Sandy M’s review of The Cattleman (Sons of Texas, Book 2) by Anna Jeffrey
Contemporary Western Romance published by Anna Jeffrey Books 15 Sep 14
I’ve been looking forward to this book ever since reading The Tycoon, the first in the series. I had a wonderful time with Drake and Shannon. So my anticipation was super high when given the chance to read and review The Cattleman. I love reading about brothers, so these Lockhart siblings of the Double Barrel Ranch hit the spot for me. Pickett is The Cattleman, and his relationship with the local swim coach and English teacher is going along quite smoothly. But, of course, rough waters are ahead for them.
Both Pic and Mandy have been married before, but even that couldn’t wipe out the feelings they have for each other. They’re know each other most of their lives. For Mandy, she’s always loved Pic and hopes they have a future together. For Pic, he craves Mandy like no other woman, but to marry again just isn’t something he thinks about. Especially now that he’s taken over running the ranch. There’s hardly any time to make the trek into town to spend a weekend with his woman, so when he does make it to Mandy’s place, the lovin’ runs the gamut from intense to sweet.
This is where Pic’s mother meddles in her sons’ lives once again. She didn’t learn her lesson with Drake, so she’s hoping she can do something to show Pic Mandy is beneath him. Out of the blue a photographer – a beautiful, sensual photographer – shows up at the ranch, having been told by Mrs. Lockhart it’s okay to take pictures for a Texas magazine. And this is where I wanted to slap Pic up the side of the head every time he comes in contact with this woman, which is plenty as long as she stays on the ranch. He reacts to her – her appearance – right from the first. He wants her from the first, and that makes me mad. Especially once we discover how inept, arrogant, and blonde this so-called photographer is. She complains about everything, questions everything Pic and his family stand for, and still he’s attracted to her. Even when he doesn’t like her all that much. Even when he knows his mother is behind her being there. Stupid man.
Okay, I do have to give him credit that he tries to keep his distance. He knows he’ll be in mega trouble the more time he spends with her. Then he learns a bit of her story and he’s sympathetic. Well, I’m not. Not one bit. There’s not a thing that can be said to make her likable when she dresses like a slut, when she’s out for something that’s not hers, when she takes and never gives. when she doesn’t work for and earn anything at all. I do hope we never see this woman again, but I have a feeling that hope will be dashed in the future.
My feelings about Pic oscillate from loving his sexy and fun ways to wanting to kill him if strays into territory where he shouldn’t. Even his thoughts stray, and I know he’s a man and men do that, but I don’t have to like it. Then when Mandy finally sees that slutty interloper, she’s pushed even more to make a monumental decision that will affect their relationship big time. About this time is when Pic finally begins to see the light. He shows Mandy his love instead of saying the words, mostly due to his parents’ disaster of a marriage. The problem with that, for me, is I never do feel his love for her. His actions are sweet and definitely heartfelt, but the feeling of love isn’t as present as it would be otherwise. But, that being said, Ms. Jeffrey is true to his character, so, in all honesty, I can’t have it both ways. I am happy the strumpet is left in the dust.
It’s my issues with Pic and his arousing attraction he has for the strumpet that keeps me from enjoying this book as much as the first. However, he is a sexy and handsome cowboy and eventually straightens up to see the error of his ways, even if he does take the long way around.
Grade: B
Summary:
Ever since a disastrous marriage and divorce at a young age, Pickett Lockhart has kept his emotions under control. He’s preoccupied anyway with learning to be the general manager of the vast Double-Barrel Ranch outside of Drinkwell, Texas. Still, his older brother’s marriage and looming fatherhood has aroused an envy within him to have a wife, kids and home of his own. But he can’t get married, even to a woman he loves who also loves him. His divorce cost him and his family a bundle, leaving him with an overwhelming fear of stepping into another financial trap.
Amanda Breckenridge, winning swim team coach and English teacher in Drinkwell High School, has been in love with Pic for as long as she can remember. They were high school sweethearts. After he eloped with someone he met in college, Amanda left Drinkwell. Her father’s illness brought her back to town and a revived relationship with Pic. But Pic’s mother has never thought Amanda was good enough for him. She intends to destroy their relationship by sending a friend’s beautiful daughter to the ranch to tempt Pic. Can Amanda and Pic’s bond survive his mother and her schemes? Or the unexpected career opportunity that falls into Amanda’s lap?
No excerpt available.
Other books in this series:
