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The Devil in a Stetson
Cassie Jensen was working as a waitress in a small town. She had just lost her father to a heart attack a few weeks before and was alone, broke and trying to stay strong. Then her luck had gone from bad to worse in a matter of days. The only one that had the means to help her was Blake Eckert, a rough and tough Cowboy who never took no for an answer. She had no choice to accept his help, but at what price?
166 pages, ebook
First published October 12, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
January 9, 2019
Just what I was looking for to break the long dry spell!
Blake and Cassie. An uber-dominant, irascible and arrogant cowboy who is super hot and gorgeous to boot, and a down-on-her-luck but spirited h with looks to match.
Not getting into the story because there’s nothing new to it, just the most adorable and heart-tugging chemistry! The H, who is too full of himself, is brought to heel by this scrappy little thing in the most sweetest loving way possible. It is most delightful the way she goes toe to toe with the big guy (most everyone is leery of, in this small town) and comes out tops even when he is being his usual butthead self and trying his damnedest to preserve his heart, his independence and his bachelorhood. But any fool could see that it was a losing battle.
The secondary romance between the H’s sister and the kid he brought up, is cute and adorable too. I can’t get over 18 y.o. Brad’s reaction when 16 y.o. Emma declares that she wanted to be a cheerleader. All the poor boy’s valiant efforts to hide his feelings from the H went right out the window.
“I‘ll kill any of them that come near you, Emma! Even if you so much look in the direction in one of those empty headed Jocks, I‘ll pound the crap out of them!”
“Jesus” Blake said, watching the two.
”You don‘t own me!” Emma shot back.
“Like hell!” Brad burst angrily.
Emma snapped her mouth shut and flushed completely red.
“Brad, outside.” Said Blake. “Now! ”
*sigh* Finally my faith that a good romance can lift the spirits is restored!
So a well deserved 4.5 stars, even if the writing and the plot may not have been the hottest.
Blake and Cassie. An uber-dominant, irascible and arrogant cowboy who is super hot and gorgeous to boot, and a down-on-her-luck but spirited h with looks to match.
Not getting into the story because there’s nothing new to it, just the most adorable and heart-tugging chemistry! The H, who is too full of himself, is brought to heel by this scrappy little thing in the most sweetest loving way possible. It is most delightful the way she goes toe to toe with the big guy (most everyone is leery of, in this small town) and comes out tops even when he is being his usual butthead self and trying his damnedest to preserve his heart, his independence and his bachelorhood. But any fool could see that it was a losing battle.
The secondary romance between the H’s sister and the kid he brought up, is cute and adorable too. I can’t get over 18 y.o. Brad’s reaction when 16 y.o. Emma declares that she wanted to be a cheerleader. All the poor boy’s valiant efforts to hide his feelings from the H went right out the window.
“I‘ll kill any of them that come near you, Emma! Even if you so much look in the direction in one of those empty headed Jocks, I‘ll pound the crap out of them!”
“Jesus” Blake said, watching the two.
”You don‘t own me!” Emma shot back.
“Like hell!” Brad burst angrily.
Emma snapped her mouth shut and flushed completely red.
“Brad, outside.” Said Blake. “Now! ”
*sigh* Finally my faith that a good romance can lift the spirits is restored!
So a well deserved 4.5 stars, even if the writing and the plot may not have been the hottest.
July 27, 2018
Read for the second time...
A delightful, super romantic novel with a surly, sexy and somewhat misogynistic H who doesn't want to fall in love at all and the damsel in distress heroine that he can't stay away from. And, there's no OW or OM drama and no cheating. This hero, Blake, was such an arrogant, bossy and opinionated guy but the beautiful young heroine was not a pushover. She wasn't passive but was fiesty enough without being a bitch. She was orphaned and faced with her late dad's debts and met the bad tempered hero while she was working at the town's diner. Blake, was a very rich rancher who was very cynical about women. He only used women for sex and was at times quite misogynistic because he distrusted women and thought they were all fortune hunters. Despite that, however, he went out of his way to help the heroine with her old rust-bucket trap of a car and ensured that she was safe. I loved how much he fought his feelings for her. At times it seemed as if he was mad at himself because he couldn't understand why the heroine was getting under his skin so much. He's not as bad or mean and vindictive as Diana Palmer's heroes, however. He's like those growly big dogs who make a lot of fuss just to prevent people from petting them, but don't actually have the heart to bite someone.
The heroine's introduction to the H is funny because her fellow waitress Marla ( who has the hots for him ) warns her about his sour disposition:
"That‘s Blake Eckert‘s truck. I just want you to be aware of him. He is mean to the bone and I wouldn't even try and joke with him."
"Oh dear," Cassie said. If the truck wasn‘t intimidating, the size of the man that just rounded the back end of the truck was. If Marla wouldn't joke with him, this had to be serious.
And Blake exceeded Marla's warning because he was extremely rude to the heroine:
Then one of his dark brows rose as he let his eyes move over her face in the same perusal that she was doing to him.
"Are you done woman?" he said in a tone of abrupt annoyance.
"P-pardon ?" she darted her eyes to his. Even though his voice was terse, it was still husky and deep.
"Are you done staring long enough to offer me coffee ?" He explained in the same tone. Even before she said anything she flushed,
"Sorry." She mumbled filling his cup.
"Now a menu would be a start," he continued not taking his eyes off of her, "unless you mean to read my mind. Good luck with that. You won‘t be the first woman to try."
This is the H, Blake:
Blake went out of his way to avoid Cassie but each time she needed rescuing, he was there to help. When her old car broke down, he took it to his mechanic and paid for it to be fixed. When the mechanic put in an engine that's too souped up/powerful for the car and she gets into an accident, he loans her a Mercedes so she can go to work. And, when a lecherous old guy called Ernie keeps making passes at her, Blake goes on a full alpha male silent threat rampage and warns the guy to stay away from her.
