UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish's Reviews > Texas Destiny

Texas Destiny by Lorraine Heath
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Finally on Kindle!!!

I know people, including myself, who paid a small fortune on eBay for used copies of these books, but I just discovered they're FINALLY available on kindle! These 3 books are seriously 3 of my favorite historical romances, and worth every penny! And yes, I'll be buying them again!

Texas Destiny http://amzn.to/1HA0eD0
Texas Glory http://amzn.to/1Lmm1if
Texas Splendor http://amzn.to/1FExUQA

My review...

Texas Destiny is the first book in Lorraine Heath’s Texas Trilogy, and my first read by this author. From the reviews and recommendations by friends, I was expecting a really good book, but ended up totally blown away by how much I loved this story. Great hero, great heroine, believable storyline, humor, passion… this book has everything I need for a 5 star read.

Dallas Leigh knew what he wanted and wasn't afraid to do whatever it took to realize his dreams. Already a successful rancher and land owner, the only thing he was lacking was a son to leave his legacy to, so when Dallas saw an ad for a woman looking to become a mail order bride, he began correspondence. After having exchanged letters for a year, Dallas decides that he wants Amelia to be the woman to share his dreams and give him the son he longs for. But just when it was time for him to make the three week journey into Fort Worth to meet his new bride, he fell from a horse he was trying to break and ended up being the one who got broken – his leg, that is. Clearly unable to make the trip to meet the woman who had traveled halfway across the country to marry him, Dallas’ has no other choice than to send his brother, Houston, to meet Amelia at the train station and wait patiently for their return.

I love a story with a tortured hero, and Houston Leigh is certainly that. He has terrible scars on his face and body, a result of a near fatal injury during Civil War where at 14 years old, he served as his father’s drummer. He spent so much of his life hiding in the shadows and wishing he had died on the battlefield rather than living the life he’s had to endure. His torment doesn’t just come from his own scars, but from the pain of believing that his father died on that same battlefield because of Houston’s cowardice. He’s certain his brothers, Dallas and Austin, also blame him for their father’s death, and given that no woman can stand to look at him with his disfigured face, he’s resigned himself to a life of solitude.

Amelia Carson is a strong, resourceful woman with a take charge attitude, so traveling across country to start a new life with a man she’s never met is more exciting than frightening. Besides, her life has been anything but easy, and she’s got more than her own share of childhood trauma to deal with and making this trip is nothing compared to the things she’d endured. She was looking forward to meeting her fiancé and spending the time it took to travel back to his ranch getting to know him, but much to her surprise, the man who met her at the station wasn’t Dallas.

The three weeks it takes to get to the ranch made for some great reading. There was laughter, tears, danger and passion, and I enjoyed it all so much I didn’t want the journey to end, but of course it had to. Once they made it to Dallas’ ranch, the story could have become over the top dark and depressing, but it never did. I was sure there would be angst, and there was. Truth be told, it was an emotional roller coaster ride, but it never became so unbearable that I felt like I needed to put the book down to take a breather. In fact, the book was so good I couldn’t put it down at all!

I’m thrilled to have found this trilogy and owe a huge debt of gratitude to my Goodreads friends who mentioned this book again and again. Houston Leigh now holds a spot on my Top Hero shelf, and it’s not easy to earn that place of honor.
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Reading Progress

February 10, 2010 – Shelved
February 10, 2010 – Shelved as: author-lorraine-heath
February 10, 2010 – Shelved as: historical-romance-american-west
February 10, 2010 – Shelved as: historical-romance-series
June 9, 2010 – Started Reading
June 9, 2010 – Shelved as: scarred-disabled-blind
June 9, 2010 –
page 1
0.26% "After so many wonderful comments about this series, I'm finally going to start it!"
March 14, 2011 –
page 50
13.02% "Imagine, raccoons running off with people's hats! What's the world coming to! LOL"
March 14, 2011 –
page 120
31.25% "I'll say it again - I love Houston!!!"
March 15, 2011 –
page 384
100.0% "So, so good. SOOOOO good!"
March 15, 2011 – Shelved as: 5-stars-or-higher
March 15, 2011 – Shelved as: 2011-reads
March 15, 2011 – Shelved as: format-paperback
March 15, 2011 – Shelved as: love-letters
March 15, 2011 – Shelved as: military-former
March 15, 2011 – Shelved as: military-injured
March 15, 2011 – Shelved as: must-reread
March 15, 2011 – Shelved as: series-texas-trilogy
March 15, 2011 – Finished Reading
April 22, 2011 – Shelved as: mind-candy
May 2, 2011 – Shelved as: reviewed-by-me
May 2, 2011 – Shelved as: favorites
May 2, 2011 – Shelved as: keepers
May 2, 2011 – Shelved as: top-heroes
May 2, 2011 – Shelved as: top-10-heroes
November 22, 2015 – Shelved as: first-in-series-trilogy-duet
March 20, 2016 – Shelved as: own-have-read

Comments Showing 1-50 of 68 (68 new)


Linds This is one of my favorite books and favorite trilogies.


UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish I saw it in my updates and it looks good. How does Lorraine Heath's writing compare to other historical authors?


Karen I have this book in my TBR, but I have read book 2 in the series Texas Glory. Texas Glory was actually my first LH novel (picked it up at a flea market). I liked that book so much that I bought nearly every other book that she has written. I like American Western Historical novels and I also like novels set in the Regency and Victorian periods. Lorraine Heath is one of the few authors who manage to combine them.

The Texas Trilogy is a standalone series, but if reading in order is important to you and you want to read some of her other novels, I would suggest starting with her Rogues in Texas series followed by the Daughters of Fortune and then Lost Lords. The Scoundrels of St. James series is also standalone.


message 4: by Fatuma (new)

Fatuma yep me 2


message 5: by Fatuma (new)

Fatuma Linds wrote: "This is one of my favorite books and favorite trilogies. "

yep


UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish I was just doing some hunting on eBay for her books. I'll look some more later. *sigh* I have sooooooo many books already.


Carolyn F. I just read this book and loved it! You should move it up in your stack.


Laurie  (barksbooks) I'm so glad you enjoyed it. It's one of my favorites!


Sans Wonderful review! I finished this book last week and it's definitely got a spot on my keeper shelf. Just loved it.


message 10: by Lisa Kay (last edited May 02, 2011 09:15AM) (new) - rated it 5 stars

Lisa Kay Wow, Sans! A historical western? It must be really, really good.

Another wonderful review, Dhestiny!


MountainKat These are such good books! I loved each of them! So happy to see others enjoy them too!


UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish Thank you, ladies! Yep... this is a keeper and Houston is on my Top 10 Heroes list!!

All 3 were amazing!


message 13: by Sans (new) - rated it 5 stars

Sans Lisa, historical westerns are my new crack. ^o^

Dhestiny, Houston is on my top 10 hero list too!


Lisa Kay Wow! **runs off to check tracking status of book's arrival date**


UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish Sans wrote: "Dhestiny, Houston is on my top 10 hero list too! "

Clearly we have incredible taste in heroes!!!!


Lisa Kay A little something for ya'all. (Warning: Do not open at work!) Could this be Houston? (view spoiler).


message 17: by Sans (new) - rated it 5 stars

Sans UniquelyMoi *~*Dhestiny*~* wrote: "Clearly we have incredible taste in heroes!!!!"

That's because we're awesome. ^o^

Lisa, you temptress! I'm going to have to wait 7 more hours to check out that link!


Lisa Kay Sans, Patience is a virtue! **Lisa takes one hand off keyboard to cover snickers**


Juliana Philippa Great review! This is the only one in the trilogy I have not read - I started it but for some reason couldn't get into it. I think it's time for me to try again, because I did really love the other two.


UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish Thank you, Juliana! I actually think this might be my favorite. I remember starting it awhile back then getting sidetracked. I'm glad I didn't wait any longer before picking it back up.


UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish Lisa, add a few scars and I could see Houston's backside there. LOL


MountainKat UniquelyMoi *~*Dhestiny*~* wrote: "Lisa, add a few scars and I could see Houston's backside there. LOL"

I was thinking that was a little too perfect myself! ; )


UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish MountainKat wrote: "I was thinking that was a little too perfect myself! ; ) "

I'm so in love with Houston! Scars and all!


message 24: by Sans (new) - rated it 5 stars

Sans UniquelyMoi *~*Dhestiny*~* wrote: "Lisa, add a few scars and I could see Houston's backside there. LOL"

Not helping my patience (or lack thereof), Dhestiny. ^o^


message 25: by Lisa Kay (last edited May 02, 2011 10:57AM) (new) - rated it 5 stars

Lisa Kay Poor baby has scars on his tuckus? :-(

Maybe rubbing in some of my soothing salve will help. :-) **hee hee**

For Sans (Okay for work): (view spoiler)


Diana~ (Kiss Me Books) Great review Dhes! I'm really tempted to check this out now. :)


message 27: by Ruth (new) - added it

Ruth Great review!

I love all the Lorraine Heath books I've read. They are just so consistently good, I know I'm not going to regret buying them.


UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish Thank you, Diana, Ruth and Mia!! This was one of those books that will stay with me forever, and Houston... I just love him so much!!!


UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish Mia, I've read them all, now. I sobbed for Rawley. I wish Ms. Heath would revisit this trilogy with a story for him!


message 30: by Mimi (new) - rated it 5 stars

Mimi Smith Great review. I love books by Lorraine Heath, and I think this was my favorite alongside Parting Gifts.
Am I the only one who likes her Historical Western books much more than The Regency London ones?


message 31: by Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~* (last edited May 02, 2011 01:31PM) (new) - added it

Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~* Great review Dhestiny! Havent read one of her books in a long time,you've tempted me to pick one up again :)


message 32: by Ruth (new) - added it

Ruth I love both her Regency and Western HRs. They are both incredibly strong.


UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish Thank you, Mimi and Sandi! This trilogy is all I've read of her books, but I'm hooked. I have some others of her Historical Westerns that I'm looking forward to reading soon.

Ruth, what would be a good book to read in her Regency lineup?


message 34: by Ruth (new) - added it

Ruth Ruth, what would be a good book to read in her Regency lineup?

I have read all the Soundrels of St.James series, and really enjoyed them all. I read them in series, which probably made it easier to follow what was happening, since they're probably semi-standalone books really.

The series is In Bed With the Devil, Between the Devil and Desire, Surrender to the Devil and Midnight Pleasures With a Scoundrel.


UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish OOooh, excellent. I have the first 2 books! Is the series complete?


message 36: by Ruth (new) - added it

Ruth I believe so.


UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish Nice, thank you so much!


message 38: by Ruth (new) - added it

Ruth You are so welcome!


MountainKat UniquelyMoi *~*Dhestiny*~* wrote: "Nice, thank you so much!"

I'm not sure whether to thank her or curse her...

Thank you for helping me find more good books! Curses from my wallet! And from anybody who actually expects me to get anything other than reading done! 8/


message 40: by Ruth (new) - added it

Ruth And from anybody who actually expects me to get anything other than reading done!

LOL!! I know. It sucks how life has a habit of getting in the way of my reading..


UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish Money stands in the way of my book buying addiction.

>=T


message 42: by Sans (new) - rated it 5 stars

Sans Finally got to see that spoiler Lisa posted. Pardon me while I wipe the drool from my keyboard.

Dhestiny, I have high hopes that one day, all books will be free. What river in Egypt?


UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish It's the DE-Nile, Sans! LOL


UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish I'm glad my review has tempted you to expand your horizons, Marisol!

I'm a late comer to Historical Westerns, my self. I LOVED this trilogy, and Jodi Thomas's The Texan's Wager (Wife Lottery, #1) by Jodi Thomas and Julie Garwood's For the Roses (Rose, #1) by Julie Garwood is an all time favorite feel good read! I hope you'll give this trilogy or Julie Garwood's book a try!


Lisa Kay Sans wrote: "Finally got to see that spoiler Lisa posted. Pardon me while I wipe the drool from my keyboard."

Glad you finally got to see it, Sans! Hope the moisture didn't ruin you keyboard.


message 46: by Ruth (new) - added it

Ruth Finally got to see that spoiler Lisa posted.

Ah! Now that's a fine end (get it...) to a Monday! If only they all finished in such a delectable, delicious, lickable way...

A-hem! Lovely photo, Lisa, lovely photo. Nice hat too.


Lisa Kay OMG! I finally received my book! LH's Texas Trilogy In hardback it is huge; the red cover is gorgeous. The little GR book hyperlink is too small, so I found this, though it still doesn't do it justice.
Texas trilogy


Lisa Kay Ruth wrote: "Ah! Now that's a fine end (get it...) to a Monday! If only they all finished in such a delectable, delicious, lickable way...

A-hem! Lovely photo..."


Glad you liked it, Ruth!


UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish I'm so jealous, Lisa!! This trilogy is a keeper for me, I wish all my books matched!


Lisa Kay I'll be thinking of you when I read it, Dhestiny! Thank you! (Plus, I'll be eatting PB&J for a month! LOL!)


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