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The Rancher Returns
Protecting the woman he can’t resist…The Rancher Returns by New York Times Bestselling Author Brenda Jackson Returning from active duty to find his ranch being dug up by a beautiful stranger isn’t the homecoming navy SEAL Gavin Blake expected. Layla Harris is convinced there’s buried treasure on his land. But the only treasure this wealthy rancher wants to uncover is the professor’s secret desires! When Layla unearths family secrets—and mysterious threats—he vows to do whatever it takes to protect her. Even as her revelations change everything… FREE BONUS STORY INCLUDED IN THIS VOLUME!Playing with Temptation by Reese Ryan Walking away from the man she loved seven years ago is the biggest regret of media consultant Kendra Williams’s life. Now her son needs his father…and Kendra needs to win back pro footballer Nate Johnston’s trust. After she broke his heart, repairing his career is the least she can do. Powerful passion still smolders between them, but will a jealous ex sabotage their second chance at a future?New York Times Bestselling Author Brenda Jackson
378 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 11, 2025
113 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Jackson
887 books3,530 followersIn 1994, Brenda Jackson’s first novel, Tonight and Forever, was released. Since then she has had more than 100 novels and novellas published (the first African-American author to accomplish such a feat) and has over 3 million books in print.
A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Brenda is the first African-American author to have a book published by Harlequin Desire and the first African-American romance author to make the New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller lists within the series romance genre.
In 2012, Brenda received the Romance Writers of America’s Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award—one of the highest literary awards a romance author can receive. In 2013, she was recognized by the mayor and the city of Jacksonville as being a Trailblazer in the literary field.
In 2010, she collaborated with Five Alive Films to turn her Truly Everlasting title into a feature film. Brenda’s 2011 novel A Silken Thread is scheduled to be filmed with Debbie Allen attached as director in 2015.
Email Brenda at authorbrendajackson@gmail.com or visit her on her website at brendajackson.net.
A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Brenda is the first African-American author to have a book published by Harlequin Desire and the first African-American romance author to make the New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller lists within the series romance genre.
In 2012, Brenda received the Romance Writers of America’s Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award—one of the highest literary awards a romance author can receive. In 2013, she was recognized by the mayor and the city of Jacksonville as being a Trailblazer in the literary field.
In 2010, she collaborated with Five Alive Films to turn her Truly Everlasting title into a feature film. Brenda’s 2011 novel A Silken Thread is scheduled to be filmed with Debbie Allen attached as director in 2015.
Email Brenda at authorbrendajackson@gmail.com or visit her on her website at brendajackson.net.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 25, 2023
3⭐️ The Rancher Returns
If you follow my reviews, you know I love Brenda Jackson. Even as a fan, I recognize the faults I get books. Sometimes the characters, particularly men, are a little too insta lovey. Though we see that in this book, kudos to the author for showing something I haven’t seen which is a Black woman who is an archaeology professor who is on an excavation mission on the hero’s ranch. Talk about a unique meet cute. Without giving away any more of the story, there was a surprising amount of mystery/intrigue in this story. Sexy and overall fun read that’s perfect for a lazy afternoon.
4⭐️ Playing with Temptation
I believe this is my first Reese Ryan read and now I get why people love her books so much! We have sports romance, a second chance, media/tv shenanigans, and a cunning ex who certainly isn't going to turn tail and run: she wants revenge. I loved the SC setting, though the characters do travel a bit with the apology tour. So much politics in the sports world. Kendra the h is a crisis/PR manager, a la Olivia Pope, who has to help the H clean up after being caught making some disparaging comments about his teammates. To add more conflict to the mess, they are childhood sweethearts who co-parent. So many interesting convos in this novel: the toll co-parenting has on the secondary parent not seeing their child as much, adults dealing with Daddy issues even when they are grown, and as always how hard communication can be. I really enjoyed this and will have to seek more RR books.
If you follow my reviews, you know I love Brenda Jackson. Even as a fan, I recognize the faults I get books. Sometimes the characters, particularly men, are a little too insta lovey. Though we see that in this book, kudos to the author for showing something I haven’t seen which is a Black woman who is an archaeology professor who is on an excavation mission on the hero’s ranch. Talk about a unique meet cute. Without giving away any more of the story, there was a surprising amount of mystery/intrigue in this story. Sexy and overall fun read that’s perfect for a lazy afternoon.
4⭐️ Playing with Temptation
I believe this is my first Reese Ryan read and now I get why people love her books so much! We have sports romance, a second chance, media/tv shenanigans, and a cunning ex who certainly isn't going to turn tail and run: she wants revenge. I loved the SC setting, though the characters do travel a bit with the apology tour. So much politics in the sports world. Kendra the h is a crisis/PR manager, a la Olivia Pope, who has to help the H clean up after being caught making some disparaging comments about his teammates. To add more conflict to the mess, they are childhood sweethearts who co-parent. So many interesting convos in this novel: the toll co-parenting has on the secondary parent not seeing their child as much, adults dealing with Daddy issues even when they are grown, and as always how hard communication can be. I really enjoyed this and will have to seek more RR books.
October 7, 2022
The Rancher Returns and Playing with Temptation
In the rancher returns Gavin was to much of a viper to me I felt Layla should have been afraid of him. He acted as if he had lost all control. But I guess that's hard uncontrollable love.
PLAYING With Temptation
Great love story Nate has anger management issues and Kendra was afraid to love because she didn't want to be left as her father did her mother.
In the rancher returns Gavin was to much of a viper to me I felt Layla should have been afraid of him. He acted as if he had lost all control. But I guess that's hard uncontrollable love.
PLAYING With Temptation
Great love story Nate has anger management issues and Kendra was afraid to love because she didn't want to be left as her father did her mother.
November 16, 2022
The rancher returns and playing with temptation
Both short stories were Goodreads. Brenda Jackson is always on point. Reese Ryan is a new author for me. The true love she speaks about last for quite a long time, The person with father issues can be hard to change. Both lovers had a bond that couldn't be broken their son. The fire will always be there.
Both short stories were Goodreads. Brenda Jackson is always on point. Reese Ryan is a new author for me. The true love she speaks about last for quite a long time, The person with father issues can be hard to change. Both lovers had a bond that couldn't be broken their son. The fire will always be there.
April 26, 2022
Enjoyed both books
I had read the Rancher's Return before but still enjoyed reading it again. Playing with Temptation was a great read also filled with friendship, greed, opportunists, love and family.
I had read the Rancher's Return before but still enjoyed reading it again. Playing with Temptation was a great read also filled with friendship, greed, opportunists, love and family.
January 12, 2023
Great first book…the second book was week
The rancher returns was a great story…playing with temptation was more therapy then romance. Kendra and Nate relationship should not have been so damaged with a foundation that started as child hood best friends.
The rancher returns was a great story…playing with temptation was more therapy then romance. Kendra and Nate relationship should not have been so damaged with a foundation that started as child hood best friends.
March 18, 2024
Good Read!
What an enjoyable, sweet read. Nate and Kendra finally got it together, confessing their love for one another. Now they can grab Kai and walk hand-in-hand to FOREVERMORE.
What an enjoyable, sweet read. Nate and Kendra finally got it together, confessing their love for one another. Now they can grab Kai and walk hand-in-hand to FOREVERMORE.
November 1, 2022
Not too bad.
October 10, 2022
This was the first book I've read from Brenda Jackson in years but I thoroughly enjoyed the read which I caught on a special price deal. Plus it had a 2 book read.
Oct. 10: I just finished reading Playing With Temptation by Reese Ryan which was the 2nd book. This was my first read from this author but it won't be my last read. It also was a 5 star banger.
Oct. 10: I just finished reading Playing With Temptation by Reese Ryan which was the 2nd book. This was my first read from this author but it won't be my last read. It also was a 5 star banger.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews