to draw Sterling out, yet when he wants to get closer, she backs off. And then someone comes to Whitethorn spreading rumours about her that have Sterling doubting her honesty. This is a somewhat slow-moving romance that touches on domestic violence and alcoholism. Characters from the next book in the series, The Widow and the Rodeo Man, by Jackie Merritt, are introduced here. This book ends with an unsolved murder that extends into the next few books of the series and rather stretches credibility: a bride somehow finds time during her wedding to stab and kill an unknown man without getting blood on her dress. The main story has a bit of heartbreak with a happy ending making it a sweet romance.
January 15, 2016
Jennifer and McCallum- so sweet! Had all the Diana Palmer classic elements- hairy cowboy- innocent girl- painful backstory- and a HEA! Awesome read ❤️
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January 13, 2018Lubię czytać harlequiny bo można się przy nich dobrze powkurzać z powodu naiwności głównych bohaterek i tego, jak bardzo są stłamszone przez facetów. Jak bardzo ulegają i ich jedynym celem życiowym jest złapanie faceta i rodzenie dziecka! Normalnie żadnych ambicji zawodowych. A jak już mają jakieś ambicje to przychodzi dominacja faceta i tak nic z tym nie robią, bo "facet tak powiedział". Więc jeśli będę potrzebowała znowu podniesienia ciśnienia to zdecydowanie znowu sięgnę po harlequina. :D
September 1, 2013
Been a while since I read Diana Palmer. Ah, what a refreshing one!
Scarred and alone, McCallum didn't easily trust woman. But when Jessica stormed into his life, he can't help but pay attention. She's young and beautiful. Not to mention kind hearted and simple. But when he started to fall for her, her past came back. What will happen next?
I love this book, not very angsty but perfectly fine. McCallum's a loner but not an alpha-jerk like Palmer's usual hero. I kind of like him. Jessica, very typical heroine of Palmer so I have no other words for her.
Overall I enjoyed this book so much. If you're a fan of Diana Palmer's book, then you'll definitely love this one. :)
Scarred and alone, McCallum didn't easily trust woman. But when Jessica stormed into his life, he can't help but pay attention. She's young and beautiful. Not to mention kind hearted and simple. But when he started to fall for her, her past came back. What will happen next?
I love this book, not very angsty but perfectly fine. McCallum's a loner but not an alpha-jerk like Palmer's usual hero. I kind of like him. Jessica, very typical heroine of Palmer so I have no other words for her.
Overall I enjoyed this book so much. If you're a fan of Diana Palmer's book, then you'll definitely love this one. :)
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September 25, 2018The sheriff's special investigator, Sterling McCallum, was in Judd Hensley's office. The sheriff ordered McCallum to go see Jessica Larson about the baby that had been left on the doorstep of Dugin Kincaid. He reluctantly went to her office to speak with her.
Jessica was 10 years younger than McCallum but she didn't have any family and he didn't either. She had taken care of him when he had gotten sick the previous year and she didn't know it but she had gotten under his skin. He had become a bit short with her to keep his distance. She didn't seem to notice his sarcasm and just ignored it. She saw through it and didn't let it bother her.
Jessica had been a social worker and when she was younger, had gone alone to aid a young girl and her mother. As a result, she was badly beaten. She was saved by the wife's brother-in-law driving up and she was taken to the hospital. Fred Jackson was charged and put in jail. His brother was well known in the town and on the city council. He spread vicious rumors about Jessica and she bore the pain of the vicious rumors till the wife and daughter had found help and gotten away. When Fred got out of prison, he got drunk and came after Jessica. He caused her car to crash and she was left with scars as a result along with internal damage so bad that she could no longer have children. Only sheriff Hensley knew the extent of what she had been through because she couldn't bear to talk about it.
Sterling McCallum had an alcoholic mother who beat him. He had finally had enough when she broke his arm with a bottle. She tried to lie about how he had gotten hurt but he told the doctors the truth. His mother had been charged with abuse and put in prison. She died there when he was in his early teens. He was farmed out to other families and he was used for labor. He went into Navy Intelligence to get away and ended up with an elderly friend who left him some land near Whitehorn, Montana so that is where he ended up and went to work with for the local sheriff's office.