This is Blake engaging in his stare off with lecherous Ernie:
This is the heroine Cassie:
I would've given this 5 stars but there were some issues with punctuation and formatting. The storyline itself, however, was reminiscent of vintage romance novels with uncommunicative H's who are besotted from the very first encounter but who fight their insta-love all the way to the very end. Blake is one of those rare asshole H's that I actually liked because I knew that he was all bark and no bite. His attitude wasn't spiteful or hateful and he was so obsessed with Cassie without even knowing it. And Cassie eventually got tired of his pushing and pulling; she gave him back his car, quit her job at the diner and started working for lecherous old Ernie as a secretary. This happened after an aborted lovemaking session, where Blake said some mean things and accused her of trying to trap him. The H went crazy with jealousy when he found out she was working for old Ernie:
Then the door flew open and as large as life, there was Blake filling the doorway looking fit to be tied. Without a word he came in the office rounded her desk and grabbed her arm hauling her out of her chair.
"Blake !"
"What the hell's wrong with you?" he practically bellowed, as he hauled her out of the front door.
"Let go ! You‘re hurting."
Once out in the yard, he released her and spun around to glare down at her,
"Are you insane?" He was so loud that she swore her hair blew back with that bark. She narrowed her gaze,
"I have no choice !"
"There are always choices Cass !"
"I won't owe anyone ! I have—"
He glared down at her,
"Just because I didn't take what you tried to pay me with, doesn't mean that Ernie won't, or did he?"
She slapped him. It didn't even move him at all, but she could see the red mark on his cheek starting to form and his jaw clenching in restrained rage. She didn't care because those words crushed her.
The author also showed that Blake had a kind and philanthropic heart because there's a minor storyline involving an orphaned teenage boy named Brad, who's been adopted by the hero. Blake's the kind of H who hides his golden heart from everyone because he doesn't want people to think he's weak or, God forbid, that he's kind or nice. He enjoyed it when the townsfolk whispered about how ill tempered and unfriendly he was because it meant that he could keep them at a distance. Yet, he broke all of his own rules by letting Cassie get under his protective shield and she did suffer for it because of his rudeness. I think his rudeness was actually a defense mechanism. I did hate him a bit for the way he treated Cassie after they had sex for the first time. He gave her the silent treatment, pushed her away and left her alone to go and sort out an emergency about his runaway teenage half sister. Then she ended up being accosted by Ernie but she defended herself against his attempted rape by smashing him on the head with a pot. The H turns up shortly afterwards and is filled with guilt because he'd left her alone; he blames himself for what almost happened with Ernie but Ernie's arrested before Blake can give him a well deserved beating. Blake does grovel quite a lot and this makes up for his earlier rudeness:
"No other woman in the world could brag about the way I covet you Cassie." His expression became serious.
"My heart stops whenever I lay my eyes on you." A tear escaped one of her eyes and fell down her cheek into her hair.
"You drive me completely insane and I honestly can't see myself living without you. There's nothing that you do that irritates me, and I irritate easily."
"God you‘re so damn conceited," she smiled. His expression turned devilish and he pushed into her causing her to gasp,
"So tell me I don't have a reason to be."
Her arms went around him.
A delightful, super romantic novel with a surly, sexy and somewhat misogynistic H who doesn't want to fall in love at all and the damsel in distress heroine that he can't stay away from. And, there's no OW or OM drama and no cheating. This hero, Blake, was such an arrogant, bossy and opinionated guy but the beautiful young heroine was not a pushover. She wasn't passive but was fiesty enough without being a bitch. She was orphaned and faced with her late dad's debts and met the bad tempered hero while she was working at the town's diner. Blake, was a very rich rancher who was very cynical about women. He only used women for sex and was at times quite misogynistic because he distrusted women and thought they were all fortune hunters. Despite that, however, he went out of his way to help the heroine with her old rust-bucket trap of a car and ensured that she was safe. I loved how much he fought his feelings for her. At times it seemed as if he was mad at himself because he couldn't understand why the heroine was getting under his skin so much. He's not as bad or mean and vindictive as Diana Palmer's heroes, however. He's like those growly big dogs who make a lot of fuss just to prevent people from petting them, but don't actually have the heart to bite someone.
The heroine's introduction to the H is funny because her fellow waitress Marla ( who has the hots for him ) warns her about his sour disposition:
"That‘s Blake Eckert‘s truck. I just want you to be aware of him. He is mean to the bone and I wouldn't even try and joke with him."
"Oh dear," Cassie said. If the truck wasn‘t intimidating, the size of the man that just rounded the back end of the truck was. If Marla wouldn't joke with him, this had to be serious.
And Blake exceeded Marla's warning because he was extremely rude to the heroine:
Then one of his dark brows rose as he let his eyes move over her face in the same perusal that she was doing to him.
"Are you done woman?" he said in a tone of abrupt annoyance.
"P-pardon ?" she darted her eyes to his. Even though his voice was terse, it was still husky and deep.
"Are you done staring long enough to offer me coffee ?" He explained in the same tone. Even before she said anything she flushed,
"Sorry." She mumbled filling his cup.
"Now a menu would be a start," he continued not taking his eyes off of her, "unless you mean to read my mind. Good luck with that. You won‘t be the first woman to try."
This is the H, Blake:
Blake went out of his way to avoid Cassie but each time she needed rescuing, he was there to help. When her old car broke down, he took it to his mechanic and paid for it to be fixed. When the mechanic put in an engine that's too souped up/powerful for the car and she gets into an accident, he loans her a Mercedes so she can go to work. And, when a lecherous old guy called Ernie keeps making passes at her, Blake goes on a full alpha male silent threat rampage and warns the guy to stay away from her.
This is Blake engaging in his stare off with lecherous Ernie:
This is the heroine Cassie:
I would've given this 5 stars but there were some issues with punctuation and formatting. The storyline itself, however, was reminiscent of vintage romance novels with uncommunicative H's who are besotted from the very first encounter but who fight their insta-love all the way to the very end. Blake is one of those rare asshole H's that I actually liked because I knew that he was all bark and no bite. His attitude wasn't spiteful or hateful and he was so obsessed with Cassie without even knowing it. And Cassie eventually got tired of his pushing and pulling; she gave him back his car, quit her job at the diner and started working for lecherous old Ernie as a secretary. This happened after an aborted lovemaking session, where Blake said some mean things and accused her of trying to trap him. The H went crazy with jealousy when he found out she was working for old Ernie:
Then the door flew open and as large as life, there was Blake filling the doorway looking fit to be tied. Without a word he came in the office rounded her desk and grabbed her arm hauling her out of her chair.
"Blake !"
"What the hell's wrong with you?" he practically bellowed, as he hauled her out of the front door.
"Let go ! You‘re hurting."
Once out in the yard, he released her and spun around to glare down at her,
"Are you insane?" He was so loud that she swore her hair blew back with that bark. She narrowed her gaze,
"I have no choice !"
"There are always choices Cass !"
"I won't owe anyone ! I have—"
He glared down at her,
"Just because I didn't take what you tried to pay me with, doesn't mean that Ernie won't, or did he?"
She slapped him. It didn't even move him at all, but she could see the red mark on his cheek starting to form and his jaw clenching in restrained rage. She didn't care because those words crushed her.
The author also showed that Blake had a kind and philanthropic heart because there's a minor storyline involving an orphaned teenage boy named Brad, who's been adopted by the hero. Blake's the kind of H who hides his golden heart from everyone because he doesn't want people to think he's weak or, God forbid, that he's kind or nice. He enjoyed it when the townsfolk whispered about how ill tempered and unfriendly he was because it meant that he could keep them at a distance. Yet, he broke all of his own rules by letting Cassie get under his protective shield and she did suffer for it because of his rudeness. I think his rudeness was actually a defense mechanism. I did hate him a bit for the way he treated Cassie after they had sex for the first time. He gave her the silent treatment, pushed her away and left her alone to go and sort out an emergency about his runaway teenage half sister. Then she ended up being accosted by Ernie but she defended herself against his attempted rape by smashing him on the head with a pot. The H turns up shortly afterwards and is filled with guilt because he'd left her alone; he blames himself for what almost happened with Ernie but Ernie's arrested before Blake can give him a well deserved beating. Blake does grovel quite a lot and this makes up for his earlier rudeness:
"No other woman in the world could brag about the way I covet you Cassie." His expression became serious.
"My heart stops whenever I lay my eyes on you." A tear escaped one of her eyes and fell down her cheek into her hair.
"You drive me completely insane and I honestly can't see myself living without you. There's nothing that you do that irritates me, and I irritate easily."
"God you‘re so damn conceited," she smiled. His expression turned devilish and he pushed into her causing her to gasp,
"So tell me I don't have a reason to be."
Her arms went around him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2016
Hummmm where did my review go here?!!
Rewrite in progress.
Will post soon.
Rewrite in progress.
Will post soon.
July 29, 2022
3.5 stars.
Oh boy. If you like a story with an unrepentantly arrogant Hero then this is the book for you! It was highly enjoyable. Cassie is a sweet 20 year old virgin (*sigh*) who's very intelligent, capable and mature beyond her years. After her father recently passed away, she had to drop out of college and take a job at a diner. She moved to a new town and has made some tentative new friendships but her father left her heavily in debt so she is working hard to pay all of that off. While working in the diner, she meets our Hero Blake, said Devil in the title. He is rich, gorgeous (and he knows it) and hates women. He treats our sweet h with contempt, but before long he is watching out for her and taking care of her problems.
The most entertaining part of this book was watching Blake try to deny to himself, his friends, Cassie, and anyone within 20 miles that he is not interested in that girl. But all the while he is tying himself in knots over her. Cassie stands up to him from the beginning and doesn't let him push her around. Poor Cassie is so innocent that she's never even kissed a man and doesn't know what to make of Blake. He is constantly running hot and cold. He rude, arrogant, mean and doesn't care what anyone thinks. He's really a big fat jerk but perfect for Cassie.
Safety was good
The grammar and spelling in this book were terrible, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment. If those things bother you, it may detract from yours.
Oh boy. If you like a story with an unrepentantly arrogant Hero then this is the book for you! It was highly enjoyable. Cassie is a sweet 20 year old virgin (*sigh*) who's very intelligent, capable and mature beyond her years. After her father recently passed away, she had to drop out of college and take a job at a diner. She moved to a new town and has made some tentative new friendships but her father left her heavily in debt so she is working hard to pay all of that off. While working in the diner, she meets our Hero Blake, said Devil in the title. He is rich, gorgeous (and he knows it) and hates women. He treats our sweet h with contempt, but before long he is watching out for her and taking care of her problems.
The most entertaining part of this book was watching Blake try to deny to himself, his friends, Cassie, and anyone within 20 miles that he is not interested in that girl. But all the while he is tying himself in knots over her. Cassie stands up to him from the beginning and doesn't let him push her around. Poor Cassie is so innocent that she's never even kissed a man and doesn't know what to make of Blake. He is constantly running hot and cold. He rude, arrogant, mean and doesn't care what anyone thinks. He's really a big fat jerk but perfect for Cassie.
