HEART OF TEXAS

Author: Constance O'Banyon ISBN: 0843953659 6/2004 HISTORICAL Publisher: LEISURE
Time Period: Old West

"If you're wise you'll load up and keep going 'til you're clear of this place. " That was the terse advice of the dangerous-looking stranger who'd helped haul her wagon out of the muddy waters of the Brazos River . But Casey Hamilton had nowhere else to go, no place but the Spanish Spur ranch to make a new home for herself and her little brother and sister. And when none of the local men would work for her, when trouble seemed to dog her steps, she had no choice but to hire the loner with the low-slung guns strapped about his lean hips. She knew he was part Comanche, a man who'd fought his share of battles; was he a gunslinger as well? Was that why the past seemed to haunt him? Either way, his silver eyes held secrets too deep for telling; his warm lips whispered warnings she dared not ignore; and his hard arms promised that in his stirring embrace she would find the true...HEART OF TEXAS.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

I love to read a good western and HEART OF TEXAS began with a wealth of promise. The heroine, Casey Hamilton, crossing the country on a wagon train with her two younger siblings following the death of their father, exhibited the gutsy, fiery tendencies I admire in female leads.

The trouble is that Casey's character disintegrated shortly into the story. Instead of the strong, vibrant young woman at the beginning of this story, Casey began her descent toward almost TSTL status. Some of her actions later in the story bordered on dumb. This heroine never developed to her full potential.

The same holds true with the hero, Gabe. This guy had the potential to be a really dynamic character but, like Casey, Ms. O'Banyon seems to only have skimmed the surface of Gabe.

When Gabe's true identity is revealed to Casey, there is the inevitable - and predictable - blowup. Not quite the dreaded writing device, the big misunderstanding, but close.

Ms. O'Banyon's story does flow well with enough action to keep it interesting. And there is some nice sexual tension throughout the story.

HEART OF TEXAS isn't a bad story, it just could have been more. Western romance enthusiasts may well enjoy Casey and Gabe's story.

Debbie Jett