The Valentine Two-Step (Outlaw Hartes) (Silhouette Intimate Moments) [Paperback]

Raeanne Thayne (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2002

Certainly he had been bewitched by women before, but for rancher--and single father--Matt Harte, this was the last straw! Because of his daughter's shenanigans, he'd gotten roped into planning the annual Valentine's Day dance. And his partner in crime? Why, beautiful big-city vet--and recent Salt River transplant--Ellie Webster. Who he couldn't take his eyes off. And not for lack of trying...

Ellie knew that Matt Harte didn't want her in his town, let alone on the intimate dance committee of two. But this was for her daughter's sake. It wasn't like she wanted to spend all that one-on-one time with the rugged rancher, imagining what it would be like to be his partner--for real....

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Silhouette; Silhouette Intimate Moments #1133 : Outlaw Hearts edition (February 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373272030
• ISBN-13: 978-0373272037
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 3.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,557,309 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm not one of those people who knew from birth she was destined to become a writer. I always loved to read and throughout my childhood I could usually be found with a book in my hands. To the disgust of my friends, I even enjoyed creative writing assignments that made them all groan. But I had other dreams besides writing. I wanted to be an actress or a teacher or a lawyer.

Life took a different turn for me, though, when my mother made me take a journalism elective in high school (thanks, Mom!). I knew the first day that this was where I belonged.

After I graduated from college in journalism, I took a job at the local daily newspaper and I reveled in the challenge and the diversity of it. One day I could be interviewing the latest country music star, the next day I was writing about local motorcycle gangs or interviewing an award-winning scientist.

Through it all -- through the natural progression of my career from reporter to editor -- I wrote stories in my head. Not just any stories, either, but romances, the kind of books I have devoured since junior high school, with tales about real people going through the trials and tribulations of life until they find deep and lasting love.

I had no idea how to put these people on paper, but knew I had to try -- their stories were too compelling for me to ignore. I sold my first book in 1995 and now, more than 30 books later, I've come to love everything about writing, from the click of the computer keys under my fingers to the "that's-it!" feeling I get when a story is flowing.

I write full-time now (well, as full-time as I can manage juggling my kids!) amid the raw beauty of the northern Utah mountains.

Even though I might not have dreamed of being a writer when I was younger, now I simply can't imagine my life any other way.

I love to hear from readers. You can reach me at my email address, [e-mail] or through my website http://www.raeannethayne.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars MOST EXCELLENT STORY BUT --------, June 10, 2007

By 

M. Hartmann "abayyan" (Milan, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Valentine Two-Step (Outlaw Hartes) (Silhouette Intimate Moments) (Paperback)

Matt Harte can't understand how he got roped into working on the Valentine's Day dance. It just was not his thing.
He daughter, Lucy seems to peek out of her shy shell whenever the vet's daughter, Dylan is around. Yup! Dylan starts the troubles for Matt when she decides that she and Lucy should become "real" sisters.

Ah, but Matt did not like the sounds of Ellie Webster's way of treating the animals. Acupuncture on one of his valuable Quarter horses? Not hardly! Until he has a mare in trouble.

Ellie, now, is a different matter. She claims to want to be independant and self-sufficient but invariably whimps out. Someone wants her gone.
I detest these females who claim to know that a relationship won't work out and will still hop into bed. So much for hormone control.

The girls are great -- Matt is a victim <g> of his hormones - especially when his brother shows up. -- the mystery is a bit on the lite side but effective - wonderful secondary characters - and a very good plot.

Definitely Recommended --m -- Sounds like a really good trio.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Matchmaking and Hartes -- Very highly recommended, January 31, 2002

By 

C. Penn "WordWeaving" (Greenville, SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Valentine Two-Step (Outlaw Hartes) (Silhouette Intimate Moments) (Paperback)

The Hartes of the Diamond Harte ranch, consisting of two brothers and a sister, are about to find love in the miniseries Outlaw Hartes. Their father was a descendant of Matt Warner, one of the original members of Butch Cassidy's gang, and was so enamored with outlaws that he named his children after them: Matthew Warner Harte, Jesse James Harte and Cassidy Harte. Single-parent Matt kicks off the series when his matchmaking daughter and her best friend spring a parent trap.

With the Valentine Day's carnival coming up, two forth-graders decide it's the perfect opportunity to play matchmakers so they can become sisters. So they volunteer their respective parents to serve on the Valentine Day committee. Matt Harte doesn't understand the bond that his daughter has formed with Ellie Webster's daughter over the last three months any more than he understands the outrageous veterinarian practices that she has brought from California. New Age treatments are a long way from acceptance in the small town of Star Valley, Wyoming, as reflected by Ellie's light patient load. In fact, Matt finds Ellie to be annoying, opinionated, and argumentative. And he's wildly attracted to her, something he believes he neither wants nor needs.

Ellie had grown tired of someone else determining her treatments, and jumped at the offer to buy the small veterinarian practice. As a foster child she had learned to love animals that give back unconditionally, and dreamed of some day living in a place like she has now purchased in Star Valley. She has seen treatments like acupuncture work well, and believes in using such methods when warranted by circumstances. Moreover, she treasures her independence, and works hard to preserve it. She intends to fight her attraction for Matt. He is just like all the other ranchers in the area: skeptical of her ability to perform her job and achieve results. Then one of Matt's horse's needs care above and beyond what traditional medicine can accomplish, giving Ellie a chance to prove herself. But someone is watching who does not want Ellie in Star Valley, and will do anything to make her leave.

Like the lovely Disney film The Parent Trap, this parent trap works beautifully in THE VALENTINE TWO-STEP. Author RaeAnne Thayne has genuine understanding of children and how to make them both believable and entertaining. In addition, Matt is a wonderfully giving hero, eventually willing to risk everything despite having been burned badly. In fact, the story behind his marriage and the reason for his sister living with him gives the novel a nice punch. The unconventional treatments that initially alienate clients from Ellie's practice likewise add interest and an unexpected flair. Indeed, Thayne is a gifted storyteller whose realistic characters and absorbing dialogue weave a mesmerizing tale. A wonderful Valentine romance, THE VALENTINE TWO-STEP comes very highly recommended.

4.0 out of 5 stars A very nice read., October 26, 2002

By 

skunktrain (So. California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Valentine Two-Step (Outlaw Hartes) (Silhouette Intimate Moments) (Paperback)

A nice diverting little romance. The story was interesting, and the characters were engaging.

And, thanks to the author's research, I actually felt a bit educated on some details about "alternative" veterinarian medicine, too, which is a plus.