When a Texan Gambles (Book Club Book) [Hardcover]

Jodi Thomas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2003

It all started when she got thrown off the wagon train. Now, a crook is dead and Sarah Andrews has been raffled off in a "Wife Lottery." That seems bad enough - until she discovers her new groom with a knife in his back.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Jove 2003/03; 1 edition (2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0739438638
• ISBN-13: 978-0739438633
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #350,896 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

New York Times and USA Today's bestselling author Jodi Thomas has published over 30 books in both the historical romance and contemporary genres, the majority of which are set in her home state of Texas. Publishers Weekly calls her novels "Distinctive...Memorable," and that in her stories "[tension] rides high, mixed with humor and kisses more passionate than most full-on love scenes." In 2006, Romance Writers of America (RITA) inducted Thomas into the RWA Hall of Fame for winning her third RITA for THE TEXAN'S REWARD. She also received the National Readers' Choice Award in 2009 for TWISTED CREEK (2008) and TALL, DARK, AND TEXAN (2008). While continuing to work as a novelist, Thomas also functions as Writer in Residence at the West Texas A&M University campus, where she inspires students and alumni in their own writing pursuits.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ANOTHER GREAT ONE FROM JODI, November 27, 2003

By 

lovesbooks (North Kingstown, R.I. United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When a Texan Gambles (The Wife Lottery) (Mass Market Paperback)

I like Jodi Thomas's books--they are well written, interesting and she seldom makes a misstep with the heroine or the hero. I look forward to having the time to read them, but I don't feel as if I have to stop my life for them. She deftly sidesteps traps--for example, there are children in the book, but they don't take it over. Most of this book is the two people on the run, either from the scads of people who want to kill Gatin or to reach a sadistic murderer before he can strike again. Sometimes when an author shows a villain, too much explicit violence is shown which haunts the reader (at least, this one!), But not so in this book. Although this book is part of a trilogy (the third is not out yet), you can read it on its own. Both Sarah and Gatlin are orphans who yearn for someone to love and to be loved and the process of their falling in love was fun to read. The only criticism I have is the ongoing (two books now) flight from the man the three women thought they had murdered. I suppose this will be wrapped up in the third of the trilogy, but it made this book seem unfinished. On the whole, a very, very good book!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'd give it 5 Stars PLUS!, March 12, 2004

By 

B. Sciarrotta "Oded fan" (Trenton, NJ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: When a Texan Gambles (The Wife Lottery) (Mass Market Paperback)

I've read the first two books in this series and, since I am not a reviewer and you can read the eitors' reviews, I can only give you my humble opinions: This is a wonderful story. Great characters. I loved this book so much, that I wish Jodi would make it at least 4 in the series as I would love to read more about that wild Texas Ranger, JACOB. I can't wait for Lacy's story. She's hillarious.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars superb western romance, November 7, 2003

By 

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

This review is from: When a Texan Gambles (The Wife Lottery) (Mass Market Paperback)

In 1883 after confessing that she killed nasty Zeb Whitaker with two other women, Sarah Andrews is placed in a wedding raffle by Sheriff Riles. Shockingly the last person that anyone would expect to enter the contest, bounty hunter Sam Gatlin wins. He pays her fine, gets her out of jail, and marries her. Sarah expects he will abandon her like her husband and baby who died while heading west and the wagonmaster who kicked her off the train.

However, before they can leave town, Levi Reed stabs Sam in the back. He asks Sarah to pull out the knife and to get them out of town as he is a sitting duck for anyone who wants a reputation. She pulls off the impossible, but on the trail meets three children claiming Sam as their father though he denies it whenever he awakens. As she nurtures him back to health, they fall in love, but to have a long term relationship he paradoxically must die because so many wannabees will try to gun him down.

The second "Wife Lottery" tale (see THE TEXAN'S WAGER) is a superb western romance that moves at a fast pace, is filled with plenty of action and contains a strong cast. The key, besides the fully developed lead protagonists, are the townsfolk, the kids, and those foes wanting to kill the hero. Each one enhances the understanding of the inner values of a pair who are on the surface seem inappropriate together yet share similar ethics. Readers will look forward to the final novel in what is so far a delightful series focusing on players with principles.

Harriet Klausner