Reviewer: Connie Payne
Title: Make-Believe Cowboy - 1st in Bright Lights, Big Sky series
Author: Terry McLaughlin
Publisher: Harlequin
ISBN: 0-373-71372-X
Release Date: September 2006
Genre/Sub-genre: Contemporary-SuperRomance
Year/Setting: Present day - CA, MT
Overall Rating: 4.25
Sexual Content rating: Subtle/Sensual
Language (Profanity) Rating: Mild/Moderate
Violent Content Rating: Negligible
Terry's Website:
www.terrymclaughlin.com
The world of Hollywood make-believe hits Ellie Harrison’s ranch like a tornado. However, it’s a tornado she reluctantly needs in order to keep the ranch afloat. What she doesn’t expect, or need, is another disaster. One in the form of superstar, Fitz Kelleran.
Fitz Kelleran is known to leave a trail of broken hearts in his wake, and that’s the last thing Ellie needs is to have her heart toyed with, or that of her eleven-year-old daughter’s. Though she has to work with him on the movie set she hardens her already guarded heart from his charm. Unfortunately he quickly works his way into her and her daughter’s life and they work thier way into his. Something Ellie must put a stop to. If she can.
Fitz, on the other hand, seems to be at a cross roads in his life. He was sure which direction he wanted his life to head in, what he wanted his next big project to be. Until Ellie, that is. She turned him upside down and inside out with her hot nature and seemingly cold heart. Now nothing in his life is a sure thing. Except for his desire for Ellie, that is.
But Ellie wants nothing to do with a playboy superstar, who only wants to have a good time. She’s got a ranch to save. She’s got people she owes...in her mind more ways than one. She’s got a heart to guard. She had a dream once...but no more.
They’re worlds apart. It will never work. She’ll never fit in with the Hollywood life. He’ll never give up the acting he loves. The heart’s a funny thing though, it acts on its own and then it’s too late, no matter how hard the fight is or how impossible things may seem.
There are a variety of internal and external struggles going on in Ellie and Fitz’s lives. We see a wide range layers in Ellie and Fitz themselves. And since there are so many layers attached to both of them, each reader is going to see them and root for them in different ways. Some may see Ellie as heard-hearted while others may empathize with her situation. Some may see Fitz as a playboy while others may see him as unknowingly discovering his heart’s desire.
Make-Believe Cowboy seems to be an impossible love story. But as with the impossible, when the right characters and situations (some are sweet while others sizzle...) are created and brought together the impossible becomes possible.
I have no doubt we’ll be seeing more of Ms. McLaughlin’s work well into the future. She has a way of turning an old phrase into one that’s refreshing and new. Her voice is clear, her writing tight. A bright future is ahead...
Connie
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