I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Forever His Texas Bride by Linda BrodaySeries: Bachelors of Battle Creek #3
Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca on December 1st 2015
Genres: Historical Romance
Pages: 352
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
ISBN: 1492602876
In 1879 Texas, handsome Brett Liberty is straddling two worlds; he is unable to fully embrace his Iroquois blood or freely conform to a world made for white men. The only time he finds peace is when he is with his mustangs… until he discovers rough-and-tumble Rayna Harper.
Having known little kindness in her lifetime, Rayna has built up a tough exterior. But Brett sees her heart buried beneath the layers of hurt and fear. Though he could never expect a woman to share his troubled life, he's completely taken by this red-haired beauty. She seems to understand him more than any woman has before. As their mutual understanding melts into growing desire, it seems that a brush of the lips is all it takes to chase their troubles away…
Summary
Brett Liberty, straddles two world and its not been easy not knowing his true heritage and having to work his own way into the world. But his horse ranch is his life and he will do anything to protect it and those he cares about. While out on a delivery for some of his horses to be sold, upon his return his beloved horse is killed, he is shot in the back, a sherrif and his deputies put him in a cell to be hung…for being born. His cell mate, Rayna Harper, a thief, is a woman that has had a hard blow in life dealt to her, but she is kind and still untouched by the evils of the world. Brett and Rayna become close, and make a bond with each other. Right before he is about to be hung for no crime, his brothers miraculously appear and he takes Rayna back home with him. But soon it becomes evident, that not everyone where he lives is comfortable with him being half Iroquois. And trouble comes when he takes in a dozen indian orphans, sick with no one to protect them. He and Rayna fight to protect these against a mob of men that will do anything to kill these innocent children. Will Brett and Rayna be able to save the day….or will their lives be forfeit?
The Hero
Brett Liberty, was taken away when he was just a babe, and was brought to a ophanage. In the orphanage he made friends with two other boys, and they made a pact of brotherhood sealed by their blood. In their minds, they are true brothers, and will fight for each other, no matter the cost. Brett lives his life on his ranch with his horses and his tipee and enjoying the precious land. He doesn’t expect that a neighbor will turn on him when Brett reaches out a helping hand to a sister and nephew he knew nothing about until now. Or that he would take in indian orphans that are sick and in need of help. He also never imagined that he would find a woman that would be his match in every way.
You’ll never know what it meant to have you offer your body to me. No matter what happens, no matter what evil touches our lives, you are the keeper of my heart.
Brett is put to the test in some of the worst ways…but also in ways that show what a loyal and honorable man he truly is.
The Heroine
Rayna Harper had a rough childhood. Her father got rid of her mother (Rayna suspects he murdered her), beat her, and forced her to go with him in his wagon to pick up bones to sell. Not exactly the best way to live, but Rayna learned to survive, not in the most honorable ways, but she didn’t know any other way but to steal to eat. When she meets Brett in a jail cell, she begins to see how different they are at times….but in the important ways they are very much alike. Brett makes Rayna realize, that her life can have meaning if she is willing to go in search of it. So she takes him up on his offer to go back to his home and begin aneew. In the beginning, it is rough for Rayna but she finds a path that leads her to helping others and learning skills she never thought she could ever learn and discovers a passion with one sexy indian.
Plot and Story Line
Forever His Texas Bride is the third in the trilogy, and I was thrilled to finally get a chance to grab this one. Linda Broday is a new special favorite author of mine. I love the way that she writes westerns, and she does it in a way that I love and it makes this world come alive within the pages that she writes.
In this latest installment, we have the last bachelor. He is the one of the three blood brothers, that I have been most curious about. He is the quiet and reserved one, half indian, lives in a tipee and runs a horse ranch. Despite his blood, the town accepts him. But its heartbreaking at times reading this story, because of how the actions of one neighbor almost destroys everything that Brett has built with hard work and determination just for being born. We see quite a bit of mystery and suspense come into play here, and boy there were some thrilling moments and I just couldn’t put this one down. I only had one issue with the story, it was Rayna’s character. There were many moments I really liked her. However when she returns with Brett to town, she acts a bit like a spoiled child. Which I had a hard time understanding, but I think it boils down to the fact that no one in Rayna’s life has ever been kind to her or offered her a new way of living….she just doesn’t handle it very well. But Brett is patient and understanding with her. I love the way that he treats her, no matter what she throws at him ( I mean that both literally and figuratively).
We also see the close knit bond that the blood brothers have with each other. These three will fight to the death for each other. And I loved seeing this up close and personal once again. Their relationship is admirable and I love the bantering and teasing they do with each other. Each of them have unique qualities and talents, but together—they are rock solid and no one can stand against them. We see them sorely tested in this book however.
That’s what love is. It completes you and makes you see yourself in your woman’s eyes. It’s a wonderful thing to know all you can be and that you make her proud. When you find the right person, grab hold and ride the thunderbolt.
The romance between Brett and Rayna is quite poignant at times….passionate, and stimulating. I honestly don’t know how to do these two justice enough, because their relationship is steady and strong from the very beginning. And as they fight together to save these innocent children, you see how close they really are, and even though they haven’t been around each other very much, their bond is unpenetrable. I seriously cried buckets in this one. There was so much more emotion put in place than I expected and it just about broke my heart in moments.
The Cover
I can’t tell you how much I love this cover!!! Its simply gorgeous and let me tell you why. One the artist who does these covers is brilliant…so bravo to whoever it is. Second I love her dress and in the book she has auburn hair—it matches…yipee!! Also I love how well they matched the hero too. Definitely how I pictured him in the book and series as he is described. I love the horses int he background….so gorgeous, I love the cloud and the sun shining. Gives a solid summer feel to it.
Overall View
Forever His Texas Bride is a stunning addition to a western gem of a romance series….a love story that is poignant, dramatic and packed with action and mystery.
However this ends, just know that I love you with all that I am and all I will ever be. We are one heart, one body, and soul.
Just a quick peek. I’ve got this one for review, too. Yay for poignant and dramatic. New to me author so I’m excited to try it.
I’m not a huge Out West Romance fan, but I do read them upon occasion. It’s interesting that he’s part Iroquois, because the Iroquois are actually from Central New York, not out west. I’m glad you enjoyed it though. I think I picked up one of these books because of your review but haven’t read it yet.