Customer Reviews

The Texan's Dream

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I decided to read Jodi Thomas' The Texan's Dream because I wanted a light and interesting read, and I got what I wanted. It is a descriptive and easy to read novel that will make you laugh and cry. Thomas uses very little figurative language, but she does use a few similes to effectively show the reader what is happening, and her use of vivid imagery paints a picture of her surroundings.

The Texan's Dream is about Kara, a woman sent west by her father in order to protect her during the union conflicts in the coal mines in Pennsylvania in the 1800s. She needs a job, and is soon hired by Jonathan, a man she describes as cold and unemotional. They become close friends who slowly fall in love.

The theme of this novel is overcoming obstacles. Kara and Jonathan both had emotional and family problems that could have ended their relationship if they had not persevered, but they did not let these obstacles get in the way of their love.

I thought this was good reading with an interesting storyline and a great couple. Kara was not a simple minded prairie chick
who stammers around men. This 'wee little bookkeeper had me on her side from the get go. Has for Jonathan well if you like them dark mysterious with a subtle sense of humor then you'll enjoy this book. The supporting cast was a colorful bunch I
wouldn't call this a sexy book but a good storytelling book with a good plot, humor and of course good old fashion attraction. It certainly got me interested in picking up a few more Jodi Thomas books while cruising the zshops. *chuckle* I was just remembering to toss the biscuits.. yes definately a good read.

In 1875 Pittsburgh, a worried Charlie O'Riley puts his beloved daughter Kara on a train heading west. He informs her that she is to vanish for a year because it is not safe here. Charlie fears that if she surfaces too early she will die.

A desperate Kara reaches Texas with no money left. If she fails to get work soon, Kara knows she has one remaining option if she is to eat. So she applies for a bookkeeping position on the Catlin Ranch and manages to get hired by the owner Jonathan Catlin. Her first impression of her boss is that he is the coldest heartless person on the planet. However, though he carries much personal baggage, she begins to see another caring side of Jonathan. Soon Kara and Jonathan fall in love, but will that keep them safe and together when the past threatens the present?

After several Texas romances, readers would expect that Jodi "Texas" Thomas would reach her Alamo, but instead the talented author once again provides her audience with a fresh character driven western romance. The story line moves quickly because the delightful lead couple and the secondary players seem genuine and turn the plot into a vivid look at a bygone era. THE TEXAN'S DREAM is a dream of a tale for those fans that gain pleasure from an gregarious Americana romance.

Harriet Klausner

Although my first preference isn't western stories Jodi Thomas and Bobbi Smith are converting me quickly. What incredible writers!!I don't agree that the main theme in this book is about perseverence and overcoming obstacles. I think it is much more than that. It's about the joy of friendship and love and the devastation when you lose someone you love. It's about the importance of family and the virtues of honesty and integrity.It's also about being true to ourselves and fighting for what we want. It's about forcing yourself to go on when you've lost everything. It's about risking everything for another person who needs you. It seems like such a "simple" little frontier story but don't be fooled. This is excellent. The characters have such a rich depth that they become friends.I hated to see the book end. I also love the sense of humor that's interspersed. Life would be unbearable if we couldn't laugh at ourselves and or with others. One of my favorite scenes is when Kara and Jonathon have a heated quarrel. He finds her crying (and hugged ) by a girl who only speaks apache. Since he also speaks apache, Dawn gives him a dressing down in apache. Poor hunky Jonathon mumbles : "You don't even understand a word she's saying and you're still on her side!!". Maybe you had to be there. And I hope you are....soon.

I never wanted to put this book down.After reading the books on the McLain brothers and Wolf I was so excited to see it all continue with Jonathan Catlin all grown up and in his own story.Jonathan and Kara are alone and in need of love and it's with each other that they find it.Jodi Thomas has done it again with this book . She has created another cast of characters who will pull you into their lives and make you feel as if you are a part of their world.

This one is fun and exciting and keep you turning pages. If you love them sexy and fast moving like a Lindsey, Garlock, or Cynthia Simmons "Anything, My Love" you'll love this one.

I absolutely loved this book. Almost as much as book #1 & #2 in this 5 book series. I was hoping all along (even from book #2 when we thought him dead) that this last book would be about Jonathan & he & Kara made the ending of this series absolutely wonderful. The story line was great & the Old Guard gave me many laughs. I hate to see this series end. They were all wonderful & I highly recommend them all.

The order of this series is:

The Texan's Touch
To Kiss A Texan
To Wed in Texas
Twilight in Texas
The Texan's Dream

I loved the McLain series and was thrilled to find a sequel about Jonathan. Jodi Thomas updated his life, then continued with such vivid, descriptive detail, that you can invision his heartwarming love story
It has it all! Romance, drama, emotion, humor; all you can wish in a truly great love story. I couldn't put it down! We not only got back Jonathan and the McLains, but also the humorous, sensitive and very loveable character of Kara. Kara's story combined and complimented Jonathan and the McLain's with humor and love in true Jodi Thomas style. Exceptionally well written without unneccessary words just to fill the pages. I read my Romances for fantasy and relaxation, not education! Jodi Thomas took me on a totally captivating fantasy trip again!

I bought this book because it had Jodi Thomas' name on it. She always provides an enjoyable historical western romance. Her writing style is easy to read and engaging. While I don't find her stories to be keepers, they are worth a read, much like the works of Joan Johnston.

But THE TEXAN'S DREAM didn't live up to the standards I've come to expect of Jodi, hence the three star rating. I just couldn't like the hero. It wasn't that he was a terrible or abusive guy, because he wasn't. The problem was more that I felt I never really knew him. Since the vast majority of this story was written from the heroine's point-of-view, I was left feeling very distanced from the hero.

Okay, he was a man with a tortured past (but aren't they all in romance? ;) torn between the two worlds of Indian and white, but still, I just wasn't given a deep enough sketch of his character to feel like I really knew him. That made it hard for me to cheer for the couple to get together, because I didn't really see why she should be with him over any other man. I need to feel like the characters are supposed to be together, forsaking all others, or the romance just doesn't work.

However, I will still continue to read romances by Thomas, as she does have what it takes to make enjoyable stories. But THE TEXAN'S DREAM just isn't one of her best.

This was a great book! I absolutly love books about the west. Historical Romance is my favorite...this book was simple to read and to understand. The characters where complicated and mysterious, which gave depth to the book. I highly recommend this book, if you like Historical Romance Novel!!