Claimed by a Cowboy • A Man To Call My Own

A Man to Call My Own by Johanna Lindsey
Publisher: Pocket Books
Publication Date: April 1, 2004
Source/Format: Borrowed from my mom || Paperback

After the sudden death of their father, Marian and Amanda Laton must leave their New England home and travel to their aunt's Texas ranch. It is a harrowing journey, but plain-looking Marian welcomes the challenge of their adventure, while beautiful Amanda complains at every turn. And when they need rescuing, cowboy Chad Kinkaid is the strong, sexy hero for the job. Amanda's beauty catches Chad's eye, but it is Marian's daring spirit and hidden passion that spark his desire for her -a sensual attraction that lands them in a romantic entanglement Marian is not prepare to handle. Tied to him by the fate of her aunt's ranch, Marian must face a proud cowboy who's determined to convince her - whether it means wooing her under the stars of the open range or following her back East- that she's the only woman for him...

There's nothing quite like a good love story, especially when you're in the mood for one. A MAN TO CALL MY OWN was a quick read for me, but I enjoyed the romance, the setting and the characters as well. Fans of romance novels might find the story slightly predictable, but it's an entertaining addition to the genre. 

The Characters 

Chad Kinkaid is not necessarily my favorite romance novel hero, but he's certainly different from most of the heroes I'm familiar with. His rough and tough persona reminds me of the men who are part of the Roses, a family from a series by Julie Garwood. He certainly sounds handsome though, as well as being intelligent, caring and a gentleman. 

Marian Laton, on the other hand, is a character I absolutely adored and mostly because I thought she was relatable. She's the meek mouse, the girl who always stays out of the limelight and tries not to draw attention to herself. But she's also a revelation in that she's strong, she's passionate, she's smart and she's definitely unique. I enjoyed reading about her eventual realization that it's okay to be herself - and joining her as she transformed. 

The Story 

As I mentioned previously, the story is slightly predictable, though there were a couple of twists that I didn't see coming. The build-up of the romance, especially the moments that Chad and Marian shared, was really a lot of fun for me to read. The setting was also fascinating to me, as I rarely read books set in this kind of location. These things made the book intriguing to me and led to me truly enjoying the novel. 

The Bottom Line 

If you're a fan of the romance novel genre, then A MAN TO CALL MY OWN by Johanna Lindsey is worth a read. However, if you're just starting to read romances, I can give you recommendations for other books to try.