Diamond in the Rough

by Diana Palmer

#13 One Last Try

Rated 3 stars

Back Cover:

Sassy Peale is desperate to help her family, but her meager salary doesn't stretch far. Then she meets John Callister, and she thinks her new friend is an honest-to-God cowboy—rugged and trustworthy.

But John isn't a ranch hand, he's a millionaire from one of Montana's most powerful families! And when Sassy finds out who he really is, she's certain the arrogant millionaire is just playing with her. John has to convince Sassy that he's the man she first thought he was—a diamond in the rough.

My Thoughts:

So, certain truths are universally accepted. Diana Palmer is going to write her Heroes as Older/wealthy/alpha-to the point of absolute jerk/women haters. She is also going to write her heroines as young/poor/virginal-to the point of creepy/traumatized. The typical story will have he hero wanting the much younger etc heroine but refusing to act on it. In his refusal he will be mean and hateful to heroine. She will love him anyway and want only to wed him and raise his children. He will be her first, unless she's been molested by someone before. He will work hard to make her feel young and inadequate.

However, this time she varied her plot device sort of. He wants her, but doesn't abuse her in order to try to deny himself. She is young and poor but working and hasn't loved him from afar for years. Yes, he rescues her, and yes she is the young virginal heroine. But it wasn't that bad. I mean, we all love a story like that every once in a while but not e-v-e-r-y book. It's like she got in a rut.

So I was pleasantly surprised that the hero here isn't a total jerk!!

The Texas Ranger

by Diana Palmer

pages 380-ish

rate 2

Back Cover

He is a true Texas Ranger.
A man of integrity with a soul of steel -- pursuing honor and justice is as natural as breathing in Marc Brannon's line of work.
Called to the scene of a high-profile murder, Brannon finds himself pitted against the vibrant -- and vulnerable -- junior investigator from his past. Years ago his heart had been intertwined with Josette Langley's . . . until she'd made an explosive accusation that had sent shock waves through political circles -- and shattered his faith in her.
Now they are back together again . . .
And there is more at stake than just their stubborn pride. For this homicide investigation is becoming more complex and dangerous with each passing day -- and time is not on their side. Can these disillusioned lovers close in on the truth before the culprit claims another victim?
Or will they both be caught in the cross fire . . . ?

My Thoughts:

Yea, I just didn't really like this one. Unfortunately!! He ruined her life...she ruined his...He said things that were beyond harsh. She is the dowdy, pure, type! He thinks she's sexually experienced, and "comes on strong" on a date, to find that when he tries to "get the job done" he can't. Her "maidenhead" is impervious. She'll have to have a "minor surgery" before she's capable of having intimate relations with a man. Let the record show, that this "minor surgery" was mentioned a dozen times! NO KIDDING!! I was so over it. Geez! We get it, she's a virgin!! He's the experienced man. She doesn't believe in premarital sex and only wants to settle down and have kids and make bisquits or whatever. He is a ruthless uber-manly man and gets away with being a jerk because she "loves him". Ack!!

Circle of Gold

Circle of Gold! by Diana Palmer!

Back Cover:
Sparks flew the moment Kasie Mayfield arrived at Gil Callister's sprawling Montana ranch to temporarily care for his two adorable daughters. Yet never in her wildest dreams did the innocent young woman imagine that her formidable new boss would sweep her off her feet with his potent charm. Before long, she was in love so deeply that it made her heart ache. But how did HE feel? The enigmatic rancher was so difficult to read. Still, she couldn't imagine spending her days--or nights--with anyone else but Gil. Could Kasie convince the hard-edged widower that a circle of gold... belonged on her finger?

My Thoughts:
I liked this book. It was typical Diana Palmer, but toned down a bit. He was less cruel than her normal heroes. She was less, um... fragile than most heroines. She came back at him with her words, Yay! She did have her DP issues, but they were more realistic. I had more sympathy for her than I usually do her other heroines. It was pretty good!

Lionhearted by Diana Palmer

# 14 title with an animal

rated 3

pgs 187

His Winter Bride . . .? As the holiday season approached, the residents of Jacobsville were whispering about Janie Brewster's hopeless crush on Leo Hart. Up till now, all her efforts to lasso the dynamic cattleman had crumbled quicker than those mouthwatering biscuits that Hart men coveted. However, this time the starry-eyed debutante had come up with the perfect self-improvement campaign to dazzle Leo -- she'd become a courageous cowgirl! Still, her sudden transformation seemed to rouse Leo's formidable temper more than ever. But wait... was it hot-blooded hunger -- not dark disdain -- that gleamed in his eyes when they melted into those smoldering kisses beneath the mistletoe? Could the last Hart bachelor be on the verge of taking Janie as his bride?

Pet Peeve Alert

this teaser doesn't tell you anything about this story. It leads you down a wrong direction.

The holiday season has nothing to do with nothing. The residents of Jacobsville weren't whispering about anything except Leo getting drunk and jealous of Janie, not the other way around. Leo, isn't mad about Janie becoming a courageous cowgirl, but that he was told by her best friend Marilee (and with friends like who need enemies!) that Janie was spreading rumors etc. They didn't kiss beneath any mistletoe, and were married by christmas. Ugh! I hate it when the teaser lies!

**soapbox put away! For Now***

Why do I read Diana Palmer? It's like looking at a car wreck on the highway. I don't want to look, and yet somehow, I can't help myself. Her books are always the same. Hero-Older more experienced wealthy rancher (or merc! ) who vows never to marry for some dumb-butt reason! (pardon my francais!) Also, only likes women who have no (I mean NO) ambition professionally. Heroine- Young (sometimes barely 20) poor, virginal, hopelessly in love with hero, woman, who has "old fashioned" values meaning that all she aspires to is to cook and clean and raise children. (which is great sometimes to have a maternal character, but seriously everywoman in town, has no professional aspirations? Seriously?) There will come some point in the story where Hero will verbally abuse the the heroine, for being plain/poor/innocent/....Ack! It's always for her own good, mind you! Or, or, or, or, He will tell some 3rd party how awful said heroine is , while she walks into the room to overhear him. Akward!

***soapbox returns***

These women are soooooo innocent that he kisses them, and they are stunned! What?! Who Knew! He "makes a strong pass" and she's scarred for life! She has to(leave town, quit her job, quit school, Hide out ) to avoid the memory of his kisses and groping! He molds his body to her, so that his "physical response" is obvious and she's never seen or felt or heard of anything. "Does it hurt?" She asks. As if the school system in Texas does not teach a health class in High School that covers basic reproduction. (I know they do, cuz I'm a product of that school system. and they taught health class even in the 80's)

While I'm on the topic, did you know that most men, "MUST" rest immediately after "relations"? Yup! Seems most men, need a sandwich and a nap, just to survive! However, these Jacobsville men, are that small percentage who are capable of multiple-O's. And several of them are soooooo well endowed that "most" women can't take all of them. SERIOUSLY! Also, an epidemic in Jacobsville, is that several women need to have a minor medical procedure to ready them for their Wedding Night! yep!

I originally gave this a 3.5 cuz I knew exactly what I was going to get, when I picked it up. But now that I've vented, I can't really give it a 3.5. It's got to me more of a 3 maybe even 2.5. I'll say 3 cuz, If I didn't want this sort of book, I shouldn't have picked it.

Ms. Palmer is a decent writer, but Criminy, get a new formula. These women need a pair, (if ya know what I mean!) I come from a town very much like this one in her stories, and I gotta say, the women I knew, and saw everyday wouldn't put up with the crap these guys dish out. they'd have tarred and feathered their butts, and told them "what for". Then sat down with a girlfriend and "God Blessed" their pitiful souls to death. Cuz, you know when a southern woman is talking about someone and says "God Bless 'em" it is not cuz they sneezed. (for instance. "Uncle Cletus, God Bless 'em, is a sorry fiddle player" it softens the blow! )

If you like, weak women and super alpha males. you'll like Diana Palmers Long Tall Texan series.
***soapbox is now smoking and deserves a rest! ***

A Man of Means

THE WAY TO A CATTLEMAN'S HEART ...From the moment powerfully seductive Rey Hart first set eyes on Meredith Johns, he became mesmerized by the lovely young woman. For not only did Meredith stir his jaded soul with her tempting innocence, he discovered she was a top-notch biscuit maker! However, installing the beleaguered Meredith on the Hart ranch as his coveted cook was a cinch compared to breaking the enchanting spell she had cost over this Long, Tall Texan's heart. Now, the hot-tempered cattleman's plan to preserve his bachelorhood was on the verge of backfiring--big time--because one intoxicating kiss would never be enough to satisfy Rey's intense craving for his mysterious housemate. Against all odds, could their tenuous union survive his stubborn pride--and her perilous past?

The above publisher's teaser, did nothing to give me a glimpse of the story within. (honestly didn't intrigue me very much either!) I read it anyway, because I have a sick addiction to Diana Palmer's Long Tall Texans. I like this book, better than the last couple. the heroine was out of her teens, (almost 24) had a career (certified nurse practitioner) and was not crippled with insecurity because of ______(fill in the blank!) Her vulnerability came from a recent tragedy, that could really happen, not some monster mother/father/uncle/again fill in the blank , who raises her without love.....

The hero is of course older and more experienced. (this is Diana Palmer after all..)He sees the Heroine in a prostitute type costume, and "believes the worst" and of course treating her accordingly. (Really?! Do all men, feel entitled to be abrasive with "working girls"?! Seriously?! ) Aaaaaany way! Yadda yadda yadda, she goes to live on his expansive Jacobsville ranch where the chemistry "sizzles" and she hides her true profession from him.. and her recent tragedy...

It doesn't look like I liked this much, but I did. The Heroine, doesn't hide her stuff out of shame, she is letting the Hero "dig his own grave" so to speak, and waiting to drop the bomb that he grossly misjudged her, and acted like a macho moron to boot. (get it? boot, cuz he's texan...? )

The hero, rather than punish her and try to make her insecure,(for her own good. as if?!) just sucks it up, and admits he was an idiot. (Yay! Everyone give it up for DP for finally writing some real-ish characters.) (Whoop Whoop!!)

So, I give this one a 3.75.

The Hart Brothers: Simon and Callaghan

Simon Hart: He'd all but sworn off women forever

Bute every man has a weakness, and his was socialite Tira Beck. Simon thought she was nothing but a shameless flirt. Until he found out she was saving it all for him. That clinched it. He simply had to have her. But would he be able to give up bachelorhood for the long haul the way Tira deserves?

Callaghan Hart: Men want to be him, women want to be with him.

Callaghan's as macho as they come. He's brooding, dark and mysterious-the ultimate bad boy. But the ranch's new housekeeper, Tess Brady, may have the ability to bring Callaghan to his knees. Sure, she's soft as a kitten and dewy as springtime, but that doesn't mean she can't tempt him into breaking all his own bad-boy rules.

I'm conflicted about Diana Palmers books. Her heroes are all strong, wealthy, older men with women issues. They are typically very mean to the heroines. The heroines are always young, virginal, and domestic. They are not only virgins, but typically don't know anything. (I mean really, ninth grade health class taught me more than these women know. Criminy!) It gets more than a little frustrating sometimes to read the same formula over and over.

However, sometimes, you get in the mood for a Uber-alpha male and innocent younger woman story. I always know where to look. It always ends up good. Honestly, I get a little embarrassed that I keep reading these books, but sometimes they just fit the bill. It's like driving by a wreck. You know you shouldn't want to look, but you can't keep your eyes off of it. Well, I got my DP fix for a while.