Texas Woman (Sisters of the Lone Star)

Texas Woman was a great story. I enjoyed it's fast paced adventure. Cruz is a wonderful hero and his gentleness toward Slone is very tender. Slone struggles to trust and love again after Cruz's brother betrayed her and left her pregnant and unwed. She gives the baby to Cruz at birth and marrys him on paper only until such time and the man who killed Cruzs brother is brought to justice, then it is to be a real marriage. This is their story of the stuggle to overcome the many things life passes our way. I was a little disappointed that we didn't really see much of the other family in this book. Frontier Woman and Comanche Woman were much more family interactive. Nevertheless, it was still a good story and ties the triology together. I recommend you read them in order. They do stand alone but like any good family history it's best to get the information in order. You feel like you know them all. All three books (Frontier Woman, Comanche Woman, Texas Woman) are really good stories but I have to say that Comanche Woman was by far my favorite. All three heros were good men who were strong yet tender. But there was something about Long Quiet that drew me in in Comanche Woman. This series is a keeper for me!

"Texas Woman" is the third and last story of Joan Johnston's 'Sisters of the Lone Star' trilogy.They follow the life,loves and adventures of three sisters born to wealthy cotton plantation owner,Rip Stewart. His dreams were dashed when he had girls instead of boys to follow in his big footsteps,but raised his daughters to have the courage and strength of any man.The first two books(also great reads),Frontier Woman and Comanche Woman focus on the younger rebellious daughter "Cricket" and the quiet middle sister "Bay".It is helpful, but not neccessary to have read these two stories first for the background information on the family history and the history of Texas' fight for Statehood and freedom from Mexico. And so now we come to the story of Sloan Stewart, or as she is very affectionately called by Cruz Guerrero(I see Antonio Banderas here), the man who loves her, "Cebellina". Sloan is the strong one. The one Rip has groomed all her life to someday take over the sprawling plantation known as Three Oaks.Through tragic circumstances, Sloan has built a wall around herself that will not be easily broken. Cruz, has loved his dead brother's lover from the first time he laid eyes on her.A secret pact that the two made in the earlier novels, now comes to light, and Sloan is forced to abide by her word. She is torn betweeen her love of her land and the kind of everlasting love a man like Cruz can offer her. Miss Johnston keeps us captivated by Sloan's story until the very last chapter. There is also, as always dangerous villans,exciting adventure and steamy romance.The continuing story of the Republic of Texas and the move to Statehood is an interesting bit of history added to the adventure.We also learn more about Luke, the half brother of the sisters and a new character, Tomasita, adds her charms as well.Cricket, Bay and their faimilies make brief but touching appearances as well. I couldn't put this one down. If you love romance and western adventure you'll love this one as well. "Cebellina" has become my favorite of the three sisters.Joan Johnston gave her a heart the size of Texas and her story will leave you wanting more. So,thanks Joan Johnston, for once again taking me away to another time and place, and now it's on to the 'Bitter Creek' series to read about the modern day descendants of these three remarkable women.(see below for list and links of bittercreek series books) Happy trails....Laurie Bittercreek series(see my reviews for ratings and story details) The Cowboy THE TEXAN The Loner The Price: A Novel (Bitter Creek) The Rivals Large Print The Next Mrs. Blackthorne: A Bitter Creek Novel

Sloan Stewart is the eldest of Rip Stewart's daughters. She is his heir, his rock. She's the overseer on his plantation. She lives for the land, because past heartbreak has taught her that land is all that one can count on. She was always considered unusual by the town's standards. Now she's has had a son out of wedlock by her first love, a traitor, and she's made a secret deal with his brother, Cruz. Cruz has loved her for years, but Sloan is too afraid to love him. When a secret part of Rip's life comes to light, Sloan is furious and unwillingly turns to Cruz. The author manages to keep the romance and action going without sacrificing the heroine's independent spirit, even when it inconveniences the hero. She adds intrigue with Cruz's secret occupation, Cruz's mother and ties up loose ends with Sloan's son, whom she gave to Cruz to raise because she was afraid to love him. The secondary love story with Luke was a nice touch, too. All in all, the story was well-written and I was sorry to see the Sisters of the Lone Star end. I hope Joan Johnson will eventually do some sequels about their children. I'd like to see how the next generation of Lone Star children handle their adventures.

The third volume of Sister of the Lone Star is very well worth reading, as are the previous two. Had hoped Johnston would write the story of Luke.