In TO TEMPT A COWGIRL, we head to Montana - a state suffering from ranch
closures - as Danica Brody returns with severance pay and a dream of
starting her own horse training business. Might as well
since her Lightning Creek Ranch only has five cows left.
However, Marti Kendall and her dad are cornering the same
business, and Marti doesn't encourage competition. Then there's the new guy in
town, Gabe Matthews, who's renting
a property near Dani. But Dani has had enough of no-good
sneaky men - her ex and her sister's ex both - so she's in
no mood to trust another guy.
Dani's right; Gabe has a hidden agenda. He's a landscape architect pretending to
be on a work break for his health, but really he wants to
get to know her and persuade her to sell the ranch to his
firm to develop a nearby resort. The ranch
is not entailed, and Dani believes that cash is good but
land is forever. Gabe's willing
to help her carry out repairs, but the trouble only started
since he arrived. Coincidence? She'd report the matter,
but her sister's ex is a deputy who wants a share
of the ranch value. Another coincidence?
A gentle relationship develops when Gabe asks Dani to
train a young horse, and the lady gradually realises
she hates being land rich but cash poor. It feels totally
realistic and natural. If only Gabe, while respecting
Dani's attitude, wasn't lying to her.
I really enjoyed reading this tale, as it got me into the
attitudes of all the strong, stubborn ranch people who are
determined to make their lives work if they have to
modernise or do deals. They care about their family's land
but they may no longer work or live on the place, so what
is the best solution? And what is development really like
for those next door?
Horses populate Jeannie Watt's books,
and there are plenty of well-realised horse scenes for us
in TO TEMPT A COWGIRL. Tempting? Yes! This is a great
read, full of personal tensions and larger economic and
environmental debate. Anyone reading this adult romance
will come away better informed and with an opinion of their
own. This is first in the Brodys of Lightning Creek
series and I am really looking forward to the next book.
Troublemaker-turned-architect Gabe
Matthews has an agenda—and a serious relationship is nowhere
on it. To repay his mentor, he trades the big city for the
rugged country so he can persuade the sexy cowgirl next
door, Danica Brody, to sell the Lightning Creek
Ranch.
Soon Gabe is pulling out all the stops to
get close to Dani. But earning her trust complicates
everything. He knows the last thing she needs is another
run-in with deception, and the attraction he doesn't see
coming changes his every plan.