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For years
Angelina Mori wanted Tomas Carlisle. The Prince of the Outback was her
childhood friend, but that camaraderie turned to love, as she got
older. Unfortunately
Tomas never knew of her feelings, married another and Angelina kept her
secret.
Now, years later, Tomas is single again, and he is far from happy. His
father
has recently passed away, leaving a request of his sons. Charlie
Carlisle’s
last will and testament states that within a year, a grandchild must be
born to
one of his sons or they will lose large sums of their birthright.
Angelina is
shocked by this dying man’s wishes, and will do whatever she can to
support her
friend Tomas, the man she still loves, in any way she can. Only, she’s
shocked
when she finds herself volunteering to make a baby!!!
Tomas
Carlisle vows that he will never love another woman as long as he
lives. Since
his wife’s death, Tomas has become a loner, not even his family can
reach him.
He wants to be alone on his land and be at peace. But when his father
passes
away, and his childhood buddy, Angelina, comes back to town, his life
is
suddenly a whirlwind of emotion, turmoil, decisions…and passion. Never
before
has Tomas looked at Angelina as anything but a friend, but when she
offers to
help him have a child to fulfill his deceased father’s wishes, he sees
her in a
whole new light. But desperate to keep distance between them, Tomas
offers the
chance of artificial insemination to make a baby, Angelina won’t hear
of it.
She wants to make that baby the old-fashioned way, the way God intended!
Can Tomas
resist his newfound feelings for Angelina? Will Angelina finally get
her man?
Australian
author, Bronwyn Jameson, brings the Outback to life, with tears,
laughter and a
joyous feeling by the end of The
Rugged Loner. Tomas is a magnetic character who is rugged as
the title
indicates, but he’s a man with a warm heart and a deep soul. He is a
very
attractive here, not just physically, but spiritually. He is a man’s
man who
has known a lot of pain in his life, he tried to move on, but his heart
was
shattered and his beliefs questioned about love and happily ever after. Angelina is just the spitfire woman for him.
She is sassy and brassy, and realizes that she should have been there
for him
since his wife died and will try to overlook her feelings for him and
be there
for him now. Ms. Jameson writes a gem of a story and it’s just
beginning. I
look forward to reading the remaining titles in this series, to find
out more
about Alex and Rafe, Tomas’ brothers – the remaining Princes of the
Outback.
I also
appreciated that Ms. Jameson took the time to provide an Outback
Glossary at
the front of The Rugged Loner
for her readers to refer to throughout the book. Some may find it
necessary,
others might not, but it’s a useful tool if the need does arise!
The Rugged Loner receives the Road to
Romance’s
Reviewer’s Choice Award for the fact that the characters shone
throughout
the whole story, and this author’s writing flows like a
well-orchestrated
concerto. I truly enjoyed the Carlisle
family,
the love we watch blossom between Angelina and Tomas. The
Rugged Loner makes one believe in second chances, new
beginnings and to never say never!
Bronwyn Jameson is a talented contemporary romance
writer. The Rugged Loner is a shining
example of that.
Reviewed by Tracey West
for The Road
to Romance
July 15, 2005
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