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Montana Mavericks: Return to Big Sky Country #2
The Widow and the Rodeo Man
The Bargain
Blue-eyed, slow-talking and handsome-as-sin Luke Rivers appeared on her doorstep and just wouldn't go away. Marls Wyler had no pity for his hard-luck cowboy story. Only, Luke wasn't looking for a handout - he'd come to collect a debt. He'd take it in cash, he'd take It In horses-he'd take it on any terms the pretty widow named. Maris's conscience couldn't deny Luke's claim...and the woman in her couldn't resist striking a bargain....
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 1994
111 people want to read
About the author
Jackie Merritt
121 books18 followersJackie Merritt's first book was published in December of 1988, and since then she's been deeply engrossed in the writing game. While she's gone through dry spells, where she can't write a word that makes sense and every idea ends up in the trash can, for the most part she's usually working on a viable story.
Jackie honestly believes that anyone with a reasonable grasp of language and grammar can write a bookif they're self-disciplined enough to put in the time and effort that writing demands. Starting a book is easy; staying with it until it is finished is the part that stops many would-be authors. Jackie believes she had an advantage that a lot of people do not have. As a former accountant, she was used to working alone and completing long projects. Oddly enough, the same principles apply to writing.
Plus, of course, you have to love it. Jackie's first attempts to write fiction were so bad they were comical, but she still fell in love with writing. She had written hundreds of business letters before that, but never a word of fiction, and there, all of a sudden, was a whole new world for her to explore.
Jackie honestly believes that anyone with a reasonable grasp of language and grammar can write a bookif they're self-disciplined enough to put in the time and effort that writing demands. Starting a book is easy; staying with it until it is finished is the part that stops many would-be authors. Jackie believes she had an advantage that a lot of people do not have. As a former accountant, she was used to working alone and completing long projects. Oddly enough, the same principles apply to writing.
Plus, of course, you have to love it. Jackie's first attempts to write fiction were so bad they were comical, but she still fell in love with writing. She had written hundreds of business letters before that, but never a word of fiction, and there, all of a sudden, was a whole new world for her to explore.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 7, 2016
It's not often that I go all the way to 1 star, but there was so much that bothered me about this book that I find myself talking about it to anyone who will listen. Which honestly should give it an extra star because it has staying power enough to still be on my mind long after finishing it.
So much to say...ok the premise. Widow woman who isn't too broken up about her husband's death because he made stupid decisions. Enter rodeo man (just like her ex she thinks because every rodeo man is the same) who comes to get what's owed him. Because the dead guy had a habit of getting in debt. And making poor business decisions. Things like buying a herd of 93 green broke horses and leaving them in the pasture...to what exactly? Breed?
So Maris (the girl) hires the drifter (Luke) to help with the horses so they can have an auction.
My complaint? The author is not very familiar with horses or training methods. Or much about ranch life in general. And the whole baby aspect just was a bit freaky on her part, as was the whole forced into sexual encounters on his part. No it's NOT romantic to press a girl for sex after she's said NO repeatedly. Talking her into it isn't cool. Besides, her morning after behavior wins a prize....Sheesh, didn't nobody teach that boy to run from the crazy women?
So. Yeah. Stupid book that I stuck out because I'm stubborn. Not likely to track down this author for anything else. I've had enough. It's too bad, because I was in the mood for a good cowboy romance and this one looked promising. Right on up until the first page or two.
Sigh.
So much to say...ok the premise. Widow woman who isn't too broken up about her husband's death because he made stupid decisions. Enter rodeo man (just like her ex she thinks because every rodeo man is the same) who comes to get what's owed him. Because the dead guy had a habit of getting in debt. And making poor business decisions. Things like buying a herd of 93 green broke horses and leaving them in the pasture...to what exactly? Breed?
So Maris (the girl) hires the drifter (Luke) to help with the horses so they can have an auction.
My complaint? The author is not very familiar with horses or training methods. Or much about ranch life in general. And the whole baby aspect just was a bit freaky on her part, as was the whole forced into sexual encounters on his part. No it's NOT romantic to press a girl for sex after she's said NO repeatedly. Talking her into it isn't cool. Besides, her morning after behavior wins a prize....Sheesh, didn't nobody teach that boy to run from the crazy women?
So. Yeah. Stupid book that I stuck out because I'm stubborn. Not likely to track down this author for anything else. I've had enough. It's too bad, because I was in the mood for a good cowboy romance and this one looked promising. Right on up until the first page or two.
Sigh.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2014
The Widow and The Rodeo Man is a book by American author, Jackie Merritt, in the Montana Mavericks series. Widow Maris Wyler has been left with 93 unbroken horses that her husband, Ray, an irresponsible drinker and rodeo enthusiast, swapped for their cattle. Rodeo man, Luke Rivers has a $3000 IOU from Ray that he needs to collect after a rodeo fall left him injured and depleted his savings. When Luke comes to the No Bull ranch to collect, sparks fly between him and Maris. Eventually, however, a deal is struck: Luke’s expertise with breaking horses for his IOU and a horse to keep. But neither of them counts on the attraction that flares between them. This slightly longer romance has a little more depth than the average: the characters have depth and appeal and the plot has a few twists. The hero is sexy but principled; the heroine sweet but flawed. A very enjoyable read.
