Summers explores the less-glamorous side of country music fame in her kind-hearted, optimistic third Kings of Country romance (after Song for a Cowboy). Loretta Gram-s life and career have been rocked by the lethal overdose of her musical partner. The last person she wants to relaunch her career with is Travis King, a notorious party boy about whose post-rehab sobriety Loretta has her doubts. But when their label pairs them for an awards ceremony performance, their chemistry is undeniable. Loretta and Travis are asked to tour together as a new musical duo, and their deepening connection makes it ever harder for wary Loretta to keep her heart closed. Country music fans will enjoy getting a peek into this world of tour buses, promotional interviews, and screaming fans. Early chapters do a great job of examining this milieu with heart and realism, showing how gown fittings and studio sessions are just a day-s work for Loretta and Travis, and mining for drama Loretta-s struggle to maintain her professionalism in spite of inner turmoil. Increased focus on Travis-s cartoonishly villainous mother moves the plot forward as the story progresses but distracts from the quieter, more rewarding tension between the central pairing. Still, fans and new readers alike will enjoy playing this one until the end. Agent: Pamela Hopkins, Hopkins Literary. (Aug.)