My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys [Mass Market Paperback]

Georgina Gentry (Author), Teresa Bodwell (Author), Lorraine Heath (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 28, 2006

Sheriff Matthew Knight is the perfect hero for Andrea Jackson's next dime novel, or so she thinks. His outlaw busting exploits may be larger than life, but the man behind the badge is more complicated than she bargained for. What's a writer to do when she needs a story, and her scowling subject is reluctant to open up? Boston-bred heiress Henrietta never imagined she would race a horse one thousand miles across open land disguised as a boy. But then, she never believed her parents would arrange a marriage for her she would have to run away to escape. However, there's no escape from her toughest competition, expert rider and champion wrangler Comanche Jones. She needs that prize money - almost as much as she finds herself wanting him...Stranded in a town called Hell Gate without a penny to her name, Isabelle Milton is relieved that circumstances haven't forced her into something truly desperate not yet, anyway. She's run out of options when gorgeous Lucas Warring rides into town like the answer to a prayer.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"THE RELUCTANT HERO" Lorraine Heath "THE GREAT COWBOY RACE," Georgina Gentry "WHISPERING MOONLIGHT," Teresa Bodwell"

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 279 pages
• Publisher: Kensington (February 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758213018
• ISBN-13: 978-0758213013
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,058,083 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gentry-Weakest Link, Bodwell-Grand Surprise, Heath-Normal Brilliance., March 5, 2006

By 

MaryGrace Meloche (Ontario, Canada.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys (Mass Market Paperback)

Opinions make the world go round and sharing thoughts and opinions with fellow book lovers and readers is always great fun. Giving an overall rating to an anthology is always VERY difficult. Some stories hit and some miss. Not all the stories are to one's liking; yet, I always enjoy reading an anthology, because FREQUENTLY I come across an unfamiliar author . . . one who is satisfyingly new. Lorraine Heath is the reason I rushed to buy MY HEROES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN COWBOYS. Lorraine Heath has been a favorite author since I first read "TEXAS DESTINY." This author seldom misses.

Knowing this, the Publishing House of Kensington unleashes a grand marketing ploy . . .

1). Georgina Gentry: "THE GREAT COWBOY RACE." - Rating: 2 (1 Star).
Good grief! In "The Great Cowboy Race" Ms. Gentry misses the mark. The entire affair reeks contemporary and the story itself is nonsensical . . . farce or not . . . this is just plain goofy!

Comanche Jones was a penniless cowboy - a big, rough Texan. Henrietta Jennings was a penniless Boston debutante - a back East city gal. Comanche and Henrietta both wanted fast cash. He needed cash to buy a small ranch, she needed cash to impress her estranged rancher father and the competitive horse race from Omaha to Chicago was just too tempting to pass up! The key word: Competitive!

And so . . . the story and the buffoonery begins and moves from belching contests, to "big sausages," from innocent blue eyes, to big Daddy and his "hang-`um high" lynch mob. To sum up in two words: Gallop Around.

2). Teresa Bodwell: "MOONLIGHT WHISPERS." - Rating: 10 (5 Big Stars).
Remarkably, Teresa Bodwell controls this raw, poignant story. Her characters are natural, her historical setting is first-rate, and her reader is the ultimate winner. "Moonlight Whispers" is an excellent short story.

Everyone . . . everyone liked the idea of Isabelle Millston staying at Luke's ranch . . . everyone . . . right down to the shaggy ranch dog. Lucas Warring promised Isabelle she could remain on the ranch until her father came and Lucas would keep his end of the bargain come hell or high water! Although, Isabelle knew she deserved the disdain radiating from Luke, she had no other way to repay his kindness. Besides, when the time came and she left the ranch, how else would she make a living? Engaging in the oldest profession in the world was her only choice.

Teresa Bodwell delivers a winner with "Moonlight Whispers." Isabelle Millston is a heroine the reader can root for; she flows from the pages as spunky and soft. She is someone who deserves happiness. Luke Warring is a hero who drifts through the story with steadfast ease. Although, he radiates incompetence whenever he is involved in the man-woman relationship, he is someone who deserves a happy ending. And happily, "Moonlight Whispers" delivers.

