Red Hot Texan

September 1, 2020

Fisherman Red Aldean has had his eye on librarian and longtime childhood friend Emma Corbyn for years and is hoping to reel her in as he consults A Texan's Guide to Fishing for dating advice. Emma takes the bait, even checking Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice for the right moves of her own, but careful to keep their romance a secret since rumors run rampant in their small town of Last Stand, TX. Building a house and trying to gain custody of his daughter, Red asks Emma to help with the interior design. Soon their sizzling chemistry, both in and out of the bedroom, has them yearning to make their relationship official. Red, however, is waiting to tell Emma about his daughter until he knows for certain she'll be coming to live with him. For Emma's part, owing to a past family secret that changed how she views the world, truth is valued above all else. Will her love for Red survive once she learns the enormity of his secret? VERDICT Garbera's new series launch, a delectable spin-off of her "Dangerous Delaneys" stories, hits all the right notes: a cozy, hometown setting, a sweet romance with genuine yet flawed characters, and a mildly sensuous atmosphere. A solid choice for Jodi Thomas fans.--Kara Kohn, Plainfield P.L, IL

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