Jessica worked together to see if they could find the parents of the baby Jennifer. Jessica became attached to the baby and it became obvious. They began working on another case where something seemed off but they couldn't get any answers. Terrance Colson's wife had run off and left him and his son. He then lost his job and started drinking. The police received a domestic disturbance call so they both showed up at the house but nothing was going on so they left.
A couple of young teenagers came to see Jessica and she asked McCallum to talk to them. They wanted to run off and get married but Jessica thought they were too young. Ben was scared and Amy thought she was pregnant. They suggested that she find out for sure first and talk the situation over with their parents. They took the kids home to let the family's work things out.
McCallum took Jessica home and told her that he knew that she liked him. He could tell by her actions and the way she looked at him. She was embarrassed although it was true. She liked him but with her past, knew there was no future for them together. He didn't know all the details or extent of the injuries to her and she wasn't ready to disclose them to anyone. He kissed her that night and they began seeing each other. Jessica thought they were becoming friends and McCallum knew he wanted more than that but he wasn't willing to take in any further than a few dates and them spending more time together. Then Sam Jackson, Fred's brother, came to town.
His intent was to damage Jessica's reputation as much as possible. He told whoever would listen of how Jessica was pursuing his brother and broke up the marriage. He blamed Jessica for Fred's death and of how it was brought up in the trial that she couldn't have children. McCallum began to believe the stories because of the little he had been told by Jessica of the situation. He knew some of the story but not all of it. He pulled away from Jessica and made it clear that he believed what Sam was saying.
Sam was there almost a week before the sheriff found out. McCallum had begun seeing one of the girls in Jessica's office and she lied about how close she and McCallum had become on those dates. She knew that her dating him had been a mistake because she could see how it was affecting Jessica. Jessica was no longer friendly with her and it made working with her difficult. She knew they had to talk and she needed to stop seeing McCallum.
The sheriff called McCallum into his office the morning he saw Sam and told McCallum that he was a jerk for believing what he was saying about Jessica and condemning her without knowing what she went through. He told Sterling to stay away from him after the sheriff told him what Jessica had gone through. He then went to find Sam and tailed him until he was outside the county line. McCallum felt awful and tried to talk to Jessica.
Jessica refused to tell him anything and didn't accept his apology. She told him that she was happy being alone and would stay that way. McCallum knew that it was going to take time to get her to trust him again. She had put walls back up that he had been breaking through. Jessica didn't get close to men similar to the way he held himself back from women. McCallum took finding out Jessica couldn't have children as a lie. She hadn't told him because he never asked and she didn't feel they were more that close friends. She didn't talk about what happened with Fred to anyone. She was also upset that the sheriff had to tell him what happened rather than come to her and ask questions. He took the wrong person's side without giving Jessica a chance. McCallum left talking to her upset because he knew that he had been wrong and he had hurt her. He didn't only believe Sam's stories but he had dated someone who worked with her in their small town. His rejection of her was now town gossip.
McCallum was preoccupied and stopped at a store to pick up some coffee and walked in on a robbery. The man had a gun and shot McCallum in the arm. It hit an artery and the guy ran off. Sterling went to his car and called in the shooting and an ambulance came and picked him up. He had lost a lot of blood.
Bess had a friend that worked at the hospital and called to tell her. She called Bess because she thought they were dating. Bess went to see Jessica and told her that the stories she had told about her dates with McCallum were all lies. She and Sterling were barely friends. He didn't treat her like his girlfriend and he had only kissed her once. She told Jessica that Sterling had been shot and that he was in the hospital. Jessica left work to go see him.
McCallum was in a lot of pain and wondered why Jessica had come to see him. He was kind of in and out due to the medication he had been given. She told him that she was going to stay with him to take care of him. He wanted to go home.
Jessica stayed with him in the hospital and took him home. He then went home with her to care for her cat and he called a deputy to take him home at night. They spent most of the weekend together. He couldn't work for a couple of weeks and they resumed their dating. A couple weeks later, they were making out and he managed to remove her dress. She tried to stop him but he saw the scars. He told her that they weren't that bad and it wouldn't turn him off. Then he proceeded to show her.
It wasn't too much longer before he asked her to marry him. She was surprised but accepted. He got her to admit that she loved him and he let her know that he felt the same way without actually saying the words.
Dugin Kincaid married Mary Jo Plumber a couple weeks before they were married. A man was murdered at the wedding. McCallum was assigned to find the murderer. He didn't know it but Mary Jo had killed Floyd Oakly, a man she used to run scams with. She thought she had seen the last of him but he showed up at her wedding and she wasn't going to let him spoil her marrying the richest man in town.
