Love on the Line [Kindle Edition]

Deeanne Gist (Author)

Book Description

In 1904 Texas Ranger Luke Palmer arrives in Brenham, Texas, with one goal--to capture the gang of outlaws led by Frank Comer. Undercover as a telephone repairman, he uses his days on the range to search, not realizing there's another pair of eyes watching him.

Georgie Gail, switchboard operator and birder, heads out on a birding expedition, but instead of sighting a painted bunting, her opera glasses capture her telephone man, armed and far away from telephone lines. Palmer is forced to take this alluring troublemaker into his confidence and unwittingly puts her in harm's way. The closer he comes to the gang, the further she works her way into his heart--and into trouble. Soon it's more than just love that's on the line.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Ding.

     Georgie Gail snatched up a switchboard cable and stuffed it into number twenty-eight.  "Hello, Central."

     "Georgie, it's Mattieleene.  How old is he? What does he look like? You have met him, haven't you?"

     She didn't pretend to misunderstand.  "Yes."

     The new troubleman tried to open one of the drawers, but it was locked.  With a great deal of satisfaction, she smoothed her skirt beneath her and adjusted herself in her chair.

     "Well?" Mattieleene asked.

     "He's big and he's grouchy."

     He pierced her with his gaze.

     She shifted, facing forward.  She could still see him, but only in her peripheral vision.

     "Never say so!" Mattieleene moaned.  "Is he old?"

     "Very old."

     He jiggled the second and third drawers.  Locked.

     "Is he ugly?"

     "Long in tooth and raised on sour milk."

     Balling his fists, he placed them on the desktop and leaned against it.  The fabric of his sleeves tightened around his upper arms.

     "Oh, crumbs."  Mattieleene sounded near tears.  "Why couldn't they have sent us a man with a little fur on his brisket?"

     "Party line, Mattieleene.  Anyone can hear."  And from the crackling on the line, it was a sure bet half the town was listening in.

From the Back Cover

It's a Battle of Wills...and Love Is on the Line!

Rural switchboard operator Georgie Gail is proud of her independence in a man's world...which makes it twice as vexing when the telephone company sends a man to look over her shoulder.

Dashing Luke Palmer is more than he appears though. He's a Texas Ranger working undercover to infiltrate a notorious gang of train robbers. Repairing telephones and tangling with this tempestuous woman are the last things he wants to do. But when his stakeout puts Georgie in peril, he realizes more than his job is on the line.



Praise for Maid to Match

"...readers will root for Gist's characters as they face one difficult situation after another with courage and faith." Booklist (starred review)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 883 KB
• Print Length: 371 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0764204092
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (October 1, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005OYUJG2
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #51,053 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #55 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Westerns > Christian

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars very enjoyable read September 30, 2011

By Click Chick

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Deanne's books are all worth reading. Opposite characters attracted to each other are always interesting and that is the premise behind the plot of this book. There are some interesting plot turns in the book that keep you turning the pages. One of the things I like about Deanne's books are that you always learn something new. She gives enough detail to display her historical research but usually never overdoes the process explanation.

I thought the female protagonist was a bit overly emotinal about her birds but you like her resolve to live independently. The book also makes you thankful for all the opportunities open to women today.

Another thing I like about Deanne's books is that her male characters are not only well developed, they also have their own voice in her books. Too often romance books, in general, are only from the female's perspective. Deanne strikes a nice balance between her male and female voice/character development.

If I could be a tad bit picky, I feel the book could have used more spiritual development and growth coming from her two lead characters. I know it is a tough balance to strike between incorporating scripture and becoming too preachy. Even still, I would have like either more interaction via a local church or evidence of daily devotions to survive their trials.

If you like Deanne's past books, I believe you will enjoy this read as well.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great one by Gist November 4, 2011

By Courtney

Format:Paperback

Deeanne Gist is absolutely one of my favorite authors and it was no surprise to me to fall in love with another of one of her books yet again. I don't think Love on the Line will be my favorite by this wonderful author but it was still just great!!

