THE LONE TEXAN by Jodi Thomas

THE LONE TEXAN
JODI THOMAS
Historical Romance
Berkley
Sensuality Rating: Sweet
ISBN# 978-0-425-23062-6
336 pages
$7.99Print – Available Now
Rating: 5 Enchantments

Drummond Roak has always taken care of himself as he grew up on his own and became a legendary gunfighter. He’s sexy, caring and a little rough around the edges. The one constant in his life has been his love for Sage McMurray.

Sage grew up under the protection of three older brothers, and at 18 left to make her own mark in the world as a doctor. Now she’s returned home to Whispering Mountain with a cynical attitude about love. When Sage returns home she has plans to open a clinic and live quietly being a doctor. However, she gets involved in protecting two boys who have thugs gunning for them. No one is sure why a band of outlaws wants them dead, but with Drum's help she’s determined to make sure they are safe. That could be hard to do since she’s kidnapped by the outlaws and taken to their hideout. Drum rides out to save her, with revenge on his mind.

This is a very sweet love story with a likable hero and heroine. Both Sage and Drum are inherently good people trying to find their place in life. The conversations they have are both sweet and feisty, as Sage isn’t quite ready to admit that Drum is the man for her but he’s doing his best to convince her. I loved the interaction between the two, as Ms. Thomas does a good job of making their arguments funny, but at the same time you can tell they care for each other
Drums’ pining for Sage does get a little old and he’s made out to practically be a saint as he constantly shrugs off Sage’s rejection and always does the right thing. However, he still makes a great hero because he does treat Sage with respect and even though he’s had a rough life he still cares about the people around him.

The action in this story keeps moving with several story lines going at once. The focus isn’t solely on the main characters and I really liked the little side story involving Sage’s nurse Bonnie. I’m also hoping that Ranger Daniel will get his own story! There’s a little of everything in this book, including murder, mystery and a love story. This is the first story I’ve read by Ms. Thomas and I can’t wait to read some of the first books in the Whispering Mountain series.

Ms. Thomas grew up in Texas and most of her novels are set there. She’s won many awards for her writing. You can learn more about her at http://www.jodithomas.com/.

Heather
Enchanting Reviews
September 2009

HIGHLAND OBSESSION by Dawn Halliday

HIGHLAND OBSESSION
DAWN HALLIDAY
Historical Romance
Signet Eclipse
Sensuality Rating: Sizzling
ISBN# 978-0-451-22701-0
320 pages
$15.00
Trade – Available Now

Rating: 4 Enchantments

Alan, a Scottish laird, and Cam, the Earl of Camdonn, have been best friends since boarding school, wreaking havoc with each other and guarding each other’s back. Alan is handsome, serious and noble, whereas Cam is gorgeous, wealthy and out to have a good time. The one thing they do have in common is their love for the same woman.

Sorcha is a beautiful, sensuous woman, who above all else believes in honor. She had a fling with Cam in her youth, but once she marries Alan she becomes devoted to him.

Although Alan and Cam have been friends for years, that doesn’t stop Cam from deciding he can’t live without Sorcha and kidnapping Alan’s wife on their wedding night. Alan believed his bride was pure, but learns that she had a love affair with Cam before they met. While Cam struggles with his obsession with Sorcha, Alan must deal with his mixed feelings over his wife and best friend. Meanwhile, Sorcha is torn between two men she cares deeply for.

This book is hot, hot, hot! Sorcha, Alan and Cam burn up the pages with their passion for each other. Ms. Halliday definitely knows how to keep the sex scenes exciting and fresh. Sorcha isn’t the typical shy virgin heroine as portrayed in many historical romances. She’s a sensual woman who isn’t afraid to experience the carnal pleasures that await her.
All of the characters are struggling to come to terms over their feelings about each other, and Ms. Halliday does a good job of making the reader feel their angst as they try to do the right thing. Although at times I found Alan to be a little too self-righteous and Cam to be very selfish and it made me wonder how they would have become such good friends in the first place. Sorcha, on the other hand, was a very believable character who grows and learns about herself as the book progresses.

Overall, this is a sizzling read that leaves me wanting more. I can’t wait to read Cam’s story in HIGHLAND SURRENDER coming out in 2010.

Ms. Halliday lives in California with her husband and three sons. She also writes under the penname Jennifer Haymore. You can visit her website at http://www.dawnhalliday.com/

Heather
ENCHANTING REVIEWS
August 2009