Hot Texas Sunrise: Coldwater, Texas, Book 2

Fossen’s second Coldwater, Texas contemporary (after Lone Star Christmas) falls flat. Having a criminal record and being a bar owner prevents Cleo Delaney from fostering her deceased best friend’s three sons. She turns to her former foster brother, Deputy Judd Laramie, for help. Although his alcoholism is not on record, Judd has been sober only one year, making him doubt he’s ready to handle such a big responsibility. However, he endured several abusive foster parents himself before being placed with kindly Buck Laramie, who showed him what a truly loving family looks like, and he doesn’t want the boys to stay with their abusive grandmother, Lavinia. He ropes in his family to assist. Cleo’s plan is for the Laramies to foster in name only, as she will take on the responsibility, but the family is all in. Lavinia doesn’t want the boys, but she blames Cleo (rather than her own destructive behavior) for shattering Lavinia’s relationship with her daughter, the boys’ mother, so she wreaks havoc on Cleo’s business and challenges the placement. The premise is promising and the characters are complex and loyal, but the plot is forced. There is no chemistry between Cleo and Judd and the romance is more of an afterthought. Even Fossen’s fans may want to give this one a pass. (Mar.)