Safety was good
The grammar and spelling in this book were terrible, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment. If those things bother you, it may detract from yours.
February 15, 2023
This is a soapy-ish cowboy romance between Blake and Cassie. It’s pretty standard…
✅ Age gap 20/32
✅ Rich broody-woman hater H that doesn’t want to care but can’t help obsessing over the h.
✅ Down on her luck orphan h in need of rescuing.
✅ Creepy OM lurking about.
The only thing missing for me was a wannabe OW stirring the pot.
Bottom Line- This is cowboy soap, so I wouldn’t recommend if you’re in the mood for feels or a complex plot. It’s a quick, easy read with an arrogant-grumpy cowboy and a damsel with some backbone.
✅ Age gap 20/32
✅ Rich broody-woman hater H that doesn’t want to care but can’t help obsessing over the h.
✅ Down on her luck orphan h in need of rescuing.
✅ Creepy OM lurking about.
The only thing missing for me was a wannabe OW stirring the pot.
Bottom Line- This is cowboy soap, so I wouldn’t recommend if you’re in the mood for feels or a complex plot. It’s a quick, easy read with an arrogant-grumpy cowboy and a damsel with some backbone.
November 16, 2016
Cassie the sweetheart and Blake the woman-hater. Blake doesn't think much of women, and he wastes no time telling so to Cassie. She's too young and far too pretty to be as genuinly nice a person as she seems, and he's a natural born cynic.
But that's fine by Cassy, except that they keep running into each other and it's like oil and water. Blake does a lot of pushing and pulling, but it didn't get tiresome because there was no OW trouble. A nicely balanced, predictable yet comfortable read. Prob no really 4 star but I enjoyed it.
But that's fine by Cassy, except that they keep running into each other and it's like oil and water. Blake does a lot of pushing and pulling, but it didn't get tiresome because there was no OW trouble. A nicely balanced, predictable yet comfortable read. Prob no really 4 star but I enjoyed it.
July 28, 2018
I didn't like this at all. The only reason I gave it one star was because it was safe. That's it. It's faster to list the reasons.
1) The writing is too much telling, not enough showing. The author just has the characters state facts, feelings, or thoughts. It was boring to read.
2) The h was totally ridiculous. The H is mean to her and all she can think is "that's too bad. He's good looking and we probably have loads in common." That was after having exchanged a couple of sentences with the H where he's basically insulting her the whole time. Really? What do they have in common? That they live in the same town? That they're both alive? And human? Give me a break.
3) The H is a big jerk. He's also a chauvinist. This is what someone who actually likes him says about him: "He is a good man Cass, if you remember that always, then his temper is nothing. He‘d never lay a hand on a woman in anger even though his words can tear them to shreds." Haha. I don't even know what to say about that. All I know is, the saying "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me" is a lie.
4) The H is very experienced and the h is a virgin. Le sigh. I just can't even any more with this trope. And of course she turns into a puddle of goo whenever he gives her a heated look, or kisses her, or is in her general vicinity. I can't stand an h who forgets about how utterly mean and nasty the H is to her just because he's hot and a good kisser.
5) The inequality. The H is rich and keeps helping out the poor, broke h. The whole town thinks she's sleeping with him when she's not. The imbalance between them was uncomfortable.
6) The lack of romance. H loses his temper/is in a bad mood because of something unrelated to the h/woke up on the wrong side of the bed that morning. Heroine forgives him. He doesn't apologize but makes her feel tingly all over instead. And repeat. He never proposes but instead tells her that she'll marry him. Can you tell I'm sighing as I type this?
7) This is a little thing, but the H's housekeeper is Italian, has family in Italy and cooks a lot of Italian food. And yet she calls the H señor and the h señorita, instead of signor and signorina.
1) The writing is too much telling, not enough showing. The author just has the characters state facts, feelings, or thoughts. It was boring to read.
2) The h was totally ridiculous. The H is mean to her and all she can think is "that's too bad. He's good looking and we probably have loads in common." That was after having exchanged a couple of sentences with the H where he's basically insulting her the whole time. Really? What do they have in common? That they live in the same town? That they're both alive? And human? Give me a break.
3) The H is a big jerk. He's also a chauvinist. This is what someone who actually likes him says about him: "He is a good man Cass, if you remember that always, then his temper is nothing. He‘d never lay a hand on a woman in anger even though his words can tear them to shreds." Haha. I don't even know what to say about that. All I know is, the saying "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me" is a lie.
4) The H is very experienced and the h is a virgin. Le sigh. I just can't even any more with this trope. And of course she turns into a puddle of goo whenever he gives her a heated look, or kisses her, or is in her general vicinity. I can't stand an h who forgets about how utterly mean and nasty the H is to her just because he's hot and a good kisser.
5) The inequality. The H is rich and keeps helping out the poor, broke h. The whole town thinks she's sleeping with him when she's not. The imbalance between them was uncomfortable.
6) The lack of romance. H loses his temper/is in a bad mood because of something unrelated to the h/woke up on the wrong side of the bed that morning. Heroine forgives him. He doesn't apologize but makes her feel tingly all over instead. And repeat. He never proposes but instead tells her that she'll marry him. Can you tell I'm sighing as I type this?
7) This is a little thing, but the H's housekeeper is Italian, has family in Italy and cooks a lot of Italian food. And yet she calls the H señor and the h señorita, instead of signor and signorina.
March 2, 2020
Horrible and childish MCs & plot but I've read it in two or three hours. 🙈
April 28, 2014
I assumed this would be different based on the description. I suppose I'm far too accustomed to those Harlequins where the ruthless, rich hero takes unfair advantage of the poor, innocent heroine's situation and basically blackmails her into bed. This H is too honorable for that.... dammit. LOL.
