Rancher Russ Baldwin is co-owner of the soon to be opened Fontaine hotel in Whirlwind, Texas. His partner arrives in town (pretty Lydia Kent) from Mississippi. Lydia is planning to secretly use part of the hotel for abused women. (She is part of an underground network trying to save battered women who are escaping from abusive situations, to help them begin new lives.) She doesn’t want Russ to know about this (the women are put in a secret room) but he seems to be getting suspicious of her activities at night. As time goes by, they become attracted to each other. Should Lydia tell Russ about her secret?

I really enjoyed this book. Lydia was a good heroine. She was a kind, strong minded, and practical woman, and I liked how she was trying to help the battered women. (Especially since her sister died at the hands of her abusive husband.) I also liked the hero Russ. There was a sweet secondary romance between Lydia’s maid Naomi and the town blacksmith, Ef, which I enjoyed. Lydia and Russ made a good couple and I liked meeting the townspeople of Whirlwind. I also liked the western, hotel setting.

An entertaining historical romance by Debra Cowan. ( )

I have just loved the Whirlwind series! Debra Cowan does an excellent job of really creating a connection between the reader and the characters. You could read this one alone and be totally happy but you'll enjoy it so much more if you read the entire series as Ms. Cowan keeps you up to date with all the previous characters with each new story.
Russ has been in all the Whirlwind books as the handsome ladies man and finally gets a chance at a love of his own. You'll have great respect for both characters in this one. Russ is trying hard to save his family's cattle ranch and Lydia is working to secretly save women from abuse.
My favorite part of the Whirlwind books is how the characters have real interactions with one another. They flirt, they tease, they smile, they fall in love....normally...not like in other books where everything seems a bit too formal and stiff. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I think you will too! ( )