Past Promises

by Jill Marie Landis

THE FOSSIL HUNTER

In a time when the West hid the treasures of ancient history Jessica Stanbridge was a brilliant paleontologist --- in search of dinosaur bones!

THE COWBOY POET

No one would guess that rugged rancher Rory Burnett was an aspiring bard who composed amusing rhymes as he worked the open land.

Jessica's quest went against the rancher's belief that the land should stay untouched. But when she asks him to be her guide into unknown territory, how can he resist the demure beauty who hid behind the bookish spectacles and dust-streaked face? His poetic nature is about to betray him --- in a love without rhyme or reason ...

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Westerns, Western Historical Romance

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 1993

About the author

JILL MARIE LANDIS is the bestselling author of nearly thirty novels which have appeared on the NYT bestseller list, USA Today and other national bestseller lists. She has won numerous awards for her heartfelt characters and sweeping emotional historical romances that include SUMMER MOON and MAGNOLIA CREEK and the Irish Angels Series; HEART OF STONE, HEART OF LIES, and HEART OF GLASS. All of her Historical Romances are available in eBook format.

She is currently writing The Tiki Goddess Mysteries series which includes MAI TAI ONE ON, TWO TO MANGO, THREE TO GET LEI'D, TOO HOT FOUR HULA and HAWAII FIVE UH-OH! from Bell Bridge Books.

Toes in the sand and head in the clouds, she is living the dream in Hawaii with her husband, Steve. Jill Marie loves to spend hours at the beach reading or writing and she also loves dancing the hula.

Reviews

[Andria Potter · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐ rounded up to 4. While the characters made stupid decisions and I was not a fan of how some of the story was resolved, the overall book was very good and fast paced for a quick read. 400 pages spared by in a single afternoon and I enjoyed it overall. Adding this author to my watch list in wanting to try out her other books. Highly recommend!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! From the very first page I was transported to the wide open mesa of southwestern Colorado and delighted by the intelligence, guts and gumption of our spirited and somewhat snobby heroine, Jessica Stanbridge. Jess has spent her whole life at her father's side studying his notes, charts and journals and cataloging his vast collection of specimens in the basement of Harvard Museum. Now she's bound and determined to honor her father while making a name for herself in a scientific field that is dominated by men. When tall, dark and handsome cattle rancher Rory Burnett agrees to provide Jess, and her elderly companion Myra, with a guide and some much needed muscle he assigns young cowhand Whitey to watch over the women hoping to keep them out of trouble and off the Ute Indian reservation. I loved all of the characters including Myra, who serves as a mother figure to Jess and the crusty bachelor cowpokes who make up Rory's unconventional family but, of course, my favorites are hero and heroine Rory and Jess. From the very beginning it was love at first sight but their hearts were hidden behind his snark and her sass. He's a man of his word and she refuses to take orders which leads to sassy and argumentative verbal jousting that simmers with sexual tension and a passion that will consume them both in its fury. The author drew me into the story with her colorful descriptions of local flora and fauna that made it easy to visualize the splendor of the mesa and the high plateau of sandstone and clay that hold the precious artifacts Jess is searching for. Her descriptions of the tools, maps and techniques of early paleontology were absolutely fascinating to me. This book is a wonderful journey filled with discovery, passion and danger that threatens everything these characters hold dear. It kept me absolutely mesmerized from beginning to end. I read a complimentary copy of this book provided by NetGalley and all opinions expressed in my voluntary review are completely my own.

[Anna Swedenmom · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great way to have a fantastic story. While reading I had pictures running through my mind like I was personally involved in the story. I absolutely adored the plot the characters and they way this author writes! At first I was very skeptical regarding putting two such diverse characters together but this author not only did the unthinkable but pulled it off where it seemed totally normal! I must say buy buy buy it is a great story! I was given this book in return for an honest review.
Anna Swedenmom

[Chelsea Usher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Usually I'm all for romance and cowboys and female paleontologist so I thought I'd really enjoy this, but just over halfway through, the female lead makes a decision that seems very unlike her character and from then on, I was not engaged. The male lead also, with this same decision, acts in ways that didn't seem authentic to his written character.

Eh.

[Icarus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really exciting to find a western inspired by the search for dinosaur bones! Plot ultimately turned out to be kind of upsetting w/r/t the Ute characters...But the romance was sweet and a dynamic you don't see much in historical romances

[Jerry Jares · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessica Stanbridge is a paleontologist looking for fossils in a Ute reservation area. She asks a local rancher, Rory Burnett, to act as her guide for finding dinosaur bones. Rory has an agreement with the Utes living in this area to keep searchers away from the sacred burial lands of the Ute Indians.

It has taken some time to be interested in this odd-sounding story. However, I'm glad I did; it was more entertaining than I expected it to be.

[E.E. Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A range-riding poet and a scholarly paleontologist, could there be a more mismatched romance? Yet somehow, Jill Marie Landis pulls off a heartwarming story that will have you rooting for the future of these two reluctant lovers.

The paleontologist in this case, is a woman. I love that! Hooray for giving us a strong female lead. Jessica Stanbridge and her wise (as well as hilarious) companion Myra set out for Colorado determined to make an important find that will validate her expertise and secure her a coveted position in a male-dominated profession. She’s smart and confident—sometimes too confident—and has no intention of getting tangled up in a relationship, most especially with someone who can’t possibly understand her hopes and dreams.

Rory Burnett appears on the surface to be an uncomplicated, yet incredibly hunky, rancher. However, he hides a romantic soul, which finds expression in the simple poetry he makes up while out riding the range. But he’s so darn busy trying to keep his ranch going, he has no time for romance.

Trouble starts brewing the moment a beautiful, but headstrong, scientist shows up on his land and he realizes her “prize” is located on sacred Ute land that he’s promised to protect. He signs on as her guide fully intending to keep her away from what she wants and needs the most. Until he realizes what he wants and needs is her.

Can we spell C-O-N-F-L-I-C-T?

I love novels that let me soar emotionally, and Jill Marie Landis is the master at writing them. Pair that with a fascinating historical setting and a sexy love story, and I’m hooked.

This is one of four Jill Marie Landis American historical romance novels re-released as eBooks. I enjoyed it so much, I’ve purchased the others: UNTIL TOMORROW, JADE and THE ORCHID HUNTER.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not a great story, but I do like the way Jill Marie Landis uses the setting as a part of the story. In this case it is Southwestern Colorado.....beautiful.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I will definatly check out more books by this author.