Tall, Dark, and Texan (A Whispering Mountain Novel)

All of Jodi Thomas' book are excellent, but this was my favorite.

In 1856 options for single women were limited especially a single woman with three children, no money and a heartless mother in law who was in a position to take her children. With no other options left to her, Widow Jessica Barton turned to the one person she felt could help, Teagen McMurray a friend she never met. Jessie knew she would be safe if only for little while on Teagen's horse ranch, so she packed her and her daughters' meager belongings and left Chicago for Texas and the Whispering Mountain Ranch. Reaching the Whispering Mountain Ranch Jessie felt like she was home, but her peace at the ranch may not last when Teagen finds out the truth about his friendship with Eli Barton and the secrets Jessie was keeping. Tall, Dark and Texan is a story to be enjoyed and one I loved from start to finish. The people outside of the sanctuary of his ranch feared Teagen. Not Jessie, she knew Teagen like no one else did and she knew there was so much more to him than what he showed on the exterior. Jessie's daughters were so entertaining, especially Rose. According to her the whole daily running of the ranch rested on her five year old shoulders. I love the slow pace of Teagen and Jessie's relationship. They became a family before they even realized it was happening. The only thing that could have made this story better for me was Sage and Roak finding their way to each other. Roak needs loving and being that this is third book in the Whispering Mountain trilogy, I'm afraid I may never know if he finds it. Tall, Dark and Texan is a great story, beautifully written and a terrific wrap up of the Whispering Mountain trilogy. Ley Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I haven't read a lot of Jodi Thomas books. I did enjoy the Whispering Mountain series, though. This installment is my favorite of the 3. I really liked Teagan and Jessie. The chemistry between them was very strong. Teagan was a great hero - brooding and gruff on the outside, but a soft spot inside, yearning to be loved and to love. Jessie was his perfect counterpart. But, what made the book especially good was the children. I am a sucker for romances with children who are written really well. The children were some of the best written, IMO. And the interactions between them and Teagan were heart-melting. They truly made the book great. The first breakfast scene where Teagan walks in and gets hit in the face with a flying sticky pancake, thrown by baby Bethie was priceless! I highly recommend reading this, even if you don't read the others in the series.

This is the best of the trilogy (now a series) maybe Sage is next? I thought the 3 young children were great! This certainly thawed out a very stiff Teagen. Little Rose was so funny I was laughing out loud. Thought the book was very entertaining. It's a keeper.

Wow, what a great book! As usual, Jodi immediately hooks you with the first page and doesn't stop until you're at the last. As with the first two in this series, once I started, it took all my will power to set it down when I needed to return to reality and tend to life. While reading this one, I couldn't help but be brought back to the first two books about Travis and Tobin, making me want to read them all over again. You will fall in love with all of the characters. The hero and the heroines, along with other characters in the book. Ever since the first book, I couldn't wait to read about each of the siblings and the story of their journey that I knew awaited in the next book. Well, now I can barely wait for Sage's, story...and I have little doubt that Drummond will be fighting to win her over. Can't wait! I'll be checking Jodi's website, constantly, trying to patiently await Sage's story. I can already see the wheels turning for other books, ones about the children of these wonderful characters.

In 1856 Hill Country Texas Teagen McMurray feels lonely as he runs Whispering Mountain Ranch. His brothers are married (see TEXAS PRINCESS and TEXAS RAIN) and his sister is away at school. However while he wants the love of a good woman, he also admits he enjoys the quietness of the spread. With the death of her rescuer and jailer husband Eli, Widow Jessica Barton flees Chicago with her three preadolescent daughters to escape the "incarceration" her in-laws plan for their late son's daughters. Leaving behind Barton Bookstore to Eli's avaricious family, she heads to Whispering Ranch and Eli's friend Teagan. The four females make it to the ranch where Teagan takes them in. He persuades his guest to marry for the sake of her kids. She agrees but both hide from the other they want more than a marriage of convenience as each is in love; her from the time she read his letters to Eli back in Chicago and him from the moment the fearsome horde invaded his life and heart. Though the theme has been used quite often, this is an enjoyable pre Civil War Texas romance as the lonely rancher and the frightened widow find love. Filled with passion and courage (trademarks of Ms. Thomas Texas tales), TALL DARK AND TEXAN is a warm historical. Harriet Klausner