A Town Called Valentine

Cane’s debut contemporary sparkles with charm and gentle humor, buoyed by convincing protagonists who share a passion that slowly, deliciously ramps up. At loose ends, recent divorcée Emily Murphy arrives in Valentine Valley, a homey Colorado mountain town known for its romantic atmosphere, to take care of family business. Cowboy Nate Thalberg becomes an instant irritant yet unavoidable desire. As Emily attempts to recreate her unraveled life and handle staggering secrets while flailing around for the meaning of home, she unintentionally settles deeper into the welcoming town. Nate’s focus on not hurting Emily while trying to tame his own demons throws up realistic roadblocks. With an engaging narrative and charming setting, this cozy tale makes for a pleasurably satisfying read by a crackling fire on cold winter nights. Agent: Eileen Fallon, Fallon Literary Agency. (Feb.)