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Rancho Diablo
He was a Temptation She Couldn't Resist — Isabelle Romney couldn't escape her memories of Ranch Diablo or the man who had stolen her birthright. Cool, cynical and daring, Luke Cassidy had been first in her father's heart and for better or for worse, first in hers. — When she left her home, Isabelle swore she'd never return to Wyoming, would never again be vulnerable to Luke's searing glances. But that was before she ran into trouble. Trouble she could only solve by making one last trip home.
Once a Cowboy - Faithful to the land...and the women they love.
Once a Cowboy - Faithful to the land...and the women they love.
250 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
104 people want to read
About the author
Anne Stuart
205 books2,061 followersAnne Stuart is a grandmaster of the genre, winner of Romance Writers of America's prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, survivor of more than thirty-five years in the romance business, and still just keeps getting better.
Her first novel was Barrett's Hill, a gothic romance published by Ballantine in 1974 when Anne had just turned 25. Since then she's written more gothics, regencies, romantic suspense, romantic adventure, series romance, suspense, historical romance, paranormal and mainstream contemporary romance for publishers such as Doubleday, Harlequin, Silhouette, Avon, Zebra, St. Martins Press, Berkley, Dell, Pocket Books and Fawcett.
She’s won numerous awards, appeared on most bestseller lists, and speaks all over the country. Her general outrageousness has gotten her on Entertainment Tonight, as well as in Vogue, People, USA Today, Women’s Day and countless other national newspapers and magazines.
When she’s not traveling, she’s at home in Northern Vermont with her luscious husband of thirty-six years, an empty nest, three cats, four sewing machines, and one Springer Spaniel, and when she’s not working she’s watching movies, listening to rock and roll (preferably Japanese) and spending far too much time quilting.
Anne Stuart also writes as Kristina Douglas.
Her first novel was Barrett's Hill, a gothic romance published by Ballantine in 1974 when Anne had just turned 25. Since then she's written more gothics, regencies, romantic suspense, romantic adventure, series romance, suspense, historical romance, paranormal and mainstream contemporary romance for publishers such as Doubleday, Harlequin, Silhouette, Avon, Zebra, St. Martins Press, Berkley, Dell, Pocket Books and Fawcett.
She’s won numerous awards, appeared on most bestseller lists, and speaks all over the country. Her general outrageousness has gotten her on Entertainment Tonight, as well as in Vogue, People, USA Today, Women’s Day and countless other national newspapers and magazines.
When she’s not traveling, she’s at home in Northern Vermont with her luscious husband of thirty-six years, an empty nest, three cats, four sewing machines, and one Springer Spaniel, and when she’s not working she’s watching movies, listening to rock and roll (preferably Japanese) and spending far too much time quilting.
Anne Stuart also writes as Kristina Douglas.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 19, 2009
This is one of my absolute favorites by Anne Stuart. I loved the relationship between Izzy and Luke. Plus it's one of her western romances (I'm a big, huge fan of westerns, whether it's historical or contemporary). The combination is magic in this book. Izzy ran off from home as a young woman, running from her feelings for Luke and her family's expectations, and her fears that she could never live up to them. Now she is back to claim her heritage, and to hide from an ex who happens to have some criminal intentions for her, but has to put up with Luke to do it. Luke has suppressed feelings for this girl who is nominally his stepsister for a long time, and doesn't think much of her flighty ways. He doesn't want her to get her hands on an inheritance he doesn't think she deserves. Also he has trouble keeping his hands off her.
This book has the wonderful dialogue and back and forth between the hero and heroine that makes Anne Stuart's category romances sizzle for me. Readers who are a little afraid of her dangerous heroes in the mainstream books would like this one. Luke is a good guy. Very down to earth, hardworking, if a little sarcastic. He's also very sexy and masculine, and knows just how to deal with Izzy, in all the right ways. Izzy is one of those girls who 'did it' but didn't really see what the fuss is about. Well, Luke is the guy to show her exactly what she was missing. He's also irresistible to me because it's pretty clear how desperately in love with Izzy he's been for years, but didn't feel it was right to seduce her or claim her for his own. He's also pretty angry that she ran away from home where she was safe, and got herself in some trouble. Let's just say if you like Alpha heroes who aren't over the top, I think you'd like Luke. Although the love scenes are not explicit, they are fiery to me, because of the well-described attraction and emotional connection between Luke and Izzy.
Anyone who knows me, knows how much I adore Anne Stuart. To me, this is one of her best books. Give it a read.
