This engaging work is third in the Browards of
Montana
series. LOVING LANEY features a horsey family, but nobody
says being an Olympic competitor is easy, on or off the
field
Laney Broward has, at the start of this story, won an
equestrian medal in the London Olympics. Now she's partying
in Texas with friends, and a gentleman Thoroughbred breeder
arrives. Austin Johns has a reputation with the ladies,
but he's sponsored tonight's gala to open a therapeutic
riding centre. On the stroke of midnight at New Year, he
kisses Laney. Should she read anything into this action,
or is it just a casual kiss from a ladies' man? Laney
allows herself to be convinced, and spends the night with
Austin.
Four months later we see Laney expecting Austin's child in
Montana on the family ranch. Her beautiful mare Stella Rose
is a character in her own right. Having to stop riding
upsets Laney, and while her best friend Brooke knows her
secret, she's keeping quiet to others. Land grabbers are
trying to buy up areas around the ranch, causing local
disgruntlement, but it's hard for Laney to focus on such
issues. Finally the newspapers are speculating and Austin
hotfoots it up to see her. He's been thinking of her ever
since, but business travel kept him from pursuing the
lovely, headstrong girl. Guessing that the baby is his, he
demands the truth. Laney doesn't think his life and hers
would mix, so she tells him she doesn't want anything from
him. Actually she does, but she's come to believe that she
could never gain his heart. Someone else unknown has
malicious intentions however and devastating rumours start
to spread about the sportswoman.
I liked that the Browards specialise in heritage breeds of
cattle and raise them on grass. The characters were
likeable and believable with valid points of view. Poor
Laney has been thinking of herself as a disappointment to
her strict family, after her years of intensive training
and competing, but her mother assures her that a baby is a
blessing. Austin remembers his businessman father as
always absent. He's not about to repeat that mistake.
LOVING LANEY is an enjoyable adult romance, peopled with
strong African-American characters in positive roles.
Harmony Evans lives in Cleveland and has won awards for her
earlier books.
A Broward—and a world-class athlete, no less—unmarried and
expecting? Laney Broward is amazed she has kept her
pregnancy a secret this long. Now headlines are blaring from
the tabloids that she is in the family way. She can't
believe that one impulsive, out-of-character night could
have such lasting repercussions….
The news that he's a soon-to-be father stops millionaire
heartbreaker Austin Johns in his tracks. This
internationally known horse breeder never planned to become
a parent, but he is warming to the idea of his own family.
Laney can talk all she wants about her independence; they
now have a bond that cannot be broken. Austin will stop at
nothing to ensure his place in his child's life—and he will
not rest until he finds his way back to Laney's loving
arms….
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