Jodi Thomas has done it again. WILD TEXAS ROSE is just chock full of crazy characters that are sure to entertain readers. There is no way to even choose a favorite storyline or character -- they are all amazing, fun, intriguing and endearing. This is a great series that should win Thomas a whole new group of fans.

Rose McMurray is part of a large amazing family with large hearts richly caring. Whispering Mountain has been her home since she and her mother and sister were saved by the man who would be her father and make her a McMurray too.

Now she faces one of her biggest fears, that of leaving her home and by herself to boot. She has no choice but to grab some courage and go assist her good friend Victoria. Victoria is getting married, but something in her note to Rose speaks of problems. In truth Victoria is a rather spoiled self indulgent woman with great beauty but there is loneliness about her friend whose relationship with her father, the Major, is stilted. He dotes on his daughter and brings her the very best but they have no loving father and daughter bond.

Dredging up all her courage Rose arrives in Fort Worth to help her friend prepare for what should be her happiest day. But things are not quite right. Victoria is keeping herself very busy shopping with her father for what truly will be the largest trousseau in history. There is no end to the boxes. Since her arrival Rose hasn't even been able to spend any time with Victoria and is becoming more concerned as certain things just don't add up.

The groom is also suspiciously absent and no one seems to care about the lack of closeness of the pair waiting to be married. But to Rosé all sorts of red flags appear. Victoria has the reputation of an ice queen but Rose is hoping that the fiancé possesses some qualities that melt Victoria's resolve. Not to appear mean or jealous but Rose can't help acknowledging that the groom doesn't seem all that involved or interested in his own upcoming nuptials either.

Something just isn't right.

Rose considers herself a rather guarded person. She likes the safety of her home and is somewhat anxious about being at this hotel and alone. But she isn't to be alone for very long. Her very best friend, Duncan McMurray, a man she knew from when they were little children has shown up at the hotel, just like he has shown up so many times before; kind of her own private guardian angel. He isn't really her brother, actually a little boy saved from the wild that became part of her family. They share a very special bond. People might have raised an eyebrow if they had known that Rose and Duncan had a habit of sleeping together, very platonic but unquestionably inappropriate for non-siblings none the less.

In Fort Worth the streets are becoming dangerous for young ladies, even in the better parts of town. But everyone is preoccupied with other matters and so the recent deaths of young women are barely getting the attention they deserve. Duncan is concerned and so he gets a driver to make sure that Rose doesn't travel alone and if truth be known act as a sort of bodyguard. Ranger Duncan would do the job himself but he was busy keeping an eye on two criminals he brought in for trial, men who have threatened not only his life but any McMurray.

Then you have the shopkeeper Abe who has been friends with the traveling judge Killian. The judge's life is a mess, on weekdays he travels for cases, and on weekend he drinks himself into a stupor. He can't get over the guilt of running for his own life while his brother dies of battle wounds. His mind plays games with him. All these years he has felt his brother presence, and this has not necessarily been a good thing.

Loved it. Lots of plot twists and insightful moments where you are pretty confident you know how the problems will be resolved only to find still another obstacle to conquer. Thomas will keep you turning pages to see how her characters are facing each challenge. WILD TEXAS ROSE is a wonderful addition to the Whispering Mountain series.