For the Record

Rather Than Wait for a Hero, She Decided to Create One

Betsy Huckabee has big-city dreams, but nobody outside of tiny Pine Gap, Missouri, seems interested in the articles she writes for her uncle's newspaper. Her hopes for independence may be crushed until the best idea she's ever had comes riding into town.

Deputy Joel Puckett didn't want to leave Texas, but unfair circumstances have made moving to Pine Gap his only shot at keeping a badge. Worse, this small town has big problems, and masked marauders have become too comfortable taking justice into their own hands. He needs to make clear that he's the law in this town-and that job is made more difficult with a nosy reporter who seems to follow him everywhere he goes. 

The hero Betsy creates to be the star in a serial for the ladies' pages is based on the dashing deputy, but he's definitely fictional. And since the pieces run only in newspapers far away, non one will ever know. But the more time she spends with Deputy Puckett, the more she appreciates the real hero-and the more she realizes what her ambition could cost him. (copy of back cover)

For the Record by Regina Jennings was yet another cute romance with a western flair. Betsy is a fiery heroine if there every was one, but she meets her match with Joel Puckett. They are honestly an adorable couple, and their banter and budding friendship really made the book for me. They were two characters I could actually see together; it was believable. 

Cute romance, plus cozy mountain settings, equal a compelling book. Add in the crime-busting action, and For the Record was hard to put down. There was just the right tinge of adventure in the book, but not too much to detract from the romance.

If I had one gripe, it would be Betsy's insatiable passion for her trade. Her ambition is so over the top, it jeopardizes her relationship with Joel. That aspect did add to the suspense of the book, but it was kind of irritating. I probably would have liked her better if she hadn't been such a selfish pain when it came to her own ambitions. That being said, she was an overall likable character, so I can overlook it. ;) 

I think anyone with a penchant for western romances and independent heroines will fall in love with For the Record, and I definitely recommend it.

*I received a free copy of this book in order to review it.