The Way to a Rancher's Heart

Rating:
Summary: Storyline info
Review: A pretty teacher finds THE WAY TO A RANCHER'S HEART when she's hired to be the nanny/housekeeper and falls in love not only with her charges, but also their gorgeous cowboy father. This man tries to fight the attraction between the two, but gives into the inevitable, which makes him start thinking about love and marriage and taking risks. Peggy Moreland pens some tough, emotional scenes, a layered conflict and complex characters for a delightful read.

Rating:
Summary: Who'd want this rancher's heart??
Review: I don't usually pan books. Writers spend a lot of time and effort writing them - there should be something to compliment, ya know?

Unfortunately, that's not the case with this book.

The author has too many very complex issues to get covered in a 55,000 word book. (scars from being orphaned, widowed, anorexia/bulima, a new relationship, and suicide)

The hero doesn't trust enough to love anyone. Apparently, not even his own kids. His sister has been raising his kids since the death of his wife..is he thankful?? No. He just wants to know why he wants a life of his own.

The other subplot - which could have been very well done - was the fact that his daughter may have developed anorexia/bulimia in a desperate bid for his attention. Does he give her that attention?? No. So she tries to commit suicide. Yeah..that'll teach dad to ignore you, huh?

But the book glosses over all the ways this rancher refuses to show his love for anyone - even his kids. He "gets it on" with a no strings attached affair with the new nanny. She doesn't even like him all that much - just thinks he's really "hot". (This is romance?? sounds like male fantasy fiction to me!)

In the end, though, the Nanny "cures" the daughter's anorexia, "cures" her suicidal depression, "cures" the rancher, and everyone lives happily ever after. blech

What bothered me the most was how lightly real issues were dealt with. Granted, the romance genre isn't a cure all for the world's readers. But real women do read these books. Will a new honey for dad cure anorexia in a teenage daughter? doubtful. Will a new honey for dad keep his violently depressed daughter from a repeat attempt at suicide? I don't think so. Will dad's new honey teach him to love his own kids?? Why should she have to?? Shouldn't that already a given?

I don't know. If anyone liked this book, I'd love to hear why.

Rating:
Summary: Parents, Take Time With Your Kids
Review: While this is a romance through and through, there's a lesson to be learned in this book...mostly for single parents. Often, single parents allow themselves to become so wrapped up in work that they unintentionally come to neglect the truly most important part of their life...their children.

Jase Rawley-tall, gruff, and handsome rancher-is the father of three lovely children but terrible deep tragedies have occurred in his life in the past that have brought a flood gate over his heart and his emotions. Fifteen years prior, Jase's parents were killed, leaving him to take on the responsibility of caring for his younger sister. Then, several years later, his wife passed away once again leaving him the sole responsibility of caring for children...this time his three children. Jase's sister Penny lived with him and the children for years, assuming the chores of the household and caring for the children while Jase worked alone to keep up the ranch. Then one day Penny decided it was time to move on. Hiring a nanny to take her place, she leaves the house and the children while Jase is out of town.

Annie Baxter is young, energetic, caring, and absolutely beautiful. From the moment Jase Rawley sets eyes on her he knows she's going to be trouble. Almost immediately, Annie falls in love with the children but it's Jase's coldness and neglect of spending time with them that infuriates her so. Determined to make the hard-headed brute rancher see what he is doing to his children, Annie sets out bring the four together before all is lost for ever. What she hadn't planned on was the love that would grow in her heart for her employer, Jase Rawley.

"The Way to a Rancher's Heart" will bring you everything from romance, to joy, tears, and happiness. Well defined characters make each easy to relate to as they suffer through their own trials of life. I found Jase to be a hard-to-like character at first due to his stubbornness and macho attitude but with each turning page I found myself liking him more and more.

A very good read.