The Cowboys (Matt) [Mass Market Paperback]

Leigh Greenwood (Author)

Book Description

Series: Cowboys | Publication Date: June 2001

Matt's rough-and-tumble childhood taught him to size up a situation at a hundred paces. And to end his standoff with respectable society he knows he has to take a wife. Ellen agrees to act as a mother for the two boys he's sworn to protect, if he will be a father for the two children she brings to the union. It is a business arrangement. But nothing has prepared him for the desires the former saloon girl incites. She gentles him like a newborn colt, until he longs to be saddled with all the trappings of a real marriage. Until he understands he's found a woman to heal his orphaned heart.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Leisure Books (June 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0843948779
• ISBN-13: 978-0843948776
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #115,044 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Romance > Authors, A-Z > ( G ) > Greenwood, Leigh

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Just OK/Really Annoying Heroine, March 16, 2004

By 

Romance Addict - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cowboys (Matt) (Mass Market Paperback)

I bought this book due to the wonderful reviews it received by other Amazon readers. I find it be unworthy of the praise received. It is merely an average book for several reasons. First, the reasons for the main characters forced marriage was unbelievable. Second, the reason for Ellen's fear of men and being touched was unbelievable. Third, the coincidence of multiple cases of sexual molestation was an awkward plot development that probably shouldn't have been included. Fourth, Ellen was a very annoying and unworthy heroine. She didn't deserve Matt and was never able to redeem herself in my mind. When she turned away from him after his confession, I wish Matt had left her. Not a good thought for a hopeless romance addict. While I applaud the author's efforts for approaching a difficult subject, the novel was definitely lacking in the poignancy I think the author was trying to achieve.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Good Cowboy, June 13, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Cowboys (Matt) (Mass Market Paperback)

I loved this book! It is the best one written of all the orphans that Jake and Isabelle adopted. It is sad how Matt could not stand to be touched or feel close to any of his brothers because of the abuse he suffered at the hands of his uncle. But, I admired the way Matt was able to help other boys when he got older because of what happened when he was a boy. I think Ellen was the right woman to help Matt see the kind of man that he was in taking care of his own family. The kids were also great in breaking through Matt's feeling of not being worthy and letting people get close to him.

I also loved seeing how the other orphans who had gotten married and started families of their own and adopted also (Drew) were doing. I like how close all of Jake and Isabelle's kids remain close giving the rocky start that had when they first came together as a family. Isabelle is totally awesome! When someone does any injustice to one of her kids she is one mother who will not sit by and not say anything, even though that are all grown. I can't wait to read the next 'Cowboys' book! Will it be about Will, the fun loving, drop dead gorgeous one or about Bret, the one who never really fit it with the others. I hope Mr. Greenwood does not keep us waitng too long!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good western romance, June 9, 2001

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Cowboys (Matt) (Mass Market Paperback)

In 1883 in the Texas Hill Country, Matt Haskins worries that he will lose the two boys he brought into his home as a form of repayment from his own adoption. However, because one of them suddenly inherited a fortune, "loving" relatives now want the child. He could have ridden out the storm since no one previously wanted the lads, except that Reverend Sears insists that bachelor Matt is unsuited to raise two youngsters even if one is already sixteen. He needs a wife.

The townsfolk treat Ellen Donovan like a pariah for taking in the two children of a deceased bar maid and for working at a saloon. Since Reverend Sears came to town, Ellen's continual raising of the two kids has become questionable. She needs a husband.

Matt and Ellen talk about a business agreement in which they will marry and raise four children, but no permanent relationship will form. Once the children are safe and secure, Ellen plans to leave, but neither she nor Matt counted on love entering their marriage of convenience.

Award winning Leigh Greenwood takes an overused device to forge his western relationship drama, yet manages to keep the tale fresh due to his strong characters. The lead couple is a delightful duo who share a similar history while the support cast (the four children, his adopted family, and much of the townsfolk) provide profundity not often seen in the sub-genre. THE COWBOYS: MATT will send new readers looking for the previous seven "Cowboy" tales as well as the author's quite pleasing "Seven Brides" series.

Harriet Klausner