AIDAN: LOYAL COWBOY – Cathy McDavid
Harlequin American Romance #1409
Miniseries: Harts of the Rodeo
ISBN: 978-0-373-75413-7
July 2012
Series Contemporary Romance

Thunder Ranch near Roundup, Montana

John Hart died ten years ago leaving his wife and three sons with a badly run ranch. Aidan, the eldest Hart boy, stepped up to help his mother bring Thunder Ranch back to prosperity They've cut back on cattle ranching to concentrate on breeding and raising rodeo stock, both bulls and horses. Sarah Hart and Ace, as Aidan is called, just bought what they hope will be the key, a rodeo bucking horse named The Midnight Express. Midnight is a magnificent stallion, but has recently developed behavior problems, which Ace needs to rid him of before putting him to stud.

Back in college, Ace and Flynn McKinley, from a neighboring ranch, had a romance going until the responsibility of the ranch fell on his shoulders. Just three weeks ago, they had a brief one night together, but with building the ranch and his growing veterinary practice, there was no way Ace felt he could take on a relationship. He left abruptly and failed to so much as call Flynn since then. This is the second time Flynn was hurt by Ace; she wants no more to do with him. But this time there's a consequence to their impulsive coming together…a baby on the way.

We already know that Ace takes his responsibilities seriously, so it's no surprise that he wants to be an active father to the coming child. But Flynn has already had one marriage that failed due to an ambitious husband who put his work above all else. She sees the same trait in Ace. She won't take anything less than a deeply felt love. Too bad Ace doesn't understand women as well as he understands horses.

AIDAN: LOYAL COWBOY gives a realistic picture of horse ranching, family dynamics, and a faltering relationship between two good and likable people at cross purposes who belong together. Enough interior and exterior conflict exists to make things interesting.

Ace has two brothers: Colt follows the rodeo circuit and is mostly absent in between events; Tuf joined the Marines and doesn't stay closely in touch. Ace employs three fulltime hands and can always call upon his Uncle Joshua and cousins Duke and Beau for help. Five more books in the Harts of the Rodeo series are to follow in consecutive months by five different authors: C.J. Carmichael, Roz Denny Foz, Shelley Galloway, Marin Thomas, and Linda Warren. Check them out and get started on this heartwarming series with AIDAN: LOYAL COWBOY.

Jane Bowers