Customer Reviews

A Texan's Promise (Heart of a Hero)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I won't write a synopsis of the story because others have done so very adequately. I simply want to disagree with the 4- and 5-star ratings. Use of modern language in a period book is usually a non-starter for me because I find it grating: "gifted" (as a verb), "rethink", "encouraged Clayton to open up", "sofa", "expertise", "descriptor", "sounds good", "reminder call" (from a horse....as in a wake-up call). UGH! Nevertheless, I finished this book because I was curious as to how the rape would be handled. Quoted scriptures were incorporated very nicely into the story but the story dragged. SPOILER ALERT! The 2-month separation didn't make sense at all. It made our hero look like he was rejecting the heroine because she'd been raped...and Clayton's stated reasons for going were weak. And, finally, we are to suspend disbelief when the heroine simply recovers from the rape with the passing of 60 days. Sorry.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not the world's biggest Amish fiction fan but I thoroughly enjoy each of Shelley Gray's Plain stories. When I learned that she was writing and historical western series I knew I had to read it. The first book, A Texan's Promise did not disappoint. Ms. Gray's stories are traditional but in the best sense. In A Texan's Promise she takes the damsel in distress plot and adds a bit of faith and hope in the mix and the result is a finely told love story for any reader's keeper shelf.

From the very first page I can almost guarantee you will be hooked. The chemistry between Vanessa and Clayton is terrific. In spite of the unthinkable circumstance that led them away from the Circle Z Ranch I loved the way that their romance developed--slowly and tenderly. I was slightly frustrated by Clay's actions midway through the book but what is a romance without a man getting some fool notion in his head now and then?

If you're a fan of Shelley Gray's smooth style of storytelling and characters you can connect with you won't be disappointed. A Texan's Promise is a journey across the West that will capture your heart and quench your thirst for danger. I enjoyed this book and look forward to A Texan's Honor releasing soon!

* I received my complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for posting my honest review.*

4.5 Stars!!

Clayton finds Vanessa crying in the barn one night. He soon discovers that her stepfather has beaten her. With out thinking twice he takers her away in the middle of the night to keep her safe. He made a vow to her dead father to keep her safe and he plans to do just that. Can he keep his feeling for her at bay in order to keep her safe?

Vanessa is dealing with the emotions of her attack and is very happy to be with Clayton as she feels safe with him. She has also had feeling for Clayton for many years and when they must marry on the trail in order to keep her safe she soon finds herself wishing for a real marriage. Can she over come what happened to her in order to be the wife to Clayton she has been dreaming about?

Shelly Gray AKA Shelly Shepard Gray is in my top 5 favorite author list and this new series does not disappoint! I just love her writing style. I feel like I get drawn into the book like I am there with the characters and I have trouble putting her books down. This book deals with the personal and heart retching subject of rape and abuse. The author does a great job of expressing the hurt from Vanessa who has to deal with the pain and fear of her attack as well as Clayton who deals with the grief of not being able to keep Vanessa safe.

The plot was some what predictable. From the beginning you knew that Clayton and Vanessa cared for each other and by the time they finally admit there feelings it feels like old news. I also wish the story of Clayton's sister and her husband had been in a book of its own. She tells their story through out the book but I was left with wanting to know them both more. I also hope Lacy gets a chance to tell her story in this new series at some point.

Over all I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next book due out next year.

Clayton Proffitt, foreman of the Circle Z Ranch in Texas, finds eighteen year old Vanessa Grant in the barn crying. After he gets a closer look at her he notices she has bruises and blood on her. She confides in him that the injuries were caused by her stepfather, Price Venture. In fear of Vanessa's well being Clayton convinces her it would be best if he take her away from her stepfather and her home to find a safe haven at his sister's home. Clayton is very aware that Price will not give up searching for her.

Clayton's character is definitely a hero and he is a take charge kind of man. I loved how protective he was over Vanessa and was a gentleman at all times. Clayton seems to be able to calm a situation that has gone out of control. He shares his love and belief in God to all who were willing listen.

Vanessa's character was needy and very naive. She had a crush on Clayton since he began working on the ranch when her father was still alive. Yet she had no one to protect her after her father died. Her mother and her older brother, Miles had their own problems with Price. But Vanessa was unaware that Clayton had made a promise to her father to protect her. She agreed to go away with Clayton to hide away from her stepfather. While on the trail to their destination there were trials they had to endure. In her journey she matures from a girl to a young woman falling in love with her hero. But does he just see her as a young girl?

I highly recommend this book.

I rate this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:
I purchased a copy of this book for my own personal use. I was in no way compensated for this review it is my own opinion.

I love romance novels but I don't always want sex. I want a good and honest man as the hero who isn't horny all the time like some I have begun to read.
It is very exciting story that left me wanting to read more. I read the book in 3 nights.

First..thanks to the other reviewers who described the book so well.

For me, I've wanted a Kindle for four years..longed for it like nothing I've wanted so much. Waiting is a good thing. We should do it more often.

When I was younger, I devoured books of all kinds. I loved reading. But the years of working more than one job, of having no time, of not being able to even relax enough or concentrate enough..of having dozens of other 'must' reads to accomplish first - either for school, job, even mere survival, just always took precedence.

That, and along with inherited eye health issues..reading just became such a chore, that I no longer did it, except, again, to read books that were 'important' such as my many health-related books I've purchased or reviewed. Reading was no longer for pleasure - it was only purposeful.

My main reasons for wanting a Kindle were because visually, I understood it was actually better on the eyes, easier to read, and I could increase the font size; and then secondly, for storage space.

I couldn't wait to get busy reading! My co-workers had already had their Kindles and directed me to the 'free' stuff. I downloaded almost everything! LOL
"A Texan's Promise" was one of them.

Reading this book did me such good that words cannot even describe. I loved being able to get 'lost' inside a book, deeply feeling the characters and sensing the time period and surroundings. And although you always have a sense of how it's going to turn out, you still can't wait to see how it all unfolds.
A good book keeps the reader turning the pages, looking shockingly at the clock, and when finished, wishing there was more. And this book does all that.

I'm really hoping that as e-readers really catch on, that more and more people will read when they might not have, and be able to renew and refresh away from a world that has so much negative stimulation within the media.

We need more wholesome stories of faith, friends and family to remind us to get out of our own way, and to let God be in the driver's seat, and to see that when we do, it all 'works together for good'.

A delight to read..and the fact that it was 'free' at the time, made it truly a gift.

I loved this book! Looking forward to Book #2. Being from Lubbock, it was interesting to see Lubbock mentioned several times in the book. Romantic without being baudy!! Love the spiritual context too.

This is the best book I've yet read on my Kindle. If I could, I'd rate it even more than five stars. The characters are believable, and the plot and action keep one reading. This one is hard to put down. It's the best western I've read in a long time.

Sweet love story maturing from infatuation into love as the characters learn to know and trust each other. Along the way their faith is tested, but as they try to overcome the challenges they face, they eventually come to understand God is leading and guiding them through it all. Not only in main characters, but in the supporting characters as well. Predictable--but great reminder of how when life is going good, we sometimes put God on the back burner; however, when life is frightening and confusing, we turn to Him for help in meeting the challenges coming our way. We then realize, He was with us all along.

When Vanessa is a victim of her stepfather's attack, Clayton, her family's ranch foreman, takes her away to save her from him. As Vanessa and Clay travel to safety, Clay realizes what it means to keep a promise and the two grow closer to God and to each other through their trials.

This was a sweet, though sometimes predictable, Christian romance. The author, Shelley Gray, is new to me. I enjoyed the characters. Vanessa and Clayton both made an interesting hero and heroine. The story line, with its setting in the Old West, was exciting enough to hold my interest. The characters' spiritual journey was inspiring without preaching at the reader. There were some predictable parts in Vanessa and Clayton's relationship, and a few times I thought the story dragged out a bit. But, for the most part, I really enjoyed this read from a new author, and I look forward to reviewing the second book in the series- A Texan's Honor.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review purposes. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.