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The Westmorelands #12

Taming Clint Westmoreland

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In name only?The moment ex-Texas Ranger Clint Westmoreland learned he was still married, he set the limits for his wife's stay at his luxurious horse ranch. But when she arrived, Clint's boundaries began to blur. He and Alyssa Barkley had thirty days to untangle the legal knot that had bound them together during an undercover assignment years before. But this sexy, curvaceous Alyssa was different from the mousy, awestruck rookie agent he remembered. And now her every move had him wondering what it would be like if he really were her man.…

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 2, 2008

53 people are currently reading
676 people want to read

About the author

Brenda Jackson

894 books3,579 followers
In 1994, Brenda Jackson’s first novel, Tonight and Forever, was released. Since then she has had more than 100 novels and novellas published (the first African-American author to accomplish such a feat) and has over 3 million books in print.

A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Brenda is the first African-American author to have a book published by Harlequin Desire and the first African-American romance author to make the New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller lists within the series romance genre.

In 2012, Brenda received the Romance Writers of America’s Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award—one of the highest literary awards a romance author can receive. In 2013, she was recognized by the mayor and the city of Jacksonville as being a Trailblazer in the literary field.

In 2010, she collaborated with Five Alive Films to turn her Truly Everlasting title into a feature film. Brenda’s 2011 novel A Silken Thread is scheduled to be filmed with Debbie Allen attached as director in 2015.

Email Brenda at authorbrendajackson@gmail.com or visit her on her website at brendajackson.net.

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5 stars
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192 (13%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
Profile Image for  Danielle The Book Huntress .
2,754 reviews6,609 followers
September 3, 2009
It's kind of hard to rate this book because I like some things about it, but at the same time a few things annoyed me. I don't know why I let a fiction book get to me, but sometimes they do.

I think Brenda Jackson is a great writer. She really has a way of bringing a story to life. She writes some amazing chemistry between her characters, and also inspires poignancy in the reader. She doesn't rely on stereotypes, but makes her character realistic, human beings that anyone could relate to regardless of color.

But some reason, she just will not write a hero who is not a playboy. The closest she came was Spencer's Forbidden Passion, but in a way, he had a ladies' man vibe too. I guess it's just me who gets tired of all the romance novel heroes being players and womanizers. They always fight so hard not to fall in love and want their freedom. Personally I don't want a guy who's that afraid of commitment and marriage. For once I'd like to read one where the hero falls stone cold in love and is totally chasing after the reluctant heroine, wanting to spend his life with her. I am so over the playa playa hero (rolls eyes).

The other thing that bothered me is that this couple, Alyssa and Clint were married for five years due to a mix-up where they got married for a case, but the annulment never went through. I find it kind of hard to believe. If it were me and I did not want to be married to someone, I'd want my paperwork so legal that it was almost written in blood. This brings me to my pet peeve. They have basically been cheating on each other for five years. Yes, I know that technically they didn't know they were cheating because they didn't know they were married, but in my mind that's still cheating. And to make matters worse, Alyssa goes as far as making it to her wedding day and no one told her that she couldn't legally marry because she was already married (she was still in the same state). Another implausibility. And there's a line where Clint confronts Alyssa because he sees the announcement in the paper about her being married. Well she couldn't be married to the other guy legally because she was married to you. I was a little baffled by his logic.

The third thing that got under my skin is the fact they were playing around with each other sexually but knew they didn't want to stay married. That seemed pretty dangerous to me. Clint was coming onto Alyssa really hard. She was still a little bit sweet on him since they worked together five years ago. And hadn't been involved with anyone since she discovered her fiance had cheated with her conniving, nasty cousin Kim. I think it was a little unfair on Clint's part, turning on the Westmoreland Bachelor Seducer Who Doesn't Want to Get Married charm. In his mind he had registered that she was fairly inexperienced. I felt a little better about when Alyssa came to the conclusion that she did want a physical relationship although she knew they would part at the end of it.

One thing I liked was how both Clint and Alyssa had somewhat atypical jobs. Clint tamed and saved wild mustangs. Go, Clint. Alyssa was a website designer. Nice. I thought that Alyssa's angst because of her evil Poison Ivy cousin Kim was a nice element building up the characterization of Alyssa. She was sick of being afraid to have anything that might end up destroyed or sabotaged by her jealous cousin. I like how Clint supported her when Kim tried to start something at the function where Kim shows up with Alyssa's ex, Kevin. Oh the other thing that bothered me is why did Alyssa have to have bad sex with her fiance? Couldn't she have had good sex with him, but better sex with Clint ('Cause you know the hero has to be the best sex the heroine ever had. That's an unwritten rule.)?

So with the above issues, that apparently I am the only one in the world who has, I have to take off one star. Having said that, Taming Clint Westmoreland was a good read and it was a very pleasant way to spend a few hours. And it was nice to reunite with the large and growing Westmoreland clan.

Profile Image for Chad James.
257 reviews136 followers
February 8, 2012
Reviewed for http://heartsonfirereviews.com/?p=47

Another Westmoreland man is tamed; this time around it is Clint.

Ex-Texas Ranger Clint learns that he is still married to Alyssa Barkley, but the only way to get the marriage annulled is to live together for 30 days on Clint’s horse ranch. Talk about steamy, Brenda Jackson tells a story that lingers in your heart long after your finished, leaving you wanting and wishing for more from this romantic author!

I can truly say that I love Brenda Jackson, her books take readers to the unknown regions of the heart and ultimately to the one truth, the power of love really does exist!

Taming Clint Westmoreland is proof positive that Brenda Jackson knows what true love really means and she shares that with her cherished readers, in every book she pens!




Profile Image for SassyMama.
1,016 reviews4 followers
September 10, 2008
It's ALWAYS fun to catch up with ever-growing Westmoreland family. Clint and Alyssa's story is a SENSUAL and SWEET read. I love this families close ties/bonds, once they consider you one of them (a Westmoreland, that is) they are EXTREMELY protective. Another quick, SPICY treat from Mrs. Jackson.
Profile Image for Mel.
617 reviews14 followers
March 6, 2018
I love these books... they're so short and sweet. and lets face it; I read books to escape the ho hum of reality so the Happily Ever Afters are a must!
46 reviews
March 23, 2012
Newly retired Texas Ranger Clint Westmoreland learns that due to an oversight by the agency, his “marriage” to his former partner was never annulled. So off to Austin he goes to unravel this mess. Clint has recently entered into a very lucrative horse-breeding business with his cousin Durango and brother-in-law McKinnon Quinn. This “marriage issue” is interfering with his plans to expand the business into Texas. Needless to say, Clint’s focus was redirected when he laid eyes on Alyssa Barkley. What a difference five years can make! A very unsympathetic judge refuses to grant an immediate annulment and instead requires the couple to live under the same roof for 30 days. Thirty days with a handsome Westmoreland??? Takes more will power than I know I would have! Neither Alyssa, who had never known true love nor devout bachelor Clint knew what hit them. Thirty days of denial yields to temptation that is stronger than their willpower.
Profile Image for Jamie (TheRebelliousReader).
6,787 reviews30 followers
March 16, 2020
4 stars. I absolutely loved this one! No unnecessary drama and both of the characters were charming and likable. The romance was swoony and I just had a blast while reading it. I didn’t want it to end. Clint is definitely up there in my favorites list of favorite Westmoreland men because whew is that man charming and sexy. Alyssa got a winner there. Their chemistry was great and I loved the plot of them having to live with each other for 30 days. It was great and the ending was awesome. I just loved everything about this one.


{Challenges completed:
✔Romance Readers Reading Group: March Monthly Challenge (10 out of 10)
✔The Lost Challenges: Musical City: Chicago Challenge
✔Shh… [Smut, Heroes & HEAS…]: Big Bad Shhlut 2020 Reading Challenge
✔All Challenges All the Time: The Big Bang Theory Challenge}
Profile Image for Dalia   ;)*.
121 reviews
September 1, 2011
I like to consider myself an avid reader, even though sometime I do get bored out of my mind with certain books. BUT with Taming Clint Westmoreland I was so completely enthralled by this book that by time actually looked at my status on the bottom of my kindle I was at 87% done. This one is definitely going on my ALL MY LOVED BOOKS Shelf. And I will most definitely be reading this book all over again!!!!
Profile Image for WellReadRuby.
531 reviews112 followers
April 7, 2022
UPDATED! I still love Clint and Alyssa! That is all and this is one of my comfort reads from now on!


I'm now a sucker for Brenda Jackson books! This story was unrealistic but sweet! I thoroughly enjoyed Clint falling for Alyssa. My only regret with most of Brenda's book are that they too short and I'd love a deeper dive into each of the characters backstory. Alyssa's backstory had a lot that could be explored.
Profile Image for Limecello.
2,512 reviews45 followers
February 27, 2021
Another audiobook that I enjoyed - but there were some big issues - but also I liked it more than my >.> ranting would indicate.
But ... :X they were some pretty serious issues.

The Westmorelands are the biggest freaking family and I low key love it.
For this category though IMO you need to suspend a lot more disbelief than usual - because ... why - WHY did they ACTUALLY have to get married for an undercover mission?
Why not just pose as a married couple and fake a marriage certificate?
It just ... didn't make sense.

I can't believe the [Texas Rangers?] would REQUIRE two agents to LITERALLY GET MARRIED just for a mission/undercover op.
Like ... AYFKM.
Maybe for a long game CIA or whatever spy agency thing ...

but ...

[Especially since they only expected the op to take "a few weeks" but supposedly Alyssa was so convincing an actor it took them a week.]

... ... ...

THEN ALSO - Alyssa almost married some asshole - HOW would she have not tried to get a marriage certificate and look I never had to deal with that aspect of probate court/filings etc; but - the clerks there were always on point and I can't believe SOMEONE in the process - regardless of how differently things are done in TX; wouldn't have been like "hey you're already on file/married."
O_o
=> and this issue isn't even addressed

AND - hm. I checked. I figured this book was published a while ago - and it was published in 2008. Low key I'd have thought it was older, even ~knowing it wouldn't be considering it's book 12...
but like - here's one thing where "modern [ha ha sob] sensibilities" take over - as in - YES I understand if someone cheats on you you're going to internalize that and feel awful and blame yourself and think there's something wrong with you.
BUT - especially at least in romances - I'd hope if not expect that we "do better" - like at least have another character say "friend, that's not on you - that's on the asshole cheater. You don't control someone else's actions like that." Or even have the heroine be like "I need to try to think of this."

Annnnnnnd even though Clint and Alyssa live together for a month it doesn't seem like they actually spend that much time together? Like it's mostly based on attraction. And they go FAST.

So ... it's a zany ~fun category romance - but there are a lot of head shaking moments - and nothing stands out as !!
[not going to delve into more/the other issues because I'm already getting upset...]

Blergh.

Definitely I like many other Westmoreland books better.

Solid D?

[And of course I listened to it twice; they're quick and entertaining and I like Ron Butler's voice.]
Profile Image for L..
599 reviews1 follower
February 20, 2022
I really like the way Ms. Jackson writes these family sagas. They are short reads, about 200 pages and are so engaging that they're easy to finish in one sitting.
Clint and Alyssa were partners for an undercover case while they were in the Texas Rangers and married for the operation because they were trying to break up an illegal adoption ring. Now several years later the agency tells them through an agency slip up the marriage was never dissolved and the judge, who's enjoyed a thirty+ yrs happy marriage, has ordered them to live together for thirty days before she will process their divorce request. Neither of them is pleased, to say the least.
Both of them were betrayed by former lovers and aren't interested in the other sex. They know they have to do as ordered by the court but they don't have to enjoy it.
Thirty days! They swear to each other they can do it under the same roof while staying out of the other's way. Of course WE know they can't, and won't but that's the whole point of the story right!
3 reviews
July 12, 2020
The romantic spirit of Brenda Jackson's other formulaic pieces is ever present in "Taming Clint Westmoreland". As another impossibly handsome Westmoreland man, Clint exudes sexuality from every pore, making him practically irresistible to his co-protagonist Alyssa. As always, the two play an erotic game of cat and mouse until the inevitable happens. One irritating feature of this book, though, is the unabashed, and inadequately explained, animosity of Alyssa's cousin, whose name will not be mentioned here. Although she gets somewhat of a comeuppance, its degree of satisfaction is not nearly worth the time and attention devoted to her throughout the book. Her presence should have begun and ended in the Prologue. Notwithstanding this annoying flaw, the book was enjoyable and met the standards of a typical Brenda Jackson romance.
Profile Image for Alisa.
1,493 reviews8 followers
July 12, 2024
Great story! It was fun reading about a confirmed bachelor having his world shaken up and deciding being a bachelor was no longer his ultimate goal. Lots of subtle seduction on his part and Alyssa was a goner. I mean, no woman seems capable of truly resisting a determined Westmoreland. Narrator did an excellent job.
Profile Image for Page Passion .
836 reviews9 followers
August 23, 2020
Cute story! I was expecting a little more fire between the two since there was some past familiarity. The sex scenes were hot and definitely made up for it.

These books always make me want to just pack up everything and move to Texas and marry a Black cowboy.

Brenda Jackson is 👑
136 reviews
January 18, 2021
So many

It's ok. I've read so many stories on this family they're all starting to read the same. But I'm in quarantine so I'm reading whatever. They have better books in prime unlimited though.
1,127 reviews
January 9, 2023
This is my first Brenda Jackson book and I loved it. A fake marriage turns out to be real but in order to have it annulled they most live together for 30 days. Add in the fact they are highly attracted to each other and you have a book with a lot of steam.

Fantastic!
1,833 reviews4 followers
August 22, 2019
Amazing

A really,really good romantic read.Fun,interesting,lots and lots of laughter.Brenda Jackson never fails to amaze me.Her stories grab hold of you and don't let go.
Profile Image for Tiffany.
66 reviews3 followers
March 19, 2021
Pretty good story, but parts of it were a little predictable. But overall, still a nice love story.
Profile Image for Mattie.
1,981 reviews8 followers
April 19, 2021
It was good and I liked both hero and heroine. While it was good there was not really any conflict, they didn't truly fight feelings or anything. Np.

Alyssa and Clint
Profile Image for Alex Peepgrass.
107 reviews
May 9, 2022
Slow to start and had a hard time getting into the book. Cute and perfect ending. Not sure how it relates to the rest of the series.
Profile Image for Darla Stokes.
295 reviews11 followers
February 15, 2013
Brenda Jackson's definitely a master of the short-format romance novel. Her stories are well-written with fully developed characters.

Thank goodness, because in another author's hands, I wouldn't have trusted enough to get past the premise: Clint and Alyssa got married for an undercover assignment, and it turns out they're still married. And they can't get an annulment. Why? It's not really explained. And their former boss, who could apparently expedite the process, refuses to do so until and unless they live together for a month.

I was able to forget the premise for several pages at a time, but then it would pop up again, and I'd be full of irritated questions again--like why did they have to deal with the former boss at all, and not the civilian family courts? And why not just get a no-fault divorce if an annulment for some reason wasn't possible? I could buy that there are obstacles to these reasonable-to-me options, but I need some clue as to what those obstacles might be.

Without the unbelievable premise, this would have been a 4-star story. I enjoyed Clint and Alyssa's romantic journey, but there was still a little too much back-and-forth denial of their feelings. That would have bothered me less, admittedly, without the premise.

It's possibly just me--I've never been a believer in the magic of paperwork--signatures on a piece of paper don't make a marriage, in my book.
Profile Image for Ms.Toni.
173 reviews22 followers
July 25, 2012
I Like Playing With Fire

Brenda Jackson revisits her familiar Westmoreland series with book twelve. Readers feel equally at home.

Clint Westmoreland, a former Texas Ranger, married his partner at the time, Alyssa Barkley, for an undercover assignment. The bad guys were caught, justice was served and Clint and Alyssa went their separate ways. Five years later the duo finds out that their “marriage” was never annulled. No problem, they’ll get it annulled quickly and again move on with their lives. Not! Before an annulment can be granted, the two must live together for thirty days. How long can these two live under the same roof before the sparks fly? Remember, he is a Westmoreland!

Her previous novels have taught us to expect good things from Brenda Jackson and “Taming Clint Westmoreland” delivers.
Profile Image for Melinda.
525 reviews
December 20, 2013
The Westmoreland series is very entertaining because the women are strong and the men love this strength but it also scares them.

In the case of this book, Clint was against having a wife. His memories of Alyssa are not flattering. But he's definitely paying attention now. Alyssa on the other hand had a major crush on him then, but has her own life and business. Both believe in family but Alyssa's has some trifling members and Clint has just discover family he never new he had.

All in all it's a sweet story of growing love and family. I truly enjoyed their journey.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews

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