The Texan's Reward (Berkley Historical Romance) [Mass Market Paperback]

Jodi Thomas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2005

Years ago, Texas Ranger Jacob Dalton bailed an orphaned girl named Nell out of trouble more times than he could count. But now the kid he once called "Two Bits" has grown into a beautiful young woman--and is in more trouble than ever before.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Texas Ranger Jacob Dalton has always kept a protective eye on Nell, the rebellious orphan raised by Fat Alice, the town's madam. But after being crippled in a shooting, Nell advertises for a husband to run her ranches, and Jacob is determined to marry her himself. He drops everything to race home only to find her entertaining candidate number 12, an innocuous bookkeeper. But before he can convince her to choose him, the ranger finds himself dealing first with an oily lawyer intent on swindling Nell out of her property, then with a cutthroat gang of train robbers. Complicating the situation, Nell has filled her house with social outcasts, and the resultant chaos means that Jacob's courtship must proceed under public scrutiny. Thomas' western historical romance moves along swiftly, using the demands of a ranger's lifestyle as well as the isolation forced on Nell and her household by the town, and her physical limitations, to create interestingly complex tensions. Lynne Welch
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (November 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425205843
• ISBN-13: 978-0425205846
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #236,414 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enormously Entertaining - Highly Recommended, November 7, 2005

By 

M. Rondeau (West Springfield, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Texan's Reward (Berkley Historical Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

Jacob Dalton, Texas Ranger, really couldn't remember a time when he hadn't had Nell, `Two Bits' on his mind. From the very first days the rebellious orphan had come to live and be raised by Fat Alice, the town's madam, she'd been a thorn in his side, and he'd always been there to pull her out of one fix or another. Yet, whenever he returned after chasing desperados around Texas, it would be Nell who'd run, jumping into his arms to welcome him back. Now, after a shooting accident that has left Nell a cripple, he's back after hearing that she was advertising for a husband to run her ranches - and Jacob knows he is the only man for the job! Returning just in time, Nell is interviewing applicant number twelve, an innocent business-like bookkeeper, who seems to be meeting all her qualifications for husband material. Before she can make up her mind Jacob is in her face `bossing her around' and telling her that she darn well marry him before he feels forced to shoot her latest applicant - who promptly passes out on the floor! As if there weren't enough commotion with those two vying for her hand, along comes a slippery lawyer with paperwork stating she already accepted his proposal but whose primary concern was to swindle her out of her property. Oh, and along with that - toss in a vicious gang of train robbers; and, a house full of social misfits that seems to grow and pandemonium reigns supreme! Though Nell has loved Jacob all her life, she's determined not to tie him down with a `cripple' but Jacob has to convince her otherwise.


*** This was an absolutely delightful and entertaining read, from beginning to end. Nell and Jacob, the two main characters were drawn vividly with compassion, humor, and heart. Additionally, the reader is offered up an immense cast of secondary intriguing and quirky characters that all come completely fleshed out revealing their own individuality and you'll find them all worming their way right into your heart! The pace is fast with never a dull moment and you'll find yourself going from laughter to tears in this newest installment to her Texan books. This was my first introduction to this prolific author and I can assure you, it won't be my last! -- Highly recommended for those looking for an immensely entertaining read!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another great Jodi Thomas book..., December 14, 2005

By 

ThisThatNEverything "thisthatneverything" (Columbus, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Texan's Reward (Berkley Historical Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

First of all I want to start out by saying that the reviewer before me is inaccurate. Jodi Thomas wrote the Wife Lottery Series, which consisted of 3 books. The Texan's Wager, When A Texan Gambles & A Texan's Luck. This book is a spin off of that series. In those 3 books you met Ranger Jacob Dalton & Nell a.k.a. "Two Bits". This is their story. You never even see Bailee, Sarah or Lacy in this book. I don't think it's technically considered part of that series but anyone that read that series probably fell in love with the Ranger & Two Bits & will really enjoy reading their story.

Book description:

Years ago, Texas Ranger Jacob Dalton Bailed an orphan girl named Nell out of trouble more times than he could count. But now the kid he once called "Two Bits" has grown into a beautiful young woman-an id in more trouble than ever before.

Wounded in an ambush, Nell refuses to become a burden to her former guardian angel. Unfortunately, her injury has made it impossible for her to handle the ranches she as inherited, so she decides to get herself a husband. One thing's for sure: She isn't about to let Jacob bully her into saying "I do." When Jacob steps in line for her hand, Nell is forced to weigh her need for his help against a love too strong to allow him to sacrifice his future for her.

* I really enjoyed this book but it didn't quite measure up to other books that I've read from Jodi Thomas. It was good & I do recommend it but it's not something I'll be reading again. If you're a Jodi Thomas fan I'm sure you will enjoy this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 4th in the series, December 9, 2008

By 

D. K. Stokes - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Texan's Reward (Berkley Historical Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

In The Texan's Reward, the hero's known the heroine since she was a young girl. He was already a Texas Ranger when he met her, so there's obviously an age difference, but it's ignored.

In a previous book, she was shot in the back, and the bullet remains lodged next to her spine, so she's mostly an invalid with a lot of pain.

He returns to town when she takes out an ad offering a half interest in her properties (there are quite a few) in exchange for marriage. He proposes, but she says no because she wants better for him.

This is cute because they're both so clueless, but the back and forth got to be a little much, plus the reasoning for it wasn't very clear.

There were a couple of secondary romances, too, which was nice. And a mystery, part of which wasn't explained at the end.