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White Christmas: Woman Hater\The Humbug Man, by Diana Palmer
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Master storyteller DIANA PALMER delights readers with timeless romances featuring unforgettable heroes. Cozy up to the fireplace with these two tales of love set during the merriest time of the year…
WOMAN HATER—Everyone in Nicole White's office described their boss's mysterious older brother as a real woman hater. So when Nicki had to tag along with her ailing employer to his brother's Montana home, she was prepared for the worst.
To her surprise, what she found was a man more roughly masculine than any she'd ever met. But Winthrop Christopher's distrust of women ran straight to the bone. Nicki knew she should steer clear of him, but she couldn't hide the feelings he stirred in her. Could she ever teach him to love again?
THE HUMBUG MAN—Montana rancher Tate Hollister was the grouchiest widower Maggie Jeffries had ever met. But, as the holiday season progressed, Maggie discovered that Tate wasn't completely immune to the Christmas spirit. In fact, his loving embrace might just be the gift of a lifetime….
- Sales Rank: #1120494 in Books
- Brand: Brand: Harlequin HQN
- Published on: 2013-09-24
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 7.33" h x 1.26" w x 5.49" l, .83 pounds
- Binding: Hardcover
- 368 pages
- Used Book in Good Condition
Review
"Palmer demonstrates, yet again, why she's the queen of
desparado quests for justice and true love." -Publishers Weekly on Dangerous
"The popular Palmer has penned another winning novel, a perfect bend of romance and suspense." -Booklist on Lawman
"Palmer knows how to make the sparks fly...heartwarming." --Publishers Weekly on Renegade
"Sensual and suspenseful." --Booklist on Lawless
"Diana Palmer is a mesmerizing storyteller who captures the essence of what a romance should be." -Affaire de Coeur
About the Author
The prolific author of more than one hundred books, Diana Palmer got her start as a newspaper reporter. A New York Times bestselling author and voted one of the top ten romance writers in America, she has a gift for telling the most sensual tales with charm and humor. Diana lives with her family in Cornelia, Georgia.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
When Gerald Christopher first suggested going to his family ranch in Montana to rest his recently diagnosed ulcer for a few weeks, Nicole had instant reservations. He was the boss, of course, and if he wanted to go to Montana, there was no reason he shouldn't. But Nicole liked the pleasant routine of life in Chicago, where she'd spent the last two years working for the Christopher Corporation. At twenty-two, Nicole White had found a nice, pleasant rut for herself and she didn't particularly like change.
The problem was that if Mr. Christopher went to Montana for a month, as he was threatening, and closed down his personal office while he was gone, Nicole would be out of a job until his return. Despite her adequate wages, trying to live for a month without any salary was a frightening thought. That was almost laughable considering her background, because Nicole's family had been one of the old moneyed ones of Kentucky. Her father, in fact, was still one of the jet set, a noted sportsman as well as a horse-racing magnate, and lived the part. Nicole had long since renounced her share of the family fortune and gone to work for a living.
Her mother's death had been the last straw. Her father had been with his latest mistress at the time, not that he'd ever been home a lot. That hadn't mattered at the time, because Nicole had been sure that her new fiance, Chase James, would set up their marriage and that his job as a real estate agent would make it possible for him to support the two of them. She'd figured wrong. Once Chase found out that Nicole had been foolish enough to give up her family fortune—and when he realized that she couldn't possibly be talked out of it—he asked for his ring back. His immediate defection to one of Nicole's moneyed and eligible girlfriends had shattered her young life.
At the age of twenty, she'd left the elegant brick mansion of her childhood in Lexington, Kentucky, and a racehorse farm worth millions, to live the frugal life as a secretary in Chicago, where she had a friend with whom she could room. She smiled, remembering her lack of skills at the time, and how patient Mr. Christopher had been until she'd crammed in some courses at the local secretarial school. Lucky for her that he'd liked her personality and had decided to take a chance on her secretarial skills improving. They had. She'd graduated from the course at the top of her class.
It all seemed a long time ago now, a part of her life that was like some slowly fading photograph of a reality she no longer belonged to….
"You'll like it there, Nicky," Gerald Christopher said dreamily, staring out the window. "The ranch is in the southern part of the state, nestled in the Rocky Mountains. It's rich with forests, lakes, rivers, peace and quiet. Just the thing to help me get over this ulcer they've diagnosed. We can work in peace and you can have plenty of free time to yourself."
"But your brother and his family—won't they mind having your secretary to house and feed?" she asked, her pale green eyes hesitant in a plain but interesting oval face, surrounded by naturally curling short dark hair. Despite the fact that she'd worked for him for two years, she knew very little about his private life. He'd never made a habit of talking casually about anything personal, as some employers did. She knew he had a brother, and he'd mentioned a woman named Mary, whom she'd assumed was his sister-in-law. But that was really all she knew about him in any personal way.
"Winthrop doesn't have a family," he said, smiling as he turned toward her. He was tall with brown hair and dark brown eyes. Not a bad-looking man and he seemed pleasant enough, but he wasn't a woman chaser or a ladies' man. He was very businesslike and a terrific boss, and Nicky adored him. In a purely businesslike way, of course. Her heart was pretty impregnable these days, hardened by Chase's cruel defection. That had ended her dreams of marriage. The hated wealth that had blinded her to men's greed was gone now, too. And without her designer clothing and her diamonds, men didn't seem to notice her at all. Of course, her manner was stiff and off-putting with most men, but she didn't even realize it.
"Your brother came to the office once, didn't he?" she ventured, recalling vaguely a tall, very cold sort of man she'd barely glimpsed on an unusually hectic day and had learned later that it was Mr. Christopher's mysterious older brother.
"Yes, he did," he said. "Winthrop owns a small share in the corporation, you see, but he's the silent partner. He doesn't care for desks and boardrooms. Dad left him the ranch, which is worth a mint, and I have an equally small share in that. He's primarily a cattleman, and I'm a businessman, so we each have what we like most. He's something of a loner. But as long as we keep out of his way, we won't have any trouble."
That sounded ominous. She looked at the green-lined white steno pad in her lap. "A month is a long time," she said slowly.
"Come on, Nicky, what have you got going that you can't walk away from?" he chided gently. "No boyfriends, no evening classes. A month in the country would do you good. If that wealth of potted plants you surround your desk with is any indication, you must be a country girl at heart. Or at the very least, a frustrated gardener."
She laughed. "I do love plants. And, yes, I'm a country girl. I was born and bred in Kentucky," she confessed, "and I guess I do miss it sometimes. My people were farmers," she added, tossing off the white lie as easily as she twirled the pen in her slender hand. That was the story she told people, anyway, and it prevented a lot of embarrassing questions about why she'd given up all that money.
"And farming isn't the best profession to be in these days," he agreed with a fond smile. "I can see why you came to the big city. But since you do like the country, I presume, where's the problem?"
She sighed. "It's not quite orthodox."
"No, little puritan, it isn't," he agreed. "But for the next month, you're my private secretary and I'll even increase your salary to make it more acceptable."
"Oh, but that's not nec—" she began.
"Certainly it is," he countered, waving a lean hand at her. "I'm tired of the rat race, Nicky. I need rest or this ulcer is going to put me in the hospital. We'll both benefit from some mountain air."
"It's October," she reminded him. "Late October. Doesn't it snow in Montana in late October?"
"Oh, frequently," he agreed. "And the ranch is way up in the Rockies, near the Todd place—" he paused, glancing at her with an odd expression "—you remember Sadie, don't you?"
"Yes. She was very nice." A nurse, in fact, and Nicole's taciturn young boss had dated her and had been devastated when she left several months ago to take care of her invalid mother. Hmm, Nicole thought, that was about the time his health problems reared their ugly head.
"Anyway, the ranch is near the Todd place," he continued, "and we used to get snowed in a good bit. But we always get a chinook when we need one, and we can dig our way out. Stop worrying."
"What's a chinook?"
"A warm wind that comes unexpectedly to melt the snow," he said, smiling. "You'll love it there, Nicky. I promise."
I hope so, she thought. All at once she wondered if he had more than just health reasons for wanting to work at home. Sadie had managed to drag him out of his shell, and there had been a tangible something between them before her abrupt departure. It might turn out to be an interesting trip. "All right, I'll go," she agreed. "But you're sure your brother won't mind?"
He looked vaguely disturbed for a second. Then he smiled. "Of course I'm sure."
Nicky wondered later about that hesitation. Mr. Christopher had hardly ever mentioned his brother in all the time she'd worked for him. But through the office grapevine there had been some small bit of gossip about the Montana rancher, something someone had whispered just after his brief visit. If only she could remember it.
Becky, a blonde and vivacious woman who worked for one of the vice presidents, breezed into the office after Mr. Christopher had left for the day.
"What's this I hear about some exotic vacation you're taking with the big boss?" she teased.
Nicky laughed. "If you call the backwoods of Montana exotic, then I guess it's true." She sighed as she covered the computer. "I do hope you'll come to my funeral. I have visions of being eaten by a puma or carried off by a moose."
"You might be carried off by Winthrop." Becky grinned. "Or haven't you heard the grizzly tales about him?"
Nicole turned, her eyes wide and curious. "Is he terrible?"
