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Locked in an unexpected land dispute, Rafe Stryker is trapped in the one place he vowed never to return to-the Castle Ranch in Fool's Gold, California. He made millions facing ruthless adversaries in the boardroom, but nothing could've prepared him to go head-to-head against stubborn, beautiful Heidi Simpson. No one is more surprised than Rafe to discover that he's finding Heidi-and life as a cowboy-much more compelling than he wants to admit.
For Heidi, the Castle Ranch is the home she's always wanted. After a life on the road, the vivacious blonde has finally put down roots. She won't give that up without a fight, not even for a man whose late-night kisses make her yearn to be a little less...wholesome.
As the two turn from passionate adversaries to passionate, period, they'll discover that summer love can last a lifetime.
- Booklist on Only Mine
"An adorable, outspoken heroine and an intense hero...set the sparks flying in Mallery's latest lively, comic, and touching family-centered story."
- Library Journal on Only Yours
"Mallery's prose is luscious and provocative."
-Publishers Weekly
"When it comes to heartfelt contemporary romance, Mallery is in a class by herself."
- RT Book Reviews on Only Yours
"If you want a story that will both tug on your heartstrings and tickle your funny bone, Mallery is the author for you!"
- RT Book Reviews on Only His
Only in Fool's Gold would a Mercedes be brought to a stop by a goat. Rafe Stryker turned off the engine of the powerful sedan and climbed out. The goat in the middle of the road surveyed him with a confident gleam in her dark eyes. If he hadn't known better, he would have sworn she was telling him this was her road and if anyone was going to back down in this battle of wills, it would be him.
"Damn goats," he muttered, looking around for whomever owned the wayward animal. Instead, he saw a few trees, a broken fence line and, beyond all that, mountains soaring up to the heavens. Some would describe this as God's country. Rafe knew that God, being smart and all knowing, would have nothing to do with Fool's Gold.
Hard to believe that a three hour drive west would return Rafe to San Francisco—land of fine dining, high-rise buildings and beautiful women. It was where he belonged. Not here, on the outskirts of some town he'd promised himself he would never set foot in again. And yet he had returned, drawn by the one person he could never turn his back on—his mother.
Swearing under his breath, he eyed the goat. He would guess she weighed about a hundred and twenty pounds, give or take. While he'd spent the past eighteen years doing his best to forget his time in Fool's Gold, the lessons he'd learned on the Castle Ranch lived on. He figured if he'd been able to wrestle an adult steer as a scrawny fourteen-year-old, he should be able to take a goat now. Or at the very least, pick her up and move her to the side of the road.
He lowered his gaze to her hooves, wondering how sharp they would be and what they would do to his suit. He rested his elbow on the roof of his car and pinched the bridge of his nose. If his mother hadn't sounded so broken on the phone, he would turn around and go back home. In San Francisco he had a staff, minions even. People who would take care of things like goats in the road.
He chuckled, imagining his starchy assistant facing down a goat. Ms. Jennings, a fifty-something powerhouse with an innate ability to make the most successful of executives feel incompetent, would most likely stare the goat into submission.
"You found her!"
Rafe turned toward the voice and saw a woman jogging toward him. She had a rope in one hand and what looked like lettuce in the other.
"I was so worried. Athena lives to get into trouble. I can't find a gate lock that will keep her contained. She's smart. Aren't you, baby girl?"
The woman approached the goat and patted her on the back. The goat moved toward her, like a dog seeking affection. She took the lettuce and the rope around her neck with equal acceptance.
The woman glanced back at him. "Hi. I'm Heidi Simpson."
She was maybe five-nine, with blond hair she wore in braided pigtails. A cotton shirt tucked into jeans showed him she was leggy and curvy, a combination that normally appealed. Just not today. Not when he still had to deal with his mother and a town he despised.
"Rafe Stryker," he said.
The woman—Heidi—stared at him, her green eyes widening as she took a single step back. Her full mouth trembled slightly and she lost her smile.
"Stryker," she whispered and swallowed. "May is your—"
"Mother. How do you know her?"
Heidi took another step back. "She's, ah, at the ranch right now. Talking to my grandfather. There seems to be a mix-up."
"Mix-up?" He used what Ms. Jennings referred to as his scary, serial-killer voice. "Is that how you'd describe what happened? I was thinking more along the lines of fraud and theft. Felony theft."
This was bad, Heidi thought, wishing she could simply run for it. Not that she wasn't one to face her problems. But in this case, she would feel a lot better facing them around other people, rather than on a deserted road. She eyed Athena, wondering if the goat would protect her, then decided probably not. Athena would be more interested in getting a taste of Rafe Stryker's well-cut, obviously expensive suit.
The man standing in front of her looked seriously pissed. Pissed enough to plow her over with his big car and keep going. He was tall, with dark hair and eyes, and right now he looked angry enough to crush her with his bare hands. She had a feeling he was strong enough to do it, too.
She drew in a breath. Okay, maybe he wouldn't crush her, but he wanted to do something. She could read that in his brown-black eyes.
"I know what you're thinking," she began.
"I doubt that."
His voice was low, silky and made her feel unsettled. As though she couldn't predict what was going to happen next and, whatever it was, it was going to be bad.
"My grandfather overstepped his bounds," she began, thinking it wasn't the first time Glen had given in to his "ask forgiveness rather than permission" philosophy of life. "He didn't mean to hurt anyone."
"He stole from my mother."
Heidi winced. "You're close to her?" She shook her head. "Never mind. Stupid question." If Rafe didn't take care of his mother, he wouldn't be here now. Not that she was surprised. From what she could tell, May was a lovely woman who had been very understanding about the mistake. Although not understanding enough to keep her son out of it.
"Glen, my grandfather, has a close friend who was diagnosed with cancer. Harvey needed treatment, didn't have insurance, and Glen wanted to help." Heidi did her best to smile, but her lips didn't feel as if they were cooperating. "So, um, he got the idea of selling part of the ranch. To your mother."
"The ranch that belongs to you."
"Technically." Her name was the one on the bank loan. She hadn't done the math, but she would guess she had in the neighborhood of seventy thousand dollars in equity. The rest of the ranch was tied up in her mortgage.
"He took two hundred and fifty thousand dollars from my mother, and in return she owns nothing."
"Kind of."
"Your grandfather has no way to pay her back."
"He gets social security and we have some savings."
Rafe's gaze moved from her to Athena and back. "How much in savings?"
Defeat made her shoulders sag. "Twenty-five hundred dollars."
"Please move the goat. I'm going to the ranch."
Heidi stiffened her spine. "What are you going to do?"
"Have your grandfather arrested."
"You can't!" Glen was the only family she had. "He's an old man."
"I'm sure the judge will take that into account when setting bail."
"He didn't mean to hurt anyone."
Rafe was unmoved by her plea. "My family grew up here, Ms. Simpson. My mother was the housekeeper. The old man who owned the ranch paid her next to nothing. At times there wasn't enough money for her to feed her four children. But she hung on because he promised to leave her the ranch when he died."
Heidi didn't like this story. She just knew it had a bad ending.
"Like your grandfather, he lied. When he finally died, the ranch went to distant relatives back east." His dark eyes turned into lasers that seemed to bore into her, promising untold punishment. "No one is going to screw my mother out of this ranch twice."
Oh, no! It was worse than she'd imagined. Much worse. "You have to understand. My grandfather would never hurt anyone. He's a great guy."
"He's the man who stole two hundred and fifty thousand dollars from my mother, Ms. Simpson. The rest is simply window dressing. Now, move your goat."
Unable to think of what else to say, Heidi stepped to the side of the road. Athena trotted along with her. Rafe got in his car and drove away. The only thing missing from his angry departure was a cloud of dust. However, the road was paved and well maintained by the city. One of the advantages of living in Fool's Gold.
She waited until he'd gone past, then turned toward the ranch and started to run. Athena kept up easily, for once not insisting on extending her time of freedom.
"Did you hear that?" Heidi asked, her athletic shoes pounding on the pavement. "That man is really mad at us."
Athena trotted along, apparently unconcerned about Glen's fate.
"You'll be sorry if we have to sell you to pay back May Stryker," Heidi muttered, then wished she hadn't.
All her life she'd only wanted one thing. A home. A real home with a roof and a foundation, hooked up to sewer and water and electricity. Something most people took for granted. But she'd grown up moving from town to town, the rhythm of her days defined by the carnival where her grandfather worked.
When she'd found the Castle Ranch, she'd fallen instantly and madly in love. With the land, the old house and especially the nearby town of Fool's Gold. She had a herd of eight goats, uncounted feral cows and nearly a thousand acres of land. She'd started a business making goat cheese and goat-milk soap. She sold goat milk and goat fertilizer. There were natural caves where she could age her cheese. This was her home and she wasn't giving it up for anything.
But she might have to give it up for somebody. Glen. Who'd sold a part of what he didn't own to a woman with a very angry son.
bookholiday
Posted Wed May 30 00:00:00 EDT 2012
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I really enjoyed this story. There was so much to like. very good book!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.PersimmonS
Posted Fri Jan 31 00:00:00 EST 2014
I bought the whole 12 book Fool's Gold series. And I would have given the first 5 about a strong 4 stars. I am on #7 Summer Days. I was enjoying the books as I went but they were starting to get very predictable. Each book focuses on 1 woman from the town and 1 man who may come from anywhere (only 1 guy so far was a long time resident of Fool's Gold). And by book 5 they are all starting to sound the same. Woman meets guy. Guy is a normaly a douche and doesn't believe in love, relationships, the whole mooshy mooshy gaga hoopla 95% of the woman are all about. The last 10 pages of each book are.....woman confesses love, man runs, man realizes he is a douche, man rushes back, woman and man live happily ever after. So if your all about the stories not really being that much different from the last, just some names, personal issues and individual background stories then you'll like these. Because by now I am getting a little bored with the stories I am giving this one a 2 for the 2nd half of the series. Unless some murders are committed, some ghosts start showing up or curses from the past start showing their ugly little heads then it is going to be tough finish the last 6 books
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Mon Sep 24 00:00:00 EDT 2012
I have read every book Susan Mallery has written and loved them all but...am I the only person that cannot grasp everyone making light of the fact that grandpa stole $250,000 from May? OMG! I am having a huge problem with Heidi not getting it and thinks Rafe is taking "her" ranch away. I love a good love story but I'm not sure I can finish this one. Heidi, a goat girl with braids, lives w/her grandfather. And is anyone as dense as May ~ she's only in her 50s.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.cx3ane
Posted Thu Jun 07 00:00:00 EDT 2012
I love Susan Mallery & Fool's Gold!! Rafe & Heidi has a great chemistry together even though they are both stubborn. I feel so bad for Heidi, who finally has a home of her own. Rafe swore he would never go back to Fool's Gold, but he did it for his mother. I love May. She was something else! If you are looking for a good romance book, then this is it! You won't be disappointed!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.BRumsey
Posted Wed May 30 00:00:00 EDT 2012
Who can resist a strong alpha cowboy that tries to hide a nurturing heart and a woman that will fight for who and what she loves. Susan Mallery weaves a tale of romance between two people with opposite dreams that must learn to take a chance on love. Located in the small town of Fool's Gold, CA where everyone knows your business but loves you anyway, Susan has succeeded in creating a place where you want to keep visiting. SUMMER DAYS is a refreshing adventure that keeps you turning the page. Can't wait for the next two books coming out this summer: SUMMER NIGHTS and ALL SUMMER LONG.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.DyanC
Posted Tue May 29 00:00:00 EDT 2012
Seriously, can you imagine a better place than Fool's Gold? And Rafe Stryker is right up there with the other amazing guys who have settled there! I feel the need to relocate there and maybe Susan can create cowboy for me too!!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Judie-B
Posted Tue May 29 00:00:00 EDT 2012
I have been a fan of Susan Mallery's for a while now and while the Fool's Gold series is more light hearted than her stand alone books the entire series is a worthy read. I love the town of Fool's Gold and the relationships she has established between the towns residents, I for one would love to live in that type of community. If your looking for an entertaining, easy read type of book that gets your heart involved then be sure to read Summer Days. If you haven't read this series, what are you waiting for?
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Cheerleader_Duck
Posted Tue May 29 00:00:00 EDT 2012
Summer days by Susan Mallery is a great book I could not put it down. Cant wait for the next one is the series
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Claire_sax
Posted Tue May 29 00:00:00 EDT 2012
Another home run for Mallery! Fool's Gold is the land of happy endings and we are lucky enough to get to read another one with Summer Days.
Rafe Stryker, the first of the Stryker brothers featured in Fool's Gold, is a perfect hero. He's tough, rough under his polished exterior, and throughout the book you see his softer side coming through. The book begins with Rafe heading to his mother's rescue over a dispute regarding the home of a new Fool's Gold resident, Heidi. Heidi owns a goat farm. Really, a goat farm! Their love story begins with perfect sexual tension running beneath dislike. As each character sees more depth in each other they grow softer and the passion ignites.
Speaking of passion...it's well written and HOT! We all know the real reason we read Romance Novels and Mallery does it with class that leaves you satisfied.
If you are looking for a nice summer read that won't tax your brain and gives you a happy ending, this is the perfect book. You won't regret your purchase!
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Mar 13 00:00:00 EDT 2014
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Posted Sun Jan 19 00:00:00 EST 2014
This book is good. &snakes &hearts
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Sat Sep 07 00:00:00 EDT 2013
Fun book! We had wild cows and goats. What fun. Falling in love. Two couples, a senior couple and
a young couple. Well written, lots of laughs. Great addition to the series.
Anonymous
Posted Fri Jun 28 00:00:00 EDT 2013
Waz this fo'
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Heidi was adorable, Rafe was a jerk. Thankfully he turned around. Loved the whole Stryker family. Clay's story was my favorite, though.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Thu Jan 31 00:00:00 EST 2013
I have read many of the Fool's Gold series and overall enjoyed them. Sorry, this book was not worth my time or money.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.tallaKF
Posted Fri Dec 28 00:00:00 EST 2012
good story
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Thu Dec 06 00:00:00 EST 2012
How many pages ?
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Momwholovesbooks0
Posted Sun Dec 02 00:00:00 EST 2012
Love these books. They make you feel good and are easy reading. Perfect stuff after a long day at the office.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.JJMJRCC
Posted Fri Oct 26 00:00:00 EDT 2012
I LIKED IT VERY MUCH. A LITTLE SLOW BUT FINE. SHE WRITE VERY WELL. AND TELLS A GOOD STORY.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.When he finally drove onto the ranch it was to find yet another truck in by the barn. Only this one wasn’t from any media outlet and what was slowly backing out of the trailer had him as open-mouthed as any cartoon character.
“What the—“
“You see it, too, then,” Heidi said coming up beside him. “I thought maybe I had brain damage from the flu.”
This is only one passage in Summer Days that made me laugh out loud. Rafe and Heidi’s story is such a great read. The story is centered around Castle Ranch in Fool’s Gold, California. Heidi Simpson meets Rafe Stryker when he comes to find out why his mother, May got swindled out of the ranch she thought she was purchasing from Glen, Heidi’s grandfather. What follows is a story that takes you from California, to San Francisco, Los Angeles, and back again with goats, horses, sheep and more thrown in for fun.
Susan Mallery has done it again with the continuation of her Fool’s Gold series. She does a great job of bringing the town and all of its characters to life. It makes you want to go visit for one of its many festivals. I definitely recommend Summer Days and any of the previous books in the Fool’s Gold series to anyone who hasn’t tried Susan’s books before. You will not be disappointed!
Overview
Locked in an unexpected land dispute, Rafe Stryker is trapped in the one place he vowed never to return to-the Castle Ranch in Fool's Gold, California. He made millions facing ruthless adversaries in the boardroom, but nothing could've prepared him to go head-to-head against stubborn, beautiful Heidi Simpson. No...