THE LONE STAR CINDERELLA – Maureen Child
Texas Cattleman's Club: The Missing Mogul , Book 4
Harlequin Desire #2258
ISBN: 978-0-373-73271-5
October 2013
Series Romance

Royal, Texas – Present Day

With her boss, businessman Alex Santiago, missing for a while, housekeeper Mia Hughes is not getting paid and is finding it difficult to survive day to day. When Dave Firestone, who is Alex's rival and a potential suspect in his disappearance, stops by to ask her some questions about her boss, Mia is irked as much as she's intrigued. Maybe she could dig some information from him to find out if he's responsible? A zing of attraction flares between Mia and Dave, but even she is stunned when he makes her an offer—of an engagement of convenience.

Dave is tired of being hounded by whispers he is behind Alex's disappearance and only intended to ask Mia a few questions. But he sees that she is low on money, and when his own current business deal requires that he have a fiancée by his side, he decides to mix business with pleasure. If Mia agrees, he will pad her bank account by several thousand dollars, and they can work together to see if they can come up with anything about Alex. Of course, she'll have to move into his house, which means they get very close. Are they playing with fire by pretending to be engaged…and in love?

Another scintillating entry into the Texas Cattleman's Club: The Missing Mogul series, THE LONE STAR CINDERELLA features housekeeper Mia Hughes being turned into a Cinderella by Prince Charming (and possible suspect) Dave Firestone. Mia isn't sure that she can trust Dave, but with dwindling funds and an empty stomach, her options are few. He insists he isn't responsible for Alex's disappearance, and the local sheriff backs up his statement. Too bad the media is still persistent, especially when Dave and Mia's sudden engagement hits the wires. He promises her that he only needs her for a month, and while she thought she could resist his charm, that proves futile. Is getting involved a mistake? Mia feels uncomfortable with all the money and jewels that Dave is showering her with, but he insists that it's part of her role as his fiancée. But will her ride soon turn into a pumpkin?

This Cinderella-like tale will hit the mark for readers who love a sexy story with characters whose chemistry sizzles from the start. In THE LONE STAR CINDERELLA, Mia feels adrift waiting for her boss to return—if he ever does—and Dave needs a fiancée who won't see him as a possible opportunity for a future. They seem perfect for each other, but neither expected to fall in love with the other—or how hard it would be to end things. Will they find their way to a happily ever after? Find out for yourself in the enjoyable and fun THE LONE STAR CINDERELLA.

Patti Fischer