E.Elizabeth Watson has made me swoon again. The arid hills of West Texas bloom with love and passion in her newest contemporary love story, THE COWBOY’S TEXAS ROSE. Rose, a twice-stung archaeology professor with a small child, isn’t taking any chances on her annual student dig. Sure, she can match the witty repartee of a ne’er-do-well cowboy who carries pink lacy underthings in his truck. But that’s all.

Everything changes once she discovers his love for the ancient landscape she studies and he calls home. The Panther Shaman site located on Toby’s Legacy Ranch is a treasure trove of an ancient civilization.

This is the first time I’ve been sent an Advance Reader Copy and asked to write an honest assessment of the book. I’ve read several of E. Elizabeth Watson’s Scottish romances and enjoyed them very much.

This one, too, warmed all the cockles in my heart. So I can enthusiastically recommend this adorable book.

One more thing, Indiana Jones fans. The this-belongs-in-a-museum exchanges, along with author Watson’s descriptions of the landscape, the archeological digs, and the history of long-gone peoples are for you.

But the novel is more than that. This story, while paying homage to the work and research of archaeologist and the wonders of long ago they uncover, is also a deeply-felt love story. After Rose and Toby learn of their shared passion for antiquities and ancient civilizations, they find passion of another sort kindling in their own hearts.

This isn’t an easy part of the world. From scorpions to jealous ex-lovers, everyone must remain on constant watch to stay safe. Can Rose and Toby let their guard down long enough to find their own happily-ever-after?

This Texas romance will have you turning the pages to find out.

Watson’s book releases from Tule Publishing Feb. 15.