"A wild man, from what we hear. They said some society girl threw him over a few years back, and he actually went to her engagement party with a Hollywood movie star—a girl who turned out to have been a school friend of his and owed him a favor. He called up the friend and paid her expenses all the way from Hollywood, just for the occasion. Ruined the event, of course, since the movie star got all the attention. He used to be a ladies' man and he's always been well-to-do, and he traveled in those very ritzy circles. But since then, he's pretty much given up his playboy status and turned to the great outdoors. They say his experience with the blonde heiress has soured him against rich women in a big way. Can't blame him too much, can you?"
"He sounds…interesting." Nicky chose her words carefully; it wouldn't do to show her fear.
"Looks that way, too, except for the scars and the limp. Although the scars had faded nicely the day he was in here." She grinned at Nicky. "He sure gave you a look, but you were so busy you didn't even notice him."
"I remember him, but I didn't look long enough to see the limp." She frowned. "How did he get it?"
"From the wreck. Deanne Sharp—of the Aspen Sharps, you know, ski-resort wear and accessories, and Winthrop's fiancée at the time—was driving. They crashed. He almost lost his leg, and during his recovery, she walked out on him. I guess she only liked him for his athletic ability. He was an Olympic-quality skier and they met on the ski slopes. He missed the Olympic team by a few points when he was younger."
"That was what I was trying to remember. Someone said he'd been in a wreck, but I forgot what happened."
"The lovely Deanne happened. I hear she's on husband number three now, and has millions. But all that happened three years ago, the year before you came to work," Becky said. "We all heard about it. What he did at that woman's engagement party might have sounded cruel, if you didn't know it all. We were in Winthrop's corner, all of us. He got a bad break. As it is, he gets around pretty good, but he isn't the pinup he used to be. An experience like that could make a man bitter, you know."
Nicky drew in a slow breath. "A real woman hater."
"Now that's the truth," Becky laughed. "No, he doesn't like women. So if you go to the ranch with the big boss, make sure you take lots of warm clothing. That way you won't get frozen—by the weather or Winthrop."
"We may get snowed in," Nicky moaned.
"The snows come big in Montana," she was told. "Six feet deep and more, sometimes. My best friend worked at the hospital here until she had to go back to Montana to take care of her invalid mother a few months ago. You might remember her—Sadie Todd? The boss used to take her out."
"Yes, I remember," Nicky said with a smile, and kept her mouth shut about what Mr. Christopher had told her.
"They grew up together," Becky added. "I visited her once. Montana is lovely country, but brutal. It's frozen a lot of people, but if you want to get away from the world, there's no better place."
"I don't think I want to go."
"Don't be silly," Becky chided. "The big boss is a doll. Winthrop can't be too horrible."
But Nicky still wasn't sure. She went home and got her small apartment in order, still with misgivings. It didn't take long to pack, because there wasn't a lot to pack. She had jeans and sweaters, some blouses and a single jersey dress, because she had the feeling that she would be roughing it. She took a thick winter coat as well, and some leather boots left over from the past. Her lips twisted in a thin smile when she surveyed the contents of her suitcase and she thought about the clothes and lifestyle she'd once taken for granted. She missed that easy luxury once in a great while, and when she had to pinch pennies to meet the rent, her principles didn't help much. But she was a different girl from the arrogant little miss her parents' financial indulgence and emotional indifference had created. And that meant a lot. She'd learned about reality in the past two years, and about real people, who didn't put a dollar sign on their friendship. Even though her friend Dana, with whom she'd roomed, had married a year ago, Nicole still had friends like Becky, and they often went to movies or the theater together.
She pulled on a pair of cotton pajamas, washed her face and went to bed. It wouldn't do any good to worry about the past or the future. It was enough to cope with the present.
Most helpful customer reviews
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful.
Two Sweet Love Stories
By Tala
Over all 3.5 stars
Woman Hater
★★★★☆
This is a love story about two damaged people. Winthrop is a man that was not only left emotionally, but also physically broken by a past relationship. The woman he was with had a devastating car accident while she was driving. When it became apparent that Winthrop would not fully recover she left him. This betrayal had left him hating women, especially rich ones. He refuses to even attempt to love or trust again. That is until he meets Nicki.
Nicki lived a privileged upbringing in that she wanted for nothing that money could buy. It couldn't buy her parents love however and when her mother dies she blames her father and renounces him and all his money. At the same time her fiancé dumps her for reasons that leave her scarred. Now living in Chicago her boss wants her to go to his brother's ranch for a month. Not being able to live without pay for that long she goes and as expected falls hard for the woman hating brother.
This is basically a story about two people learning to love and trust again. Of course they couldn't do so without each other. I really enjoyed the dance of Winthrop and Nicki as they would get close and then pull back. There is also the side story of Gerald and Sadie which was nice and didn't overshadow the main plot. I also loved Mary, the housekeeper; she added some much appreciated humor.
