These are the same 4 authors who wrote novellas for HOW TO LASSO A COWBOY. Overall, I was glad to have read this book; the stories were entertaining.
THE VALENTINES CURSE by Jodi Thomas (5 stars)
Valerie has outlived 2 husbands, is lonely and is struggling to eke out a life on a farm.
Brody is a cowhand with considerable skill treating ill or hurt animals. However, hes never really accepted by the other hands because he is a Yank and this is Texas after the Civil War.
Brody is given all the difficult jobs after all, hes a Yank. But the bosss wife gives him a humdinger: go to the dance and talk with the widow. The widow knows what is being said about her and is really cool to Brody. Men avoid her because they are afraid there is a curse on anyone she meets/talks to/marries. However, Brody is lonely and isnt dissuaded by either her attitude or the towns conviction that Valerie is cursed.
After several accidental meetings, Valerie makes a staggering proposition to Brody and he accepts. Can Brody survive the curse?
CUPIDS ARROW by Linda Broday (4.0 stars)
Rue Ann left Shiloh, Texas, 3 years ago under strange circumstances. She and Logan Cutter seemed to be headed to the altar when she left town without a word. Now, she is engaged to marry to Theodore Greely, hand-picked by Rue Anns father.
Logan Cutter has been stepping out with the local beauty, Celeste. Before long, it is obvious that Theodore and Rue Ann are not suited for each other; nor will Logan and Celeste be a good match. Two elderly sisters decide to take action to correct things.
When Rue Ann and Logan finally discuss why she left town in such a hurry, Rue Ann finds that her father has betrayed her in the foulest manner.
I found it difficult to understand why Rue Anns father changed his tune and accepted Logan so quickly after Rue Ann confronted him. That just didnt ring true. Hes spent years perfecting his plot; why would he roll over so quickly?
LOVING MISS LAUREL by Phyliss Miranda (3.5 stars)
Im not convinced that Ms. Miranda is ready for prime time. There were things that just didnt fit well.
Laurel is back in town after spending years in the East studying. She knows the self-made man and mayor Hunter Campbell. Although Laurel tries to stay out of the controversy between the towns males and females, everyone else is trying to pull her to their side.
Hunter was despicable. He has a paramour but dumps her as soon as Laurel returns. The excuse of they were just using each other, didnt say much for the motivations of either party. Now, tell me why Laurel needs him again?
Laurels uncle and cousin are without any redeeming values. That makes characters into cardboard images, not real people. I also felt the ending was slapped together in a hurry.
SWEET TALK by DeWanna Pace (4.5 stars)
JoEmma is in a wheelchair because of a bout of scarlet fever. Eventually, the elder Dr. Powell explains that JoEmma may need the wheelchair so she doesnt have to compete with her sister. Pace shows some real understanding of the human psyche.
This engaging story utilizes 2 lovebirds to help younger Dr. Powell find a spouse. The housekeeper is a hoot!
THE VALENTINES CURSE by Jodi Thomas (5 stars)
Valerie has outlived 2 husbands, is lonely and is struggling to eke out a life on a farm.
Brody is a cowhand with considerable skill treating ill or hurt animals. However, hes never really accepted by the other hands because he is a Yank and this is Texas after the Civil War.
Brody is given all the difficult jobs after all, hes a Yank. But the bosss wife gives him a humdinger: go to the dance and talk with the widow. The widow knows what is being said about her and is really cool to Brody. Men avoid her because they are afraid there is a curse on anyone she meets/talks to/marries. However, Brody is lonely and isnt dissuaded by either her attitude or the towns conviction that Valerie is cursed.
After several accidental meetings, Valerie makes a staggering proposition to Brody and he accepts. Can Brody survive the curse?
CUPIDS ARROW by Linda Broday (4.0 stars)
Rue Ann left Shiloh, Texas, 3 years ago under strange circumstances. She and Logan Cutter seemed to be headed to the altar when she left town without a word. Now, she is engaged to marry to Theodore Greely, hand-picked by Rue Anns father.
Logan Cutter has been stepping out with the local beauty, Celeste. Before long, it is obvious that Theodore and Rue Ann are not suited for each other; nor will Logan and Celeste be a good match. Two elderly sisters decide to take action to correct things.
When Rue Ann and Logan finally discuss why she left town in such a hurry, Rue Ann finds that her father has betrayed her in the foulest manner.
I found it difficult to understand why Rue Anns father changed his tune and accepted Logan so quickly after Rue Ann confronted him. That just didnt ring true. Hes spent years perfecting his plot; why would he roll over so quickly?
LOVING MISS LAUREL by Phyliss Miranda (3.5 stars)
Im not convinced that Ms. Miranda is ready for prime time. There were things that just didnt fit well.
Laurel is back in town after spending years in the East studying. She knows the self-made man and mayor Hunter Campbell. Although Laurel tries to stay out of the controversy between the towns males and females, everyone else is trying to pull her to their side.
Hunter was despicable. He has a paramour but dumps her as soon as Laurel returns. The excuse of they were just using each other, didnt say much for the motivations of either party. Now, tell me why Laurel needs him again?
Laurels uncle and cousin are without any redeeming values. That makes characters into cardboard images, not real people. I also felt the ending was slapped together in a hurry.
SWEET TALK by DeWanna Pace (4.5 stars)
JoEmma is in a wheelchair because of a bout of scarlet fever. Eventually, the elder Dr. Powell explains that JoEmma may need the wheelchair so she doesnt have to compete with her sister. Pace shows some real understanding of the human psyche.
This engaging story utilizes 2 lovebirds to help younger Dr. Powell find a spouse. The housekeeper is a hoot!
