Justin

Back of book reads: SWEET DREAMS... has been all that lovely Shelby Jacobs had ever given Justin Ballenger. He'd loved her, wanted to marry her...and his sweet dreams had blown away. A Ballenger wasn't good enough for Shelby--she'd broken their engagement and flaunted her rich society lover in Justin's face. He vowed never again to be vulnerable to his beautiful Texas rose. Shelby had never stopped loving dark, intense Justin, and seeing him only deepened her feelings. She was sure he despised her, but she knew he needed to hear the truth about the past. She was risking everything, but the heart of her lonesome cowboy was more than worth it... It was tragic seeing so many misunderstandings between Justin and Shelby. They were sweet hearts torn apart with lies and deceit. For six years afterwards they have both been lonely and heartbroken. When, under difficult situations, the two decide to get married out of necessity, there seems to be some hope of a true reunion. Yet with hidden fears on both their parts it is a difficult start. Everytime the couple seems to turn a new corner, and things appear brighter, Justin misinterprets the situation. Instead of taking a step forward they take two steps back. In their final union, they both let down their sheilds to come together in what is, to me, a beautifully sweet story book ending.

Ahh! Justin.He has waited six long, dry years for his love. No wonder he doesn't trust Shelby with his happiness. Not knowing or understanding that Shelby has waited 6 years also.He just couldn't believe that Shelby's father had done a number on them to break them up. And the blonde, rich playboy Tom Wheelor played along with her father.Justin is unaware of his own dark masculine appeal to the black haired, green eyed, beautiful Shelby and can't understand her interest in him. [Wow! where do you find all these gorgeous, dark hair chested men?]How bad was Shelby's problem that she needed surgery? But you can understand her fear of intimacy. Justin just didn't have a clue.It is wonderful to find a man of 37 that embarrassed easily when confronted with intimate talk. Justin has decided to grab onto a little happiness and marry Shelby rather than lose her.A very weird marriage of convenience.Of course Barry Holman, Shelby's boss, didn't help matters very much, but then I am getting ahead of myself. Nor did Abby's little red sports car. Trouble really started when Justin came back from Wyoming, from seeing Quinn Sutton [#4 in the Saga].Oh, there are some many little intricacies [or webs] that hold this story together that it is a most fascinating read. I would have loved to know these people in reality. Ah,well!Keep up the good work D. there has to be many more people to be written about around Jacobsville, Texas -- ah, the saga continues.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED and definitely a keeper -- 6 years and 8 months later the stories are still great.

No matter how many times I read this, it still manages to send a shiver down my spine. While I at times want to shake Justin for his idiotic ideas, I can understand his insecurity, and the ending is enough to make me cry!

Justin is one of the best in the Long Tall Texans series. Justin is a trip. Great read.