Maddie Inherits a Cowboy
Jeannie Watt
Harlequin SuperRomance, Feb 1 2011, $5.50
ISBN: 9780373716906

Ty Hopewell blames himself for the death of his friend Skip Blaine as he was driving the truck when the accident occurred. Two years have passed since that fatal day, but Ty has not moved on in spite of knowing Skip would demand he did.

Skip's New York anthropology professor PH.D sister, Madeleine arrives at Ty's ranch to learn why her inheritance from her late brother has stopped turning a profit. She assumes Ty is cheating her out of her rightful share. Even before she arrived, she was thinking of selling her share. A few days at the archaic ranch with no heat and not even a bed convinces her that her decision to sell is right. However, she also realizes that her partner wallows in guilt and grief as he holds himself responsible for her sibling's death. Though she has job issues back home, she decides to stay a little longer to protect the livestock and to help Ty finally move on; unaware that her Good Samaritan endeavor will help her move on too.

This is an enjoyable second chance at life contemporary ranch romance. Ty makes the tale with his remorse driven attitude that could frost the tropics; although Madeline has made her share of mistakes too. Readers will root for the city slicker and the remorseful rancher to make it as they need each other and not just because of love.

Harriet Klausner