The Cowboy, the Baby and the Bride-To-Be

Shayla Morrison's mission was to unite a rambunctious baby boy with the rugged cowboy who was his closest kin. But one look at long, tall Turner MacLeod and Shayla decided to stick around. After all, what did a rough and tough rancher know about babies? Then again, what did a sensible woman like Shayla know about sharing close quarters with a mysterious Montana man? Shayla should have hightailed it back to her ho-hum life. Then the sound of a child's laughter-and the sparkle in the cowboy's eyes-had her whistling the wedding march. But could she turn the brooding bachelor into a forever husband?: I loved this book, it was so romantic, without having every other page with the people rumping in bed.

I like nearly everything Cara Colter has done, and this book includes many of her successful ingredients. When Shayla Morrison is asked to deliver her neighbor's three-year-old son to his uncle's ranch in Montana, she has no idea how much the trip will change her life, as it allows her an escape from her unsatisfying job, her smothering (almost) boyfriend, and her fanatically controlling mother. Nor does she expect that her initial fascination with the boy's uncle, rugged, independent cowboy Turner MacLeod, will turn into something much deeper and more precious. Throw in a mayhem-minded Appaloosa and a match-making sister, and you have a thoroughly entertaining mix. I personally don't think Nicky's the most realistically depicted three-year-old I ever saw, but the author more than compensates for this flaw by her deftness in handling Turner's growing awareness that independence sometimes isn't all it's cracked up to be.

A friend of mine told me about Cara Colter's writing, and recommended I take a break from the more "adult" romantic fare I generally choose, ie Superromance, Harlequin American. Well, I'm very glad I took my friend's advice and gave Ms. Colter a chance. First off, she can really write! She's funny and warm and very articulate. The hero's a (sensitive)hunk, the heroine's cute, lively and independent, and the writer's insight into and deft handling of small children in this book is nothing short of wonderful. I wouldn't want a steady diet of these so-called sweet romances, but will definitely be looking for this writer in the future, as well as searching the used bookstores for copies of the numerous books she wrote for Harlequin under the name Quinn Wilder.