Cowboy Country: The Man from Blue River/To Lasso a Lady

I came to this book having read The Great Montana Cowboy Auction by Anne McAllister. I loved it - I read both books in one afternoon. The review below from word.weaving describes the plots surperbly so I won't repeat any of the stories. But you will be swept away by it all and personally, I can't wait to catch that flight to Jackson!

Harlequin republished two wonderful romances by Judith Bowen and Renee Roszel in the volume COWBOY COUNTRY. Both originally published in 1996, this republication will delight those of us who missed these wonderful cowboy romances the first time. Strong heroines, sexy cowboys, and wide-open spaces give room for the heart to learn to love in extraordinary circumstances in this award winning collection.THE MAN FROM BLUE RIVER: At thirty-six, Martha Thomas biological clock kicks into overdrive when she's downsized from the job she loves and her life sudden feels very empty. She takes a break in a diner from her drive from Wisconsin to the coast and chances to see a help wanted ad for a "Lady Companion." It's a long way from a high profile position at the Post to Lady Companion, but one glimpse of two girls who really need her, and Martha's hooked. The cowboy is might be a bit hard on the heart, though. Judith Bowen's gift for creating strong, intelligent, savvy heroines sparkles in THE MAN FROM BLUE RIVER. Bowen deftly captures the conflict and concern of children who've been abandoned by their mother, from the little lies the children tell to the guarded revelations of their step-in father. Powerful love, fierce protectiveness and heart-wrenching vulnerabilities make this an extraordinary read. TO LASSO A LADY: Amy Vale meets Ira Diablo in a cocktail lounge where she served drinks and pocketed tips to pay her kid sister's medical bills. It takes a while for Ira to convince her that his proposal is sincere, but she does eventually accept this marriage of convenience since she's always been skeptical of love anyway. A blizzard causes Ira's son Beau Diablo to pick her up at the bus station since he lives much closer to it than his father. Weeks of snowy conditions keep her there, proving her ability to work hard and inability to guard her heart from this beautiful devil.This is my first introduction to author Renee Roszel, but I will certainly be watching for her name in the future. Heroine Amy Vale's dogged determination despite taunts and hostility to prove herself capable of being a rancher's wife makes her an extraordinary heroine. Tromping through the snow at five a.m. or tossing hay from the bed of a pickup, this city girl works hard and demonstrates the best of intentions despite the hero's skeptical and cynical responses. Roszel proves that even buses can be romantic!