Lawless [LARGE PRINT] (Hardcover)

by Diana Palmer (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Palmer, a romance writer (Desperado) whose steamy tales often center around stereotypically sexy, straight-shooting lawmen and the virginal women who adore them, returns to the range with her latest contemporary western fairy tale. When Texas Ranger Judd Dunn secretly marries 16-year-old Christabel "Chrissy" Gaines, his partner on a small ranch in southeast Texas, the 34-year-old's only intent is to help Chrissy flee her abusive father and protect his family's share of the ranch. Judd plans on having their marriage annulled when Chrissy turns 21, but the cute blonde computer whiz who bakes apple pies, manages the ranch books and takes care of the livestock has other plans-she is hopelessly in love with him. When Judd rents out the struggling ranch to a film company, Chrissy, now 20, finds a rival for his affections in supermodel and actress Tippy Moore, a sardonic Julia Roberts clone. The spunky spitfire retaliates by finding herself another suitor, Judd's friend, assistant police chief Cash Grier, a former Ranger and possible covert assassin. Both men are investigating some local murders and suspicious livestock poisonings connected to a disgruntled ranch hand. Wide-eyed Chrissy eventually lassoes her man, but only after a rescue that's as corny as anything Hollywood could conjure. Palmer's characters are about as believable as a tornado in January, but readers looking for steamy, undemanding escapism will find this fits the bill.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist
Christabel has been secretly married to Texas Ranger Judd Dunn since she was 16 years old. Making Christabel his wife to protect her from a sadistic, abusive father, Judd has remained adamant that their union be on paper only, with the understanding that the two of them will get an annulment as soon as she turns 21; but as her twenty-first birthday nears, Christabel is determined to consummate their marriage. Meanwhile they've allowed a movie company to use their failing ranch to raise money. While Tippy Moore, the beautiful star, makes major moves on Judd, fellow law enforcement officer Cash Grier begins courting Christabel. Adding to the will-they-or-won't-they question are a number of subplots, including the murder of a young woman and the poisoning of prize bulls. Palmer's multi-dimensional characters are so real you want to smack them for heaping misunderstanding upon misunderstanding. Sensual and suspenseful, Lawless will appeal to fans of Catherine Coulter and Linda Howard. Shelley Mosley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 414 pages
• Publisher: Wheeler Publishing; 1 edition (November 2, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587245035
• ISBN-13: 978-1587245039
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #649,268 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another scorcher in Jacobsville!, June 27, 2004

By	K. Stuckey "kateling" (Port Huron, MI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Lawless (Mass Market Paperback)

Lawless is one of my favorite by Diana Palmer to date. I read this one in a couple of hours (one of four that day on the beach) and was very happy with it. I was glad to see the addition of a bit of mystery to the ranch theme, with two of the main characters working in law enforcement. There are some shady characters, sabotage on the ranch and even murder. Young Christabel is one of the most liberated females Palmer has written. Although she's still virginal and niaive, she's quite sassy and that's most of what kept me reading. The ending seems rushed in this one, but I look forward to reading about lawman Cash and Tippy the movie star/model.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Depressing, June 4, 2007

By	A. Roberts "Avid Reader" (Wyoming) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Lawless (Mass Market Paperback)

This was my first Diana Palmer Book and now as I read Reviews of other books realize this is her style; young girl-older guy and hero and heroine at odds with each other through the whole book. I found the relationship so frustrating that I ended up skimming towards the end. All they had going for them through the entire book, was some sexual scenes and then they were right back hurting each other. It seemed like it went on for too long. I have read a lot of Susan Wiggs, Nora Roberts, Linda Lael Miller and though their characters will be at odds with each other in part of the book, it doesn't go on and on. Maybe I just like happier books, not one that depresses me. I wanted to read "Renegade" for Tippy and Cash's story but as I read the Reviews for it, not sure it's much different than this book. No doubt a lot of readers like this style of writing as Ms Palmer has written many books and she wouldn't continue to do that if people didn't read them. I read to relax and this style just is not relaxing. I felt more like I wanted to shake Judd and Chrissy and tell them both to grow up! Will I read another Palmer book? Probably! TO be fair, I hate making a judgement on an author without reading more than one book.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars It was o.k. but nothing spectacular..., July 8, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Lawless (Hardcover)

Actually I thought Cash Grier was a much better hero then wimpy Judd any day and found myself rooting for Crissy to give him a chance instead of Judd!

Crissy and Judd's relationship starts out with him marrying her when she is sixteen in order to keep their failing ranch together with the stipulation that there will be an annullment when she turns 21. Judd secretly loves Crissy but thinks she is too young and hasn't lived her life yet.

Flash up to five years and Crissy is on the verge of turning 21. She has tried everything over the years to get Judd to notice her as a woman but has failed. While Crissy lives on the ranch, Judd has taken an apartment in Victoria near his job and to stay out of temptations way. There is also a murder/mystery inserted to liven things up, but you kind of know who the culprit is during the first part of the book.

Diana introduces a new character, the actress Tippy Moore who comes with a crew to film a movie on Judd and Crissy's ranch because the two are in dire need of funds. She is obnoxious, mean and snippy, just the right antagonist to keep Judd and Crissy apart. Like an idiot, Judd uses her to keep Crissy at a distance and Tippy has her own reasons for using Judd.We find out later that she has alot of hang ups and issues which is suppose to excuse all the nasty and spiteful things she says and does to Crissy. I wasn't buying it and felt no sympathy for her when everything was revealed. Crissy starts seeing/using Cash Grier who treats her like a queen when Judd blows her off. I really felt that these two should have been the main couple in this book because of the chemistry they had together. I really enjoyed Cash who was more sophisticated and knew how to treat a woman.

All and all this book could have been better if Judd had been written differently and Crissy less "melting"/forgiving everytime he was in the vicinity. I can hardly wait for Cash's story and hope that he is written with the same personality as he was in this book.