Wild Cowboy Country

Laurel Kerr, writing as Marsh, returns to charming Sagebrush Flats and its zoo in the swoony, well-paced third Where the Wild Hearts Are romance (after Wild on My Mind). Rocky Ridge National Park ranger Lacey Montgomery, the town sweetheart, is working to reintroduce endangered Mexican gray wolves into the area; gorgeous city-slicker Clay Stevens, the town pariah, recently inherited his grandfather’s ranch and does not want wolves killing his cattle. But after Clay’s troubled teenage nephew, Zach, and Zach’s drunken buddies accidentally collapse a wolf den, Zach and Clay help Lacey to rescue the affected wolf pups and bring them to the safety of the Sagebrush Zoo. In the process, Lacey sustains a concussion that lands her on leave from her ranger job. She volunteers at the zoo for the summer, which also happens to be where Zach is completing his state-mandated community service—so Clay offers to chauffeur them both. Clay and Lacey share an intense attraction, but Clay will have to overcome Lacey’s distrust of him and his family to win her over. Periodic perspective shifts into the heads of the zoo’s animals add a unique charm, lightening the serious themes of family baggage and environmental conflict. This bighearted enemies-to-lovers romance is a treat. Agent: Sarah Phair, Sandford J. Greenburger Assoc. (Aug.)