Detestable! Arrogant! Insufferable! He’d been called worse…Rancher Thane Jordan reluctantly travels to England to settle his brother’s estate only to find he’s inherited much more than he could possibly have imagined.Lady Jemma Bryan has no desire to spend a single minute in Thane Jordan’s intolerable presence much less live under the same roof with the handsome, arrogant American. Forced to … arrogant American. Forced to choose between poverty or marriage to the man, she travels across an ocean and America to build a future on his ranch in Oregon.
Love a sweet romance with unforgettable characters? Give the Baker City Brides a try!>
- Crumpets and Cowpies (Book 1) – Rancher Thane Jordan is about it meet his match in the lovely Lady Jemma Bryan.
- Thimbles and Thistles (Book 2) – Maggie Dalton doesn’t need a man, especially not one as handsome as charming as Ian MacGregor.
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Thane and Jemma meet under grievous circumstances. What follows is an intriguing story about love and laughter, tears and fears, compromise and compassion. The characters in this clean, easy to read delightful western will take up residence in your heart. I can’t wait to read the remainder of the series.
4 stars
Great start of a new series.
I seriously laughed out loud in sections of this book! I love Shanna Hatfield’s writing style and have read almost all of her books now. You will add her to your favorite author’s list!
This is a fun story full of twists and turns.
Despite usually steering clear of historical romance, I was drawn in by the book title and I am very glad I was. This is an opposites attract sweet romance set in 1890. Thane, a rancher from Oregon, travels to England to settle his brother’s large estate. He has not had contact with his brother in over a decade. Once there, he discovers he has a niece and nephew who are now being cared for by their aunt, Lady Jemma. Since the entire estate and the children were left to Thane, who knows nothing about children, prim and proper Jemma agrees to a marriage of convenience in name only to the rough uncivilized Thane and the new family travels back to Oregon to live. The two engage in insults, teasing and goading with each other that slowly turns into deeper feelings. I enjoyed watching their personalities blossom together while they made their inevitable journey to their HEA. I did not like Jemma in the beginning of the book because while Thane’s interactions were light hearted goading, hers came across as mean and rude. But as the story progressed, and as she reluctantly embraced her new lifestyle, she became much more likable. The two children were a wonderful addition to the story. They were portrayed as three dimensional characters integral to the plot instead of thinly constructed props. I will definitely read more in this series.
What a sweet, heartwarming story with a touch of humor. It has all the things a great story should have. Talk about opposites attracting (not only in character but also in culture)! When a rough and tough appearing cowboy/rancher heads to England to claim his inheritance from his brothers estate, he is in for quiet a surprise. The biggest surprise is his feelings for the fiesty, uptight, well mannered woman that has been caring for his brothers home and family since he passed away. But, sometimes appearances aren’t all they seem and maybe these two will be perfect for each other. I love the descriptive writing, the two locations and the family love all wrapped up in a cozy story like this one. Lots of surprises along the way that made this one of those books I could not put down !
I loved this historical romance. And looking forward to to reading others in this series. Great characters and easy to read.
I havent read that many western regency era books. Just because I prefer regency England. However this book has turn me on to the American side of this era. Wonderfully written as the two main characters battle it out to see if they can merely coexistence or if there is more.
The characters were really well done and the story was great.
I loved the verbal sparring between the main couple.
Loved it.
This marriage of convenience was doomed to success from the beginning! Thane Jordan and Lady Jemma Elizabeth Bryan will get on your last nerve–all in fun, of course, as they make this marriage of convenience work. Thane and Lady Jem are stubborn, but full of love for their niece and nephew. They do everything in their power to make a safe, happy home for them. Reading them as their marriage becomes a marriage and their family becomes a family will give you a clear picture of how Crumpets and Cowpies really is the perfect name for this story. Lady Gem reminds me a little of Crocodile Dundee in New York as this England “Lady” learns of life on a ranch. Lots of fun and giggles ensue. And, Thane Jordan truly is a hero.
Shanna Hatfield is a new to me author and I am happy I finally read one of her books. She is a delight. This story is an amazingly funny and witty story but has ups and downs, twists and turns and romance that will keep you reading. I could not put down this story as at every turn I had to know what was going to happen.
What an odd couple to be thrown together and attempt to get along for the sake of their niece and nephew and from two different continents.
What a wonderful and sweet, clean romance with just enough hints at what might happen without those sensual details but you get the tension that is all electricity and wonderfulness and yet as complete opposites who both love to antagonize each other just for the heck of it. The result is hysterical, witty, and leaving you also wanting to cry.
This is a wonderful book and I highly recommend it to any and all who love historical romances and are western and sometime include another continent. Just wonderful and I will continue to read this author.
Can’t wait for the next book in this series
Thane Jordan is a rugged American cowboy. Jemma Bryan is an English lady. They have nothing in common, but for their niece and nephew, they’ll endure each other.
Thane is a crack up! He loves to irk Jemma and get a rise out of her, and she responds with her own fire and insults. It was hilarious! But there is so much more to these characters. The tenderness in Thane’s interactions with Jack and Lily melted my heart. I admired Jemma’s willingness to work hard and determination to make the ranch a home. I enjoyed watching their love grow as the story progressed. I was glad that we got a peek at Thane in Jemma’s world before they settled on the ranch. I also enjoyed their journey across the ocean and continuing on to Oregon. They learned so much about each other because of the different settings and circumstances.
I was in the mood to read a book I KNEW I would enjoy and that would make me laugh. So, I picked up a book by Shanna Hatfield. It definitely delivered! I was smiling from the very first sentence! I’m excited to read the rest of the series!