Five years ago Rachel Robinson was a poor little rich girl. Today she's quietly living in a small Texas town, waiting tables. Horseback Hollow isn't the centre of excitement, but having been disillusioned about her father, that's the way Rachel likes it. Among the customers today is a table of men - the Mendozas.

In MENDOZA'S SECRET FORTUNE, Matteo is a pilot like his father, who now runs a flying school, and they came here from Florida for a family wedding. Matteo can't wait to get back to some night life. Then Matteo and his brother Cisco lay eyes on the lovely Rachel, and they're both smitten. Rachel is set on making her own way in the business world, and she doesn't have much time for dating, but she won't say no when asked out by such charming men either. Cisco gets there first. After a fine dining evening, though, Rachel is thinking more about meeting the other brother.

I hadn't read any of the series about the Fortune family. If you've been following the story of how they established a foundation for positive development in Horseback Hollow, you'll be keen to pick up the latest instalment. Otherwise, there is a bewildering array of names to wade through as various couples get introduced and there are references to separations at birth and surprise marriages. This has been a lively family. After a couple of chapters however that fades into the background and we get on with the main romance, as Matteo gets his turn to ask Rachel for dinner.

I preferred Matteo's idea of dining out - al fresco, on a horseback trail ride, with fried chicken he cooked himself. He'll be dropping supplies in to the Foundation by small plane, so he might get to see more of the attractive lady. If she's interested. If Cisco's repeated calls to her asking for more dates don't interfere. If Rachel doesn't get fed up with being the trophy in a contest she didn't start.

While the romance does visit the bedroom there are no explicit details so anyone could read it. I found the start of the tale slow and there was no great drama, which can be a pleasant change if you've been reading too many thrillers. MENDOZA'S SECRET FORTUNE by Marie Ferrarella is an easy read modern romance with a creditable and self- possessed heroine to steal your heart.