Lawless

Long, Tall Texans #22

by Diana Palmer

Five years ago, Judd Dunn, a hard-edged Texas Ranger, put Christabel Gaines's father behind bars where he belonged. But Judd's involvement in Crissy's life was far from over. With their jointly owned ranch on the verge of bankruptcy, Judd wed her in name only, promising to save their land and vowing to ignore the sexual tension between them. 

Now, just when Judd decides to release Crissy from their sham of a marriage, he is blindsided by a bloodthirsty foe who is setting the stage for unspeakable evil by preying upon Judd's greatest weakness his wife. No longer a starry-eyed schoolgirl, Crissy's a smart, fearless woman with unfulfilled desires. And she will do anything in the name of love including taking a bullet for her husband. 

With their very lives at stake, Crissy and Judd must confront their darkest demons, their new rivals and their deepest desires. and face up to a mutual destiny they cannot outrun.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Contemporary, Marriage Of Convenience, Westerns, Fiction

330 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2003

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Diana Palmer is a pseudonym for author Susan Kyle.

(1)romance author
Susan Eloise Spaeth was born on 11 December 1946 in Cuthbert, Georgia, USA. She was the eldest daughter of Maggie Eloise Cliatt, a nurse and also journalist, and William Olin Spaeth, a college professor. Her mother was part of the women's liberation movement many years before it became fashionable. Her best friends are her mother and her sister, Dannis Spaeth (Cole), who now has two daughters, Amanda Belle Hofstetter and Maggie and lives in Utah. Susan grew up reading Zane Grey and fell in love with cowboys. Susan is a former newspaper reporter, with sixteen years experience on both daily and weekly newspapers. Since 1972, she has been married to James Kyle and have since settled down in Cornelia, Georgia, where she started to write romance novels. Susan and her husband have one son, Blayne Edward, born in 1980.

She began selling romances in 1979 as Diana Palmer. She also used the pseudonyms Diana Blayne and Katy Currie, and her married name: Susan Kyle. Now, she has over 40 million copies of her books in print, which have been translated and published around the world. She is listed in numerous publications, including Contemporary Authors by Gale Research, Inc., Twentieth Century Romance and Historical Writers by St. James Press, The Writers Directory by St. James Press, the International Who's Who of Authors and Writers by Meirose Press, Ltd., and Love's Leading Ladies by Kathryn Falk. Her awards include seven Waldenbooks national sales awards, four B. Dalton national sales awards, two Bookrak national sales awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award for series storytelling from Romantic Times, several Affaire de Coeur awards, and two regional RWA awards.

Inspired by her husband, who quit a blue-collar manufacturing job to return to school and get his diploma in computer programming, Susan herself went back to college as a day student at the age of 45. In 1995, she graduated summa cum laude from Piedmont College, Demorest, GA, with a major in history and a double minor in archaeology and Spanish. She was named to two honor societies (the Torch Club and Alpha Chi), and was named to the National Dean's List. In addition to her writing projects, she is currently working on her master's degree in history at California State University. She hopes to specialize in Native American studies. She is a member of the Native American Rights Fund, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Cattlemen's Association, the Archaeological Institute of Amenca, the Planetary Society, The Georgia Conservancy, the Georgia Sheriff's Association, and numerous conservation and charitable organizations. Her hobbies include gardening, archaeology, anthropology, iguanas, astronomy and music.

In 1998, her husband retired from his own computer business and now pursues skeet shooting medals in local, state, national and international competition. They love riding around and looking at the countryside, watching sci-fi on TV and at the movies, just talking and eating out.

Reviews

[Naksed · Rating 1 out of 5]

The "hero" was awful to her for the majority of the book but that's okay because he learned to love her when she took a bullet for him and almost died. So, there you go, ladies. The cure for cruel, cheating, emotionally and verbally abusive husbands is to get yourself shot, a little thing that is sure worth it in exchange for a little appreciation for all the man-worshipping you have effortlessly carried out.

Oh, and the hussy who was flaunting her affair with the cheating cad of a husband and telling you how he confided in her that he was disgusted with your performance in bed, can be similarly healed of all her nasty OW microbes and turn into Florence Nightingale and Mother Teresa combined so you are not allowed to hate her anymore.

Now all I have left to do is find myself within the trajectory of a stray bullet so that I can be adequately punished for actually reading this piece of dried up turd.

[Rappaccini's Daughter · Rating 1 out of 5]

Are you effing kidding me???

He's supposedly hurting for money, but he has enough to buy an emerald ring for that bitch Tippy?! And he's so busy treating her like a queen, he forgets his wife's birthday and doesn't buy her a damn thing!

And that's just one of the many, MANY rotten things this creep does.

You know who took Crissy out for her birthday?
Cash

You know who treated Crissy wonderfully and was a great alpha-hero (as opposed to an alpha-hole -- I'm looking at you, Judd!)?
Cash

You know who Cash ended up with?
Tippy

Crissy, you are such a dumbass.

[Vintage · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, there two too stupid to live characters.

This made me cry. Would you buy teared up? Okay, my eyes burned a little but that’s still saying a lot. What was the trigger? Jackass FORGOT her birthday! Her 21st birthday that he made such a big fat deal over because that was when he was going to get their MOC annulled. He didn’t forget to buy the other woman an emerald ring though that she flaunts.

“I knew you had to be serious to buy her a ring like that, when we can barely pay bills around here. You don’t have to worry about that,” she added quickly, lifting a hand. “You were right about school. I only lack one semester, and only two classes, to graduate. I can get a job and work in between them, at a convenience store or something,” she said, her voice rushed as she made plans. “Then, after I graduate, I’ll get a job. With the extra money, we can hire somebody else to work full-time, like we planned.”

Poor girl.


It’s not that the hero is that mean to the heroine, he is just that stupid.

Brainless is a Texas Ranger which is a really big deal as they have a range of responsibilities that covers federal, state and even international crimes. Too bad he’s an idiot in the personal arena. The heroine is a sassy gal as I am sure DP heroess would call her until the H, the OW and her own tiny brain finally grind her down.

At one point, the H was a real hero by going into a MOC (that supposedly no knows about except they tell everybody except the OW) to save her and her ranch. She has a mega crush on him, but for once I think we have a hero who just doesn’t care and that’s sad. Even after they have sex he thinks…
Thank God she’d been on the Pill, or he might have been trapped for good.

Do I need to mention she gets pregnant?


Brainless: Pretty but stupid.



Cash: Handsome, scary and knows how to tango. No, that’s not a euphemism, he tangos and dances Latin dances. He’s more of a Cherise Sinclair Dom kind of hero and should be off paddling mouthy subs rather than being a surly, woman-hating DP hero. He’s a much better choice for the h as he really likes her and is quite sweet to her. It probably means he’s going to be hell on wheels with his own chick.



The heroine
Who cares. It’s all about the men. Both of them.

Comments from the two after the heroine is shot when she throws herself in front of the bullet to save Brainless.

Cash:
“God’s ticked at me,” he told Judd on an audible sigh as he looked around him. “Maybe I’m jinxing her by being in a chapel at all.”


Judd
Judd averted his gaze. He wasn’t willing to share his deepest feelings with his only rival.

“The only person I feel sorry for right now is myself. I’m the idiot who was supposed to be protecting her. How the hell did she get shot?”

Maybe feel sorry for the girl that was shot?



Then they get in a knockdown, dragout brawl which ends in a draw, and that is always fun.



Here comes more stupid stuff

Cash tries to give him hints about the pregnancy
Cash, “I’d give a lot to be the man in her life, but that hasn’t happened. I’m not even in the running.”

For one, long, horrified moment, Judd wondered if there was some other man. But then he realized it was impossible. Then if it wasn’t Grier, and she was running…
Good God Almighty!
He. Is. Talking. About. You!

