Palmer, a romance writer (Desperado) whose steamy tales often center around stereotypically sexy, straight-shooting lawmen and the virginal women who adore them, returns to the range with her latest contemporary western fairy tale. When Texas Ranger Judd Dunn secretly marries 16-year-old Christabel "Chrissy" Gaines, his partner on a small ranch in southeast Texas, the 34-year-old's only intent is to help Chrissy flee her abusive father and protect his family's share of the ranch. Judd plans on having their marriage annulled when Chrissy turns 21, but the cute blonde computer whiz who bakes apple pies, manages the ranch books and takes care of the livestock has other plans—she is hopelessly in love with him. When Judd rents out the struggling ranch to a film company, Chrissy, now 20, finds a rival for his affections in supermodel and actress Tippy Moore, a sardonic Julia Roberts clone. The spunky spitfire retaliates by finding herself another suitor, Judd's friend, assistant police chief Cash Grier, a former Ranger and possible covert assassin. Both men are investigating some local murders and suspicious livestock poisonings connected to a disgruntled ranch hand. Wide-eyed Chrissy eventually lassoes her man, but only after a rescue that's as corny as anything Hollywood could conjure. Palmer's characters are about as believable as a tornado in January, but readers looking for steamy, undemanding escapism will find this fits the bill. (July)
