Review: Heartless by Diana Palmer

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 to love. Stung by her rejection, Jason leaves, ready to put the past—and the one woman he can't have—behind him once more.

Review:

Warning: There be a snarky review ahead - look away of you hate them....

Cowboys. Check.
Innocent virgin. Check.
Christmas hater. Check.
Pregnancy Scare. Check.
Chest hair of awesomeness. Check.
Deposed dictator/druglords/kidnappings. Check. Check & Check!

Diana Palmer novels are my numero uno guilty pleasure. Guaranteed to get me out of any reading slump and put a smile on my face.
Heartless was no exception. I have only read one other Diana Palmer book – Dangerous, and you can read my review here to see why I love her so. (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/77026...)
The plot? Nah – you’re not getting that here from me – let’s get to the good stuff.
Alas, there was no drinking game worthy repetitiveness in Heartless but there is still plenty to discuss.

Careers I feel worthy of applying to now that I’ve read Heartless: rancher of rare Kobe beef, executive of a gaming company, party hostess, deposed dictator.

Shrew of the year award goes to: Stunning swimsuit model Kitty – who hates kitties, and Christmas, and everything else it seems, except redecorating.

Deposed dictator of the year: Machado. He drugs people and kidnaps them for ransom but he’s so sweet….and he doesn’t deal drugs like that evil Fuentes bunch he’s forced to work with. Awww. Let’s help him and get him back into power stat – and give him money!

Man of year award/A**hole of the year award: Jason – our intrepid cowboy/mutli- millionaire, business tycoon, rancher, lover of Kobe Beef – but not to eat (?), amazing brother (?) who has been there every step of the way but has never been there at all, never drinks but has drunken rages on a regular basis, can hang the moon and the stars…he’s perfect….except when he’s a complete ass. I love him. (except when I’m mad at him)

Favorite Jason quote: " This beautiful creature curled up in his arms had obviously found him irresistible and now he faced the prospect of having fathered a child with her because of his lack of control" ............

Yup, he’s just that studly. The ladies can’t resist his gravitational pull. Poor guy.

My *head desk/wtf* moment: Gracie had been drugged & kidnapped by Machado and released, now Jason is drugged & kidnapped by Machado. What’s a girl to do to help save her man? Call Machado directly of course. They’re old friends….she even has his cell phone number!

On my Diana Palmer rating scale I rate this one slightly less than Dangerous. Mostly due to the lack of drinking games.

Note: there isn’t currently a “Diana Palmer rating scale” but there should be and I’ll get right on it!

Also, I really loved Jason and Gracie. Didn’t see that one coming. In Dangerous, Killraven (total neanderthal) and Winnie (TSTL) were so unlikable but in Heartless I was rooting for Jason & Gracie as a couple.

So onward I go onto the next DP novel – “Lone Star Winter” TWO Christmas themed stories in one book! I hope they don’t hate Christmas!  (Note: I did start this one and to my surprise - there was no Christmas!!)

Buy the book! Heartless (Hqn)