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Cord & Stacy #2
Santa In A Stetson
STARS IN HER EYES
Though Diana Palmer left the bright lights of the big city behind for New Mexico, she misses the excitement now that Christmas is coming. But she's about to find out the joys of the season are just as big in the Land of Enchantment ... and just as romantic. They do things differently, though --- the rancher at her door with a fresh pine tree slung over his shoulder arrives unannounced and she can't help but invite him in for a cup of cocoa. Tall, sexy, and single, Lije Masters is all man ... and all she ever wanted for Christmas as warm and happy as two hearts can make it ...
Though Diana Palmer left the bright lights of the big city behind for New Mexico, she misses the excitement now that Christmas is coming. But she's about to find out the joys of the season are just as big in the Land of Enchantment ... and just as romantic. They do things differently, though --- the rancher at her door with a fresh pine tree slung over his shoulder arrives unannounced and she can't help but invite him in for a cup of cocoa. Tall, sexy, and single, Lije Masters is all man ... and all she ever wanted for Christmas as warm and happy as two hearts can make it ...
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1975
75 people are currently reading
417 people want to read
About the author
Janet Dailey
396 books1,853 followersJanet Anne Haradon Dailey was an American author of numerous romance novels as Janet Dailey (her married name). Her novels have been translated into nineteen languages and have sold over 300 million copies worldwide.
Born in 1944 in Storm Lake, Iowa, she attended secretarial school in Omaha, Nebraska before meeting her husband, Bill. Bill and Janet worked together in construction and land development until they "retired" to travel throughout the United States, inspiring Janet to write the Americana series of romances, where she set a novel in every state of the Union. In 1974, Janet Dailey was the first American author to write for Harlequin. Her first novel was NO QUARTER ASKED.
She had since gone on to write approximately 90 novels, 21 of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List. She won many awards and accolades for her work, appearing widely on Radio and Television. Today, there are over three hundred million Janet Dailey books in print in 19 different languages, making her one of the most popular novelists in the world.
Janet Dailey passed away peacefully in her home in Branson on Saturday, December 14, 2013. She was 69.
Born in 1944 in Storm Lake, Iowa, she attended secretarial school in Omaha, Nebraska before meeting her husband, Bill. Bill and Janet worked together in construction and land development until they "retired" to travel throughout the United States, inspiring Janet to write the Americana series of romances, where she set a novel in every state of the Union. In 1974, Janet Dailey was the first American author to write for Harlequin. Her first novel was NO QUARTER ASKED.
She had since gone on to write approximately 90 novels, 21 of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List. She won many awards and accolades for her work, appearing widely on Radio and Television. Today, there are over three hundred million Janet Dailey books in print in 19 different languages, making her one of the most popular novelists in the world.
Janet Dailey passed away peacefully in her home in Branson on Saturday, December 14, 2013. She was 69.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
January 22, 2021
3.5 stars.
The H in this novel was extra hot and sexy with his rugged cowboy hotness and his panty melting voice. Lije was the tough strong and silent type of H. If I could I would give 4 stars for his sex appeal and the 5th star for his stetson. The scene where he is introduced on his magnificent stallion was awesome ! Lije was not rich - far from it; he was the owner of a very struggling ranch in New Mexico and spent his time on the Rodeo circuit trying to raise money to upgrade his property and purchase good stock.
This is the H, Lije:
Lije was not a man whore H and had no intentions of getting married in the near future because his ranch house was still dilapidated and he was lacking in the finances department. However it all changed when he met the heroine Diana. She was a beautiful, blonde model with a wistful yearning to meet her one true love, have lots of babies and live HEA. That's because Diana had been an orphan who had been moved from one foster home to another and had to deal with lecherous foster dads and jealous foster sisters.
Diana and Lije met when she was doing a photo shoot at a rodeo. The sparks flew between them immediately and Lije asked her out. He didn't have intentions of forging a lasting relationship with her but when the time came for them to part, he couldn't let her go. This was insta-lust that led to insta-love within 3 days. They got married and he left the circuit to take his new bride home to his ranch in New Mexico. Lije had told Diana of his precarious financial position but even that didn't prepare her for the absolute isolation and desolation of his ranch. The ranch house itself wasn't even aesthetically pleasing and it's walls were marred by peeling paint. But Diana soldiered on since she loved her man. She had even offered to continue modelling to help him pay some of the bills but Lije was an old fashioned guy and said he didn't want his wife "posing" for some other man to take her photos. He was really possessive and jealous.
This is the heroine, Diana:
At this point in the novel, my sympathies were totally with Diana. The poor woman was living with a man who had become a bit uncommunicative since he'd returned to his home and seemed to only want to enjoy her in bed. His best friend/foreman didn't treat her well either. The best friend was a native American guy who was very loyal to Lije and was prejudiced against Diana because he thought a beautiful "flower" like her would be useless in the harsh lonely ranch environment. Part of me wondered if this guy had a man crush on Lije, because he seemed far too resentful of Diana's place in Lije's life. Lije and Diana start to grow apart because she's lonely with no friends and nothing to do except housework. But she still tries her best while Lije grows more distant.
The marriage reaches breaking point and Lije has to go away to deliver a horse. Diana uses the chance to forge a semi-friendly relationship with the native A'can foreman. Again, this is mainly because Diana is the one who offers the olive branch. There is a lot of lack of communication and coldness between Lije and Diana and Lije even gets jealous when one of his more prosperous neighbours makes a pass at the heroine. Diana also meets this woman called Patty who has the mother of all obsessions with Lije. Patty is not a factor however, because Lije doesn't find her attractive; in fact Patty isn't even a blip on Lije's radar.
As usual, it takes a lot of emotional torment and resentful times to pass between wife and husband before things are worked out. Things almost reach a breaking point in the marriage and Diana is on the verge of leaving him when Lije finally softens and compromises. He actually reveals that it was his fear of her disappointment with him and his unimpressive home that had made him so distant with her. Diana reassures him that she loves him and that his lack of finances don't affect her desire to stay in the marriage, because she is willing to work hard with him to improve their life together. It was so sweet. I loved that this was a romance with a H who wasn't rich and who had a touching vulnerability and fear of being rejected because he couldn't shower the woman he loved with all he thought she deserved.
I remembered that Lije and Diana made a cameo appearance in Six White Horses by Janet Dailey. In that novel, they seemed very much still in love and were ecstatic because Diana was pregnant and their finances were improving.
Safety: No OM, no OW and no cheating.
The H in this novel was extra hot and sexy with his rugged cowboy hotness and his panty melting voice. Lije was the tough strong and silent type of H. If I could I would give 4 stars for his sex appeal and the 5th star for his stetson. The scene where he is introduced on his magnificent stallion was awesome ! Lije was not rich - far from it; he was the owner of a very struggling ranch in New Mexico and spent his time on the Rodeo circuit trying to raise money to upgrade his property and purchase good stock.
This is the H, Lije:
Lije was not a man whore H and had no intentions of getting married in the near future because his ranch house was still dilapidated and he was lacking in the finances department. However it all changed when he met the heroine Diana. She was a beautiful, blonde model with a wistful yearning to meet her one true love, have lots of babies and live HEA. That's because Diana had been an orphan who had been moved from one foster home to another and had to deal with lecherous foster dads and jealous foster sisters.
Diana and Lije met when she was doing a photo shoot at a rodeo. The sparks flew between them immediately and Lije asked her out. He didn't have intentions of forging a lasting relationship with her but when the time came for them to part, he couldn't let her go. This was insta-lust that led to insta-love within 3 days. They got married and he left the circuit to take his new bride home to his ranch in New Mexico. Lije had told Diana of his precarious financial position but even that didn't prepare her for the absolute isolation and desolation of his ranch. The ranch house itself wasn't even aesthetically pleasing and it's walls were marred by peeling paint. But Diana soldiered on since she loved her man. She had even offered to continue modelling to help him pay some of the bills but Lije was an old fashioned guy and said he didn't want his wife "posing" for some other man to take her photos. He was really possessive and jealous.
This is the heroine, Diana:
At this point in the novel, my sympathies were totally with Diana. The poor woman was living with a man who had become a bit uncommunicative since he'd returned to his home and seemed to only want to enjoy her in bed. His best friend/foreman didn't treat her well either. The best friend was a native American guy who was very loyal to Lije and was prejudiced against Diana because he thought a beautiful "flower" like her would be useless in the harsh lonely ranch environment. Part of me wondered if this guy had a man crush on Lije, because he seemed far too resentful of Diana's place in Lije's life. Lije and Diana start to grow apart because she's lonely with no friends and nothing to do except housework. But she still tries her best while Lije grows more distant.
The marriage reaches breaking point and Lije has to go away to deliver a horse. Diana uses the chance to forge a semi-friendly relationship with the native A'can foreman. Again, this is mainly because Diana is the one who offers the olive branch. There is a lot of lack of communication and coldness between Lije and Diana and Lije even gets jealous when one of his more prosperous neighbours makes a pass at the heroine. Diana also meets this woman called Patty who has the mother of all obsessions with Lije. Patty is not a factor however, because Lije doesn't find her attractive; in fact Patty isn't even a blip on Lije's radar.
As usual, it takes a lot of emotional torment and resentful times to pass between wife and husband before things are worked out. Things almost reach a breaking point in the marriage and Diana is on the verge of leaving him when Lije finally softens and compromises. He actually reveals that it was his fear of her disappointment with him and his unimpressive home that had made him so distant with her. Diana reassures him that she loves him and that his lack of finances don't affect her desire to stay in the marriage, because she is willing to work hard with him to improve their life together. It was so sweet. I loved that this was a romance with a H who wasn't rich and who had a touching vulnerability and fear of being rejected because he couldn't shower the woman he loved with all he thought she deserved.
I remembered that Lije and Diana made a cameo appearance in Six White Horses by Janet Dailey. In that novel, they seemed very much still in love and were ecstatic because Diana was pregnant and their finances were improving.
Safety: No OM, no OW and no cheating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2021
I love my jackasses if they were besotted with h!
November 20, 2019
"Land Of Enchantment" is the story of Diana and Elijah.
Our heroine is a model, who meets our cowboy hero taking part in a rodeo during one of her shoots. Being an orphan and having longed for a loving relationship, she is instant attracted to the manly hero, and he reciprocates. The have a whirlwind courtship, which culminates in a marriage.
He then takes her to his remote ranch, where our city girl finds it difficult to adjust. Facing harsh conditions and a tad less attention from her hardworking husband, our heroine starts feeling neglected. She finds the attention of a neighbor pleasing, is kinda judgmental and racist towards the hero's best friend who's a Native Indian, and easily prone to vapors.
Anyways, she commits many idiocies, the hero forgives her and HEA.
Very unlikable and weak heroine. She spoiled the book for me.
Safe
2.5/5
Our heroine is a model, who meets our cowboy hero taking part in a rodeo during one of her shoots. Being an orphan and having longed for a loving relationship, she is instant attracted to the manly hero, and he reciprocates. The have a whirlwind courtship, which culminates in a marriage.
He then takes her to his remote ranch, where our city girl finds it difficult to adjust. Facing harsh conditions and a tad less attention from her hardworking husband, our heroine starts feeling neglected. She finds the attention of a neighbor pleasing, is kinda judgmental and racist towards the hero's best friend who's a Native Indian, and easily prone to vapors.
Anyways, she commits many idiocies, the hero forgives her and HEA.
Very unlikable and weak heroine. She spoiled the book for me.
Safe
2.5/5
December 23, 2009
The description on the back of the book was intriguing, which prompted the purchase of this "Christmas-themed" romance novel.
The description on the back of the book is also very misleading. The name of the heroine is different (Diana Mills, not Diana Palmer), she moves to New Mexico with her new husband, it takes place mainly in February/March and a little during the summer, and is only Christmas in the last chapter or two, and no "unannounced rancher" arrives at her door with a "pine tree slung over his shoulder" for Christmas. Lies!!
All in all, this book was just really dumb. Dumb storyline, dumb characters, dumb dialog... Not a book I'll be reading every Christmas - or ever again.
The description on the back of the book is also very misleading. The name of the heroine is different (Diana Mills, not Diana Palmer), she moves to New Mexico with her new husband, it takes place mainly in February/March and a little during the summer, and is only Christmas in the last chapter or two, and no "unannounced rancher" arrives at her door with a "pine tree slung over his shoulder" for Christmas. Lies!!
All in all, this book was just really dumb. Dumb storyline, dumb characters, dumb dialog... Not a book I'll be reading every Christmas - or ever again.
June 19, 2012
A good example of how engrossing some of these old Harlequins can still be. Yes, it's a bit dated in some ways, though on the whole this one felt less dated than some of them, perhaps because of the setting, namely, a small ranch where things would probably be done in much the same way today as they were then, and where only the lack of modern technologies dates it. The characters and storyline also suffer somewhat from a fair bit of stereotyping and predictability that is characteristic of this type of book, but everything is given enough individuality to make the characters seem more real, and the situations they find themselves in more believable.
From the beginning we're made aware that Diana isn't the typical model that's mostly obsessed with her looks and with fashions. Instead, it's made clear that she's only working as a model to pay the bills until she can find the right man to fulfill her dreams of being a wife and mother and having a family of her own. The only thing that's a bit off is the way in which she decides on very short acquaintance to jump feet first into marriage with Lije and leave the life she's known behind, because she otherwise seems a fairly practical sort who would normally think her decisions through more carefully, especially such important ones as marriage. And yet, the was her instant attraction to Lije is handled is believable enough for the explanation of "it was love at first sight" to be work. I would have expected her to get more involved with her new home than she does at first, though the fact that she doesn't isn't wholly out of character since she's been taken so completely out of her element that she has all she can do to simply try to take in her new surroundings and try to acclimate and adjust without trying to learn too much about her new way of life all at once. Despite a few instances of jumping to conclusions based on an initial impression, Diana proves to be an intelligent and relatable character, as well as showing on several occassions that she has far more backbone than many romance heroines such as her do.
Lije remains something of a stereotype in many ways throughout the book. Since the story is told from Diana's point of view, we never get to see inside his head much and never get to know him quite as well as we do Diana. He's the taciturn and sometimes gruff cowboy type on the surface, though it's evident almost from the first that there's a lot more to him than that. For one, he's clearly quite intelligent, and has his plans carefully laid toward fulfilling his dreams of bringing the ranch he inherited from his father back to prosperity. Given how intent he is upon his goals, and what he knows he needs to do to achieve them, it's somewhat surprising that he'd change all those carefully made plans so abruptly just to marry Diana immediately rather than waiting. His seeming coldness toward Diana once they've been back at his ranch for a little bit comes as a bit of a surprise given his careful consideration of her up to that point, but still makes sense in the face of his obvious focus on what all needs to be done around the ranch to get it going again. Still, for awhile he seems to be becoming almost indifferent to Diana at times, and certainly is impatient with her ignorance of even the basics of ranch life at others, until the reader is left to wonder if maybe they didn't make a mistake by marrying in such haste after all.
overall, this book has stood up to the test of time pretty well I think. As I noted at the beginning, it suffers far less from dating than many contemporary books of this sort do given the somewhat timeless nature of the setting. The characters are believable, and intelligent, and it's not hard to end up caring about what happens to them. For those interested in older category romance novels, I'd definitely recommend this one.
From the beginning we're made aware that Diana isn't the typical model that's mostly obsessed with her looks and with fashions. Instead, it's made clear that she's only working as a model to pay the bills until she can find the right man to fulfill her dreams of being a wife and mother and having a family of her own. The only thing that's a bit off is the way in which she decides on very short acquaintance to jump feet first into marriage with Lije and leave the life she's known behind, because she otherwise seems a fairly practical sort who would normally think her decisions through more carefully, especially such important ones as marriage. And yet, the was her instant attraction to Lije is handled is believable enough for the explanation of "it was love at first sight" to be work. I would have expected her to get more involved with her new home than she does at first, though the fact that she doesn't isn't wholly out of character since she's been taken so completely out of her element that she has all she can do to simply try to take in her new surroundings and try to acclimate and adjust without trying to learn too much about her new way of life all at once. Despite a few instances of jumping to conclusions based on an initial impression, Diana proves to be an intelligent and relatable character, as well as showing on several occassions that she has far more backbone than many romance heroines such as her do.
Lije remains something of a stereotype in many ways throughout the book. Since the story is told from Diana's point of view, we never get to see inside his head much and never get to know him quite as well as we do Diana. He's the taciturn and sometimes gruff cowboy type on the surface, though it's evident almost from the first that there's a lot more to him than that. For one, he's clearly quite intelligent, and has his plans carefully laid toward fulfilling his dreams of bringing the ranch he inherited from his father back to prosperity. Given how intent he is upon his goals, and what he knows he needs to do to achieve them, it's somewhat surprising that he'd change all those carefully made plans so abruptly just to marry Diana immediately rather than waiting. His seeming coldness toward Diana once they've been back at his ranch for a little bit comes as a bit of a surprise given his careful consideration of her up to that point, but still makes sense in the face of his obvious focus on what all needs to be done around the ranch to get it going again. Still, for awhile he seems to be becoming almost indifferent to Diana at times, and certainly is impatient with her ignorance of even the basics of ranch life at others, until the reader is left to wonder if maybe they didn't make a mistake by marrying in such haste after all.
overall, this book has stood up to the test of time pretty well I think. As I noted at the beginning, it suffers far less from dating than many contemporary books of this sort do given the somewhat timeless nature of the setting. The characters are believable, and intelligent, and it's not hard to end up caring about what happens to them. For those interested in older category romance novels, I'd definitely recommend this one.
December 19, 2009
Oh my.. this book is a BORE!!! If you like to read books that are soapish.. then this book is good for you. I hate soapish books. I like books with good storyline, climax and some interesting points that keep me on toes. This book has NOTHING. Just a guy and woman met each other and fall in love and got married instantly, then story focus on poor woman who is not used to living on far away ranch while her macho husband is busy with working which isn't nearby the home. Boo-hoo.. So boring.... I am surpised that I was able to finish the book quickly. Thank god.. So sum it up... the book is ECHHHHHHHHHHH.
August 8, 2025
Model heroine (24) wants to be a wife and mother and falls for rodeo rancher hero (31) and marries him the same week. The rest of the book is how she is trying to cope in a desolate land with only the busy husband and his friend to be seen day in and out. Stacy and Cord (from No Quarter given) pop up with their baby son, as does Patty (from Six White Horses) who is clearly in love with the hero. Both main characters are nice people and it culminates in a HEA after the hero returns and a neighbour is making her laugh, leaving to a timely intervention by the hero’s friend to fix their differences.
It’s cute, but sparse, hence 3 1/2 stars.
It’s cute, but sparse, hence 3 1/2 stars.
November 1, 2009
Diana Mills is a small-time model who dreams of getting married and having a family. During a shoot at a rodeo in San Antonio, she meets Lije Masters (Lije is short for Elijah). A very short courtship turns into what could be her dream.
This story is difficult to classify. It is a romance, but not quite in the typical sense. It is more about making the romance work than just getting the happily ever after. The blurb on the back of the book is very misleading and really has nothing at all to do with this book. The publisher did this book a huge mistake with it--I was confused as to what the book was about because of it.
I liked this book, but I didn't love it by any means. It was a sweet story, but the characters weren't ones that were easy to connect with. It is written in third person entirely from Diana's point of view. I usually don't like one-sided romances because I really like to know what the other person in the relationship is thinking--I want to get to know both characters. I felt like I never really got to know Lije very much.
It is a bit slow, but a very simple read--it only took me a day to finish. I was hoping for something a bit more Christmasy, but this really had very little of a Christmas aspect to it.
A bit of a disappointment from what I was expecting, but a cute read nonetheless.
Note: This is a tame book with no sex. It has implications and innuendo, but no descriptions.
This story is difficult to classify. It is a romance, but not quite in the typical sense. It is more about making the romance work than just getting the happily ever after. The blurb on the back of the book is very misleading and really has nothing at all to do with this book. The publisher did this book a huge mistake with it--I was confused as to what the book was about because of it.
I liked this book, but I didn't love it by any means. It was a sweet story, but the characters weren't ones that were easy to connect with. It is written in third person entirely from Diana's point of view. I usually don't like one-sided romances because I really like to know what the other person in the relationship is thinking--I want to get to know both characters. I felt like I never really got to know Lije very much.
It is a bit slow, but a very simple read--it only took me a day to finish. I was hoping for something a bit more Christmasy, but this really had very little of a Christmas aspect to it.
A bit of a disappointment from what I was expecting, but a cute read nonetheless.
Note: This is a tame book with no sex. It has implications and innuendo, but no descriptions.
October 1, 2009
This is the lowest rating I've ever given a book (I think). I am shocked at how much I didn't like it! Just a heads up the discription on the back of the book doesn't even sound like the book AT ALL! The version I have says the main character's name is Diana Palmer (which I thought was sweet since they write the same genre) but the character's name isn't Palmer, its Mills. Strange? Yes.... the description sounds like an excellent book the actual book isn't nearly as good.
Did I get a misprinted copy? Anyone else have this problem?
Did I get a misprinted copy? Anyone else have this problem?
January 22, 2021
"Why don't you just admit you're homesick for the excitement of city life and stop trying to kid both of us?" Lije snapped. "I told you even before the subject of marriage was brought up how much this ranch meant to me. I love you, Diana, but I would never give it up, even for you."
Diana had to admit to herself that she had known this. Or had she subconsciously hoped that some day she might be able to persuade him differently?
Diana had to admit to herself that she had known this. Or had she subconsciously hoped that some day she might be able to persuade him differently?
November 16, 2009
This book was nothing like what it said on the back. I found myself skimming through the book to get to the Christmas part which was only the last 10 pages. If you bought this book, try to return it, you'll thank me for that.
December 7, 2009
Cute read. I enjoy Janet Dailey's books. Fast easy book. Just a little Christmas spirit.
January 2, 2010
Book #102 of 2009
I was very much looking forward to this book. It seemed like a good premise... but... I didn't really like it much at all in the end. First of all, I felt that the blurb on the back had almost nothing to do with the story, so that was a bit dissapointing. And then the story. Oh the sory line. Where not a whole lot happens. And theres a bunch of drama. Followed by not a whole lot happening. Ugh. I was just... bored.
I was very much looking forward to this book. It seemed like a good premise... but... I didn't really like it much at all in the end. First of all, I felt that the blurb on the back had almost nothing to do with the story, so that was a bit dissapointing. And then the story. Oh the sory line. Where not a whole lot happens. And theres a bunch of drama. Followed by not a whole lot happening. Ugh. I was just... bored.
December 5, 2010
This is a rewrite/update of Land of Enchantment by Janet Dailey. It is basically the same book with a few extras added. Mainly I think the extras are things like adding in cell phones and PCs. The book is pretty old school. It is told totally from the heroine's POV. He is pretty mean to her etc. In other words typical for Harlequin Presents from the late 1970s which is when Land of Enchantment was originally written. Doesn't really have anything to do with Christmas.
November 7, 2011
Sheesh, these books make it seem like things must have been really weird in the 70s. Who would give up their whole life and get married after knowing someone 12 hours, then move out to his ranch in the middle of nowhere? That aside, this book was ok. I was rooting for the main characters, but I also was kind of mad at the hero for not making more of an effort to help the heroine fit in.
November 19, 2009
Cute light read.
December 26, 2009
Don't let the title fool you - NO santa in this book.
April 15, 2022
Land Of Enchantment: New Mexico was about Diana Mills, a model from Dallas, and Elijah "Lije" Masters, a rancher and rodeo rider from New Mexico.
While doing a photoshoot in San Antonio, Texas, Diana's photographer was looking for the best background to showcase the outfit she was wearing. Spotting a gorgeous horse with a handsome cowboy in the arena, he determined that would work. Convincing Lije into the photoshoot, Diana went about fulfilling the expectations of the photographer. When the horse got spooked by a sudden noise while she was posing in one of the stirrups, Diana nearly fell, only to be caught by Lije. Turning to thank him for saving her from a fall, she was struck by his grey eyes.
Later that evening, she decided to attend the rodeo to see if she might see him again, which she did. He invited her to see what went on behind the scenes of a rodeo after it was over...and she accepted. The long and short of it is the two fell in love and got married within days of meeting each other and returned to Lije's ranch in New Mexico.
Although he had told her how remote his home was, she wasn't quite prepared for the reality. Try as she might, it was rough getting used to living so far from town and other people. Worse was the fact that Lije had so much to do around the ranch, Diana was more often than not left alone. Being a city girl, she didn't know much about ranching, didn't know how to ride a horse, and didn't know how to get around the property because she had no idea how to navigate the land. All this put a ton of strain on their marriage. On top of that, Lije's foreman, Jim, didn't seem to take to0 well to her presence. Lije accused her of being prejudiced because his friend was a Navajo Indian.
The book was a hard one to read, mainly because the tension was so high, along with the drama and the angst. As much as the two loved each other, they really didn't communicate all that well, which caused them so much trouble. There was plenty of chemistry and passion between Lije and Diana, but they didn't spend a lot of time getting to know each other.
Diana was a strong character, having to learn the hard way that her looks were not always a good thing in life. But for a woman who had her background, she definitely knew what she wanted and went after it.
Lije was a harder character to describe. A "rough-and-tumble" cowboy he, too, had a hard past that created a tough disposition that could have been considered off-putting. However, he was not as bad as he first appeared. He had a gentle soul, and it was clear he not only loved the land he owned, but he was quite in love with his new wife.
All in all, this was a really good story about not only the love between the two main characters but also the love of the land. However, it still wasn't worthy of a five-star rating.
While doing a photoshoot in San Antonio, Texas, Diana's photographer was looking for the best background to showcase the outfit she was wearing. Spotting a gorgeous horse with a handsome cowboy in the arena, he determined that would work. Convincing Lije into the photoshoot, Diana went about fulfilling the expectations of the photographer. When the horse got spooked by a sudden noise while she was posing in one of the stirrups, Diana nearly fell, only to be caught by Lije. Turning to thank him for saving her from a fall, she was struck by his grey eyes.
Later that evening, she decided to attend the rodeo to see if she might see him again, which she did. He invited her to see what went on behind the scenes of a rodeo after it was over...and she accepted. The long and short of it is the two fell in love and got married within days of meeting each other and returned to Lije's ranch in New Mexico.
Although he had told her how remote his home was, she wasn't quite prepared for the reality. Try as she might, it was rough getting used to living so far from town and other people. Worse was the fact that Lije had so much to do around the ranch, Diana was more often than not left alone. Being a city girl, she didn't know much about ranching, didn't know how to ride a horse, and didn't know how to get around the property because she had no idea how to navigate the land. All this put a ton of strain on their marriage. On top of that, Lije's foreman, Jim, didn't seem to take to0 well to her presence. Lije accused her of being prejudiced because his friend was a Navajo Indian.
The book was a hard one to read, mainly because the tension was so high, along with the drama and the angst. As much as the two loved each other, they really didn't communicate all that well, which caused them so much trouble. There was plenty of chemistry and passion between Lije and Diana, but they didn't spend a lot of time getting to know each other.
Diana was a strong character, having to learn the hard way that her looks were not always a good thing in life. But for a woman who had her background, she definitely knew what she wanted and went after it.
Lije was a harder character to describe. A "rough-and-tumble" cowboy he, too, had a hard past that created a tough disposition that could have been considered off-putting. However, he was not as bad as he first appeared. He had a gentle soul, and it was clear he not only loved the land he owned, but he was quite in love with his new wife.
All in all, this was a really good story about not only the love between the two main characters but also the love of the land. However, it still wasn't worthy of a five-star rating.
December 1, 2023
I liked this book, though I wish there had been more to the story, it seemed like it was over too quickly. It was about the h, Diana (a fashion model in Dallas) falling for a rancher/cowboy (the H, Lije), whom she meets while on a fashion shoot at the rodeo. They both fall really hard really fast, and Lije is concerned that their different backgrounds (she's a city girl, while he was born and raised on a remote ranch, where there are more coyotes than people) will prove too difficult. Despite this, they listen to their hearts and get married, both making career sacrifices (she gives up modeling, he quits the rodeo.) But when Diana gets a look at her new home, her romantic dream gets a rude awakening!
One thing good about this book is that it doesn't go overboard with arguments, misunderstandings, and stubbornness. They do have their moments; it goes without saying. (Lije gets the wrong idea when he finds Diana and a business associate of his alone in the barn, and he doesn't stop to consider how hard it is for her to adjust to a new way of life. Diana doesn't show enough interest in how the ranch is run and doesn't tell Lije how lonely and isolated she feels. Both don't talk as much as they should.) But it's never over-the-top and things get solved before they go too far.
There are some good supporting characters, like Cord and Stacy Harris, who have a ranch of their own (though not close by) and are good friends of Lije, who become Diana's friends as well. (I think Ms. Dailey wrote a separate book about them.) there's also the Navajo Jim Two Pony, who works at the ranch and is like a brother to Lije. Though they get off to a shaky start, he and Diana gradually become friends, and he gives her some good advice. (It was interesting how at first, Diana appeared a bit uneasy about him being Native American and was disturbed by her biased feelings. Later, when someone else makes a remark, she's quick to come to his defense.)
There's also a glimpse of the OW (Patty, a trick rider from the rodeo), but she only makes one appearance. It's taken for granted that she was in love with Lije, but that he never returned those feelings.
Mostly, the story's about how Diana overcomes her initial reservations about the new life she rushed headlong into, how she learns to adjust, then comes to love the ranch as her home. (She was actually considering cutting up one of her fancy skirts and making pretty covers for the living room throw pillows, as well as getting other decorating ideas!)
A good story, and quick reading!
One thing good about this book is that it doesn't go overboard with arguments, misunderstandings, and stubbornness. They do have their moments; it goes without saying. (Lije gets the wrong idea when he finds Diana and a business associate of his alone in the barn, and he doesn't stop to consider how hard it is for her to adjust to a new way of life. Diana doesn't show enough interest in how the ranch is run and doesn't tell Lije how lonely and isolated she feels. Both don't talk as much as they should.) But it's never over-the-top and things get solved before they go too far.
There are some good supporting characters, like Cord and Stacy Harris, who have a ranch of their own (though not close by) and are good friends of Lije, who become Diana's friends as well. (I think Ms. Dailey wrote a separate book about them.) there's also the Navajo Jim Two Pony, who works at the ranch and is like a brother to Lije. Though they get off to a shaky start, he and Diana gradually become friends, and he gives her some good advice. (It was interesting how at first, Diana appeared a bit uneasy about him being Native American and was disturbed by her biased feelings. Later, when someone else makes a remark, she's quick to come to his defense.)
There's also a glimpse of the OW (Patty, a trick rider from the rodeo), but she only makes one appearance. It's taken for granted that she was in love with Lije, but that he never returned those feelings.
Mostly, the story's about how Diana overcomes her initial reservations about the new life she rushed headlong into, how she learns to adjust, then comes to love the ranch as her home. (She was actually considering cutting up one of her fancy skirts and making pretty covers for the living room throw pillows, as well as getting other decorating ideas!)
A good story, and quick reading!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2021
I read it because I know and adore New Mexico. I have read better 300-word travel comments that conveyed more about the area. What a disappointment.
December 28, 2024
Harlequin romance.
December 7, 2025
Boring.
July 26, 2011
I haven’t read Janet Dailey in years. I loved her Calder saga when it began back in 1999. (I actually thought it was later than that, but that’s what the websites I checked say.) I read the first four books of that series because that’s all there was at that time. I’ve yet to start the second half of it, but they are in the TBR pile. After reading this book, I’m all the more curious to start the Calders at the beginning just to see if they have the same punch as they did all those years ago. I’m having my doubts, however. Santa in a Stetson is hopefully not vintage Dailey after so much time. I’m hoping she’s better than what I just experienced or remember.
The biggest nitpick with this book is Ms. Dailey doesn’t seem to have grown with the years as far love/sex scenes in romance. Yes, there’s the sweet and sensual for readers who don’t care to get totally nekkid when reading, but this book barely skims sweet or sensual. You have to keep up to date even when you’re old fashioned, and Ms. Dailey just plain misses the mark with this story. There’s not even the smallest beginnings of a sizzle between this couple.
And if you’re looking for a Christmas read, this ain’t it. Whoever titled this book also missed the mark. Big time. Christmas doesn’t even come into the story until very, very late in the book, and though Lije receives a Stetson as a gift, that’s just not what I had pictured in my head of what could conceivably happen in this book. And he doesn’t even play Santa.
Lije and Diana meet while she’s on a photo shoot on a Texas ranch where a local rodeo is going on, Lije being a participant, and they have a whirlwind of a time with each other. They both fall hard for the other very quickly. It’s Lije who does the hard part and says goodbye for them to go their separate ways when the time comes. But it’s Diana who takes the first step toward love, giving up her modeling career to tell Lije she loves him and she wants a future with him.
They marry just as quickly, and just as quickly Diana has doubts about what she’s done the very second she steps onto Lije’s ranch. This was a huge stumbling block for me. She didn’t even give the man a minute’s worth of confidence, worried only that she’s a city girl, the ranch is run down, she’s used to nicer things, maybe she’s made a mistake. I’d have to say it was Lije who made the mistake, seems he got the short end of the stick. More happens, of course, to cause discord between them. Diana eventually in another short period of time can’t stand the loneliness on the ranch when Lije is out working all day long trying to make a go of the place. She just irritated me something fierce from this point on out.
That’s not to say that Lije doesn’t have his moment of errors in judgment. He jumps to the wrong conclusion when he arrives home after being gone a week to see Diana in the barn with a man Lije doesn’t care for, in somewhat of a compromising position. Things hurl south even faster after this, divorce is thrown around, and Diana begins to pack her bags. On top of it all, the dialogue between them is awkward and just doesn’t sound right at this point in the relationship.
I’m very disappointed in this book. The characters are likeble and that’s pretty much all there is to like about the whole story. What’s been done to them just isn’t worth the read. I’m still determined, though, to pull out my Calder books. I have to see if they and my nostalgia surrounding them have survived the years.
Oh, and, Ms. Dailey, please update your website. Santa in a Stetson isn’t even listed there. The most recent book showing is 2007. It’s very frustrating roaming through a site that doesn’t have the information you’re looking for.
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
The biggest nitpick with this book is Ms. Dailey doesn’t seem to have grown with the years as far love/sex scenes in romance. Yes, there’s the sweet and sensual for readers who don’t care to get totally nekkid when reading, but this book barely skims sweet or sensual. You have to keep up to date even when you’re old fashioned, and Ms. Dailey just plain misses the mark with this story. There’s not even the smallest beginnings of a sizzle between this couple.
And if you’re looking for a Christmas read, this ain’t it. Whoever titled this book also missed the mark. Big time. Christmas doesn’t even come into the story until very, very late in the book, and though Lije receives a Stetson as a gift, that’s just not what I had pictured in my head of what could conceivably happen in this book. And he doesn’t even play Santa.
Lije and Diana meet while she’s on a photo shoot on a Texas ranch where a local rodeo is going on, Lije being a participant, and they have a whirlwind of a time with each other. They both fall hard for the other very quickly. It’s Lije who does the hard part and says goodbye for them to go their separate ways when the time comes. But it’s Diana who takes the first step toward love, giving up her modeling career to tell Lije she loves him and she wants a future with him.