Then….
How could she believe he preferred Tippy to her?

Because you forgot her birthday, you bought Tippy an emerald ring, you squired Tippy around everywhere, you did nothing for the h at Christmas, still continued to take Tippy places, AND she caught you kissing Tippy. Okay?

They finally get to a HEA, but even that is fraught with complete and total cluelessness.

[Danielle The Book Huntress · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was wonderful and engrossing. Diana Palmer just gets better and better. I love her ability to make us fall in love with her characters, flaws and all. I enjoyed Christabel and Judd, but I especially love Cash Grier. He's such an amazing character. He's got a seductive, enigmatic air. He also had a tenderness about him that was appealing. I must admit for a little while, I was more enamored of Chrissy and Cash as a couple then Judd and Chrissy, but eventually Judd proved his worthiness. Thanks to the little tidbits about Cash, I am doing something I rarely do. I'm going to buy a hardcover book, Renegade. This is Cash Grier's story and I must have it. I know it's expensive, but Cash is worth it, and I'm dying to read his story and see him get his happy ending with Tippy, who was briefly introduced in Lawless.
Lawless had wonderful exposition, storytelling, and sensuality. There's definitely something about Diana Palmer's ability to write love scenes. They are never explicit but they always involve the reader. This book is definitely of hers that has some great love scenes. Even the mystery plot was more developed then usual. Normally Diana's books are light on this but I can see that she's feeling more comfortable with these types of storylines.
Overall, I have to give Lawless an A+. It goes on the list as one of my all-time faves by a favorite author of mine. The hours that I spent reading it were pure, wondrous enjoyment. And thankfully, I have Renegade to look forward to...

[StMargarets · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another story that combines DP’s love of violence, law enforcement, toxic-masculinity and romance. Triggers: child abuse, crime scene descriptions

Romance: It’s not a triangle – it’s a square! Married H/h each has an “other.” What?
Don’t worry, DP isn’t suddenly into adultery. The Texas Ranger married the computer science student heroine when she was 16. They each own half of a ranch and the hero married her after sending her father to jail for child abuse. The deal has always been that they will have their marriage annulled when the heroine turns 21.

When the story opens the heroine is a few months away from her 21st birthday. The ranch has had a bad year, so the hero jumps on the chance to have a movie filmed there. His OW is a model/actress who is “afraid of men” and uses the hero as a human shield against the director of the film. Hero buys her a diamond and emerald ring and she tells heroine that they are engaged.

The OM is an international man of mystery who is independently wealthy, speaks Japanese, is proficient in Latin dances and martial arts. He is – inexplicably – the new assistant chief of the Jacobsville police force (which has 20 officers LOL). He is sweet to the heroine and mean to the model. (I’m sure they’ll get their own book)

Mystery Incorporated: someone is poisoning bulls and murdering the good citizens of Jacobsville. (A pregnant woman and an old cowboy who saw the perpetrators cutting holes in the fence.) Heroine refuses to tell the hero what is going on at the ranch – even though he is a Texas Ranger and it’s his ranch, too. *headdesk*

And that’s all I’m going to say about the police procedurals and lurid descriptions of murder victims because I skimmed and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Back to the romance. Hero has the typical DP blow hot/blow cold temperament. He is further down the evolutionary scale of DP heroes in that –
he is poor
he lies about his true relationship with the OW to the heroine
he spends money he doesn’t have on the OW
he forgets the heroine’s 21st birthday
he buys heroine a Christmas present but doesn’t give it to her
he deflowers her instead and then doesn’t speak to her until she takes a bullet for him
he gets her pregnant on their trip to Japan (to drum up business for organic beef)
he avoids her after their trip (and after she took a bullet for him)
he kisses the OW as part of the plan to run interference from the director
he gets into fisticuffs with the OM to learn the heroine’s secret
he misses the heroine’s labor and childbirth because he’s at the movie premiere with the OW and OM

And yet the heroine remains in love with him after she:
went without new clothes for the ranch while he bought a new Stetson
shielded him from worry about the fences being cut and the cattle being harmed
puts up with a film crew in the house while he has his own apartment in Victoria
gave him a Christmas gift after he forgot her birthday
gave him her virginity
took a bullet for him and almost died
is actually polite to the toxic OW from her hospital bed
didn’t tell him about the twins so he wouldn’t worry
gave birth alone

I’m sensing a theme here. Honestly, the heroine should have gone with the OM, but we all know he’ll be as big of a stinker as this hero in his own book. DP hasn’t done triangles – at least not one with two potential heroes. There’s never any doubt that the heroine will go with the H – she’s married to him, after all! But DP really sold the OM over the hero.

So why three stars? Overall it’s a fairly tight story and the motivations are clearly drawn. The crimes aren’t too far-fetched. There are some nice angsty moments for the heroine. But Lordy, this hero is ridiculous.

Diana Palmer checklist:
Hairy chest Check
Breast Description Small. Heroine wears a padded bra
Cigarettes N0
Alcohol No! Hero was a impulsive and violent without needing to drink! Is that good or bad?
Town Descriptions Jacobsville Commercial Hotel, shooting range at the Anti-terrorism school, pay-and-fish trout pond outside town.
Gardenia Scent No
LOL detail The fluent Japanese? The love of ballet? The OM was ridiculous.
Cutesy detail Sex in the laundry room? The spin cycle makes noise to cover their activities. Running joke about red negligee.
Mistake in the timeline – their book is next in the LTT series but this story hinted at different events and then came out with this sentence: Janie Brewster Hart and her new husband Leo, married just before Christmas

[jenjn79 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the only book I've ever read where I almost wanted the heroine to pick The Other Guy. In other books, the hero might do some dumb things, but you still always root for him to get the girl. But in this book, the hero more often than not made it tough to like him, and The Other Guy made it really hard not to root for him.

Lawless is one of Diana Palmer's Jacobsville books, a sort of unofficial series tied into her popular Long, Tall Texans series. This book can be read as a standalone for the most part, but there are a lot of recurring characters that you won't know about. And if you read this one, you definitely should read the next book,
Renegade. They are closely tied together.

Christabel Gaines father and Judd Dunn's uncle were partners in a ranch together. When Judd's uncle died, he inherited his portion. One day when Christabel was sixteen, she angered her drunken father and he started beating her. Judd managed to intervene, but not before Christabel was injured badly. Christabel's father was sent to prison where he died no long after and she was left with an invalid mother. To protect her and save the ranch, Judd married Christabel in name only and in secret.

So for the last five years, they have been married on paper only and running the ranch together, though Judd was also a Texas Ranger. Christabel has been in love with him for years, but he insists he will never touch her. Now her twenty-first birthday is approaching, a time at which Judd plans to get an annulment. The last thing Christabel wants is to be separated from Judd. But he's suddenly caught up in the lead actress of a movie filming on their ranch. So she turns to her new friend, Cash Grier, as a distraction. She's heartbroken over the upcoming loss of her in-name-only husband. But with hidden feeling coming to the surface, a vengeful ex-employee, a disruptive film crew, a flighty actress, and boundless jealousy bubbling up, things get very complicated.

Like any Diana Palmer book, this one has all of her classic staples...the emotionally cut-off older hero, the young, innocent heroine. Lots of angsty emotions. The hero acting badly. A little bit of danger. And the inevitable happy ending. So this book is a traditional Palmer book in every way. But I've always found her formula writing much, much more tolerable in her full-length books.

The oddity of this book was being torn over who Christabel should end up with. There was definite chemistry between her and Judd, but Judd acted like an asshole for most of the book. He was pretty wretched to Christabel and it didn't make him very likable. On the opposite side, Cash Grier, Christabel's new-found friend, was a sweetheart. He's got plenty of darkness inside him...he is, after all, a Palmer hero (or upcoming hero)...but in this book, he was so utterly likable. He was so kind to Christabel and you get a real sense of his vulnerability. There were definitely times in this book when I thought Christabel should pick him. I certainly would have!

