Friday, September 10, 2021

Texas Tough - Janice Maynard (HD #2809 - July 2021)


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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