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beanbaglove

Beanbag Love

I read. I write. I talk about reading and writing. That is when I'm not driving kids somewhere or teaching them. Married, educated, domesticated. I really enjoy the friends I've met through a variety of different message boards and venues regarding reading and authors. I try to take a positive view when I write reviews but sometimes I can't. Those times are few and far between, but they do exist. I'm mostly an old softy, though. I think so anyway.

Currently reading

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
Susanna Clarke
Never Love a Cowboy - Lorraine Heath Aaaaah. That hits the spot. I should have gotten more work done yesterday, but I was obsessed with what would happen next for Harrison and Jessye.

Harrison is a second son of an earl whose father sent him to Texas to keep him from getting into enough gambling trouble that he'd be thrown in the Thames. His childhood was very harsh, thanks to an insane mother who did plenty of damage by the time she was caught and that harshness has twisted Harry's emotions to a point where he's pretty certain there's no such thing as love for him.

Jessye's been damaged by a heartless person, as well. Her heart was shattered a few years back and, while she dreams of potentially finding love, she fears it can never happen for someone like her.

Harrison and Jessye have been trading barbs for a while when we start this book. Number 2 in a trilogy, I've read these out of order. I'm completely tangled up in overlapping series, it seems. In any case, Harrison and his best friend, Kit, have cooked up a cattle drive scheme and brought Jessye in as an investor. Jessye puts up the money but demands to be part of the drive. She doesn't trust them.

The majority of the story takes place on the cattle drive. Suffice to say, Jessye and Harry never stood a chance. But, at the same time, new challenges are huge threats to their future happiness. This was an emotional roller coaster for me.

There are times when Harrison comes off as a true jerk. Times when Jessye comes off as childish and petty. But there's always something behind such behaviors. Their pleasant scenes together evince strong chemistry and let us read through those tough exchanges, knowing there's more to it than just that.

I'm not sure why some of Heath's books just turn me around. Now I want to go back and read Gray and Abby's story. And all this because I accidentally started reading "Promise Me Forever" about a week ago. I probably won't get to that book for another two installments now. Such sweet torture. ;^)

This is #2 in the Rogues in Texas series which, I believe, starts with A Rogue in Texas.