Make Me Yours, Cowboy

Crush’s sparkling second Cowboys in Paradise romance (after Kiss Me Now, Cowboy) finds country superstar Knox Shepler struggling with a creative block and feuding with his management over his next album. He takes a much needed break on Paradise Island, Tex., adopting the name Nolan to stay incognito—and immediately connects with bartender Claudia. Claudia fled Minneapolis four years earlier (for reasons not disclosed until much later) and stays far away from both commitment and the mainland, hiding out in her beachside bungalow. Knox and Claudia’s chemistry sparks quickly, giving way to some red-hot sex scenes, but Knox worries that limelight-averse Claudia—who’s had some bad experiences with famous men—will shut him down once he reveals his celebrity status. Crush keeps the pages flying, and a charming supporting cast—especially bar owner Chick, teenage singer Gabe, and Tripod, paradise’s resident giant tortoise—adds to the appeal. Readers will fall just as hard for Knox and Claudia as they do for each other. Agent: Jessica Watterson, Sandra Dijkstra Literary. (June)