October 21, 2014
Why is Maris so stupid ?
Why did I bother reading the Entire Book ?
Why is it that the author glamorizes incredibly manipulative and Stupid decisions , time and again ?
I grew to actively dislike every character in this book, except that little black dog.
Why did I bother reading the Entire Book ?
Why is it that the author glamorizes incredibly manipulative and Stupid decisions , time and again ?
I grew to actively dislike every character in this book, except that little black dog.
July 12, 2024
Book 2 in my Montana Mavericks marathon.
This was was fucking wretched. So awful I ended up skipping most of the end.
It was actually pretty OK up to a certain point. I thought Maris had some nice principles, her relationship with Keith was so sweet, and a yard sale you say? Ohhh yes. Then at about page 130 she turns into a completely unhinged psycho slut as she gets this deranged idea to... trick Luck into making her pregnant. All of a sudden she's like this baby obsessed animal who, out of nowhere, is screeching about how she's a female and needs to get bred immediately (BTW her husband died like a month or two ago in a car wreck).
So now she's like this bitch in heat on a mission to deceive Luck, get preggo, and kick him to the curb ASAP. She wanks him off as he sleeps and hops on, and rushes him into fucking her raw on the kitchen counter top while peering out the window to make sure the fucking kid isn't walking up to catch her at it.
I was disgusted with her, so disgusted I started to loathe her stinking guts. I skipped the rest of the book because I no longer cared if she got a HEA or died in a house fire. What a rancid, lying skank.
This was was fucking wretched. So awful I ended up skipping most of the end.
It was actually pretty OK up to a certain point. I thought Maris had some nice principles, her relationship with Keith was so sweet, and a yard sale you say? Ohhh yes. Then at about page 130 she turns into a completely unhinged psycho slut as she gets this deranged idea to... trick Luck into making her pregnant. All of a sudden she's like this baby obsessed animal who, out of nowhere, is screeching about how she's a female and needs to get bred immediately (BTW her husband died like a month or two ago in a car wreck).
So now she's like this bitch in heat on a mission to deceive Luck, get preggo, and kick him to the curb ASAP. She wanks him off as he sleeps and hops on, and rushes him into fucking her raw on the kitchen counter top while peering out the window to make sure the fucking kid isn't walking up to catch her at it.
I was disgusted with her, so disgusted I started to loathe her stinking guts. I skipped the rest of the book because I no longer cared if she got a HEA or died in a house fire. What a rancid, lying skank.
March 23, 2019
Maris's husband Ray is dead. Luke has come to her with an IOU for $3,000.00 from her dead husband.
Her ranch is almost bankrupt and she does't have the money. How they work together to solve their problems make for a really good read. This was part of the "Montana Maverick" series by Harlequin Romance.
Her ranch is almost bankrupt and she does't have the money. How they work together to solve their problems make for a really good read. This was part of the "Montana Maverick" series by Harlequin Romance.
October 25, 2018
Good romance. A return to the Jackie Merritt books I used to read. Recommended.
May 22, 2020
Not bad. Good for a simple romance
May 25, 2012
Have you ever randomly saw a book on your bookshelf, and had no idea where it came from? That totally happened to me with this book, I was messing around in my room, and noticed it.. I picked it up read the back, adored the 90's cover, and just started to read. I really fell in love with the story, it was sweet. I liked Maris a lot, she was perfect, and Luke just really came alive the way Jackie described him, painted a picture. I love love love Western-type books. I even read Louis L'Amour before, and freaking Larry McMurty is one of my favorite authors. Also if you know me I'm seriously no stranger to contemporary romance JULIE JAMES, and every single Kristan Higgins book ever written but The Next Best Thing , this book was just a pleasant suprise, I loved it. A++
December 28, 2011
By far the most enjoyable installment of this series so far, for me. Luke was likable, as was Maris. The writing was fine, though it shows a lot of the POV switches mid-page that was common when the first edition was released, which does make it a bit difficult to read now that I'm used to the single-POV per scene trend. Characters were suitably flawed, yet sympathetic, to make for an engaging story, and the love scenes were warm and unobtrusive. Reads well as a stand-alone book, though technically part of the larger Whitehorn world.
July 27, 2011
I like this story. However, I do find her a bit too goody-two-shoes which makes me uncomfortable. However, the hero is divine. So sexy and so earnest too - a bit too earnest, but hey, still worth a shag.
March 19, 2015
The heroine in this book annoyed me greatly... she acted very badly, and while her experiences might give her a little leeway, it is not enough to excuse her. Happily she does at least own up to her inadequacies by the end of the book.
September 3, 2014
loved the book. ended better than i thought it would. Maris and Luke are good for each other. it saddened me it took so long for the tp admit their feelings to themselves and each other.
January 17, 2016
Dear god. Too much back and forth.
April 18, 2017
I just wanna know if Sheriff Judd discovered who Floyd's killer was
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews