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A Christmas Baby Surprise / Reclaimed by the Rancher
Will amnesia offer a second chance for this couple and their baby? Find out, only from USA TODAY bestselling author Catherine Mann.
After a car accident, Alaina Rutger can't remember her husband or their newly adopted baby. But her amnesia also means she's forgotten the disaster they made of their marriage.
Her husband, Porter, knows he's made mistakes. Now he'll do whatever it takes to rebuild the family he nearly lost—even keep their near-divorce from his wife. This Christmas he'll convince Alaina to stay. But will a secret she's kept for years resurface and put them to the ultimate test?
Enjoy a special Texas Cattleman's Club: Lies and Lullabies
bonus prequel novella from Janice Maynard
Reclaimed by the Rancher
223 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2015
14 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Mann
597 books1,247 followersUSA Today bestseller Catherine Mann has written women's fiction, romance, and romantic suspense for Lake Union, Harlequin, HQN, Berkley, Tule, and Sourcebooks, with titles released in more than 30 countries. Catherine’s novels have won numerous awards, including a RITA Award, the Romantic Times Magazine Reviewer’s Choice Award, and the Bookseller’s Best Award.
A South Carolinian at heart, after years of moving around the country Catherine has settled back in her home state with her Harley-riding husband. Empty nesters, they have a blended family of nine children, nine grandchildren, two dogs, and three feral cats, who all provide endless inspiration for new novels. For more information, visit: http://catherinemann.com
A South Carolinian at heart, after years of moving around the country Catherine has settled back in her home state with her Harley-riding husband. Empty nesters, they have a blended family of nine children, nine grandchildren, two dogs, and three feral cats, who all provide endless inspiration for new novels. For more information, visit: http://catherinemann.com
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 4, 2015
Amnesia seems like a tricky storyline to write, but Catherine Mann has done it twice and I thought both stories were so convincing. (If you haven't read her Out of Uniform from the Wingmen Warriors series, don't miss it.) Alaina's struggle is poignant and I empathized with her wish to simply fall for magnetic Porter. This story reminded me how much a marriage is built on trust and honesty... something so difficult to measure for a woman who is dropped into her life with little memory of the past.
November 8, 2015
Catherine Mann’s latest, A Christmas Baby Surprise, gives readers a chance to remember what it was like to fall in love for the first time. When Alaina Rutger wakes up in a hospital room she has no memory of past five years. According to Porter, the man sitting next to her bed, they were in a car accident, are married and have just adopted a baby boy. As Alaina tries to regain her memory, Porter tried to win his wife a second time. Alaina and Porter’s relationship is a slow build. It is fun to watch them fall in love all over again. The loss of her memory provides a nice point of conflict that is resolved well by the end. If you are a fan of first love, this is a book for you.
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January 12, 2016"The emotional aspects of rebuilding a marriage are openly and believably detailed, and the story is full of turbulent feelings that set the stage for true love!" (RT Book Reviews, 4 stars).
Miniseries: Billionaires and Babies
Miniseries: Billionaires and Babies
December 10, 2024
I grabbed this because I needed some Xmas books on my shelf...plus there are a lot of tropes going along with this so why not? Plus....pretty much got it for freeee.
Here we follow Alaina and Porter. They were in a car accident and Alaina lost her memories. She can't remember her husband and their newly adopted baby. This also means she has forgotten the disaster her marriage turned into. Porter made mistakes and he wants to fix them. He'll do whatever it takes...even keeping their near-divorce a secret from his wife. He'll make her refall in love with him for Christmas.
2nd chances are sooo hit-an-miss for me. I hate when people lie too. I knew this would be a gamble for me BUT I wanted to take it. Sometimes I win....sometimes I lose.
Sadly, I lost this gamble.
I did "finish" the story, but I did so much skimming that I am having a hard time not calling this a DNF. I just wanted the secret out and for them to build their love. Silly lies all over the place. Lots of silly stuff. JUST COMMUNICATE DAMMIT.
I don't see a bright future for them. They are immature. That poor baby.
BUT the ending was sweet. So I'll stick with 2 stars for this one.
ONE WORD SUMMARY: Hard
Here we follow Alaina and Porter. They were in a car accident and Alaina lost her memories. She can't remember her husband and their newly adopted baby. This also means she has forgotten the disaster her marriage turned into. Porter made mistakes and he wants to fix them. He'll do whatever it takes...even keeping their near-divorce a secret from his wife. He'll make her refall in love with him for Christmas.
2nd chances are sooo hit-an-miss for me. I hate when people lie too. I knew this would be a gamble for me BUT I wanted to take it. Sometimes I win....sometimes I lose.
Sadly, I lost this gamble.
I did "finish" the story, but I did so much skimming that I am having a hard time not calling this a DNF. I just wanted the secret out and for them to build their love. Silly lies all over the place. Lots of silly stuff. JUST COMMUNICATE DAMMIT.
I don't see a bright future for them. They are immature. That poor baby.
BUT the ending was sweet. So I'll stick with 2 stars for this one.
ONE WORD SUMMARY: Hard
did-not-finish
December 7, 2021**Book Four of 2021 Romance Book Advent Calendar**
DNF at page 26 on 12/5/2021.
Two amnesia books in a row. I can't do it. I'm beginning to think I don't like that trope. At least I didn't hate the characters in this one. It has the potential of me trying again in the future, but I'm not willing to go into a slump and force myself to read it now.
DNF at page 26 on 12/5/2021.
Two amnesia books in a row. I can't do it. I'm beginning to think I don't like that trope. At least I didn't hate the characters in this one. It has the potential of me trying again in the future, but I'm not willing to go into a slump and force myself to read it now.
January 1, 2021
Didn't read the Maynard short, just Mann novel. It was ok, but slow. I liked that it was realistic about both the amnesia (and Alaina not fully recovering) and the fertility issues (no miracle pregnancy after the makeup).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2018
Right when it started getting good, it ended
April 12, 2018
This was is the first book I have read by Cathy, I loved it!!! It was amazing!!!
November 3, 2015
A Christmas Baby Surprise by Catherine Mann
Alaina Rutger has lost five years of memories in an accident. She wants to trust her husband but something is holding her back.
Porter Rutger is grateful to have his wife healthy and recovering from the accident but he's not telling Alaina about the arguments and pending divorce in their past. He wants to make a fresh start and is determined to have her fall in love with him all over again.
It can be very difficult for a person to adequately express their feelings. To be careful not to hurt another person, topics and feelings can be skipped, glossed over and perhaps misled. This story is painful because Porter wants to start over and protect Alaina. At the same time he doesn't tell her things she needs to know. He doesn't tell her his feelings. He retreats and makes the same mistakes again. They both want to create a new family but they argue without getting go the heart of issues.
It's a romance in the end, so without spoiling it, they become close and begin to understand each other.
I did like the philanthropy throughout the story. They gave donations and scholarships to many different types of art concerns. Nice touch.
Alaina Rutger has lost five years of memories in an accident. She wants to trust her husband but something is holding her back.
Porter Rutger is grateful to have his wife healthy and recovering from the accident but he's not telling Alaina about the arguments and pending divorce in their past. He wants to make a fresh start and is determined to have her fall in love with him all over again.
It can be very difficult for a person to adequately express their feelings. To be careful not to hurt another person, topics and feelings can be skipped, glossed over and perhaps misled. This story is painful because Porter wants to start over and protect Alaina. At the same time he doesn't tell her things she needs to know. He doesn't tell her his feelings. He retreats and makes the same mistakes again. They both want to create a new family but they argue without getting go the heart of issues.
It's a romance in the end, so without spoiling it, they become close and begin to understand each other.
I did like the philanthropy throughout the story. They gave donations and scholarships to many different types of art concerns. Nice touch.
November 16, 2015
This is a story about second chances. Alaina was in a car accident that wiped out her memory of the last five years. She has a hard time even remembering that Porter is her husband.
Trust and honesty are what is needed to help this couple come together. Sometimes Porter does the wrong thing for his own selfish reason and does more harm than good.
This is a great story with a HEA. Also included in this book was Reclaimed By The Rancher by Joyce Maynard. This novella I enjoyed very much.
Lucy and Jeff were almost married two years ago but the night before their wedding she saw Jeff kissing her best friend. She never let either one of them explain anything and spent the next two years wrought with anger over what Jeff had done to her.
But then she needs his help. Both claim they hate each other but don't forget there is a fine line between love and hate. This is a book you won't be sorry you pick up.
Trust and honesty are what is needed to help this couple come together. Sometimes Porter does the wrong thing for his own selfish reason and does more harm than good.
This is a great story with a HEA. Also included in this book was Reclaimed By The Rancher by Joyce Maynard. This novella I enjoyed very much.
Lucy and Jeff were almost married two years ago but the night before their wedding she saw Jeff kissing her best friend. She never let either one of them explain anything and spent the next two years wrought with anger over what Jeff had done to her.
But then she needs his help. Both claim they hate each other but don't forget there is a fine line between love and hate. This is a book you won't be sorry you pick up.
December 18, 2015
A Christmas Baby Surprise by Catherine Mann. Alaina Rutger wakes up in a hospital room she has no memory of past five years. She is married to Porter Rutger. Before she couldn't remember anything Alaina and Porter were having marriage problems. Before she remembers Porter is trying to win her love again. They just adopted a baby. The three of them bond. A good read.
Also in this book is a short story called Reclaimed By The Rancher. Lucy Peyton saw Jeff Hartley and her best friend kissing at a wedding reception. Lucy leaves town even though Lucy and Jeff were dating. Lucy's brother wants to sell the farm so Lucy goes to Jeff to ask to borrow money since Jeff is a very rich man. Jeff and Lucy spend a night together. Jeff tells her to go talk to her best friend to find out what really happened at that wedding. They both go to see her. She said she was jealous of Lucy and Jeff did not kiss her at that wedding. Lucy and Jeff get married.
Also in this book is a short story called Reclaimed By The Rancher. Lucy Peyton saw Jeff Hartley and her best friend kissing at a wedding reception. Lucy leaves town even though Lucy and Jeff were dating. Lucy's brother wants to sell the farm so Lucy goes to Jeff to ask to borrow money since Jeff is a very rich man. Jeff and Lucy spend a night together. Jeff tells her to go talk to her best friend to find out what really happened at that wedding. They both go to see her. She said she was jealous of Lucy and Jeff did not kiss her at that wedding. Lucy and Jeff get married.
December 19, 2015
A Christmas Baby Surprise by Catherine Mann pens another delightful story that will touch your heart.
Alaina Rutger is slowly recovering from a terrible car accident. The accident affected her memory and causing her to forget her husband and her newly adopted son. Putting her trust in this virtual stranger that says he is her husband is asking a lot but Alaina feels some type of connection to him.
Porter Rutger is delighted to have his wife back any way he can get her. He knows the truth about the state of their marriage before the accident and wants to give Alaina and himself a fresh start.
But they both are keeping secrets, will this fresh start before over before it even has a chance to grow?
Catherine Mann’s stories are always special and this one is no exception. Porter and Alaina fight their way back to each other and to give their new son a perfect life.
The bonus story by Janice Maynard Reclaimed by the Rancher is an added treat.
Alaina Rutger is slowly recovering from a terrible car accident. The accident affected her memory and causing her to forget her husband and her newly adopted son. Putting her trust in this virtual stranger that says he is her husband is asking a lot but Alaina feels some type of connection to him.
Porter Rutger is delighted to have his wife back any way he can get her. He knows the truth about the state of their marriage before the accident and wants to give Alaina and himself a fresh start.
But they both are keeping secrets, will this fresh start before over before it even has a chance to grow?
Catherine Mann’s stories are always special and this one is no exception. Porter and Alaina fight their way back to each other and to give their new son a perfect life.
The bonus story by Janice Maynard Reclaimed by the Rancher is an added treat.
December 21, 2015
A Christmas Baby Surprise
Catherine Mann
Amnesia must be one of the worse things that can happen to a person. All memories gone! Alaina Rutgers has to face this problem of not remembering her husband, Paul, son, Thomas, or the problems within her marriage. Can Christmas magic bring back her memories and let them have a second chance and a HEA?
Catherine again has brought you compelling characters who draw you into their lives and problems so that you want them to overcome their problems and have that HEA.
Catherine Mann
Amnesia must be one of the worse things that can happen to a person. All memories gone! Alaina Rutgers has to face this problem of not remembering her husband, Paul, son, Thomas, or the problems within her marriage. Can Christmas magic bring back her memories and let them have a second chance and a HEA?
Catherine again has brought you compelling characters who draw you into their lives and problems so that you want them to overcome their problems and have that HEA.
November 14, 2015
Fast read, believable characters. I really enjoyed it. I think I would have behaved similarly in the situation...Characters were likable and it was fun seeing how the wealthy live... haha A Cinderella story... Which is why I love Romance! :)
January 2, 2016
I had my doubts about this one simply because of the synopsis. I'm the type of reader that knows what kind of story I like and what I won't so I was hoping that this book would smash my criticisms but it sadly didn't. While it was an entertaining read, it was not the best.
November 28, 2015
A good storyline but I could not really get into it.
November 28, 2015
A great book to curl up with on a lazy day.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews