Retired Texas Ranger Roy Adcock seems to have killed himself or he was murdered. China Bayles' boyfriend, McQuaid, starts to behave oddly and she overhears a phone conversation with a woman suggesting he is having an affair. It also seems clear that Advock's wife is keeping secrets as is a reporter who says she is writing a book about the Rangers. Then McQuaid is seriously wounded and China has to make decisions about her own life. I do like this series.

Sometimes I enjoy China Bayles, and this stood as a time I enjoyed the antics of China and her friends. Males play secondary roles to the friendship among the women in this stories. Of course, one must not discount the mouth-watering recipes and constant mention of foods and herbs. China has decided to accept McQuaid's next proposal of marriage, unfortunately crime jumps into the path and McQuaid has not thrown out another proposal. As China ponders building a tearoom, some desperados invade the quiet town of Pecan Springs, and China and Ruby must investigate a suicide, possible murder. Susan Wittig Albert keeps the mood light and jumping around just like those Hot Lip cookies that Ruby dispenses. ( )

V good ( )

Synopsis: China has time to work in her garden, but other things intrude; a worker's husband is murdered, Ruby gets her involved in investigating, and she finds that McQuaid has had an affair.
Review: Not the most pleasant book to read, I tended to think that China was an idiot throughout. I did like the nice tie-in between the tarot cards and the outcome of the plot. ( )

China decides to say "yes" to McQuad's marriage proposal, but then she discovers "another woman" and becomes immersed in an intense mystery involving the Texas Rangers. One of the best of the series. ( )