Beth "Bethie" McMurray has a secret mission, boarding a train heading to Dallas, Texas in the 1800's. Affianced to Senator Lamont LaCroix, she plans to secretly marry him in Dallas. In an effort to surprise him, she boards the train early which changes her entire life. Bethie overhears his boasting to his comrades that marrying "that McMurray woman" will fatten his bank account and further his career in politics as well as allowing her only one child. Devastated by his lies while communicating by mail, she no longer wants anything to do with him. Beth is the spoiled youngest daughter of a successful rancher and used to her independence. No man will tell her what to do.

Hiding with her horse in a back boxcar with intent to jump the train and head home to Whispering Mountain Ranch, her plans are thwarted as the train is overtaken by robbers. With the robbery gone awry, the train derails and Beth would be dead if not for one of the robbers, Andrew McLaughlin. Beth is rescued by Andrew who is severely injured by shielding her from the hard ground with his body when thrown from the boxcar. Now she is caught in a lie which is backed by Andrew when she insists she is married to him to keep LaCroix from claiming her as his own. When Andrew and Beth leave the hospital in Dallas, they also have in tow Maddie, a 15 year old girl, and 2 young brothers, Levi and Leonard. Arriving in Fort Worth at Andrew's home, it's revealed he is no robber but a widower and writer. Becoming a small temporary family, their story weaves a web of secrets and lies which ties them together. Now they are running from not only her ex- fiancé but the leader of the robbers. Located by Beth's father, they are taken to Whispering Mountain Ranch until Spring. Bethie and Andrew work at keeping their secret while trying to sort out how to right their lies. As each of them begins to feel their lie is more than a make believe marriage, the threat of death is apparent for Andrew, which includes her father as one of them.

Jodi Thomas never fails to deliver. Her love of Texas shows through in all her novels. She has a way of revealing the warmth and love in her characters while still infusing the story with mystery and suspense. PROMISE ME TEXAS is a wonderful story filled with excitement and is definitely memorable. Her female characters are always feisty and stubborn, while cunning and warm. My attention was grabbed at the first page and ended reluctantly on the last. She is one of my favorite authors!