But romance books don't work that way and Christabel was too hung up on her feelings for Judd, even if he was mostly a total jerk. And I can understand his actions to a certain extent. He had emotional scars and got caught up in stupid stuff with the actress, Tippy Moore. By the end of the book, he kinda redeems himself. Christabel loved him so she forgave him. I don't think I'd have been that generous!

All that makes this such an intriguing book. It's very, very odd to want to root for The Other Guy. The oddity of it has stuck in my head since the first time I read it and I've always wanted to read it again.

Diana Palmer fans will probably love this book. It's hard to say it is one of my favorites because of the weird character dynamics, but I did like it a lot. And I love Cash Grier. He's one of my favorite romance heroes.

Now I plan to reread Renegade (Cash and Tippy's books) because you can't read Lawless and not want to read Renegade after. They're too closely tied.

[Margo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Heroine is a doormat who is repeatedly humiliated by hero. OW is so cruel and manipulative that I have never been able to read the book about her, even though I liked Cash a lot. This is not a happy ending. In cases, like this where the relationship is so egregiously toxic, there’s only one thing that can help: a healing revisionist epilogue.

As the end of their marriage of contractual convenience, the H begins to pull away and make noises about getting a divorce. He flirts with the movie star who is currently filming a movie on location at his ranch. He buys her an expensive ring, which she flaunts in front of the heroine, who agonizes over his cruelty. She is devastated when the H fails to remember her birthday while doting on the narcissistic OW.

The movie star is delighted by this. She sees that the H is both stupid and easily manipulated by his sense of “honor,“ as he fell for her story that she was being harassed by the assistant director. The H doesn’t realize that assistant directors in Hollywood don’t have any real power, and the AD wouldn’t have dared harass a supermodel. The OW might as well have been harassed by the person manning the craft services table for all the influence he would have on her career. The OW gives the performance of her life convincing the moronic H that she is a victim and needs protection.

The h is humiliated by the H’s behavior, which is seen by everyone in town, including the new sheriff. He is kind hearted and worldly, and recognizes her for the gem that she is. He is also worldly enough to recognize that the OW is nothing more than shiny trash, and he treats her accordingly. He limits himself to a few taunting words to the H about his interactions with the h, because he doesn’t want the H to suddenly become a dog in the manger about the heroine. He continues to befriend the h with an eye to eventually courting her.

Despite the OM’s efforts to keep things on the down low, the H does become a dog in the manger, and he manages to seduce the heroine one evening, when she is vulnerable, whereupon he pushes her away. The OW senses a disturbance in the Force, and immediately says cruel, terrible things to the h, including that the H mocked her proficiency in the sack. The h is devastated at first, but fortunately, she has someone to compare the H to— the OM — who is ready to settle down, and who thinks that the heroine is the most wonderful person in the world. She has kept him as a friend, but she realizes that the OM is well worth dating. She has finally had the Epiphany that was necessary. She is done with the H and his nonsense. She’ll stick with him long enough to land the Japanese deal, but then they are over and she is moving on. Much to his shock, she signs over the ranch to the H and prepares to walk away.

In the days leading up to the Japanese trip, there is an altercation with a bad guy who pulls a gun on the H while the OW and the heroine are standing nearby. The two are in the midst of a conversation where the OW is taunting the h about how much money the H has spent on her, and how they both laugh after sex at how plain and simple the h is. The OW also says that the H has promised to rename the h’s family ranch in her (the OW‘s) name.

The h, although having lots of spirit, is no match for the OW’s form of cruelty, which has been honed from years of being used and discarded by dozens of men. Sensing weakness, the OW also makes fun of the heroine for having dead parents, because she says that it’s clear nobody wants to stick around the heroine, even if it cost them their lives.

It is at that point that they see that a bad guy has the H in his sights, and he’s preparing to shoot him. In a lightning-fast move, the h pushes the OW in the path of the bullet. The OW is shot instead. While they are waiting for the ambulance, the h, who is pretending to tend to the OW, whispers that she decided to test the OW’s theory that people were so unhappy around the h that they would gladly lose their lives to get away from her. Since the OW didn’t die this time, the h tells the OW she’ll have to try to test the theory again the next time she is around.

Fortunately, the OW is not seriously injured. However, one of her breast implants ruptures while she is in the hospital due to medical malpractice (some of the hospital staff are good friends of the h and have been waiting for an opportunity to obtain a little justice on her behalf), and because she had been exposed to too many chemicals when the implant leaked the doctors recommend that she never replace it. They remove her other breast, implant, thus ruining her career, since those were the OW‘s real talent.

The OM takes advantage of the OW’s hospital stay to propose to the h and tells her that he loves her, and that he hopes that she will learn to love him too. The h has finally learned her lesson, and she realizes that she does love the OM. She accepts immediately. She is unaware, but the OM is extremely wealthy due to his past as a mercenary, and he has been waiting to spoil the h rotten. They get engaged to the rejoicing of the entire town.

The H is shocked and outraged, and horrified to realize that he has lost the heroine, but eventually he consoles himself somewhat with the idea that now he will be involved with the OW. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work out like that. The OW sues the H for the shooting, which took place on the H’s property. She gets several million dollars, but unfortunately, she is immediately blackmailed by the AD, who has seen all of her cruelty to the wife of a married man that she is interested in, and is preparing to provide all this information to the tabloids. Her money is soon gone, and once she realizes that the H has no money, she returns to Hollywood where she is never able to resuscitate her career either as a model or as an actress. She remains in Hollywood, living off of men as best she can. However, she can’t land the men in power the way she used to, so she is really working hard for her money.

The H is bankrupt due to the lawsuit, which insurance barely paid out. He is forced to sell the ranch at auction, where it is purchased by the OM for his wedding gift to the h. The H ends up getting a job as a hand at a ranch nearby, and is forced to watch from a distance from his small room in the bunkhouse as the H in the OM socialize with his employers and the other wealthy ranch owners in the area. After a few years, he walks away from that job and disappears. A few years after that, the heroine notices that the H no longer works for the neighboring ranch owner. No one knows where he went, and no one cares. She never thinks of him again for the rest of her life.

[Chantal ❤️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Girls was way too sweet for the butthole hero.
He treats her like crap and she takes it. This is Not DP best but I have read worst.
Only part I love is when Cash comes to get her and dances with her.
The hero needs his ass handed to him for the crap he gave this innocent sweetie.
Does not happen because if it did I would have given it 5 stars.
He needed to grovel epically!!!
A good read just not great but some moments where awesome.
No cheating but a lot of OW drama and some OM drama so it's not a totally safe read.

[Cheesecake · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually liked this way more than I thought I would. I've been prevaricating about reading it since I finished Lionhearted, where you see Judd bring the OW to the annual dance only to be confronted by Christobel dancing with the OM.

Judd marries Christobel when she is 16 to save her from her abusive father. They plan to stay secretly married til she is 21 when they can annul it. (There are a few brief flashbacks at the start that fill the reader in).

He's a Texas Ranger and lives in a different town. She is a computer programming student while also taking care of the family ranch. Not much money to spare for her, but she makes it work.
The story opens close to her 21st birthday and he is now 34. He lets her know about a film crew that want to rent the ranch as a location.
This film job will be the catalyst that makes or breaks them as it comes with a grasping starlet (Tippy) who is too self absorbed to see the havoc she wreaks.
Now I want to hate Tippy and I can't say as I like her. I sure don't want to read her book with Cash, but DP does try to turn her around by the end of the book. That doesn't mean she didn't need to makes some heartfelt apologies to Crissy for her Horrible behavior! Seriously, she was just awful. Catty and snooty. It didn't really make sense with the way Tippy is portrayed by the end making the reader feel like she had a split personality.

Anyways, it appears to EVERYONE that Judd is dating Tippy and maybe even intent on marrying her. Judd did this intentionally as a ruse to protect Tippy from her amorous director. Yet it didn't make sense as it didn't seem to slow down the director at all. And Judd didn't seem to consider the ramifications in that everyone else would be under the same impression as the director... including Crissy. Why couldn't he just have warned Crissy?
Crissy and Judd's secret marital status wasn't the much of a secret by now so he comes across as a cheat to everyone.

Then there's Cash Grier, the hotty assistant chief of police, who is suave and smitten with Crissy. She just thinks of him as a friend and having someone who supports her and appreciates her as a person.

So every time it seems that Crissy or Judd might bridge the widening gap in their non-relationship, either the OM or the OW show up. Even after she and Judd have sex, Judd continues with the Tippy BS. To be fair, it was Crissy who was the first to go out with another. But things don't get ugly til after he lets Tippy talk him into buying her a very expensive ring, yet didn't give Crissy a Christmas gift or remember her birthday.

To ratchet up the tension and give Cash plenty of reason to visit Crissy often, there is also a villain.

Safety is surprisingly good He was true to her from the moment they married. Mostly at first because he isn't a vow breaker. The kisses he gave Tippy were part of the 'fake relationship' when the director was around to see them. Crissy is a virgin... of course.

[Lu Bielefeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐⭐⭐ - OK or decent reads.
=======================


★ *˛ ˚♥* ✰。˚ ˛˚ ♥ 。✰˚* ˚ ★
.•°*”˜˜”*°•. ˜”*°• •°*”˜ .•°*”˜˜”*°•.
.•°*”˜Diana Palmer's Marathon, 2023˜”*°•.
.•°*”˜.•°*”˜.•°*”˜ ˜”*°•.˜”*°•.˜”*°•.
★ *˛ ˚♥* ✰。˚˛˚ ♥ 。✰˚* ˚ ★

#TeamCash

==>Relido em 22 de Junho de 2016.
==>Lido em 01 de Agosto de 2015.
============================
I love this author and I follow all her work. The story is very well written and I got so involved that I hated the hero from the beginning. His attitude was awful and for me he didn't deserve to lick the boots of our heroine.
More and more in love with Cash and ended up rooting for Crissy leave Judd and stay with him.
Tippy (whorebag) went to my blacklist. Her attitude was an ordinary woman and no morals.
The stories of author in involve in such a way that we feel as residents of the fictional town in Texas. And like any small town, we have the right to have an opinion about the lives of others.
If you have a strong heart and is willing to high emotions I recommend reading.
=============================
==>MY HIGHLIGHTS<==
"We're going to be short about a thousand dollars after we pay estimated taxes next week," he told her quietly. (JUDD "LOSER" DUNN)
===
"I told you five years ago, and I'm telling you now" he said firmly, "nothing of that sort is ever going to happen between you and me. In two months you'll be twenty-one. You'll sign a paper, and so will I, and we'll be business partners—nothing more."
===
"Of course, Tippy Moore has never been around livestock, either. You might have seen her on magazine covers. They call her the Georgia Firefly. This will be her first motion picture, but she was a hit at the audition. A real natural."
===
Judd pursed his lips and his black eyes lit up. "I've seen her on the cover of the sports magazine's swimsuit issue," he confessed. "Every red-blooded man in America knows who she is."
===
"But he knew who Tippy Moore was. Most men did. She had the face of an angel, and a body that begged for caresses. Un-like poor Christabel, whose face was passable, but not really pretty, and whose body was like the poor beast's in the story of Dr. Frankenstein's monster."
===
"Christabel had heard a lot about Cash Grier, but she'd never met him. She'd seen him around. He was an enigma, wearing a conservative police uniform with his long thick black hair in a ponytail. He had a mustache and a little goatee just under his lower lip these days, and he looked...menacing."
===
"When are you going to grow up, tomboy?" he asked. (JUDD "FOOL" DUNN)
===
"Christabel lay awake for hours worrying about Tippy Moore and Judd's odd reaction to the news that she was going to be in the movie. He seemed fascinated by the woman, just from her photographs, and it was obvious enough to be painful."
"But when the director had mentioned Tippy Moore, he'd smiled, and there had been a purely masculine look in his eyes."
"Her mother had smiled knowingly about that. He wouldn't want to parade any of his lovers in front of Christabel, she'd remarked."
===
Judd had already stated his intention of getting an annulment in November.
===
"She was a real charmer, and pretty to boot. He liked her personality. It had been a long time since a woman had appealed to him so much at a first meeting.
"In November I turn twenty-one and I'm a free woman." He pursed his lips and studied her face. "I'm thirty-eight. Years too old for you..." (CASH "MY HERO" GRIER)
===
"Go ahead, Judd, tell me you haven't touched another woman since we married. Tell me you don't date "
===
"Not Grier," he said huskily, his eyes falling to her parted, full lips. "Not the first time..." (JUDD "JEALOUS" DUNN)
===
"You know nothing about men, and that's my fault. You can't go out with a man like Grier without knowing the dangers. It was a lesson, Christabel. Just a lesson!"
===
"He didn't want to be married. He wasn't ready for family life. Infrequent liaisons were enough for him."
===
"I'm skint. I used the last of my savings to repair that used tractor we had to have for haying." (JUDD "LOSER" DUNN)
===
"Tippy Moore is world-famous and beautiful," she said without thinking. "Judd really perked up when they mentioned she was starring in this movie. He's never been around women like that."
===
"And this is Tippy Moore," he added in a different tone, his eyes riveted to the green-eyed redhead, who gave Christabel a fleet-ing glance that dismissed her as no competition, and then proceeded to smile brilliantly up at Judd.
"Judd, I'd love to see that big bull you told us about," the model cooed, taking Judd's arm in her slender hands and tugging him along.
===
"That model was really playing up to him," Maude was muttering. "Hung on him like a chain the whole time, smiling up at him, laughing with him. She's stuck on him already."
===
"...was Crissy's house, not Tippy Moore's. She should have had some input into purchases. But nobody cared for her opinion. She felt as if she'd landed in hell."
===
"she saw Judd drive up at the front steps. Her heart raced and she hesitated. But just then, he got out of his SUV and went around the hood to open the passenger door. The redheaded model climbed down beside him, laughing up at him with that smile that had graced half a dozen magazine covers.
"Judd's arm slide around Tippy Moore's thin shoulders as they walked toward the barn..."
===
"Did you come to arrest Miss Gaines?" came a honey-sweet voice from behind Crissy. "It can't be for speeding, not in that deathtrap of an old truck she drives!"
"Cat got your tongue, Mr. Policeman?" she teased. (TIPPY "WHORE" MOORE)
===
He gave Tippy a speaking glance. "I appreciate a real woman who doesn't look like a painted dress-up doll." (GRIER)
===
"She reminds me of a redheaded serpent," she murmured without looking at Cash. "I feel like I don't even live there anymore. I can't go in my own house without tripping over an actor or a piece of equipment."
===
"I've seen a hundred like her over the years," he said coldly. "Selfish, vain, unaware of anything that goes on around them. She must be twenty-six or twenty-seven, and her days as a model are numbered. If she doesn't make it in films, she's going to be unemployable in a few years." (CASH "MY HERO" GRIER)
===
"What did you say to Tippy? She was in tears when I left." (JUDD "DUMBASS" DUNN)
===
"Why doesn't he sell out?"

"It's just a piece of dirt with a little grass on it."

"Good. See that you don't get any ideas about him," Tippy added. "I have plans for him."

Tippy's breath caught. Then she smiled coldly. "If this is a contest, you've already lost," Tippy drawled softly, green eyes flashing. "Judd will do anything I want him to. Money's tight, is it? Then how could he afford to buy me this?" The model held up her hand and flashed an emerald ring that would have cost in the hundreds, if not thousands. (TIPPY "WHORE" MOORE)
===
"For him to buy something as expensive as that ring, he had to be head over heels in love with the woman."
"The ring she was wearing had hurt Crissy. She shouldn't care, of course..."
"She ran you down like a runaway tanker. She's got Judd convinced that you're pouting because he's paying her a lot of attention. She thinks you're totally immature."
"He bought her an emerald ring. From the look of it, it had several diamonds, too."
"Women like her don't recognize obstacles. She can have any man she likes. She told me so herself,"
"She'll cut you out with Judd any way she can, and she's vindictive." "Judd doesn't want me to begin with," Crissy said on a sigh. (THE S.O.B. IS BANKRUPT AND STILL SPENDING WITH AN EXPENSIVE RING FOR TIPPY THE BITCH)
===
"Tippy Moore would help him think it was just another plea for attention."
===
"Yes, he did. He isn't panting over Tippy Moore, and he'd take my word any day, for anything!" she added with pure venom. His eyes narrowed dangerously and he stiffened. "Tippy is not your business. She has nothing to do with the ranch."
===
Tippy sighed. "I didn't realize how hard things were for you here," she began. "My ranch is not your business," Crissy replied tersely. "It soon might be, though," came the slow reply. For good measure, Tippy turned the emerald and diamond ring.

"Tippy went out to greet Judd, gathering his arm into both perfectly manicured hands. "I wondered if you were coming back. Miss Gaines has been in her room all afternoon pouting, after the argument you had," she added lightly. "My, my, she is frightfully immature, isn't she?" He hesitated, but only for a second."
===
"But he didn't come Friday. In fact, Tippy Moore didn't show up for work, either."
"She's up in Victoria today, with Judd," he told her with thinly veiled sarcasm. "They were having a retirement party for one of the local law enforcement people, and Tippy volunteered to go with Judd. Bachelors in the department were doing cart-wheels, last I heard," he added. "Tippy said Judd was delighted that she wanted to go with him." (I HATE THIS BITCH)
===
"I'm twenty-one today," she said slowly. "You are?" he asked, surprised. "And Judd went off with Tippy?" She laughed.
"You don't think Tippy wouldn't enjoy rubbing it in when she comes back with the film crew next week?" she mused. "At least now, she won't hit me with it when I'm not expecting it."
"Judd didn't want to take her out on her twenty-first birthday, she dressed for Grier instead."
"Did he call you?" "No, he didn't," she said flatly. "Not that it matters."
"He didn't remember that it was your birthday. I didn't have the heart to remind him when he called me.
===
"She took off the signet ring he'd put on her finger five years before, caught his big, lean hand in hers, and tucked the ring into his palm, closing his fingers around it. "I won't need this anymore. I turned twenty-one yesterday,"
"While you were showing off Miss Supermodel at your party in Victoria, I was being wined and dined by the man who's too worldly for me! He bought me a beautiful supper, with champagne to toast my coming of age, and took me to see The Firebird in Houston!"
===
He'd been negligent, on all counts, even by buying Tippy that expensive ring that he couldn't really afford. (JUDD "CHEATER" DUNN)
===
"Tippy Moore came back to work the next Monday, and her first words to Crissy were about the great time she had with Judd in Victoria at the party." (TIPPY "BITCH" MOORE)
===
"The annual Cattleman's Ball was held the Saturday before Thanksgiving, and Cash had already invited Christabel to go with him. She was delighted not to have to stay home that night, too, while Judd showed off his fancy model at the ball. She knew Judd wouldn't take her."
"Judd didn't even look her way. He came in late with the redhead,"
===
"Judd felt sick at his stomach. He hadn't realized that Tippy would broadcast the fact that he'd raided his meager savings to buy her that expensive bauble."
"Neither could he admit that his extravagance had hurt them even more." (JUDD "MORON" DUNN)
===
"It's the police, again!" Tippy Moore drawled from nearby, tossing her long red-gold hair for the benefit of any man in view. She smiled sarcastically at Grier. "You almost live here, don't you? Have you come to arrest somebody, or can't Miss Gaines manage a day without you in it?" she added nastily.
"My taste doesn't run to your sort of woman, Miss Moore. I don't have to pay women to go out with me."
"What you've got, lady, is a pretty face and a passable figure. In five or six years, you won't find a fashion magazine that will even want to feature you in the advertise-ments. Then what will you do, when men who panted after you can't find enough excuses to get away from you?"
"You have no apparent education, no manners, no culture, no consideration for other people. And you think a pretty face makes up for the lack of those attributes?" he asked. "Why don't you take a good look in a mirror?
"You're a lot less attractive to men than you think you are. And I've got your number, even if Judd Dunn hasn't yet."
"He gave me a ring," she said through her teeth. "He's crazy about me!" "He's crazy, all right," he shot back. "You'd bankrupt him in two weeks and leave him bleeding on your way to a fatter wal-let. You wouldn't even look back to see if he died."
"I know trash when I see it," he countered with cold eyes.
"That woman is a prime manipulator. Judd's out of his mind if he thinks she cares about him." (CASH GRIER)
===
"I've been a bitch to you," the model said solemnly.
"Despite Crissy's compassion, they were rivals for the same man. And it was true, that all was fair in love and war."
===
"She's wearing an engagement ring, Judd," she replied in a subdued tone. "I know you plan to marry her. We're only married on paper, anyway, and soon we won't be. I don't blame you for wanting somebody pretty and famous and sophisticated. I never was in the running, that way, and I've always known
"That emerald and diamond ring you gave her. Why would a man give a woman a ring that expensive if he wasn't seriously involved"
===
"You haven't had a lover? It's been five years!" she choked finally.
"Considering our situation, the only available woman is you."
"I had too much to drink and you were handy," he said flatly. "I had no right to use you to take my mind off my own problems."
"No. I don't want to stay married,"
"And, of course, there's Miss Moore," she added softly. He scowled, glancing at her. "Your fiancee," she reminded him,
"So it was an engagement ring, after all, wasn't it?" He nodded, affirming the lie with a curt jerk of his head that felt like abject betrayal. (JUDD "DOUCHE" DUNN)
===
"I knew you had to be serious to buy her a ring like that, when we can barely pay bills around here." (JUDD "LOSER" DUNN)
===
"When the Japanese deal goes through, we'll make decisions. But I don't want to go on living here and be an unwelcome third wheel after you remarry."
===

"That's what happens when you wear your heart on your sleeve, Miss Gaines," Tippy told her lightly. "You shouldn't throw yourself at men if you want to get anywhere. Sex is such a poor way to hold a man like Judd anyway. He's just too disgusted for words, can't you tell? He told me that you were embarrassing him with your behavior. All he wants is to forget it ever happened. He says you threw yourself at him and he couldn't help himself." (TIPPY "BITCH" MOORE)
===
"How could you tell her we slept together, that I threw myself at you? How could you, Judd!"
===
She was a coward. She was utterly worthless... (TIPPY "WHORE" MOORE)
===
"Never meant anything to him. It was just on paper, so he could take care of things when her dad went to jail."
===
"You're in love with her, aren't you?" "If I am, it's nobody's business except my own," he told her flatly. (CASH "MY HERO" GRIER)
===
"Cash was everything most men wanted to be. He was handsome, charming, cultured and absolutely fearless."
===
"The barn was deserted except for two people. Judd was leaning against one of the high stalls, and Tippy was leaning against him, her beautiful body almost part of his in the posture as they kissed with something akin to desperation."
"She could see Judd kissing Tippy, she could feel the agony the sight had caused, like a fresh wound. Judd loved Tippy. He loved Tippy...!" (JUDD "CHEATER" DUNN)

[Pat Cromwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will buy anything she writes (except historical) There is a 50 - 50 chance I'll finish it. So for the Palmer books I will rate them as follows:

1) Hero: Slighly above Jerk of the year

2) Read entire book: Yes just because the storyline is intriguing and I was amazed at the hero's overbearing obnoxious manner.

