The Cajun Cowboy

May 3, 2004
Some like it hot and hilarious, and Hill delivers both in this intoxicating addition to her Cajun Bad Boys series (after Tall, Dark and Cajun
).
This time around, Charmaine LeDeux, a four-times-wed ex–Miss Louisiana with big hair and a string of beauty salons, shares the stage with her ex-husband Raoul Lanier, who has just been released from prison after serving two years on trumped-up drug charges. Charmaine is on the lam from the Dixie Mafia after borrowing money from Bucks 'r Us at an interest rate of $1,000 a day. Enter Raoul, who informs Char that they are still married and that she's half owner of his ranch. He wants a legal divorce and for her to sign over her half of the ranch to him—until he learns her life is in danger. Hiding out on the Louisiana prairie is easy since it's little known and in the middle of nowhere, but ignoring the sexual chemistry primed to explode between her and Raoul is not. Add Char's matchmaking, spandex-wearing aunt to the mix, along with three miscreant ranch hands and all the players from Hill's previous books, and the chuckles never cease. A minor mystery is thrown in for good measure, but the real fun here lies in the book's side-splitting dialogue and hotter-than-Cajun-spice erotica. Agent, Meredith Bernstein.

Narrator Vanessa Edwin weaves together Charmaine and Raoul's witty yet romantic story in this rollicking audiobook. Hairdresser Charmaine is still married to her first husband, an ex-convict and veterinarian named Raoul. She is avoiding a loan shark, and Raoul is her only hope for help. Listening to her throaty, sexy voice with its Cajun intonation in contrast to Raoul's deeper drawl makes this audiobook easy on the ears. It's all about hardheaded testosterone and cowboy boots versus earthy curves and a sharp mind. Add a high-pitched voice for the elderly but still lively Cajun traiteur Tante Lulu and whispers for the statue of Saint Jude that speaks to Raoul--at least, that's what he thinks--and this audiobook just gets funnier and funnier. A.M.G. � AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine

Starred review from June 1, 2004
It's not easy to be a born-again virgin, but spandex-wearing, slogan-sporting, red-hot mama Charmaine LeDeux is giving it her best shot. After being married and divorced four times, she's pretty much had it with the opposite sex. But just as she begins to get the hang of this virgin thing, Raoul, hunky husband number one, brings her proof that not only are they still married, they've each inherited half of his father's cattle ranch. Hopeful matchmakers abound as the two are forced to live together, from the outrageous octogenarian Tante Lulu to several cheerfully interfering cowhands. Even St. Jude offers an unsolicited opinion from time to time. But reconciliation isn't the only issue at hand: Charmaine can't forget the $50,000 she owes a Dixie loan shark. Hill, who has made readers chuckle, chortle, guffaw, and giggle with her hilarious Viking series--" A Very Virile Viking" (2003), " Tale of Two Vikings" [BKL Ap 15 04]--will tickle their funny bones yet again as she writes in her trademark sexy style, the perfect accompaniment to a hot Cajun setting. A real crowd-pleaser, guar-an-teed.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)