The Stone-Cold Heart of Valentine Briscoe

by Marcia Lynn McClure

Haven could feel her mind beginning to dizzy, felt her face was red from the strain of her body not being able to breathe. Her panicked gaze still held the fierce one of the stranger through the instruction room window, and she saw his dark brows pucker in a frown. “She’s chokin’!” Oscar hollered. “Miss Abernathy is chokin’ on a lemon drop!” “Is this one of our manners lessons, Miss Abernathy?” Nancy inquired. Again, Haven’s body attempted to gasp as, all at once, the door leading from the outside boardwalk to the instruction room burst open, splintering throughout the room—the stranger with the fierce and fiery stare stepping across the threshold. “She’s chokin’ on a lemon drop, mister!” Margie cried. The stranger said nothing—simply strode to Haven, reached out, and slapped her hard on the back. But the lemon drop did not dislodge from her throat. “She’s gonna choke to death right here with us watchin’!” Florence shrieked. Again the man pounded on Haven’s back. Nothing. She still couldn’t breathe! “Well, then…” she heard the man’s low, imposing voice rumble. Haven felt the man’s arms suddenly go around her waist—felt more dizzying effects as he flipped her upside down and began shaking her. “Cough it up, lady,” the man growled, “else you’re gonna commence yer dirt nap right here in front of these kids.” Holding Haven upside down with now just one arm around her waist, the man pounded on her back once more. At last, the lemon drop dislodged from Haven’s mouth and, seeming to have a will of its own, leapt out of her mouth and went bouncing across the wooden planks of the instruction room floor.

Genres: Romance, Westerns, Historical Fiction, Clean Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Western Romance

315 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 23, 2017

About the author

Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Marcia Lynn McClure grew up influenced by the reminiscent stories of rugged, rural Colorado farm life fascinatingly recounted to her by her parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts…tales of runaway buckboards, mule-drawn plows and dust pneumonia; verbalized images of stream-flooded meadows, frozen over in winter, where a child could peer through the crystal clear ice in wonder at the small fish, snakes and mice sealed in the meadow grasses beneath; stories of hardship and tragedy, love and loss. But always the stories, and the people telling them, bore evidence of the wonder and worthiness of simpler, yet sometimes brutal, times.

These influential people and the family legends they detailed, coupled with her own life experiences and utterly romantic nature, led Marcia to begin writing novels as Christmas gifts for her closest friends…friends who long for a breath of the past and miss the romance of bygone eras; friends searching for moments of distraction from the stressful, demanding times we live in.

And so, knowing that it is the breath of the past and the "take me in you arms and kiss me" kind of moments that so many women long to relive, Marcia spins her tales of love, life and laughter…adventures woven around those compelling, romantic instances that most appeal to a woman's loving heart. Marcia feels that if her readers close one of her books with a contented sigh and a delighted smile, feeling rejuvenated, cheerful and edified, then she has achieved what she set out to do…shower refreshment and happiness on anyone having experienced the story.

Marcia lives in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. There she writes her stories surrounded by her beloved friends and family...and the beautiful desert landscape of New Mexico!

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute! How Haven healed Valentine's heart!

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was one of Marcia’s best. Very western, romantic and also very suspenseful and intense at the same time. Im glad she stayed true to historical events for this book.

[Deborah Andreasen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read and enjoyed all of Marcia Lynn McClure's books. I am always thrilled when she comes out with a new book. This was definitely enjoyable. I loved watching the rough exterior of Val's melt away despite his intentions to remain...well, stone cold. There were definitely a few cheese spots, but that's probably what makes it so fun. There were a few darker themes to the book, like slavery and kidnapping. But they're dealt with very well.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alas, I think I've grown out of MLM books. It was entertaining but she is throwing too much language in there (claiming it is ok for a man to swear when he is angry, etc. I do not agree with that.)

Moral Note: Language (heck, dang, jack...bast), violence, passionate kisses, him answering the door in only a quilt then using it to get a rise out of her, lots of innuendos, slavery, kidnapping.

[Teya Teya · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's that time of the year again to devour the deliciousness of Marcia Mcclure's journeys to destiny books. Okay, I'm a month early starting but who cares!

11/28/23
I love the story it's a beautiful love story! I love the fact that there is forgiveness, love, and open-heartedness. I also love the fact that there is an Indian involved partially Indian because I have family supposed family with Indian in our blood.