3) Intriguing: Oh Yes -- dying to see if the guy could be a bigger asshole than he was on the previous page.

4) Do I still have the book or did I give it away to the goodwill: I have it and pull it out as a reminded of how much of a jerk a man can be.

5) Did she jump the shark on this one: God no! I love Diana Palmer and this was just another Diana Palmer book. I knew the chances of hating the hero was like 80% were when I brought it.

6) Recommend: Only to Diana Palmer fans and readers who like the pathetically asshole alpha male.

7) Why say I like it: Because it is exactly what you expect. She didn;t let me down!

[Raffaella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't know why lawless, I think it should be brainless, and for both of them.
Here we have a new element.
The hero, a Texas Ranger, saved the heroine from an abusive father and married her when she was 16 to help her. They share a ranch and so, until she's 21, he'll take care of her and of both shares of the ranch. He was a dear. He allowed her to study, was good to her, but treated her like a little sister.
His mother was much younger than his father and left him because she liked to party, he also loves his job that is quite dangerous, and doesn't want to be married and have a family.
The heroine is of course hopelessly in love with him.
Up to the present. She's almost 21. The annulment is imminent. The hero has always been very clear about it. The ranch is having some financial troubles and a creep is threatening the heroine. The creep is fired and some accidents happens: a bull is found dead, some fences are cut. The hero doesn't believe the creep has anything to do with it (and here we are with the brainless part), the heroine does.
-A troup is filming at the ranch, the main character is a famous swimsuit model.
- Soon the hero is hangin around with the model.
- Enter Cash Grier. Oh my god! This was new! At last! The heroine here has a real suitor, a man who is in every aspect much better than the hero, and he's smitten with the heroine. They date, they kiss, he's nice, he's a hunk, he's richer and more culturated than the hero, he's a real hero, and he's ready to commit to the heroine
So why? Why the heroine doesn't fall for him and they get married?????
i was pleasantly surprised that DP added such a twist in one of her book. Usually the heroine is such a loser, no man would fall for her and she would hang around the hero like a kicked puppy. And if there's a om he's usually a friend and he's not so handsome/ charming as the hero.
Cash is really more charming than the hero, smarter, more handsome and he's in love with the heroine!
He also defends the heroine from the evil ow, throwing nasty remarks to her and making her cry. That. was. so. good.
I suspect that DP didn't mean to go so far, because the om turns out to be so much better than the hero that it's difficult for everyone to imagine that the heroine would prefer the hero. So in the end Cash seems attracted by the ow and the evil ow seems not so evil. But to me it looked very strained.
Anyway, the heroine is still in love with the hero and the hero is attracted by the heroine, he's very jealous of Cash and does some awful things to the heroine, like buying the ow a ring when they don't even have money to buy food, forgetting the heroine's birthday, parading the ow in front of all the town, and I think there was not one reader that in the end wasn't a supporter of Cash...
Then the heroine takes a bullet to save that sob of hero and he wants her back. Because he understands that she is really in love with him.
Too little too late, mister.
But no, the stupid heroine, even after all he did to her, still loves him so no, no happy ending for me.
Eventually I hated them both and I told myself that she's so stupid that she really deserved a stupid and small sob like the hero so after all it's a happy ending.
- The hero was celibate since he married the heroine
-He was not attracted to the ow, this time I can really say that I didn't feel any sparkle between him and ow, it was very clear that he used her to make the heroine jealous and not because he was ever involved with her.
-It was very clear that he was strongly attracted to the heroine but was afraid to lose his freedom and to be left by her because of their age difference.
-their problems were miscommunications and misunderstandings-
But:
-why did he buy ow a ring?
-why did he forget the heroine's birthday if he told her he loved her since their first meeting? It doesn't make sense.
-the kiss with ow was really too much. If he was really in love with the heroine he shouldn't have kissed another woman at all.
-i didn't like that the heroine had to take a bullet for him and afterwards he changed his mind about her.
- he didn't want her for himself but he didn't want Cash to have her either.
Whatever. Much angst so I liked this mess.
Best character of the book: Cash.

[Jess the Romanceaholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

See where you had to click on the little link that let you know that there was a spoiler here?

I wasn't kidding.

This is your last chance before I ruin it for you ;)


Ok. I warned ya.



So I'm just gonna go ahead and say this -- I put "adultery or infidelity" as one of the keywords, because for a good solid HALF of the bloody book, you think, even though Crissy is a total Mary Sue as far as honoring her wedding vows go, that not only has Judd cheated on Crissy in the past (quietly), but that he's blatantly banging this hot piece of tail that shows up in the first couple chapters.

But he's not.

There.

I ruined the whole story for you.

That's what you get for clicking on a review that you knew had spoilers in it ;) :P

But seriously.

I can't stand adultery in books. It turns my stomach. Total turn-off. I don't care if it is a marriage of convenience, or even if the married partners can't breathe the same air without wanting to perform hari-kari just so they won't have to tolerate the other. Or heck, even if they've been estranged for 15 years. It's just not my cup of tea at all.

So, when I started reading this book, I had that sickly, stone-in-my-gut feeling as I read, because it was obvious (or so it seemed) that while Judd was respectful of his wife, he'd been getting a little something something on the side *wink wink nudge nudge*... And then when the hoochie mama Tippy shows up in all her whoretastic glory (and c'mon, face it, how cliche is Tippy in this bloody book?!).. Well.. You get the picture.

But, turns out Judd's been behaving. For five. long. years. *blink* I'm actually kind of impressed. Our thud-tastic hero, whose rare kisses practically melt the panties off of our poor love-starved heroine, is actually... celibate? *blink*

So yes, cliches abound

But you know what?

I loved this book anyway :D

This is my first Diana Palmer book, and if the rest of hers are anything like this one, I'll be glomming her with a quickness.

The angst in this book is delicious.

Judd is just too bloody stubborn to admit that he's got the hots for his much younger, married-only-on-paper wife, and Crissy, bless her little virgin heart is just too tomboyish and in blinding love with Judd to realize that she's actually a hot little number and that it's not a case of her being undesirable but rather a case of him being chronically "noble"... *facepalm*


Ahhh but I do love stories like that. The angst is just freaking delicious. I wanna slurp it up with a spoon.

And Cash! Oh Cash! *falls over* How I adore him! I see from other reviews that he's got his own book -- I'm going to be at the library first thing in the morning searching for that puppy, because he's just delicious in his own right. I admit, I was totally rooting for him, at least for a while *dreamy sigh*

It would have had a higher rating, but the ending was just too contrived.

Twins? Really?! And she hid it for the whole pregnancy? REALLY?! Yeah, I don't think so. It just jacked the cheese factor waaaaaay up, so it lost a star.

[Mou: Fae of Heartfelt ARC]

Cheating.

[Veronica WordsAreMyDrinkOfChoice · Rating 1 out of 5]

What are people on? This hero is unforgivable! Spending money he does not have on the OW, taking her to parties and flaunting her! Heroine should have chosen someone else! No excuse for this shit, it was written in 2004. I know asshole heroes are this author’s styles but she needs to move with the times and give her heroine’s some respect!