The Humbug Man
★★★☆☆
This is a quick sweet read. Maggie and Tate have both lost their spouses and have been alone for years. Tate has hidden his hurt with a cold attitude and distance; while Maggie has basically hid behind work and raising her son. Spending time at the ranch her father-in-law left her over Christmas put her next door to Tate. They're attracted to each other and as Tate thaws out and Blake's plans come together they fall in love.
Overall this is very sweet story of two lonely and hurt people finding each other. The pace is fast, but it needed to be for the length of the story.
(I received a copy from publisher in exchange for an honest review.)
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful.
Liked the second story better, but they are both dated.
By Landslide
*I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
"White Christmas" republishes two stories first published in 1987 and 1988:
"Woman Hater" – When her boss communicates to Nicole White that he'll be spending a month in his family house in Montana and asks her to go with him, she tries her best to dodge it but eventually she agrees to going with him. And when she meets his brother, Winthrop Christopher, Nicole finds herself strangely attracted to him. Winthrop is known for his despise for the opposite sex, after being rejected by his girlfriend in the past, but there is something about Nicole that attracts him...
This story had a lot of potential, two characters, very hurt in the past, and determined to be alone, meet and end up falling in love and convince each other to give love another chance. It could have been very good. But it wasn't. Maybe it's because it's been published more than 25 years ago and the story is dated, but there were too many details that irked me and made me not like the story at all...
Where to begin? Maybe with the protagonist, Nicole. Am I supposed to believe a rich and neglected girl, raised in abundance, with two neglecting parents and who had a boyfriend is a virgin? I have nothing against virgin protagonists as long as the explanation is plausible and this one just wasn't... Of course the girl simply melts with Winthrop's advances and becomes completely silly when she seemed so decided and determined in the beginning.
Winthrop is only slightly better. I understand where his hatred for women came from, after what he went through, the contrary would be weird. And I understand his reluctance in accepting his feelings for Nicole, but that ending ruined it for me... Not even the hotter scenes redeemed it because we don't get the denouement.
Oh well, I did like the secundary characters, Winthrop's brother and the housekeeper that has brilliant lines. Oh, and the only thing Christmassy about it is the fact that it ends on Christmas Eve...
"The Humbug Man" - Maggie Jeffries became a widow before she gave birth to her son Blake. Ten years later, she's spending the Holidays at her father-in-law's ranch while she tries to figure out what to do next. Tate Hollister is her neighbour and the most unlikable man she's ever met. Which, of course, makes her try particularly hard to provoke him. If only Blake wasn't so infatuated with the man, she could avoid him in the little time she's going to spend there.
But then Blake gets lost and Maggie turns to Tate to find and rescue him. Maggie and Blake have no other choice but to move to Tate's house because Blake has a broken leg and the heating in their house isn't working. And as she spends more time with Tate and begins to know him, Maggie realizes there is a motive for his behaviour. And you can feel the attraction between them.
I liked this story better, even though it is also dated. Once again, the end was my least favorite part.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful.
Two stories
By Rhonda
3 STARS
Woman Hater by Diana Palmer
Woman Hater is about two people who had been hurt in the past and don't plan to be hurt again.
Winthrop was hurt both physically and in his pride. He especially doesn't want to have anything to do with someone from rich society.
Nicki blames her father for her mother's death. She has turned away from him and his money. When her fiancé found out that she refused her families money and wants to her earn a living now. He left her because she was now broke.
Now no one knows that she was from money now. She has kept her private life from her boss. Now her boss is going to Montana for a month to heal. He wants to take her with him. His neighbor is the woman he loves Sadie. Sadie moved back home to Montana to take care of her mom.
The story is a theme we see a lot. People who have been hurt don't want to trust a chance on love again. Nicki is a virgin and wants to wear white if she ever gets married and mean it. Their is some heavy petting. Their is plenty of drama. Some romance with three different couples need to workout their troubles. Some history about Montana and ranching.
Most of the story is set on a ranch up in Montana's mountain in late fall with a winter early snow storm.
I like the characters. That their is more going on than just the two main characters.
This is a nice romance to escape into.
I was given this ebook to read and asked in exchange to give honest review of it.
Humbug Man by Diana Palmer
This is a much smaller story. It is a Christmas one too. It is a nice story. mostly characters, little drama, action and heavy makeouts scenes.
Both Tate and Maggie are widowers. Maggie marriage only lasted months before her husband died. She was pregnant at the time. She was left a small ranch.
Maggie's son Blake wants them to spend Christmas at the ranch together before she decides what to do with it.
Blake has a case of hero worship with the rancher next door Tate. When he had spent the summer at the ranch with his grandfather Tate would follow him around.
Tate is not a happy person and has not celebrated the season since he lost his wife and son in car accident.
Blake wants to get them together.
It is a good short read, I did skip over some of love scenes.
Publisher: Harlequin HQN (September 24, 2013) 368 pages
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