"Pleasant diversion"

Kiss That Cowboy by Gayle Kaye. Magazine writer Candace Porter travels to Texas to prove that cowboys are not any sexier than the general male population, which means duds and zeros. After a few days of nothing to write home to mother let alone a magazine about, Candace meets ranch owner Tanner Carson and she knows she has found her personal cowboy centerfold. This contemporary western romance is an entertaining battle of the sexes starring an adorable hunk. However, the tale lacks humor and Candace is a stereotype of a tenderfoot, making her an ineffective heroine.

How the Sheriff Was Won by Anne Gracie. Jassie McQuilty inherits a small newspaper in Bear Claw, Montana from her great-uncle. However, the will contains a stipulation that Jassie must stay in town and publish the newspaper for one year or lose everything. Jassie expects three hundred and sixty five days of boredom until she meets Sheriff John T. Stone. This contemporary western romance also provides readers with an enjoyable gender battle, but though it has its amusing moments lacks the jocular bite expected of this imprint. John T. is a powerful lead male, but Jassie is a split personality. She is adorable when she works the presses, but pitiable when she goes for a short fling.

Gayle Kaye and Anne Gracie provide pleasant diversions, but neither tale attains the consistent witty crunch with strong characters the audience expects from Duets.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted October 19, 2001

Summary

How The Sheriff Was Won

One year. That's how long Jassie McQuilty has to stay in Bear Claw, Montana, before she can sell her great-uncle's newspaper. So while she's here, she might as well have some fun! When she literally runs into Sheriff John T. Stone, he has the word fling written all over him. He also doesn't want anything to do with Jassie or her big-city ideas. He was burned once by a woman, and doesn't plan on going through that again. But Jassie's determined...determined to get her man!