The setting is Simpson Creek, Texas, July 1868, and Violet Rose Alicia Brookfield and her brother, Edward, Viscount Greyshaw, have just arrived via stagecoach; a stagecoach that, according to Edward, has hit every rut and bump from Indianola on the Gulf coast to Simpson Creek. If it were not for Violet's near ruination and disgrace at the hands of the Earl of Lullington in England, the trip wouldn't have been necessary. Violet knows Gerald as kind and generous, truly a man who loves her, not a desperate man solely in need of her fortune. Edward's solution is to bring Violet to America for a while and visit their older brother, Nicholas Brookfield, now living on a ranch with his wife and child. Here Violet will forget Gerald, and Gerald will move on to other prey. Equally important, society will forget the scandal.

Raleigh Masterson, foreman at a neighboring ranch to Nicholas Brookfield, thinks he's died and gone to heaven. Surely the young vision before him is an angel. When he offers to take Violet and her brother to Nick's ranch, he learns even more about this beautiful young woman. Although she is a proper English lady and he a cowboy, they love similar things like horses, riding, and the adventures of life. Violet is writing a book and Raleigh is awed by her ambition. Violet is awed by the transformation of Raleigh from the rough, travel-weary cowboy she first met to the handsome young man that now causes a blush to rise to her cheeks each time they meet. Violet tries to think of Raleigh as just an interesting character to write about. After all, she's in love with Gerald, right? Raleigh tries to remember that Violet, this vision of beauty, will someday fade from his sight. How could he ever be worthy of her love?

A nicely written, character driven historical with a western flair. The adventures shared by the hero and heroine throughout HILL COUNTRY CATTLEMAN enhance and advance their relationship to a believable end. The author also uses the contrast of cultures to her advantage in some humorous situations that add to the enjoyment of the story. There are also book group discussion questions at the end, a real bonus for book groups who might choose this title to read and talk about. I recommend HILL COUNTRY CATTLEMAN