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Jefe of the
Diamond J ranch, Jo Beth Jensen runs a tight ship and is rarely
lenient. She
doesn’t have much time for romance or cowboys, except for their work on
the
ranch. Once involved with a cowboy that ended with him finding another
woman,
Jo vowed to never get involved with another cowboy – ever. But Jo has
needs and
desires that she can’t ignore, especially when it comes to Clay
Madison. The
champion rodeo bull rider, sets Jo’s pulse racing and her body
hungering. When
Clay signs on to help out on the Diamond J when she’s short ranch
hands, Jo
makes a deal with him when they realize their feelings for one another
are
mutual.
During his
time on the ranch they’ll have a passionate, no-strings affair that
will end if
anyone out about it, and most definitely when Clay leaves. Jo calls all
the
shots and won’t mess around with romance, pretty words or all that
lover stuff.
Jo wants to roll in the hay with Clay that’s it!
She’s
surprised however when she realizes that Clay won’t be commanded or
expected to
perform on order. Jo Beth Jenson has met her match in Clay Madison.
Will she
realize what’s in front of her before it’s too late and he’s gone? Will
it be
her way or Clay’s cowboy way?
Hot,
passion-filled nights, a cowboy too sexy to resist and a sassy, driven
woman
make The Cowboy Way by Candace
Schuler a passionate read. Clay is totally sinful and delicious. As Ms.
Schuler
pens this character, the reader can imagine him swaggering around in
his
tight-fitting jeans and a Stetson. This is a strong, in-depth hero who
makes a
reader swoon and keep on reading.
Jo Beth is
also a strong character. However, she’s also frustrating. I found her
attitude in
the beginning – of easing the itch by any means and treating Clay so
callously
– to be tiresome. I am all for a strong, independent heroine, but Jo’s
dominating attitude and resistance got my ire up a time or two. As a woman I could understand her guarding
her heart, I just feel at times she was too hard on others and so
caught up in
protecting herself, she came off as very
spiteful – her way or no way. By the end
of this story I accepted who she was and had begun to see a few
favourable
qualities to her character. By then though, it seemed too little, too
late.
The Cowboy Way is an enjoyable read
that will heat
up any cold night. While I had issues
with Jo, I admit, I was still turning the pages to see Clay tame her.
As a fan
of Ms. Schuler’s stories, I look forward to her next release.
Reviewed by Tracey West
for The Road
to Romance
April 12, 2005
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