Just a Cowboy and His Baby

October 1, 2012
Brown’s sixth Spikes & Spurs erotic western romance (after Mistletoe Cowboy) sets up immediate physical attraction between bronc riders Gemma O’Donnell and Trace Coleman. Both plan to win the national buckle in Las Vegas come December. He needs the money to buy his uncle’s ranch, even though his uncle wants to give it to him; her goal is to be the second woman saddle-bronc-riding champion. Thousands of miles and a handful of rodeos separate them from their dreams. On the road, they tumble from her trailer to his in hot scenes, but romance and tension are missing. An episodic stop taking care of kids at a dude ranch pads the book. Gemma’s calls and visit home between rodeos help keep series readers up to date, but new readers will be lost. Brown peppers the story with references to country singers, but even popular lyrics can’t save this rapidly dwindling series. Agent: Erin Niumata, Folio Literary Management.

November 1, 2012
Gemma O'Donnell leases her hair salon in a small Texas town for a year to pursue her dream of winning the ProRodeo buckle for bronc riding. She has stiff competition on the circuit, especially from Trace Coleman. The last thing she needs is to be distracted by a strong mutual attraction to him. But the nomadic life brings them together into a sizzling romance. Brown unites them emotionally through a variety of situations, including chaperoning teens and caring for a baby. The rodeo generates enough conflicts to keep the romantic tension going and provides a unique setting and theme, the trials of a woman competitor. But readers will most enjoy seeing Gemma and Trace come together as a realistic couple. Brown fills a gap for readers who want sensual but not erotic romance with a good story and likable characters. Her books will continue to be popular with her fans and with readers of Linda Lael Miller.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)