In LONG HOT TEXAS SUMMER Carolyn Brown truly gives us a visual look at life on a working ranch. Sure it's a romance novel so there is lots of love in the air. But there is also some stuff that is rather pungent and Brown makes sure we get the total experience of ranch life. There is a true sense of angst in LONG HOT TEXAS SUMMER when the characters are forced to take an unguarded and honest look at them. Browns gift with dialog has these characters jump right off the written page and hang on for the long haul. Rather than lecture -- Brown draws her story line by line through her characters.

Long time fans of Brown -- like me -- will enjoy this yummy story about love, family and friends.

Loretta Bailey was on a mission -- target her daughter Nona -- destination her ex Jackson's ranch -- the place she left seventeen years before -- brokenhearted. As far a Loretta was concerned life had been sweet -- a successful growing ranch -- adorable four year old child and a loving sexy cowboy for a husband. Appearances were quite deceiving.

Returning to Lonesome Canyon was sure to churn up memories, some good others bad but Loretta was adamant -- she wasn't leaving without Nona. Nona's decision to stay at the ranch and leave school was not an option. No matter how she was received by Jackson or anyone on the ranch or town Loretta was firm that she had right on her side.

Funny thing about being right -- it doesn't keep you warm at night.

It seemed as though fate worked against the two young lovers, Loretta and Jackson, who found themselves in an unplanned position. Yet their love made the decision to marry an easy one -- at least for the two of them. But their marriage was just too new, they were both too young, forces were aligning to destroy their happiness -- so it was all rather fragile.

All it took was an unfortunate turn of events coupled with a huge misunderstanding to create a chasm between Loretta and Jackson that nothing could repair.

Things were on a precarious edge and could go two ways. This latest disagreement could push them further apart or it might provide the opportunity to look clearly -- unemotionally at their problems and come to a totally unexpected conclusion.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Carolyn Brown never disappoints her readers. It's quite usual to start a Brown story with an immediate impression and find yourself smiling at how ingenious the stories line actually it. Never underestimate how imaginative and creative Carolyn Brown can be. LONG HOT TEXAS SUMMER is chock full of wonderful moments.

Book Summary

A sassy redhead with an axe to grind…

After catching her husband kissing another woman in the barn, Loretta Sullivan Bailey left Lonesome Canyon Ranch and swore she’d never come back. But when her daughter threatens to drop out of college to become a rancher’s wife, Loretta refuses to let her baby make the same mistake she did. She returns to the ranch, determined to get her daughter back in school by the summer’s end…and resolute on ignoring her feelings for her ex-husband.

A bullheaded but oh so sexy cowboy…

A cowboy from his hat to his boots, ruggedly handsome rancher Jackson Bailey is none too pleased that his feisty—and gorgeous—ex-wife has suddenly shown up seventeen years after their divorce. But despite all their fighting and fussing, the two stubborn former lovers soon discover that old flames burn the hottest. Can they finally put aside their differences and find happiness together…forever?

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