Her Summer Cowboy

Her Summer Cowboy by Katherine Garbera

After years of a self-imposed exile, Hudson Scott is heading home, if only as security for country music legend Alan Jennings's Farewell Tour.  As the tour winds its way toward the Big Marietta Fair, however, Hudson will be forced to answer the question of whether he wants to continue his travels after the tour, or if it is time to mend fences and settle down.  The decision could be a lot easier if he had someone to settle down with.

The entire world knows Ella Wells's name and story, even if they haven't actually met her personally.  Thanks to her grandfather and father both writing and singing songs about her as a child, she has lived most of her life in the glare of the spotlight.  After her father's tragic death, however, Ella left the Nashville and the music industry far behind, preferring the anonymous life of a school teacher to the lure of the stage.  Now that her grandfather has decided to retire from the road, he is calling in a promise she made to him years ago: to tour with him one final time.  Putting aside her fears and insecurities about living up to her family's legacy, Ella embarks on a life changing adventure with her grandfather and the sexy cowboy he has hired for the summer.

The Scott Family are full of strong characters, and Hudson definitely lived up to his part.  There is so much to love about this family.  From their touching tradition of Wednesday dinners at the Diner, to their tendency to butt in to other family members' business, there is no doubt that they love each other.  I am really looking forward to reading more about them...hopefully Lane gets his story soon, because no one can resist a wounded soldier hero.

As far as Ella's contribution to this story, I loved the hints of country music history.  Everything from the naming of characters (odes to Waylon Jennings and Keith Whitley), a character growing up in the spotlight due to her family's fame (a la Rosanne Cash and Carlene Carter), and a tragic death caused by an inability to cope with fame (though this could be many, I am going with Keith Whitley due to the character's name).

Overall, I would have loved for this story to have been longer.  The story was intriguing and fun.  Personally I want to know what happened to Ella's mom, and would have loved to have heard more about her dad.

Continuity/Flow – 4

Sex – 5 

Characters – 5

Storyline – 4

Overall – 4