Taming Jesse James

Jesse James Harte was a bit wild after the accident that killed his parents [he felt responsible]. He was 17 at the time and Matt was 22, while Cassidy was only twelve. Matt did his best for his brother and sister and ten years later we see the results. Jesse is now the Chief of Police of Salt River and quite intriqued with Lucy and Dylan's new school teacher. She had secrets that he hoped to solve. Matt is now married to Dylan's mother and Cassidy has moved out to work at a near by ranch. Well, now Sarah McKenzie has dropped a bomb in Chief Harte's lap. She has accused the mayor, Seth Garrett of abusing his step-son and wants Jesse to look into the matter. Corey Sylvester always appears to be getting into hot-water and acts very biligerent. There are many signs that he is being abused. But he refuses to talk to anyone. Then one night Sarah comes home to find the house covered in blood and her windows broken. Jesse finds Seth's old fishing cap. Oh, yes - trouble is brewing in Salt River and Jesse must get to the bottom of it - that is if he can keep his mind off Sarah and his hormones in check. Only Sarah is finding that Jesse has awakened her desires for a very masculine, intriguing male. Blame it on those blue eyes. Excellent plot - intriguing mystery - great characters - a bit slow on the action though. Definitely Recommended --m -- Trio maybe a keeper.

I enjoyed this book completely! It is very exciting. Highly recommened.

The Hartes of the Diamond Harte ranch, consisting of two brothers and a sister, are about to find love in the miniseries Outlaw Hartes. Their father was a descendant of Matt Warner, one of the original members of Butch Cassidy's gang, and was so enamored with outlaws that he named his children after them: Matthew Warner Harte, Jesse James Harte and Cassidy Harte. In TAMING JESSE JAMES, Jesse James Harte will find healing and love in the most unexpected arms.Even more than a year after the hospitals, the surgeries, and the bruises have faded, fourth grade teacher Sarah McKenzie still bears the deep-seated psychological wounds of her beating. She doubts that a sensual, sexy man like officer Jesse James Harte could find a mousy, wounded woman like herself attractive. After all, virtually all the women in town pant after him. Jesse radiates strength and power-exactly what she needs, but she doesn't feel worthy of such strength. Yet Sarah underestimates her own strength. She once stood up for what she believed in with debilitating personal consequences. Moreover, she does not hesitate to do so again, putting herself in danger while standing up for a child that she suspects has been abused.Jesse James Harte lives up to his namesake, having always been a hell-raiser. The only difference between now and his teen years is that now he does it from the right side of the law. Consequently, he does not believe such an innocent woman as Sarah could want a somewhat reformed troublemaker. Still, he wants to know what put the shadows in Sarah's eyes, and where she earned her slight limp. He views her limp as a badge of honor: a proof of her ability to survive overwhelming odds. When Sarah reports her suspicions regarding one of her students, Jesse cannot help identifying the youngster that Sarah suspects has been abused. Little does he suspect the series of events that will subsequently transpire that will put Sarah at desperate risk.Author Raeanne Thayne deftly captures the fears, the needs, and the desires of a woman recovering from the devastating psychological effects of a brutal beating and rape in TAMING JESSE JAMES. The story behind her beating is both unexpected and plausible, lending a powerful strength to the narrative. Conversely, Jesse is every heroine's bad boy dream: the outlaw cop. Yet he underestimates himself, as does Sarah underestimate herself, thereby creating both empathy and compassion in the reader. Favorite characters from the previous book of the series put in their appearance, especially Jesse's delightful nieces. Their bout of chicken pox and manipulation of their uncle's heart will keep readers smiling. Jesse's sister Cassie likewise appears, whetting the reader's appetite for the final book of the series, CASSIDY HARTE AND THE COMEBACK KID. Overall, Thayne magically balances suspense, danger and love in the perfect mix, firmly placing TAMING JESSE JAMES on the keeper shelf. Very highly recommended.