"Life is like a country song--"
Reviewed by Sandra Wurman
Posted August 11, 2010
Romance Contemporary
The rules are pretty darn simple at the Honky Tonk -- don't
dis the bartender or you'll face the music. Daisy O'Dell has
become quite the bar owner/manager since inheriting the
Honky Tonk. It may not be the grandest joint around but in
keeping with the previous owner, Ruby's philosophy it seems
to be the perfect hangout for many of the locals. No one
puts on airs here. The drinks are good, the music from the
jukeboxes make you sing, tap your toes and dance when the
feeling hits. Daisy just can't imagine life getting any
better. Then wouldn't you know it fate steps in -- well
actually a puddle of spilled beer -- and she comes face to
face with the sexiest cowboy she has ever seen. Jarod
McElroy was just looking for a place to get a cold brew and
relax after spending considerable time trying to help his
uncle Emmett keep his ranch running. The more important
reason for his being in Texas was to keep an eye on his
ailing relative. Not really sure which was more difficult,
Jarod certainly wasn't looking to get himself sidelined by
still another good looking barmaid. His track record hadn't
been all that great and yet he couldn't deny the strong
attraction to Daisy. The last thing Daisy needed was another
cowboy -- her last one used her as a punching bag when his
drinking and temper got the best of him. So like the
proverbial magnets Daisy and Jarod planned to deny whatever
force seemed bent on getting them together. Daisy could
tell from the very start that even though he looked at her
with interest there was something else quite telling about
his attitude. She was certain that he was judging her on the
fact that she was a barmaid and even if she didn't want to
admit it -- that made her real angry. She was angry with
herself as well -- why should she care what he thought of
her. But it did matter and that hurt. Voices in Jarod's head
were also busy with warnings to be cautious lest he get
burned again. But Jarod and Daisy were two fine people who
deserved love and happiness. And like the song says --
looking for love in all the wrong places -- well maybe the
Honky Tonk would prove to be the right place. Carolyn Brown stocked the Honky Tonk with more than just
beer. It was chock full of colorful characters with just
enough sass to keep you entertained page after page. From a
trio of red hair triplets to a fast and easy girl named
Chigger, I LOVE THIS BAR lives up to its name. Enjoy.
SUMMARY
Funny, sexy, and sure to appeal to the huge audience of
country music fans, this new trilogy features the Honky
Tonk beer joint and its succession of lovelorn owners. Serving two counties, one wet and one dry, the Honky Tonk
is the gathering place for every hothead, thirsty rancher,
and lusty lady looking for a good time. Owner Daisy O'Dell
vows she'll run the place until they drag her cold dead
body through the swinging doors. That is, until the day
Jarod McElroy walks in, looking for a cold drink and a
moment's peace from his ornery Uncle Emmitt. The minute
Jarod sees Daisy, with her hot looks and smart mouth; he
knows he's met not only his own match, but Uncle Emmitt's
as well. Now, if only he can convince her to come out from
behind that bar and come on home with him…
ExcerptAll the air escaped Daisy’s lungs in a whoosh when the
cowboy collapsed on top of her body. She sucked in air and
pushed at the weight, but her arms were pinned. She opened
her eyes to see a head full of dark hair and felt the sharp
bone of his nose pressing into her left breast. He raised
his head and looked over at her, his face only inches from
hers, his eyes zeroing in on her lips.Hot damn! That’s one sexy face, they both thought at
the same time. She shut her eyes and started to lean in for the kiss, then
reality hit. She had fallen flat on her back on the floor of
the Honky Tonk beer joint and taken the nearest cowboy down
with her. She popped her eyes wide open and wriggled back
away from the sexiest gray eyes she’d ever seen. Oh, shit, who saw us? Daisy looked up to find
everyone staring down at them, the cowboy’s body still
touching her from breast to toe, even though he had rolled
to one side. The blush that filled her cheeks had nothing to
do with afterglow. The joint was as quiet as a tomb. It was a hell of a time
for the jukebox to go silent. “You all right?” Tinker, the bouncer, asked. He was hovering
over the two of them, worry etched in his face as he bent to
touch her shoulder. “I’m fine. Make sure he is too,” she panted. He’d seen the girl slip in the same slick puddle of spilled
beer and grab for him. Daisy forced a smile. Tinker held out a hand and in one swift movement the cowboy
was on his feet. Tinker picked up Daisy carefully and set her on a barstool.
“You sure you’re all right?” “My dignity is in tatters and I might have a bruise or two,
but I’ll live,” she said. “I’d better get back to the door. Motion if you need me,”
Tinker said. She nodded and raised her voice to the customers, who were
still watching the whole scenario as if it were an X-rated
movie. “I’m fine, everyone. I promise. Get on back to having
a good time.” Someone plugged coins into the jukebox and George Strait’s
song “River of
Love” filled the
place. Several people started a line dance and by the time
the song ended everything was back to normal. All except Daisy’s heart. It still raced. She looked at the cowboy. He was just as sexy sitting on the
barstool as he’d been lying on top of her. “Sorry about
that. I hope you don’t have anything broken.” The cowboy barely nodded. “Just a little stunned. Stupid
things like that happen so fast it’s like it happened to
someone else. Might have a bruise—but you broke my
fall.” Daisy forced a smile. “Guess we stepped in that beer at the same time.
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