8/26/22
I have loved this one since I first read it and think I know a little more about why now. I did a DNA test and found out I have, a small percentage but still, Portuguese/Spain in me. We are trying to figure out where it comes from in our line. It's like a little secret that's not really a secret. Here's the thing I am so fair-skinned. I burn and peel then fair. I know my ancestor married an immigrant. Anyway, this story is just so dear to my heart.

Other years
This was. . . I am speechless! I am absolutely speechless with this book. This book was heart, passionate, and had a stunning storyline. This is the kind of writing that first endeared me to Marcia as an author. I cried, I laughed, and I fanned myself from the yumminess. So worth the read and waiting for this riveting book. I could not put it down! I recommend it. I will say it's not for the faint of heart you will need a tissue, you will read about death and pain but that's what is in life all around us. In fact, the base of the book is something we face even today, sadly. I love how she pulls this book together with the richness of heart and soul. It's a beautiful book, with love, passion, and oh yes a very tall, dark, and swoon-worthy handsome bare-chested scoundrel you will love. Kissing queen strikes again, perfectly!

A forgiving and finding love story. I love this story because it addresses the horrible thing of slavery and judging. You see my family fought against such a practice. My own grandmother was raised by an Indian Mother and my husband's relatives were the Black Scotts. Called black Scotts due to their skin. They were not white, yet not black so they were called black Scotts with no place. So when I say I am not racist is a fact. I see people as who they are not a color.
Those little Henry button twin boys just kill me, I love them! I love that it makes you feel.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

another winner for my reading.

I was ready for a new Marcia Lynn McClure book and this one did not disappoint me. I needed this fun book. Great action and characters. I will read this many more times.

[Chesney · Rating 4 out of 5]

100 percent pure enjoyment!!

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heritage

This is a fun story with lots of things happening. She fears her secret heritage will mean never marrying. He has one goal, to hunt down the Comanche who took his sisters and kill them. He doesn’t have time for the pretty etiquette teacher/hat maker to get in his way. Her embarrassment from the many times he has rescued her makes her avoid him. But fate has other plans. This is one of Miss McClure’s best.

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

As per usual I started my new year off right by digging into this delicious tale. For as always my Marcia never disappoints. It was great to have a full length novel from my favorite author. I can't ever get enough. :)

[Elaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Love this book!! This is book is like the books I first read from Marcia. I laughed so hard, cried, on the edge of my seat with what I was reading and amazing kissing parts from the main characters. The thoughts running through Val's head reminds me of my own husband and how he thinks lol! Wow!! Absolutely loved this book!! I'm so glad I picked this book to read. Reminded me of the very first books I read from Marcia. The Visions of Ransom Lake and The Haunting of Autumn Lake. These two books are my favorite books of Marcia. Thanks for another fantastic book to read.

[Shellbelle19 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I quite liked this book! It seemed more like Marcia’s old books! Some of her newer ones seem too preachy. This one didn’t feel like that.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! It reminded me of Marcia’s first books I read! It had great twists and turns in it. And as always wonderful kisses! I love Valentine and Haven! I also loved the Sanderson sisters! As soon as I saw their name I knew they were named after the witches on Hocus Pocus! Love it!

[Ashley Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my favorite as it tended to be a bit “gushy” for my tastes (Everyone is wonderful! Everyone is happy! Everyone is beautiful!). But I still liked it ;). The character origins are what made the story interesting; their different backgrounds. Val made me laugh and the Henry Buttons were perfect.

[Sam · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love a good MLM book to read when I’m on a beach vacation. But man, this one was real rough. I just question the editing process because for the first couple of chapters every paragraph she says the same thing over and over again. And throughout the book really. It’s like every chapter she’s recounting what has already happened (which wasn’t much). Sorry to say I about cringed through the whole thing.

[Shellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This was an amazing read. So many difficult issues regarding ancestry and family were addressed in this book...and the resolutions were exactly as I would have liked them to be! Well done, Marcia. Well done!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

I just love Marcia’s books. I bought this when it was released but didn’t want to read it because then it would be over. So I finally broke down and read it, and was so happy that it was so long and such a great read. I loved it. As I love all of her books.

[Brittany Fitzgerald · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay

I’m a huge fan of Marcia McClure, and I have many of her books, each one has been enjoyable to read. So when I saw this on KU I was excited, and even more so to see it was longer than most of her books! Overall, decent story. I felt that the title was misleading, because Valentine’s heart was hardly “stone cold”, and truth be told, this book could have been cut down to 250 pages and it would have been better. I love McClure’s talent for words, but this book was just so full of fluff and flowery language that it really detracted from the book. In all honesty, that’s what made this book so long. Her books are entertaining, sweet romances, and I’ve enjoyed the plot and development of all of them, but this one was disappointingly weak in those areas. I will still continue to read her novels going forward, but I’m just glad I didn’t actually pay for this one.

[NefariousButterfly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilariously Romantic

I was a little hesitant to buy this one as I was familiar with all of Marcia's older books but I didnt understand why this one was so much more expensive. Although it does seem she may have dropped the price to be closer to that of her others, I have to say it is worth it whether it's the $8 or the $5. That being said the book itself has a wonderful plot and is very well written. I can see a great difference and improvement from the old to this more current novel.

I read read it in one night and I was up all night! It has you laughing and crying. Laughter in such extreme merriment that I have to say it's got some of the funniest things she has ever written. And of course the Kissing Queen has done her magic once again!

[Michelle Sampson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was a bit uneven for me. For the most part its a romance in the west in the 1890's but something happens towards the end that shifts the mostly light-hearted story into something darker and depressing. I like that its dealt with in a compassionate and understanding way but I wasn't prepared for it, even though I think the author took pains to try and do so. Some of the jokes also got old as they were mentioned again and again. That being said, I had to read it. I mean, look at the title for heavens sake! Its a great one :P

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book!

I first came across this Author when reading her book Saphyre Snow, a must read if you haven't yet, we'll I fell in love with this authors wit and writing style. This book was so much fun to read! I was rolling in laughter at the spider in the outhouse scene!! And it had me crying in the end when the families were finally reunited. You will not regret reading Any of Marcia McClures books. She's one in a million! And she lives in my state beautiful New Mexico!

[Jamille Parks · Rating 1 out of 5]

I usually love MLM books, but this one I could hardly get through. Every chapter and almost all of the paragraphs where repetitive. The editing in this book was atrocious and I cringed the whole time. I thought the plot was lacking and I was bored most of the time. I'm sad because this is only the second book that I've not liked of hers. All of the others I've enjoyed but not this one. Better luck next time.

[Ashley Lavering · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silly most of the time.

This book struck me as silly most of the time. It had serious elements but the characters were so silly I just couldn't really buy into the story. The way events happen were somewhat unrealistic. I did laugh at times and I was very happy for them all in the end.

[Maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I love all of Marcia’s books and this has been added to that list! Loved the secrets that both Val and Haven kept buried deep but eventually found the power to reveal. Val was awesome, especially every time someone came to his door ;) wish there would have been a larger fight-like scene but it worked out in the end

[Sephora Worthington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as dusty britches.
Best book Marcia ever wrote.

-This book is good, with a few missing elements and scenes that I think should have been written.

For my taste and expectancy, Valentine wasn’t as ( stone cold hearted) as Miss Marcia named him to be. At least, for me he wasn’t.

Haven was pleasant, she was easy character for me to like and root for. -

[Nellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Western romance

This book was sweet, it stay clean, and had only a few light cuss words. It kept me interested the entire time. I absolutely love the characters. What a fun book to read. I really do enjoy this author. I believe I read almost all of her books.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It made me laugh. It made me cry. It is well written with a steadily moving plot. The characters are delightful! The author's snippets at the end were hilarious. Valentine Briscoe has a bit of a potty mouth but just "barnyard" swearing. There is lots of passionate kissing.

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this one, it’s slower in reading then some of her other books, but I loved the alliterations and metaphors galore in this one. The descriptions and character building and connecting was great.

[Megan Evertsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

fresh romance

I love historic romances. This is fun and full of suspense.
I would recommend this story to women who like happy endings.
I was impressed with the obvious taste of the two couples romantic interludes.
Thank you dear author for this story.

[Monica Partida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fabulous story!

I always enjoy reading Marsha’s stories! This one is no different. I love the characters and the plot - so suspenseful. Wonderful ending especially the epilogue. Thank you so much for sharing your gift of storytelling with all of us!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

The heroine is so sweet and kind that you instantly love her. She blesses all around her and finds love. Danger comes to her little haven, but goodness prevails.