GREEN CALDER GRASS

Trodding the familiar terrain of the western romance with practiced skill, veteran novelist Dailey returns again to the Calder clan and its Triple C Montana ranch. Ty Calder has recovered from the kidnap/shooting that ended Calder Pride, and he and Jessy are joyfully expecting twins. Jessy, a cowhand's daughter, grew up on the ranch and shares a love for the land with Ty and Ty's father, Chase. The one obstacle to the family's continued prosperity is a 10,000-acre parcel of government land that lies within the ranch boundaries; negotiations for clear title are stalled in political wrangling between cattlemen and environmentalists. Jessy's nemesis is Tara, the glamorous daughter of rich industrialist E.J. Dyson, who was Ty's first wife. When Dyson suffers a fatal heart attack, a distraught Tara begs Cat, Ty's sister, who was once close to her, and Ty himself, to attend the Texas funeral. Reluctantly, Ty goes and falls victim to Tara's machinations to recapture his love—machinations that include Tara wangling herself an invitation to visit the ranch. Meanwhile, Jessy's twins are born, ex-convict Buck Haskell (once Chase's best friend) reappears and tensions build between Ty and Jessy—he resents cowhand Ballard's attentions to Jessy; she distrusts Tara. Tara's continued presence in their lives is the source of rumors and suspicions culminating in tragedy—and great opportunities for a sequel. While some characters are stereotypes, the villain is well disguised and Jessy is a strong role model for readers. After a slow scene-setting start, Dailey turns out a page-turner. (July 2)