You might think this is a story about a mail order bride or a cowboy desperately seeking to get married. Think again. This is a story about a reality show idea rehearsal -- or run through -- so to speak. The reenactment of an old time Chisholm trail cattle run seemed like an excellent idea to television executive H.B. McKay but she hadn't actually envisioned being on this ride herself. She's actually quite pissed off at her father for putting her in this unexpected, unplanned and undesired position. That's not to say she isn't perfectly capable of handling it though. She's this all refined business woman on the outside but there's this unconventional daring outdoorsy woman carefully hidden.

Haley's family is very diverse which makes her innately geared toward adapting and meeting any challenge and that's how this spunky woman is treating this predicament.

Dewar O'Donnell is equally surprised and somewhat puzzled at Haley's arrival and announcement that she is joining his crew on this cattle run. He fully expects H.B. McKay to be a man. Even a green horn man would have been more welcome than a woman on an excursion designed to be rough and truthfully rather primitive.

Dewar and his men were looking forward to the chance to experience an old fashioned rather historic foray into the cowboy past. Living a month on a trail without most creature comforts -- not all -- but only bare necessities. Practically everything was going to be provided by the land and sea and they were counting on using all the ingenuity they could muster. Just like old time cowboys on a cattle run.

The thing is Haley is decidedly well equipped to be on this month long run through much to all the cowboys and especially Dewar's surprise. She didn't ask for any special treatment and once she regained her seat riding on a horse the rest was just falling right into place. Her only concession was the few toiletries she packed in her back pack and her one roll of toilet paper. I have to admit that made me chuckle.

This ride proved to be all everyone could hope for even though it did test their mettle. Haley was keeping a journal of every part of the journey. This journal would be the basis of the reality show and Haley was determined to wow her father.

Living so close brings to light quite a few privacy issues and the intimacy level eventually brings Haley and Dewar together. Neither was looking for any kind of relationship what with Haley going back to the city once the run was over. And Dewar would be heading back to his ranch. Those were the plans but somehow all bets were off. Reality show or not this cattle run was going to produce some very enjoyable and memorable moments.

Carolyn Brown scores another winner with Cowboy Seeks Bride. Anyone who has a passion for cowboy movies will adore going on this cattle run with this great group of characters. As always a spunky female character meets her match with a rough and tough big hearted guy. Just the kind of story to make you laugh and sigh with contentment.

Book Summary

He's tough as nails and ready to ride...

Rancher Dewar O'Donnell is a just an old-fashioned cowboy at heart, and he can't wait to reenact the historic Chisholm Trail ride with his buddies. The trial-run cattle drive for a reality TV show sounds like a great time—until H.B. McKay pulls up in her slick red sports car...

She's way out of her element...

Haley McKay is a feisty, high-powered businesswoman with the power suit and stiletto heels to prove it. She's keen to research her company's hot new idea for a reality TV show—but mount up with a bunch of modern-day cowboys? Are they kidding? It's too late to back out now, so Haley sets out to prove that it will take more than snakes, storms, and stampedes to make her back down.

Besides, sleeping under the stars with Dewar O'Donnell could prove mighty interesting...