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Americana #20
Bed of Grass
Every novel in this collection is your passport to a romantic tour of the United States through time-honored favorites by America's First Lady of romance fiction. Each of the fifty novels is set in a different state, researched by Janet and her husband, Bill. For the Daileys it was an odyssey of discovery. For you, it's the journey of a lifetime. Your tour of desire begins with this story set in Maryland.
237 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1979
About the author
Janet Dailey
400 books1,862 followersJanet Anne Haradon Dailey was an American author of numerous romance novels as Janet Dailey (her married name). Her novels have been translated into nineteen languages and have sold over 300 million copies worldwide.
Born in 1944 in Storm Lake, Iowa, she attended secretarial school in Omaha, Nebraska before meeting her husband, Bill. Bill and Janet worked together in construction and land development until they "retired" to travel throughout the United States, inspiring Janet to write the Americana series of romances, where she set a novel in every state of the Union. In 1974, Janet Dailey was the first American author to write for Harlequin. Her first novel was NO QUARTER ASKED.
She had since gone on to write approximately 90 novels, 21 of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List. She won many awards and accolades for her work, appearing widely on Radio and Television. Today, there are over three hundred million Janet Dailey books in print in 19 different languages, making her one of the most popular novelists in the world.
Janet Dailey passed away peacefully in her home in Branson on Saturday, December 14, 2013. She was 69.
Born in 1944 in Storm Lake, Iowa, she attended secretarial school in Omaha, Nebraska before meeting her husband, Bill. Bill and Janet worked together in construction and land development until they "retired" to travel throughout the United States, inspiring Janet to write the Americana series of romances, where she set a novel in every state of the Union. In 1974, Janet Dailey was the first American author to write for Harlequin. Her first novel was NO QUARTER ASKED.
She had since gone on to write approximately 90 novels, 21 of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List. She won many awards and accolades for her work, appearing widely on Radio and Television. Today, there are over three hundred million Janet Dailey books in print in 19 different languages, making her one of the most popular novelists in the world.
Janet Dailey passed away peacefully in her home in Branson on Saturday, December 14, 2013. She was 69.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 6, 2021
Heroine Valerie Wentworth (who lives in Cincinnati, Ohio) goes back home to Maryland for her grandfather’s funeral. Valerie left home after her grandfather kicked her out seven years ago (at age 18) when she got pregnant. She arrives in Maryland and runs into ex-lover hero Judd Prescott, who doesn’t know Tadd is his son…
This was a very enjoyable read. Valerie really matured from the rebellious teenager that she was to a responsible, young woman. Judd was the usual Harlequin Presents brooding hero. I found the back story that dealt with the horses interesting. I really liked some of the secondary characters… Valerie’s friend Clara (who was like a mother to her) and stable-hand ex-jockey Mickey.
An entertaining read from Janet Dailey’s Americana series, set in Maryland.
This was a very enjoyable read. Valerie really matured from the rebellious teenager that she was to a responsible, young woman. Judd was the usual Harlequin Presents brooding hero. I found the back story that dealt with the horses interesting. I really liked some of the secondary characters… Valerie’s friend Clara (who was like a mother to her) and stable-hand ex-jockey Mickey.
An entertaining read from Janet Dailey’s Americana series, set in Maryland.
July 18, 2019
A typical summer madness story that begins with a precocious wild teenager, an experienced player who should have known better (about contraceptives at least), rolls in hay or ‘bed of grass’, cruel brush-offs, secret pregnancy, long separation and then it’s back home for predatory asshat vs trembling doormat part 2, some flat fireworks and lo, we have a story.
Why are these asshat Hs forever ‘lazily mocking, taunting, jeering, stripping with eyes, pawing’ and getting away with it. The story is not bad per se but the H’s casually amused behavior doesn’t lend to believing in the depth of his love, forget ‘something deeper, spiritual since always’. I mean, if there is something quite so perpetually amusing why isn’t the h or me, the reader getting the joke? I wanted to smack him a few times and tell him to behave.
Like I said it is not a bad story and the H is okayish too. In fact, I liked the h a lot but I am generalizing such HPs here because there is this common thread through all of them. A teenage pregnant girl who has to run away/is thrown out by a moralistic family, is scared, hungry, homeless, jobless, friendless somewhere and she goes through literal hell to have and raise a child, and then on reuniting years later, she takes further insults, demeaning comments, groping, disbelief before she gets anywhere. Rarely does a guy truly appreciate the difficulties such hs go through.
