I'm not sure how I missed this series -- by one of my go to authors - during its first go around. Thankfully they have been reissued and here is book number 8 of the Dundee Idaho series -- COULDA BEEN A COWBOY originally published in 2007 that will capture your heart from the first page. In true Brenda Novak fashion the characters in COULDA BEEN A COWBOY are full of life even when they are down on their luck.

If you think money and success buys happiness -- think again. Each chapter begins with a touch of cowboy wisdom or down home know how about all things including home, love and family. A bit of a lesson to take with you.

Grandpa Garnier was a solid consistent figure in the life of Tyson Garnier now recovering from a football injury that hopefully won't cost him his career. Tyson has a pretty limited vision of what's important. Football -- Football -- Football in that order.

Well life is about to introduce a rather important and urgent wakeup call and for once Tyson's greatest challenge is not on the football field. In short order Tyson loses his grandpa, discovers he has a son and faces a serious scandal. The kind of scandal that can clearly and effectively dry up sponsorship prospects. Not to mention play havoc with teammates and fans.

Tyson simply does not have time for his son but he quickly comes to the realization that this is one responsibility he cannot walk away from. It is obvious that Braden's mother is not interested in their child except for what it could get her -- money. What Tyson desperately needed was a no nonsense reliable short term nanny and Dakota Brown seemed to fit the bill. Dakota would be able to alieve at least some of Tyson's guilt over his inability to get close to the baby. Circumstances weren't ideal but Tyson was a good person and Braden was his son. Once football season started up he would make other arrangements.

Dakota was well known, liked and respected in the community. Her life has been difficult and caring for her ailing father has paid a price on her well-being. She has virtually no social life. She has been the sole earner for many years barely eking out a living to keep ahead of the bill collectors. Tyson's offer with a huge salary was too good to turn down even for a short while. Dakota would love taking care of the baby and at the same time have just a little time away from her father. It wouldn't be easy but then again nothing in this young woman's life has been easy.

Dakota had her mind made up about Tyson. She had read enough about this football star to know that he was a big player -- way out of her league -- no pun intended. But after spending time with this man grappling to find a way with his little boy Dakota was beginning to see him in a different dare we say better light.

Suffice it to say once I got my hands on COULDA BEEN A COWBOY by Brenda Novak everything else was pushed to the side. COULDA BEEN A COWBOY is an amazing rich tale told by the absolute master author on the topic of love and family. The story of Dakota and Tyson is just mesmerizing and so real. Brenda Novak is just a hopelessly romantic soul. There are eight books in the Dundee Idaho series and they should absolutely be on your list of must reads for this summer. Curl up on the beach or poolside and enjoy.