Busting Loose

Murray’s third Muldoon family contemporary (after Bucking the Rules) shows hidden depths to Bea, the youngest Muldoon sibling. Bea plays at being the helpless ditz so well that everyone in Marshall, S.Dak.—especially her sister, Peyton (familiar to readers from Taking the Reins)—underestimates her. But when she walks into her vet’s office, Morgan Browning sees past her “simpering starlet” act and promptly hires her as a receptionist. With Morgan’s support, Bea thrives, but she still longs to go back to L.A. and restart her faltering acting career. The chemistry between Bea and Morgan is explosive, and while Bea tries to treat it as a casual affair, Morgan showers her with affection and attention in hopes of keeping her in Marshall. The love scenes are fun and energetic, but Morgan’s willingness to rely on Bea and his ability to see through her facade are the strongest aphrodisiacs. Fans of modern westerns will love this tender romance with elements of family drama. Agent: Emmanuelle Morgen, Stonesong. (Jan.)