The Texan's Dream (The McLain Series) [Paperback]

Jodi Thomas (Author)

Book Description

Series: The McLain Series | Publication Date: October 31, 2001

When Kara O'Riley is hired on as bookkeeper for a Texas ranch, she quickly decides that her new employer-Jonathan Catlin, adopted son of the McLain family-is the coldest man she's ever known. But one day she looks deep into his gorgeous, haunted eyes-and suddenly her lonely, aching heart is filled with fire...

"[Her] stories are engaging, genuine, and difficult to put down." (Romance Reader)

"Jodi Thomas never disappoints." (Heartland Critiques)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Sent west by her father to escape a dangerous feud between two Irish families in Pittsburgh, Kara O'Riley arrives in Kansas City with little money and no one to turn to for help, so she applies for the first job she can find. Having been given one year to make the Texas ranch he recently inherited a success, Jonathan Catlin desperately needs someone to sort out all the paperwork involved, so he reluctantly hires Kara as a bookkeeper. What starts out as a business arrangement gradually becomes something much more personal once cold and distant Jonathan realizes he is falling in love with sweet Kara. Thomas' clean, direct writing style packs a powerful emotional punch, and her latest western historical romance highlights the author's talent for creating genuinely real characters. Kara, in particular, is an appealing blend of vulnerability and strength, and watching this plucky heroine discover her own sense of worth and find true love is just one of the joys of reading this exceptional romance. John Charles
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Jove (October 31, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0515131768
• ISBN-13: 978-0515131765
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #345,050 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Texan's Dream, April 15, 2003

By 

Alicia Ring (LA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Texan's Dream (The McLain Series) (Paperback)

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.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging and sweet, Jodi Thomas caught my attention., November 10, 2001

By 

B. Pussman "pussman2000" (Bay Area, Northern Californai) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Texan's Dream (The McLain Series) (Paperback)

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.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Western romance at its' best, November 6, 2001

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Texan's Dream (The McLain Series) (Paperback)

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