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Books, books and more books. In my spare time, I write book blogs/reviews for websites specifically devoted to books and readers. Although I have an advanced degree in Comparative Literature (specialty in Medieval Studies) I love to read all sorts of books from medieval to modern literature, from light reading to literary.

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Sensuous Western Historical Romance

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Contributed by: Merrimon Crawford on 4/12/2007

Sensuous Western Historical Romance that makes the period alive to all the senses
One Real Cowboy by Janette Kenny.
Publisher: Zebra (March 2007)

Summary
Debut western historical romance where a marriage of convenience is anything but convenient: a mismatched pair, suspenseful complications of land ownership, intrusions of past family histories. Sensuous attention to detail. Hot mismatch between hero and heroine with suspenseful complications

Set in the 1890s in Kansas, Janette Kenny's amazing debut historical makes the reader sense the time period in vivid detail. The mismatch romance sizzles with suspenseful action that makes One Real Cowboy a fast-paced page turner. Jannette Kenny is a master storyteller.

Plot:
Beatrix Northrope hires cowpoke Cord Tanner to marry her in order to abide by her grandfather's demands that she be married before he turns over the deed to Prairie Rose where she breeds thoroughbred horses. She may be from upper class England with all the fine clothes but she needs this orphaned fatherless muddy cowboy to help her retain her land and freedom from all the men trying to decide her destiny. When trouble at his last hire renders this cowboy jobless, Cord decides to leave Revolt, Kansas and his sorted past, but first, he needs the horse ad benefits that come with the completion of this strange contract. If this it what it takes to move on, so be it.

As the story progresses, Kenny adds more and more suspense through some of the subplots surrounding the main romance. The neighboring rancher wants to add Prairie Rose to his ever growing cattle ranch and has already made an offer for the land. Although Beatrix has fulfilled her father's conditions to get the deed, she realizes it won't be that easy. Her upper-class grandfather decides to come to America all the way from England to check on this marriage and ascertain whether he will approve and also whether she deserves the deed. Beatrix must prove that their marriage is stable and to a suitable husband with a suitable background, temperament, and business acumen to manage the ranch. Everything goes wrong. Upon his arrival, Beatrix discovers that her miserable ex-fiance and her aunt show up alongside her grandfather to pass judgement and stir discord. Will her aunt be able to tell that in matters of marriage and men, Beatrix is just as naive and inexperienced as an unmarried woman? Will her viscount ex-fiance interfere and possibly create an alliance with her grandfather?

Prairie Rose seems jinxed. Since the accidental fall and death of her grandfather during a hunt, Beatrix has had to do everything in her power to preserve her beloved land. As Cord investigates the causes of the wild dangerous behavior of the beautiful black stallion Zephyr, the clues start to make sense. Her father's death years ago looks less and less like an accident. Today, the incidents of sabotage and near accidents surrounding Prairie Rose escalate the closer she gets to obtaining the deed. Is Cord's unknown past more of a threat than their marriage of convenience is an asset? Has the rancher neighbor decided her will obtain her land by subterfuge and sabotage when he cannot purchase it legally? Are her aunt's amorous pursuits with this land hungry neighbor convincing her grandfather to change the name on the deed transfer? Who are these two cowpokes who seem so out to reek revenge on Cord and why?

Beatrix's simple plan has turned complicated indeed. She must carefully balance all those who want her land, all those questioning her marriage, and this strange man she now calls her husband.

Highlights
The wild spooky stallion might be categorized as a character and distinguishes this romance from other western historical romances. Cord's developing relationship to the wild stallion Zephyr parallels his relationship to Beatrix. Although a secondary character, Zephyr's past and future intrigue and provide subtle psychological depth to the main characters. A wonderful addition to this delightful romance!

The author's attention to sensuous detail allows the reader to imagine the time and the characters with all the senses. The heroine is bold, impulsive, intelligent and sometimes humorously naive. No wonder Cord has such a hard time abiding by the terms of their contract! As the Cord's character unfolds though Kenny's skillful dialogues and interior monologues, the reader finds herself drawn to him just like the heroine. The chemistry is electric. The romance is hotter than a summer day in Kansas --- but much more enjoyable. I eagerly await Kenny's next novel.

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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Merrimon Crawford

Arvada , CO

Merrimon Crawford has posted 65 blog entries and 17 comments since joining on 12/15/2006. Merrimon Crawford 's average blog rating is 4.82.

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