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Carly Barnett's dream is to be a journalist, and the Oregonian Times seems like an ideal place to start, until she learns what she'll be doing: writing an advice column for lonely hearts. Reporter Mark Holbrook doesn't think much of her column, but he can't deny the attraction he feels for her. And he refuses to take her advice, even if she holds the key to unlocking his own lonely heart.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 1990
13 people are currently reading
335 people want to read
About the author
Linda Lael Miller
552 books3,231 followersThe daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West. Raised in Northport, Washington, Linda pursued her wanderlust, living in London and Arizona and traveling the world before returning to the state of her birth to settle down on a spacious property outside Spokane.
Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.
Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
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December 8, 2020DNF 13%
NOT RATING.
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NOT RATING.
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November 21, 2008
Good romance story. It was a quick read, but I enjoy Linda Lael Miller's Western Romance more.
August 15, 2013
All of Mrs. Miller's books are a GREAT read!! Always worth read over again!
April 21, 2020
I first read this a very long time ago (I was probably much too young, ha!) so I always feel a bit nostalgic when I reread it. Taking into consideration that it was written in I think 1990 and many aspects of the story are dated, I really still love it anyway.
July 13, 2018
Pure schlock. I read this because it said it was a NW author. Come to find out it was a romance novel. Written in 1990, it is so dated in regards to views about men and women. I started reading for humor, not taking any of it seriously - the only way to read romance novels. I imagined the man as Trump because he had the idea that women like to be grabbed and "taken".
There came to be a little plot at the end. And they all lived happily after with their 2.5 kids, a cat, and tons of money.
There came to be a little plot at the end. And they all lived happily after with their 2.5 kids, a cat, and tons of money.
December 28, 2016
This one was okay, but not one of my favorites. Carly is a former beauty pageant winner (scholarship opportunity?) but is trying to move past that image. She graduated from college with a degree in journalism, anxious to make her dream come true. Hired to work at a Portland newspaper, on the way to Portland from Kansas she happens to meet their top reporter. Though sexy as can be, his rather condescending attitude toward her grates on her nerves.
I have to admit that, like Carly, Mark's attitude bugged me. There was more to her than her pageant activities and he knew it very quickly, but frequently brought them up. He was definitely attracted to her and had no problem with letting her know it. I also felt as if Carly was a bit naive, and that he took advantage of that. Within a few days he had overwhelmed her reservations and they started a hot and heavy affair. There were quite a few times when he seemed determined to be in control of her and her reactions, even when she tried to put him off. It wasn't quite a case of force or intimidation, but at times it felt close. There were also times that I really liked him, such as when he encouraged her to go after a story she was interested in. I really liked his devotion to his son.
The development of their relationship was really fast, and seemed to be based mainly on their physical intimacy. Carly was pretty open about what she wants from life. I liked seeing her attempts to stand up against his attitudes, even though I thought she gave in more than she should. I liked seeing her try to get Mark to open up more with her. She got a pretty good idea of what some of his issues were when she found the play that he wrote, though he didn't have the reaction she had hoped for. That play creates some trouble between them when she takes him at his word about it. In the time they spend together, Mark seems to be ready to push things along really quickly. But a crisis involving his son and ex-wife, on top of a misunderstanding about his play, drives them apart.
I ached for Carly's unhappiness, and cheered for her determination not to let it wreck her life. I loved the description of the raft trip she reported on, and how she toughed things out. She discovered a twist to her life plan part way through the trip, but took it right in stride. I also loved the new friend she made, and the opportunity she was offered because of it.
I felt a little bit sorry for Mark because he was so miserable, but he brought it on himself. He finally admitted his feelings and that he needed her, but convincing her wasn't as easy as he thought it would be. It was nice to see that he had to work a little for her forgiveness. I enjoyed the glimpse of their lives a year later, and especially loved the ending.
I have to admit that, like Carly, Mark's attitude bugged me. There was more to her than her pageant activities and he knew it very quickly, but frequently brought them up. He was definitely attracted to her and had no problem with letting her know it. I also felt as if Carly was a bit naive, and that he took advantage of that. Within a few days he had overwhelmed her reservations and they started a hot and heavy affair. There were quite a few times when he seemed determined to be in control of her and her reactions, even when she tried to put him off. It wasn't quite a case of force or intimidation, but at times it felt close. There were also times that I really liked him, such as when he encouraged her to go after a story she was interested in. I really liked his devotion to his son.
The development of their relationship was really fast, and seemed to be based mainly on their physical intimacy. Carly was pretty open about what she wants from life. I liked seeing her attempts to stand up against his attitudes, even though I thought she gave in more than she should. I liked seeing her try to get Mark to open up more with her. She got a pretty good idea of what some of his issues were when she found the play that he wrote, though he didn't have the reaction she had hoped for. That play creates some trouble between them when she takes him at his word about it. In the time they spend together, Mark seems to be ready to push things along really quickly. But a crisis involving his son and ex-wife, on top of a misunderstanding about his play, drives them apart.
I ached for Carly's unhappiness, and cheered for her determination not to let it wreck her life. I loved the description of the raft trip she reported on, and how she toughed things out. She discovered a twist to her life plan part way through the trip, but took it right in stride. I also loved the new friend she made, and the opportunity she was offered because of it.
I felt a little bit sorry for Mark because he was so miserable, but he brought it on himself. He finally admitted his feelings and that he needed her, but convincing her wasn't as easy as he thought it would be. It was nice to see that he had to work a little for her forgiveness. I enjoyed the glimpse of their lives a year later, and especially loved the ending.
August 28, 2019
Former Miss USA Carly moves to Portland to work for paper there and meets Mark Holbrook a prize winning writer and the sparks fly. Things seemed to happen fast and their relationship was tested when Carly read Mark's play and he gave it to her because he didn't want to relive that part of his life (his divorce) she gave it to director who wanted to make movie of it and mark was furious. Of course, he breaks up with her. His ex wife is alcoholic and has accident that nearly kills her and he goes to California to take care of his son. Carly ends up getting job offer in California and realizes she is pregnant. Her first assignment is to interview Mark about his new play and he guesses she is carrying his baby. He tells her that he has decided to let his play be made into movie after all and that he wants to be a part of baby's life.
Later, he shows up at her apartment and ask her to marry him and they live happily ever after.
I think she gave in too easy she should have made him grovel a little more.
Later, he shows up at her apartment and ask her to marry him and they live happily ever after.
I think she gave in too easy she should have made him grovel a little more.
October 23, 2019
This is an older book, perhaps before the author hit her stride. I did not like it as much as her other books.
Mark Holbrook is a Pulitzer prize winning writer and a legend in his own mind. He is attracted to former beauty queen and new reporter Carly Barnett, but is both patronizing and pushy as he pursues her. She is also attracted to him, and allows him to take advantage of her. While they have been burned by a ex, his arrogance tears them apart until fate steps in and fi=gives him a second chance. But does he deserve it?
Mark Holbrook is a Pulitzer prize winning writer and a legend in his own mind. He is attracted to former beauty queen and new reporter Carly Barnett, but is both patronizing and pushy as he pursues her. She is also attracted to him, and allows him to take advantage of her. While they have been burned by a ex, his arrogance tears them apart until fate steps in and fi=gives him a second chance. But does he deserve it?
Want to read
August 21, 2019My copy of this story can be found in this book:
Forever and a Day
Forever and a Day
July 6, 2024
Every single old school romance cliche was in this book. The virgin heroine, the older rich hero, the friendly “love rival”, the immediate pregnancy and wedding. Predictable, but I ended up listening to the whole book as Inwanted to remember how old romances were written. My how things have changed. The narration was ok, felt like it was read more than acted as sometimes I wasn’t sure which character was speaking.
