Jodi Thomas has written a series of books called the Whispering Mountain Series. I have just finished reading number six in this series, “Wild Texas Rose”. I loved this book. I didn’t know what to expect when reading the first chapter, but as I read further, I couldn’t put this book down. There are so many sub-plots in this novel, that there is no way you could be bored reading it. Rose and Duncan are from the same family, but not related, which brings its own drama. Add a couple of Civil War veterans, a few available women, a dangerous gang along with the mastermind who runs it and you have a fine story of romance, western drama and intrigue. I highly recommend this book. The plot will keep you guessing throughout. ( )

Talented Texan Jodi Thomas has a unique and addictive storytelling style. She truly has a way of creating memorable characters and involving us in romantic story lines that offer exciting adventure and laugh-out-loud humor. With her 25th historical romance featuring the great state of Texas, "Wild Texas Rose", Jodi Thomas takes her readers to an even higher level of pure reading enjoyment! While this book features all the cherished elements of historical western romance that serious devotees like me expect, those entertaining elements are delivered in an imaginative manner with fascinating twists and unexpected turns. I love stories about cowboys and their sweethearts, men and women of the West who carved out a life for themselves just as America was spreading its own wings from one coast to another. While everyone knows that western heroes are usually stalwart and somewhat silent, here they are imperfect, quirky, and strong on sentiment. The heroines of "Wild Texas Rose" are awesome! These ladies are not just women who stand by their man, they also pick up the reins and take the lead as they see fit. Rose McMurray is a pretty young woman, smart and capable, and just as lovely inside as she is on the outside. Emotionally scarred by a frightening childhood incident, Rose sometimes doubts herself and has a fear of the unfamiliar and shies away from crowds of people. However, when the going gets tough, Rose comes into full bloom, and that's when the going really gets good! No one is more surprised by the hidden depths to lovely Rose than her foster brother and lifelong protector, Texas Ranger Duncan McMurray. Seeing Rose in a new light leads Duncan to wonder if the affection he has always felt for Rose has become something much more--perhaps the love of a lifetime. Can he be the man to lead Rose to the happiness she thinks beyond her reach? Will Rose follow her innermost wish and let her mind see what her heart has known all along? Sometimes what you are looking for has been right within your reach--just out of sight until you fully open your eyes. Rose and Duncan take us along on their exciting romantic journey, touching our hearts and tickling our funny bone as we follow their steps. Joining "The Rose" and "The Ranger" are an unforgettable cast of characters, some of whom find their own love story. A melancholy judge who often speaks to his "dead" brother may be just the man to rescue an heiress in peril. A settled-in storekeeper and a spinster schoolteacher unbutton each other's buttoned-up existence. A scarred giant of a man and a woman who sells her looks see into each other's souls when they look at each other. Some really dastardly villains, a missing fortune, and a poignant, surprising development in the story line that will renew your faith in the human spirit all add to the rewarding experience of "Wild Texas Rose" and the continued delight of the "Whispering Mountain Series". Thank you, Jodi!

Review Copy Gratis Berkley Books ( )