#1 New York Times bestselling author Sherryl Woods brings readers two classic tales of the Calamity Janes…fierce friends facing challenges in life and love
Do You Take This Rebel?
Cassie Collins fled Winding River, Wyoming, when she discovered she was pregnant. Now, ten years later and stronger, she's been drawn back to town for a reunion with her friends, the Calamity Janes. But is she strong enough to stand up to Cole Davis, the wealthy father of her child who has the power to take away her son? Or can they finally become the family she always dreamed of?
Courting the Enemy
Karen Hanson's oldest friends, the Calamity Janes, are urging her to sell her struggling ranch to brooding, enigmatic Grady Blackhawk. But how can she possibly sell out to her late husband's worst enemy? Spending time with her handsome adversary could cost Karen a lot more than her ranch. Grady's suddenly far less interested in the land than he is in claiming Karen herself!
With two other careers to her credit before becoming a novelist and four states in which she's lived for extended periods of time, Sherryl Woods has collected friends and memories, along with way too much unnecessary junk.
"The friends are the only things I've brought with me through the years that really matter," she says. "I could probably live without one more chintz teacup, another tin-litho sandpail or another snowglobe, but I need those friends."
The theme of enduring friendships and families is always central to Sherryl's books, including her latest Chesapeake Shores series — THE INN AT EAGLE POINT, FLOWERS ON MAIN and HARBOR LIGHTS.
Author of more than 100 romance and mystery novels, Sherryl Woods grew up in Virginia. Over the years she had lived in Ohio and Florida, as well as California. Currently she divides her time between Key Biscayne, Florida and Colonial Beach, Virginia, the small, river-front town where she spent her childhood summers.
A graduate of Ohio State University School of Journalism, Sherryl spent more than ten years as a journalist, most of them as a television critic for newspapers in Ohio and Florida. For several years she also coordinated a motivational program for the more than 8,000 employees at the University of Miami-Jackson Memorial Medical Center.
Her first book, RESTORING LOVE, was published in 1982 by Dell Candlelight Ecstasy under the pseudonym of Suzanne Sherrill. Her second book, SAND CASTLES, under the pseudonym of Alexandra Kirk, was published later that same year by Bantam. She began using her own name when she moved to the Second Chance at Love line at Berkley Publishing. In 1986, she began writing full-time and also began her long career at Silhouette Books with the Desire title NOT AT EIGHT, DARLING, set in the world of television which she covered for so many years.
In addition to her more than 75 romances for Silhouette Desire and Special Edition, she has written thirteen mysteries — nine in the Amanda Roberts series and four in the Molly DeWitt series.
When she's not writing or reading, Sherryl loves to garden, though she's not at her best on a riding lawn mower. She also loves tennis, theater, and ballet, even though her top spin has long since vanished, she's never set foot on a stage, and she's way too uncoordinated to dance. She also loves baseball and claims anyone who's ever seen Kevin Costner in "Bull Durham" can understand why.
This is book one of a three book set. The first books, have Cassie & Karen stories. Both are full stories in the same book. Book two has Gina & Emma story. Again both full stores in the same book. Book three is Lauren's story alone. I read all the time and also do a number of ARC's for authors. My biggest wish would be that authors would note, put in the title something when books are part of a series. I can not count how may times I have read a really good story to find it is either part 2 or 3. This happen with these three books, I picked up book two from a thrift store then went and bought 1 & 2. The books should really be read in order. That being said, these books are about 5 women who meet in school, got into a ton of trouble were the Calamity Jane's name come from. They have been friends for life. The all have secrets, problems, have had or will have broken hearts, children and find men with their own set of secrets and problems, things in their past that make their out look on some topics hard to deal with. I love this set of books, Sherryl has a way of making you feel like you are right there in the town of Winding River, Wyoming. You feel their pain, joy, heartbreak and maybe just maybe their love and happy ever after. If you have nothing to do for a couple of days or week get these three books, lots of snacks, and drinks and settle in for the read of a life time. I will be re reading these probably more then once. Sherryl Woods is a new author for me and I have not read one of her books that I haven't fallen in love with..
This was two books in one. It chronicled the life of Cassie and Karen. They were both celebrating their class reunion and dealing with personal issues. Cassie's was with the father of her son, Cole didn't know he had a son. Their parents had interfered and with still interfering now as well. Karen had to deal with the death of her husband, vandalism on her ranch, and a man who wanted the ranch but had been an enemy of the husband.
I feel like I plowed through this because I wanted to finish, not because I was particularly gripped by the characters or the story arcs. The second novel (Karen) is definitely better than Cassie, the first. I normally adore Woods series—but I’m not feeling like this is her best work.
I am a big Sherry Woods fan so I always look forward to reading one of her books. The Calamity Janes: Cassie & Karen is my latest read. Cassie's story is one that you don't know whether to love her or hate her. Ten years ago she was involved with Cole and he was suddenly sent off to college far away and with no good bye to Cassie. After Cole is gone Cassie discovers she is pregnant. Feeling now that Cole wanted nothing to do with her she left town and never let him know that he would be a father.
Cassie goes back home for her 10 year class reunion. She is so afraid of running into Cole she is running scared. And from hereon their story keeps you riveted.
Then there is Karen's story. She also attends the class reunion and while she is gone her husband dies of a massive heart attack. The grief and guilt she feels is unbearable. Caleb felt it was his responsibility to keep the ranch in the family and worked himself to the bone. When he died Karen and Caleb were on the verge of the bank foreclosing on the ranch. Always lurking in the background was Caleb's enemy Grady. Grady felt that this ranch belonged in his family and was stolen away many, many years ago. Their story is bittersweet. There is an attraction between Karen and Grady. But Karen feels she drove Caleb to his early grave and that she must do everything she can to hold onto the ranch. She tells herself she cannot have feelings for Grady as it would be disrespecting Caleb. She cannot get past her guilt or can she.
Both of these stories will keep the pages turning . You will have some chuckles and also shed a few tears but that won't keep you from loving both couples. So, happy reading!
I received this book, containing two full-length stories in one paperback edition, from the author and have enjoyed it thoroughly! The Calamity Janes are a group of girls who forged friendships while in high school and who have remained in each others hearts ever since. Karen's story, Courting The Enemy, was my favorite of the two stories and brought tears to my eyes. It involves both romance and mystery, as well as the support of fellow Calamity Janes. Sherryl Woods utilizes the importance of trust in relationships as she builds each story. The characters are well developed and likeable/loveable. Thanks Sherryl for two enjoyable reads in one book!
This was an audiobook so I finished it but still skipped ahead and didn't miss anything. Mind-numbing in that the author felt the need to explain the character's thinking over and over and over again. Give the reader credit. It doesn't have to be spelled out a hundred times. Someone lied to this author when she was a fledging writer. There is need for substance and stop talking down to the reader. It is insulting. The story could be condensed into three chapters but was dragged on through eternity.
I havent read many Sherryl Woods books before last month and I love them anyways the ones that I have read. I think the Calamity Janes are like a lot of High School friends that have been there for each other. This is a great read.
Good job of drawing out the personalities of the characters. Sometimes a good romance is nice even without the mystery. Karen's part has a bit more of the mystery part thrown in. entertainment/chick flick
two sweet love stories first was Cassie who kept pregnancy a secret from the father second was Karen whose husband died about a year ago and then she starts falling for man her dead husband did not want to sell his ranch to
Really enjoyed this series. Looking forward to the sequels and continuation of this journey. The characters are multi faceted and bring you into their experiences.