Customer Reviews

Texas Heat: Lone Star Intrigue #1

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

 

 

Ok, but the ending was rather abrupt. The story itself was ok, but seemed a bit incomplete. Not much about the missing money, or an outcome to that part of the story. Maybe in another book?

I've read a lot of Mary Higgins Clark books, and I found the past few years, quite a number of Christian books, including this one, pattern their style of writing on her books. There is always the "bad guy" lurking, watching, and waiting his chance to "get" someone. The story goes from the main character to the "bad guy" throughout the whole book. Very boring after a while. No imagination, even though maybe the storyline is ok.
I liked books better several years ago, when each author had their own style of writing.

TEXAS HEAT by Debra White Smith made for a quick read with characters that were real and welcoming.
Charli Friedmont moves back to her hometown of Bullard, Texas, in hopes of putting her unsuccessful marriage behind her and to give her daughter, Bonnie, a quiet and secure upbringing. When Charli is arrested for embezzling from the bank she works at, her peaceful, simple life is upended. With no family or friends to turn to other than her Pastor and wife, she has no choice but to accept the help of Sheriff Jack Mansfield, the man that just arrested her . . . and the man whose heart she broke when they were young lovers in college.

Sheriff Jack Mansfield had wanted to renew his friendship with Charli since the day she arrived back in town. Arresting her was not on his list of ways to get reacquainted. With the evidence stacked against her, Jack has no choice but to take her into custody and hold her until bail can be secured. But knowing Charli is not capable of illegal activity, he hires Sonny Mansfield, his private detective brother, to get to the bottom of what has to be a set-up.

While trying to unravel the false charges against her, Charli and Jack struggle with where they stand personally. Charli hates herself for the way she treated Jack years ago and feels he deserves so much more than a single mom who might be on her way to jail. Jack feels the tug-o-war between his ego that says, move on before you get hurt again, and his heart that says, love is worth the risk.

TEXAS HEAT was an easy read with all the settings I am a sucker for. Who can resist a Texas cowboy, a damsel in despair, and the great outdoors? Though the story between Jack and Charli was well scripted, I didn't feel the plot that brought them together was written to completion. Setting someone up for embezzling is quite a feat, yet the readers are never told how this was accomplished. There were a few other sub-plots that I felt were breezed over, but all in all, TEXAS HEAT kept my interest enough to have me waiting for the sequel TEXAS PURSUIT.

I pick my books by authors so I knew I would like this book. The description of the books condition was excellent.

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Though I rate the book Five Stars, I will not engage in the kind of glowing praise such as that Debra White Smith is a "Master Storyteller" or claim that the book is Amazing; but neither do I wish to engage in such an extreme of faultfinding that the story cannot be resurrected as entertainment. Suffice it to say, the storytelling was adequate, and it was an entertaining read.

Debra White Smith takes her character, "Charli" on an escapade in the jail on charges of Embezzlement of $100,000 dollars from a small town texas bank where she worked. The Sherrif in the town happens to be in love with Charli and offers a little help to see her name cleared and to win the Single Mom's affection.

In addition, The man who framed Charli is not only dishonest. He is willing to commit murder to cover his tracks, and Charli is in the greatest of danger.





It should be noted that there is another Author, a Fern Michaels, who also has a novel entitled "Texas Heat".

This book is the first of a series of novels involving the Sherrif who loves Charli.

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Things are heating up between Jack and Charlie in texas heat. Their tumultuous story comes full circle in this page-turning romantic thriller. Full of surprises, texas heat is hard to put down. Realistic well thought out characters get caught up in events that will force them to determine the course of their lives...together, or apart. I'm looking forward to the next installment in this series.

Debra White Smith is one of my favorite authors. She knows how to tell a story and keep your interest thru out.
Her books are a must read! I always look forward to her next book as I will with the next one in her newest series "Lone Star Intrigue". I can hardly wait for book #2 in the series. Book #1 was extraordinary.
Norma S. Merle

Texas Heat (Lone Star Intrigue #1)

Debra White Smith just may have created something very habit forming if Texas Heat is any indication of the stories to come with her Lone Star Intrigue series. The characters in this book were so captivating and real! I felt as though I were reading about actual people and that I may just bump into Charli coming out of Brookshires Grocery store. I am more than ready for the second book, and wishing that I wasn't already finished with the first! Texas Heat is the perfect getaway at the end of a stressful day if you like to escape with the aid of a great story.

Texas Heat is one of Debra's finest works to date. Charli has returned to her home town after she and her small daughter are abandoned by a man she never should have married. She is wrongly accused of a crime and her old flame, Jack, now a sheriff is forced to arrest her although he believes in her innocence. The old spark is still there, although both are afraid of being hurt again. As they try to prove her innocence, Charli becomes the victim of a stalker who is bent on silencing her forever to hide his crimes. Also, Jack has a very attractive neighbor who is a widow with two young sons and who is looking for a husband who would also be a good father for her boys. Charli now realizes what a mistake she made in letting Jack go the first time. This is a fast-moving story of suspense, love, and restored faith. I can hardly wait for book two in the series.

Jack and Charli used to be an item. That is until Charli dumped Jack and married Vince. She soon found out Vince was not all he said he was. After leaving Charli and their daughter Bonnie, Charlie returns home to Bullard, TX. The spark between her and Jack is still strong but she seems to be holding him at arms length. When she's accused of embezzling money from the bank where she works, Jack, as police chief, comes to arrest her. Is Charli guilty? If not then who could it be? Will she allow Jack to help her?

Jack was a great hero. He was not without his problems but he was a stable person and harbored a great love for Charli. He was careful not to be hurt again but was willing to forgive Charli.

Charli Friedmont is an unsure heroin. She struggles with her feelings for Jack. She is careful not to depend on him too much. She is portrayed as a real person. Someone who might be your friend.

What will happen when it looks like Jack's attention and care is directed to his beautiful widow neighbor? Will Charli reveal her true feelings to Jack? Will she step aside for the neighbor? Or will she be alive to make that choice?

Texas Heat is Book 1 in Debra's new Lone Star Intrigue series. It does keep you turning pages. You know who the villain is but you are kept wondering when he'll strike. Great start to the series. I Will be looking for Book 2, Texas Pursuit.

I always enjoy Ms. Smith's books and this is no exception. Texas Heat was exciting and thought provoking. Interwoven within the mystery and romance are many other life themes such as co-dependency and alcoholism.
Charli is a single mother who is falsely accused of embezzlement. Jack is the police chief who must arrest her. Jack and his brother set out to not only prove Charli's innocence, but to save her from the true culprit.
The story was very exciting, and I thoroughly enjoyed this book.