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I am Lover of romance, who indulges in the romantic adventures of literature

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Book Review-Undaunted by Diana Palmer

by | Dec 5, 2017 | Book Reviews | 13 comments

Book Review-Undaunted by Diana Palmer

Book Review-Undaunted by Diana PalmerUndaunted by Diana Palmer
Published by HQN on July 1 2017
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 385
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library
Goodreads
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four-stars

The only man she wants is the one who'll never forgive her

Falling in love with her boss's handsome millionaire neighbor was easy for young Kate Martin. Despite the vast differences between them, and a past that's left Garrett Carlton reclusive and wary, Kate gambles her heart on a desire that rocks them both. But there's something Garrett doesn't know: Kate is responsible for an accident that changed his life forever.

Garrett lives by rules intended to protect both him and his vast wealth. Kate's innocence is the only thing that's ever broken through his cold reserve, but now his trust is shattered. By the time he realizes how much he stands to lose, it might take a miracle to win her back. But it's a challenge he'll gladly face for the woman and the family he needs more than his next breath…

Undaunted is an in-depth well-written gem where the truth of opposites attract really exists…..a cold-hearted billionaire and a sweet gentle-hearted woman who learn to see the best of each other and find an HEA despite the odds against them. 

Undaunted is the 52nd book (according to the author’s website, Goodreads has it as 48) of her Long Tall Texan series and I will admit that I haven’t had the pleasure to read this author too much. I have really liked her books, so I am not sure why I haven’t read more of her. I will say that I was a bit nervous to read a book dealing with a jerk hero, since those aren’t always done well but ironically he was done very well in this one. Even though in the first third of the story he is a bit of an ass we also see the way that he has some depths to him that you don’t quite see at first. We have a lake shore setting for most of the story which just worked so well for this story. Undaunted is a story that is about learning to love unconditionally.

The key players to this opposites attracts romance are:

  • Garrett Carlton, a billionaire, hard around the edges, but is like an onion….many layers to unravel
  • Kate Martin, our heroine, works as an assistant to an author, sweet, kind and loving.

The story begins when Kate comes to Georgia, to help maintain the lake house that her boss and friend owns. Kate is originally from Texas and grew up with an abusive father at times. She is eager to make a name for herself and be on her own. She sees the good in people and never judges them. She is all about working for what she has. She then has a horrible run-in with a Mr. Garrett Carlton who yells at her and is really rude and almost has Kate in tears. When her boss leaves for Europe, she stays to take care of other tasks and to see to her lake house. While driving a boat on the lake, she accidentally runs into a jetski that Garrett was on, who hits his head and becomes blind and loses part of his memories including his memories of her. When he offers her a job as his assistant she agrees, seeing a new side to Garrett. The man beneath the harshness and cold revere personality on the surface. Soon it becomes that Garrett and Kate have a strong connection to each other. But what will Garrett do when he learns the woman he loves is also the woman who accidentally caused his blindness and memory loss.

I will admit that at first, the story turned me off especially in seeing how mean and rude Garrett really is. Of course, we see a deeper side to him and see why he is the way he is. But he has such a strong personality but Kate calms him in ways you don’t see at first. She brings him balance and helps him to relax. Kate is also a virgin, she is innocent, but so tender-hearted. I really was drawn to Kate’s personality. She is so real and even though a bit naive when it comes to more worldly things, she knows what is really important. She has her own dreams to be a wife and mother one day. She wants to be loved and to love someone in return. She knows that man is Garrett, but she also fears how he will react when he learns the truth. What becomes a pivotal moment is when the smoke clears and the truth comes out, that both Garrett and Kate learn that when love is reaching out, to hold onto it and never let it go. They both learn about sacrifice and loss and how much they need each other and truly care about one another. It had its predictable moments of course, but then this story would take a turn that I wasn’t expecting and I loved how this predictable story was full of unpredictable moments that just make this book shine.

About Diana Palmer

(1)romance author
Susan Eloise Spaeth was born on 11 December 1946 in Cuthbert, Georgia, USA. She was the eldest daughter of Maggie Eloise Cliatt, a nurse and also journalist, and William Olin Spaeth, a college professor. Her mother was part of the women's liberation movement many years before it became fashionable. Her best friends are her mother and her sister, Dannis Spaeth (Cole), who now has two daughters, Amanda Belle Hofstetter and Maggie and lives in Utah. Susan grew up reading Zane Grey and fell in love with cowboys. Susan is a former newspaper reporter, with sixteen years experience on both daily and weekly newspapers. Since 1972, she has been married to James Kyle and have since settled down in Cornelia, Georgia, where she started to write romance novels. Susan and her husband have one son, Blayne Edward, born in 1980.

She began selling romances in 1979 as Diana Palmer. She also used the pseudonyms Diana Blayne and Katy Currie, and her married name: Susan Kyle. Now, she has over 40 million copies of her books in print, which have been translated and published around the world. She is listed in numerous publications, including Contemporary Authors by Gale Research, Inc., Twentieth Century Romance and Historical Writers by St. James Press, The Writers Directory by St. James Press, the International Who's Who of Authors and Writers by Meirose Press, Ltd., and Love's Leading Ladies by Kathryn Falk. Her awards include seven Waldenbooks national sales awards, four B. Dalton national sales awards, two Bookrak national sales awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award for series storytelling from Romantic Times, several Affaire de Coeur awards, and two regional RWA awards.

Inspired by her husband, who quit a blue-collar manufacturing job to return to school and get his diploma in computer programming, Susan herself went back to college as a day student at the age of 45. In 1995, she graduated summa cum laude from Piedmont College, Demorest, GA, with a major in history and a double minor in archaeology and Spanish. She was named to two honor societies (the Torch Club and Alpha Chi), and was named to the National Dean's List. In addition to her writing projects, she is currently working on her master's degree in history at California State University. She hopes to specialize in Native American studies. She is a member of the Native American Rights Fund, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Cattlemen's Association, the Archaeological Institute of Amenca, the Planetary Society, The Georgia Conservancy, the Georgia Sheriff's Association, and numerous conservation and charitable organizations. Her hobbies include gardening, archaeology, anthropology, iguanas, astronomy and music.

In 1998, her husband retired from his own computer business and now pursues skeet shooting medals in local, state, national and international competition. They love riding around and looking at the countryside, watching sci-fi on TV and at the movies, just talking and eating out.

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13 Comments

  1. Nick

    52 books? WOW!
    That’s amazing. This sounds really good with some good character development. I’d probably be mad at Garrett too, but if we see the layers to his character, I’m good. Great review! 🙂

    Reply
  2. Sarah @ A Weebish Book Blog

    it’s been years since I readx Diana Palmer, but I remember thinking she writes some of the best tearjerkers out there. I like the sound of Undaunted. Great review! 🙂

    Reply
  3. Karen

    I have a love/hate relationship with this author. I hate her heroes and she basically has the same story over and over – yet I find them to be cheesy fun – kind of like a Hallmark movie. lol

    I’ve written drinking game reviews for this series in the past because she tends to repeat things.

    For What It’s Worth

    Reply
  4. Heidi

    I haven’t ever read this author, she must be doing something right if she has written that many books. Glad the hero finally won you over!

    Reply
  5. Quinn's Book Nook

    I’m not super into Diana Palmer’s books. I’ve read a few, and so often the hero is such a jerk, and the heroine is super passive. But I know she’s super popular.

    Reply
  6. Blodeuedd

    I like to see a virgin for once, not everyone does it in HS College

    Reply
  7. Jenea Whittington

    Wow, that is a long series! But this book does sound really good. Great review.

    Reply
  8. RO

    Back in the day, there was a time that I was addicted to Diana Palmer books and she had plenty of space on my bookshelf, then I moved on to paranormal, and got away from her books. Then I got away from paranormals and erotic romance and have been reading lots of spy stories. She has a really good knack for creating characters that are relatable, and her stories make sense, os it’s not surprising that she’s been around for so long and remains successful. I definitely need to get back into her work, and glad you enjoyed this one. I really like your snowflakes! Hugs…RO

    Reply
  9. A Novel Glimpse

    Wow! This author has a lot of books…and I haven’t read any of them!

    Reply
  10. Mallory M

    Wow! I’ve never heard of Diana Palmer, but 52 books? My goodness! (really love the cover!)

    Reply
  11. Sophia Rose

    I’ve been meaning to try her books at some point. Whew, 52 in a series.

    I can see why you’d be wary of this one at first. I don’t like it when characters are mean even if they change later. Sometimes I’ll stick with it to see them change if the story grabs my interest overall.

    Reply
  12. Melliane

    It looks nice but wow many books there, it’s impressive

    Reply
  13. Geybie's Book Blog

    I understand why you had a problem with the hero at the beginning. I once read a book with a hero who held a grudge and it was so annoying. Glad that you overall enjoyed the story, though. Awesome review! ?❤️??

    Reply

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