Somewhere Down in Texas

Port Serenity #3

by Ann DeFee

The Barbecue isn't The Only Thing Heating Up

Marci Hamilton loves her hometown of Port Serenity, but life's been a little dull lately. So she enters a barbecue-sauce cook-off with her flamboyant sister, Sissy Aguirre. The events are held all over Texas and sponsored by country music superstar J. W. Watson. Marci's heard of J.W. but she sure wouldn't recognize him, so when their car breaks down on the way to the first cook-off and Marci gets some unexpected help from a handsome cowboy, she has no idea that 'Johnny Walker' is none other than J.W. himself

After a previous relationship disaster--with a guy featured on America's Most Wanted--Marci is understandably cautious. But the battle against falling in love with Johnny is a losing one. This time around, Marci isn't sure if she's going to get burned or if she's cooking up a Texas-size happy ending along with that award-winning barbecue sauce

224 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2007

About the author

As a "feel good" author Ann DeFee infuses humor into her romantic comedy, mystery, magic realism (where the surreal becomes reality), humor/satire and action/adventure stories. A multi-award winner, Ann has written twelve novels for Harlequin and an additional three for Bellastoria Press. She has won, or was a finalist in ten national and international book award contests. Believe in the Magic leads the way with a Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal, a Chanticleer Somerset Fiction Award winner and is now a Grand Prize Finalist in the Eric Hoffer Book Award.
As a business woman, Ann is a managing-partner of Bellastoria Press LLP, an independent hybrid publishing company that specializes in shepherding authors through the book publishing process.
On a personal note, Ann loves living in her stories (both writing and reading) and research. She lives in Williamsburg, VA, the epicenter of American history, a perfect place to be actively involved in a national organization that focuses on history, patriotism and genealogy.
Her guilty pleasure is that she’s addicted to hot chocolate (regardless of the season) and she loves all things that glitter.

Reviews

[Gale · Rating 4 out of 5]

(I read the re-release titled Texas Road Trip)

Okay. Did you ever experience (either first-hand or watching) a sibling bond so strong that when they snipe at one another they make you crazy, but nothing will break it part? Marci and Sissy are the perfect example of what I could compare to Lucy and Ethel. OMG, they are hilarious and crazy and frustrating and so very loyal that you can’t help but cheer for them, no matter what mischief they get into.

This story is about Marci, who is a retired kindergarten teacher, meeting and ultimately falling for a ranch hand named Johnny…who is not what or whom he seems. “Johnny” doesn’t tell her who he is and it is that mayhem, amongst other things, that creates one raucous courtship! It is truly a wild trip to read and has much fun, snarky humor, intrigue (hey BBQ sauce is big contest business!) and a love story that will keep you reading long after you should stop for the night. There were times I was frustrated by Marci’s inability to be flexible or trusting but it is her character and without it, she wouldn’t be who she is in the story.

Lots of fun, great characters, and a fun read.

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been re-released I believe as Texas Road Trip.
When two sisters who are over the 60 mark are looking for something fun to do, they enter a 4 weekend BBQ contest. The grand prize is enough for Marcie to get her dream car (a VW bug convertible) and Sissy to buy all the boots and shoes and clothes she could ever want-plus be on TV. Sissy's ex-husband agrees to haul the grill with his vehicle, and the ladies take off in Sissy's red sporty convertible. When they run out of gas while lost on a back road, a friendly "cowboy" sees them and rescues them. He is immediately attracted to Marcie and hatches a plan to win her over.

This is a refreshing love story with a HEA ending that is for the mature reader. Good manners, tenderness and sizzle all combine to a sweet story about the people of Texas. Although it is part of a series, it stands alone as well. The descriptions of the countryside and people at the cook-offs leave you feeling like you were actually there. A perfect book to relax with on a warm summer day (or a cold winter's night.)

[Mrs. Garen L. Herd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Another great Port Serenity book. Who says you can't have romance after 60. A lot of romance (not as sexy as the others in the series), funny and a tiny bit of mystery. A lot of the previous characters appear, as well as some new. The romance starts with a major lie and ends with a bang. Highly recommend.

[Jessica N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best story!

Not only is this my favorite in the series so far, it's one of my favorite books! The story is well written without being a cliché of older people romance. Looking forward to the story in this series.