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Whirlwind Texas #5
Whirlwind Secrets
Handsome rancher and hotel owner Russ Baldwin has learned from harsh experience to look twice at people. He'll never let a woman cheat him again. So when his business partner, Miss Lydia Kent, moves into town, Russ goes on alert....
Russ's dark, watchful eyes rattle Lydia. She must keep her noble, yet underground, activities--and her emotions--tightly under wraps.
But it doesn't take long before Russ realizes his curvy, sweet-talkin' co-owner has hidden depths...and he's determined to uncover them!
Russ's dark, watchful eyes rattle Lydia. She must keep her noble, yet underground, activities--and her emotions--tightly under wraps.
But it doesn't take long before Russ realizes his curvy, sweet-talkin' co-owner has hidden depths...and he's determined to uncover them!
280 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
1 person is currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Debra Cowan
58 books28 followersaka Debra S. Cowan, Debra Marshall
A native Sooner, romance author Debra S. Cowan was born in Idabel, Oklahoma, and later moved to the Tulsa area. Like many writers, Debra made up stories in her head as a child. Her B.A. in English was obtained with the intention of following family tradition and becoming a school teacher, but after she wrote her first novel, there was no looking back.
An avid history buff, Debra enjoys traveling. She has visited places as diverse as Europe and Honduras, where she and her husband served as part of a medical mission team. Debra still lives in Oklahoma with her husband.
She is a member of Romance Writers of America and is the Past President of Oklahoma Romance Writers of America. Her writing has been called "fast-paced", "vivid", "emotionally satisfying", and distinguished by "strong, compelling characters". Romantic Times Magazine says, "Her stories have the charm, tenderness and sensuality that captivate and enchant." Affaire de Coeur predicts, "Cowan shows the beautiful promise of a rising star." And The Literary Times urges, "Treat yourself to a novel by Debra Cowan. You'll be glad you did."
A native Sooner, romance author Debra S. Cowan was born in Idabel, Oklahoma, and later moved to the Tulsa area. Like many writers, Debra made up stories in her head as a child. Her B.A. in English was obtained with the intention of following family tradition and becoming a school teacher, but after she wrote her first novel, there was no looking back.
An avid history buff, Debra enjoys traveling. She has visited places as diverse as Europe and Honduras, where she and her husband served as part of a medical mission team. Debra still lives in Oklahoma with her husband.
She is a member of Romance Writers of America and is the Past President of Oklahoma Romance Writers of America. Her writing has been called "fast-paced", "vivid", "emotionally satisfying", and distinguished by "strong, compelling characters". Romantic Times Magazine says, "Her stories have the charm, tenderness and sensuality that captivate and enchant." Affaire de Coeur predicts, "Cowan shows the beautiful promise of a rising star." And The Literary Times urges, "Treat yourself to a novel by Debra Cowan. You'll be glad you did."
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 9, 2021
Rancher Russ Baldwin is co-owner of the soon to be opened Fontaine hotel in Whirlwind, Texas. His partner arrives in town (pretty Lydia Kent) from Mississippi. Lydia is planning to secretly use part of the hotel for abused women. (She is part of an underground network trying to save battered women who are escaping from abusive situations, to help them begin new lives.) She doesn’t want Russ to know about this (the women are put in a secret room) but he seems to be getting suspicious of her activities at night. As time goes by, they become attracted to each other. Should Lydia tell Russ about her secret?
I really enjoyed this book. Lydia was a good heroine. She was a kind, strong minded, and practical woman, and I liked how she was trying to help the battered women. (Especially since her sister died at the hands of her abusive husband.) I also liked the hero Russ. There was a sweet secondary romance between Lydia’s maid Naomi and the town blacksmith, Ef, which I enjoyed. Lydia and Russ made a good couple and I liked meeting the townspeople of Whirlwind. I also liked the western, hotel setting.
An entertaining historical romance by Debra Cowan.
I really enjoyed this book. Lydia was a good heroine. She was a kind, strong minded, and practical woman, and I liked how she was trying to help the battered women. (Especially since her sister died at the hands of her abusive husband.) I also liked the hero Russ. There was a sweet secondary romance between Lydia’s maid Naomi and the town blacksmith, Ef, which I enjoyed. Lydia and Russ made a good couple and I liked meeting the townspeople of Whirlwind. I also liked the western, hotel setting.
An entertaining historical romance by Debra Cowan.
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March 1, 2010Linked to the previous Whirlwind titles. I'll be interviewing Debra Cowan on Feb. 10th on Facebook
Russ Baldwin and Lydia Kent may be business partners but that doesn't mean they trust each other beyond their hotel. It becomes obvious to Russ that Lydia is hiding something and after being burned by the woman he thought he loved, knowing Lydia is keeping something from him makes him extremely cautious. Lydia on the other hand is scared to share her secrets because they aren't only hers and may put a lot of people in danger. All she really wants is the partner she was expecting to get, one that left the hotel management completely to her and was no where near it to possible discover everything.
When things start to go wrong and her secrets come out, Russ is to far drawn into her life to just walk away like he wants to. It, however, takes a bit for that to sink into his thick head. LOL
These two are perfect for each other but both have past that are hard to forget and overcome. Both have severe trust issues. Both are desperately fighting their feelings. In other words, a perfect romance read! :)
Russ Baldwin and Lydia Kent may be business partners but that doesn't mean they trust each other beyond their hotel. It becomes obvious to Russ that Lydia is hiding something and after being burned by the woman he thought he loved, knowing Lydia is keeping something from him makes him extremely cautious. Lydia on the other hand is scared to share her secrets because they aren't only hers and may put a lot of people in danger. All she really wants is the partner she was expecting to get, one that left the hotel management completely to her and was no where near it to possible discover everything.
When things start to go wrong and her secrets come out, Russ is to far drawn into her life to just walk away like he wants to. It, however, takes a bit for that to sink into his thick head. LOL
These two are perfect for each other but both have past that are hard to forget and overcome. Both have severe trust issues. Both are desperately fighting their feelings. In other words, a perfect romance read! :)
March 28, 2011
So many secrets, so little time... I still don't get why Lydia didn't fess up to Russ early on... he was reliable from the outstart, imo.
They are a hot couple together and well-matched. I think they are my favourite Whirlwind pairing.
They are a hot couple together and well-matched. I think they are my favourite Whirlwind pairing.
December 2, 2025
While the safe-house concept was a winner, the story's disproportionate emphasis on Russ and Lydia's mutual desire ended up feeling overdone. Despite this imbalance, I would certainly read another book from Debra Cowan.
February 16, 2011
Having trouble believing I actually read this book. Of course, when it comes to fluff I'm REALLY not picky. Still, I typically draw the line at cowboys. The thing is, whoever buys for the Abilene public library has a thing about cops, soldiers, and cowboys. It's next to impossible to find fluff that doesn't involve a Hero-Man. I try, but sometimes I just give up.
Which brings us to this... book. When it comes to red-state romances, I've read worse. How's that for a ringing endorsement? It's highly improbable and somewhat boring. The thing that made it all worthwhile was one plot detail: Abilene is the next town over, the "big city" where the locals go to pick up prostitutes. My how times have changed.
Which brings us to this... book. When it comes to red-state romances, I've read worse. How's that for a ringing endorsement? It's highly improbable and somewhat boring. The thing that made it all worthwhile was one plot detail: Abilene is the next town over, the "big city" where the locals go to pick up prostitutes. My how times have changed.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews