The Cattle Baron's Reluctant Mistress

by Lietha Wards

Leah was trying her best to help her father's meagre ranch survive the drought, but without the neighbor's help it seemed impossible. She gathered her courage to ask him for aid, but his terms were impossible. It was either become his mistress or let her father go bankrupt. Maybe the decision would have been easier if he wasn't so drop dead gorgeous!

Genres: Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Westerns, Romance, Modern

161 pages, ebook

First published March 1, 2012

Reviews

[Chantal ❤️]

CAN'T READ BECAUSE MISTRESS.

The whole, women being treated as a sexual play thing and the heroes paying for sex, is just not romantic for me. It rarely works and it just leads to my frustration.
Therefore, this one I will pass on it, for the sake of my sanity you understand.
However, I will read others by this author.

[Aou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soo cliche but I liked it. 3,5 stars.

[KatieV · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot was a good one if you like the blackmail trope (which I do). However, some of the plot choices did not flow organically (father's plot to get h to marry the H, for one). I understood why the author did it, she needed a way to put the characters in a certain place, but it needed to "feel" more plausible and flow with what we know of the characters. Yes, even in pseudo Harlequin land (and real Harlequin land for that matter).

Again, like in The Devil in a Stetson - Americans don't use 'bloody' as an expletive or at all unless it is meant more literally. As in 'I got punched in the face and now have a bloody nose'. There were also some other out-of-place word choices and turns of phrase. The heroine thought of herself as a 'wanton', for instance. That word doesn't jive with a country girl from Arizona. Not unless she's read a lot of Regencies. "Slut" - as much as I hate that word - would have been more likely term. There were also some other out-of-place wording that I can't exactly recall at the moment. The author needs an American friend, editor, etc to check for these things. I know I'd be terrified to write something taking place in another country without having someone from that culture de-Americanize it for me.

[Melluvsbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars - predictable easy read but it was pretty entertaining

[Mo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cheesy title and all that but I did enjoy it. Gruff, tough, sexy, rich, rancher. Younger, naive, virginal, sweet, nice daughter of the Rancher next door. Instant attraction. He wants her, sort of bribes her to be with him. The banter between the two is good. He is not used to his women being so independent or standing up to him. Ok, we have been there and done that loads of times but still it is nice to read a reliable story like this one.

[KathyB · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read, which started out entertaining but fell apart halfway through.

Not terrible, but nothing special.

[Kace | The Booknerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been in a slump for a bit when I decided to read Cattle Baron's Reluctant Mistress. I'm glad I did. It was a perfect book to save me from a long and terrible slump. It made me laugh; it was hot, it was sexy, it was a little bit angsty and swoon-worthy. Yes, the plot has been used too many times before. Yet, I found myself unable to tear myself from reading it. It just instantly hooked me from the first scene.

I liked Leah's character. She has both the sweetness, strength, and vulnerability of the usual Lietha Ward's heroine. She gave as good as she got and knew how to stand up for herself. You can't help but root for her.

Garrett was all alpha male with a good bit of asshole mixed in. What's not to love, right? He was the perfect mix of sweet, tender, and assholes. He wasn't to go after what he wanted, and he was honest about how he felt about Leah from the get-go. I have to admit he certainly had a way with words.

The sexual tension between them practically sizzles. It was built to the point of boiling, and when it finally happened? Well, damn hot! And aside from that, they also have really tender moments. The only thing I don't like was that the author waited for nine months or until she gave birth before she let them reunite. But I still enjoyed the book nonetheless. It's an excellent read with some hot yet tender romance that will have you chuckling and clutching your chest.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lietha Wards is my new favorite author! I will keep reading more of her books for sure. Garret and Leah's story was beautiful.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book on a grovel shelf but there wasn’t any groveling. That being said it was en ok read though. Not greatly written but if you want a quick read an like the blackmailed virgin trope, this is for you!

[Sassenak · Rating 1 out of 5]

The hero was an ass and though the heroine had her moments she was still (surprise, surprise) immediately cinvinced to give up her virginity (who would have thought?) to the manwhoring, handsome hero (what else is new?). If you keep in mind that he made it perfectly clear that all of this was a businessdeal to him, and, even though he swore to her he wouldn't do anything, she wasn't comfortable with, SHE WAS FUCKING DRUNK when he finally took advantage of her. Well, at least he assured her he wouldn't think of her as a whore, even though he basically tried to turn her into one!!!!!!!! Worst of all: he was threatening to take away her child if she didn't do as he told her to (btw: her father thought this was a great idea and told him to do so!!!!). But I don't know what I hoped for after his first deal (I'll help your dad if you give it up... come on, it's fun...).
Another "romance" novel that has crossed the line and perpetuates and promotes rape culture. Please people: Bodily reactionds are NOT the same as consent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Belong_to_him · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 Stars!

[Ginny Rodenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy this story every time I read it. Leah was such an innocent, but I can relate to that. Garrett was your typical he man. It was great to see how he came around.

[Rowena Baal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh! Lietha made me want to have a cowboy for myself.

[Prac Agrl · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5
An ok read. Sweet

[Maida (Medley of Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Cattle Baron's Reluctant Mistress was a very fun and light story to read. It was fast paced and very entertaining. Ms. Wards has truly sucked me in with her sweet and spicy romance stories...and of course, can’t forget about the cowboys!! ;D

The story is about Leah, a very hard worker who is trying her damn hardest to help her father’s ranch survive the drought. But, Leah knows that without her rich neighbor's help, the ranch would be lost. The only thing is, she can’t seem to find the words to ask him for help. And when she does and knocks on his door, she doesn’t expect to actually get his help......but at a price! Leah has to be his mistress or let her father go bankrupt. What’s worse is that this neighbor is freakin heart stopping gorgeous and sexy! So, with no choice at all, Leah has to accept his terms. But what Leah didn’t count on was a blossoming love and a world full of steamy passion!

To be honest, I really enjoyed Leah’s fun, innocent and sweet personality. That’s what I love about Ms. Ward’s books.....her female leads have a very innocent but not at all naive personality that draws the sexy cowboys in like a herd of cows!! As for this neighbor or Garrett Walsh, at first I had the same impression as with all of Ms. Ward’s ultra alpha males, “sexy, strong, big, smart...MY TYPE OF COWBOY!!”..but near the end I didn’t like his attitude. He started to get me annoyed with his constant denial to love Leah. I know that happens in most romance books...but this was different. I mean..he constantly hurts her feelings..but admits to taking care of her and its not until Leah leaves his life does he realize that he loves her! Now, don’t get me wrong I loved Garrett, but I just felt his character could have been better towards the ending of the story. I mean all main characters undergo some sort of personal realization...I don’t think Garrett did, hence my three star rating!

Beside’s this issue, overall I really enjoyed the story! And the ending was very sweet. I was very glad everything worked out as planned for Leah and Garrett in the end. Ms. Wards you never cease to amaze me with your work. Can’t wait to read more! =) I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a light and very fast paced read to pass the time with! =)

[Dar · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was sweet and just what I needed! Rich man buys a cattle ranch and his poor neighbours are a man and his beautiful young daughter - scene set! Rich man meets daughter, and wants her, like really, really bad. She has no idea it is him, and goes about life as normal. Circumstances intervene, she realizes who he is, and when she needs something from him, agrees to his price, her - story set! Debt gets paid but emotions got tied into to it, they both back away - conflict set! Normal nature takes its course based on their activities and she flees town, her dad is waiting with a rifle, but knows Garrett has the resources to find his little girl. Months fly by with no luck, but at the moment she needs them the most, she is found. Garrett uses Leah's father advice to bind her to him, but he hopes he hasn't gone too far. Happily-ever-after by the end of the book!

[Mellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the story but it would be better if the author would properly capitalize certain words. It would also be nice if she used commas in between statements because the meaning is sometimes lost to the readers. a little rechecking of the spelling and grammar would also be appreciated. :)
But the story per se was great!
a must read :))

[Aj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Your typical romance.

[Sumit · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

It ended well...that is all what counts!! It has a few errors, that's why 4.5......but the story is great!

[Anna Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms. Wards stories are amazing! I love most of her books!