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Destiny Bay: The Ranchers #3
Desperado
FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS WAS AT STAKE!
Jessie MacAllister wasn't about to pass up the reward offered on Michael Drayton, embezzler and jewel thief. She desperately needed that money to keep her ranch going. And she was ready to go after the fugitive alone.
Michael turned out to be dangerous all right, but not for the reasons she feared. His guilt was questionable, but his spell over her undeniable ... He made her feel warm, vulnerable, a woman.
What had once seemed so simple was now a nightmare choice. Turning Michael in would save his life --- but destroy their love.
Jessie MacAllister wasn't about to pass up the reward offered on Michael Drayton, embezzler and jewel thief. She desperately needed that money to keep her ranch going. And she was ready to go after the fugitive alone.
Michael turned out to be dangerous all right, but not for the reasons she feared. His guilt was questionable, but his spell over her undeniable ... He made her feel warm, vulnerable, a woman.
What had once seemed so simple was now a nightmare choice. Turning Michael in would save his life --- but destroy their love.
301 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1988
9 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
Helen Conrad
67 books74 followersaka Jena Hunt and Raye Morgan.
Helen Conrad was born on April 11, 1945 in Pasadena, California, U.S.A. and grew up between Holland, Guam, and California, and spent a few years in Washington, D.C. as well. She obtained a B.A. in English Literature.
Helen was working toward a Master's in Library Science when she dropped out to have her first son. "One look into those baby blue eyes and I knew it was going to be a long time before I went back to school. But with young ones, you do have time to read, and the more I read, the more I learned about writing". She started writing because she felt guilty about spending so much time reading. "Through writing I figured I could still immerse myself in the stories I love, but I could actually claim I was working! The amazing thing was when I sold my first book and the excuse was justified. Dreams really do come true!"
After years of writing romantic suspense in the style of Mary Stewart and children's books in a lot of styles, she finally sold a romance to Jove's Second Chance at Love and there was celebration all around-at least in her ever-patient family of husband and four boys. She published four more romances for Jove under the name Jena Hunt, then began writing Silhouette Desires. A few sales to Bantam Loveswept and Harlequin Romance, Temptationand SuperRomance under the name Helen Conrad followed, as well as to Harpers, Dell Ecstasy, Mills & Boon, and even an historical with Zebra. Today, she is concentrating on Silhouette Romance, completely captivated by the breezy fun and touching poignancy of their compact, to-the-point form. She feels the perfect "quick read" should make the reader smile, sigh and put the book down feeling better about the state of love in the world.
Now, she lives in the Los Angeles area now with Nick, her geologist-computers cientist husband and the two of her four sons who still live at home."Having the boys around helps keep me up on the current trends," she says with a laugh. "But writing helps keep me in touch with the romance that weaves through the everyday lives we all live."
Helen Conrad was born on April 11, 1945 in Pasadena, California, U.S.A. and grew up between Holland, Guam, and California, and spent a few years in Washington, D.C. as well. She obtained a B.A. in English Literature.
Helen was working toward a Master's in Library Science when she dropped out to have her first son. "One look into those baby blue eyes and I knew it was going to be a long time before I went back to school. But with young ones, you do have time to read, and the more I read, the more I learned about writing". She started writing because she felt guilty about spending so much time reading. "Through writing I figured I could still immerse myself in the stories I love, but I could actually claim I was working! The amazing thing was when I sold my first book and the excuse was justified. Dreams really do come true!"
After years of writing romantic suspense in the style of Mary Stewart and children's books in a lot of styles, she finally sold a romance to Jove's Second Chance at Love and there was celebration all around-at least in her ever-patient family of husband and four boys. She published four more romances for Jove under the name Jena Hunt, then began writing Silhouette Desires. A few sales to Bantam Loveswept and Harlequin Romance, Temptationand SuperRomance under the name Helen Conrad followed, as well as to Harpers, Dell Ecstasy, Mills & Boon, and even an historical with Zebra. Today, she is concentrating on Silhouette Romance, completely captivated by the breezy fun and touching poignancy of their compact, to-the-point form. She feels the perfect "quick read" should make the reader smile, sigh and put the book down feeling better about the state of love in the world.
