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My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Those deep brimmed Stetsons. Those faded jeans. And that's just the beginning. Cowboys are everything a fantasy man should be--tall, tough, and oh so handsome. In this sexy new collection of original stories, meet three men of the American West who know more than a thing or two about roping a girl's heart.
1. The Reluctant Hero by Lorraine Heath
Sheriff Matthew Knight is the perfect hero for Andrea Jackson's next dime novel--or so she thinks. His outlaw busting exploits may be larger than life, but the man behind the badge is more complicated than she bargained for. What's a writer to do when she needs a story and her scowling subject is reluctant to open up? Maybe the question should be what won't she do?
2. The Great Cowboy Race by Georgina Gentry
Boston bred heiress Henrietta never imagined she would race a horse one thousand miles across open land disguised as a boy. But then, she never believed her parents would arrange a marriage for her she would have to run away to escape. However, there's no escape from her toughest competition, expert rider and champion wrangler Comanche Jones. She needs that prize money--almost as much as she finds herself wanting him.
3. Whispering by Moonlight by Teresa Bodwell
Stranded in a town called Hell Gate without a penny to her name, Isabelle Milton is relieved that circumstances haven't forced her into something truly desperate--not yet, anyway. She's run out of options when gorgeous Lucas Warring rides into town like the answer to a prayer. Willing to do anything if he takes her in, she finds herself hired on as a ranch hand during one of the coldest winters ever--and delighted to discover there are plenty of ways they can keep each other warm.
The West has never been wilder...
1. The Reluctant Hero by Lorraine Heath
Sheriff Matthew Knight is the perfect hero for Andrea Jackson's next dime novel--or so she thinks. His outlaw busting exploits may be larger than life, but the man behind the badge is more complicated than she bargained for. What's a writer to do when she needs a story and her scowling subject is reluctant to open up? Maybe the question should be what won't she do?
2. The Great Cowboy Race by Georgina Gentry
Boston bred heiress Henrietta never imagined she would race a horse one thousand miles across open land disguised as a boy. But then, she never believed her parents would arrange a marriage for her she would have to run away to escape. However, there's no escape from her toughest competition, expert rider and champion wrangler Comanche Jones. She needs that prize money--almost as much as she finds herself wanting him.
3. Whispering by Moonlight by Teresa Bodwell
Stranded in a town called Hell Gate without a penny to her name, Isabelle Milton is relieved that circumstances haven't forced her into something truly desperate--not yet, anyway. She's run out of options when gorgeous Lucas Warring rides into town like the answer to a prayer. Willing to do anything if he takes her in, she finds herself hired on as a ranch hand during one of the coldest winters ever--and delighted to discover there are plenty of ways they can keep each other warm.
The West has never been wilder...
279 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2006
About the author
Lorraine Heath
104 books4,468 followersAlso writes Young Adult under Rachel Hawthorne, Jade Parker, and with her son as J.A. London.
Lorraine Heath has always had a soft spot for emotional love stories. No doubt because growing up, watching movies with her mom, she was taught that the best movies "won't half make you cry."
She is the daughter of a British beauty (her mom won second place in a beauty contest sponsored by Max Factor® during which she received a kiss from Caesar Romero, (the Joker on the original Batman TV series) and a Texan who was stationed at Bovingdon while serving in the air force. Lorraine was born in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, but soon after moved to Texas. Her "dual" nationality has given her a love for all things British and Texan, and she enjoys weaving both heritages through her stories.
When she received her BA degree in psychology from the University of Texas, she had no idea she had gained a foundation that would help her to create believable characters—characters that are often described as “real people.” She began her career writing training manuals and computer code for the IRS, but something was always missing. When she read a romance novel, she became not only hooked on the genre, but quickly realized what her writing lacked: rebels, scoundrels, and rogues. She's been writing about them ever since.
Her work has been recognized with numerous industry awards including RWA's RITA®. Her novels have appeared on bestseller lists, including USA TODAY and the New York Times.
The author of more than 60 novels, she writes historical and contemporary romance for adults and historical romance for teen readers.
Under the names Rachel Hawthorne and Jade Parker, she writes popular contemporary, historical, and paranormal romance for teens readers. She also writes young adult novels with her son under the name J. A. London.
Lorraine Heath has always had a soft spot for emotional love stories. No doubt because growing up, watching movies with her mom, she was taught that the best movies "won't half make you cry."
She is the daughter of a British beauty (her mom won second place in a beauty contest sponsored by Max Factor® during which she received a kiss from Caesar Romero, (the Joker on the original Batman TV series) and a Texan who was stationed at Bovingdon while serving in the air force. Lorraine was born in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, but soon after moved to Texas. Her "dual" nationality has given her a love for all things British and Texan, and she enjoys weaving both heritages through her stories.
When she received her BA degree in psychology from the University of Texas, she had no idea she had gained a foundation that would help her to create believable characters—characters that are often described as “real people.” She began her career writing training manuals and computer code for the IRS, but something was always missing. When she read a romance novel, she became not only hooked on the genre, but quickly realized what her writing lacked: rebels, scoundrels, and rogues. She's been writing about them ever since.
Her work has been recognized with numerous industry awards including RWA's RITA®. Her novels have appeared on bestseller lists, including USA TODAY and the New York Times.
The author of more than 60 novels, she writes historical and contemporary romance for adults and historical romance for teen readers.
Under the names Rachel Hawthorne and Jade Parker, she writes popular contemporary, historical, and paranormal romance for teens readers. She also writes young adult novels with her son under the name J. A. London.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 17, 2018
This collection of three stories by three authors is varied but overall enjoyable. The first story, by Lorraine Heath, is predictably the best, but the other two are pretty good.
Heath’s The Reluctant Hero is charming and fun as a determined female novelist and a sheriff who’s trying to escape his past tangle and ultimately solve each others’ problems.
Georgina Gentry’s The Great Cowboy Race is a bit thin on believability as a desperate runaway masquerades as a man to enter a race. The people she’s trying to escape figure out her ruse much faster than the hapless cowboy who spends the most time with her. The scene-setting is decent for such a short work.
Teresa Bodwell’s Whispering by Moonlight is charming. Again, the premise of a stranded city girl forced to work as housekeeper to a confirmed bachelor is on the thin side, but their mutual coping sets up sweet situations. Though the matchmaking couple are cardboard do-gooders, Lucas’s ranch had me right there with Isabelle all the way.
Heath’s The Reluctant Hero is charming and fun as a determined female novelist and a sheriff who’s trying to escape his past tangle and ultimately solve each others’ problems.
Georgina Gentry’s The Great Cowboy Race is a bit thin on believability as a desperate runaway masquerades as a man to enter a race. The people she’s trying to escape figure out her ruse much faster than the hapless cowboy who spends the most time with her. The scene-setting is decent for such a short work.
Teresa Bodwell’s Whispering by Moonlight is charming. Again, the premise of a stranded city girl forced to work as housekeeper to a confirmed bachelor is on the thin side, but their mutual coping sets up sweet situations. Though the matchmaking couple are cardboard do-gooders, Lucas’s ranch had me right there with Isabelle all the way.
June 2, 2017
I liked the very macho cowboy and the way he fell for the lady who turns his world all topsy turvy. Just finished the Lorraine Heath novella. Not as much drama and angst has the Recency romances but as a novella, it was short and sweet. Rated it a solid 4.
March 25, 2015
picked this one up at the dollar store when I wanted something mindless. It worked.
October 26, 2019
I enjoyed Whispering by Midnight and The Reluctant Hero but didn’t like The Great Cowboy Race.
August 18, 2020
I guess there's a reason why you save the best for last because I was just about to put this one in the DNF pile when I began the last story - "The Reluctant Hero" by Lorraine Heath. That short story is this book's saving grace - well done! I will say that Teresa Bodwell's story was not bad (3.5 stars) but after reading Georgina Gentry's entry - "The Great Cowboy Race", which gets a 1-star or less from me, I wasn't in a very good mood so maybe "Moonlight Whispers" was better but I rated it. I can't even begin to describe where Gentry's "The Great Cowboy Race" went wrong - dialogue, the main characters and their respective personalities - it all just fell flat. And it's a shame because the plot - a 1,000-mile race had so much potential for good story-telling. The fact that this anthology ended on a high note - with me discovering a new-to-me author, Lorraine Heath (I know, I know...she's been around a long time!) made me glad to pick up this book and begin searching for more of her work.
September 10, 2022
I don't have a shelf for 'cowboy romance.' and I never thought I'd actually read one.
Stupid bigotry.
Each of these three was original and thought-provoking. Excepting maybe Gentry's The Great Cowboy Race which was totally off the wall, based on fact and stars a [shoot, that would be a spoiler]. Find out for yourself.
If you think (as I thought) that the quality of the genre could be measured by the quality of the cover (deeply ripped abs, probably Photoshopped) forget it. If you expect surprises, leading around the long way to the eventual HEA, you'll love all of these.
Stupid bigotry.
Each of these three was original and thought-provoking. Excepting maybe Gentry's The Great Cowboy Race which was totally off the wall, based on fact and stars a [shoot, that would be a spoiler]. Find out for yourself.
If you think (as I thought) that the quality of the genre could be measured by the quality of the cover (deeply ripped abs, probably Photoshopped) forget it. If you expect surprises, leading around the long way to the eventual HEA, you'll love all of these.
August 10, 2020
The Great Cowboy Race - Georgina Gentry :1 star. Absolute dogshit.the thinnest of character development. Ridiculous dialogue. Absolutely no relationship building. Painfully superficial sorry, even for a novella.
January 15, 2020
This was and an anthology and all stories are very good.
June 12, 2023
It was ok.
Read
September 30, 2025this book had 3 short stories in it by 3 diff authors:
1. The great cowboy race-- Georgina Gentry
2. Moonlight whispers - Teresa Bodwell
3. The Reluctant Hero-- Lorraine Heath
1. The great cowboy race-- Georgina Gentry
2. Moonlight whispers - Teresa Bodwell
3. The Reluctant Hero-- Lorraine Heath
March 23, 2017
Thought I would enjoy the stories about cowboys more-- slow and they dragged.
April 27, 2019
Over the past months, I've learned to appreciate the short stories included in an anthology. The 3 novellas included here are diverse and interesting.
THE GREAT COWBOY RACE - Georgina Gentry - 3.5 stars
This was a fun tale in spite of the fact that the story was a bit lame. The chemistry between the 2 main characters really carried the story for me.
Bostonian Henrietta Jennings is running away from a pending marriage to a man she doesn't like. She's trying to get to her negligent father, who happens to be away at the time of her arrival in Chadron, Nebraska. Desperate for money, she decides to disguise herself in male garb and compete in the 1000 mile horse race.
Comanche Jones has been drifting and decides it's time to buy land and start his own ranch. Since he's short of funds for his grand scheme, he enters the horse race.
Gentry made a mistake that many new authors seem to make; she tied up ALL the loose ends before the story ended. It made the novella seem rushed ... and too neat.
WHISPERING BY MOONLIGHT - Teresa Bodwell - 3.0 stars
This is my first story by Teresa Bodwell and the story simply didn't speak to me. Truth in point, the story left me cold. I just couldn't get past the point where Isabelle asked Luke to spend the night with her so she could learn how to be a good whore.
It is 1862; Isabelle Milton is looking for her father when she runs out of money in Washington Territory. She finds a part-time job that plays out just before the harsh winds of winter arrive. The owners of the saloon where she works suggest to one of their customers that he hire Isabelle as a cook.
THE RELUCTANT HERO - Lorraine Heath - 5 stars
In this story, we get to watch a master at work! This is a multi-layered story beautifully told in just a few pages!
Dime novelist Andrea Jackson arrives in Gallant, Texas in 1884. Because of circumstances beyond her control, Andrea owes a large debt. The only way she can hope to pay it off is to get a new, exciting series of dime novels going . . . . Andrea needs a hero that will capture the reading public's fancy.
Sheriff Matthew Knight is horrified by Andrea's entreaty to use him as her hero. Eventually, Andrea's spunk wears the man down. The give-and-take between the 2 leads adds much to the story. Enjoy!
THE GREAT COWBOY RACE - Georgina Gentry - 3.5 stars
This was a fun tale in spite of the fact that the story was a bit lame. The chemistry between the 2 main characters really carried the story for me.
Bostonian Henrietta Jennings is running away from a pending marriage to a man she doesn't like. She's trying to get to her negligent father, who happens to be away at the time of her arrival in Chadron, Nebraska. Desperate for money, she decides to disguise herself in male garb and compete in the 1000 mile horse race.
Comanche Jones has been drifting and decides it's time to buy land and start his own ranch. Since he's short of funds for his grand scheme, he enters the horse race.
Gentry made a mistake that many new authors seem to make; she tied up ALL the loose ends before the story ended. It made the novella seem rushed ... and too neat.
WHISPERING BY MOONLIGHT - Teresa Bodwell - 3.0 stars
This is my first story by Teresa Bodwell and the story simply didn't speak to me. Truth in point, the story left me cold. I just couldn't get past the point where Isabelle asked Luke to spend the night with her so she could learn how to be a good whore.
It is 1862; Isabelle Milton is looking for her father when she runs out of money in Washington Territory. She finds a part-time job that plays out just before the harsh winds of winter arrive. The owners of the saloon where she works suggest to one of their customers that he hire Isabelle as a cook.
THE RELUCTANT HERO - Lorraine Heath - 5 stars
In this story, we get to watch a master at work! This is a multi-layered story beautifully told in just a few pages!
Dime novelist Andrea Jackson arrives in Gallant, Texas in 1884. Because of circumstances beyond her control, Andrea owes a large debt. The only way she can hope to pay it off is to get a new, exciting series of dime novels going . . . . Andrea needs a hero that will capture the reading public's fancy.
Sheriff Matthew Knight is horrified by Andrea's entreaty to use him as her hero. Eventually, Andrea's spunk wears the man down. The give-and-take between the 2 leads adds much to the story. Enjoy!
July 3, 2012
Three western romances set in 1893, 1862, and 1884 make up this anthology. "The Great Cowboy Race" by Gentry pits Comanche Jones against Henrietta Jennings in a 1000 mile horse race from Nebraska to Chicago for a $1500 prize. 'Henri' is desperate to prove herself to her father and Comanche wants to buy a little spread. These two challenge and trick each other along the way but develop respect and friendship as well as romance. "Moonlight Whispers" by Bodwell puts stranded and penniless Isabelle in the path of Lucas Warring on the cusp of winter. Despite her lack of skills he provides room and board in exchange for her help on his ranch. These loners find something admirable and lovable in each other. The last story "The Reluctant Hero" by Heath brings dime novelist Andrea Jackson to Gallant, TX in search of her lost muse. She has heard about Sheriff Matthew Knight's bringing down of the Ace in the Hole gang and wants to use him as her hero. When he can't get rid of her he lets her follow him around for a day to gather background information. As their relationship develops, secrets start coming out. All three were well written western historical romances.
July 19, 2014
This is a romance anthology featuring three stories about three men of the American West. The Lorraine Heath story is the only one I read, so my rating is solely based on that book.
The Reluctant Hero - Andrea Jackson used to write her dime novels for pleasure. Now she must write them to pay off her father's debt. But she has writers block and needs some inspiration. She finds that in Sheriff Matthew Knight who stopped a gang of outlaws from robbing the local bank. But when she asks for an interview, he refuses. Matthew has a past that he doesn't want anyone to know about. He knows he isn't "hero" material, but doesn't know how to stop Andrea from following him around town to get her story.
This is another story that suffers from being too short. There isn't enough to time to get to know the characters, or for them to get to know each other. I'm not a fan of "insta-love". Most of the story takes place in a 24-hour period. I didn't feel the hero and heroine were in love by the end of the book, but there were some amusing scenes that made this story worth reading. My rating: 3 Stars.
The Reluctant Hero - Andrea Jackson used to write her dime novels for pleasure. Now she must write them to pay off her father's debt. But she has writers block and needs some inspiration. She finds that in Sheriff Matthew Knight who stopped a gang of outlaws from robbing the local bank. But when she asks for an interview, he refuses. Matthew has a past that he doesn't want anyone to know about. He knows he isn't "hero" material, but doesn't know how to stop Andrea from following him around town to get her story.
This is another story that suffers from being too short. There isn't enough to time to get to know the characters, or for them to get to know each other. I'm not a fan of "insta-love". Most of the story takes place in a 24-hour period. I didn't feel the hero and heroine were in love by the end of the book, but there were some amusing scenes that made this story worth reading. My rating: 3 Stars.
May 21, 2009
I'd probably have liked the stories more if the authors had the ability to develop the plots and characters more. However, this being an anthology, the stories were short and quick. Just not much substance. Those readers who like those short, quick and to the point stories will appreciate it more, I'm sure.
August 25, 2011
I don't usually read novellas, but these three stories are a good sampler of the still popular cowboy romance. I enjoyed the history of the Great Cowboy Race and the details of frontier life and cooking. One hero was less than bright, but the sheriff and the dime-novelist is a charmer of a story.
June 14, 2009
I love all of her books. If you are looking for an easy read, romance then she is great for you.
May 6, 2011
Easy read. Would have been nice to develop the stories more, but I understand because of the nature of the book. Overall - decent, light read.
April 20, 2013
Anthology with 3 short stories. Borrowed via Overdrive - Kindle book from my local library.
4/20/13…
4/20/13…
July 22, 2014
The Great Cowboy Race: 2 stars
Moonlight Whispers 2.5 stars
Reluctant Hero 3 stars
Moonlight Whispers 2.5 stars
Reluctant Hero 3 stars
November 26, 2014
I liked the third story by Bodwell the best.
April 7, 2017
I liked this book and the different stories in it !! A great read !!!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews