What woman doesn't love a cowboy? The wide shoulders, tough exterior, and the take-charge attitude all add up to a pretty irresistible package for most women. Lynx Maddox gallops into our hearts in Connie Vines' latest book, Ride a Wild Heart, the first book in this contemporary romance series featuring, you guessed it, cowboys. So getting back to the question what woman doesn't love a cowboy? That would have to be Rachel.

Unfortunately for Rachel, her best girlfriend Charlene decided to fix her up with the hottest cowboy north of the Rio Grande. The minute she saw him she knew he was trouble with a capital T. The firm jaw, those mysterious eyes shadowed by the ever-present Stetson, not to mention the very impressive muscles on display in his form fitting jeans. Rachel was content to fantasize, until she realized this six-foot epitome of beefcake in cowboy boots was heading her way. What had Charlene done? Leave it to Charlene Davis to cut the prize stallion out of the herd. It didn't matter, Rachel reassured herself, because nothing would come of it. She wouldn't allow it to, especially after watching her Daddy die in the arena.

Good thing Lynx was unaware that Rachel had mentally put him on the shelf. All in all, it probably wouldn't matter a whole lot because other people's opinions didn't matter too much when he set his sights on something. Since he laid eyes on the sophisticated beauty there was no going back. He liked women as well as the next guy: pretty, wisecracking women especially. He knew that something deeper was going on when he saw red when a good-natured cowboy with too much to drink decided to corner Rachel for a dance. Before he realized it, fists flew, bottles broke, and Rachel was giving him the look. Not the one that said, "You're my hero." Instead it was the other one that mentioned something about men being dumber than animals. She was going to be a challenge all right, and he loved challenges. That's probably where his nickname came from: "wildcat."

Ride a Wild Heart starts out fast with the heroine trapped in a blind date of her friend's making. It goes from bad to worse after she is mauled by a drunk and is the cause of an all out bar brawl. Rachel is a strong, no-nonsense practical female. Lynx plays off methodical ways by being outrageous, impulsive, and incredibly persistent.

This is a fine western romance. It moved quickly and inspired several smiles, and a chuckle or two. Its only weak point was reaching for hackneyed phrase. A new word or two, a fresh metaphor, even a few surprising similes would take this book from being good to great.

Reviewed by Morgan
© January 2005