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The Cowboy Who Caught Her Eye
The Shopkeeper's Shame
Pregnant and unmarried, Molly Thorson knows her livelihood is under threat. The last thing she needs is a distracting cowboy swaggering into view. Especially one who knows she has a secret and still looks at her with desire in his eyes.
The Cowboy's Secret
Carter Buchanan knows all about secrets. It's his job to know. And Molly sure has something to hide. But the fear in her eyes touches a place he thought long-ago dead and now this cowboy can't help but consider exchanging his pistol for a band of gold.
Pregnant and unmarried, Molly Thorson knows her livelihood is under threat. The last thing she needs is a distracting cowboy swaggering into view. Especially one who knows she has a secret and still looks at her with desire in his eyes.
The Cowboy's Secret
Carter Buchanan knows all about secrets. It's his job to know. And Molly sure has something to hide. But the fear in her eyes touches a place he thought long-ago dead and now this cowboy can't help but consider exchanging his pistol for a band of gold.
281 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2013
About the author
Lauri Robinson
169 books129 followersLauri Robinson's chosen genre to write is Western historical, and when asked why, she says, "Because I know I wasn't the only girl who wanted to grow up and marry Little Joe Cartwright."
With a degree in early childhood education, Lauri has spent three decades working in the non-profit field for Head Start, Child Abuse Intervention, the March of Dimes, and United Way. She claims the once upon a time and happily ever after premise of romance novels has always been a form of stress relief. When her husband suggested she write one, she took the challenge and has loved every minute of the journey.
Lauri lives in rural Minnesota, where she and her husband spend every spare moment with their three grown sons and their families, which includes three granddaughters, two stepgrandsons and two granddogs. She volunteers for several organizations, including her local library, and spends most fall weekends filling the freezer with homemade foodstuffs from the bountiful harvest of her husband's green thumb. She's a diehard Elvis fan (yes, she's been to Graceland), and loves to spend Sundays watching NASCAR, either live or on TV. However, she says her favorite weekends are spent in the woods of northern Minnesota on the land homesteaded by her great-grandfather.
Most of her childhood was spent in western Kansas, which is the setting for several of her stories. Lauri is a member of RWA, Northern Lights Writers,and Hearts Through History Romance Writers, as well as several online writing groups. She writes for Harlequin, Mills and Boon and The Wild Rose Press.
For updates on her writing please visit www.laurirobinson.blogspot.com
With a degree in early childhood education, Lauri has spent three decades working in the non-profit field for Head Start, Child Abuse Intervention, the March of Dimes, and United Way. She claims the once upon a time and happily ever after premise of romance novels has always been a form of stress relief. When her husband suggested she write one, she took the challenge and has loved every minute of the journey.
Lauri lives in rural Minnesota, where she and her husband spend every spare moment with their three grown sons and their families, which includes three granddaughters, two stepgrandsons and two granddogs. She volunteers for several organizations, including her local library, and spends most fall weekends filling the freezer with homemade foodstuffs from the bountiful harvest of her husband's green thumb. She's a diehard Elvis fan (yes, she's been to Graceland), and loves to spend Sundays watching NASCAR, either live or on TV. However, she says her favorite weekends are spent in the woods of northern Minnesota on the land homesteaded by her great-grandfather.
Most of her childhood was spent in western Kansas, which is the setting for several of her stories. Lauri is a member of RWA, Northern Lights Writers,and Hearts Through History Romance Writers, as well as several online writing groups. She writes for Harlequin, Mills and Boon and The Wild Rose Press.
For updates on her writing please visit www.laurirobinson.blogspot.com
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 27, 2024
This was such a sweet story but with a slow burn open door romance.
I loved Carter's character. He was a bit of a lost soul, just wanting to find somewhere to belong. He thought we wanted an isolated life in Montana after her Pinkerton career. But Molly slowly showed him that was not what he actually wanted. I don't often see a book with a Pinkerton hero, so that was refreshing. Molly's character did make me frustrated at times, but then again she was trying to figure out how to save her family from one bad decision she made. She was struggling with a lot of guilt and not knowing what to do. I might read more from this author in the future.
I loved Carter's character. He was a bit of a lost soul, just wanting to find somewhere to belong. He thought we wanted an isolated life in Montana after her Pinkerton career. But Molly slowly showed him that was not what he actually wanted. I don't often see a book with a Pinkerton hero, so that was refreshing. Molly's character did make me frustrated at times, but then again she was trying to figure out how to save her family from one bad decision she made. She was struggling with a lot of guilt and not knowing what to do. I might read more from this author in the future.
July 18, 2013
Carter has come to Huron in search of money stolen in a train robbery. As a Pinkerton man he is used to working undercover. When some of the stolen money turns up in Molly's store he wangles a job there so he can keep an eye on her and try to discover where the money is. He doesn't expect to be drawn to the prickly Molly. Meanwhile Molly is trying to keep her store running while trying to conceal her pregnancy from everyone. She doesn't want Carter with his all-seeing eyes involved in her business but she can't deny that he's making a difference.
I liked both Carter and Molly. Molly is really stressed because of trying to keep her business running. She got pregnant when she listened to a man's promises and then he ran off and left her in the lurch. She knows that when her pregnancy is revealed she is going to have problems with the people of the town judging her. She is worried that she'll lose the business and have no way to care for her two younger sisters. Carter's appearance worries her. She is drawn to him but afraid of risking herself again. She is also ashamed of what happened to her and sure that no decent man would want her now. Over the days that he is there, Carter slowly eases some of her stress and she begins to feel a little like her old self. She comes to care for him a lot, but his intention to move on to Montana makes her question the possibility of a future for them. I really liked Molly's determination to make a success of her business even against all the odds. She is understandably worried about repercussions but equally determined to give her baby the best life possible. I loved the sparks that flew between her and Carter.
Carter has been on his own for most of his life. Working for Pinkerton has given him a purpose for his life, though he is beginning to plan for life after Pinkerton. He is going to buy a ranch and enjoy a life of peace and quiet. Having no experience with love he doesn't plan to have a wife and family. For this job he goes undercover as a cowboy looking for a temporary job. He knows that some of the stolen money has shown up at Molly's store and he wants to find out if she was part of the robbery. Her prickly attitude amuses him. When he discovers her pregnancy he understands the fear that he has seen in her eyes. He doesn't expect to be so drawn to her that it begins to overshadow his search for the money and thief. I loved seeing his protectiveness toward Molly and her sisters. I also enjoyed his confusion because he didn't understand what was happening to him. I liked seeing the way he was with the various customers to the store and what a difference it made to Molly's business. I really enjoyed the ending to the story.
I liked both Carter and Molly. Molly is really stressed because of trying to keep her business running. She got pregnant when she listened to a man's promises and then he ran off and left her in the lurch. She knows that when her pregnancy is revealed she is going to have problems with the people of the town judging her. She is worried that she'll lose the business and have no way to care for her two younger sisters. Carter's appearance worries her. She is drawn to him but afraid of risking herself again. She is also ashamed of what happened to her and sure that no decent man would want her now. Over the days that he is there, Carter slowly eases some of her stress and she begins to feel a little like her old self. She comes to care for him a lot, but his intention to move on to Montana makes her question the possibility of a future for them. I really liked Molly's determination to make a success of her business even against all the odds. She is understandably worried about repercussions but equally determined to give her baby the best life possible. I loved the sparks that flew between her and Carter.
Carter has been on his own for most of his life. Working for Pinkerton has given him a purpose for his life, though he is beginning to plan for life after Pinkerton. He is going to buy a ranch and enjoy a life of peace and quiet. Having no experience with love he doesn't plan to have a wife and family. For this job he goes undercover as a cowboy looking for a temporary job. He knows that some of the stolen money has shown up at Molly's store and he wants to find out if she was part of the robbery. Her prickly attitude amuses him. When he discovers her pregnancy he understands the fear that he has seen in her eyes. He doesn't expect to be so drawn to her that it begins to overshadow his search for the money and thief. I loved seeing his protectiveness toward Molly and her sisters. I also enjoyed his confusion because he didn't understand what was happening to him. I liked seeing the way he was with the various customers to the store and what a difference it made to Molly's business. I really enjoyed the ending to the story.
August 5, 2013
Got my fix for western romance. I liked the plot surrounding Molly's secret pregnancy, but I thought the situations was 'fixed' to conveniently. Molly was a bit too headstrong and irritable for my taste but I thought Carter handled her well. 3.2 stars.
July 1, 2014
Loved it!!
I love western romances! This book was amazing. I love the romance in it. I totally would recommend it.
Give it a try you won't be disappointed.
I love western romances! This book was amazing. I love the romance in it. I totally would recommend it.
Give it a try you won't be disappointed.
March 20, 2026
Okay that pastor was a reaaalllll one
February 8, 2026
*western romance
*swoonworthy cowboy who's just trying to find his place in the world
*he's a pinkerton agent trying to solve the mystery of the stolen money
*he finds out her secret even when nobody knows
*he silently takes care of her and doesn't let her do hard labour
*when she has a scare, he fetches the doctor
*he claims her and her baby as his
*he loves her and her sisters and finally finds a family with them
*swoonworthy cowboy who's just trying to find his place in the world
*he's a pinkerton agent trying to solve the mystery of the stolen money
*he finds out her secret even when nobody knows
*he silently takes care of her and doesn't let her do hard labour
*when she has a scare, he fetches the doctor
*he claims her and her baby as his
*he loves her and her sisters and finally finds a family with them
September 30, 2013
Had an awesome ending.
January 7, 2024
The good, bad and ugly of the old west. The people who hope to bring civilization, business and futures out west; the railroad which hopes to bring people; and, the law including the Pinkerton agents, all of whom try to find the good and get rid of the bad. All this is a great story of three girls alone, running a mercantile after the parents died and the young undercover Pinkerton who loved them. This book has it all and I loved it.
October 21, 2022
This is the 1st book I read by Lauri Robinson. I loved ❤️ this book storyline. I loved ❤️ the hot 🔥 & steamy scenes. I loved ❤️ Molly's character. I loved ❤️ Carter's character. I loved ❤️ the ending. Awesome job Ms. Robinson.
May 26, 2025
This booked lacked the “slice of life” element that I like about western historicals. I also was not a huge fan of the authors writing styles and found that she abused commas and dashes and a lot of her sentences were run on and convoluted.
October 19, 2023
Fabulous story. I really enjoyed it.
February 10, 2024
First time reading this author and I really enjoyed the book. Will check out other books by her.
March 24, 2024
Such an amazing book.
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July 1, 2013"Robinson captures the wistful, long-ago world of the Dakota Territory in this delightful western. Fans of light, quick reads will enjoy the emotional and realistic details and the charming characters." RT Book Reviews
September 29, 2013
Probably would have liked this one more had the female protagonist not been quite such an insufferable bitch. I get that she's worried about her situation, but she got herself into it trying to trap a man into marrying her...was I supposed to feel sympathy? Because I didn't.
April 8, 2013
Lauri Robinson tells a great western story. I enjoyed these characters and watching them solve the mystery of the newly printed bills and where they were coming from.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews