Jack Murphy, a talented inventor, has unwittingly modified a typical feminine undergarment that's now become his creative downfall, thanks to his sisters. Jack leaves his professor's life in Boston for the peace and solitude of Morrow Creek, Arizona, and becomes a saloon owner. He's keeping his private life quiet -- very quiet -- and intends to prove himself more a man than a "sissified corsetry creator." By making his saloon a success, he will prove to himself that he's master of his own fate.

Jack and his feisty, no-nonsense upstairs neighbor, Grace Crabtree, have been feuding since his first day in town. Jack wants to acquire her upstairs rooms to expand his business and income by adding a boardinghouse. Maybe if he finds this rabble-rousing suffragist a husband, she'll move her meeting rooms elsewhere.

Grace wants to see Jack's bothersome saloon closed for good. Maybe if she civilizes him, smoothes his rough edges, he'll reconsider his business, or at least relocate.

Little do they realize that the more time they spend together, the more their attraction for each other grows. Now, how long will it take for these two strong-willed, fiercely independent, stubborn, ridiculously sensible people to admit they have fallen in love?

This is a truly wonderful, tender, heartwarming, funny and feel-good story. We have all come to know and love a Lisa Plumley story and THE RASCAL is a gem. At the end, you're smiling with a warm heart and a tender sigh. You'll enjoy this lighthearted, historical romance.

Book Summary

Grace Crabtree has no need of a man. Except Morrow Creek's reprobate saloon keeper, Jack Murphy, keeps getting in her way. She's bewildered as to why she can't stop thinking about his infuriatingly handsome face. So Grace will use her feminine charms to reform him—once she works out exactly what feminine charms are!

Jack's determined to find Grace a husband who'll keep her under control. But looking around the town, no man seems quite worthy of this spiky, tempting, glorious woman. So maybe he'll just have to settle her hash himself….