How was Shane Stryker supposed to know that the red hot
redhead dancing on the bar was actually Annabelle Weiss the
librarian who at the moment was showing her friends how to
do the happy virgin dance of the Maa-zib women who were the
focus of a fundraising bookmobile benefit that was
currently driving Annabelle to extremes. What he also
didn't know was that Jo's Bar was a women's bar with
shopping network on the television -- not football -- wrong
clientele. So much for adjusting to Fool's Gold.
But the fun hasn't yet begun -- Shane has volunteered to
teach the librarian, his future sister-in-law's best
friend,
how to ride a horse, never for a moment guessing it was his
redhead. Life sure throws curve balls. It was all Shane's
fault after all who ever told him librarians were mousy
cardigan wearing women. And just being near Annabelle was
turning him into a blubbering idiot. It could only go up
from here.
For Annabelle she was going to have to toughen up on many
levels. First learning how to ride a horse no small feat
for a very petite woman but that was going to be the least
of her trials -- trying to figure out this super handsome
rancher who took turns making her tingle and at other times
seemed to be laughing at her expense. She was looking for a
man who thought she walked on water and ignored any flaws --
like her friend Heidi had found with her husband to be.
Annabelle has a choice -- toughen up and stop being some
man's doormat and put her heart back out on the market,
something she honestly worried about. But the more time
spent with Shane and his temperamental horses the more she
gains self confidence and the guts to make a move. Shane
was looking to settle down in Fool's Gold but even though
immensely attracted to Annabelle was constantly on guard
watching her demeanor around other men. Once burned twice
shy, both Annabelle and Shane had trust issues to conquer.
But love does conquer all. Could it be love or just lust?
No one sets you up for a good laugh better than Susan
Mallery -- that's why her books are a joy to read and
keepers. Uplifting and sensuous with just the right amount
of personal drama and angst, page after page an all around
good read -- as usual. SUMMER NIGHTS is the second of three
stories for 2012
set in wonderful Fool's Gold and once again we get to spend
time with its citizens who with each book become more
noteworthy. Meeting the Stryker brothers is a real treat
and I can't wait to see who the next installment is about.
Horse whisperer Shane Stryker is done with passion. This time around, he's determined to meet someone who will be content with the quiet life of a rancher's wife. And the fiery, pint-size redhead who dazzles him at the local bar definitely does not fit the bill. Small-town librarian Annabelle Weiss has always seen herself as more of a sweetheart than a siren, so she can't understand why Shane keeps pushing her away. Shane has formed the totally wrong impression of her but only he can help her with a special event for the next Fool's Gold festival. And maybe while he's at it, she can convince him to teach her a few things about kissing on hot summer nights, too-some lessons, a girl shouldn't learn from reading a book!