A big-city fashion designer falls for a cowboy firefighter in Redford's lackluster seventh Smokin' Hot Cowboys romance (after Cowboy Firefighter Heat). Belle Tarleton hopes to turn her new Wildcat Bluff County ranch, the Lazy Q, into a dude ranch and home base for Lulabelle & You, her successful line of women's western wear. Belle plans to debut the revamped ranch with a Christmas party--leaving just six weeks to complete renovations. Hoping to ingratiate herself with the hostile townsfolk by hiring locally, Belle enlists handsome rancher and firefighter Rowdy Holloway--unaware that Rowdy's in on a conspiracy to run Belle and her "crazy dude ranch idea" out of town. But when Rowdy meets Belle, he is taken aback by her beauty and heart and has second thoughts. Caught between his obligation to the town and his growing feelings for Belle, Rowdy feels like "the unluckiest cowboy alive." Interference from the Buick Brigade--a group of meddling older ladies--and the drama surrounding a missing cow enliven the otherwise dull romance. And the abrupt, disappointing ending means readers never get to experience Christmas day in Wildcat Bluff County. This isn't one to live long in the memory. Agency: Elaine English, Elaine P. English Literary. (Oct.)

Hoping to return to her cowgirl roots, Belle Tarleton relocates to Wildcat Bluff County, where she has a new ranch which she wants to renovate in time to throw a Christmas party, but nothing is going as planned. What she doesn't know is that her neighbors aren't too keen on her dude ranch plans. Rowdy, the unluckiest cowboy in the whole county, drew the short straw and is sent to purposely if covertly delay progress. But he immediately falls hard for the woman he's supposed to be pushing away. It'll take the help of four wise older women to pave the way to a happy, love-filled Christmas. Everything's larger-than-life in this Texas county, with big personalities, grand action, and elements bordering on mystical. Although Redford's plot is overstuffed, the endearing community and scorching romance make for a fun holiday escape.