Welcome back -- now it's Trish Milburn's chance to share a story she calls THE TEXAN'S COWGIRL BRIDE. THE TEXAN'S COWGIRL BRIDE is book number three in the series about the Baron family written by different authors. Don't worry if you've missed any -- each story definitely stands on its own merit. For those of you that want to catch up the first two installments were Rodeo Rebel and The Texan's Baby.

The Baron family has seen its share of happiness and sadness. The legacy of Brock Baron is in his riches but if you ask him I believe he'd say his family. But this hardnosed oilman probably wouldn't admit that. After reading THE TEXAN'S COWGIRL BRIDE by Trish Milburn I think you will agree that when it comes to investments -- to Brock Baron -- nothing tops the love and encouragement he invests in his family.

Savannah's no tender wall flower. She was raised as part of a boisterous clan and proud of her accomplishments on the barrel racer route. But Savannah was looking to her future as the manager in the Peach Pit farm outlet that she worked hard to get off the ground and had plans to see it get more successful with growth. Of course her father Brock didn't necessarily see it her way. He is a bottom line kind of guy and so far the Peach Pit financials were rather dubious.

First things first. Savannah hit the rodeo and was on her way to winning the race but made the classic mistake of losing her concentration and paid the price with bruised ribs, pride and the loss of the race.

Travis Spencer grew up with Savannah and admittedly had a huge crush on her. But life has a way of throwing you curves and a relationship with Savannah just wasn't in the cards. Back home once again Travis realizes that the attraction is alive and well. But he has no intention of acting on it. He is resolute in staying clear of any relationships. To Travis love brings great pain and any sensible person would avoid anything that can bring you to your knees.

The loss of his very young wife in a senseless killing taught him well. Travis managed to survive his time in the military and the death of Corrine but he feared that he might not have the strength for another go around. Pretty sound advice to oneself but Travis was beginning to feel like he was waging an internal battle -- one that he was losing.

Being around Savannah brought him joy, put light back in his life but even so he was still planning on keeping his guard up.

Savannah was facing fears of her own and these issues renewed her desire to perhaps find her mother Delia after so many year. Delia had turned her back on her husband Brock and their little children many years before without any clear reason for leaving. Savannah's sister Lizzie had been left with fears over becoming a mother -- would she also run from that responsibility as their own mother had done. But Savannah was facing a health problem that needed further information on their family history. Since the family had no knowledge of where Delia had gone and whether or not she was even still alive -- this left a distressing void.

Initially Travis signs on to help with the search but quickly becomes an important source of strength for Savannah. Could either Travis or Savannah reach into their souls and command the resolve to follow their hearts or will the pain of the past dissuade them from even trying.

Trish Milburn handled the concept of pain associated with loss without resorting to clichés and without becoming maudlin. In fact THE TEXAN'S COWGIRL BRIDE resonates with feelings of hope. Love is the universal healer and Millburn does a wonderful job illustrating the power of love -- forgiveness and hope. THE TEXAN'S COWGIRL BRIDE is a well done addition this lovely series. I can't wait for more. There are still so many Baron siblings we've yet to meet and get to know.

Book Summary

SHE WASN'T LOOKING FOR LOVE

Savannah Baron is determined to turn The Peach Pit from a simple roadside stand on her family's Texas ranch into a bustling country store. She's too busy with her business to even enter many rodeos anymore, let alone date. But when a health scare prompts her to search for her long-estranged mother, she discovers more than a helping hand in an old friend.

Soldier-turned-private investigator Travis Shepard never thought he'd move on after his wife's tragic death, yet with Savannah, the walls he built around his heart begin to crumble away. But Savannah still faces a medical crisis and Travis can't bear the idea of losing anyone else. Can he find the strength to love again?