"Love In Bloom"

Tex Jefferson is the brother who the others think has a commitment problem bigger than any of theirs. He is also a frustrated gardener trying to make roses bloom where his mother once had a wonderful garden.

Cissy Kisserton works with Marvella, Delilah's evil sister. She's stuck in a contract she doesn't want to be in, but as she's the primary caregiver for her many neices and nephews and her elderly grandmother she sees no choice. That is until she meets up with Tex. He decides that he's going to rescue her.

They steal Cissy's contract, make a copy, and find out that the easies solution is for Cissy to be married. They agree to a three month marriage so that Marvella will leave Sissy alone. Getting rid of Marvella, and handling other issues for Cissy don't take as long as either has planned. The length of the marriage is too short for either to admit to, but they see no choice and go their separate ways.

A few weeks go by and Cissy and Tex are both wallowing in their misery. Tex's brother's in their infinite wisdom again try to interfere. Does it work or doesn't it? Have to read to find out.

Ms. Leonard has again created a book that readers will laugh at, boo at, and cry with. Being taken through all the emotions to me makes a book worth the time it takes to read it. I for one was glad to see a lady from the "wrong" salon turn out to be a good girl, and get the love she deserves. Now the long wait until next year for Fannin's story. SIGH!!!

Reviewed by Sandi Shilhanek
Posted October 27, 2003

Summary

SHE WAS VERY, VERY GOOD . . .

Running from relationships was a surefire way to get caught in the marriage trap—and to get ragged on by his brothers. But no matter what those rascals said, Tex Jefferson wasn't afraid of intimacy—or of good girls. And to prove he was man enough to avoid the now-and- forever bonds of wedlock, he planned to temporarily marry Cissy Kisserton, the prettiest, naughtiest man magnet in Texas.

Somewhere between "I do" and make-believe bliss, his sinfully sexy wife became the most delectable, prettiest girl in town. Wicked she wasn't . . . so why was this love- 'em-and-leave-'em cowboy tempted to accept forever with her?