Jon Rider is a cowboy with a ranch to run, but he also has seven kids to raise – on his own, since his wife died in a tragic accident just over a year ago.  When his late wife’s parents sic child services on him, he finds himself struggling even more since his last housekeeper just quit on him without notice.  When the social worker shows up, he is in the middle of calving season, and dealing with a heifer and calf in trouble. 

Kaycee Calloway never expects to fall in love again.  She came to Montana to start her own vet practice, and has grand plans that do not include a man and his seven kids.  When she is called to the Rider ranch for a troubled birth, Jon’s daughter announces to the social worker, that Kaycee is going to be their new mom.  As the lie about Kaycee and Jon’s engagement comes from Jon’s mouth, Kaycee decides to go along with it because she believes in her gut that Jon does care about his kids and can take care of them. 

MAKE BELIEVE MOM is an emotional drama interlaced with humor.  Elaine Grant has written a novel filled with tension of many varieties.  From the sexual tension between Jon and Kaycee, the tension between the children as they find their place in the family, to the tension between Jon and his in-laws, the characters became firmly placed in this reader’s heart.  This is a novel to cherish, it is realistic and will tempt reader’s into wanting to see a working ranch in Montana! 

Ms. Grant manages to take the characters by the hand and give them personalities as they go through daily life on a ranch.  While the times are hard for the Rider family they also enjoy each other and the characters come alive.  Jon’s children may be secondary characters but each one speaks to the reader.  This reader especially loved the ranch foreman, Clint and Rosie the new housekeeper, hopefully Ms. Grant may someday give them their own story. 

This month’s Super Romance offerings under the Cowboy Country heading are all to be cherished, but this one spoke to this reader and will remain a keeper on her book shelf.

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