Love on the Line is about a young switchboard operator Georgie and her new troublman Luke Palmer. However, Luke isn't just a troubleman, he is an undercover Ranger trying to find Frank Comer and his gang that robs trains and supposedly gives the money to the needy. Georgie and Luke soon find that working together is frustrating and rewarding at the same time. Lots of tension and sparks!!

My favorite thing about Gist writing is that she creates believable and desirable tension between the hero and heroine. I love a book with a little love/hate going on and Love on the Line is no exception. Georgie drives Luke crazy, in fact she drives me crazy, yet he can't seem to ignore her. She is beautiful and passionate about what she cares about and birds eat out of her hands for heaven sakes!

Love on the Line is a superbly written story with characters that are swoon worthy and delightful, passionate moments of romance and kissing, great and humorous dialogue and expert attention to history and detail. I always get sucked in to the books by Deeanne Gist; her attention to detail and characters paints a very vivid description in my mind and I end up thinking over her characters for days after I finish the book.

Oh how I love the way Gist writes her romantic scenes. Two favorite scenes are when Georgie helps Luke pull out all his splinters from falling down a telephone pole, and the other is when makes a tough decision and asks Luke to respect her wishes. Wow!! I think I held my breath during both of those scenes!!

The ending was unique and there were some great surprises throughout the story that made it even that much more enjoyable. I have read everything by Gist and I will anxiously be awaiting her next book! I you have yet to read a book by this great author...what are you waiting for???

Thank you to Bethany House for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own, I would not recommend this book if I didn't LOVE it!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars An edgy romance that will leave your heart pumpin'! October 29, 2011

By Katie McCurdy

Format:Paperback

I've only read one other book by Deeanne Gist before, and since so many of my blogger friends love her and her work, I decided to give her another try. And I am glad I did. While there still was a fair amount of sensual tension and interaction between the main characters, Love on the Line was a fun and some-what suspenseful read.

The heroine, Georgie Gail, was one interesting little lady. I couldn't get over how obsessed she was with birds. I mean, I totally get her fight to stop using bird parts for decorating hats (ew!), but I think Georgie went over the top. A lot. After a while, I was heartily sick of reading about her silly defense of birds. Luke Palmer made for a great hero, though. I never thought a person could look that handsome/attractive in overalls, but I'm betting if I saw Luke Palmer in them, I'd change my mind! (wink) The whole angle with being an undercover Texas Ranger was really cool. He sounded like one awesome dude!

Deeanne Gist has a gift when it comes to writing! Through her powerful words, the town of Brenham, Texas sprung to life from the pages of this book. I didn't noticed her beautiful and expressive writing in the first book I read, but it shined in Love on the Line.

As I mentioned, the sensual elements of the book were still pretty blatant, especially when it was so early on in there acquaintance. Maybe I felt this way because I like to see a bond of friendship form before they display physical affection. But if you like scenes that will spike your temperature, then I know you won't mind the heated scenes between Georgie and Luke!

The capture of the Comer gang at the end was a bit disappointing for me, as I had expected more of a high-strung, suspenseful conclusion. But, as a whole, it didn't ruin the book for me. The book was a pretty relaxed read, for me, but Deeanne's talent for writing had me flying through the pages effortlessly. Edgy romance lovers everywhere are sure to love this new sizzler that will leave your heart pumping!

I reviewed this book for Bethany House n via Litfuse. It was not required that I give a positive review, but solely to express my own thoughts and opinions of this book, which I have done.

More About the Author

Deeanne Gist -- known to her family, friends, and fans as Dee -- has rocketed up the bestseller lists and captured readers everywhere with her very original, very fun historical & contemporary love stories. Add to this four RITA nominations, two consecutive Christy Awards, rave reviews, and a growing loyal fan base, and you've got one recipe for success.

She has a very active online community on her website at IWantHerBook.com and at Facebook.com/DeesFriends.