Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
397 global ratings
5 star
59%
4 star
28%
3 star
6%
2 star
4%
1 star
2%
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SmartShopper07
5.0 out of 5 stars A VERY good book!
Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2015
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I'd rate this book a solid 4 1/2. It turned out to be unexpectedly good, really good, despite some negative reviews.

This is not a mystery so there is no complicated twists and surprises. The reader knows from the start who the bad guy is and what he's trying to do. Same thing for the heroine. The real draw of the story here is to see how the main characters evolve from being a world apart to becoming a team, a family. There is some psychological suspense. It's a classic stalker story, better than most, in a western setting and with a good character study mixed in. Both the main characters and the secondary characters are well fleshed out and interesting. The little town of Battle Ridge as well as the life on the ranch are well developed so they become real to the reader, without drawn out, boring descriptions.

Overall, the story is well-written, with healthy doses of humor. The story develops naturally and logically, it doesn't feel rushed or too short (which happens often nowadays). I just read it a second time with great pleasure!

I'm wondering though, as this seems to be the first book in 'The Men from Battle Ridge' series, why there still hasn't been a second book in this series...
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Amazon Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars Nice romance - not so great in other ways
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2019
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This romance novel moved too slowly for my taste. Also, there is no mystery at all. In fact, the story is very predictable. From very early on, you know pretty much exactly what's going to happen. There literally wasn't a single plot twist or surprise that I can remember. And the only action/suspense doesn't take place until near the end, so the majority of the story revolves around the development of the romantic relationship between the heroine and her cowboy hero. I prefer more action and less predictability. Linda Howard is a very talented writer though, so I won't rule out reading more from her.
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Jo Anne
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Western set romantic suspense
Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2019
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This is a well-written stalker suspense story with a strong, determined heroine, and a hard-working, goodhearted (and sexy) hero. Carlin and Zeke are both likable characters whose relationship develops when they’re thrown together out of need. Zeke needs a cook/housekeeper to keep the home fires burning and to feed his cowboys during the busy ranch season, and Carlin needs a safe place to hide out for a couple of months until she has to hit the road on the run again. The Wyoming ranch is a great setting for romance. The villain is a truly evil, and crazy as well, making him very, very dangerous.

There’s humor and lots of heart-warming moments, excellent heat between Carlin and Zeke, and more than a few truly tense, edge-of-your-seat scenes. I enjoyed it very much.
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M M-E
5.0 out of 5 stars On the run
Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2019
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Carlin is running for her life. A man's obsession has her off the grid. Stopping in Battle Ridge was suppose to be very brief, but the opportunity to hide on a ranch in the middle of nowhere was to good to pass up. Now she has a reason to stay, she's in love with Zeke Decker, the owner of the ranch. Zeke will do anything to keep her, even kill the man who wants her dead. On pins and needles with my stomach caught in my throat, an excellent suspense romance.
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Meg Corrigan, Author, Speaker, Trainer
5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling Plot
Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2020
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One of Howard's BEST Books! As a trauma survivor myself, I found this plot very believable. Stalkers mean business; they will not give up their quest easily. A woman who is being stalked in the way Carlin was has very few options. In Carlin's case, with Rick being a cop (and a crooked one at that), her options were further diminished. I LOVED that Zeke loved her enough to help HER become strong so she could ultimately face the stalker and end her nightmare.
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retired to read
4.0 out of 5 stars Not the best...but still a good story
Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2012
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Ms. Howard is one of my favorites. I have also read some of Ms. Jones books. The circumstance in this story unfortunately happens in real life all to often. I had a friend in this situation, but she lost her struggle. Carlin is "running wild" from a former want to be boyfriend stalker. She ends up working for Zeke as a cook/housekeeper on his ranch in Battle Ridge. She insists the job is temporary because she has to move on come spring. She thinks she will be off grid and safe during the winter at the ranch. Zeke knows something is wrong because Carlin is spooked, always looking over her shoulder, and demands he "LOCK" every entrance to the ranch house. Heroine finally tells hero the problem, naturally he wants to immediately "take care of the stalker", but she won't let him. He finally convinces her to let him teach her some self defense. The H/h were very likeable as were most of the surrounding characters. The villain was a nut case and got his due. I agree with one of the other reviewers; something was missing. Maybe the suspense wasn't as intense?? The best collaboration of Howard/Jones I've read is Blood Born and it was "great". After saying all the above, this is a good read and well worth your time. H/h had good chemistry; the story had good characters, drama, and a HEA. Good Reading!
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Top reviews from other countries

Christine Francis
2.0 out of 5 stars Extremely Disappointing
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 5, 2015
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If you are a fan of Linda Howard's books do not expect to like this one, I was very disappointed. I expect the romantic element of the story be be strong when I read one of her books and usually I enjoy them because she writes romance very well, but not in this book it is tedious and repetitive and reminded me of very poorly written Mills and Boon type of romance.
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Junelh
5.0 out of 5 stars Another good read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 19, 2020
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I like Linda Howard’s books and have read all, I read this book years ago and decided to add it to my Kindle, I didn’t remember all of it so reading it again was good.
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bookwormham
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 25, 2020
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A well written romance with a stalker twist. I absolutely loved reading this one and I can't wait to read more by this author.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 9, 2018
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I thoroughly enjoyed Carlin and Zeke's story. This was a great combination of romance, humour and a thriller. Linda Howard is a fantastic writer who creates smart female characters along with smart, sexy male leads. Escapism at its best.
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E Hartop
3.0 out of 5 stars It's OK
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 12, 2013
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A pretty pale imitation of Linda Howard's previous books. It shows how she's slipped when she has to be co-authored. It was fine but didn't capture my attention as her books have done in the past. Characters didn't really gel and it seemed very long winded.
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