Cowboy Heat: Western Romance for Women

What could have been an enjoyable romp through cowboy clichés is marred by the inclusion of several stories with disturbing undertones. The inclusions that stand out for the right reasons are Cynthia D’Alba’s clever “Backstage Pass” and Randi Alexander’s excellent “Skin Deep.” In contrast, Layla Chase’s “Her Captured Cowboy,” where a historical setting is the flimsy excuse for overt racism and sexual assault, reads like a checklist of everything that could go wrong with the genre. Megan Mitcham’s “Coming Home” is clearly intended to be about a woman reuniting with her first crush, but it portrays a relationship that’s borderline abusive. After those two, the rest of a largely lackluster collection is a welcome relief. For readers new to the genre, this isn’t the most flattering introduction; those who have been to the western romance rodeo will know they can do a lot better. (June)