McCallum felt there was something going on in that household for Dugin's father, Jeremiah, appeared nervous when he was around. He told the wedding guests that he would find out who the man was and why he was in town.
Terrence Colson's son, Keith, had been getting in trouble around town. It was becoming obvious that he was trying to get away from home. He stole cigarettes but didn't smoke and let himself get caught. He then took an empty gun and robbed a car dealership. He was picked up with the money and they gun. He never tried to get away. McCallum and Jessica were still on the case and discussed it. They figured out that Terrance was beating Keith. McCallum told Keith about his own childhood and then Keith told him that his father was beating both him and his grandmother. He was trying to get sent away so his grandmother would be free to leave the house. Terrance didn't know the police were coming to get him when he was arrested. He thought his son would never tell what was going on at the house. Keith was sent to a ranch to work and a teacher came to the ranch for his lessons so that he didn't have to return to school.
McCallum told Jessica that they needed to petition the court for custody of the baby Jennifer. He thought that she could get custody now that she was married and he was right. They were awarded custody of the baby. He told Jessica that he loved her and that she deserved a child of her own.
Jessica was 10 years younger than McCallum but she didn't have any family and he didn't either. She had taken care of him when he had gotten sick the previous year and she didn't know it but she had gotten under his skin. He had become a bit short with her to keep his distance. She didn't seem to notice his sarcasm and just ignored it. She saw through it and didn't let it bother her.
Jessica had been a social worker and when she was younger, had gone alone to aid a young girl and her mother. As a result, she was badly beaten. She was saved by the wife's brother-in-law driving up and she was taken to the hospital. Fred Jackson was charged and put in jail. His brother was well known in the town and on the city council. He spread vicious rumors about Jessica and she bore the pain of the vicious rumors till the wife and daughter had found help and gotten away. When Fred got out of prison, he got drunk and came after Jessica. He caused her car to crash and she was left with scars as a result along with internal damage so bad that she could no longer have children. Only sheriff Hensley knew the extent of what she had been through because she couldn't bear to talk about it.
Sterling McCallum had an alcoholic mother who beat him. He had finally had enough when she broke his arm with a bottle. She tried to lie about how he had gotten hurt but he told the doctors the truth. His mother had been charged with abuse and put in prison. She died there when he was in his early teens. He was farmed out to other families and he was used for labor. He went into Navy Intelligence to get away and ended up with an elderly friend who left him some land near Whitehorn, Montana so that is where he ended up and went to work with for the local sheriff's office.
Jessica worked together to see if they could find the parents of the baby Jennifer. Jessica became attached to the baby and it became obvious. They began working on another case where something seemed off but they couldn't get any answers. Terrance Colson's wife had run off and left him and his son. He then lost his job and started drinking. The police received a domestic disturbance call so they both showed up at the house but nothing was going on so they left.
A couple of young teenagers came to see Jessica and she asked McCallum to talk to them. They wanted to run off and get married but Jessica thought they were too young. Ben was scared and Amy thought she was pregnant. They suggested that she find out for sure first and talk the situation over with their parents. They took the kids home to let the family's work things out.
McCallum took Jessica home and told her that he knew that she liked him. He could tell by her actions and the way she looked at him. She was embarrassed although it was true. She liked him but with her past, knew there was no future for them together. He didn't know all the details or extent of the injuries to her and she wasn't ready to disclose them to anyone. He kissed her that night and they began seeing each other. Jessica thought they were becoming friends and McCallum knew he wanted more than that but he wasn't willing to take in any further than a few dates and them spending more time together. Then Sam Jackson, Fred's brother, came to town.
His intent was to damage Jessica's reputation as much as possible. He told whoever would listen of how Jessica was pursuing his brother and broke up the marriage. He blamed Jessica for Fred's death and of how it was brought up in the trial that she couldn't have children. McCallum began to believe the stories because of the little he had been told by Jessica of the situation. He knew some of the story but not all of it. He pulled away from Jessica and made it clear that he believed what Sam was saying.
Sam was there almost a week before the sheriff found out. McCallum had begun seeing one of the girls in Jessica's office and she lied about how close she and McCallum had become on those dates. She knew that her dating him had been a mistake because she could see how it was affecting Jessica. Jessica was no longer friendly with her and it made working with her difficult. She knew they had to talk and she needed to stop seeing McCallum.