3). Lorraine Heath: "THE RELUCTANT HERO." - Rating: 10 (5 Stars).
Lorraine Heath is one author who can take an average provision and create a reading appetite. Simply put: when Lorraine Heath is in her element - westerns, Texas, hunky heroes - there is no finer author. "The Reluctant Hero" is a funny, touching tale held together by Heath's artistic skills.

Andrea Jackson had a very heavy financial burden to unload, but she would definitely pay back the money! As writing was her only means of support, Andrea would need to write a whole bunch of dime novels. Now, if only he would cooperate? He is the honorable Matthew Knight - the "all-time" perfect dime novel hero! Sheriff Matt Knight longed for loyalty and love, but he wasn't ready to be anyone's hero. He had too many faults and she was not the kind of a woman he deserved, but she was definitely the kind of a woman he wanted!

USUALLY a short story leaves a reader feeling rushed and unsatisfied, but in "The Reluctant Hero" Lorraine Heath successfully brings her story home. To what degree? I just pre-ordered Lorraine Heath's next book!

****** So did Kensington get the grand marketing scheme through? Well, Teresa Bodwell and Lorraine Heath produce BIG TIME. However, I think the idea behind this anthology was to launch Georgina Gentry's newest book, TO TEASE A TEXAN. Here Kensington struck out! They also struck out with the large size book idea, the poor quality of printing paper idea, and the extraordinary price idea - $17.95 Canadian. What gives Kensington? I hope this is not the wave of the future!

MaryGrace Meloche.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As good as the cover, June 11, 2006

By 

Angie Fox "Angie Fox" (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys (Mass Market Paperback)

One of the things I love about anthologies is the opportunity to discover wonderful new authors. I bought this book because I am a fan of Teresa Bodwell's "Loving Mercy" and "Loving Miranda" books.

Bodwell has a compelling writing style and it comes through again in this anthology. The characterization is wonderful and the story drew me in. I love the details she uses.

"Moonlight Whispers" is the story of Isabelle and Luke. She's proper, but spunky. He's none too wise in the ways of love, but ultimately learns. I like that Isabelle is steady and strong and she doesn't give in to Luke, who can be a handfull. Lots of sexual tension and a great ending. A perfect read.

I think I'd read one Georgina Gentry book before this and I enjoyed it more than I did this particular short story. Still, it's a good story, with a fast pace and interesting characters.

I'd never read Lorraine Heath before, but will now seek out her other books. "The Reluctant Hero" made me smile. It's the story of Andrea and Matthew, who are at odds from the start. A sweet story that made me want to read it twice.

This is one of my favorite anthologies.

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars three great western romances, March 3, 2006

By 

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

This review is from: My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys (Mass Market Paperback)

"The Great Cowboy Race" by Georgina Gentry. In 1893 desperate Bostonian Henrietta Jennings travels to Chadron, Nebraska to obtain the help of a father she never met; however, she learns that tough old Henry is not at his ranch, but instead in Omaha. In dire straits hiding from her mother who demands she marry a prominent Brahmin, she darns the disguise of a boy and enters a horse race to Chicago thinking that Pinkerton would seek a female easterner. Though the trail proves dangerous she adapts except for her desire for her toughest opponent, Comanche Jones.

"Whispering by Moonlight" by Teresa Bodwell. In 1862 Isabelle Milton finds herself broke working part-time in a saloon that does not need her help in Hell Gate, Washington Territory. Lucas Warring enters the saloon looking for his wastrel brother Matt, but learns his sibling has run off with miners. The saloonkeeper and his wife, the Havermans, persuade Lucas to take Isabelle to his ranch as a cook. As the northwest suffers from a frozen winter, they fall in love while learning how to stay warm.

"The Reluctant Hero" by Lorraine Heath. In 1884 Gallant, Texas, dime novelist Andrea Jackson chooses Sheriff Matthew Knight as her next hero. However, he refuses to talk about his escapades to The Lone Star Lily author. Desperate, Andrea decides to seduce the scowl off his face, and the words from his brain, but he persists in saying he is no hero as he has a debt to pay off.

These are three great western romances starring brave somewhat desperate females and strong men who melt when their ladies turn up the heat.

Harriet Klausner