The H is an abrasive ass, but doesn't think she owes him anything. In other words, it's nowhere near as naughty as it sounds. The sex scenes are pretty tame and close to the end.
I do believe this would appeal to those who like a male who believes a woman's place is at home. YMMV, but it bothered me that she apparently abandoned her college dreams and agreed to be 'barefoot and pregnant' for life. Well, not barefoot since the H is super rich, but you get my point.
The story is mostly about how the H doesn't see himself as the marrying, settling down type and is battling his irresistible attraction to the heroine who is over a decade younger and obviously inexperienced. In the process, he drives her crazy with mixed signals and fits of jealousy. There's also a lot regarding his 16 yr old sister and the 18 yr old homeless kid he took in being in love. Yes, he takes in homeless kids and raises them as his own and probably saves kittens from trees too - after cursing them out for being too cute and fluffy.
One thing that bugged me. It was obvious that the author wasn't American yet she was writing American working class characters. There's nothing wrong with that, I admire someone who has the courage to write about a place/culture that is different from their own. HOWEVER, Americans do not use 'bloody' as an expletive (at least none of the ones I know). We may use it if we're trying to be silly or sound British, but it's not something these characters would say or think. Yes, I'm being a nitpicker.
The H is an abrasive ass, but doesn't think she owes him anything. In other words, it's nowhere near as naughty as it sounds. The sex scenes are pretty tame and close to the end.
I do believe this would appeal to those who like a male who believes a woman's place is at home. YMMV, but it bothered me that she apparently abandoned her college dreams and agreed to be 'barefoot and pregnant' for life. Well, not barefoot since the H is super rich, but you get my point.
The story is mostly about how the H doesn't see himself as the marrying, settling down type and is battling his irresistible attraction to the heroine who is over a decade younger and obviously inexperienced. In the process, he drives her crazy with mixed signals and fits of jealousy. There's also a lot regarding his 16 yr old sister and the 18 yr old homeless kid he took in being in love. Yes, he takes in homeless kids and raises them as his own and probably saves kittens from trees too - after cursing them out for being too cute and fluffy.
One thing that bugged me. It was obvious that the author wasn't American yet she was writing American working class characters. There's nothing wrong with that, I admire someone who has the courage to write about a place/culture that is different from their own. HOWEVER, Americans do not use 'bloody' as an expletive (at least none of the ones I know). We may use it if we're trying to be silly or sound British, but it's not something these characters would say or think. Yes, I'm being a nitpicker.
February 13, 2017
This is an old read about Cassie who is now on her own after losing her Dad. She is trying to pay her father's debts and support herself. She is very attractive but doesn't give many men the time because she is busy. She runs into the hero Blake when her car breaks down. He is definitely alphole type but he does help her in many ways asking for nothing in return while still having moments you get to pissed at him. He is also much older than her which is another reason he hesitates with her.
It was more push pull than I normally do but I still enjoyed the story. It wasn't super insta love but it wasn't super slow burn either.
It was more push pull than I normally do but I still enjoyed the story. It wasn't super insta love but it wasn't super slow burn either.
April 13, 2018
I honestly didn’t expect to like this book so much, but I did. It’s a sweet romance complete with an Uber-alpha hero and a virgin heroine. He is quite an asshat throughout the book, but he is just so yummmmmy. The heroine, I think was the sweetest the most MarySue character like ever, almost Madonna-esqe in her kindness. Also it’s a very short book, I finished it in under 2 hours lol.
April 15, 2012
UPDATE!!
4.5 STARS
Ms. Wards how do you always manage to completely win me over!!?? The Devil in a Stetson was a wonderful read and I really enjoyed it! Again we have a great story with hot characters! I loved it! =)
Cassie Jensen is a waitress working her butt off trying to repay all her debts. She lost her father to a heart attack a few weeks before and due to his medical expenses she had no money, no one to count on and she was completely alone. Then something unfortunate happens and Cassie’s life turns into a pile of crap. What’s worse is that the only one who could help her was Blake Eckert, the cold-hearted cowboy who was as mean as they come. He left Cassie no choice but to accept his help.
I just Loved Blake! He was big, gruff, and tough in a sexy body to die for!! HE WAS A HUNK!!

I loved his interactions with Cassie and you could tell what great chemistry the two had together! He was always so nice and “soft” around Cassie and I loved that side of him! It was really SEXY..LOL ;p He was possessive and protective of Cassie as well..so of course naturally I am sucker for such alpha male characters! Teeheeee...XD I just really really really liked him! *note my over the top enthusiasm*
Cassie is sweet, innocent, independent and hardworking. A truly great heroine to admire. I loved her personality as well. She had such a big heart and I was totally awed by her courage to stand up to Blake when he was being nasty and not take his comments to heart! Which was a great thing because Blake admired that quality in her as well.
The one thing I was disappointed in I guess was the fact that Cassie doesn’t really have the usual tragic past that Ms. Wards heroines have. I guess I am used to that type of character and story by Ms. Wards and found it odd. But other than that...I truly enjoyed this book!
Ms. Wards your stories are something else entirely....and every time I finish a new one. I always am so glad that I know your work! It would have been tragic NOT to have read your amazing stories! I look forward to more great stories by you! =)
December 12, 2016
Blake Eckert is used to the women in his town, they are always looking to catch his eye and hope they would catch it enough to marry. Blake wasn't having it though and when he meets Cassie Jensen working at the diner, he figures she is just another one. He couldn't be more wrong, Cassie isa proud woman who recently lost her father, she is making ends meet to pay of her debts and get on with her life.
When Blake expresses interest and a little bit of respect, Cassie doesn't know what to think about the hot tempered man who is sending mixed signals. Blake needs to decide if he wants Cassie enough to keep her or push her away enough that someone else will claim her.
