Don't Mess with Texans

Texan Susannah Mack Colton asks Dr. "Tag" Taggart of the Green Mountain Veterinary Clinic to geld her horse Pookie. Though a bit reluctant to take the knife to the handsome steed, the junior partner is persuaded to perform the surgery. Not too long after that, all hell breaks out as the media descends on Vermont to learn why Tag ruined one of the three most famous racing horses of the second half of the century. Apparently, Pookie is the former Triple Crown winner Payback, who was getting his owner $400,000 per mating. Over the next six months, Stephen Colton makes life miserable for Tag. He destroys the vet's practice and leaves Tag in near financial "death by lawsuits". Tag's efforts to apologize fail as Stephen seems to want to make him a cosmic joke. Tag decides to find Susannah, whom he catches up with in Colorado where she works as a waitress. As Tag and Susannah struggle with Stephen's thirst for unending vengeance, they fall in love with one another. Both realize that before their relationship can soar, they must demonstrate to Stephen not to mess with a duo consisting of a Texan and a South Bostonian. The "By the Year 2000" imprint is one of the better Category romance series in recent memory. The latest entry is a warm, interesting tale that will provide sub-genre fans with much satisfaction. The lead protagonists are a zany and intelligent pair. Stephen seems to be more of a caricature than a thirsting avenging angel, but that adds to the overall entertainment. With all that going for this novel, the final twist just makes Peggy Nicholson's caper worth reading even more.Harriet Klausner