[Bookish.Midnight. and. black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread. 2022
My first Diana Palmer book! It was amazing! I loved the heroine, she was so strong and sweet. The hero was sometimes stupid and I don't understand why he acted like this like he did not know the heroine at all.
The hero and the heroine are married, a marriage of convenience because they have a ranch together, equal parts, so she needed someone to take care of her part because when her father ended up in jail after beating her near to death, she was 16 yo. Now, she is almost 21 and he is 34. She loves him but he doesn't want her, he is always keeping the distance and he is always saving that after she is 21 he will want an annulment.
Because they need money for the ranch, they rent it to someone as a movie set, so they have to have at the ranch actors and movie staff. The main actress of the movie is a Tully/ Tippe /whats-her-name-with-a-T. This one is really attractive, beautiful, with class, filtration, and with a beautiful laugh and experience so when she comes to the ranch, the hero almost forgets that he has a friend in his wife and that the friend exists.

They don't have money and the heroine is wearing old clothes because she doesn't want to spend the money on her when she knows they need them for the ranch, but he buys a pricey ring with diamond and emeralds for the OW. The OW is always at the hero's side, he is always with her and everything changed for the hero and the heroine and their life together. The hero forgets the heroine's 21 birthday, and their traditions to eat in a restaurant. he doesn't call, and after two days he finds out by mistake about it. The heroine knows that he went to a party with OW when it was her birthday.
The ranch has some problems when some ex-employees start to kill the animals, and because the hero is always with OW, the heroine tried to solve the problems herself. The hero is a policeman and when he kills one of his ex-employees in a bank robbery because he was the perpetrator, the other one promises to avenge his brother's death.
The heroine understands that he will always see her as a hired help, that they are no longer friends because he doesn't want to spend time with her anymore, so she asks him for a divorce after they both had a lot to drink and they made sex for the first time* and he said that it was all a mistake*. When the hero's lie is in danger, the heroine puts herself in harm's way to defend him and save his life, even though they are nothing to each other.
In the end, we find out about


spoiler


the fact that between him and OW was nothing. They enjoyed each other company, she wanted to keep her producer away and he wanted to feel good knowing that a fine woman like her will give him the attention. He grovels a little and they have their HEA.

I was not ok with the fact that the hero went to see the premiere of the movie knowing that his wife could have their baby anytime, and she has it without him. I was not ok with the fact that he thought that was ok to kiss the OW even though it was all for show because they wanted to prove to the producer that they were together, because he was trying to sleep with the actress.

[Deniz · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first book by this author. Overall the book was pretty good. It was romantic and full of drama. The story and the character are well developed.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a romance that has a bit of mystery in it , and who likes western romances

[Jac K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Reread
DP is my guilty pleasure. I gobble up everything she puts out and just accept every OTT plot twist, evil OW and old dude-young virgin hookup. This one was a bit unique in that the plot wasn't crazy, and we have a love square. (rather than a love triangle) It wasn't my fav; it actually reminded me a bit of Kathleen Ball's Callie's Heart.

*****Original Review****

3 “I HATE Tippy Stars

Lawless is Judd and Christabel’s story. The two have had a “paper marriage only” for several years. He married her when her father went to jail for almost beating her to death when she was 16.

Here are the players....
Judd Dunn is a 34 yr old Texas Ranger. He loves wearing his cream-colored (beaver fur) Stetson, and never leaves home without his Colt .45 resting in his new holster. Judd was not our typical DP hero as he was poor, insecure, and wimpy. He's moody like a bitch, not so broody like an alpha...He's been celibate for years...no playboys here

Christabel Gaines is a 21-yr old orphan who co-owns the ranch with Judd. She has wavy blond hair and small firm breasts. She's not gorgeous, but she can clean up all right. She was strong, mature and likeable. She's a virgin, but watches porn to broaden her knowledge on all things sexy. She has a mild obsession with red lingerie...

Cash Grier is like Austen Powers. He is an international man of mystery. He is cultured, but dark and dangerous. He's rich, HATES models, and can salsa dance while speaking Japanese about ballet, and the finer things in life. He's 38, and the assistant chief of police. He's got a past, but he's not going to talk about it.

Tippy Moore is gorgeous. She's called the Georgia Firefly; she's a 26-yr old super model, and stretching her wings into acting. She likes to use men, but she's afraid of them. She's got red hair, green eyes, and is a total manipulative, mean bitch... Unless she happens to jump in and staunch blood from gunshots...then she's totally cool and accepted.

I loathed Tippy, couldn't stand her, and HATED that everyone was just ok with all her lies. She's self-centered, and treated C terribly. I also hate who I think she'll end up with because he deserves so much better. I do love to hate a wannabe OW but can’t stand it when she gets zero comeuppance… and Tippy not only has ZERO consequences… she gets a pass from everyone… including the h. Her narrative just flips acting like she did nothing and is a victim. 😡😡

I don't even know where to start with Judd, he is up there for my least fav DP hair-roughened chest hero ever. I found him so weak, from his constant bitching about feeling insecure to Cash's worldly ways...to his wimpy behavior with Tippy. It was hard not to pull for Cash.

Overall, I just got tired with the book. I found the numerous conversations about police procedures boring. I found Judd's constant accommodating to Tippy frustrating, and the dragged out push/pull of J & C's relationship annoying...but it did keep me interested in the trainwreck until the end:)

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick review - 3 1/2 stars

Diana Palmer uses the same formula she uses in all the previous books in the series.

Old guy(30+)+ Young girl(20+)-->Ugly fights-->heroine is hurt-->Hero realises his love--> the End

Throw in a couple of secondary characters and a guy wanting to kill the hero we get Lawless.

Why is this one different than other, you may ask, the answer is Christabel Gaines

Unlike the common DP heroines, this one fights. She refuses to budge(eventhough we know she is acting like a brat) when he confesses his feelings.The way DP carries the angst part off the book is incredible. Most of her books will follow a same theme. You read one, you've read them all. But there is something about her books that make me read them anyway. Go figure!

I have hated her heros and felt like bitch slapping most of her heroines , but i always come back to read her books, must be some kind of curse i got..

I have read my share of DP's books and so i can assure you this one is better. We find Cash, who is a cool secondary character and totally worthy of Christabel. It was nice to see a hero who was unsure of himself, i just didn't like the way he goes about it, but hey, this is a DP novel, who am i to judge!

[Ana M. Román · Rating 5 out of 5]

De lo mejor de la autora. Ha sabido sacar buen provecho de la extensión extra que no suelen tener sus otras historias.

Diana Palmer tiene una habilidad única para atraparme con sus historias una y otra vez a pesar de que estás no se salgan de un marco muy bien establecido. Parece haber encontrado la fórmula perfecta y se ha mantenido fiel a ella. Pero lo que podría ser una desventaja en realidad se convierte en todo lo contrario, sé exactamente lo que me voy a encontrar cuando cojo un libro con su firma:

- Vaqueros atractivos, algo bordes pero con un gran corazón que sólo se vislumbra al final.
- Chicas inocentes irremediablemente muertas de amor por el vaquero anterior.
- Una relación con una gran diferencia de edades. De más de 10 años en más del 90% de los casos.
- Unos ideales, modo de comportarse y todo lo demás que no va para nada acorde a la época y cierto tonillo de abuelilla aleccionadora que en lugar de molestarme me saca una sonrisa como si estuviera ante los suspiros de pesar de quien vivió en otra época, y en realidad es más o menos así debido a la edad de la autora quien no es precisamente una jovencita. Casi podría ser una historia que me podrá contar mi propia abuela.
- Una historia bonita, dulce que se desarrolla sin grandes sobresaltos y que me atrapa precisamente por su simplicidad. A veces se agradece poder poner la mente a descansar sin econtrarme montada en una montañarusa emocional sin previo aviso.

En esta ocasión la autora no defrauda, he tenido todo eso y algo más. El final es de los que me gustaría ver más en sus obras las cuales muchas veces terminan demasiado abruptamente para mi gusto. Pero no esta vez, no señor, esta vez he tenido un final enteramente de mi gusto.

[Linds · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I wasn't really crazy about this book for two reasons. First, the hero was very indecisive about his feelings for the heroine. He was always sending mixed messages and playing mind games. Second, even though in this book they are 34 and 21, he's liked her since she was 16. That would put him at 29 at that time and I don't really like huge age differences in romances. But I want to give the author another shot because I think she is a pretty good author.

[Melanie♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

re-read:
Still one of my favorite DPs, but not quite as good as I remember from 5 years ago.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gah, the angst!! My chest was tight and stomach was achey and I got teary eyed so many times during this read. So so good. It’s been a while since I’ve actually physically felt the angst and I was loving it.

I love Diana Palmers characters. The sweet, innocent young h’s with the experienced gruff older H. This one is a 20, nearly 21 year old h, and a 34 year old H who have been married for the last 5 years. It’s a marriage of convenience and they’re approach the date where they initially agreed to part ways but neither are ready to let go. There’s a lot of OW and OM drama along the way and a ton of miscommunications. It worked for me! He was super redeemable. I felt his regret. He knows how badly he’s twisted everything up and he isn’t letting her get that divorce or get away from him. Gah, swoon. I ended up really loving their HEA and totally believed in their love for each other.

Overall: 4.5 because the ring thing really did bug me lol. I loved the angst that all that drama caused but it turned me off that he was so controlled by his ego to begin with.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hero was an adorable jerk. Heroine was blind and all the misunderstandings drove me crazy. Not a fan of love triangles so I can't say I loved this story but I liked it and the epilogue was super adorable!

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two-haiku review:

He married her young
To protect their co-owned ranch
But she's still virgin

I enjoyed this book
Romance, action and suspense
Young woman, but strong

[*CJ* · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Lawless" is the story of Christabel and Judd.

Reread as I found a paperback copy, and yes it was filled with nostalgia. Hero and heroine and co-ranch owners, who are in a marriage of convenience. Its been five years, but he still sees her as a gangly teenager. When a filming crew comes to their ranch with a famous heroine, time starts running out.. At the same time, some mysterious murders take place at the ranch, and the heroine is supported by the deputy, who starts taking interest in her.
We have a furry cowboy heroine, innocent plain jane heroine, lots of jealousy and miscommunications, sweet lovemaking, an exasperated housekeeper, some sweet confessions and a HEA. Also this is the prequel to Trippy and Cash's story who are both secondary characters in this one!

Safe..ish
4/5

[Aou · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was in need of the dumbest angst that only DP could provide. Lol

[Auj · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG this book, it made me feel a lot of different things. The second half was a bit dramatic I won't lie. The premise looked interesting (I think I found this under accidental pregnancies, I still do not know why I am so into that trope lol). The main characters were married when the girl Crissy was 16 to save the farm after her alcoholic father abused her and then suffered from a heart attack shortly afterward. There was just a short flashback, it wasn't really hard to read. Crissy had been in love with Judd since she was 16, who at the time of the novel is now 34. He has commitment and trust issues from his parents' relationship, so he tried to never think of her in a nonplatonic way. But there is definitely sexual tension in the beginning and that is why I kept reading.

There is other woman drama with a world famous model, now an aspiring actress. The third person omniscient tense (the author) makes it clear how Judd and the model Trippy don't have a romantic relationship with each other, but Crissy has no idea of this and there is a lot of tension and drama because of this. Trippy seemed very rude and unpleasant in the beginning, and then the author decided to give her a character arc at the end... which some readers didn't like but I liked it. Though, I felt Trippy should have been more apologetic. All the side characters & Crissy really forgave her.

Crissy also has a side man, Cash, who is introduced in the beginning. He is 38 and he really likes her and vice versa, but she only has feeling for Judd. Of course, most readers would probably ship Crissy & Cash together, but I was digging the slow burn and sexual tension w Judd.

I was worried the sex would be very metaphorical or just very flowery as it often is in old novels (this was published in 2004), but it was actually not bad and kinda intense---you could really feel the depth and intensity of their feelings for each other.

Spoilers: Also, I thought Crissy was dumb when she physically distanced herself from Judd after their return from Japan instead of communicating with him, because she was afraid he would go back to Trippy, when they literally we're acting like lovers for a week or two.

Also there was just a lot of drama that sure made the plot more exciting but that some may find drawn out or unnecessary...it didn't really annoy me, maybe only a tiny bit. I was also crying at the end. I stayed up till 5:15 am on a school night to finish this, and I was in my dorm bed with tears streaming down my face and my roommate was sleeping. Lol.

The beginning plot of the book reminds me of "The Bride" series by S. Doyle that I read and really enjoyed. Also an accidental pregnancy book lol and a marriage of convenience at 16 I believe to save the farm lol.

[Janie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5 stars.
Reread August 03, 2015

I've made it my goal to reread all the DP books I've read so far and document on goodreads my reactions and feelings, because I love DP. On top of this, most of DP's stories are exactly the same, same tropes, same heroines (almost always plain looking blonde and slender) etc. So i figured writing down the differences and my reaction with each book would make it easier for me to remember which DP books I love and which I only like.

Lawless is definitely one of the few DP books in which I can remember the characters names and plot without having to look at the summary and spoilers. It's definitely a memorable read for me, as it was one of the first DP books I read in 2009, along with Heartbreaker and others.

Judd married our heroine to help run her family ranch and unlike most of DP's heroes is not rich, as he is a primarily a Lawman. Shocking! *gasp* BUT .. he is an asshole.


Christabel is also a typical DP heroine, sweet, undemanding and ready to sacrifice herself for the hero's happiness.

I love self sacrificing heroines, who will take a bullet for the hero (LITERALLY), who are ready to pack their bags and leave the hero, so that he can be with the woman he loves. The way Judd treated her, the way it made my chest ache and made me breathy... It was beautiful.


Who is a masochist? I am, I am!

:P


Cash was wonderful in Lawless, and I actually found myself rooting for him instead of Judd. Judd was far too busy buying expensive rings and prancing around with Tippy Moore, than with his own wife, who he seems to love to neglect.

DP heroes *sigh* they don't know what they have till its gone.

I loved how DP praises Japan and Japanese culture in the book, much appreciated as I'm an AZN, AZIAN, ASIAN addict (KPop, JPop, Cpop, TPop, thai lakorn etc).

[amanda s. · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far, one of the best Diana Palmer I've ever read, other than Winter Soldier! :)))

Christabel's 16 when her father abused her and tried to kill her. Judd's Texan Ranger who put him on jail for good. Feeling responsible, she married Crissy in paper only and his main reason is to save his ranch. It's been five years and now Crissy turn 21. It's time for their annulment of marriage and Judd who've been haunt by his parents separation, eager to divorce Crissy. And there is a superstar that cling to him all the time, Tippy, which made Crissy sure that Judd don't love him at all. But what will Judd do when he see Cash, one of Texan Rangers, start seeing Crissy and ask her out regularly?

Very angsty angsty and me lovey lovey! Gah! Now I understand why this book is in top place of Miss Palmer's best book listopia. :)

Crissy's one insecure young girl. She's not pretty, says herself and she think Judd's not attracted to her which is the opposite. And Judd, I don't know what to say. He's kind of dimwitted. I mean, at first Crissy's been throwing herself to him and he refused. And now when he's falling all over him and Crissy avoiding him.. Oh my! I just loved it!

Very recommended to you who loves alpha male and angsty angsty story. :)
Five stars and beyond!