The Rawhide Man

Rating:
Summary: A Good Read!
Review: Diana Palmer crafts a story using the same backbone she uses for most of her stories. Man hates woman. Woman hates man. Yet they find themselves immensely attracted to each other and have been since they grew up around each other, but their age kept them away from each other back then because she was too young for him. It's the same trite story but in a different setting with slightly different characters....So why do I like this story?

Because I like Palmer's formula. I know how it's going to end and the book is highly predictable but that's part of what brings me back to Palmer time and again. Every once in a while you want to cuddle up and read something familiar and this is it.

This novel is well written with 3-dimensional characters that were likeable most of the time. I found the heroine stronger than many of Palmer's heroines. She would stand her ground and talk back, when she wanted to. She would LET the hero "force" her to do things that she secretly yearned for. I don't call that weak. I call that giving into ones desires.

The Rawhide Man is a fast read and good for a dull day. If you're looking for something new by Palmer, this is not it. But if you want the Palmer classic story, you've come to the right book.

Rating:
Summary: Odd....
Review: Diana Palmer was and is still one of my fave authors, every once in awhile however, you come across books you don't like that an author has witten. Rawhide Man is one of those. I do not mind Diana's trademark Tough guy/Mild women stories, usually the're exciting and entertaining, and although she probably won't gain the support of some feminist groups, Diana knows how to craft a good tale.

That being said, Rawhide Man has very few redeeming qualities. As a rule I don't like tough angry women in romances, This woman was soo far from that, She needed some stand-up-for-yoursef lessons very badly. The heroine never spoke up or out against anything the hero did to her, it seemed an almost abusive relationship at times.

Though Diana's books sometimes veer into emotionally painful areas, which I do not object to, since real life is not always a bed of roses. I think this book took it a little too far.

You must not read this book, IF you have never read Diana Palmer before, because if you let this one bad book sour you on her forever it will be a sad loss.
For she truly is a gifted author, and you certainly cannot judge an author by one bad book.

Rating:
Summary: a rare achievment
Review: I agree with the previous rviewers that the hero is somewhat "nasty" and the heroine is a bit "without back bone". Why then , did I give this book a five? Because it was intensely emotional and surprisingly real.

The hero is "hard as nail", as the cover states, but he isn't heartless. If you can bare with him through the entire story I believe you'll find in him a man who's torn by his desire for a woman and his instincts not to get hurt by loving her. There were times when I wanted to slap him, and I imagine the heroine did too, but to hear him pour his heart out to the heroine at the end was worth the wait.

The heroine is definitely not a 21 century's ideal woman. She didn't slap the hero, try to give him a hard tme, or make him jealous. But does that really make her a spineless weakling? Or does that make her a mature woman who doesn't want to resort to childish games? To me she was stronger than the average heroine because she didn't try to do all those childish things immature heroines did. (sleeping with other men, professing her hatred or the hero, attack him physically, etc.)She is always honest o the hero about her feelings. She wasn't afraid to tell the hero she wanted him, hated him, and loved him. She isn't a victim either. When she really couldn't stand any more of the hero's taunts she tells him plainly she doesn't want him (instead of doing the average "I hate you for making me feel this way" routine). And the hero didn't force her either, as most heros would have done in his position.

To me, Bess and the rawyhide man are mature adults who refused to behave like children. They had disagreements and insecurities and I cried with them. But I never once felt so frustrated with the immaturity and selfishness so often displayed by romance hero/heroines. It's true that the hero is no tender romeo and the heroine is hardly Xena, the warrior princess. But this book is certainly a rare achievement because in the end, it makes you believe in the pure, melting,healing, intensity that is true love.

Rating:
Summary: a rare achievment
Review: I agree with the previous rviewers that the hero is somewhat "nasty" and the heroine is a bit "without back bone". Why then , did I give this book a five? Because it was intensely emotional and surprisingly real.

The hero is "hard as nail", as the cover states, but he isn't heartless. If you can bare with him through the entire story I believe you'll find in him a man who's torn by his desire for a woman and his instincts not to get hurt by loving her. There were times when I wanted to slap him, and I imagine the heroine did too, but to hear him pour his heart out to the heroine at the end was worth the wait.

The heroine is definitely not a 21 century's ideal woman. She didn't slap the hero, try to give him a hard tme, or make him jealous. But does that really make her a spineless weakling? Or does that make her a mature woman who doesn't want to resort to childish games? To me she was stronger than the average heroine because she didn't try to do all those childish things immature heroines did. (sleeping with other men, professing her hatred or the hero, attack him physically, etc.)She is always honest o the hero about her feelings. She wasn't afraid to tell the hero she wanted him, hated him, and loved him. She isn't a victim either. When she really couldn't stand any more of the hero's taunts she tells him plainly she doesn't want him (instead of doing the average "I hate you for making me feel this way" routine). And the hero didn't force her either, as most heros would have done in his position.

To me, Bess and the rawyhide man are mature adults who refused to behave like children. They had disagreements and insecurities and I cried with them. But I never once felt so frustrated with the immaturity and selfishness so often displayed by romance hero/heroines. It's true that the hero is no tender romeo and the heroine is hardly Xena, the warrior princess. But this book is certainly a rare achievement because in the end, it makes you believe in the pure, melting,healing, intensity that is true love.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Book!
Review: I couldn't keep my tears running through my cheeks. You feel the same thing with the heroine. A wonderfully written book! Do not miss it!

Rating:
Summary: Loved this book.
Review: I do agree with everyone that the Hero is Nasty...bu I cried all the way through this book because I could feel the emotions...I could feel his love for her...and the pain his coldness caused...I can't really explain it but it might have something to do with vulnerable women and the men that they helplessly love..I just really love those types of stories.

Rating:
Summary: awful
Review: This book was Ms. Palmer's worst...and I have read many. In short, the hero was just plain nasty. Don't bother with this one if you are looking for a romance book.

Rating:
Summary: Not one of Diana Palmers' best efforts.
Review: When reading this book, I had a hard time trying not to throw it across the room in disgust. The hero has no heart, and the heroine no backbone or courage. Any sane woman would have walked out (even if they were madly in love) on that jerk. It seems that in a lot of Diana Palmers' the heroes are tough and unforgiving while the heroine is weak and injustly punished. It wasn't worth the trip to the store.