Category Archives: Deep in the Heart of Texas Series

December 14, 2014 · 11:54 pm

Review: The Last Cowboy in Texas by Katie Lane

last cowboyTitle: The Last Cowboy in Texas by Katie Lane
Deep in the Heart of Texas Series Book Seven
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

No Sad Songs Here, Darlin’

Country music princess Starlet Brubaker has a sweet tooth for moon pies and cowboys: both are yummy-and you can never have just one. Now Beckett Cates may not be a cowboy, but he certainly has the heart, soul-and body-to whet her appetite. He’s a sexy ex-Marine with a touch hotter than the scorching Texas sun and arms strong enough to catch her when she lands into trouble.

Playing bodyguard to America’s sweetheart isn’t easy for Beckett. But falling for her sure is. Unfortunately, Starlet has a reputation for keeping a guy or two wrapped around her finger and Beckett refuses to be anybody’s backup. So now it’s up to Starlet to prove that she’s put her cowboy-crazy days behind her. Otherwise, she’ll be singing solo instead of living in harmony with the man who’s loved her even before her fame and fortune.

The Review:

The Last Cowboy in Texas is a sweet, funny and heartfelt novel and it is the perfect ending to Katie Lane’s entertaining and heartwarming Deep in the Heart of Texas series.   In this outing, Starlet Brubaker and Beckett Cates are shocked when their previously antagonistic relationship unexpectedly turns romantic.

Starlet’s dream of becoming a successful country singer has come true, but her life has spiraled out of control. Between her controlling manager, uncle, cousin and alcoholic mother, Starlet cannot seem to find a moment of peace nor does she have a minute to call her own. After her latest tour ends, Starlet returns to Bramble where her much needed break is soon complicated by kidnapping attempts, writer’s block and a surprising romance with the now grownup and deliciously sexy Beckett.

Beckett is the youngest of the Cates’ siblings and he has never fit in with his rough and tumble older brothers. Feeling the need to prove himself, he joined the Marines and he is no longer the skinny, nerdy Cates everyone remembers. However, the changes in Beckett go deeper than his outward appearance. After a tour in Afghanistan, he is struggling with some residual PTSD and guilt from his last mission. He is not planning on staying in Bramble, but when Starlet needs a bodyguard, Beckett agrees to protect her until she is no longer in danger.

Starlet and Beckett’s relationship is a wonderful blend of scorching hot love scenes and sweetly romantic moments that occur as they get to know one another. They also begin to understand that their previous animosity was fueled by misunderstandings but most importantly, they discover their feelings for one another run deeper than either realized. Just as they begin to look toward a possible future together, their blossoming romance is complicated by Starlet’s past.

In addition to Starlet and Beckett’s romance, there are numerous subplots featuring some of Bramble’s colorful residents. These secondary story arcs help wrap up minor storylines that were not completely resolved in previous novels. There is also a hint of mystery that adds some drama to the overall story.

The Last Cowboy in Texas is a fast paced and engaging novel with a somewhat zany cast of characters and a delightfully unique (and slightly outrageous) storyline. It is a touching and emotional romance and Katie Lane’s moving epilogue wraps up all of the loose ends and makes it just a little bit easier to say good-bye to the wonderful town of Bramble and all of its crazy but lovable inhabitants.

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Filed under Contemporary, Deep in the Heart of Texas Series, Forever, Katie Lane, Rated B, Review, Romance, The Last Cowboy in Texas

March 25, 2014 · 11:58 pm

Review: A Match Made in Texas by Katie Lane

matchTitle: A Match Made in Texas by Katie Lane
Deep in the Heart of Texas Series Book Six
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Imprint: Forever
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

A Match Made in Texas is the sixth book in Katie Lane’s bestselling, witty and sexy Deep in the Heart of Texas series.

Living with four over-protective brothers is enough to make a good girl go bad. But the day Brianne Cates hits the road for a taste of freedom, she gets more trouble than she bargained for when she’s arrested by a sexy sheriff in mirrored shades. Now doing a stint of community service, she’s not going to let a cowboy cop like Dusty Hicks mess with her newfound independence-even if he awakens every wicked fantasy she’s ever had.

In Bramble, Texas, Dusty is the law. That means no leniency for the gorgeous rebel whose highway antics almost got them both killed. The divorced lawman doesn’t need another rich, pampered princess, even if Brianne has the lushest body and sweetest smile in the whole darn state. But even as Brianne proves that she lives to walk on the wild side, Dusty begins to wonder if maybe he has what it takes to tame her….

The Review:

A Match Made in Texas is another humorous installment in Katie Lane’s zany and romantic Deep in the Heart of Texas series. In this latest outing, Brianne Cates’ brothers exile her to Bramble to keep a brewing scandal at bay. But little do they realize their sweet, demure sister is, in actuality, a thrill-seeking adrenaline junkie who thrives on adventure. So when an irritating driver gets on Brianne’s last nerve, she winds up in an exciting high speed(ish) chase with local sheriff Dusty Hicks. One impetuous and ill thought out decision later and Brianne is unceremoniously hauled off to jail by the irate sheriff. But things really heat up between this ill-matched but passionate couple when Brianne’s community service puts them in very close proximity.

Family expectations clash with Brianne’s adventurous nature and she has been living a secret life in order to keep the peace. When her slimy ex posts pictures of her on the web, Brianne’s brothers are in damage control mode and she goes along with their plan in an effort to keep the rest of her activities under wraps. Brianne is also hoping getting out from under her family’s watchful eyes will give her the space she needs to figure out what she wants to do with her life. What she wants is not necessarily what is expected of her and her time in Bramble provides her with the opportunity to stretch her wings. Will Brianne follow her heart or will she continue to be let her family’s opinions guide her decisions?

Dusty’s marriage to a wealthy socialite ended in a nasty divorce and bitter custody battle, so he has zero patience for Brianne’s antics. But Brianne is full of unexpected surprises and he soon realizes that he has misjudged her. Dusty is taken off guard by his attraction to her and after they impulsively give in to their passion, they are inseparable. But once Dusty realizes that Brianne has been keeping something from him, will he give up on their budding romance?

Dusty and Brianne are passionate, vibrant characters with strong personalities and they both bring some emotional baggage into their relationship. Brianne has a little growing up to do and she also becomes conscious of the fact that some of Dusty’s preconceived ideas about her have some truth to them. Dusty might be divorced but he still has to contend with his ex as he fights for more time with his young daughter. Dusty and Brianne’s relationship is tenuous and it is surprisingly easy for them both to walk away at the first sign of trouble.

As with the other books in the Deep in the Heart of Texas series, Miss Hattie’s Henhouse and its eclectic residents play small, but crucial roles in the unfolding story. While most of Dusty and Brianne’s relationship takes place in Bramble, Minnie’s matchmaking helps bring them together initially. There are also a few brief guest appearances by brothers Brant, Beau and Billy, but the glimpses of youngest brother Beckett are the most intriguing.

A Match Made in Texas is a wildly sexy romance with a beautiful love story but it is also a tremendous journey of self-discovery for both Dusty and Brianne. The love scenes between Dusty and Brianne are deliciously naughty, their dialogue is delightfully witty and there are also a few poignant moments between them as well. The cast of characters is a bit quirky but lovable. The storyline is fast-paced and appealing with a secondary story arc that stirs up a bit of trouble for the residents of Bramble. A fun-filled and heartwarming stop in Katie Lane’s Deep in the Heart of Texas series that old and new fans definitely do not want to miss.

Click HERE to read my reviews of the other books in the series.

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Filed under A Match Made in Texas, Contemporary, Deep in the Heart of Texas Series, Forever, Grand Central Publishing, Katie Lane, Rated B, Review, Romance

July 30, 2013 · 3:57 am

Review: Flirting with Texas by Katie Lane

Title: Flirting with Texas by Katie Lane
Deep in the Heart of Texas Book Five
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Imprint: Forever
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 368 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

YOU’RE A LONG WAY FROM HOME, COWGIRL.

On her own in the Big Apple, Jenna Jay Scroggs can handle herself when trouble arises. But when she tries to rescue a horse, the passionate do-gooder ends up on a runaway Central Park carriage ride with a hunky stranger. With his sexy drawl and well-worn Levis, Beauregard Cates is doing his darnedest to make Jenna homesick for the small western town she’s spent years trying to forget. And it’s working: She’s dangerously close to falling head over boot heels for the rugged rodeo star with hair the color of moonshine.

Beau came to the big city to escape his past and live life to the fullest. Yet the leggy blonde with eyes as blue as a western sky causes a real hitch in his giddy-up. So when the well-meaning folks of Bramble plot to bring Jenna home, Beau will need to convince her that she won’t ever get Texas out of her blood – or one good-time, ever-lovin’ cowboy out of her heart.

The Review:

Plenty of humor, a big dose of down home charm and an eccentric cast of characters are a winning combination in Flirting with Texas. Katie Lane’s newest release in her fabulous Deep in the Heart of Texas series takes readers back to Bramble, TX where Jenna Jay Scroggs and Beauregard “Beau” Cates fight their way to happily ever after.

Jenna left Bramble and her family behind when she moved to New York City with her rocker boyfriend Davy. At odds with her family over her relationship with Davy, their disagreement has led to a yearlong estrangement. Miss Minnie (from the infamous Miss Hattie’s Henhouse) has devised a plan to bring her home and as a favor to her, Beau agrees to track down Jenna while he’s in NYC for a bull riding event. The sparks are soon flying between Beau and Jenna and they have their hands full fighting their attraction (and matchmakers) when they are kidnapped and taken back to Bramble.

Beau and Jenna are wonderful characters and I really enjoyed them together as a couple. Jenna is passionate about her causes and a staunch defender of the underdog. She loves her family, but she does not quite fit in with them. While she is satisfied with her life in New York, meeting Beau makes Jenna a little nostalgic for the family and small town she walked away from.

