Soft Touch [Mass Market Paperback]

Betina Krahn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1999

To tame a tough man, it takes...The Soft Touch.

She is a softhearted Baltimore heiress...

Lovely but disastrously tenderhearted Diamond Wingate has terrible trouble saying "No": to the poor and unfortunate who beg at her gates; to entrepreneurs with big plans and no money; and worse, to the silver-tongued young men who line up to propose marriage. So far she has managed to keep her three fiancés a secret, insisting she cannot marry until she turns twenty-three. But her birthday--and disaster--are looming....

He is a hardheaded Westerner...

Rugged, independent "Bear" McQuaid has never taken a dime he didn't earn by his own hard work. But now his dream of building a railroad, so close to coming true, is about to collapse from lack of funds. Approaching Baltimore's infamous "soft touch," he learns she has other assets as well: a delicate, strawberry blond beauty and shining intelligence--and a fascination for the romance of the railroad. Then Bear uncovers Diamond's embarrassment of riches in fiancés as well as money and charms. Now he must make a choice: finance his dream through a little genteel blackmail, or do it the hard way...by falling in love.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"With vivid insight into the dangers and drama associated with building the railroads that opened West to settlement in the late 19th century, Betina Krahn's latest novel also packs the romance punch that fans have come to expect from this best-selling novelist. Filled with Krahn's trademark subtle humor, The Soft Touch is a smart, romantic novel that is sure to delight readers." -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

From the Inside Flap

To tame a tough man, it takes...The Soft Touch.

She is a softhearted Baltimore heiress...

Lovely but disastrously tenderhearted Diamond Wingate has terrible trouble saying "No": to the poor and unfortunate who beg at her gates; to entrepreneurs with big plans and no money; and worse, to the silver-tongued young men who line up to propose marriage. So far she has managed to keep her three fiancés a secret, insisting she cannot marry until she turns twenty-three. But her birthday--and disaster--are looming....

He is a hardheaded Westerner...

Rugged, independent "Bear" McQuaid has never taken a dime he didn't earn by his own hard work. But now his dream of building a railroad, so close to coming true, is about to collapse from lack of funds. Approaching Baltimore's infamous "soft touch," he learns she has other assets as well: a delicate, strawberry blond beauty and shining intelligence--and a fascination for the romance of the railroad. Then Bear uncovers Diamond's embarrassment of riches in fiancés as well as money and charms. Now he must make a choice: finance his dream through a little genteel blackmail, or do it the hard way...by falling in love.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (June 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553576186
• ISBN-13: 978-0553576184
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,549,300 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What a nice, easy read..., August 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Soft Touch (Mass Market Paperback)

This was a very sweet book. I loved "Bear" and Diamond. Their relationship was believable and the setting was very interesting. It was the first book I had ever read set on the construction of a railroad. It was a quick read, and not to mention quite funny at times. I recommend it to anyone who likes sweet, lighthearted romances.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Keeper, March 31, 2000

By 

"cal0401" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Soft Touch (Mass Market Paperback)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was fast-paced, humorous and romantic. Everything for an enjoyable read. It also brought back memories for me being from Baltimore and now living elsewhere. I could relate and visualize exactly what Ms. Krahn was describing. What a treat!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars So-So, June 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Soft Touch (Mass Market Paperback)

This book barely held my attention. Sure, it has moments of humor and moments of sweetness, but I couldn't help but become unbearably bored after the first several chapters. Perhaps I'm becoming jaded, but the passion between these two characters seemed forced and banal.