La-Shauna F. (SHADY) reviewed Bidding on a Texan (Texas Cattleman's Club: Heir Apparent, Bk 8) (Harlequin Desire, No 2828) on + 1266 more book reviews
The stunning conclusion! With the final book in the Texas Cattleman's Club: Heir Apparent series Barbara Dunlop picks up the reigns to bring us Rafe and Gina's story in BIDDING ON A TEXAN. I enjoyed them as a couple very much and felt like their relationship was fairly well developed for the fast paced length of this book, but I felt like the series arc coming to an end was a little less exciting and fulfilling than I would have hoped. I enjoyed the series as a whole, I just wanted a bit more drama and angst in the end for the Edmonds fam.
Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Good conclusion to the series. In the previous books, the town of Royal and its people got behind the planned Soirée on the Bay cultural event organized by the Edmonds family. Many businesses contributed money as sponsors. But when a tornado ripped through the event site a few days before the event was due to start, the organizers and participants discovered millions of dollars missing from the event's accounts. The Edmonds found themselves suspected of the theft and became overnight pariahs.
Many of the contributing businesses find themselves facing bankruptcy because of the missing funds. One of those business owners is Rafe Cortez-Williams, owner of the RCW Steakhouse. Though his personal finances could survive the hit, losing the restaurant means the employees he thinks of as family would lose their jobs. He holds the Edmonds family responsible and thinks they should make it right for the people of Royal.
Gina Edmonds and her brothers agree that they need to do something to help, but the question is, what can they do? Gina comes up with the idea of auctioning off ranch experiences with bachelor cowboys from those ranches. The idea gets a lukewarm reception until Rafe steps in to help her out.
I liked Gina and Rafe. Gina is intelligent and enthusiastic, though a bit naïve, and as the baby of the family, is treated like a pampered princess. The ideas she proposes for the family business are continually shot down because none of the men in her family take her seriously. While it frustrates her, in the past, she caves in and lives up to their expectations. Rafe's experiences are much different. Part of a ranching family, he bucks tradition and goes his own way, fulfilling his dream of owning a restaurant. I liked his focus on making his dream a reality while maintaining his family relationships.
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Gina and Rafe. They rubbed each other the wrong way during their first meeting, but there were sparks of attraction under the antagonism. Despite his belief that Gina is a pampered princess clueless about the real world, he finds himself wanting to help her. Though she has no idea how to plan such an event, Gina is determined to succeed and cautiously accepts Rafe's help. I loved the banter between them as Rafe pushes Gina outside her comfort zone, and Gina calls him out about his attitude towards her. As they worked together, they brought out the best in each other, and the attraction between them grew stronger. Both fight against their feelings for each other but eventually can't deny them. A misunderstanding nearly puts an end to their relationship, but their love wins out in the end.
While the auction turned out well, I felt some issues were still left unresolved. And while most of the characters were members of the Cattleman's Club, the Club itself didn't play much of a part in this series.
Many of the contributing businesses find themselves facing bankruptcy because of the missing funds. One of those business owners is Rafe Cortez-Williams, owner of the RCW Steakhouse. Though his personal finances could survive the hit, losing the restaurant means the employees he thinks of as family would lose their jobs. He holds the Edmonds family responsible and thinks they should make it right for the people of Royal.
Gina Edmonds and her brothers agree that they need to do something to help, but the question is, what can they do? Gina comes up with the idea of auctioning off ranch experiences with bachelor cowboys from those ranches. The idea gets a lukewarm reception until Rafe steps in to help her out.
I liked Gina and Rafe. Gina is intelligent and enthusiastic, though a bit naïve, and as the baby of the family, is treated like a pampered princess. The ideas she proposes for the family business are continually shot down because none of the men in her family take her seriously. While it frustrates her, in the past, she caves in and lives up to their expectations. Rafe's experiences are much different. Part of a ranching family, he bucks tradition and goes his own way, fulfilling his dream of owning a restaurant. I liked his focus on making his dream a reality while maintaining his family relationships.
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Gina and Rafe. They rubbed each other the wrong way during their first meeting, but there were sparks of attraction under the antagonism. Despite his belief that Gina is a pampered princess clueless about the real world, he finds himself wanting to help her. Though she has no idea how to plan such an event, Gina is determined to succeed and cautiously accepts Rafe's help. I loved the banter between them as Rafe pushes Gina outside her comfort zone, and Gina calls him out about his attitude towards her. As they worked together, they brought out the best in each other, and the attraction between them grew stronger. Both fight against their feelings for each other but eventually can't deny them. A misunderstanding nearly puts an end to their relationship, but their love wins out in the end.
While the auction turned out well, I felt some issues were still left unresolved. And while most of the characters were members of the Cattleman's Club, the Club itself didn't play much of a part in this series.
