Mariah Callahan spent most of her life hiding behind masks.
Masks she used to fit in. Once it became obvious that she
and her mother Cassie were on their own, keeping heads
above water was the primary goal. Cassie got lucky working
for wealthy families and allowing Mariah to attend good
schools hanging out with people with way more than her.
We're not talking only of money but family and friends who
truly loved you.
Her father Dutch Callahan obviously
loved his horses more than his family and seemed
undisturbed to leave them and follow his own dreams. Well
now from his grave Dutch has summoned Mariah back to
Jubilee. She inherited his cabin, land and a stake in the
cutter horse that was to be the culmination of all her
father's dreams.
Once back in Jubilee Mariah was getting a
glimpse of what kind of man Dutch was - at least to the
people in this town. She wasn't sure if that made her even
angrier, or if she was honest, jealous of the relationship
these people had with the father she missed so dearly. The
only person Mariah really loved was her mother. She was
taken aback how the townspeople graciously opened their
arms and hearts to Dutch's daughter.
Her first meeting with
Joe Daniels was rather inauspicious and even though he made
her heart beat quicker than she ever could imagine, she had
to compare this sexy cowboy with the man her mother had
fallen in love with - who then summarily broke her heart. No
way was Mariah going to follow that horrible,
heartbreaking path.
One of Dutch Callahan's favorite
sayings was bloom where you're planted and if you can't do
that then plant where you bloom. Since her career in
Chicago was at a virtual standstill, Mariah was considering
just that, build some kind of career for herself in
Jubilee. Even if her relationship with Joe didn't move in
the direction of the family she so dearly wanted, at least
she could relish the time spent with him.
The one fact she couldn't ignore was that Joe still harbored
deep feeling
for his dead young wife and there was no way she could
compete with that memory. So Mariah was determined to keep
her mask on and above all else protect her heart.
Lori Wilde has a talent for writing some of the smartest
and funniest dialog. In this her latest book, which has a
sequel to look forward to, she has two pretty great
characters facing up to each other's barbs on a regular
basis and the reader is a spectator to a well written
comedy with just the right amount of angst and pathos to
keep it real. There is also the requisite supporting cast
who are no slouches. THE COWBOY TAKES A BRIDE is a quick,
enjoyable read and a great addition to some of my Wilde
favorites. It will surely be yours as well.
Ex-champion bull rider-turned-cutting-horse cowboy Joe
Daniels isn't quite sure how he ended up sleeping in a
horse trough wearing nothing but his Stetson and cowboy
boots. But now he's wide-awake, and a citified woman is
glaring down at him. His goal? Get rid of her ASAP. The
obstacle? Fighting the attraction he feels toward the blond-
haired filly with the big, vulnerable eyes.
When out-of-work wedding planner Mariah Callahan learns
that her estranged father has left her a rundown ranch in
Jubilee, she has no choice but to accept it. Her goal?
Redeem her career by planning local weddings. The obstacle?
One emotionally wounded, hard-living cowboy who stirs her
guilt, her heartstrings, and her long-burned cowgirl
roots . . .
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