Thankfully, no ow is mentioned or this would have taken train-wreck dimensions.
For this book, my biggest grouse is the H’s behavior or really non-behavior towards his son. Even when he accepts that the boy is his, he is friendly but in an indifferent and casual way. Well, I guess I am thinking of the Greek/Italian Hs in the throes of newly discovered father-dom we get these days.
One ‘profound’ moment which was almost farcical was how their upset son gets lost and is found sleeping in the same patch of grass where he was...well, conceived. The h/H are really moved at this ‘miracle’ and the h thinks about stories of how the salmon go back to their spawning grounds. I was alternating between finding it really profound (or trying to) and silly in the extreme. Well, you can judge it for yourself if you read it. *grin*
Why are these asshat Hs forever ‘lazily mocking, taunting, jeering, stripping with eyes, pawing’ and getting away with it. The story is not bad per se but the H’s casually amused behavior doesn’t lend to believing in the depth of his love, forget ‘something deeper, spiritual since always’. I mean, if there is something quite so perpetually amusing why isn’t the h or me, the reader getting the joke? I wanted to smack him a few times and tell him to behave.
Like I said it is not a bad story and the H is okayish too. In fact, I liked the h a lot but I am generalizing such HPs here because there is this common thread through all of them. A teenage pregnant girl who has to run away/is thrown out by a moralistic family, is scared, hungry, homeless, jobless, friendless somewhere and she goes through literal hell to have and raise a child, and then on reuniting years later, she takes further insults, demeaning comments, groping, disbelief before she gets anywhere. Rarely does a guy truly appreciate the difficulties such hs go through.
Thankfully, no ow is mentioned or this would have taken train-wreck dimensions.
For this book, my biggest grouse is the H’s behavior or really non-behavior towards his son. Even when he accepts that the boy is his, he is friendly but in an indifferent and casual way. Well, I guess I am thinking of the Greek/Italian Hs in the throes of newly discovered father-dom we get these days.
One ‘profound’ moment which was almost farcical was how their upset son gets lost and is found sleeping in the same patch of grass where he was...well, conceived. The h/H are really moved at this ‘miracle’ and the h thinks about stories of how the salmon go back to their spawning grounds. I was alternating between finding it really profound (or trying to) and silly in the extreme. Well, you can judge it for yourself if you read it. *grin*
January 17, 2018
I often have to remind myself, when I'm reading these older romance novels, that the author is portraying the types of values and belief systems that differ a lot from what we're accustomed to in our present era. This novel is a perfect example of how people's ideals and moral standards sometimes led them to make such drastic and painful choices that end up destroying not only themselves, but also those closest to them. In this novel, the heroine Valerie had been a teenager having an affair with the H Judd who was her wealthy, playboy neighbour. Judd had also been about 10 years older than the 18 yr old heroine. Valerie's only relative was her grandfather and the old man had very inflexible standards when it came to the way young ladies were expected to behave. As usually happens whenever there's a stark generational conflict between obstinate close relatives, the situation is never resolved with warm communication.
Valerie had been a spoilt, attention seeking teenager who often tested her grandfather's patience. She would steal his liquor, smoke cigarettes, take his best horses for midnight rides without his permission and eventually she started having a clandestine affair with Judd. Valerie developed a somewhat obsessive fixation with Judd and in her lonely teenage mind, he was the ultimate in male perfection. Poor Valerie's childish infatuation soon developed into love but Judd refused to have a public relationship that was outwardly respectable. Valerie was Judd's dirty little secret. I didn't like this at all because he's 10 years older and should not have been meeting an 18 yr old delinquent girl for midnight sex out in the lush, green pastures. I place the major portion of the blame for Valerie's terrible predicament on Judd, because he was the mature person in their "relationship". An 18 yr old girl who's been sheltered all her life might have the physical appearance of a woman but her heart will still contain certain childish yearnings and dreams. My heart broke for Valerie, in the flashback scenes, where she kept yearning for the day when Judd would ask her to be his date or escort her to one of the many social functions held at his own mansion.