Beau is charming and good natured but behind that big old grin he flashes lies a pretty complicated past. A cancer survivor, Beau is living life to the fullest as he travels from place to place. Jenna is NOT his type, but he does not let this deter him from pursuing the leggy blond.

Neither Beau nor Jenna plan on staying long in Bramble, but leaving is more difficult than they imagined. An overheard conversation takes Jenna by surprise and she begins digging into her past. An accidental discovery by Beau about someone close to him leads to a surprising realization about a past decision of his.

The romance between Beau and Jenna is sweet and sexy. There is plenty of chemistry between them and the sexual tension between them is positively combustible. Their relationship is on again/off again for much of the story as they deal with their personal issues but they do share some sizzling hot encounters.

In Flirting with Texas Katie Lane once again brings the town of Bramble and its inhabitants vibrantly to life. Fun, flirty and thought-provoking, this engaging romance will delight old and new fans of the Deep in the Heart of Texas series and leave them eagerly anticipating the next installment.

3 Comments

Filed under Contemporary, Deep in the Heart of Texas Series, Flirting with Texas, Forever, Grand Central Publishing, Katie Lane, Rated B, Review, Romance

December 18, 2012 · 3:56 am

Review: Trouble in Texas by Katie Lane

Title: Trouble in Texas by Katie Lane
Deep in the Heart of Texas Book Four
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Imprint: Forever
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 345 pages/word count: 95,000
Book Rating: B+

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

THERE’S A FOX IN THE HENHOUSE

Inheriting the most notorious house of ill repute in Texas can spell trouble for a girl’s reputation . . . especially when she’s Elizabeth Murphy, Bramble’s prim and proper librarian. Yet when she discovers a buck-naked cowboy handcuffed to a four-poster bed, she forgets all about the town gossips. Elizabeth has sworn off men, but the stranger’s kisses melt her resolve faster than ice cream on a hot summer day.

Waking up in Miss Hattie’s Henhouse isn’t how Brant Cates reckoned on getting to the bottom of his great-granddaddy’s murder. The plan was to solve the centuries-old crime, then get the heck out of Dodge. But after meeting Elizabeth and discovering that the buttoned-up beauty is a sexy siren in disguise, he just can’t pull himself away.

Now Brant needs Elizabeth to finally put his past to rest, but is she willing to risk her future on Bramble’s newest bad boy?

The Review:

Katie Lane’s Trouble in Texas is a laugh out loud, sexy, and poignant romance. This fourth installment in her Deep in the Heart of Texas series is a fast-paced story with engaging characters that will absolutely steal your heart.

Brant Cates finds more than he bargains for when he goes to Bramble’s infamous brothel to see if he can figure out who killed his great-grandfather. Three feisty hens, Minnie, Baby and Sunshine meet this sexy cowboy with a gun and a pair of handcuffs. Things really heat up when local librarian and Miss Hattie’s Henhouse owner Elizabeth Murphy checks up on the mischievous occupants and discovers the handsome and nekkid cowboy handcuffed to Miss Hattie’s bed.

Trouble in Texas has an absolutely outstanding cast of characters. Brant has suffered more than his fair share of devastating losses and he is carrying a ton of emotional baggage. He is deeply committed to his family but he is also a dedicated and ruthless businessman. Brant is willing to give in to his passion for Elizabeth but he has no plans to fall in love. Slowly, but surely, the hens and Elizabeth slip past his defenses and he has to decide if he can leave them behind in order to protect his heart.

Raised by her single mother, Elizabeth has a skewed viewpoint of men and marriage. Brant and the hens quickly shake up her comfortable life and Elizabeth begins to question some of her long held beliefs. Shaking off her staid appearance and discovering her inner sex kitten gives Elizabeth a whole new perspective on her life. And getting to know Minnie, Baby and Sunshine proves to be a valuable lesson for her as she discovers that appearances can often be quite deceiving.

Minnie, Baby and Sunshine are delightful secondary characters. There is much more to these three friends than meets the eye. They each harbor painful pasts and the details they reveal are sometimes quite heartbreaking. The women are incredibly insightful and the situations they find themselves in are hilarious. Their actions are sometimes a little unorthodox, but their hearts are always in the right place and sometimes the ends really do justify the means.

Trouble in Texas is an entertaining novel that is full of heart. The characters genuinely care for one another and each of them undergoes incredible growth. Katie Lane does a spectacular job creating a credible romance between Brant and Elizabeth and the sexual chemistry between them is off the charts. The mystery surrounding Brant’s great-grandfather’s death is very interesting and I was genuinely surprised at his killer’s identity. But the most unexpected twist involves Elizabeth family and I loved how this part of the plot tied the whole storyline together.

If you enjoy novels that are full of laughter, charming characters and steamy sex, then you are going to love Trouble in Texas. Katie Lane should be on everyone’s reading list and I am eagerly anticipating Flirting with Texas, the next installment in the Deep in the Heart of Texas series.

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Filed under Contemporary, Deep in the Heart of Texas Series, Forever, Grand Central Publishing, Katie Lane, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Trouble in Texas