Now, she lives in the Los Angeles area now with Nick, her geologist-computers cientist husband and the two of her four sons who still live at home."Having the boys around helps keep me up on the current trends," she says with a laugh. "But writing helps keep me in touch with the romance that weaves through the everyday lives we all live."
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 11, 2014
Since the Carringtons were such stinkers in the first two books of the series, I was pleasantly surprised to find the redoubtable Jessie in this book being an exception. At first, I thought I was not going to like this book, the circumstances that threw the H/h together were so ridiculous and contrived...seriously, who pays for a sheriff whom you have no means of contacting in case of emergency and why would you send your horse back to the barn when you are in the middle of nowhere and may darn well need a ride back...and the author really should have given more thought to how she threw the protagonists together. However, after their quest got underway, the story improved greatly and turned out to be my favorite of the series.
August 5, 2014
This is the 3rd book in the Destiny bay ranchers series Helen Conrad and done it again.. This is the story of Jessie Carrington and her daughter Harley..she is a rancher and that is all she wants.. when the chance come to become a Bounty Hunter she takes it.. she is desperate for the money.... when she meets her fugitive Michael the sparks fly and not just because of the reward....He takes her captive and that's when life becomes a roller coaster ride...again Helen makes you believe you are part of the life of the characters in the book.. another could not put down book.. I highly recommend it 100%
April 4, 2014
This 3rd book started off good but after that it became to slow moving for me & the story lost my interest quick.
August 25, 2018
While first two books were enjoyable on a fairly normal scale of believability this third book took the bit in it's teeth with a plot and execution that was appealing to me for different reasons.
First of all the idea that an attractive, single female would be foolhardy enough to attempt something on the scale of bringing in a man so obviously outclassing her in size and strength really stretched ones bounds of accepting her actions without reservation.
Second of all in the world this book was set tracking said man down using every available resource at his disposal would have been the villains first order of business. He would have succeeded sooner too but for the sake of the story I understand why it did not work out that way for a period of time.
Third of all the thought of actually meeting said man and falling in love with him has the ring of adventure of course without the practicality the character of Jessie Carrington is supposedly known for amongst her family and friends.
All in all this was more entertaining in many ways while of course also forcing the reader to suspend their disbelief and just go along for the ride with Jessie, Jimmy and Michael.
First of all the idea that an attractive, single female would be foolhardy enough to attempt something on the scale of bringing in a man so obviously outclassing her in size and strength really stretched ones bounds of accepting her actions without reservation.
Second of all in the world this book was set tracking said man down using every available resource at his disposal would have been the villains first order of business. He would have succeeded sooner too but for the sake of the story I understand why it did not work out that way for a period of time.
Third of all the thought of actually meeting said man and falling in love with him has the ring of adventure of course without the practicality the character of Jessie Carrington is supposedly known for amongst her family and friends.
All in all this was more entertaining in many ways while of course also forcing the reader to suspend their disbelief and just go along for the ride with Jessie, Jimmy and Michael.
in-collection-boxset
December 27, 2018in Destiny Bay: The Ranchers Vol. 1 (Destiny Bay: The Ranchers #1-3) by Helen Conrad
books-boxed-sets
April 27, 2020In boxed set - "The Ranchers Box Set Books 1-3"
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June 12, 2021I dont why Jessie Carington online i read book its jessie macallister
July 29, 2014
I think that out of the six (including this one) Destiny Bay books I've read, this is my favorite so far. The most humorous part of that for me is that it technically isn't even taking place in Destiny Bay! That doesn't matter at all once you meet Jessie and Harley! They are the most adorable father/daughter combination I've read in a long time. I like how Jessie is determined to run the ranch and make a success of it. Michael, when he shows up, is a breath of fresh air. Despite all his problems he is a very sweet person and makes a great show of taking other peoples comfort and needs very seriously. Jimmy absolutely broke my heart from the first moment they met him. I totally understood why Jessie became so attached to him and would've handled that situation exactly the same if I were in her position. I really liked meeting more of the Carrington crew and seeing just how diverse they truly are. I was sad when this book was over because I enjoyed it so much. I will definitely be getting more of these books and might even check into more of Helen Conrad's stuff in general because I've really enjoyed all the stuff I've read to date.
April 8, 2014
Is a great book to read
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews