Texas and England, 1889

The huge Maxwell clan began with one couple, Jake and Isabelle, who took in strays and orphans and made them their own. Now the younger generation is settling down, marrying and multiplying until the Texas hill country numbers Maxwells by the dozens. The family is about to increase -- aside from the impending births -- in a most surprising fashion.

Eden Maxwell, Jake and Isabelle's only natural child, is the first to spy the elderly stranger approaching the Broken Circle Ranch house. The gentleman is Alistair Davenport, Earl of Southampton, the hitherto unknown father of Isabelle! He has come to invite Jake, Isabelle, and Eden to spend the summer in England.

In England, the Davenport family -- consisting of the earl's nephew and heir, Cyril, his wife and two sons, Edward and Patrick -- look upon the impending arrival of illegitimate relations with suspicion, sure they come only for what they can get. Not that there is much that can be squeezed out of an estate racing toward bankruptcy. Cyril -- a not very nice man who overtly prefers his younger son Patrick to his hardworking heir, Edward, whose efforts since a teenager are the only thing keeping the earldom from losing everything -- is forcing Edward to propose to an heiress. Now Edward, unlike Patrick, is a countryman uncomfortable in Society, while Daphne, his prospective bride, is a city miss through and through. Her only conversation is about clothes and parties, and she's afraid of horses! But her father is a wealthy banker and she has been brought up to bring a title into the family.

No one could be more opposite than Eden and Daphne, a fact that is not lost on Edward. He never knew such strong, intelligent, and independent women existed. The idea a woman could partner a man is inconceivable to his brain. Not that the attraction he feels matters; his duty is to propose to Daphne.

Without going into spoilers, Edward eventually lands in Texas where the rest of TEXAS LOVING takes place. He gains a job as ranch hand for two of Eden's many brothers, Zeke and Hawk. The life is nothing like what he is used to, except for the horses. But even the cowponies differ from his Thoroughbred stallion.

TEXAS LOVING is fun. Eden is spirited and likable, but Edward is lovable. He can't understand why his father seems to detest him. His stepmother is kindly enough, but his true family feelings are reserved for Patrick. They are the best of brothers in spite of their differences. Much time is spent contrasting Eden and Daphne and the uptight, social strictures in England during Queen Victoria's dour widowhood and the freer society of Texas. But even there, Edward is an outsider.

TEXAS LOVING numbers thirteenth in Mr. Greenwood's popular Cowboy Series. Now that Eden, the youngest of Jake and Isabelle's children, has found love, will there be more? The hill country is teeming with the third generation of Maxwells. Why end a winning streak here?

Long time Greenwood readers will welcome TEXAS LOVING. New readers will enjoy this latest from the king of Western romances.

Jane Bowers