Backstage Murder, Freydont, Shelly

THE BADDEST VIRGIN IN TEXAS by Maggie Shayne
Silouette Intimate Moments June 1997
Very Highly Recommended

Nine-year-old Lash Monroe lives in a foster home with three older boys. His foster father is a strict reverend, whose wife is a helpless, coddled person. As the lowest link in the food chain, Lash is the recipient of many beatings from his foster brothers and has been punished for many deeds he did not commit. He vows to never associate with a spoiled woman and to never be part of a large family.

About twenty-five years later, Lash works on the Brand ranch, a spread owned by Jessica Brand and her older brothers. Jessica is very attracted to Lash, but he treats her like she is a little girl. Jessica uses her recently obtained veterinary license to open a local practice which causes Lash problems. He is shocked by her defying her brothers by her opening her practice since he thought she was an overindulged brat. Jessica also plans to use her female wiles to prove to Lash that she is no longer a child. However, Lash plans to leave town before a very determined Texan completes her capture of his heart.

Book Two of the Texas Brand Series has the Maggie Shayne brand stamped all over it: a poignant humorous love tale. THE BADDEST VIRGIN IN TEXAS is a great romance due to the distinct differences in the characterization of the supporting cast (especially the five Brand siblings and Chelsea). However, it is Lash, who takes learned lessons in childhood into adulthood (the lash-up is brilliantly designed) and his unrelenting inner turmoil that places this novel above the pack. Readers will be placed on decaf until the third book is released.

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner 5/22/97

THE BADDEST BRIDE I