He's the kind of cowboy even big-city women dream about…
The only reason artsy Abby Carmichael is way out in
Royal, Texas, is to shoot a documentary film. But to get it right, she needs a
cowboy. And fifth-generation Texas Cattleman's Club member Carter Crane is it.
His slow drawl, blue eyes and swagger say he's the real deal… Their sparks
ignite like wildfire. But when her work reveals big-money secrets that could
bring down Royal, Abby must choose between the film that could make her career
or riding into the sunset with Carter…
Good opposites attract story. Abby arrived in Royal to
film a documentary about the Soirée on the Bay arts festival. All city-girl,
Abby feels like a fish out of water in a place that doesn't even have a
Starbucks, but she's determined to do her best with her film. Out exploring the
first evening she's there, Abby spots a cowboy riding with the sunset as a
backdrop and immediately wants him for her film. Their face-to-face encounter
doesn't go so well, and she high-tails it back to town, only to meet him again
that evening.
Carter is a born and bred country boy and Royal native. He
took over the family ranch when his father retired, and it consumes most of his
life - by his choice. His encounter with Abby disrupts that focus with
unexpected intensity.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between
Abby and Carter. Their first encounter was amusing with the way Abby's city
experience caused her to react and Carter's somewhat ill-conceived response. They
certainly made an impression on each other. When they meet again later that
evening, Carter's apology goes a long way toward repairing his reputation. Sparks
fly over drinks as neither can deny their attraction. Carter wants Abby in his
bed, and she wants Carter in her film.
Abby's beauty, confidence, and wit intrigue Carter, but
he's been burned by a city girl once before. He doesn't intend anything more
than some mutually agreed on fun. Abby knows getting involved with a man with
deep roots is a bad idea, but mixing a little pleasure with business should be
okay. Neither expected the speed and depth of their connection and were wary of
believing their feelings were real. Even when they acknowledge that there is
something there, neither can see a way to make it work. When Abby's plan for
her film drives a wedge between them, both she and Carter have some soul
searching to do. I liked the ending and seeing how they came to realize that
their love was more important than where they live.
Preparations for the Soirée on the Bay is a theme that
runs through the series. In earlier books, we've seen the building of the venue
and the beginnings of the publicity. At the end of the previous book, The Trouble with Bad Boys, organizer Rusty Edmonds dropped the bombshell that money
is missing from the festival funds. When Abby learns of it, she wants to make
it part of her documentary. Carter wants her to leave it alone, especially when
he overhears someone all but threaten her. I'm looking forward to the rest of
the books to see if my suspicions are correct. 
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