Judd had never cheated on Valerie while they were having their clandestine sexual relationship, yet he never asked her out on public dates. He also often partnered women closer to his age and from his social class, whenever he had to attend functions in the area. This was terribly humiliating for Valerie and the dumb teenager would have continued to accept that situation if she had not ended up pregnant. Her grandfather responded to the pregnancy in a predictable manner for a man of his beliefs: he kicked her out. After he kicked her out, he started spinning a web of lies around the community about how Valerie had met a guy, eloped and was now settling down to happy wedded bliss. In the meantime, Valerie was actually suffering through a life of poverty while simultaneously trying to take night courses to improve her education and expand her employment horizons. The only lucky strike that she had was her encounter with a kindly older lady called Clara who shared her accommodation and helped babysit her son Tadd.
Judd, on the other hand, soon realized what a fool he had been to not tell Valerie how he felt about her. Apparently, and according to Judd himself, he had been sexually obsessed with her but had also been in love with her. Nonetheless, he had not wanted to share her with the rest of the world. Wtf ???? I am not even going to explore my feelings about the inner workings of Judd's F up mind. His justification just didn't make much logical sense to me personally. Didn't he realize that by stifling the love he felt and by hiding their relationship, he would only be ensuring that it withered and died ? Whatever... Judd's inner psyche doesn't deserve any further speculation. The novel focuses on Valerie's return to her home after her grandfather dies. In a strange gesture of goodwill, the old man had left his property to Valerie. It wasn't worth much but at least she would gain a little nest egg to set aside for her child's future.
Judd is drawn to her as soon as he sees her but he still thinks she is married and so he keeps his distance. All of this changes when he discovers she's never been married. His pursuit of her intensifies and the shit storm worsens after her son's paternity is revealed. I felt that Judd's feelings for Valerie were mainly a very strong and obsessive sexual addiction rather than love. Maybe it's because of the way he acted with her. There wasn't much sex but they shared a heated chemistry in the scenes together. I wished Judd could have bonded more with his son Tadd but I can understand the author's inability to include all of that when one considers the word limit constraints of a HP novel. I didn't hate Judd as a H. I was more disappointed in his failure to act like an adult. I even felt sorry for him a bit because he kept visiting Valerie's grandfather after she had left. He said he had done this in an effort to know all that was happening in her new life. When I think of all the stupid lies her grandfather had told Judd over the years, I want to scream. It must have been hell for Judd to keep hearing that the girl he loved and lost was now happily married with a son. I didn't hate Judd for not being celibate during the separation years because as far as he was concerned, Valerie was married.
It was a nice and interesting novel and I enjoyed reading a lot about the horses. It was also endearing to see how Valerie took responsibility for her mistakes and matured into a productive and responsible woman. It was a lovely second chance and secret baby romance.
Valerie had been a spoilt, attention seeking teenager who often tested her grandfather's patience. She would steal his liquor, smoke cigarettes, take his best horses for midnight rides without his permission and eventually she started having a clandestine affair with Judd. Valerie developed a somewhat obsessive fixation with Judd and in her lonely teenage mind, he was the ultimate in male perfection. Poor Valerie's childish infatuation soon developed into love but Judd refused to have a public relationship that was outwardly respectable. Valerie was Judd's dirty little secret. I didn't like this at all because he's 10 years older and should not have been meeting an 18 yr old delinquent girl for midnight sex out in the lush, green pastures. I place the major portion of the blame for Valerie's terrible predicament on Judd, because he was the mature person in their "relationship". An 18 yr old girl who's been sheltered all her life might have the physical appearance of a woman but her heart will still contain certain childish yearnings and dreams. My heart broke for Valerie, in the flashback scenes, where she kept yearning for the day when Judd would ask her to be his date or escort her to one of the many social functions held at his own mansion.
Judd had never cheated on Valerie while they were having their clandestine sexual relationship, yet he never asked her out on public dates. He also often partnered women closer to his age and from his social class, whenever he had to attend functions in the area. This was terribly humiliating for Valerie and the dumb teenager would have continued to accept that situation if she had not ended up pregnant. Her grandfather responded to the pregnancy in a predictable manner for a man of his beliefs: he kicked her out. After he kicked her out, he started spinning a web of lies around the community about how Valerie had met a guy, eloped and was now settling down to happy wedded bliss. In the meantime, Valerie was actually suffering through a life of poverty while simultaneously trying to take night courses to improve her education and expand her employment horizons. The only lucky strike that she had was her encounter with a kindly older lady called Clara who shared her accommodation and helped babysit her son Tadd.
Judd, on the other hand, soon realized what a fool he had been to not tell Valerie how he felt about her. Apparently, and according to Judd himself, he had been sexually obsessed with her but had also been in love with her. Nonetheless, he had not wanted to share her with the rest of the world. Wtf ???? I am not even going to explore my feelings about the inner workings of Judd's F up mind. His justification just didn't make much logical sense to me personally. Didn't he realize that by stifling the love he felt and by hiding their relationship, he would only be ensuring that it withered and died ? Whatever... Judd's inner psyche doesn't deserve any further speculation. The novel focuses on Valerie's return to her home after her grandfather dies. In a strange gesture of goodwill, the old man had left his property to Valerie. It wasn't worth much but at least she would gain a little nest egg to set aside for her child's future.
Judd is drawn to her as soon as he sees her but he still thinks she is married and so he keeps his distance. All of this changes when he discovers she's never been married. His pursuit of her intensifies and the shit storm worsens after her son's paternity is revealed. I felt that Judd's feelings for Valerie were mainly a very strong and obsessive sexual addiction rather than love. Maybe it's because of the way he acted with her. There wasn't much sex but they shared a heated chemistry in the scenes together. I wished Judd could have bonded more with his son Tadd but I can understand the author's inability to include all of that when one considers the word limit constraints of a HP novel. I didn't hate Judd as a H. I was more disappointed in his failure to act like an adult. I even felt sorry for him a bit because he kept visiting Valerie's grandfather after she had left. He said he had done this in an effort to know all that was happening in her new life. When I think of all the stupid lies her grandfather had told Judd over the years, I want to scream. It must have been hell for Judd to keep hearing that the girl he loved and lost was now happily married with a son. I didn't hate Judd for not being celibate during the separation years because as far as he was concerned, Valerie was married.
It was a nice and interesting novel and I enjoyed reading a lot about the horses. It was also endearing to see how Valerie took responsibility for her mistakes and matured into a productive and responsible woman. It was a lovely second chance and secret baby romance.
April 5, 2020
"Bed of Grass" is the story of Valerie and Judd.
Six years ago, our h was an absolute tempestuous wildchild, living on the ranch with her aging grandfather in Maryland. She falls in lust with her neighbor, the H and they give into their passions, only for her to get pregnant. Her grandfather then disowns her and she moves away.
As her grandfather passes away, she goes to visit the ranch with her stubborn young son and determined friend, only to be confronted by the H again, and the memories of their shared past..
Really enjoyed this book! The h grew up in the six years, and went from the devilish teen to a mature mother. The friend was protective, the son was headstrong and the H smitten from afar. I thoroughly loved the angst in this one, and ends on a sweet note.
Safe?
4/5
Six years ago, our h was an absolute tempestuous wildchild, living on the ranch with her aging grandfather in Maryland. She falls in lust with her neighbor, the H and they give into their passions, only for her to get pregnant. Her grandfather then disowns her and she moves away.
As her grandfather passes away, she goes to visit the ranch with her stubborn young son and determined friend, only to be confronted by the H again, and the memories of their shared past..
Really enjoyed this book! The h grew up in the six years, and went from the devilish teen to a mature mother. The friend was protective, the son was headstrong and the H smitten from afar. I thoroughly loved the angst in this one, and ends on a sweet note.
Safe?
4/5
September 4, 2025
Най-дразнещото хлапе в цяла Арлекиноландия, и още по-нетърпение в “най-добра приятелка.”
August 24, 2022
I liked h!
November 14, 2011
When I was in high school, I was addicted to romance novels, then I had my heart broken and didn't believe in love or romance. I married, had three kids, but I was cold and bitter. I hated romance novels. How dare they find the love of their lives, how dare they build up my dreams of happily ever after. Well, I found my happily ever after 3 years ago and so I've returned to the world of romance. This is my first romance novel in over 20 years. I remember Janet Dailey as a favorite and so returned to her.
I chose to read the Americana series because I like series and I like Dailey. So I began with A Bed of Grass - which is set in Maryland. I'm not sure if this was the first one she wrote or not, but it was the last one listed on my Nook so I started there.
Valerie returns home after her grandfather, who raised her, dies. She runs smack into Judd who fathered her son 7 years ago, but he doesn't know it. Sparks fly, and in the end they admit their love for each other.
Romance novels follow a formula, but sometimes I yell at the heroine - run away, start over - find a man who doesn't treat you poorly - but they never listen. Now that I'm older, I wonder how happily they live after all.
I chose to read the Americana series because I like series and I like Dailey. So I began with A Bed of Grass - which is set in Maryland. I'm not sure if this was the first one she wrote or not, but it was the last one listed on my Nook so I started there.
Valerie returns home after her grandfather, who raised her, dies. She runs smack into Judd who fathered her son 7 years ago, but he doesn't know it. Sparks fly, and in the end they admit their love for each other.
Romance novels follow a formula, but sometimes I yell at the heroine - run away, start over - find a man who doesn't treat you poorly - but they never listen. Now that I'm older, I wonder how happily they live after all.
April 13, 2019
Her wild youth was a thing of the past
Valerie Wentworth had paid dearly for the mistakes she'd made as a passionate girl. Turned out of her grandfather's house, she had raised Tadd, her son, all alone.
Now, after seven years, she had returned home for her grandfather's funeral--even though it meant confronting Judd Prescott again. Judd... who didn't know he was Tadd's father.
The man was more compellingly attractive than ever--but if Valerie had learned one thing it was to stay away from Judd Prescott. If only Judd would stay away from her!
Valerie Wentworth had paid dearly for the mistakes she'd made as a passionate girl. Turned out of her grandfather's house, she had raised Tadd, her son, all alone.
Now, after seven years, she had returned home for her grandfather's funeral--even though it meant confronting Judd Prescott again. Judd... who didn't know he was Tadd's father.
The man was more compellingly attractive than ever--but if Valerie had learned one thing it was to stay away from Judd Prescott. If only Judd would stay away from her!
January 3, 2019
It is the good old premise - get cozy, get pregnant and get back after years !
There is an inherent attraction to this premise, the leads have been sweet on each other in the past. Its only circumstance that's separating them. So it is easy to build up some tension, and show the character's growth.
But in this story, there is nothing to their relationship except a few tumbles in the hay stack. She is a precocious youngster. He is a ranching tycoon, much older, should have known better. But they seduce each other and carry on like that without building any depth to the relationship. Suddenly she realizes the hero is treating her like a dirty secret that is not to be revealed to the world. She fumes at him, ups and runs away.
She gets back into town with a 6 year old boy in tow. The hero bangs into the duo as soon as she is back. And he simply picks up from where they left off - trying to get physical with the girl right away ! No reaction to the kid, no interest in her life away from home, nothing!
Slowly it filters into the heroine's dumb head brain that the hero is offering nothing more than what he offered earlier. So she decides to do what she does best - run away again !?!?
This time the guy decides a few romantic lines and an engagement ring are in order. So he spouts some nonsense about hiding their relationship because he dint want to share her with anybody ! And that he was obsessed about her even in the past. Trite, corny the whole thing sounds.
There is another confounding bit - the way the girl's grandfather and the guy's mother react to the affair. Her grand dad pretends the affair didn't exist! His mother meets her grand child nonchalantly as though illegitimate grandchildren casually walk into her home every day !
Bed of grass - that's the title of the story. That's the place of their affair. The only place where they connect. Seriously ! Not even a comfortable bed room.
Sigh, the stories authors dish up sometimes...
There is an inherent attraction to this premise, the leads have been sweet on each other in the past. Its only circumstance that's separating them. So it is easy to build up some tension, and show the character's growth.
But in this story, there is nothing to their relationship except a few tumbles in the hay stack. She is a precocious youngster. He is a ranching tycoon, much older, should have known better. But they seduce each other and carry on like that without building any depth to the relationship. Suddenly she realizes the hero is treating her like a dirty secret that is not to be revealed to the world. She fumes at him, ups and runs away.
She gets back into town with a 6 year old boy in tow. The hero bangs into the duo as soon as she is back. And he simply picks up from where they left off - trying to get physical with the girl right away ! No reaction to the kid, no interest in her life away from home, nothing!
Slowly it filters into the heroine's dumb head brain that the hero is offering nothing more than what he offered earlier. So she decides to do what she does best - run away again !?!?
This time the guy decides a few romantic lines and an engagement ring are in order. So he spouts some nonsense about hiding their relationship because he dint want to share her with anybody ! And that he was obsessed about her even in the past. Trite, corny the whole thing sounds.
There is another confounding bit - the way the girl's grandfather and the guy's mother react to the affair. Her grand dad pretends the affair didn't exist! His mother meets her grand child nonchalantly as though illegitimate grandchildren casually walk into her home every day !
Bed of grass - that's the title of the story. That's the place of their affair. The only place where they connect. Seriously ! Not even a comfortable bed room.
Sigh, the stories authors dish up sometimes...
February 12, 2019
With the plot line this could have been a great agnesty romance but somehow author`s technique of brushing over those critical moments (such as the last scene between H and h before h left him and her hometown, and several others)killed the chance of this book being a really emotional read.
Well, it is an old book and at that time American authors didn't know much about writing good romance books.
Well, it is an old book and at that time American authors didn't know much about writing good romance books.
December 4, 2020
This was an enjoyable story overall, but I got frustrated with Judd for playing with Valerie’s feelings once he learned she’d had his son. He should have been direct & declared himself to be committed to her & their child.
September 8, 2024
What an awful book, what a pile of rubbish, what a stupid writer and what a gaslighting, lying, dishonourable hero. And what a stupid heroine.
The one where he convinces the heroine that he hid his relationship with her seven years ago because he didn’t wish anyone else to steal her from him, not because he regarded her as his banging secret pillow friend, he had bought her a ring but wasn’t going to ask her to marry him because he wanted to be sure she loved him and wasn’t marrying for the sake of their son that she’d had to raise by herself. The list is very long. Suffice it to say he was a cad.
The one where he convinces the heroine that he hid his relationship with her seven years ago because he didn’t wish anyone else to steal her from him, not because he regarded her as his banging secret pillow friend, he had bought her a ring but wasn’t going to ask her to marry him because he wanted to be sure she loved him and wasn’t marrying for the sake of their son that she’d had to raise by herself. The list is very long. Suffice it to say he was a cad.
March 5, 2023
Janet Dailey was my favourite author in my teens along with LaVyrle Spencer and I devoured every book of theirs I came across but some how I missed this one.
Like most of the books Janet Dailey wrote this one sucks you in from the start and pulls on your heart strings. The push and pull between the main characters feels real as though you are experiencing it with them.
A second chance love story with thoughts and denials and misunderstandings. Add in a precocious seven year old, well meaning friends and family it adds up to an amazing reading experience.
Like most of the books Janet Dailey wrote this one sucks you in from the start and pulls on your heart strings. The push and pull between the main characters feels real as though you are experiencing it with them.
A second chance love story with thoughts and denials and misunderstandings. Add in a precocious seven year old, well meaning friends and family it adds up to an amazing reading experience.
December 29, 2018
Uh okay. Too much miscommunication and the couple just not speaking that led to this being drawn out. But a moment that really stuck out for me was her realizing her grandfather hadn't opened her letters, heartbreaking. Everything else was just bland and dragged out. Skip around this one.
Read
October 29, 2021The romance is lukewarm. The granddad and granddaughter relationships touch me more!
April 7, 2022
A bit predictable but sweet second chance story.
The heroine proved without a doubt that she wasn’t a gold digger. The lack of communication was a main source of angst.
The heroine proved without a doubt that she wasn’t a gold digger. The lack of communication was a main source of angst.
March 4, 2017
Valerie Wentworth was a rebellious teenager who drank, smoked and had an illicit love affair with wealthy and classy neighbor Judd Prescott. She fell in love, but all he wanted was sex. When she found out she was pregnant, her grandfather kicked her out and told the whole town she'd eloped. At his death, she returns with her (and Judd's) son Tadd. At first, Judd keeps his distance because he thinks she's married. When he finds out she isn't, he does just about whatever he can to get Valerie to stay. But Valerie doesn't trust Judd's motives. To her, he seems to be manipulating everything so that Valerie will be his mistress and they can resume their passionate affair. And finding out that Tadd is his son, gives Judd the ammunition he needs to accomplish his goals.