They marry just as quickly, and just as quickly Diana has doubts about what she’s done the very second she steps onto Lije’s ranch. This was a huge stumbling block for me. She didn’t even give the man a minute’s worth of confidence, worried only that she’s a city girl, the ranch is run down, she’s used to nicer things, maybe she’s made a mistake. I’d have to say it was Lije who made the mistake, seems he got the short end of the stick. More happens, of course, to cause discord between them. Diana eventually in another short period of time can’t stand the loneliness on the ranch when Lije is out working all day long trying to make a go of the place. She just irritated me something fierce from this point on out.
That’s not to say that Lije doesn’t have his moment of errors in judgment. He jumps to the wrong conclusion when he arrives home after being gone a week to see Diana in the barn with a man Lije doesn’t care for, in somewhat of a compromising position. Things hurl south even faster after this, divorce is thrown around, and Diana begins to pack her bags. On top of it all, the dialogue between them is awkward and just doesn’t sound right at this point in the relationship.
I’m very disappointed in this book. The characters are likeble and that’s pretty much all there is to like about the whole story. What’s been done to them just isn’t worth the read. I’m still determined, though, to pull out my Calder books. I have to see if they and my nostalgia surrounding them have survived the years.
Oh, and, Ms. Dailey, please update your website. Santa in a Stetson isn’t even listed there. The most recent book showing is 2007. It’s very frustrating roaming through a site that doesn’t have the information you’re looking for.
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
January 15, 2025
Story of Diana Palmer and Lije Masters and how they fell in love.
Casey Gilmore always dreamed of running her father John's ranch when he retired. Then he fell off a horse and broke his leg and hip. The bank insists a man run the ranch till John recovers. Flint McAllister is their choice. He is handsome and dignifed and above all is qualified. Casey does not accept him and is mean and spiteful to him. Little does she know that he is attracted to her. Flint fears people will talk if she is alone with him at the ranch. Flint sends her away to be with his sister but Casey is so unhappy because her happines lies in being at the ranch. Flint finally realizes how much he has hurt Casey.
Casey Gilmore always dreamed of running her father John's ranch when he retired. Then he fell off a horse and broke his leg and hip. The bank insists a man run the ranch till John recovers. Flint McAllister is their choice. He is handsome and dignifed and above all is qualified. Casey does not accept him and is mean and spiteful to him. Little does she know that he is attracted to her. Flint fears people will talk if she is alone with him at the ranch. Flint sends her away to be with his sister but Casey is so unhappy because her happines lies in being at the ranch. Flint finally realizes how much he has hurt Casey.
January 8, 2016
This was a fun book to read. I don't read many of her books as they are not always clean. However this one was as she tells of a city girl that was a model that meets a rodeo rider and falls hard for him. When the circuit is over and he is to leave, the city girl decides she loves him. So they go to a little town and get married and go together to his ranch in New Mexico. The ranch is pretty much isolated and Diana the city girl, has a hard time adjusting to that kind of life. The typical romantic story and very enjoyable.
December 30, 2010
This was a nice and easy read romance. I enjoyed the story setting of the farm with all of its imperfections. Would definitely recommend to those who enjoy a light-hearted romance story. The only thing I would have changed was the ending - I think something a little more "creative" could have been done when she announced that they were having twins. Maybe something like having some mini stetsons for her husband to discover.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2013
I give this one 3.5 to 4 stars.It was a nice sweet love story. Cowboys were present as well.Laughs.
Spoiler
Note to Self: New Mexico
Diana Palmer("Di",ex-model,24yo,new newspaper writer,preg w/ twins)+Elijah Masters("Lije",31yo,ranch owner,pal1) and Deuce & Trey (their dogs),Jim Two Pony(ranch foreman,pal1)+Tina(gf),Stella(model,pal),Vanessa(model),Cord Harris(ranch owner,pal1)+Stacy= Joshua(their son),Lisa Griswold(new pal),Herb Bigelow(newspaper owner,new pal)+Dottie.
Spoiler
Note to Self: New Mexico
Diana Palmer("Di",ex-model,24yo,new newspaper writer,preg w/ twins)+Elijah Masters("Lije",31yo,ranch owner,pal1) and Deuce & Trey (their dogs),Jim Two Pony(ranch foreman,pal1)+Tina(gf),Stella(model,pal),Vanessa(model),Cord Harris(ranch owner,pal1)+Stacy= Joshua(their son),Lisa Griswold(new pal),Herb Bigelow(newspaper owner,new pal)+Dottie.
May 7, 2015
What a change for a romance novel. Boy marries girl, but all does not go well. There is some descriptions of love making, but they are discreet. I won't give the ending away. That part stretches things a bit.
I never read the description on the back of the book or on the book cover flaps. I like to be totally surprised by the story and not know what to expect. So the discrepancy there did not bother me. The description on the back does not match the book
I never read the description on the back of the book or on the book cover flaps. I like to be totally surprised by the story and not know what to expect. So the discrepancy there did not bother me. The description on the back does not match the book
Read
October 18, 2011I bought this book because it sounded really good. When I started reading it, I realized that the story was completely different from what was written on the back cover. I don't know if the publishers made a mistake or what but because of this I wouldn't give this book even 1 star.
December 10, 2015
This book was just a mess. The back synopsis didn't match the book at all, there were no Christmas themes to be found at all, and overall it just didn't catch my attention. Save yourself the trouble and just don't.
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