This was a great one. I liked Cassie and was ready to strangle Blake. He freaks and in such a way you want a little groveling for Cassie's hand. This is the type of book you pick up and don't put down until the end. Wonderful read with a hot alpha male.
When Blake expresses interest and a little bit of respect, Cassie doesn't know what to think about the hot tempered man who is sending mixed signals. Blake needs to decide if he wants Cassie enough to keep her or push her away enough that someone else will claim her.
This was a great one. I liked Cassie and was ready to strangle Blake. He freaks and in such a way you want a little groveling for Cassie's hand. This is the type of book you pick up and don't put down until the end. Wonderful read with a hot alpha male.
did-not-finish
February 2, 2016Having just revisited my own problematic fave, Kristen Ashley, I was open to trying this author on another blogger's recommendation. While many of Ashley's issues could be fixed by streamlining her books and recycling fewer plot elements (Rock Chicks, I'm looking at you), this book was just *boring*. I wasn't a fan of the writing style, which switches POV from paragraph to paragraph, and these characters weren't interesting enough to compensate for that.
August 7, 2017
Decent read
The writing was okay, not the best. The story was predictable.
Spoilers:
Everything went a bit too perfectly. The ending was tied up in a rushed happily-ever-after, which annoyed me a little bit. There were a few subjects that were brought up in the beginning and never really dealt with during the whole book, which makes one wonder what was the whole reason of bringing them up in the first place (heroine's studies to become a doctor, her dad selling her horse, her being able to do ranch work but still settling to just pop out babies and making food).
The writing was okay, not the best. The story was predictable.
Spoilers:
Everything went a bit too perfectly. The ending was tied up in a rushed happily-ever-after, which annoyed me a little bit. There were a few subjects that were brought up in the beginning and never really dealt with during the whole book, which makes one wonder what was the whole reason of bringing them up in the first place (heroine's studies to become a doctor, her dad selling her horse, her being able to do ranch work but still settling to just pop out babies and making food).
Read
May 6, 2020dnf- author used you’re instead of your a lot... also the writing itself was odd and lacking structure
February 20, 2023
Oh dear cowboy.
August 10, 2014
May contain spoilers.
I was looking for a shy heroine. This is not a shy girl, but an innocent one, so that is different and as you can see, I didn't quite get what I was looking for (these book-shelves are sometimes really messed up). However it was nice that Cassie didn't blew up - she actually had selfcontrol, which made the read a lot more enjoyable, than I feared (I am sick of these women, blowing up in everybody's faces and kicking everybody's ass as if they had every right to. urg.)
Blake was quite nice too - I mean he was a guy you could get quite hard along with, insulting people and so on. I don't really have a real problem with this and it was quite alright. And one thing that seemed to be quite a match: both characters were old fashioned. He wanted a wife in the kitchen and family and so on and although she was studying medicine, it didn't seem to be her way of life, and she wanted more of a family and staying at home, than anything else. Also she came from a farming family and it appeared to me that she missed that life and would chose it happily over a carrier and studying.
What annoyed me though were quite a few things:
1. Okay, she is a sweet, little girl with incredible boobs. However that doesn't mean that the whole town has to be after her. I am kind of getting sick of these storys, where the innocent woman is a bombshell as I haven't met a single innocent bombshell in real life. (if there are any out there, please shout out. but I just believe to be a bombshell you also need a bit of sexual experience)
2. Yeah. I got it. He had a hard life growing up. I got that the first time, when Marla told that Cassie. It doesn't need to be repeated over and over.
3. And yes - he is a hard man, who is easily misunderstood. Nevertheless, it doesn't need to be repeated over and over again.
4. Why. Oh, why do the point of views change so often? I don't need to know every thought that is swirling around in outerspace. These thoughts can be shown on the faces of the characters and be perceived through the vision of the protagonist. I would rather like it more if the book had been written solely in the POV of Cassie and Blake. It gives me enough insight, and I don't need everything to be spelled out before me. (I am not that stupid, you know?^^)
Or maybe - one scene out of one point of view. Not dozens.
6. The money topic. Yeah, I realize that Cassie kind of slithered in this whole broken-car-no-money-debts-thing. But it got on my nerves that she didn't try to break it to Blake in a normal tone. It felt so wishy-washy everytime she tried to explain it.
7. Virgin thing. So she is a virgin SPOILER AHEAD! and they were going to sleep with each other and then she told him and he walked out on her? He f*cking walked out on her! And brought her home! And afterwards he expected her to apologize to him! And she felt bad about it! I actually had to skip back and read the scene again, because I just couldn't believe it. - afterwards it got better because of this:
""You should apologize, Blake", she told him, crossing her arms under her breasts." That was when I started to like Cassie a lot more.
8. The Emma-Brad-Thing. I thought it was real cute and I liked their story - until the running-away-business started. That was way, way over the top. And together with the Ernie-Thing: too much. Good golly.
And why do they need to be married to have sex? Talk about hypocrites - Blake was allowed to have sex too without marrying.
9. The epilogue. That had something like a checklist-feeling. Yeah, we need a epilogue, so let's throw a little bit together and finish this sh*t. Sorry, my sarcasm is coming out.
Okay, these nine points didn't fit too well with me. Overall I think it was a nice read with a few sweet lines and I liked Cassie, although sometimes I had the wish to strangle her.
I was looking for a shy heroine. This is not a shy girl, but an innocent one, so that is different and as you can see, I didn't quite get what I was looking for (these book-shelves are sometimes really messed up). However it was nice that Cassie didn't blew up - she actually had selfcontrol, which made the read a lot more enjoyable, than I feared (I am sick of these women, blowing up in everybody's faces and kicking everybody's ass as if they had every right to. urg.)
