"Heartless"

by Diana Palmer, Long, Texan #37, AF, 2009, Playaway digital audio, 8hrs, rating=2.5
Source: library

As a teenager, Gracie worshipped her stepbrother, Jason, a strong, silent young cowboy who left home early to seek his fortune. Though Gracie hadn’t seen him in years, when her mother passed away, Jason ensured that Gracie would be cared for. Now the wealthy owner of Comanche Wells ranch, Jason has finally come back home, and discovered that the little girl he knew is all grown up.
When a moment of unbridled passion results in a kiss, Jason realizes that he’s falling for Gracie. But Gracie harbors a shameful secret that makes her deeply afraid of love. Stung by her rejection, Jason leaves, ready to put the past and the one woman he can’t have behind him once more.
Gracie thinks she’s lost Jason forever. But when danger threatens her and the ranch, she can only hope that her long, tall Texan will come blazing home to save her, despite her secrets and take control of Comanche Wells, and her heart, once and for all. (case cover)

I must admit this was an entertaining romance novel.  There was some action (kidnapping, drug cartels, etc), a few funny moments (Jason's rebound woman), romance of course, and overall the characters were easy to follow.  There were definitely characters you'd love(life long maid) and others you'd hate (Jason's rebound woman here again).  In a nutshell, this would make for a perfectly amusing and long stretched out plot for Dallas or such late night TV soap opera.  So if you're into that sort of thing, this is your book!

Of course my hang-up was this romantic relationship between half siblings, Jason and Gracie (see, classic soap opera).  They grew up together as siblings and for things to develop into something erotic was disturbing.  Thanks for my forgetfulness skills, I survived this read because I selectively forgot that they were related.  Oh the powers of this wannabe Wonder Woman! ;)

Because of adult content, I'd only recommend this to adult readers.

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