The sheriff called McCallum into his office the morning he saw Sam and told McCallum that he was a jerk for believing what he was saying about Jessica and condemning her without knowing what she went through. He told Sterling to stay away from him after the sheriff told him what Jessica had gone through. He then went to find Sam and tailed him until he was outside the county line. McCallum felt awful and tried to talk to Jessica.
Jessica refused to tell him anything and didn't accept his apology. She told him that she was happy being alone and would stay that way. McCallum knew that it was going to take time to get her to trust him again. She had put walls back up that he had been breaking through. Jessica didn't get close to men similar to the way he held himself back from women. McCallum took finding out Jessica couldn't have children as a lie. She hadn't told him because he never asked and she didn't feel they were more that close friends. She didn't talk about what happened with Fred to anyone. She was also upset that the sheriff had to tell him what happened rather than come to her and ask questions. He took the wrong person's side without giving Jessica a chance. McCallum left talking to her upset because he knew that he had been wrong and he had hurt her. He didn't only believe Sam's stories but he had dated someone who worked with her in their small town. His rejection of her was now town gossip.
McCallum was preoccupied and stopped at a store to pick up some coffee and walked in on a robbery. The man had a gun and shot McCallum in the arm. It hit an artery and the guy ran off. Sterling went to his car and called in the shooting and an ambulance came and picked him up. He had lost a lot of blood.
Bess had a friend that worked at the hospital and called to tell her. She called Bess because she thought they were dating. Bess went to see Jessica and told her that the stories she had told about her dates with McCallum were all lies. She and Sterling were barely friends. He didn't treat her like his girlfriend and he had only kissed her once. She told Jessica that Sterling had been shot and that he was in the hospital. Jessica left work to go see him.
McCallum was in a lot of pain and wondered why Jessica had come to see him. He was kind of in and out due to the medication he had been given. She told him that she was going to stay with him to take care of him. He wanted to go home.
Jessica stayed with him in the hospital and took him home. He then went home with her to care for her cat and he called a deputy to take him home at night. They spent most of the weekend together. He couldn't work for a couple of weeks and they resumed their dating. A couple weeks later, they were making out and he managed to remove her dress. She tried to stop him but he saw the scars. He told her that they weren't that bad and it wouldn't turn him off. Then he proceeded to show her.
It wasn't too much longer before he asked her to marry him. She was surprised but accepted. He got her to admit that she loved him and he let her know that he felt the same way without actually saying the words.
Dugin Kincaid married Mary Jo Plumber a couple weeks before they were married. A man was murdered at the wedding. McCallum was assigned to find the murderer. He didn't know it but Mary Jo had killed Floyd Oakly, a man she used to run scams with. She thought she had seen the last of him but he showed up at her wedding and she wasn't going to let him spoil her marrying the richest man in town.
McCallum felt there was something going on in that household for Dugin's father, Jeremiah, appeared nervous when he was around. He told the wedding guests that he would find out who the man was and why he was in town.
Terrence Colson's son, Keith, had been getting in trouble around town. It was becoming obvious that he was trying to get away from home. He stole cigarettes but didn't smoke and let himself get caught. He then took an empty gun and robbed a car dealership. He was picked up with the money and they gun. He never tried to get away. McCallum and Jessica were still on the case and discussed it. They figured out that Terrance was beating Keith. McCallum told Keith about his own childhood and then Keith told him that his father was beating both him and his grandmother. He was trying to get sent away so his grandmother would be free to leave the house. Terrance didn't know the police were coming to get him when he was arrested. He thought his son would never tell what was going on at the house. Keith was sent to a ranch to work and a teacher came to the ranch for his lessons so that he didn't have to return to school.
McCallum told Jessica that they needed to petition the court for custody of the baby Jennifer. He thought that she could get custody now that she was married and he was right. They were awarded custody of the baby. He told Jessica that he loved her and that she deserved a child of her own.
August 12, 2018
1.5 stars- a big dose of old skool yikes
September 4, 2011
It was okay - some heat and the main characters had their unique/interesting moments/traits. However, there were some errors, much predictability (even for romance, since it echos other books by Palmer quite a bit), and a lot of stilted dialogue. The "mystery" (more like situation) seemed completely tacked on and rarely used. The characters have a lot of potential, though, and were quite enjoyable at first. They didn't stay that way, and this was really too bad - his rugged straightness, outsider stance and surliness, and her left-wing optimism, were wonderful contrasts in the beginning. I was really set to like these two.
**SPOILERS**
The bigger problem, for me, was the misogyny of the male lead. He started out sympathetic, due to his background, but the crisis of the novel just made me want to knock his teeth out. He went way over the line - bordering on emotionally abusive, and certainly way past the pale of trust. Blaming a woman for her near rape simply because she went to a man's house is just not forgivable, in my opinion. That the main female forgave him made her look like a simpering fool, in my opinion. After that, all their earlier promise kind of went down hill.
One other thing I would add as a caution - the final few chapters seem to kind of wander off all over the place in an apparent effort to set up the next book. I'm not sure I'd read this one again, since it was a random acquisition and I don't have the rest of the series. I felt like this book was forgotten by the author before it was physically finished.
ETA: I found that a sequel (or a continuation) by another author to this book was in the same batch of second hand novels from which this one came. Will read that for completeness' sake.
**SPOILERS**
The bigger problem, for me, was the misogyny of the male lead. He started out sympathetic, due to his background, but the crisis of the novel just made me want to knock his teeth out. He went way over the line - bordering on emotionally abusive, and certainly way past the pale of trust. Blaming a woman for her near rape simply because she went to a man's house is just not forgivable, in my opinion. That the main female forgave him made her look like a simpering fool, in my opinion. After that, all their earlier promise kind of went down hill.
One other thing I would add as a caution - the final few chapters seem to kind of wander off all over the place in an apparent effort to set up the next book. I'm not sure I'd read this one again, since it was a random acquisition and I don't have the rest of the series. I felt like this book was forgotten by the author before it was physically finished.
ETA: I found that a sequel (or a continuation) by another author to this book was in the same batch of second hand novels from which this one came. Will read that for completeness' sake.
July 19, 2011
Wow! I really loved this book. It seemed almost like a Love Inspired romance, because God is mentioned a few times and they fool around, but don't actually consummate the relationship until after they are married. The hero, a cop and the heroine a social worker are brought together to work on a case of an abandoned baby. She has always been kind to him, but he was rather mean to her. Sterling, a loner with no family and Jessica a kind person also without family and a dark secret. She has always loved Sterling. The more they work together, Sterling just cannot resist her and insists they have a relationship, but she isn't sure it should be permanent knowing him as she does, but you know how these stories go. Anyway, he asked her to never lie to him, that's the one thing he couldn't stand, and her past comes rearing back up in her face, and this awful thing that happened to her, he believed what he heard about her. There is great tension in this story as well as flame, and it ended well. There are sequels to this I am actually considering to read, because this one was great.
July 3, 2013
Montana Mavericks 01
O Garanhão Indomado.
Diana Palmer
Homem Maravilhoso!!!!!!!!!!
Sterling não quer ter nenhum relacionamento e sentimento por ninguém. Por quê? Ele quer se sentir seguro, então, não quer amar. O amor não é um sentimento seguro. Mas, como a vida não é como desejamos, Jessica quebra as barreiras que ele constrói, ela o deixa vulnerável, meche com ele. Para não cair em tentação, ele a maltrata, sendo grosso, mal educado, chegando a ser cruel. E tudo isso por medo.
Porque todos os personagens masculinos, das histórias da Diana Palmer, têm que ser, especificamente, tão lindos, todos sem exceção, são altos, fortes, cintura estreita, pele morena e olhos das cores possíveis e sem esquecer o detalhe mais importante, todos tem o bendito peitoral cabeludo. É o fim.
O Garanhão Indomado.
Diana Palmer
Homem Maravilhoso!!!!!!!!!!
Sterling não quer ter nenhum relacionamento e sentimento por ninguém. Por quê? Ele quer se sentir seguro, então, não quer amar. O amor não é um sentimento seguro. Mas, como a vida não é como desejamos, Jessica quebra as barreiras que ele constrói, ela o deixa vulnerável, meche com ele. Para não cair em tentação, ele a maltrata, sendo grosso, mal educado, chegando a ser cruel. E tudo isso por medo.
Porque todos os personagens masculinos, das histórias da Diana Palmer, têm que ser, especificamente, tão lindos, todos sem exceção, são altos, fortes, cintura estreita, pele morena e olhos das cores possíveis e sem esquecer o detalhe mais importante, todos tem o bendito peitoral cabeludo. É o fim.
October 30, 2013
"Best" line of the book, after an off-duty cop is shot during a convenience store robbery. Cashier says, "You've been shot! Oh my goodness, what shall I do?" The story had the potential to be a very good book but it was just okay. It should've stuck to being a romance as the suspense seems to be unimportant to the plot. Likeable characters, sweet romance and decent relationship development. The baby storyline is s bonus.
January 14, 2015
It’s not bad, it’s just not that good. Both Sterling and Jessica have a lot of potential though and were quite enjoyable at first. Then the "secrets" revealed and the plot went downhill. Ms. Palmer should have stuck with the romance as the suspense seems to be unimportant to the plot.
March 22, 2013
Another great read by Ms.Palmer. I enjoyed it.
March 30, 2025
**MINOR SPOILERS**
This book is the first book of the Montana Mavericks series by a variety of authors. I think there are over 50 books in all. I picked this one up to check out the author.
McCallum, one of the main characters, had a difficult childhood and went from foster home to foster home. He had an abusive mother who, in one incident, broke his arm. As a result, he is a loner and quite prickly. At the beginning, he is rough verbally with Jessica and I did not see the attraction she would have for him. He also says something about all the women he has been with (though later in the story he recants this because he says it was hard for him to trust women with intimacy). He does try to break free from this behavior with Jessica because he wants to be with her.
Jessica, the other main character, is a perfect foil to McCallum. As a social worker, she is used to dealing with people with his history. I liked the way she stood up to him.
There is a scene part way through the book, where McCallum comes to Jessica’s house and they eat together. They share some of their history and are honest with each other in a way that is very touching. They admit some of the vulnerabilities they have in relationships and they gently accept what the other is saying. Both the opening up and the care in which it was received was moving.
McCallum is told some lies about Jessica and he believes them. He does not ask for her side of the story. He believes his trust in her was not warranted and he starts a relationship with her co-worker. The relationship is platonic, but the co-worker lies about it to Jessica. Jessica is quite hurt by McCallum’s lack of belief in her and his jumping into a new relationship. I did not like what he did either and thought she was too quick to forgive him. I did see one reviewer criticize McCallum for his lack of belief as it relates to rape (Jessica was not raped, but it was close). I did not see it that way. I saw it as a lack of belief due to his trust issues with people caused first by his relationship with his mother but extending into his time with foster care. It may be splitting hairs, but I did see it as different. I did not like it at all either way. His lack of trust was undeserved by Jessica and he should have had to do more to win her back. In addition, he was an ex-Naval Intelligence Officer. I would have thought he would have been better at judging when people lied and also about making sure he understood both sides.
I read this book about 27 years after it was released in 1994 and it reflects the era in which it was written in terms of some of the male/female dynamic, not only between Jessica and McCallum but also with other interactions. Although things have changed, most of the people showed respect for each other, and that kept it from being totally off putting relative to today’s standards.
Be aware there is a surprise event at the end of the book that I assume is a lead into another book of the series. It is unresolved in this one. I think the re-released version of this book may not have this event, but I am not sure.
Jessica is a social worker and I thought the book did a good job at highlighting some issues. It is good to make people aware of child abuse, domestic abuse, and child abandonment. It was handled well in the story.
This was (I think) the first book I have read by this author. There were parts of the book that deserved 5 stars and parts that deserved 3.
This book is the first book of the Montana Mavericks series by a variety of authors. I think there are over 50 books in all. I picked this one up to check out the author.
McCallum, one of the main characters, had a difficult childhood and went from foster home to foster home. He had an abusive mother who, in one incident, broke his arm. As a result, he is a loner and quite prickly. At the beginning, he is rough verbally with Jessica and I did not see the attraction she would have for him. He also says something about all the women he has been with (though later in the story he recants this because he says it was hard for him to trust women with intimacy). He does try to break free from this behavior with Jessica because he wants to be with her.
Jessica, the other main character, is a perfect foil to McCallum. As a social worker, she is used to dealing with people with his history. I liked the way she stood up to him.
There is a scene part way through the book, where McCallum comes to Jessica’s house and they eat together. They share some of their history and are honest with each other in a way that is very touching. They admit some of the vulnerabilities they have in relationships and they gently accept what the other is saying. Both the opening up and the care in which it was received was moving.
McCallum is told some lies about Jessica and he believes them. He does not ask for her side of the story. He believes his trust in her was not warranted and he starts a relationship with her co-worker. The relationship is platonic, but the co-worker lies about it to Jessica. Jessica is quite hurt by McCallum’s lack of belief in her and his jumping into a new relationship. I did not like what he did either and thought she was too quick to forgive him. I did see one reviewer criticize McCallum for his lack of belief as it relates to rape (Jessica was not raped, but it was close). I did not see it that way. I saw it as a lack of belief due to his trust issues with people caused first by his relationship with his mother but extending into his time with foster care. It may be splitting hairs, but I did see it as different. I did not like it at all either way. His lack of trust was undeserved by Jessica and he should have had to do more to win her back. In addition, he was an ex-Naval Intelligence Officer. I would have thought he would have been better at judging when people lied and also about making sure he understood both sides.
I read this book about 27 years after it was released in 1994 and it reflects the era in which it was written in terms of some of the male/female dynamic, not only between Jessica and McCallum but also with other interactions. Although things have changed, most of the people showed respect for each other, and that kept it from being totally off putting relative to today’s standards.
Be aware there is a surprise event at the end of the book that I assume is a lead into another book of the series. It is unresolved in this one. I think the re-released version of this book may not have this event, but I am not sure.
Jessica is a social worker and I thought the book did a good job at highlighting some issues. It is good to make people aware of child abuse, domestic abuse, and child abandonment. It was handled well in the story.
This was (I think) the first book I have read by this author. There were parts of the book that deserved 5 stars and parts that deserved 3.
July 11, 2024
Oh boy, did the hero, McCallum, really mess up - honestly to the extent that I found it out of character based on his previous actions. His protective instincts seemed far greater than his aversion to lying all along up until the plot needed some great "misunderstanding" to add drama. At least, he did a fair amount of groveling.
I did enjoy that there was plenty other plot threads other than the main romance. It helped the book avoid falling into the common trap of feeling like it is too long for the story it has to tell.
This book is very obviously from the 90s. Be forewarned that there are a lot of unfunny jokes and lampshading sexism. Also, at times, I found McCallum's behavior to be pushy enough to be flirting pretty close to the line of unwanted attention/harassment. While we know from Jessica's internal monologue that she really is interested in McCallum, McCallum doesn't know that. He should have been more respectful of her spoken boundaries.
Cw: sexual assault (past, not btw the leads), physical abuse (again not btw the leads obviously), alcoholism
I did enjoy that there was plenty other plot threads other than the main romance. It helped the book avoid falling into the common trap of feeling like it is too long for the story it has to tell.
This book is very obviously from the 90s. Be forewarned that there are a lot of unfunny jokes and lampshading sexism. Also, at times, I found McCallum's behavior to be pushy enough to be flirting pretty close to the line of unwanted attention/harassment. While we know from Jessica's internal monologue that she really is interested in McCallum, McCallum doesn't know that. He should have been more respectful of her spoken boundaries.
Cw: sexual assault (past, not btw the leads), physical abuse (again not btw the leads obviously), alcoholism
August 30, 2025
4 stars
Purchased a copy of Rogue Stallion Montana Mavericks Book 8 by Diana Palmer in Kindle Unlimited, and this review was given freely.
Rogue Stallion
A story of abuse survivors finding healing, love, and broken trust, but also a story of a family by choice.
Haunted by their pasts, police special investigator and former US Navy intelligence officer, Sterling McCallum, and the new social service director, Jessica Larson, finally admit their attraction to each other after several cases have them working closely together, but a vindictive person from Jessica’s past spreads lies that cause Sterling doubt and bring Jessica heartbreak.
18+ for steamy scenes.
Contains Maisey Yates’ Need Me, Cowboy
Embittered and jaded after being falsely imprisoned for killing his embezzling and self-centered wife, Levi plans for retribution on those who looked down on him, are changed by his strong attraction to the innocent and artistic architect Faith Grayson.
18+ for intimate scenes.
Purchased a copy of Rogue Stallion Montana Mavericks Book 8 by Diana Palmer in Kindle Unlimited, and this review was given freely.
Rogue Stallion
A story of abuse survivors finding healing, love, and broken trust, but also a story of a family by choice.
Haunted by their pasts, police special investigator and former US Navy intelligence officer, Sterling McCallum, and the new social service director, Jessica Larson, finally admit their attraction to each other after several cases have them working closely together, but a vindictive person from Jessica’s past spreads lies that cause Sterling doubt and bring Jessica heartbreak.
18+ for steamy scenes.
Contains Maisey Yates’ Need Me, Cowboy
Embittered and jaded after being falsely imprisoned for killing his embezzling and self-centered wife, Levi plans for retribution on those who looked down on him, are changed by his strong attraction to the innocent and artistic architect Faith Grayson.
18+ for intimate scenes.
July 7, 2024
Well here I go - reading the Montana Maverick series from the beginning, in order. 20 years worth of trashy cowboy romance, can't wait.
The series begins with big name author Diana Palmer. This is a very typical DP book, we have: emotionally stunted male; virgin heroine with a traumatic past; hairy chest; pert breast; asshole behaviour; double-denim. I mean it was great.
Laughed my arse off at the drama at the wedding at the end - here is our overarching storyline I suppose... for the next 12 books or just the next one? Guess I'll read on to find out.
So far - lovin' it! Let's hope the series continues to be this entertaining.
The series begins with big name author Diana Palmer. This is a very typical DP book, we have: emotionally stunted male; virgin heroine with a traumatic past; hairy chest; pert breast; asshole behaviour; double-denim. I mean it was great.
Laughed my arse off at the drama at the wedding at the end - here is our overarching storyline I suppose... for the next 12 books or just the next one? Guess I'll read on to find out.
So far - lovin' it! Let's hope the series continues to be this entertaining.
March 24, 2019
Deputy Sterling McCallum is very handsome and the women in town all would like his attention. Jessica Larson is the social worker in town. Reluctantly they to get to know each other. They both have so much emotional baggage their romance doesn't go well. This book has several emotional places that are hard to read. One of Diana Palmer's best.
February 28, 2020
For a book written in 1994 its a pretty good book. I really enjoyed Sterling and Jessica's story. It drew you into the story with what they were both dealing with. They each had interesting jobs that gave you an idea as to what they dealt with. I enjoy Diana Palmer's books and this one was a page turner. J
March 5, 2025
Ugh - romance books from the 90s. Sexism, women saying no and then men continuing “I know you want it” - yo that’s assault. Wouldn’t have read this if it hadn’t been in a double book with an author I love. Even the dialogue was worse than anything I could have written and I’m not a writer. Should have DNF’d.
December 31, 2025
Pod sam koniec roku, przysłowiowym „rzutem na taśmę”, zdążyłam przeczytać, krótką nowelę autorstwa mistrzyni romansu, Diany Palmer…
Czy utwór pod tytułem „Misja dla dwojga”, przypadł mi do gustu?
Zapraszam do zapoznania się z moją opinią…
https://taka-jest-agata.blogspot.com/...
Czy utwór pod tytułem „Misja dla dwojga”, przypadł mi do gustu?
Zapraszam do zapoznania się z moją opinią…
https://taka-jest-agata.blogspot.com/...
August 11, 2019
Another great book by Diana Palmer these two where made for each other from the beginning but they were both stubborn to a fault but working together bought them closer together and the caught tooth and nail about their feelings great book can't wait to read more books by Diana Palmer
August 10, 2018
Mccullan and Jessica make a wonderful team
Glad they realized they loved each other despite their flaws and were able to adopt Jennifer the adorable abandoned baby.
Glad they realized they loved each other despite their flaws and were able to adopt Jennifer the adorable abandoned baby.
February 12, 2019
Typical Diana Palmer!
August 2, 2019
My first book by Diana Palmer and I loved it. Definitely will be reading others.
April 4, 2020
No me gustan las historias donde la protagonista no puede obtener el sueño de muchas mujeres, al encontrar al amor de su vida, me parece una crueldad...
June 13, 2020
Rogue Stallion is a truly captivating romance. This was the first book that I read by Diana Palmer. I think she is a wonderful and amazing romance writer.
July 7, 2020
I could not get into this book like I can Diana Palmer's other books
July 24, 2021
Learn about social workers and be part of solving not one, but two crimes.
August 24, 2021
Sweet. She is a new author for me and I will look for more
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