This was not my favorite story by this author. I liked that it was angsty and came close to being the "train-wreck" that is so common of this time period. It was certainly not boring, that's for sure. Naturally this feels quite dated, since it was written in the 70's or 80's. I don't necessarily mind that, outside of the attitudes of the time that are weaved into the story (like gender roles and such). I guess what I didn't like is that, all of the drama and angst that was central to the story felt somewhat contrived and unnecessary. If Judd had merely been a bit more open and honest about what he wanted or if Valerie had been less evasive and suspicious. Don't get me wrong, Judd was pretty much an asshole. His jealousy in his youth drove Valerie away (and boy, did that feel like a farfetched reason for his cruel attitude at the time). But when she returns and he learns that she's available, instead of merely saying how much he cares and always has and that he'd like a chance again, he mocks her and laughs at her and heavily insinuates that he'd like her to be his mistress again. Then he manipulates her by playing off of Tadd - making promises to him and making her the bad guy when she has to say no. Which is a pretty shitty thing to do. And all this is done in an attempt to get her to stay? I'm not sure how that works. One would think pissing off the woman you love is a sure way to get her to go. Valerie was quite emotional, but her anger is pretty well justified. Even more so when he mocks her anger. I think when stories go this direction and there's this kind of assholery and crazy angsty drama, I'd rather it go all out and be a train-wreck. But, this is a clean romance. It's also one with a surprising lack of paternal possessiveness from the Hero. He doesn't seem to care that Tadd is his son nor that he's lost 6 years of Tadd's life. It seems that Tadd is a means to an end for Judd. And for the reader, Tadd is pretty much a brat.
This was not my favorite story by this author. I liked that it was angsty and came close to being the "train-wreck" that is so common of this time period. It was certainly not boring, that's for sure. Naturally this feels quite dated, since it was written in the 70's or 80's. I don't necessarily mind that, outside of the attitudes of the time that are weaved into the story (like gender roles and such). I guess what I didn't like is that, all of the drama and angst that was central to the story felt somewhat contrived and unnecessary. If Judd had merely been a bit more open and honest about what he wanted or if Valerie had been less evasive and suspicious. Don't get me wrong, Judd was pretty much an asshole. His jealousy in his youth drove Valerie away (and boy, did that feel like a farfetched reason for his cruel attitude at the time). But when she returns and he learns that she's available, instead of merely saying how much he cares and always has and that he'd like a chance again, he mocks her and laughs at her and heavily insinuates that he'd like her to be his mistress again. Then he manipulates her by playing off of Tadd - making promises to him and making her the bad guy when she has to say no. Which is a pretty shitty thing to do. And all this is done in an attempt to get her to stay? I'm not sure how that works. One would think pissing off the woman you love is a sure way to get her to go. Valerie was quite emotional, but her anger is pretty well justified. Even more so when he mocks her anger. I think when stories go this direction and there's this kind of assholery and crazy angsty drama, I'd rather it go all out and be a train-wreck. But, this is a clean romance. It's also one with a surprising lack of paternal possessiveness from the Hero. He doesn't seem to care that Tadd is his son nor that he's lost 6 years of Tadd's life. It seems that Tadd is a means to an end for Judd. And for the reader, Tadd is pretty much a brat.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2011
Couldn't put this one down! Granddaughter of horse rancher falls for (10-years older) son of neighbor horse rancher. She becomes pregnant and is kicked out of grandfather's home. She ends up in another state raising her baby with the help of a co-worker. Seven years later, the grandfather dies and she returns for the funeral. They meet and those feelings are rekindled ... but she will not submit to him ...
June 15, 2008
A classic Presents love story that somehow really touched you.
September 8, 2015
Felt very dated. Alpha male hero with high strung emotional weepy heroine. Hmmm!
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June 21, 2018Her wild youth was a thing of the past
Valerie Wentworth had paid dearly for the mistakes she'd made as a passionate girl. Turned out of her grandfather's house, she had raised Tadd, her son, all alone.
Now, after seven years, she had returned home for her grandfather's funeral--even though it meant confronting Judd Prescott again. Judd... who didn't know he was Tadd's father.
The man was more compellingly attractive than ever--but if Valerie had learned one thing it was to stay away from Judd Prescott. If only Judd would stay away from her!
Valerie Wentworth had paid dearly for the mistakes she'd made as a passionate girl. Turned out of her grandfather's house, she had raised Tadd, her son, all alone.
Now, after seven years, she had returned home for her grandfather's funeral--even though it meant confronting Judd Prescott again. Judd... who didn't know he was Tadd's father.
The man was more compellingly attractive than ever--but if Valerie had learned one thing it was to stay away from Judd Prescott. If only Judd would stay away from her!
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