Only Hers: The Taggart Brothers

Taggart/Falcon #2

by Francis Ray

When St. Louis nurse Shannon Johnson inherits a cabin in Texas, she hopes it will be the perfect getaway from her high-pressure job—and her low-energy love life. Unfortunately, the place is a rundown shack with no electricity…except for the sizzling sparks that fly when she meets Matt Taggart, the big strapping rancher next door.One of the Lone Star State's most desirable bachelors, Matt Taggart has seen more than his share of gold-diggers—including his ex-wife—and he's sworn off love forever. He's convinced Shannon only wants a piece of his ranch. But when he challenges her to help him work the land, Matt begins to see Shannon for who she really is. And soon those sparks are igniting a fire they can't put out…

Genres: Romance, African American Romance, African American

308 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 1996

About the author

Francis Ray was a New York Times and USA Today bestselling African-American writer of romance novels. Her literary fiction series – Taggart and Falcon, the Invincible Women, Grayson Family of New Mexico, and Grayson Friends – have consistently made bestseller's lists. She was born in Richland, Texas, and studied nursing, receiving a bachelor's degree from Texas Woman's University in 1967. She began writing in 1987, while continuing to work as a nurse, and had her first book published in 1992.

AWARDS
Romantic Times Career Achievement
EMMA
The Golden Pen
The Atlantic Choice
Romantic Times 2008 Reviewers' Choice Award Winners for AFRICAN-AMERICAN ROMANCE Reviewers' Choice Awards – Best Books Not Even If You Begged, St. Martin's Griffin (February 2008)
Borders 2008 Bestselling Multicultural Romance Award for Nobody but You
Written's 2010 Readers Choice Book of the Year for If You Were My Man

Reviews

[Sahmyah F · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️⭐️ Okay…so I enjoy a good slow burn romance; however, the resolution at the end seems so rushed/glossed over. All this back and forth with Matt being very emotionally damaging at times towards Shannon and her taking it and excusing it due to his past just went on too long. IRL: no one should be so eager and willing to jump into a relationship with someone that clearly hasn’t gotten over their traumas that directly affect their romantic encounters. THERAPY BABY. Of course you need to toss in the 2 month engagement in at the end of the happily ever after. I liked being engaged, however the message needs improvement. This could be so damaging to young women reading from Shannon’s POV. In a vacuum: as lightly steamy, Black, western romance: LOVE. Still gotta be weary of the ideals throughout the plot.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Only Hers was a very quick and very frustrating read. Shannon has just inherited part of the Taggart family ranch after the grandfather passes away. She had been his nurse and stayed in touch, but was still shocked to learn of the inheritance. After losing her own grandfather, Shannon needs to get away so she heads to the meadow that is now hers. Needless to say, Matt Taggart is not pleased to have his family's land passed to an outsider. And he simply doesn't believe Shannon when she says she doesn't plan on keeping it; she just needs a vacation.

A Romance novel is only as strong as its main characters, and I did not like either of them in Only Hers at all. Matt is the tragic hero who's been hurt by a woman before and now thinks they're all lying tramps. He doesn't let Shannon get a word in at the beginning, even though she legally does own the land. He simply doesn't want to hear it, and once he does, he thinks she must have seduced or conned it out of his uncle. Meanwhile, Shannon cries about everything! I get that she's stressed and depressed and is trying to heal, but anytime Matt opens his mouth, the waterworks come! Tell me, how did they fall in love?! Matt doesn't say a single nice thing to her for the entire book. Even when he's forcing his tongue down her throat, it's to prove to her that all women are the same!

The only parts of Only Hers I liked were the scenes with Daniel Falcon. He's filming a documentary about African-American cowboys and their history in the West, which was really interesting. I'm glad that he's going to be the hero of the following book, because I like him already. I certainly can't say the same for Shannon and Matt. I couldn't bring myself to cheer for them, because there's nothing to cheer for! He's cruel and she's spineless.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.

[Merri Wright Leach · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parts of this book I really loved, but the arguments seemed to come out of nowhere, and got really monotonous. I think the whole story component was good, and I enjoyed, except for the mistrust and both main characters attitudes turning/changing so quickly!!

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story, but missing a lot of details...not one of the best written "ray" books!

[Tina Broadwater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Read!!

Lovely story I expected nothing less. Classic book for the lovers at heart. A must read for bits of history throughout

[Vonetta Augustine · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’ve been reading this author and a few of her novels in the last month or so. So far this is my least favorite. You have a weepy, passive aggressive heroine & emotionally unavailable borderline verbally abuse “hero”.

This is such a damaging novel to young women especially black women. Putting up with Matt’s treatment because he’s been hurt by an unfaithful ex-wife. I got so tired of reading about him whining about Diane or Diana, I can’t even remember. Shannon making excuses for his outright disrespectful treatment of her.

This is first time I’ve given a book 1 star. Their HEA was forced and not romantic. ☹️

[Julie Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only Hers
Shannon is a nurse that needs some downtime so for a few weeks she travels to one of her patients cabins in the woods but she's met with the landowner. Matt brings her to the ranch house where the housekeeper, Octavia makes her feel welcome. She has a letter that says she can stay for a few weeks time. The patient has since died now and the turmoil over the land is in upheaval. They have to work it
out for themselves so she starts to learn how the horse ranch works by doing the chores involved.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Taggart Brothers series fits right in with the Grayson Family and Friends series and I absolutely love the Grayson Family series then add the Grayson Family and Friends to follow up. I think I have read each book in all series and they kept getting better and of course they are interchangeable so in each book, you still got to hear about how another part of the family is doing. Will have to make sure I add the others to my home library in tribute to Mrs. Ray.

[Mskychick · Rating 1 out of 5]

Trite, trite, trite! The man, Matt, and woman, Shannon, were both 2 dimensional. She was too good and too honest, he was too distrustful; not enough character development for either main character. The last 1/3 of the book, I spent all my time either being actively pissed off at the 2 main characters or simply rolling my eyes.

[Metris · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fine sexy cowboy Matt Taggart lives solely for his family inhereted farm land especially since his ex-wife crumbled his heart. The lovable Shannon Johnson has fell on some rough times emotionally and fortunately with help of a past patient she is able to get away to a nice peace place to regroup, so she thought until she realizes that her place of peace is on Matt's ranch. I LOVED THIS STory

[Bridgette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book. I read it in one day. I hated that the romance came all the way at the end of the book. There was 2 actual love scenes but other than that it was just touches here and there and bickering between Matt and Shannon. Overall it was an ok read.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I was so glad to see Matt finally opened up and let himself love. Although she took way more than I think I could've. I can't wait to read the next book in this series, in fact I think I will start it now!

[Niki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Grayson series. I liked Kane better than his brother Matt who is featured in this book. Matt was a little rough around the edges but Shannon smoothed him out. Another great job by Francis Ray.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an ok book. The story kind of dragged. Not very many romance parts. It was ok.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another really good edition to this series. I enjoyed this one as well, although Matt was going too far with his trust issue..It was a happy ending.

[Darlene Dejohnette]

Matt Taggart is a hot mess....making that girl wait like that. LOL

Good book...looking forward to the rest of Ms. Ray's books

[Michelle Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! It's very similar to many of her other books, especially her book "One Night With You" but for some reason this one was more enjoyable and really made me smile a lot :)

[Tigger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Cf · Rating 2 out of 5]

The heroine got on my last nerve. She cried all through the book. It was exhausting.

[Valerie C West · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book