Sandy M’s review of The Tycoon (Sons of Texas, Book 1) by Anna Jeffrey
Contemporary Western Romance published by CreateSpace 16 Feb 13
It’s always the little things in life that end up knocking us for a loop. In this case, for Shannon Piper, a real estate agent who has worked her tail off to make her small-town business a success, it’s a five-acre parcel of land that sits smack dab in the middle of other acreage she owns. That little plot is the difference between the big time and small potatoes for her. Drake Lockhart looks at it a bit differently.
What I like too about that five acres is the fact Anna Jeffrey strings us along, putting off Shannon finding out if her bid will be accepted. So we know that when the day finally comes and it’s revealed who does win that bid, all hell is going to break loose. So until that happens late in the book, when our anticipation is at its maximum, we get a terrific story of two characters who meet by chance, and the old saying about eyes meeting across a crowded room comes to life.
Hoping to make some contacts, Shannon attends a snazzy gathering of the top movers and shakers in the real estate industry. Things don’t come to fruition as she’d hoped, but eye contact with that handsome man gave her a tingle rush, which returns when he approaches her in the bar, not mincing words when telling what he wants from her. Taking a crazy chance, Shannon gives in to the desire that bursts wide open all the while she’s near Drake Lockhart.
On top of his game, Drake’s only problem in life is a spoiled daddy’s girl who drinks too much and embarrasses them both every time they’re together. Tonight is no exception. Calling off their on-agan-off-again relationship, Drake would rather spend time with someone like Shannon Piper. Real, honest, and sexy as hell. Having her in his bed is amazing and he wants more. But after their explosive night together, he wakes up alone. Only through quirks of fate does he find her again, and this time he’s not letting go.
I thoroughly enjoyed these two characters. Shannon is totally focused on her business, doesn’t want anything to get in the way. Including Drake. But she can’t keep that resistance up when he’s around. Even making her “just sex” deal with him doesn’t work. One touch and they’re both out of control. Drake is out of town on business a lot, so he takes Shannon along more and more, where they get to know one another, have built up a trust between them, the beginning of a very nice relationship.
But there’s outside sources that are getting in the way. One is Drake’s mother. Talk about a meddler, in cahoots with the ex-girlfriend. Especially when she’s going through relationship problems of her own with Drake’s dad. Then as the time gets closer to discovering who the high bidder is on that five acres, again more suspicision causes problems for Drake and Shannon. And though Shannon’s reaction is predictable, as with how they’ve handled everything so far, these two talk things out after a while.
In between our getting to know Drake and Shannon, we are also introduced to Drake’s family at the Double-Barrel Ranch, his younger siblings and his parents, each throwing craziness his way to handle. I like that Ms. Jeffrey doesn’t make us wait three-quarters of the book before Drake and Shannon hit the sheets. A lot of books do that anymore, and I’m a tad tired of it. There’s a lot to be said for sexual tension, but sometimes it’s just better for characters to get their move on. These two do that quite early, and their sexapades throughout after that are fun as well as intense and satisfying.
I’m looking forward to more books with this family. There’s a lot going on. This book is a bit over 400 pages, but not once was I bored and wished things would move faster. If Ms. Jeffrey stays the course in consistency with what she’s introduced readers to with this story, the other books will be just as good as this one.
Grade: A-
Summary:
When wealthy Texas ranching scion and business tycoon, DRAKE LOCKHART, encounters stunning SHANNON PIPER at a fancy ball, the last thing he expects is a tryst he can’t forget with a woman who disappears in the middle of the night. Once he finds her, he recognizes his bachelor days are over, but she isn’t ready. She doesn’t trust him. She wants to restrict their relationship to “just sex.” Surmounting the barriers she erects isn’t easy, especially when without his knowledge, an associate in his powerful company yanks a coveted real estate buy out from under her. He loves her and she loves him, but how will he ever restore her faith in him?
No excerpt available.
Other books in this series:
The Cattleman – Pic’s story
