Desert Bloom

She knows her father loves her, but though she caused a bit of a scandal, Lilla Traften cannot understand why he exiled her to the Texas Panhandle. The spoiled Lilla becomes unglued when her stagecoach breaks an axle, but soon forgets everything after the driver gives her "nasty tasting water" that leaves her drunk. Ranch foreman Grady Finch rescues Lilla from any unwanted advances. Though he believes she is a prostitute, Grady refuses to take advantage of her in her inebriated state, but plans to enjoy her as soon as she is sober. However, Grady soon realizes his misconception, as Lilla is the snooty type who behaves just like the snobs that rebuffed his mother. Though very attracted to her, he cannot stand her airs of superiority. Meanwhile, Lilla believes she needs to prove to this uncouth cowboy that she can survive without daddy's money. As each one tries to trump the other, love trumps both of them. DESERT BLOOM, the sequel to PRICKLY PEAR, is an amusing western romance. Readers will initially want the hoity Lilla to get her comeuppance, but talented Ronda Thompson quickly turns that around so that the audience quickly roots for the female lead to get her man. Grady still carries the scars of his childhood, which endears him to the readers, who will delight in Ms. Thompson's humorous tale.Harriet Klausner

Lilla Trafton had been sent to Hell in a stagecoach. That's how she viewed her banishment to the hot, dusty Texas Panhandle. Her father decided the spoiled beauty needed some lessons in real life, so he sent her to Langtry, Texas to join a family friend's school and instruct young ladies in manners and deportment, and she wasn't to return home until she'd earned her own passage. What Lilla finds is a lot of cactus, a lot of dirt, and a lack of students. And the devastatingly handsome Grady Finch, foreman of the WC ranch. That man was definitely in need of a lesson in manners, because he was decidedly lacking in tact and respect. Yet underneath his gruffness, he definitely had a soft heart. She couldn't help wondering what it would be like to win the love of a man like Grady. Could she prove to him that she could survive on her own, and that she wasn't the prissy snob he thought she was?Grady Finch didn't have any use for the likes of Lilla. Well, he could think of one or two, but it was out of the question. The hothouse beauty would never make it in Texas, she was too fragile, and didn't have the temperament. Or did she? As the wonderfully willful woman showed her true colors, he couldn't help being drawn to her. But he could never provide for her in the way she'd grown up accustomed to. Better to keep his distance. Too bad his heart disagreed. How would he ever win the battle to keep his hands off? Did he even really want to try?Once again, Ronda Thompson draws readers in to enjoy a story full of well-rounded characters and interesting conflicts. It is neat to see how Grady and Lilla grow and change. I thought the transition with Lilla was a little fast for the character she started out to be, but I did like her really well. The chemistry between Lilla and Grady is hot, and the tension is played out very well. A cast of secondary characters enhances the story, and leaves you wondering who the next book will be about. All in all, the story is worth losing sleep over!