Blake was quite nice too - I mean he was a guy you could get quite hard along with, insulting people and so on. I don't really have a real problem with this and it was quite alright. And one thing that seemed to be quite a match: both characters were old fashioned. He wanted a wife in the kitchen and family and so on and although she was studying medicine, it didn't seem to be her way of life, and she wanted more of a family and staying at home, than anything else. Also she came from a farming family and it appeared to me that she missed that life and would chose it happily over a carrier and studying.
What annoyed me though were quite a few things:
1. Okay, she is a sweet, little girl with incredible boobs. However that doesn't mean that the whole town has to be after her. I am kind of getting sick of these storys, where the innocent woman is a bombshell as I haven't met a single innocent bombshell in real life. (if there are any out there, please shout out. but I just believe to be a bombshell you also need a bit of sexual experience)
2. Yeah. I got it. He had a hard life growing up. I got that the first time, when Marla told that Cassie. It doesn't need to be repeated over and over.
3. And yes - he is a hard man, who is easily misunderstood. Nevertheless, it doesn't need to be repeated over and over again.
4. Why. Oh, why do the point of views change so often? I don't need to know every thought that is swirling around in outerspace. These thoughts can be shown on the faces of the characters and be perceived through the vision of the protagonist. I would rather like it more if the book had been written solely in the POV of Cassie and Blake. It gives me enough insight, and I don't need everything to be spelled out before me. (I am not that stupid, you know?^^)
Or maybe - one scene out of one point of view. Not dozens.
6. The money topic. Yeah, I realize that Cassie kind of slithered in this whole broken-car-no-money-debts-thing. But it got on my nerves that she didn't try to break it to Blake in a normal tone. It felt so wishy-washy everytime she tried to explain it.
7. Virgin thing. So she is a virgin SPOILER AHEAD! and they were going to sleep with each other and then she told him and he walked out on her? He f*cking walked out on her! And brought her home! And afterwards he expected her to apologize to him! And she felt bad about it! I actually had to skip back and read the scene again, because I just couldn't believe it. - afterwards it got better because of this:
""You should apologize, Blake", she told him, crossing her arms under her breasts." That was when I started to like Cassie a lot more.
8. The Emma-Brad-Thing. I thought it was real cute and I liked their story - until the running-away-business started. That was way, way over the top. And together with the Ernie-Thing: too much. Good golly.
And why do they need to be married to have sex? Talk about hypocrites - Blake was allowed to have sex too without marrying.
9. The epilogue. That had something like a checklist-feeling. Yeah, we need a epilogue, so let's throw a little bit together and finish this sh*t. Sorry, my sarcasm is coming out.
Okay, these nine points didn't fit too well with me. Overall I think it was a nice read with a few sweet lines and I liked Cassie, although sometimes I had the wish to strangle her.
January 1, 2018
- will add review later.
August 10, 2016
Hrmz could be a me thing, in a bit of a funk starting and dropping a few other books and picked this one up since it's short, but probably should have changed things up a bit first. Or it could be just Wards' style that wasn't my cuppa.
I like the premise and the grouchy H is actually very sweet doing all the things for the h just because he feels a need to protect her and of course because he's got a soft spot for her. Our h is also sweet without being too naïve, and she does know how to say no to our H when she didn't like something.
On the other hand, based on what happened all along, I expect to be a lot more invested in our protagonists but it didn't happen. Like I said, I think it's just Wards' style not meshing with my preference. I know the H cares a lot for our h and we shouldn't based his feelings on his actions (or rather reactions in some instances) and words, yet I am not fond of solely inferencing from a book and this seems to be Wards' style, as the H doesn't speak much about the softy girlie feelings much, but rather just acts on their feelings by being protective and loving to our h. It just makes it very confusing to read, as his actions and words just don't mesh with his thoughts, and in the beginning they actually do, as he's in a long stage of denial, so it's a double negative we're getting all along. It just makes it very confusing for me to read (unfortunately I need things to be spelled out more clearly) especially when there are too many instances when H lashed out at or walked away from our h to the point of being insulting and hurtful without any apology whatsoever afterwards. While I understand the prior and why he would act that way, I couldn't forgive the latter. Communication is a big part in a relationship for me, and it just doesn't sit right with me to just gloss over all these happenings without too much of an explanation or even a tinge of remorse.
I love the mid western small town setting and the supporting cast is actually very nice to read about, except for the other subplot that to me just took away too much pages and focus of the story. Given the length of this book, I do not think it's necessary to be there especially when it seems these two really barely have any together time as it is...
I like the premise and the grouchy H is actually very sweet doing all the things for the h just because he feels a need to protect her and of course because he's got a soft spot for her. Our h is also sweet without being too naïve, and she does know how to say no to our H when she didn't like something.
On the other hand, based on what happened all along, I expect to be a lot more invested in our protagonists but it didn't happen. Like I said, I think it's just Wards' style not meshing with my preference. I know the H cares a lot for our h and we shouldn't based his feelings on his actions (or rather reactions in some instances) and words, yet I am not fond of solely inferencing from a book and this seems to be Wards' style, as the H doesn't speak much about the softy girlie feelings much, but rather just acts on their feelings by being protective and loving to our h. It just makes it very confusing to read, as his actions and words just don't mesh with his thoughts, and in the beginning they actually do, as he's in a long stage of denial, so it's a double negative we're getting all along. It just makes it very confusing for me to read (unfortunately I need things to be spelled out more clearly) especially when there are too many instances when H lashed out at or walked away from our h to the point of being insulting and hurtful without any apology whatsoever afterwards. While I understand the prior and why he would act that way, I couldn't forgive the latter. Communication is a big part in a relationship for me, and it just doesn't sit right with me to just gloss over all these happenings without too much of an explanation or even a tinge of remorse.
I love the mid western small town setting and the supporting cast is actually very nice to read about, except for the other subplot that to me just took away too much pages and focus of the story. Given the length of this book, I do not think it's necessary to be there especially when it seems these two really barely have any together time as it is...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2013
So good! Like, I wanted to slap them both, especially Blake, but so, so good
Blake is all alpha man, totally and completely and doesn't care who does or doesn't like it. Cassie is all sunshine and light, which means she is strong and capable, and doesn't take any of his bad manners. He thinks she is only a pretty face, but quickly learns overtime that is the least of her that is real. She sees flashes of the man beneath the facade, but then he always manages to mess things up, and he doesn't mess up a little, he messes up big, big, big time each and every time. Trouble is, he then causes her harm and wants to make it better, but doesn't even see that he is the cause. Finally, and I mean finally, we think he gets it right, only to have him mess up again, and this time, Cassie is in huge trouble because of him. Just when there is no hope, he understands, and while he doesn't get to save the day, he does get the girl, which is much more than he deserves, and even he realizes that in the end!!
Blake is all alpha man, totally and completely and doesn't care who does or doesn't like it. Cassie is all sunshine and light, which means she is strong and capable, and doesn't take any of his bad manners. He thinks she is only a pretty face, but quickly learns overtime that is the least of her that is real. She sees flashes of the man beneath the facade, but then he always manages to mess things up, and he doesn't mess up a little, he messes up big, big, big time each and every time. Trouble is, he then causes her harm and wants to make it better, but doesn't even see that he is the cause. Finally, and I mean finally, we think he gets it right, only to have him mess up again, and this time, Cassie is in huge trouble because of him. Just when there is no hope, he understands, and while he doesn't get to save the day, he does get the girl, which is much more than he deserves, and even he realizes that in the end!!
July 17, 2013
I loved it!
Cassie's left alone after his father past away and now she's struggling to pay the bills. When Blake set his eyes on her, he thought Cassie's just another girl who's after money only. But when he finds out that she's not, he helped her everytime she needs one. But with what cost? Cassie hate to be charity case and she definitely will pay him back. But when Blake know that she has no money, will Blake ask for something else from her?
I liked it. Even though Blake is such a pain in the arse sometime, he's cute. And arrogant. And cute. But one thing I hate him is that he's so unstable. One moment he teased Cassie but in a blink of an eye he snapped at her. Kind of annoying.
I want to read Brad and Emma's story! The author's style of writing is a bit confusing. She jumped from one point of view to another fast and seemed lost focus. Could've been better.
But so far I loved it. Totally looking forward to read another book from this author.
Cassie's left alone after his father past away and now she's struggling to pay the bills. When Blake set his eyes on her, he thought Cassie's just another girl who's after money only. But when he finds out that she's not, he helped her everytime she needs one. But with what cost? Cassie hate to be charity case and she definitely will pay him back. But when Blake know that she has no money, will Blake ask for something else from her?
I liked it. Even though Blake is such a pain in the arse sometime, he's cute. And arrogant. And cute. But one thing I hate him is that he's so unstable. One moment he teased Cassie but in a blink of an eye he snapped at her. Kind of annoying.
I want to read Brad and Emma's story! The author's style of writing is a bit confusing. She jumped from one point of view to another fast and seemed lost focus. Could've been better.
But so far I loved it. Totally looking forward to read another book from this author.
September 13, 2021
I really liked this book. It was just what I was in the mood for. The plot was somewhat predictable, but there are a few twists and turns along the way that will keep you interested. I also enjoyed the tension and bickering between Cassie and Blake. They were adorable. Although she was considerably younger than him, she's matured enough for the likes of him. She gave as good as she got and didn't let him walk all over her.
Blake genuinely fought his feelings for this reason, but a connection like theirs was hard to deny. I loved watching the ice surrounding his heart slowly melting as he struggled to hold his defenses against the woman who had, despite his best effort, found her way into his heart.
Blake genuinely fought his feelings for this reason, but a connection like theirs was hard to deny. I loved watching the ice surrounding his heart slowly melting as he struggled to hold his defenses against the woman who had, despite his best effort, found her way into his heart.
November 12, 2013
I really liked this book. It was standard fair with nothing paradigm shifting, but a cute read. Something to waste a rainy day away with.
The one problem I found with this book was about the debt Cassie had to pay. As the debt was accrued by her father and not herself or her spouse Cassie wouldn't have been on the hook for any of it. Yes, she would inherit the debt but she would have been able to write it off.
The one problem I found with this book was about the debt Cassie had to pay. As the debt was accrued by her father and not herself or her spouse Cassie wouldn't have been on the hook for any of it. Yes, she would inherit the debt but she would have been able to write it off.
August 19, 2014
Because sometimes you gotta love some conceited, domineering, closed off, hot as hell cowboy. This is a quick and really cute story. The only thing that took a star from here was that the epilogue was kind of rushed out and so vague, but I would recommend it nonetheless.
August 12, 2016
I love it that Ms. Wards' stories are simple. I love how her character evolve. Like she mentioned once before, since she has no one to help proof and edit her errors, its something I don't mind since her stories always keep me on my toes. Love the story!
August 21, 2016
I would have given this a better rating but the H didn't stop being a d-bag until around 90%! I don't mind butthead heroes but I need them to be a little nicer earlier than 90%. The couple had maybe two scenes together where he wasn't being a turd!
May 19, 2011
Cute story.
February 3, 2012
So far I like this book. Blake is a little grumpy, but Cassie seems to be handling her self nicely.
Read
December 10, 2012FAB
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