Texas Triumph

Favorite scene with Vida- The whole scene of caring for Taylor when he's ill. Favorite scene with Taylor- His first meeting with Honor. Together- Before their wedding, realizing they belonged there, willing to give up the new job. What did you like about Vida- Her strength and stubborness. Never giving up on Taylor. Telling him they won't be taking the detective job because they should stay where they are and be with family. I can't believe Buck survived. Yeh!!! Vida told Taylor family's more important than a job. Her easy goingness with the cowpokes at the saloon. What didn't you like about Vida- That she felt she didn't need to tell Taylor when she went back to New Orleans to get info. on Celeste. They're partners, and yet she felt like she could do what she wanted without his permission. She took risks-esp. with Pierre and Derek. It's not her per se, but sometimes her vulnerability and hurt feelings don't fit her tough cookie, detective persona. She wears her heart on her sleeve and shows her feelings and it doesn't quite fit. What did you like about Taylor- Loving Vida. Never giving up on his dad. Reconciling with Cal and Honor, although it was hard for him. Telling Celeste off. His mother-son affection with Doc Maggie. And his affection for the ranch hands. What didn't you like about Taylor- It's not him per se, but the drunk act. It made him look bad in people's eyes. He might not have been able to tell people the truth yet, but still- He was too stubborn about reconciling with Cal and Honor. Glad he did. If I had to cast Vida, I'd cast Catherine Zeta-Jones. If I had to cast Taylor, I'd cast Cameron Mathison.

The best way to read this trilogy is from the beginning. While 'texas triumph' is the best of the 3 because it wraps up all the loose ends and has all the characters together, it is much more enjoyable having read the story of Cal, Honor and then Taylor. If u only pick one of the trilogy, this would be the one to choose. Story itself is as reviewed by HK.

In 1850 New Orleans, Buck Star seduced his friend's wife. She is willing to give up everything for Buck, but the handsome lothario deserts her leaving behind the broken Gannon family without a look back or feeling the slightest of remorse. In 1869, an ailing Buck's past has come home to roost (see TEXAS STAR and TEXAS GLORY). Several people have the motive to want Buck dead for the havoc he caused and left behind two decades ago. His son Pinkerton Agent Taylor Star returns to the family spread to investigate a murder. He is accompanied by his partner Vida Malone, who Taylor quickly realizes is the only person he trusts to include blood relatives. As the two agents investigate and protect each other's back, the attraction they already have for one another but deny explodes into the open. While danger mounts from an avenging unknown culprit, Vida and Taylor fall in love, but first must uncover who wants anything remotely Star dead. The last Texas Star tale is an enjoyable historical private investigative romance as the lead couple investigates who wants to destroy Buck even while falling in love. Taylor and Vida make a wonderful pairing as the Agents have avoided their growing attraction until the danger turns personal and they fear for their partner. The final of this fine trilogy is a triumph for fans of Reconstruction Era Texas romantic mysteries as Elaine Barbieri star will shine with glory. Harriet Klausner