February 10, 2018
Where Nora Roberts' books from this time period were all blue eye shadow and cigarettes, Linda Lael Miller's books were perforated printer paper and raiding crack houses. Slightly more high brow in topic but equally raunchy. Very different from Miller's current books.
May 28, 2018
He's an award winning journalist and she's a former beauty queen just starting her journalism career. I didn't really like these two for most of the book, the relationship jumps from antagonistic to serious commitment in a disjointed way. Had to force myself to finish the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2017
Great read
September 15, 2019
This was such a great book I love all of Linda Leal Miller books these two had sparks flying from the beginning. Can't wait to read more books by her
March 22, 2021
I love this
May 14, 2023
Simple version: the man was a jerk and the woman a pushover. Definitely not enough groveling.
February 16, 2024
Ugh. Maybe the book was good 30+ years ago but reading it in 2024? Nope; it didn't age well.
March 18, 2024
I felt like, if a man was to write a romance novel, this would be it. No depth to the story. And just full of sex. But like the woman just bowed down instantly all the time.
November 14, 2016
I started this one thinking it was a current novel of Miller's , but quickly realized I was reading one from the 80s (turned out to be 1990, but still). The heroine gets to be feisty only for a couple pages, but is quickly subdued by the dominant hero and her own treacherous ladyparts. Plus there are other conventions in the story that don't hold up well, like the huge bags of mail she gets as an advice columnist. And one person she meets refers to her as "Miss USA, nineteen - eighty... " Made me smile. Anyway, I couldn't finish it because I don't like the kind of book where a dude tries to sabotage you professionally during the day but puts his tongue down your throat at night, and you let him because you just can't help it. Bleah.
February 5, 2016
A light, enjoyable romance. I recently bought this book at our local library book sale, in which you pay only $1.00 for all the used books you can fit into a grocery bag! What a deal! It was a lot of fun. I ended up buying three full grocery bags of books. This book originally came out in 1990, so it was interesting to compare the differences from today's current times to 1990 (no cell phones, no internet, the main character wore a "fashionable, turquoise blue jumpsuit" on a date, and their meeting room at work was "filled with cigarette smoke". Oh how times have changed!
September 22, 2019
Award winning journalist, Mark Holbrook, is instantly drawn to lovelorn columnist, Carly Barnett. She is wary of him. She thinks he's arrogant. Then he kisses her and she loses all her inhibitions. Carly discovers that Mark has written a play based on his first marriage. She wants him to submit the play to a movie mogul but Mark wrote that play as purely therapeutic. In a fit of rage he throws the play at her and yells she can do what she wants with it. Should Carly submit it herself and if she does what will that do to their relationship? Very emotional read!
September 19, 2010
I quit this book after 10-15 pages. While many times I enjoy this author, this book was already "We cannot get along in the same room, but I can't keep my hands off you, (3 pages of foreplay & ecstasy) but I refuse to communicate what I'm thinking or feeling, so we'll both stay tortured". No thanks.
January 31, 2015
This book was one of the better ones from LLM. The story really started strong and great. The attraction between the two main characters was really enjoyable read. Unfortunately, the story kind of plateaued for me from there when I expected it to finish on a stronger note.
May 23, 2011
This is by far my least favorite book by Linda Lael Miller. I love the occasional romance but this one simply one sexual romp after another with very little actual story line.
April 26, 2012
One of her earlier books - a good predictible love story.
May 27, 2012
I generally like Linda Lael Miller''s books. This one reflects the time it was written and had not aged well.
August 25, 2015
a fast quick read with a predictable ending. Really not her best work but enjoyable enough when there is NOTHING else to read
January 29, 2015
good but not one of her best. also knew from the beginning what was gonna happen and it took a long time to get there.
October 2, 2015
Quick read. Cute, funny, predicable and a bit rushed. But overall a good read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews