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Long, Tall Texans #32
Winter Roses
Handsome, eligible ranch owner Stuart York was not one to mince words. Ivy Conley, his younger sister's best friend, found out the hard way. During a night's stay at his Jacobsville ranch, Ivy wound up in Stuart's arms. The resulting fireworks singed them both...and, knowing she was too young, Stuart closed his heart to her.
Now, years later, Ivy is determined not to be treated like a little girl anymore. Although still an innocent, Ivy knows she has to fight her own battles, but for some reason Stuart is always fighting them for her, and keeping her from harm. And, safe in Stuart's arms, Ivy feels like a woman — a woman who belongs to him.
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
About the author
Diana Palmer
992 books3,104 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Diana Palmer is a pseudonym for author Susan Kyle.
(1)romance author
Susan Eloise Spaeth was born on 11 December 1946 in Cuthbert, Georgia, USA. She was the eldest daughter of Maggie Eloise Cliatt, a nurse and also journalist, and William Olin Spaeth, a college professor. Her mother was part of the women's liberation movement many years before it became fashionable. Her best friends are her mother and her sister, Dannis Spaeth (Cole), who now has two daughters, Amanda Belle Hofstetter and Maggie and lives in Utah. Susan grew up reading Zane Grey and fell in love with cowboys. Susan is a former newspaper reporter, with sixteen years experience on both daily and weekly newspapers. Since 1972, she has been married to James Kyle and have since settled down in Cornelia, Georgia, where she started to write romance novels. Susan and her husband have one son, Blayne Edward, born in 1980.
She began selling romances in 1979 as Diana Palmer. She also used the pseudonyms Diana Blayne and Katy Currie, and her married name: Susan Kyle. Now, she has over 40 million copies of her books in print, which have been translated and published around the world. She is listed in numerous publications, including Contemporary Authors by Gale Research, Inc., Twentieth Century Romance and Historical Writers by St. James Press, The Writers Directory by St. James Press, the International Who's Who of Authors and Writers by Meirose Press, Ltd., and Love's Leading Ladies by Kathryn Falk. Her awards include seven Waldenbooks national sales awards, four B. Dalton national sales awards, two Bookrak national sales awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award for series storytelling from Romantic Times, several Affaire de Coeur awards, and two regional RWA awards.
Inspired by her husband, who quit a blue-collar manufacturing job to return to school and get his diploma in computer programming, Susan herself went back to college as a day student at the age of 45. In 1995, she graduated summa cum laude from Piedmont College, Demorest, GA, with a major in history and a double minor in archaeology and Spanish. She was named to two honor societies (the Torch Club and Alpha Chi), and was named to the National Dean's List. In addition to her writing projects, she is currently working on her master's degree in history at California State University. She hopes to specialize in Native American studies. She is a member of the Native American Rights Fund, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Cattlemen's Association, the Archaeological Institute of Amenca, the Planetary Society, The Georgia Conservancy, the Georgia Sheriff's Association, and numerous conservation and charitable organizations. Her hobbies include gardening, archaeology, anthropology, iguanas, astronomy and music.
In 1998, her husband retired from his own computer business and now pursues skeet shooting medals in local, state, national and international competition. They love riding around and looking at the countryside, watching sci-fi on TV and at the movies, just talking and eating out.
Diana Palmer is a pseudonym for author Susan Kyle.
(1)romance author
Susan Eloise Spaeth was born on 11 December 1946 in Cuthbert, Georgia, USA. She was the eldest daughter of Maggie Eloise Cliatt, a nurse and also journalist, and William Olin Spaeth, a college professor. Her mother was part of the women's liberation movement many years before it became fashionable. Her best friends are her mother and her sister, Dannis Spaeth (Cole), who now has two daughters, Amanda Belle Hofstetter and Maggie and lives in Utah. Susan grew up reading Zane Grey and fell in love with cowboys. Susan is a former newspaper reporter, with sixteen years experience on both daily and weekly newspapers. Since 1972, she has been married to James Kyle and have since settled down in Cornelia, Georgia, where she started to write romance novels. Susan and her husband have one son, Blayne Edward, born in 1980.
She began selling romances in 1979 as Diana Palmer. She also used the pseudonyms Diana Blayne and Katy Currie, and her married name: Susan Kyle. Now, she has over 40 million copies of her books in print, which have been translated and published around the world. She is listed in numerous publications, including Contemporary Authors by Gale Research, Inc., Twentieth Century Romance and Historical Writers by St. James Press, The Writers Directory by St. James Press, the International Who's Who of Authors and Writers by Meirose Press, Ltd., and Love's Leading Ladies by Kathryn Falk. Her awards include seven Waldenbooks national sales awards, four B. Dalton national sales awards, two Bookrak national sales awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award for series storytelling from Romantic Times, several Affaire de Coeur awards, and two regional RWA awards.
Inspired by her husband, who quit a blue-collar manufacturing job to return to school and get his diploma in computer programming, Susan herself went back to college as a day student at the age of 45. In 1995, she graduated summa cum laude from Piedmont College, Demorest, GA, with a major in history and a double minor in archaeology and Spanish. She was named to two honor societies (the Torch Club and Alpha Chi), and was named to the National Dean's List. In addition to her writing projects, she is currently working on her master's degree in history at California State University. She hopes to specialize in Native American studies. She is a member of the Native American Rights Fund, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Cattlemen's Association, the Archaeological Institute of Amenca, the Planetary Society, The Georgia Conservancy, the Georgia Sheriff's Association, and numerous conservation and charitable organizations. Her hobbies include gardening, archaeology, anthropology, iguanas, astronomy and music.
In 1998, her husband retired from his own computer business and now pursues skeet shooting medals in local, state, national and international competition. They love riding around and looking at the countryside, watching sci-fi on TV and at the movies, just talking and eating out.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
September 2, 2019
I’ve been reading this Long Tall Texan Series through all its permutations. It started when DP was writing for Silhouette categories. Then it morphed into longer stories with more action and adventure. In this story, the 32nd in the series, she’s just moved to Harlequin Romance line. She mentions this in the forward and how she has been a lifelong fan of Margaret Way, a staple of the romance line. (Why does this not surprise me?) Also in her forward she mentions her love of xbox gaming (specifically Halo). So there is that.
What does this have to do with the story? Not much, except the romance is sweet and virtually conflict-free. Heroine is 18 when the 30 year-old rich rancher hero share a kiss and hero realizes he’s in love with her. She’s too young, but hero is not mean to her and stays away for three years while heroine takes bookkeeping courses and penny-pinches in the Jacobsville boarding house.
The H/h are reunited at a charity dance for the local animal shelter. All of DP’s past couples are doing the Macarena and are having a grand old time. The hero actually dances with her and no public humiliation follows. What? *checks author*
Yup. The hero proudly courts the heroine, takes care of her of in NYC where she has to identify her meth-head sister in the morgue,* and quickly clears up any notion he’s dating a debutante. The only conflict in the story is the evil sister who spread rumors about the heroine, dealt drugs in high school, and stole the heroine’s inheritance. Sis’s diary that contains info about the drug cartels in Jacobsville and NYC allows DP to indulge her true crime interests and drag in all of her law enforcement characters. There is a potential pairing with the 24 year-old editor of the town newspaper and the local sheriff.
The story ends with a white wedding and Jamaican honeymoon – the DP cherry on top of the romance sundae for a few lucky couples.
*That’s my DP! Nothing like a trip to the morgue for an H/h to bond. Don’t do drugs kids!
Diana Palmer checklist:
Hairy chest Hero’s chest is mentioned, but hair is out of style so no luxurious pelt.
Breast Description high and firm
Cigarettes No
Alcohol No
Town Descriptions Heroine’s bookeeping clients include: “a boutique owner, a budding architect, the owner of a custom beef retail shop, an exercise gym and about a dozen other small businesses.” (This is a town of 2,000 btw) The Bun Shop, a bakery, also deals drugs.
Gardenia Scent No
LOL detail Hey, Macarena!
Cutesy detail Sheriff has a pet snake who is a vegetarian.
DP hobbyhorse Organic beef, illegal immigrants need love, too.
DP is trolling us She was on her best behavior for her debut with Harlequin Romance
What does this have to do with the story? Not much, except the romance is sweet and virtually conflict-free. Heroine is 18 when the 30 year-old rich rancher hero share a kiss and hero realizes he’s in love with her. She’s too young, but hero is not mean to her and stays away for three years while heroine takes bookkeeping courses and penny-pinches in the Jacobsville boarding house.
The H/h are reunited at a charity dance for the local animal shelter. All of DP’s past couples are doing the Macarena and are having a grand old time. The hero actually dances with her and no public humiliation follows. What? *checks author*
Yup. The hero proudly courts the heroine, takes care of her of in NYC where she has to identify her meth-head sister in the morgue,* and quickly clears up any notion he’s dating a debutante. The only conflict in the story is the evil sister who spread rumors about the heroine, dealt drugs in high school, and stole the heroine’s inheritance. Sis’s diary that contains info about the drug cartels in Jacobsville and NYC allows DP to indulge her true crime interests and drag in all of her law enforcement characters. There is a potential pairing with the 24 year-old editor of the town newspaper and the local sheriff.
The story ends with a white wedding and Jamaican honeymoon – the DP cherry on top of the romance sundae for a few lucky couples.
*That’s my DP! Nothing like a trip to the morgue for an H/h to bond. Don’t do drugs kids!
Diana Palmer checklist:
Hairy chest Hero’s chest is mentioned, but hair is out of style so no luxurious pelt.
Breast Description high and firm
Cigarettes No
Alcohol No
Town Descriptions Heroine’s bookeeping clients include: “a boutique owner, a budding architect, the owner of a custom beef retail shop, an exercise gym and about a dozen other small businesses.” (This is a town of 2,000 btw) The Bun Shop, a bakery, also deals drugs.
Gardenia Scent No
LOL detail Hey, Macarena!
Cutesy detail Sheriff has a pet snake who is a vegetarian.
DP hobbyhorse Organic beef, illegal immigrants need love, too.
DP is trolling us She was on her best behavior for her debut with Harlequin Romance
October 7, 2009
Reading Diana Palmer is very much a comforting experience for me. She's like a favorite aunt who I can sit down with, sharing some time, and listen to her tell me an engaging story that will take my mind off the troubles in the world.
She did this with Winter Roses. It's a combination of something old and something new. Similar type of hero and heroine, but there is something in the story that does make it a unique read at the same time.
Ivy has a sister who is fairly malevolent. This is a new thing for Diana Palmer. I've seen the scenario with the less than ideal parent, or sibling. But for the sister to be straight-up evil was a different touch. Ivy's sister Rachel did everything she could to make Ivy's life a living hell. She discredited her to everyone she could, spreading stories about Ivy being promiscuous. She lied to Ivy's father and had him believing that Ivy wasn't even his own daughter. She exploited their father's drinking and told him lies about Ivy that lead to her being beaten and abused by the father. And she engineered things so that when the father died, he left nothing to Ivy. If she could have, she would have left Ivy destitute, were it not for a small bequest made to Ivy by her aunt. Rachel was also a drug addict and a drug seller. I think she is one of the few genuinely evil female characters I've encountered in a Diana Palmer book. That was definitely something new for me.
Ms. Palmer continues the ongoing storyline of the drug cartel that is trying to take over Jacobsville. Old favorites from her books unite to help to take down key players in the drug business. Fans of Cash Grier will be happy to read this book, as he has a pretty good cameo in Winter Roses.
One thing I enjoyed about this story was catching up with old characters from the Long, Tall Texan series, as well as the Mercenary series. Jacobsville is a town I wish really existed. I am so familiar with most of its inhabitants, I feel the urge to wave at them as they walk down the streets and stop and say hi. It must be hard to keep up with all of these past characters, but Ms. Palmer does a good job of it. Since there doesn't seem to be any Black people in Jacobsville, I volunteer to move there and be the first Black citizen in this fine little town (big smile).
Now some readers have issue with the age difference between the hero and heroine. It's about twelve years. Stuart is about 31 in this book, and Ivy is 19 when this book starts. But Stuart is hyper-aware of the fact that Ivy is too young for him, and he gives her a couple more years to grow up. When they get together, Ivy is 21, and an independent businesswoman who I feel is more than mature enough to handle a relationship with a man of Stuart's age. Although she is pretty innocent, you don't feel that Stuart takes advantage of her. He is quite chivalrous and respectful of her, and really steps in to care for her in more than one situation, showing his love through his actions. Readers who weary of the cruel heroes present in some, not all of Diana Palmer's books would find a respite in this story, since Stuart is really rather kind. There is one encounter towards the beginning of the book where he comes on a little strong, but he quickly backs off when he realizes he misjudged Ivy and the situation.
If you don't like a sweet and forebearing heroine, don't read this book. Ivy is both. She is very kind-natured and not what I'd call a fighter, but she does endure under some very tough circumstances. To me that is another form of strength. But she is no alpha heroine. Yet there is not a big contrast between her and Stuart because he is pertty gentle with her. Their relationship preceeds on very well except a small misunderstanding which is dealt with without a lot of hoopla.
The sensuality is light, but there are some passionate moments, fairly characteristic for Diana Palmer's Silhouette Romances. The focus is on the love relationship between Stuart and Ivy, and to me, that's not a bad thing.
So I do have to say that I liked this book a lot, enough for it to rate four stars. It kept my interest, but then I'm a huge fan of this author. I think she's a fine storyteller, combining passion, angst, people you care about, and humor to write a story that will help you to escape for a few hours into a world with decent people who find the love they need and deserve in life.
She did this with Winter Roses. It's a combination of something old and something new. Similar type of hero and heroine, but there is something in the story that does make it a unique read at the same time.
Ivy has a sister who is fairly malevolent. This is a new thing for Diana Palmer. I've seen the scenario with the less than ideal parent, or sibling. But for the sister to be straight-up evil was a different touch. Ivy's sister Rachel did everything she could to make Ivy's life a living hell. She discredited her to everyone she could, spreading stories about Ivy being promiscuous. She lied to Ivy's father and had him believing that Ivy wasn't even his own daughter. She exploited their father's drinking and told him lies about Ivy that lead to her being beaten and abused by the father. And she engineered things so that when the father died, he left nothing to Ivy. If she could have, she would have left Ivy destitute, were it not for a small bequest made to Ivy by her aunt. Rachel was also a drug addict and a drug seller. I think she is one of the few genuinely evil female characters I've encountered in a Diana Palmer book. That was definitely something new for me.
Ms. Palmer continues the ongoing storyline of the drug cartel that is trying to take over Jacobsville. Old favorites from her books unite to help to take down key players in the drug business. Fans of Cash Grier will be happy to read this book, as he has a pretty good cameo in Winter Roses.
One thing I enjoyed about this story was catching up with old characters from the Long, Tall Texan series, as well as the Mercenary series. Jacobsville is a town I wish really existed. I am so familiar with most of its inhabitants, I feel the urge to wave at them as they walk down the streets and stop and say hi. It must be hard to keep up with all of these past characters, but Ms. Palmer does a good job of it. Since there doesn't seem to be any Black people in Jacobsville, I volunteer to move there and be the first Black citizen in this fine little town (big smile).
Now some readers have issue with the age difference between the hero and heroine. It's about twelve years. Stuart is about 31 in this book, and Ivy is 19 when this book starts. But Stuart is hyper-aware of the fact that Ivy is too young for him, and he gives her a couple more years to grow up. When they get together, Ivy is 21, and an independent businesswoman who I feel is more than mature enough to handle a relationship with a man of Stuart's age. Although she is pretty innocent, you don't feel that Stuart takes advantage of her. He is quite chivalrous and respectful of her, and really steps in to care for her in more than one situation, showing his love through his actions. Readers who weary of the cruel heroes present in some, not all of Diana Palmer's books would find a respite in this story, since Stuart is really rather kind. There is one encounter towards the beginning of the book where he comes on a little strong, but he quickly backs off when he realizes he misjudged Ivy and the situation.
If you don't like a sweet and forebearing heroine, don't read this book. Ivy is both. She is very kind-natured and not what I'd call a fighter, but she does endure under some very tough circumstances. To me that is another form of strength. But she is no alpha heroine. Yet there is not a big contrast between her and Stuart because he is pertty gentle with her. Their relationship preceeds on very well except a small misunderstanding which is dealt with without a lot of hoopla.
The sensuality is light, but there are some passionate moments, fairly characteristic for Diana Palmer's Silhouette Romances. The focus is on the love relationship between Stuart and Ivy, and to me, that's not a bad thing.
So I do have to say that I liked this book a lot, enough for it to rate four stars. It kept my interest, but then I'm a huge fan of this author. I think she's a fine storyteller, combining passion, angst, people you care about, and humor to write a story that will help you to escape for a few hours into a world with decent people who find the love they need and deserve in life.
January 12, 2021
Ivy and Stuart. Stuart is the much older brother of Mary, Ivy's best friend. Stuart and Mary are rich and Ivy and her malicious sister Rachel, are from the 'other' side of town. Rachel has done her best to lie to everyone about Ivy... you never find out why. Apparently she was just kind of a narcissistic manipulative jerk. I got a wee bit irritated with Ivy that she would even speak to the tramp, considering the long history of her trying to ruin her life. But it was pretty par for the course for DP books. Stuart kinda knows Mary was lying about Ivy but mostly he pushes her away and treats her like sh*t because she is too young. And she is, she's 18 and he's 30.
So now she is 20 or so, and he sees her again with another man at a fancy shindig. He starts to make his moves and isn't particularly subtle or suave about it. But there's too many years of his BS to overcome and she is skeptical about his sincerity. Then the whole thing about her sister and her drug connections gets in the way. Stupid misunderstandings and jealousy but not taken too far. He's supposed to be 32 but really she is more mature (as per usual for a DP book).
OW stuff
I listened to this one in a double audio with 'Cattleman's Choice', called 'Christmas on the Range'. The reader was good. I gave it 4 stars because he isn't a total asshat and has obviously loved her for years.
So now she is 20 or so, and he sees her again with another man at a fancy shindig. He starts to make his moves and isn't particularly subtle or suave about it. But there's too many years of his BS to overcome and she is skeptical about his sincerity. Then the whole thing about her sister and her drug connections gets in the way. Stupid misunderstandings and jealousy but not taken too far. He's supposed to be 32 but really she is more mature (as per usual for a DP book).
OW stuff
I listened to this one in a double audio with 'Cattleman's Choice', called 'Christmas on the Range'. The reader was good. I gave it 4 stars because he isn't a total asshat and has obviously loved her for years.
November 18, 2021
Not one of my DP favourite.
I prefer DP love stories without the thriller part in it.
This one starts promising with our usual DP heroine, plain, virgin, doormat, abused by both alcoholic father and evil sister.
The sister here is spreading lies about her, and the hero, her best friend's older brother, believes them.
The 18 yo heroine is in love with him forever and he treats her like dirt, basically because all DP heroes have this thing, that they treat like dirt the women they love.
Meh.
There's a passionate kiss, when the heroine is half dead with a terrible migraine and when the hero realizes that she's in such pain that she literally can't even see, he helps her, but then he understand that he's in love with her but she's still too young, so instead of simply stay away he goes out with ow so the heroine won't wait for him.
Don't ask me what's his logic because I can't - and don't want to- understand.
Three years later, tired of sleeping around, he's ready to marry the idiot heroine that of course has been celibate as a nun.
He doesn't even have to struggle because as soon as the heroine sees him she is immediately at his feet.
Disgusting.
And then we have the thriller part, with her evil sister dead, her pusher who tries to scare the heroine and various shootings and all.
The second half of the book was boring, because there was no drama between H/h and I was not interested in the drug lords...
I prefer DP love stories without the thriller part in it.
This one starts promising with our usual DP heroine, plain, virgin, doormat, abused by both alcoholic father and evil sister.
The sister here is spreading lies about her, and the hero, her best friend's older brother, believes them.
The 18 yo heroine is in love with him forever and he treats her like dirt, basically because all DP heroes have this thing, that they treat like dirt the women they love.
Meh.
There's a passionate kiss, when the heroine is half dead with a terrible migraine and when the hero realizes that she's in such pain that she literally can't even see, he helps her, but then he understand that he's in love with her but she's still too young, so instead of simply stay away he goes out with ow so the heroine won't wait for him.
Don't ask me what's his logic because I can't - and don't want to- understand.
Three years later, tired of sleeping around, he's ready to marry the idiot heroine that of course has been celibate as a nun.
He doesn't even have to struggle because as soon as the heroine sees him she is immediately at his feet.
Disgusting.
And then we have the thriller part, with her evil sister dead, her pusher who tries to scare the heroine and various shootings and all.
The second half of the book was boring, because there was no drama between H/h and I was not interested in the drug lords...
May 5, 2020
Los libros de Diana Palmer son todos iguales, hechos por el mismo molde. Completamente previsibles y con protagonistas exactamente iguales unos a otros. Sin embargo, lo que es claramente una desventaja supone el por qué sigo leyéndolos. Y es que a veces me apetece eso. Una historia donde sepa cómo va a empezar, cómo va a acabar e incluso el desarrollo entre medias.
Sin embargo, este me ha gustado un pelín más porque Stuart es un poco diferente a los protagonistas de la autora, es decir, no es un completo imbécil y siempre está apoyándo a la chica. Tampoco hace un dramón cuando se da cuenta de que está enamorado de ella sino al contrario y el final también es un poco mejor que lo que suele normal.
Sin embargo, este me ha gustado un pelín más porque Stuart es un poco diferente a los protagonistas de la autora, es decir, no es un completo imbécil y siempre está apoyándo a la chica. Tampoco hace un dramón cuando se da cuenta de que está enamorado de ella sino al contrario y el final también es un poco mejor que lo que suele normal.
October 9, 2008
While I enjoyed this book, and it was a quick read, for most of it, I had an intense feeling of deja-vu. Like I'd read the story before. If I hadn't known better, I would have thought that I had. But it was a new read, and the story was just very, very similar to a number of other Palmer books.
Palmer's books are usually formulaic. I've come to expect that. But this one was a bit too much. It seemed like all the details matched up to other Palmer stories: the heroine's a young, virginal woman (a Palmer staple), the hero is the older brother of the heroine's best friend (something Palmer's written numerous times), the hero treats the heroine badly because she's too young for him (another theme done by Palmer more than once), there's drug dealers involved (something any newer Palmer book has)...and more.
Honestly, the book isn't bad. The romance is sweet, the characters mostly likable. I just didn't care for the fact that it was like rereading other Palmer books. Too many details of this one matched up with other stories. Some more variance was needed.
I do have to give Palmer credit, though, for the fact that though this is only an 180 page book, it was well-rounded and I didn't feel like anything had been left out to make sure the story fit the length requirement.
So basically, if you're a hardcore Palmer fan, this is something you'll want to read, but if you're a casual Palmer reader, I wouldn't consider this one a must-read.
Palmer's books are usually formulaic. I've come to expect that. But this one was a bit too much. It seemed like all the details matched up to other Palmer stories: the heroine's a young, virginal woman (a Palmer staple), the hero is the older brother of the heroine's best friend (something Palmer's written numerous times), the hero treats the heroine badly because she's too young for him (another theme done by Palmer more than once), there's drug dealers involved (something any newer Palmer book has)...and more.
Honestly, the book isn't bad. The romance is sweet, the characters mostly likable. I just didn't care for the fact that it was like rereading other Palmer books. Too many details of this one matched up with other stories. Some more variance was needed.
I do have to give Palmer credit, though, for the fact that though this is only an 180 page book, it was well-rounded and I didn't feel like anything had been left out to make sure the story fit the length requirement.
So basically, if you're a hardcore Palmer fan, this is something you'll want to read, but if you're a casual Palmer reader, I wouldn't consider this one a must-read.
November 19, 2023
The audio was narrated by a dude narrator only, kind of ruined the story for me.
Overall: 3.5
Overall: 3.5
January 16, 2021
I'm giving this 3 points because it is one of the healthiest DP relationships (remember everything is relative). However, I did not find it highly memorable, either. St. Margaret's review is better than the book.
July 28, 2010
I don't get this author's popularity. I keep trying her books, but keep getting put off by info dumps, characters who say the stupidest things, melodramatic scenes, shallow story lines, obnoxious heroes (though not in this book, thankfully), and short choppy sentences.
I have a couple more on my to-read list, but I'm thinking maybe not.
I have a couple more on my to-read list, but I'm thinking maybe not.
November 23, 2010
This Palmer hero was hardly an ass at all. What's up with that? The story was quick and fairly superficial, the characters were also not deeply developed, but the romance was decent for all that. I just wish she didn't continually throw in an attempt at romantic suspense. Someone needs to tell her to stick with the romance instead of trying suspense which she basically sucks at.
September 26, 2017
This is Diana's second book I've read. I owned it, the paperbag. So far my favorite's still Winter Soldier. But this book's good.
Because of Diana Palmer, I have this fling to Cowboy kind of guy. I love the hero "harsh look" and heroine's vulnerable feeling. I wish I have one my own.
Looking forward to read Diana's other books. Whooop!
Because of Diana Palmer, I have this fling to Cowboy kind of guy. I love the hero "harsh look" and heroine's vulnerable feeling. I wish I have one my own.
Looking forward to read Diana's other books. Whooop!
February 6, 2014
Not as good as other DP books but still enjoyable.
April 11, 2020
Que mal, siempre hay tiempo perdido...
March 7, 2015
This was a really good book. I liked the characters and their personalities. This was written well and kept me interested. There was some suspense, plenty of emotions, courage and strength, a good overall feel of the community, and a great ending. I enjoyed reading this and would like to read more in this series. (I didn't realize it was so big though) Good for the lazy-day read. Enjoy
January 3, 2020
One of the better books by DP and definitely better than normal hero and heroine.
July 8, 2013
I never write reviews...take that as an indicator for how strongly I felt about this book. It was hilariously bad. So bad that I almost encourage you to read it.
I understand how rude this sounds, and before I go on I'd like to go on record on how much I like DP. She was the first romance author I ever read. She hooked me in (so to speak). I should also mention that I was 11 yrs old...and maybe that's where the problem lays. Revisiting favorites of the past has risks of its own. Would they stand the test of time? Dukes of Hazard is a great example of rose colored memories being dashed. Golden Girls would be an example of the opposite. Timeless.
Onto the review (maybe a tad bit spoilerish)...
It was so out of touch...so obvious...so bad. DP can do better. Here's just a few snippets:
-she's taking an accounting diploma at the local college and her worst class is typing. You read that right. Typing.
-she lives in a boarding house. They exist still? For real?
-she has sleepovers with her best friend that has "pay per view channels" that allow them to watch "adventure movies"
-at the Jacobsville dance, she finally dances with the hunk...wanna guess which song? No really, guess. GUESS!...the Macarena. THE MACARENA!
-the bright but very naive character inadvertently brings a drug smuggling ring to light by passing along a message of grave importance that a local "flour shipment" will be delayed.
I stopped about 30 Pgs before the end. Even I had my limits.
So keeping in mind that this is an author that I remember fondly as a child, I still can't shake the feeling that she can do better. Much better. And if she can't, then surely her editors can? Yeesh.
I understand how rude this sounds, and before I go on I'd like to go on record on how much I like DP. She was the first romance author I ever read. She hooked me in (so to speak). I should also mention that I was 11 yrs old...and maybe that's where the problem lays. Revisiting favorites of the past has risks of its own. Would they stand the test of time? Dukes of Hazard is a great example of rose colored memories being dashed. Golden Girls would be an example of the opposite. Timeless.
Onto the review (maybe a tad bit spoilerish)...
It was so out of touch...so obvious...so bad. DP can do better. Here's just a few snippets:
-she's taking an accounting diploma at the local college and her worst class is typing. You read that right. Typing.
-she lives in a boarding house. They exist still? For real?
-she has sleepovers with her best friend that has "pay per view channels" that allow them to watch "adventure movies"
-at the Jacobsville dance, she finally dances with the hunk...wanna guess which song? No really, guess. GUESS!...the Macarena. THE MACARENA!
-the bright but very naive character inadvertently brings a drug smuggling ring to light by passing along a message of grave importance that a local "flour shipment" will be delayed.
I stopped about 30 Pgs before the end. Even I had my limits.
So keeping in mind that this is an author that I remember fondly as a child, I still can't shake the feeling that she can do better. Much better. And if she can't, then surely her editors can? Yeesh.
April 28, 2013
Today, readers, we’re going to make Diana Palmer Stew. Let’s check and see if we have all the ingredients: first, we need a 30-something alpha male character who’s angry at women in general because he’s been burned once before (Stuart York). Okay, now we need an innocent late teens to early 20s shy female (Ivy Conley). Now, we take these two ingredients and add in a dash of fixation (Ivy has loved Stuart for years), verbal abuse (Stuart does this to Ivy repeatedly), and some tension (from the local drug smugglers who’ve set up shop in Jacobsville).
Mmmm….smell the testosterone yet?
Be careful not to let it boil over (Palmer’s books usually have the couple getting to “second base” instead of all the way, mainly due to the heroine’s young age). As the plot stew simmers, add in a ne’er do well character who spreads vicious lies about the heroine to the hero (Rachel, Ivy’s slatternly junkie sister) and have the hero not question the source of the lies for one second. Mix in secondary characters who will get books of their own (the sheriff, Hayes, and Minette) with the same recipe, and sweeten with one decent character who believes in the heroine (Merrie, Stuart’s sister).
Bon appetite!
Mmmm….smell the testosterone yet?
Be careful not to let it boil over (Palmer’s books usually have the couple getting to “second base” instead of all the way, mainly due to the heroine’s young age). As the plot stew simmers, add in a ne’er do well character who spreads vicious lies about the heroine to the hero (Rachel, Ivy’s slatternly junkie sister) and have the hero not question the source of the lies for one second. Mix in secondary characters who will get books of their own (the sheriff, Hayes, and Minette) with the same recipe, and sweeten with one decent character who believes in the heroine (Merrie, Stuart’s sister).
Bon appetite!
February 11, 2010
Ivy Conley was a young eighteen-year old girl who's struggling through college despite having grown up in a relatively well-off family. Under-appreciated by her family, Ivy was rarely given anything except housework while her older sister, Rachel, got all the jewelleries and allowances. Their drunken father always believed Rachel’s lies about Ivy and when he died, he left everything he had to Rachel. Working part-time as well as dipping sparingly into an inheritance from an aunt, Ivy was barely survived while working her way through college.
On a visit one night to her wealthy best friend Merrie York’s home, Ivy runs into Merrie's older brother Stuart. Dispite the lies that Stuart had heard from Rachel about Ivy, he felt she was an innocent. However, their huge age difference drove a wedge between their blossoming feelings and Stuart abruptly pushed her away.
Fast forward a few years and they are brought back together by circumstance, one being the death of Ivy's sister Rachel. Long, Tall Texan to the rescue..be still my heart!!! lol
I love Diana Palmers books...what can I say?? I'm a hopless romantic!
On a visit one night to her wealthy best friend Merrie York’s home, Ivy runs into Merrie's older brother Stuart. Dispite the lies that Stuart had heard from Rachel about Ivy, he felt she was an innocent. However, their huge age difference drove a wedge between their blossoming feelings and Stuart abruptly pushed her away.
Fast forward a few years and they are brought back together by circumstance, one being the death of Ivy's sister Rachel. Long, Tall Texan to the rescue..be still my heart!!! lol
I love Diana Palmers books...what can I say?? I'm a hopless romantic!
February 5, 2015
Ivy was still a teenager when she inadvertently stumbled into Stuart York's arms. Singed by his fiery embrace, Ivy backed away and Stuart did his best to avoid her, fearing she was too young for him.
Now, years later, Ivy needs Stuart's help. Her sister, Rachel, is apparently involved with some heavy duty drug dealers. Rachel may even be one herself. Ivy detests that sort of life, but somehow feels obligated to try to help her sibling. Rachel, however, is in too deeply. The pure form of these powerful drugs eventually kills her, leaving Ivy with a host of questions.
Stuart does his best to protect his sister's best friend, Ivy Conley. Even though Ivy is now more mature, she's terribly inexperienced. Again and again, Stuart steps forward to save her and, in his efforts, learns a little bit more about this fascinating young woman. When danger threatens, Stuart throws caution to the winds, rushing forward to rescue her.
Now, years later, Ivy needs Stuart's help. Her sister, Rachel, is apparently involved with some heavy duty drug dealers. Rachel may even be one herself. Ivy detests that sort of life, but somehow feels obligated to try to help her sibling. Rachel, however, is in too deeply. The pure form of these powerful drugs eventually kills her, leaving Ivy with a host of questions.
Stuart does his best to protect his sister's best friend, Ivy Conley. Even though Ivy is now more mature, she's terribly inexperienced. Again and again, Stuart steps forward to save her and, in his efforts, learns a little bit more about this fascinating young woman. When danger threatens, Stuart throws caution to the winds, rushing forward to rescue her.
October 17, 2016
==>UPDATE: Re-read October 17, 2016
==>Relido em 06 de outubro de 2015
ROSAS DE INVERNO
Stuart York e Ivy Conley. Gostei da história, já tinha lido em inglês e recomendo! A heroína passa por dificuldades, mas sempre tenta se superar e dar o seu melhor, se mostrando um ser humano espetacular. O herói é ogro, mas se redime de maneira impecável.
==>Relido em 06 de outubro de 2015
ROSAS DE INVERNO
Stuart York e Ivy Conley. Gostei da história, já tinha lido em inglês e recomendo! A heroína passa por dificuldades, mas sempre tenta se superar e dar o seu melhor, se mostrando um ser humano espetacular. O herói é ogro, mas se redime de maneira impecável.
September 10, 2023
h had a cruel father and sister. She endured the abuse at home and became an independent woman. Although H was indifferent to her when she was 18. After she turned into 20 and needed him most, he showed up then lead to great ending.
April 5, 2013
Oh, this one was so sweet and cute and I loved it oh so terribly!! The only down point was the fact that it was so short.
August 4, 2015
Rating: 4 stars.
DP is always an automatic 4-5 stars. Need to reread it.
DP is always an automatic 4-5 stars. Need to reread it.
Read
September 28, 2023Es uno de los peores libros que he leído hasta ahora junto con Una casualidad inesperada.
Para empezar el título no sé qué tiene que ver con la historia, al menos yo no entendí la analogía. En ningún momento mencionaron a las rosas ni al invierno.
Si alguien entendió que me explique por favor.
La historia tampoco me gustó, me pareció demasiado plana al igual que los personajes.
El comportamiento de Stuart es bastante problemático y cuestionable, e Ivy, a pesar de esto, se siente atraída por él.
A Ivy le gusta que Stuart se "sobrepase" con ella, aun cuando la primera vez Stuart estuvo a muy poco de sobrepasarse de verdad sólo porque circulaban rumores de que Ivy era una "chica fácil".
Y este episodio pasó nada más ni nada menos que cuando Ivy, "la chica fácil", tenía 18 años mientras que Stuart 30.
Además de que Ivy en ese momento no estaba en sus 5 sentidos, y la justificación de él (a parte de los rumores) fue que como ella se comportaba raro pensó que se le estaba insinuando.😳😣
De lo peor que leído hasta ahora.
Para empezar el título no sé qué tiene que ver con la historia, al menos yo no entendí la analogía. En ningún momento mencionaron a las rosas ni al invierno.
Si alguien entendió que me explique por favor.
La historia tampoco me gustó, me pareció demasiado plana al igual que los personajes.
El comportamiento de Stuart es bastante problemático y cuestionable, e Ivy, a pesar de esto, se siente atraída por él.
A Ivy le gusta que Stuart se "sobrepase" con ella, aun cuando la primera vez Stuart estuvo a muy poco de sobrepasarse de verdad sólo porque circulaban rumores de que Ivy era una "chica fácil".
Y este episodio pasó nada más ni nada menos que cuando Ivy, "la chica fácil", tenía 18 años mientras que Stuart 30.
Además de que Ivy en ese momento no estaba en sus 5 sentidos, y la justificación de él (a parte de los rumores) fue que como ella se comportaba raro pensó que se le estaba insinuando.😳😣
De lo peor que leído hasta ahora.
November 26, 2017
Rating: D
Not a review, just some thoughts for personal reference.
There was a period when I read a ton of Diana Palmer (and pseudonyms) books. They were problematic then, but were kind of comfort reads for me. Sadly, they just irritate and anger me now. The author seems like a nice person IRL, but she probably needs to just gracefully retire from writing.
I won't do a synopsis since this is basically the same book she's written dozens of times, including the douchebag hero and doormat heroine. The book takes place in Jacobsville, Texas, and has cameos/references to scads of previous couples and events. The town has 5000 people (per the author) but includes countless millionaire ranchers and LEOs. And drug dealers. Of course, a lot of the drug dealers have shown up in earlier books, we're just getting the same old story from yet another perspective. It's so repetitive, and was torture to get thru.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2023
How should rate this book?
Yes, the beginning sounded promising ... Hero "hated" the heroine trope, whereas he was actually castigating himself inwardly for being attracted to his younger sister's best friend who was 10 years his junior. So what did a man have to do? He bullied her, of course. He made her feel unwelcome whenever she came over to visit his sister.
The story was interesting up until that point. After that, it went downhill. Heroine was almost 21 years old so Hero felt she was not the innocent, youngster she once was anymore, therefore he felt liberated. He was free to act on his existing attraction towards her.
Then ... everything just went smoothly it became boring. Too smooth with no conflicts whatsoever. Boring. Boring. Boring.
Yes, the beginning sounded promising ... Hero "hated" the heroine trope, whereas he was actually castigating himself inwardly for being attracted to his younger sister's best friend who was 10 years his junior. So what did a man have to do? He bullied her, of course. He made her feel unwelcome whenever she came over to visit his sister.
The story was interesting up until that point. After that, it went downhill. Heroine was almost 21 years old so Hero felt she was not the innocent, youngster she once was anymore, therefore he felt liberated. He was free to act on his existing attraction towards her.
Then ... everything just went smoothly it became boring. Too smooth with no conflicts whatsoever. Boring. Boring. Boring.
November 16, 2023
It was all rather dull dull dull. Nothing much really happened, the H was utterly unremarkable and beige, the h was pretty much the same. Their romance just sort of waffled along boringly until they both agreed to get married.
Now usually with DP we can expect some out and out cruelty, an injustice, an a whole heap of heartbreak to be inflicted on the h by the H. Here... he deliberately drove through town with a debutant... and apologized for it a few days later. Talk about DP lite, this was DP diet, zero, no sugar, no nothing.
Lots of stuff about the drug gangs/cartel around Jacobsville. Some setup between the local newspaper woman and sheriff for a future book.
Cash watch: yes Cash appears and has a speaking part. I don't recall hearing about Tippy, thank christ.
The only thing worth mentioning was when the creme de la creme of Jacobsville society were all doing the macarena during a charity dance... that was a whole new level of cringe.
Now usually with DP we can expect some out and out cruelty, an injustice, an a whole heap of heartbreak to be inflicted on the h by the H. Here... he deliberately drove through town with a debutant... and apologized for it a few days later. Talk about DP lite, this was DP diet, zero, no sugar, no nothing.
Lots of stuff about the drug gangs/cartel around Jacobsville. Some setup between the local newspaper woman and sheriff for a future book.
Cash watch: yes Cash appears and has a speaking part. I don't recall hearing about Tippy, thank christ.
The only thing worth mentioning was when the creme de la creme of Jacobsville society were all doing the macarena during a charity dance... that was a whole new level of cringe.
December 29, 2024
Well. There's grooming, an age gap that wasn't necessary for the story, and a very unbalanced power dynamic between the main characters. I liked the storyline with the sister but the "romance" felt forced and toxic. Even for 2007 when this was first published this was bad. And it did not age well.
He is older, rich, has a good relationship with his sister, runs a successful company, is experienced and gives straight up dom-vibes with some quickly glanced over anger issues to deal with on the side.
She is super young (we’re talking just barely legal here), dirt poor, completely alone, a people pleaser, and not only a virgin but she's so uninformed about basic attraction and how her own body works that she's depicted almost childlike in manner and knowledge.
It's giving cult vibes. Think religious fanatic upbringing far removed from modern society except here it's just supposed to be "cute" and "sweet" how they meet and interact. Yikes.
He is older, rich, has a good relationship with his sister, runs a successful company, is experienced and gives straight up dom-vibes with some quickly glanced over anger issues to deal with on the side.
She is super young (we’re talking just barely legal here), dirt poor, completely alone, a people pleaser, and not only a virgin but she's so uninformed about basic attraction and how her own body works that she's depicted almost childlike in manner and knowledge.
It's giving cult vibes. Think religious fanatic upbringing far removed from modern society except here it's just supposed to be "cute" and "sweet" how they meet and interact. Yikes.
November 4, 2018
Ivy Conley had a very hard life thanks to her jealous sister and her meddling. She grew up without a mother and her sister had poisoned her father and she was like a modern day Cinderella of sorts.
She has a best friend who has an older brother, Stuart York she has feelings for but after a stay at the house one weekend that led to her winding up in Stuart's arms but she was only 18 at the time. Stuart had pushed her away and shown her in no uncertain terms that she was not his type.
A few years later they ran into each other again and the feeling return tenfold for both of them. Ivy isn't a teenager any more and she needs him now more than ever.
This was a fast read and Stuart was not as mean as some of the other heroes of her stories. Ivy strives to be independent and she works hard. She is much like the typical Ms. Palmer heroines.
She has a best friend who has an older brother, Stuart York she has feelings for but after a stay at the house one weekend that led to her winding up in Stuart's arms but she was only 18 at the time. Stuart had pushed her away and shown her in no uncertain terms that she was not his type.
A few years later they ran into each other again and the feeling return tenfold for both of them. Ivy isn't a teenager any more and she needs him now more than ever.
This was a fast read and Stuart was not as mean as some of the other heroes of her stories. Ivy strives to be independent and she works hard. She is much like the typical Ms. Palmer heroines.
April 24, 2023
I love me some Diana Palmer.
But rainbows and unicorn farts aren't really my thing.
I know, I know. But the drugs, the dead sister etc.
I put up with that nonsense for the drama and the angst DP normally serves up; but didn't deliver for this particular story. Where was the "taciturn" hero? The hairy chest? The cruelty? The shit that really gets me off?
I got a good chuckle when while at a dance the sheriff announced to all and sundry they'd be sneaking up on a shipment of drugs. Pretty sure you just blew your cover, bucko.
But I became bored. Mind wandering... even with audiobook.
In the end I just couldn't stick with it.
By no means will I be giving up my DP obsession though.
But rainbows and unicorn farts aren't really my thing.
I know, I know. But the drugs, the dead sister etc.
I put up with that nonsense for the drama and the angst DP normally serves up; but didn't deliver for this particular story. Where was the "taciturn" hero? The hairy chest? The cruelty? The shit that really gets me off?
I got a good chuckle when while at a dance the sheriff announced to all and sundry they'd be sneaking up on a shipment of drugs. Pretty sure you just blew your cover, bucko.
But I became bored. Mind wandering... even with audiobook.
In the end I just couldn't stick with it.
By no means will I be giving up my DP obsession though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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