A Hard Man to Love [Paperback]

Kathleen Lawless (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2006

Montana Blackstone has big plans for the deluxe spa resort she's building at Black Creek Ranch. They don't include letting her know-it-all new foreman take the reins, even if tall, broad-shouldered Steele Hardt looks mighty capable of showing her how blissful it can be to surrender control -- in and out of the bedroom. As the sizzling chemistry between them erupts in one mind-blowing encounter after another, Montana finds that Steele has a knack for knocking down her defenses and seeing through to the vulnerable core she's tried so hard to hide.

Once a pro poker player, now a renowned business troubleshooter, Steele came to Black Creek to give investors a covert report on the spa's potential -- not to give its gorgeous owner such very personal attention. And once she learns the truth about why he's there, Steele stands to lose Montana forever. Convincing her that the heat between them is more than a diversion means taking the biggest gamble of his life. But Steele has never been known to take the easy way out -- and he's not about to start now. . . .

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The sex is riveting." -Romance Junkies on Untamed

About the Author

Kathleen Lawless is a pseudonym. The author of A Hard Man to Love and three other erotic romances from Pocket Books, she finds her inspiration on the beaches of British Columbia. She believes chocolate and red wine are basic food groups and knows firsthand that oysters are a natural aphrodisiac.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Books; Original edition (August 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416507523
• ISBN-13: 978-1416507529
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,398,404 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A Hard Man To Love, January 30, 2008

By 

Kelly "Reviewer for The Sinfully Sensuous" (Littleton, Colorado) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Hard Man to Love (Paperback)

Montana Blackstone is getting close to opening day at her ranch expansion known as Black Creek Resort. Trying to run both the established ranch, and opening the new spa are proving too difficult for her, so unbeknownst to her, former mother in law Helen hires a new foreman for the ranch.

The minute Steele Hardt and Montana meet, sparks fly, and they immediately become lovers. Steele is a former gambler hired to evaluate and make recommendations on the success/failure of the new spa. He is undercover as the foreman, and the only one on the ranch that knows his true motivations is Helen.

Montana has control issues and Steele has commitment issues - neither believing happily ever after exists for either of them. There is constant sex in this book, but not enough story telling. The characters are lacking in development - not only Steele and Montana, but others such as Sloan and Helen. We are given a hint at character traits, but no real explanation as to the reason they exist, and those that are hurriedly explained, are just glossed over. The premise for this story was good, and I expected much more.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A sensual treat, August 2, 2006

By 

Laurie (OH - USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: A Hard Man to Love (Paperback)

When a beautiful widow hires a professional gambler to run her ailing ranch/spa, she soon wonders if she is the one who has gambled . . . with her heart.
Widow Montana Blackstone has struggled to keep her ranch afloat, deciding to open an exclusive spa on the property for high-paying guests. Her mother in law hires former gambler Steele Hardt to bring the ranch back to life. After she and Steele have a heated disagreement, Montana immediately fires him, but the attraction between them has already been struck and they're both helpless against it. Montana is excited at the way the spa is coming together, but when she learns that she has been deceived about the true reason behind Steele's appearance, she brokenheartedly orders him to leave.
When Steele and Montana first meet, they immediately become lovers, and their affair continues to heat up from that point. Steele knows that if Montana finds out the truth she will send him away, but he is willing to risk it for the chance to be with her. The unthinkable happens when Steele falls in love with Montana; about the same time he realizes that he loves her, she discovers the secret behind his employment and demands that he leave.
Kathleen Lawless has written a real keeper with A HARD MAN TO LOVE. Montana and Steele are excellently written as fiercely independent characters that come to heavily rely upon one another. Montana has struggled for her independence and to keep her ranch in the black; it's only natural that she would buck against Steele's smooth, seductive nature, as a businessman and as a lover. Love scenes are passionately erotic while remaining romantic and sweet, and the author delves deep into the emotional insecurities that make these characters seem very real. The secondary characters are equally well-written and are a wonderful complement to the story. I highly recommend this book for lovers of contemporary, erotic love stories.
COURTESY LAURIE/ROMANCE JUNKIES

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A sensual delight, August 3, 2006

By 

Judy "book reader" (Cincinnati, ohio United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Hard Man to Love (Paperback)

A Hard Man To Love by Kathleen Lawless is one wickedly sensual tale.

Montana Blackstone has her heart set on making the Black Creek Resort and Spa a success. She is used to depending only on herself, so when her former mother in law hires a new foreman it doesn't sit so well with her. Montana soon realizes that she could use some help in shouldering the burden of opening up the spa. But Montana can't seem to keep her mind or her body on business while Steele Hardt is around.

Steele Hardt is the man with the magic touch. His visions and actions have turned many of businesses around. But Montana thinks he is there as her new foreman. Will she still want or need him when she finds out the real reasons why he is at the ranch.

Montana and Steele set the room on fire from their first glance. Their chemistry is so hot your hands will be burnt from reading their scenes. They both realize that they have found something so much deeper that they must cherish it.

A Hard Man To Love is a treat from page one. The tantalizing scenes between Steele and Montana will make you want for more. Its one hot book but also a deeply moving one as well.