This book has the wonderful dialogue and back and forth between the hero and heroine that makes Anne Stuart's category romances sizzle for me. Readers who are a little afraid of her dangerous heroes in the mainstream books would like this one. Luke is a good guy. Very down to earth, hardworking, if a little sarcastic. He's also very sexy and masculine, and knows just how to deal with Izzy, in all the right ways. Izzy is one of those girls who 'did it' but didn't really see what the fuss is about. Well, Luke is the guy to show her exactly what she was missing. He's also irresistible to me because it's pretty clear how desperately in love with Izzy he's been for years, but didn't feel it was right to seduce her or claim her for his own. He's also pretty angry that she ran away from home where she was safe, and got herself in some trouble. Let's just say if you like Alpha heroes who aren't over the top, I think you'd like Luke. Although the love scenes are not explicit, they are fiery to me, because of the well-described attraction and emotional connection between Luke and Izzy.
Anyone who knows me, knows how much I adore Anne Stuart. To me, this is one of her best books. Give it a read.
June 20, 2019
"Rancho Diablo" is the story of Isabella and Luke.
Oh how I adored this book!
A second chance romance between star crossed lovers- an impetuous heroine and a brooding hero. From impersonating cousins, love filled diaries, interfering but lovable caretakers, betraying wills, money grabbing cousins to dying horses, super sexy lovemaking, ultimate confessions and groveling- this book had it all! It made me laugh, tear up like a baby and smile in glee all throughout the book.
I absolutely could not help but root for this couple- who were so obviously in love, had such good chemistry but were stubborn as hell and pain in each other's asses.
There is a reason Ms Stuart is in my all time favorite authors- her ability to write flawed yet loving characters who are made for each other, have insane witty banter and whose lovemaking burns up the sheets- never fails to impress me. Like the perfect combination of Diana Palmer and Linda Howard, yet with the unique Anne Stuart magic.
And the epilogue- EVERYONE got their happy ending!!
Loved it.
SWE/Unsafe
4.5/5
Oh how I adored this book!
A second chance romance between star crossed lovers- an impetuous heroine and a brooding hero. From impersonating cousins, love filled diaries, interfering but lovable caretakers, betraying wills, money grabbing cousins to dying horses, super sexy lovemaking, ultimate confessions and groveling- this book had it all! It made me laugh, tear up like a baby and smile in glee all throughout the book.
I absolutely could not help but root for this couple- who were so obviously in love, had such good chemistry but were stubborn as hell and pain in each other's asses.
There is a reason Ms Stuart is in my all time favorite authors- her ability to write flawed yet loving characters who are made for each other, have insane witty banter and whose lovemaking burns up the sheets- never fails to impress me. Like the perfect combination of Diana Palmer and Linda Howard, yet with the unique Anne Stuart magic.
And the epilogue- EVERYONE got their happy ending!!
Loved it.
SWE/Unsafe
4.5/5
May 31, 2014
Nothing like a little Stuart to bring me out of a funk. Not nearly as good as some of the others I've read by her but pretty damn good either way!
I was a tad bit disappointed by the female lead since I was hoping she would be somewhat different from Stuart's others as she was initially presented as a manipulative character. Ah well. Cannot have everything but never-the-less, it was a fun read.
I was a tad bit disappointed by the female lead since I was hoping she would be somewhat different from Stuart's others as she was initially presented as a manipulative character. Ah well. Cannot have everything but never-the-less, it was a fun read.
June 9, 2018
2,5/5
Este va a ser que no. Una historia simplona con unos personajes que no me dicen nada.
Ya dejo este mes a #Ritastuart que empecé muy bien y se está estropeando el tema.
Este va a ser que no. Una historia simplona con unos personajes que no me dicen nada.
Ya dejo este mes a #Ritastuart que empecé muy bien y se está estropeando el tema.
December 27, 2018
Great book; loved the h; she was a wonderfully grey character but underneath an overall good person. She was very smart to set up her mercenary cousin with villian OM.
H was good too; I just felt bad about her relationship with her father but as she says, its their dynamic and she shouldn't blame H for the way things turned out ...
H was good too; I just felt bad about her relationship with her father but as she says, its their dynamic and she shouldn't blame H for the way things turned out ...
August 23, 2019
Not bad, but not well thought either. It's interested in the romance only and forgets that the love story should be set in a reality-based world.
Here the heroine run away at 17 from home... to go where?, to do what and with what money? How did she survive and what did she do? We are told she's not an education or at least she has not any marketable skills. Soo?
We only know that after her father's death she got some money. But again according to the story (or the hero) she was jetsetting around the globe. You know that takes a lot of money... And charm and beauty go only so far, at least without any sex involved. One man may have given her a Ferrari because he likes chasing, but you know it smacks of stupid romance plot. Sorry.
The end also was too pat. Yes it's true that the 'villain' was her father but again the resolution was way too quick to be acceptable. She discover her father's last betrayal but hei it's not Luke's fault so let's forgive everything, give him all my money (again why?), and let's live happily ever after. Errr
Here the heroine run away at 17 from home... to go where?, to do what and with what money? How did she survive and what did she do? We are told she's not an education or at least she has not any marketable skills. Soo?
We only know that after her father's death she got some money. But again according to the story (or the hero) she was jetsetting around the globe. You know that takes a lot of money... And charm and beauty go only so far, at least without any sex involved. One man may have given her a Ferrari because he likes chasing, but you know it smacks of stupid romance plot. Sorry.
The end also was too pat. Yes it's true that the 'villain' was her father but again the resolution was way too quick to be acceptable. She discover her father's last betrayal but hei it's not Luke's fault so let's forgive everything, give him all my money (again why?), and let's live happily ever after. Errr
January 2, 2016
This is the 19th book I've read by Anne Stuart and she still doesn't disappoint!
Why I loved the book: Luke and Isabelle had great chemistry- you can feel the tension between them and there is good dialogue between the two. What I loved most is that Isabelle is a flawed heroine- she gets these hair-brained ideas and tries to arrange other peoples lives. At first, you don't like her, but then as you learn her history, she becomes more endearing.
What I did not like: I felt like the ending was rushed and that Luke should have done some groveling. He pretty much places the blame in Isabelle for always running away and took no responsibility for his part in driving her away.
Why I loved the book: Luke and Isabelle had great chemistry- you can feel the tension between them and there is good dialogue between the two. What I loved most is that Isabelle is a flawed heroine- she gets these hair-brained ideas and tries to arrange other peoples lives. At first, you don't like her, but then as you learn her history, she becomes more endearing.
What I did not like: I felt like the ending was rushed and that Luke should have done some groveling. He pretty much places the blame in Isabelle for always running away and took no responsibility for his part in driving her away.
February 12, 2021
Me esperaba algo mejor. No es que la narración no me gustara, todo lo contrario, simplemente fueron los personajes. Izzy (me encató que Luke así le llamara) y Luke durante los trece años que estuvieron separados fue porque estaban como que huyendo de sus sentimientos por el otro, ni siquiera la muerte de Hoyt los unió (es que Luke no sentía correcto tomar a la hija del único hombre que lo consideró como un hijo), sin embargo los dos necesitaban madurar porque como que todavía se comportaban como adolescentes con sus sentimientos, en especial Isabelle.
Isabelle solo veía lo que quería ver de las personas, la considero algo ingenua y puede que algunos la consideren inocente (era virgen hasta Luke, se me hizo sorprendente pero al parecer su actitud de mujer de mundo experimentada solo era una fachada a causa de Hoyt que 'abandonó' a Izzy a favor de Luke y a él le dejó todo el rancho), siempre interviniendo en la vida de los demás y manipulándolos, además de que es toda una belleza según las narraciones. Solo que se la ha pasado huyendo.
Luke es algo cabeza dura, algo brusco, protector a su manera y muy cínico. Espero que el amor le cambie un poquito.
En lo referente al supuesto peligro que corría Isabelle no le vi la gran cosa, demasiado forzado, también el personaje de Becky, una estafadora que trató de convertirse en una Isabelle.
El trasfondo de este libro se me hace parecido a uno de Linda Howard, solo por el hecho de que leí este después del de LH.
Natrado en tercera persona y ofrece los puntos de vista de los protagonistas.
Isabelle solo veía lo que quería ver de las personas, la considero algo ingenua y puede que algunos la consideren inocente (era virgen hasta Luke, se me hizo sorprendente pero al parecer su actitud de mujer de mundo experimentada solo era una fachada a causa de Hoyt que 'abandonó' a Izzy a favor de Luke y a él le dejó todo el rancho), siempre interviniendo en la vida de los demás y manipulándolos, además de que es toda una belleza según las narraciones. Solo que se la ha pasado huyendo.
Luke es algo cabeza dura, algo brusco, protector a su manera y muy cínico. Espero que el amor le cambie un poquito.
En lo referente al supuesto peligro que corría Isabelle no le vi la gran cosa, demasiado forzado, también el personaje de Becky, una estafadora que trató de convertirse en una Isabelle.
El trasfondo de este libro se me hace parecido a uno de Linda Howard, solo por el hecho de que leí este después del de LH.
Natrado en tercera persona y ofrece los puntos de vista de los protagonistas.
December 26, 2020
It’s pretty good, but definitely very unlike most of Anne Stuart’s other books.
September 11, 2011
Reread
OK Contem. Western,a somewhat slightly different plot than the usual old time kind of western
OK Contem. Western,a somewhat slightly different plot than the usual old time kind of western
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews