"The big question is: who saves who?"
Reviewed by Sandra Wurman
Posted January 5, 2017
Romance Historical | Western
Are you a fan of westerns and western romance? Well
then you are in for a treat in the latest story by Linda
Broday. TO LOVE A TEXAS RANGER is an interesting story about
people who learn by some hard lessons to follow their gut,
their inner source of information that hopefully leads
them on a good safe path. If not, hopefully a
good future lesson learned or it could mean the end of a
journey. Texas Rangers are tough guys with the inner strength to
proceed with missions no matter how dangerous. The end
goal is worth it and most important necessary. Failure is
just not an option when there are seldom do-overs. Sam Legend has devoted his life for the past several years
following the paths of outlaws. That's his job as a Texas
Ranger, although his father and brother would definitely
have preferred Sam stay put on the family ranch. The
Legends have cut a wide swath of land on the Lone Star
Ranch but Sam had the need to wander. His ranger job suits
him just fine. The job was beginning to cost Sam, personally and
physically, and he now needed to head home to heal from
what was a sure brush with death. He needed a break. All hell was going to break loose, starting with his train
ride home. Meeting Sierra Hunt was going to be a pivotal
time in this ranger's life. Sierra, on the run from a gang of
outlaws, was now going to be an unexpected traveling
companion along with a helpful stranger. The three of them
form a traveling band. Foremost in their minds is protecting
Sierra, who is
obviously being hunted. Sierra has no idea why she was targeted, but they said they
were looking for a map that she supposedly has and now she
is running for her life. Sam's gut says Sierra is being truthful. Question is can he
rely on his gut anymore? His boss feels he is a liability
in his current mental state, but somehow Sam is determined
to protect Sierra and get to the Lone Star Ranch where
they will all surely be safe. Linda Broday has out done herself in TO LOVE A TEXAS
RANGER. This story has all the best elements of a true
western folktale and any fans of the old west are going to
truly enjoy this book. To the very end Linda Broday will
have you guessing and sitting on the edge of your seat
holding out hope that TO LOVE A TEXAS TANGER will
culminate with a happy ending. All fans of westerns hope
that the good guys win against the bad guys. That
distinction is a little blurred out in this fast paced
story.
SUMMARY
Gravely injured on the trail of a notorious criminal,
Texas
Ranger Sam Legend boards a train bound for his family
ranch
to recuperate…only to find himself locked in battle to
save
a desperate woman on the run. Determined to rescue the
beautiful Sierra, Sam recruits an unlikely ally. But can
he
trust the mysterious gunslinger to fight at his side? Sam is shocked to discover his new ally is not only an
outlaw, but his half-brother. Torn between loyalty to his
job and love of his family, Sam goes reeling straight
into
Sierra’s arms. Yet just as the walls around his battered
heart begin to crumble, Sierra is stolen away. Sam will
risk
anything to save her—his life, his badge, his very
soul—knowing that some bonds are stronger than the law…
and
some legends were born to be told.
ExcerptSam Legend slid his Colt from the holster, scanning the
area. But his quarry had already disappeared. Sam dropped
the coffeepot and raced toward the horses, wondering if
Weston had seen him through the chink in the wall after
all.
Or was it his damn bad luck at work again? Hell!
With his heart pounding, he didn’t slow until he reached
the cool shadows of the trees. Would the horses be there?
If Weston had ridden off, he wouldn’t hesitate one second
in taking them all, leaving him and Sierra afoot. Gripping his Colt, Sam crept closer. The sound of cushioned hoofbeats reached his ears a
second before a black gelding galloped past a hundred
yards away. “Stop, Weston! Stop, damn you!” Sam raised his gun and
fired. A large tree trunk shielded the outlaw as he rode
by, the bullet splitting the bark. Weston never looked
back. Only one thing remained—see if the outlaw had left them a
horse, or untied and run them all off. The overlapping branches had kept back much of the
deluge. Though water dripped from the leaves, the ground
was firmer here. He moved forward, afraid to hope. It
wasn’t for him but for Sierra. She wouldn’t last long
afoot.
He finally glimpsed movement through the leafy forest and
made out the shapes of horses. Sam gave a sigh of relief. At least they had a way to
travel. That Weston had again shown a smattering of compassion
came as a shock. He’d done wrong but had turned around
and tempered it with good. Just like the time he’d shot
Sam in the leg then sent help. Damn, if he could only figure the outlaw out! A sound from behind alerted him. Luke doubling back and
sneaking up behind him? He whirled, his finger tightening
on the trigger, and shoved his Colt into the person’s
face. A jolt raced through him as he stared at Sierra.
She gasped, her eyes wide in fear. “Thought I told you to stay in the shack.” He hated the
angry words, but he reeled from the shock of how close
he’d come to ending her life. His jagged nerves had trouble settling for several beats
of his heart. He could still feel his finger pulling back
on the trigger that would’ve sent a bullet into her.
Sam’s hand shook as he returned the Colt to his holster.
“I couldn’t wait. Something’s going on. What’s wrong,
Sam?” A quiver in the words spoke of Sierra’s fear.
“Where’s Andrew?”
“Andrew Evan is the outlaw Luke Weston, and I’ve been
chasing him nigh onto a year.” At her soft cry, he put
his arm around her and held her next to him. “I
recognized him this morning when I finally saw him
without his hat. Those eyes are burned into my memory.”
“I liked him. He seemed real nice. You suspected, didn’t
you? That was the reason for the tension I kept feeling.”
“I knew he was familiar, but it’s been hard trusting my
instincts lately.” He smoothed back her tendrils of dark
hair. “Forgive me? I almost shot you. Lady, you scared me
out of ten lives.”
“Of course. I should’ve done as you told me, only I heard
shots. It’s my fault.”
Sam tried to drag his stare from her tousled hair and
soft curves that the trousers did little to hide. She was
a sight for sure. He swallowed hard, trying not to think
about running his hands over her satiny skin and kissing
her until neither had an ounce of breath left.
He felt more like his old self, and he realized it was
because of her. She’d fixed him by pushing back the
darkness and allowing light into his life. By giving him
something—someone—to be a hero for. A swell of deep
gratitude rose as he struggled to contain his emotions. “No, no. I beg to differ, pretty lady. I see no fault at
all with you.” He looked deep into her blue eyes that saw
only goodness. “Since you’re here, can you help me bring
the mounts to the shack?” Somehow, someway, he’d return
the horses that didn’t belong to the Ford gang to their
rightful owners. “Sure, Sam.” Pride, and maybe a little sadness too,
rippled in her pretty eyes. They reminded him of a pale
blue sky. In fact, he wasn’t sure if they were blue or
gray. Maybe a combination of both. Whichever, he loved
looking at them. Her softly parted lips beckoned like a light that guided
sailors on a dark, storm-tossed sea.
Kissing her was the only thing on his mind. Not Luke
Weston. Not the trials they faced ahead. Not the time
he’d have to spend twiddling his thumbs on the Lone Star
Ranch. He knew he had to taste her mouth or die wanting. Placing his large hands below her jawline, Sam lowered
his head and gently pressed his lips to hers. Heat pooled
low in his gut as he tasted the tangy sweetness that did
faintly resemble wild honey. Just as he’d imagined. He tried to hold back, to make the kiss light and
meaningless, but his need for her made it impossible. In
seconds, the gentle kiss turned urgent, demanding a
response. And Sierra did answer his invitation. With a smoth¬ered
cry, she leaned into him, clutching a handful of his
shirt, holding him to her. The passion and desire that
filled Sam seemed to have swept her along. That she didn’t pull away sent joy through him. A low moan rumbled in his throat as he slid his hand into
her dark hair. The satiny strands wrapped around his
fingers, tethering her to him. Closing his eyes, he
savored the feel of her soft curves molding against the
hard planes of his body. In that second he knew heaven wasn’t only golden streets
and angels playing harps. Heaven was Sierra Hunt in his arms.
What do you think about this review?
Comments
2 comments posted.
Re: The big question is: who saves who?
Sandra, thank you so much for this review. I'm so glad you
liked the story. From the start it had a big feel about it.
The Legends are a unique family led by patriarch Stoker
Legend. Sam, Houston and Luke are larger than life heroes.
Book #2 (The Heart of a Texas Cowboy) will release in May
2017 with #3 (To Marry a Texas Outlaw) in November.
(Linda Broday 12:47pm January 6, 2017)
I absolutely LOVED To Love A Texas Ranger. This book had me hooked from the very start. I just couldn't put it down. I fell in love with all 4 Legend men and can't wait for the 2nd book The Heart of a Texas Cowboy. Linda Broday has become my favorite author! And that is a powerful statement considering I've had 1 favorite for the last 25 years!
(Dale Stewart 11:39am January 6, 2017)
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