Country Boy, City Girl

Rating:
Summary: Nice, light romance, perfect for a day on the couch
Review: "Country Boy, City Girl" is one of those light romances that beg to be read curled up in a corner of the sofa with a pot of tea. Which I did, only in this case, I had iced tea.

The city girl is petite and widowed Veronica "Ronnie" Hawthorn from St. Louis. She has come to Green Springs Farm in Missouri with her six-year old daughter Natalie to set up shop in the old Darden's General Store. Ronnie is a clay artist determined to make a life and business in the country for her and her daughter.

The country boy is David M. Darden, CEO and President of one of the biggest discount department stores in the country. He's 6'4" tall with strawberry blonde hair and just happens to own Darden's General Store which his Aunt Edna has leased to Ronnie.

A simple game that Natalie has of sneaking up on Ronnie is the set up to the surprise first meeting of our two main characters. Ronnie hears stealthy steps and decides to catch Nat first, and when she whirls and plants a kiss, it's on none other than Dave Darden.

When Ronnie finds out that this is THE Dave Darden, she is mortified and determined to keep her distance. After all, this is the man seen in the tabloids on the arm of flashy country singer, Tammi Hart. But since Darden lives next door, keeping out of his way is just not possible.

This is a classic love story of boy meets girl, boy makes girl mad, boy gets girl. Appel is to be commended for including some lovely language that kept me reading.

"There must be static in the air," she mumbled.
"A storm's brewing, you think?" he said softly, gazing deep into the emerald mirrors of her soul.
Ronnie froze in place, entranced by the scent of Dave's sweet, musky aftershave and the nearness of him. "A storm?"
"Like thunder and lightning."

And this passage:

She and Dave were like sparklers. They flamed and fizzled in the velvety blackness of the night but, after their brief flash of light, the only thing left were two wire sticks covered with ash. As Nat had told her on the Fourth, "Sparklers all burnt up ain't much to look at and they're not worth keeping."

The plot twist I most enjoyed occurs during a canoe and caving adventure that results in an earthquake and lovemaking. Later that same day, Ronnie finds out that Dave had made some contacts which were helping her business. Ronnie is incensed and hurt because she wants to be able to succeed on her own and orders Dave out of her life. Both characters keep out of the other's way, trying to dampen their real emotions, until an accident brings to light their true feelings. A bonus surprise is revealed at the end that brings a sigh of contentment both to the characters and the readers that are watching them.

I enjoyed this romance and was pleasantly surprised by the lack of profanity and wouldn't have minded a longer read, perhaps telling more about the colorful supporting cast: Floyd, the hog farmer; Edna, Dave's Aunt; and of course, little Natalie. I also wished for more of a description of the clay artist's profession.

"Country Boy, City Girl" is just the right size for a day-long read for those romantic souls that long for a good love story.


Rating:
Summary: Heartwarming
Review: Cynthianna Appel has presented us with a charming easily read romance. "Country Boy, City Girl" introduces us to 'Ronnie' a delightful artistic independent woman and 'Dave' her landlord/neighbor. From first unexpected kiss the two are attracted. The author draws you into the midst of the tension crackling between Ronnie and Dave and with plausable action and authentic dialogue keeps you turning page after page to the loving conclusion. A great rainy afternoon read.
Beverly J Scott author of Righteous Revenge

Rating:
Summary: Heartwarming
Review: Cynthianna Appel has presented us with a charming easily read romance. "Country Boy, City Girl" introduces us to 'Ronnie' a delightful artistic independent woman and 'Dave' her landlord/neighbor. From first unexpected kiss the two are attracted. The author draws you into the midst of the tension crackling between Ronnie and Dave and with plausable action and authentic dialogue keeps you turning page after page to the loving conclusion. A great rainy afternoon read.
Beverly J Scott author of Righteous Revenge

Rating:
Summary: CEO to CEO
Review: This is a nice, heart-warming story of recently widowed Ronnie, trying to set up a new life for herself and daughter Nat. Renting an old farmhouse as a storefront, she begins establishing a business selling her artistic pottery creations. Ronnie is an independent minded woman, not liking to be dependent on another or having her decisions made for her, so when her neighbor and landlord Dave arrives to look both her and her store over, the first seeds of antagonism are placed, even though there is an obvious attraction between the two. Dave is CEO and president of a large discount store business, has a certain amount of typical male arrogance, and a little bit of a blind spot in understanding why Ronnie reacts so sharply to any business suggestions he makes. The errors and misunderstandings between the two form the basis for the lasting conflict between the two even as their romantic feelings for each other grow. How the conflict is resolved is quite predictable, but nevertheless very satisfying.

Appel does a very good job of making both Ronnie and Dave very believable (and very likeable) people, a prime requisite for any novel of romance. Her descriptions of the people of the small town and her quiet development of the events along the courtship road are nicely done, allowing the reader to sit back and just enjoy this simple story. Appel's prose style is very straightforward, with good but not overpowering descriptions and dialogue that matches her characters.

Perhaps it would have added some additional scope to the work if we had seen Dave in his business mode rather than see only his home-town and courting face (though you see intimations of it in his courting planning). I think it would have added a level of complexity and abrasion to the dynamics between him and Ronnie that would have made the story a little richer.

Not earth-shaking, but a very competently told story good for some relaxing entertainment.

Rating:
Summary: Great reviews for Country Boy, City Girl!
Review: Whenever I open a Cynthianna Appel novel I'm immediately engulfed by the warmth of her characters. She has the distinct talent to allow me to feel and experience the dramatic emotions that take place in her books. Readers will not be disappointed in her newest release; you will be rewarded with a down home love story that will long be remembered once you finish the last page.
--Suzie Housley for Bridges Magazine

Cynthianna Appel has written an exceptional Contemporary Romance. It has all the elements that immediately captured and maintained my full attention. Another winner!
--Myshelf.com Reviews

You've heard of comfort food? Well, COUNTRY BOY, CITY GIRL is comfort reading. Full of small town humor and neighborliness, the book is complete with an old-fashioned Fourth of July, homemade pickles and pies, and a swing beneath a magic tree. Set in the Missouri Ozarks, there is even a small,
feminine version of "Opey" urging on a romance between her mom and a locally based entrepreneur. Ronnie Hawthorn is every young woman and Green Springs is all that's good about small towns. A charming read.

--Marilyn Gardiner, author of FLIGHT OF ANGELS

Cynthianna Appel has crafted a story as warm and homey as the small Missouri town in which it's set. Packed with typical American family values, COUNTRY BOY, CITY GIRL is a gentle story with limited sensuality, but plenty of tease and flirting, filled with characters everyone will recognize from small town America. From the first pages, you'll feel you're home in Green Springs along with Ronnie Hawthorn.

Mary Allyce for The Write Lifestyle

COUNTRY BOY, CITY GIRL is another tender romance from
Ms. Appel. With lively characters, a fast pace,
smooth narrative and a heartfelt plot, this is a story
that will appeal to... romance fans. Within
the pages, you'll find a simple story of a growing
love that is sure to bring a smile to each reader's face.

Tracy Farnsworth for The Romance Readers Connection