One Night with the Wealthy Rancher: A Steamy Western Romance

Texas Cattleman’s Club: Maverick County Millionaires #2

by Brenda Jackson

One ambitious rancher’s jaded heart is about to get an unexpected upstart in this spicy Western romance from #1 New York Times bestselling author, Brenda Jackson!

Rancher Darius Foster never expected to see Summer Martindale in his part of Texas. He still can’t forget that one incredible night they spent together…but he’s uncertain about opening himself up to something more. Cautious about why she’s now in town—the ex-lawman plans on keeping his distance. But when danger comes calling, Darius knows he’s the only one who can protect Summer. And that means getting closer to her…in every single way….

Previously published.
 

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, African American Romance, Harlequin Desire, Harlequin, Audiobook

176 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 11, 2009

About the author

In 1994, Brenda Jackson’s first novel, Tonight and Forever, was released. Since then she has had more than 100 novels and novellas published (the first African-American author to accomplish such a feat) and has over 3 million books in print.

A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Brenda is the first African-American author to have a book published by Harlequin Desire and the first African-American romance author to make the New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller lists within the series romance genre.

In 2012, Brenda received the Romance Writers of America’s Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award—one of the highest literary awards a romance author can receive. In 2013, she was recognized by the mayor and the city of Jacksonville as being a Trailblazer in the literary field.

In 2010, she collaborated with Five Alive Films to turn her Truly Everlasting title into a feature film. Brenda’s 2011 novel A Silken Thread is scheduled to be filmed with Debbie Allen attached as director in 2015.

Email Brenda at authorbrendajackson@gmail.com or visit her on her website at brendajackson.net.

Reviews

[Whit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! This story proves just how eager we are to believe the lies that other people tell us, instead of investigating the truth for ourselves. What was really ironic, Darius earns his living as an investigator but it never occurred to him to just ask Summer if what Walt told him was true. They wasted 8 years when they could have been together!

[Jennifer M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these quick fast love stories with a sweet plot and story line.....who would have ever thought that I would want a cowboy.....sigh.

[Desi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leído el 14/09/2010

[Bridgette Mabry-Whorton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two great stories by two amazing authors.

One Night with a Wealthy Rancher, by Brenda Jackson is a great story of how two people can find their way back to each other even after lies kept them apart!

Billionaire, M.D. By Olivia Gaines this story shows that even the worst childhood can change the way a person sees themselves. Changing their lives forever good or bad.

These two stories are a great read I laugh, cried and got upset along with the main characters in each story. Two thumbs way up!

[stilwaterz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stubborn cowboys!!!! Ms. Jackson loves them and so do I. Darius Franklin and Summer Martindale reunite after a 7 year separation. They should never have separated, but various circumstances interupted their relationship. Very good love story and only as Ms. Jackson can do it with a bit of mystery woven in. This wasn't overly sexy, but I felt just enough to fit the story line which is my preference!

[SassyMama · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mrs. Jackson gives us yet another INTRIGUING romance with a pleasant mix of mystery and drama...some SENSUAL love scenes between Summer and Darius...and even though I found the storyline a little slow at times...it's still a charming tale.

[Arlena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was good. Another one of Brenda Jackson good novels.

[Laquisha Sauls · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know what to say about the queen of Romance except I highly recommended books

[Leona Bowie]

This book was such a good read. I really enjoyed it.

[JigsawGirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the narration of this book. I'm not sure if it was the book or the narrator, but it dragged along. The narration was ok, but the narrator's voice did nothing to enhance the book. I have heard this narrator before and liked him, so I'm thinking this was just not the book for him. The female voice was very nasally and whiny sounding.

As far as the story goes, it was ok, but felt unfinished. 1 - Darius was investigating an arson, and it was thought one person was behind it but Darius didn't believe it. Did they ever find out who was behind the arson? Was the suspected person exonerated? Or did the storyline just drop into a deep, dark hole? Did I miss it? What was the point?

2 - Also the whole financial discrepancy issue just added to black. Why bring it up at all? Did I miss the resolution to that too?

3 - Darius NEVER thought to ask Walt WHY Summer would give him that information when she could have easily written him a note? Maybe that's why there were no outcomes to Darius' investigations because he was not that great at it.

Darius and Summer eventually got their HEA, so I guess that's all that matters.

[NerdyFloraleReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darius and Summer had loved each other until they were torn apart. They met during one of the darkest times in Summer's life and he saved her. They were instantly drawn to each other and eventually gave into temptation. I can understand Darius's hurt and sense of betrayal but it goes both ways. Summer was equally hurt as he was.💔

When they meet again years later, Darius blinded by Summer's betrayal wants nothing more than revenge. But that's easier said then done when Summer's life is threaten and old feelings resurface.😏 Their love scenes had me blushing. There's no denying a love like that.😍 When the truth is finally revealed, it puts things into perspective. It brings clarity to both characters. No matter how much the past has hurt you, when it's real you just can't walk away.😩

[Mindy B (reader_of_the_lost_arcs) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about second chances. Summer and Darius used to be a couple several years ago but they broke up because they each believed the other person did them wrong. It turns out it was a combination of miscommunication and lies. Neither one was really the bad guy.

I listened to this book and the story is much better than the narration. I can't stand how the the male narrator does female voices. I probably would've enjoyed the book more if I had ditched the audio and switched to the book.

[Mattie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok, I didn't like that they both believed lies about each other for 7 years and neither one confronted the other and got to bottom of their conflict. I'm not a fan of 7 year separation and that hero slept with so many other women (I did like that he didn't think about like go into detail other relationships he had during 7 years). The relationship felt believable and they were compatible. Np.

[Maria T. Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Night w the Wealthy Rancher

This was a story about Summer Martindale and Darius Franklin. They previously had been in a relationship but because of lies had parted ways and relocated. Now they were working for the same women's shelter. It took little time to realize they still had strong feelings for each other. A threat to her life propelled Darius into protection mode once it was resolved it led to happily ever after.

[Emily Borsa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this for a romance genre study assignment. What I really enjoyed was that I could be doing other things and work while still getting the story. Narration was good with the exception of the male narrator doing a female voice. Seemed whiny and not at all like the character herself.

[alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was predictable but good. It's a light read yet entertaining. I always enjoy BJ's books. The only thing I would say is I wish she had more dialogue between Darius and Spencer Hankerson (I think that's the old-money guys name)

[Rise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would enjoy reading this book again. I thought Darius was one handsome looking rancher I'd really enjoy having in my bed.

[ToniReads_1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

How quick we are to believe the worst in someone rather than putting our Faith in them. I
Brenda Jackson is one of my absolute favorite authors and I love her creativity.

[Madlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an okay read.

[Tisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy enjoyable read.

[Harlequin Books]

Categories
Western Romance, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, African American & Black Romance, African American & Black Women's Fiction, Western Fiction
Miniseries
Texas Cattleman's Club: Maverick County Millionaires

[KAREN MCCRAW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

I didn't realize I had read this before. It was just as good the second time around. I try to never miss any of Ms. Jackson's books. I am never disappointed.

[Maura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Darius Foster is a wealthy rancher and security expert who is installing security for the Texas Cattleman's Club (of which he's a member) for a women's shelter in town. He's surprised to find Summer, his long ago love who cruelly walked out and left him for a wealthy man. He decides to reel her in, sleep with her and then ditch her, at the same time revealing how rich he is now. Summer is also surprised to see Darius, and is very hesitant to start up a relationship with him after she found out he'd only slept with her all those years ago for a bet, before bragging to his partner about it. Both characters are mistrustful of one another and neither of them apparently know what really happened. But when they're forced together to keep Summer safe from her ex-boyfriend, feelings come to the forefront and they'll have to forgive if they want to be together.

Just an average read for me. Darius and Summer are both likeable characters. Darius never hits asshole status despite his monologuing about how he's going to get revenge and all that. But then he keeps forgetting about it while he's with Summer and then he has to remind himself to hate her again. Likewise, Summer doesn't hold a grudge and it's pretty amazing how she just decides to trust (and sleep with) a guy who supposedly did what he did. And of course, after several years of separation the heroine has remained celibate while the hero has not (although this isn't stressed at least). The story is fairly simplistic and the suspense plot with the ex-boyfriend is decidedly lacking in any suspense or action. Summer gets a threat or two and then the boyfriend is caught, somewhere in the background and there is never really a sense of danger. Even the big reveal of Darius's status in the TCC is angst-free. Summer is angry for about two minutes and then both of the characters are ready to forgive. It was enjoyable, but not particularly exciting.

[OOSA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes One Night Is All You Need

Seven years ago Darius Franklin and Summer Martindale shared a magical night. However, the harsh reality of the following day would send Darius in one direction and Summer in another. They could never forget that night, yet neither can get beyond the other's betrayal.

Present day finds them both living in Somerset, Texas. Summer is now a social worker at a women's shelter and Darius' security company has been hired to install a security system bringing the reluctant duo face-to-face for a long overdue confrontation.

As always, Brenda Jackson has delivered another well-written novella. She has the ability to give readers what they want. I really enjoyed this story line.

Reviewed by: Toni

[Vondetta Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer is a counselor of domestic violence victims in a Texas town. Darius is a retired cop from Houston who is apart of the infamous Texas Cattleman Club. These two have a past in that Darius was the officer who saved Summer's life from her attacker. Summer now is the director of a center in where Darius has lived seven years after a lies kept them apart from a budding relationship.
A note is left on Summer's car and her tires are slashed ..is her attacker free from his 20 year prison term? Is another person angry with her? Darius goes into protection mode and things happen..Great read..Thanks Ms J for another hit...

[The Book Junkie Reads . . . · Rating 3 out of 5]

2nd read because I could not remember it from the description.

Darius Foster fell in love once and now that he is a Texas Cattleman's Club member. He has grown tired of women chasing after his millions. That was no different when he saw her again, Summer Martindale. Darius was no longer that man from years ago but at the same time he was still trapped in a lie that has been fed.

It was simple sweet and just too filled with miscommunication and lies.

[Kesha]

Did not love this book but it was good and a breather from Mrs. Jacksons' usual format. So glad there were no virgins and super players in this book. Darius, the hero, wasn't a complete ass as a lot of authors like to portray alpha men. He was a little high handed though. Summer wasn't overly naïve. I did love that the problem that broke them up did not involve a secret pregnancy years ago.

[Celeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great 2:1 book

With each 2:1 story you look to see how they would connect or if both writers would have similar styles. Brenda and Olivia's stories definitely can stand on their own. But it's a treat for readers to have these stories together. They both dealt with overcoming obstacles of deception and mistrust, at the hands of one you respect and love.

[Des · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an okay romance between Summer and Darius. The premise of the story however, left much to be desired. Believing he said/she said messengers without trying to get to the source (i.e. your girlfriend or boyfriend) is so not the way to go in any relationship *sigh*.

[Ladyacct · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one of those books where it reminds you of high school and how you rely on 'friends' to carry messages....when you should have just talked to one another instead of ignoring the pile of dung in the corner.