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

The Reluctant Bride

The Reluctant Bride by Katherine Garbera

Defusing IEDs as a US Marine in Afghanistan, Monty Davison has seen more of the ugly side of life than any one man should.  That's why he falls hard for the pretty little florist in Vegas while attending a buddy's wedding.  She is sweet, innocent and full of life; completely untouched by the horrors of death and loss.  In a whirlwind decision he proposes to her and heads back to Afghanistan with thoughts of his life after the Marines keeping him strong.  But then, when he needs her the most, his fiancee disappears.

Florist Risa Grant's life was definitely coming up roses.  In a matter of months her fiance would be back from Afghanistan and they could start planning their future.  Then tragedy strikes and Risa begins to let fear get the better of her.  In a moment of panic she packs up everything and moves to Montana to buy her own florist shop and hide away from the world.  Except the world - or her fiancee - catches up with her and wants an explanation; something she is not quite ready to give.  Can she and Monty have their happily ever after, even if their life isn't exactly a fairy tale?

Confession time:  I didn't really like either of the main characters.  Both of them were wishy-washy and not very heroic.  I can understand the anger on his part and the fear on her part, but both of them seemed say they were (or weren't) going to do something one minute only to do the exact opposite the next.  The author did a good job portraying that there really are actual people like that in real life - I just don't find them admirable.

As far as the storyline goes, I found the idea of losing your footing over a first time tragedy very intriguing.  To be untouched by loss for so long, and then to lose your family in a single swoop is gut-wrenching.  I cannot say how I would have reacted as I grew-up understanding death and sickness, but I am pretty sure Risa's reaction is a pretty normal one.

Overall, this was not one of my favorite books by this author.  I really loved her Cowboy for Christmas, so I was disappointed that I didn't care for this one.  Still, I don't like coffee and my husband loves the stuff, so this is more of a preference thing.  Definitely give the book a try; it wasn't bad.

Ratings:

(1=unacceptable, 2=poor, 3=acceptable, 4=good, 5=excellent)

Continuity/Flow – 3

Sex – 4 

Language – 4 

Storyline – 3

Overall – 3