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Book Review By sandra calhoune
Honey and the Hired Hand by Joan Johnston

Honey Farrell, a beautiful widow with two young sons, is struggling to make ends meet and to keep her ranch vital. Still reeling over her husband Cale's death, Honey has all but given up on the notion of love. Cale died on the job as a Texas Ranger and Honey has vowed to never love a man with a dangerous living/way of life. When Native American Jesse Whitelaw mysteriously appears and asks Honey for a job at her Flying Diamond ranch, Honey is floored. She can't afford a hired hand, despite the fact that she needs one. Recently, she has had cattle stolen from her ranch. When one of Honey's friends vouches for Jesse's character, Honey agrees to hire him and provide him with room and board as pay. Honey's two sons, Jack and Jonathan, quickly bond with Jesse, who becomes a father figure to the boys. Meanwhile, Honey and Jesse share a sizzling attraction that has led to a few stolen kisses and heated glances.

Although Jesse is falling hard for Honey, he is hiding a secret. In actuality, Jesse is not a hired hand, he is a Texas Ranger working undercover to discover the identity of the dangerous cattle rustlers in the area. As Honey starts to fall in love with Jesse and their relationship is taken to another level, the truth about Jesse's identity is casting a shadow over their relationship. Will Honey be able to accept that the man she has fallen in love with is a Texas Ranger? Will Jesse leave his job as a Texas Ranger for the love of a good woman?


Plot & Themes
Time/era of story
Forbidden/mismatched love? Yes
How mismatched?
Hidden Identity/Secret Motive Yes
Is really... - police/investigator
If one lover chases another... - he chases after her

Main Male Character
Profession/status:
Sex makes him
If he's not white he must be... - indian

Main Female Character
Age/status: - 20's-30's
Effect of sexing

Setting
United States Yes
The US: - Texas
Farm/Ranch? Yes
Farm/Ranch: - ranch

Writing Style
Accounts of torture and death? - no torture/death
What % of story is romance related? - 90%
How explicit is the sex? - vague references only - descript of kissing - licking - actual description of sex - Boob talk
Focus of story - equally on him and her
How much dialog - significantly more dialog than descript
How much sexing? - 1-2 sex acts
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