Amazon Category:  Romance Publisher: The Wild Rose Press ISBN-10:  1601540353 Pages: 188 Copyright: April 1, 2007 ISBN-13: 9781601540355 An enticing, thrilling, edge-of-your-seat romance that spins with great freshness in an explosive read that satisfies. The sound of the door closing barely registered in Cassie's mind as she stripped out of her sullied garments. She jumped into the wooden tub, water splashing over the rim. Grabbing the soap, she lathered her hair, consuming a large part of the rinsing water on that task alone. A yelp escaped her when she washed her face and touched the forgotten gash on her temple. The image of Ike's snarling face leaning over her flashed before her eyes, and her stomach knotted in response. She began to wash every inch of her flesh. She scrubbed until she was raw, her skin red, and she panted from her own violent exertions. Leaning against the tub's raised back, Cassie wiped tears from her eyes. The unexpected creak of the floorboards startled her, and she spun around, crossing both arms to cover her breasts. Good Lord, how long had he been standing there? She hadn't even heard the door open. "Sorry, didn't know anybody was here." Cassie thought Cole's voice was about an octave lower. He turned around and spoke to her over his shoulder. Stepping out of the tub, she wrapped the towel around her torso. "Ever heard of knocking?" "I did," he said in his characteristic, lazy drawl. "Twice." "Well, I didn't hear you." She pulled the gingham dress over her head. "Then you must be losing your hearing," he replied, his voice a high-pitched imitation of hers. "I assure you that I'm not." Cassie straightened the dress as best she could, a difficult task given her damp skin. "Please, don't let me hold you up," she said as she marched by him. Grabbing her arm, Cole pulled her back. "What happened?" He stared at the red marks on her neck, exposed by her unbuttoned collar. Cassie's entire body tingled with the way his eyes strayed from her neck, to her shoulders, to her breasts. She suddenly felt very vulnerable, the numbing effects of the laudanum dissipating with every breath she took. "N-nothing," she said. "The water was too hot." His eyes locked with hers, and she felt a longing in the pit of her stomach she'd never known before. She felt alive, like her body burned from the inside out, and a deep ache settled somewhere in her womb. An ache she somehow knew only he could allay. "I have to go," she said without making the slightest attempt to leave. He was so close, his face just inches from hers. She leaned into him, breathed in his familiar scent. He coiled an arm around her waist. "No you don't." Slowly, he dipped his head, and his lips skimmed hers. Cassie closed her eyes, her body quivered, despite the heat he stoked within her. She cursed her own weakness around this man. How she would melt, like butter in the sun, beneath his slightest touch. Just like Sylvia probably did. She fought the image of him holding Sylvia as he was holding her now. His eyes filled with passion, those full lips inviting, a sweet nepenthe for her battered soul. With a surprising show of strength, she placed both hands flat against his chest and shoved him away. He looked at her, a mixture of confusion and surprise flickered in those whiskey eyes. Cassie closed the gap between them and slapped him across the face. "Don't take such liberties with me, Mr. Mitchell." She dashed out the door before he could react. Afraid if she stayed, he'd see right through her farce, and kissed her until she was dizzy. The way she really wanted him to.

The Romance Studio
Ms. Da Rosa has set the bar high with her debut novel. Her entrance into the world of historical romance has, indeed, produced a major victory! The premise, though not unheard of, is unique so that what you read is definitely not the cookie-cutter type.

I believe that anyone, regardless of their preferred genre, will absolutely love this rendition.

Cassie Taylor has inherited her working ranch from her father; she dresses like a man, works like a man, and does not need a man to take care of her. She truly believes that men are all alike and no woman needs a man to complete, or take care of, her. That she has trouble dealing with the other local ranchers is, of course, as expected. Men in general do not like answering to a woman and like it even less when they have to pay attention to what she says and does. She owns the water rights that supply water, not only to local ranches, but also to others. Because of the severe drought, she is forced to ration the water. That is certainly not a popular decision.

Her biggest obstacle is the largest land baron in the area (both land-wise and body size). Although he already has men working for him, he hires a gunslinger to intimidate and make the others do his bidding. He treats everyone as he treats his beautiful, young wife...disgustingly!

The hired gunman, Cole Mitchell, knows something is amiss, but does not know what. He knows that, when he meets Cassie, his life will never be the same. To say that the chemical reaction each feels is undesirable would be an understatement. However, this story, thanks to Ms. Da Rosa, explores a myriad of actions and emotions.

Dry Moon is definitely a book destined to be a keeper! I was unable, or unwilling, to put it down. I read through the night to finish and was not disappointed. The ending is as remarkable as the beginning. Kudos to Ms. Da Rosa for the book!


Overall rating: 5 Hearts
Sensuality rating: Explicit
Reviewer: Brenda Talley
February 22, 2007

Coffee Time Romance
Cassie Taylor does not need a man to take care of her. Since inheriting her father's ranch, she can handle any situation until Cole Mitchell rides upon her land and steals her heart. It does not take Cassie long to learn men do not like taking orders from women, but that does not stop the way she runs her ranch.

Cole Mitchell, gunslinger, does not wish to work for evil landowner Barrington. After seeing how Cassie, and some of the others in the valley, are treated, he feels it is time to make things right.

Cassie owns the water rights that supply the water to the local ranchers and others. When a drought hits, she must ration water, which does not appease some of the ranchers, Barrington for one, who would love to put Cassie in her place. He even treats his wife, Katherine, with extreme disgust. Katherine is smarter than her husband gives her credit. After Cole meets Cassie, they do not hit it off, but after learning from Katherine that her husband plans on sending some men to put Cassie in her place, Cole rushes to Cassie's defense. Now Cassie feels she has surrendered her heart and trust once she falls into Cole's embraceable arms.

Dry Moon took me by surprise. Enticing, thrilling, edge of the seat entertainment that spins with great freshness in an explosive read that satisfies. I admire the sass, spirit, and determination of Cassie. Cole is the cowboy that oozes with credibility to make things right and to protect the innocent. Karyna Da Rosa has hooked me as a reader with this winning read. The in-depth secondary characters add just the right amount of essentials to make the storyline rapidly moving while keeping the reader engaged in this worthwhile romance.

Cherokee
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance

Romantic Times Magazine
This wonderful western has characters that are black and white and all shades of gray. DaRosa's backdrop is a relentless drought where every one is anxiously awaiting a hard rain. But some aren't content to wait, and tension builds from page one as a gunslinger comes in and changes the balance of power.

Summary: Cassie Taylor directs water rations to the other ranches because her land controls the source. Barrington wants all the water for himself and brings in hired gun Cole Mitchell as a guarantee. Though Cassie and Cole meet under less-than-perfect circumstances, they soon join forces against the evil Barrington.

Cassie and Cole feel an attraction that goes beyond the fight for the land, although he still believes he's a drifter at heart. Will that change when her life is threatened? (Wild Rose Press, Apr., 188 pp., $10.99) HOT

—Donna M. Brown