Braggin' Rights

I enjoyed this novel of upscale working Texas ranch life (once I even flashed back to the novel 'Giant' by Edna Ferber). By the end of the book I got to know Taylor as a three dimensional person and really liked her. Neither Taylor nor Jen were perfect but I definitely would want them to be my friends. All the secondary characters were fleshed out as well (I really would have liked to have seen the Calvin Henry the county clerk get his comeuppance). Vivid story telling that enforces my view that nursing is woefully underpaid. The last two chapters came as something of a shock and perhaps would have better served if they were earlier in the story. From the publisher's web site - Taylor Fleming is a thirty-six year old Texas rancher who covets her independence enough to keep her life simple, no strings attached. As partner to her father's vast cattle ranch, she has enough to keep her busy without taking on a serious relationship with any of the women who clamor for her attention. When a neighboring aging rancher fills the Fleming's life with aggravation and vandalism, Taylor is forced to confront the old man's estranged daughter, Jen Holland. But convincing Jen to intervene becomes another task entirely. After an accident leaves Taylor with imposed bed rest, her cowgirl independence is tested to the limit. Soon Jen is facing an ultimatum. To keep her father's property from being sold on the courthouse steps, Jen must dust off her nursing skills and take on a job she could never have anticipated----being caregiver to the stubborn Taylor Fleming...

For the most part, I've always enjoyed books by Kenna White. There is a wonderful flavor to her writing that is hard to place. `Braggin' Rights' is certainly no exception. I understand that other reviewers have given this book only one or two stars and respect their opinions. However, I must respectfully disagree and hope they extend the same courtesy. Taylor Fleming is a single, woman rancher. She makes trips to the city on a semi-regular basis to relieve frustration, but isn't interested in anything permanent. She's intensely independent and likes her life the way it is. Mr. Holland, the neighboring rancher, has recently been causing many problems for Taylor and her father. He steals cattle, cuts fences, and is a general nuisance. Hoping to corral the man, Taylor sets off in search of his estranged daughter to beg for her help. Little does Taylor know, but this elusive woman is the same one she argues with in her favorite bar. Jen Holland is flabbergasted that the arrogant Taylor Fleming insists on her help. Reluctant to visit her father, but fearing for his health, Jen finally gives in. When she begins to dig into her father's situation, she finds him heavily in debt and about to lose everything. Stepping in to help, she puts him in a home and takes a job as a home nurse. Little does she know she's signed on to work for an injured Taylor. Mix two strong personalities, two very independent women, and an undeniable physical attraction, and you've got one heck of a story. Yeah, sure, the last chapter or two is a little rushed. However, the biggest part of the story has already been told. If she were smart, White would take advantage of an opportunity for a sequel to finish the next chapter in Jen and Taylor's lives. They're great characters and I'd love to have more of them to enjoy.