A COWBOY SUMMER

Author: Debra Salonen ISBN: 0373711964 4/2004 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: Harlequin Superromance

Single mom Anne Fraser has sacrificed plenty to get ahead in the world of corporate hotel management. Just ask her eight-year-old daughter, Zoey. When her stepfather asks Anne to fill her late mother’s shoes at the Silver Rose Guest Ranch, Anne can’t say no. Even if the job includes sharing the reins with the man whose kiss she’s never forgotten. Will Cavanaugh planned to be the top bull rider in the country. He’s come close in his fifteen-year career but now an injury has him sidelined for the summer. He answers his grandfather’s plea for help, but soon realizes he’s facing a new dilemma. Could one summer with Anne and her daughter possibly be enough? Or is it just the beginning? Battered and a bit disillusioned by life, Will and Anne return to the Silver Rose to repay old debts. To fall in love again. But, just for the summer.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

I'm a sucker for cowboys. Just the title alone had me requesting this book when it was up for grabs. Having the book written by Debra Salonen was an added bonus. I've enjoyed all her books since I read HIS DADDY'S EYES. This one is no different.

Anne can't find it in her to refuse her stepfather's request to help run his ranch while he fulfills a promise he made to her deceased mother. After getting a divorce from her husband, Anne has spent years focused on her job and her taking care of her daughter, Zoey, who is prone to asthma attacks. Even though she agrees to leave New York for the summer and head to Nevada, she has reservations about how her young daughter's health will handle the change. Not to mention how she's supposed to deal with the other news her stepfather gives her -- his grandson, Will, is also coming to spend the summer at the ranch while waiting for the doctor's OK to go back to bull-riding. Can she spend that much time with Will and not remember the crush she had on him years ago?

Will may have not seen Anne in a few years, but he's never forgotten how beautiful she is, nor the kiss they shared fifteen years before. His main reason in coming to the ranch is to help his grandfather. He's also there to kill time while waiting to fully heal from his last bull-riding accident, but Anne and Zoey slowly worm their way into his heart. Has him wondering what's really important in life, and if he could make the decision that will change his life forever.

A touching story of love, healing and taking chances, A COWBOY SUMMER is one not to be missed. With each book I've read by her, Ms. Salonen seems to just get better and better. For a story that will touch your heart and leave you smiling, pick up A COWBOY SUMMER.

Fatin Soufan