Fearless in Texas

Starred review from February 26, 2018
Dell’s fantastic fourth Texas Rodeo novel (after Tougher in Texas) follows Melanie Brookman, a former rodeo roper turned marketing director, as she reunites with upper-class rodeo bullfighter Wyatt Darrington. When Melanie discovers that Michael Miller, her lover and a client of her marketing company, is married, she breaks off their relationship, leading to the loss of her job. Her friend Violet ropes in Wyatt, who offers Melanie a job promoting his bar and also says he’ll help her find her missing brother, Hank. Eager for a fresh start and drawn to Wyatt, she agrees to move to Oregon and work with him. As Melanie adjusts to her new life, she and Wyatt try to keep their relationship professional despite their intense mutual attraction. Once their relationship crosses the line from business to personal, sensuality sizzles. But they face a significant cultural divide between Melanie’s Texas roots and Wyatt’s privileged upbringing, and Wyatt is keeping some secrets. The hidden depths of their personal tragedies add complexity to their characters. Chock full of drama, romantic angst, and magnetic supporting characters, Dell’s latest is not to be missed. Agent: Holly Root, Root Literary.