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Available 4.15.24


A Hard Man to Love

A Hard Man to Love, August 2006
by Kathleen Lawless

Pocket Books
Featuring: Montana Blackstone; Steele Hardt
288 pages
ISBN: 1416507523
Trade Size
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"Trust, love, betrayal and forgivenes, as well as hot sex and spunky characters make this a keeper."

Fresh Fiction Review

A Hard Man to Love
Kathleen Lawless

Reviewed by Tammie Ard
Posted June 30, 2006

Romance Contemporary | Romance Erotica Sensual

When Montana Blackstone's mother-in-law Helen hires a new foreman for Black Creek Ranch, Montana thinks it's just another one of Helen's would-be lovers. With the grand opening of the Black Creek Resort and Spa fast approaching, Montana has no time to deal with men, let alone the sexy new foreman.

Steele Hardt is known for his golden touch. Having made his fortune gambling, he's now a consultant whose reputation is legendary. He's been hired to determine if Black Creek Resort is worth the money being spent, and he'll do whatever it takes to gain the information required. Montana will be a welcome challenge.

Because every man in Montana's life has disappointed her, she's learned not to trust and give her heart easily. When her relationship with Steele almost instantly becomes physical, Montana decides she'll take what she needs for the moment and give it up when he decides to leave. But it doesn't take long for Montana to realize that letting Steele go will be harder than she thought. Steele really cares for Montana and wants to see her succeed. He does everything he can to put off the people who hired him as he focuses on helping Montana achieve her dreams.

When Montana learns the real reason Steele came to the ranch, she's livid and hurt, unable to believe that once again the person she cares about the most has betrayed her. Steele, in an attempt to save Montana's reputation and put investors and reporters at ease, announces their engagement. Convincing Montana he loves her may be harder than he thought, but Steele knows she's the only woman for him.

A HARD MAN TO LOVE is an excellent story. Trust, love, betrayal and forgiveness are woven into its plot and the characters are spunky. I think this book is one to keep and read again at a later date.

Learn more about A Hard Man to Love

SUMMARY

Montana Blackstone has big plans for the deluxe spa resort she's building at Black Creek Ranch. They don't include letting her know-it-all new foreman take the reins, even if tall, broad-shouldered Steele Hardt looks mighty capable of showing her how blissful it can be to surrender control -- in and out of the bedroom. As the sizzling chemistry between them erupts in one mind-blowing encounter after another, Montana finds that Steele has a knack for knocking down her defenses and seeing through to the vulnerable core she's tried so hard to hide.

Once a pro poker player, now a renowned business troubleshooter, Steele came to Black Creek to give investors a covert report on the spa's potential -- not to give its gorgeous owner such very personal attention. And once she learns the truth about why he's there, Steele stands to lose Montana forever. Convincing her that the heat between them is more than a diversion means taking the biggest gamble of his life. But Steele has never been known to take the easy way out -- and he's not about to start now. . . .

Excerpt

“We haven’t renegotiated my contract,” Steele said.

“What did you have in mind?”

“How about a flat fee, renewable on a daily basis? That way if you don’t like what I’m doing, we simply walk away from each other, no hard feelings.”

“And if I like what you’re doing?” she asked with a husky catch in her voice. His nearness stirred something primal inside of her, something she’d feared had been forever extinguished by Charlie’s infidelity.

He trailed his fingers down the length of one arm, the light stimulation far more powerful and arousing than if he’d clutched her close. He linked his fingers through hers and raised their joined hands overhead, slowly leaning into her as he pressed her back against the rock. His eyes were on hers with deliberate intent as he pinned her in place.

Montana felt an internal jolt, as if he’d suddenly jump- started something deep within, something that threatened madly to ricochet out of control.

Her breathing quickened. She watched his eyes darken, the pupils dilating till the intriguing rim of blue all but disappeared into the smoldering darkness. He was fully aroused, his body brushing hers with slow and deliberate intent and she felt herself soften in response, every quivering nerve ending on full alert. She held her breath, wondering what he’d do next. How far would he push her? How intoxicating to yield the control for once.

He kneed her legs apart and pressed his kneecap against that tingling, throbbing central core in a move that both teased and further inflamed her, as he lowered his head and captured her mouth with his own.

Montana shimmied against him, her body suddenly, desperately in need of his touch. Everywhere. Fully aroused in a way she’d never been before. His tongue mated with hers, knowing deliberation in the way it challenged and stimulated. He swallowed her soft moan of pleasure, her plea for more as he deepened the kiss and his body molded itself to hers. His erect cock throbbed against the thin barrier of silk as he sought and found her inner heat.

She moaned in frustration, chafed her aching breasts against the crisp matting of damp hair on his chest, and swiveled her pelvis in tandem with his. He broke the kiss then immediately moved to the sensitive pulse point just below her earlobe, eliciting a low moan for more.

“Turn around,” he said, his voice a husky breath of warmth that found its way from her inner ear to her inner womanhood in less than a second.

She did as he said, hands still joined with his as she spun in a graceful arc reminiscent of her short career as a dancer.

He caught both her hands in one of his and anchored them against the rock, imprisoned in a way she found divinely thrilling. His other hand he ran freely, knowingly across her breasts, her belly, her hips and her buttocks, his touch urgent, yet leisurely in his exploration of her body.

How long since she’d been touched by a man? Felt sexy and desired? It was good for her soul, her emotional responses sending her physical reaction right off the Richter scale.


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