Jodi Thomas - Texas Blue

Table of Contents

Praise for

THE LONE TEXAN

A real page-turner... I havent had a chance to read the first two books in this current series, but I enjoyed The Lone Texan so much that I intend to remedy this oversight as soon as possible.

The Romance Reader

To say I enjoyed Jodi Thomass The Lone Texan would be an understatement. No one writes better Westerns than she.

TwoLips Reviews

Jodi Thomas has woven an interesting tale with characters that are intelligent and passionate about what they think. The Lone Texan flows smoothly from beginning to the end.

Night Owl Romance

The Queen of Texas romance does it again, sweeping readers back to Whispering Mountain for another tale rife with drama, action, and passion. No one makes Texas seem more exciting, romantic, and alive than Thomas. Heres a surefire hit for Western fans to savor.

Romantic Times ()

TALL, DARK, AND TEXAN

A gripping, emotional read... [I] was left wondering why I havent read more historical romances set in the American West.

All About Romance

Wonderfully written, romantic, and delightful.

The Romance Reader

An enjoyable read from start to finish. I read the book over the holidays and found myself stealing away at odd moments from the family in order to sneak in a chapter or two.

Reading Romance Books

I loved these characters. I cared about them throughout their hardships, and cheered for them when they found their happiness. Her descriptive passages are silky smooth, her dialogue is believable, and she puts the reader right in the middle of the open plains of Texas so you can almost hear the grass rustle in the wind.

Ezine Articles

Praise for the novels of

JODI THOMAS

One of my favorites.

Debbie Macomber

Packs a powerful emotional punch... [Thomass] latest Western historical romance highlights the authors talent for creating genuinely real characters... Exceptional.

Booklist

Jodi Thomas is a masterful storyteller. She grabs your attention on the first page, captures your heart, and then makes you sad when it is time to bid her wonderful characters farewell. You can count on Jodi Thomas to give you a satisfying and memorable read.

Catherine Anderson

Fantastic... A keeper!... A beautiful story about unexpected love. An exceptional storyteller, Thomas has found the perfect venue for her talent, which is as bigand as awe-inspiringas Texas. Her emotionally moving stories are the kind you want to go on forever.

Romantic Times

Jodi Thomass Whispering Mountain Series is the perfect blend of rough and tumble cowboys, and women who command their respect and love. The reader has only to turn a page to find themselves in waist-high grass with a gentle breeze, and a majestic view of the mountains that surround the ranch. I am ready to saddle up and take a ride!

Coffee Time Romance

A fun read.

Fresh Fiction

Titles by Jodi Thomas

SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY
WELCOME TO HARMONY
REWRITING MONDAY
TWISTED CREEK

TEXAS BLUE
THE LONE TEXAN
TALL, DARK, AND TEXAN
TEXAS PRINCESS
TEXAS RAIN
THE TEXANS REWARD
A TEXANS LUCK
WHEN A TEXAN GAMBLES
THE TEXANS WAGER
TO WED IN TEXAS
TO KISS A TEXAN
THE TENDER TEXAN
PRAIRIE SONG
THE TEXAN AND THE LADY
TO TAME A TEXANS HEART
FOREVER IN TEXAS
TEXAS LOVE SONG
TWO TEXAS HEARTS
THE TEXANS TOUCH
TWILIGHT IN TEXAS
THE TEXANS DREAM

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TEXAS BLUE

A Berkley Book / published by arrangement with the author

PRINTING HISTORY

Berkley mass-market edition / April 2011

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CHAPTER 1

November 19, 1875
South of Austin, Texas

D UST CIRCLED LIKE TINY WHIRLWINDS IN THE SHADOWY barn as a dozen Texas Rangers saddled horses and prepared to ride.

Lewton Paterson, dressed in his best white suit, moved among them, a stranger amid these heroes. As always, he felt alone no matter how many surrounded him, but tonight his solitude was almost suffocating. He told himself he was never brave and had no desire to risk his life for any cause, yet the excitement around him seemed contagious.

Rangers were just normal men, he reminded himself. They didnt even wear a uniform, only the dusty weathered clothes of men born to the wilderness. Lewton matched their height and probably most of their skills, but he wasnt one of them. He never would be.

For Lewt knew his heart. He had never been, nor would ever be, daring. In twenty-eight years hed seen nothing worth risking his life for, nothing he loved worth dying to protect. If he hadnt found it by now, he never would. For him, life was a game and the man leaving the table with the most chips won.

Lewt! Duncan McMurray yelled from ten feet away. His half-wild horse stomped around the ranger and snorted as Duncan saddled the mount as casually as if they were dancing. You decide to give up gambling and join us on our quest?

Lewt slipped between two horses and joined his friend. Compared to rangering, gambling seems like a peaceful profession. Where are you men headed tonight?

The border. Duncan pulled the cinch tight across the mares belly before he added, Chasing cattle rustlers. Captain McNelly says well cross the river tracking them down even if the army wont. Ranches have lost enough cattle to cowards who run across the border to hide.