The More I See

Texas Hearts #3

by Lisa Mondello

As a top-notch cutting horse trainer, Cody Gentry was riding high until he lost his eyesight after a freak chemical accident. Unable to see the hand in front of his face, never mind the horse or cattle he trained, he knows his life is over and slips deep into depression. His whole future hinges on the success of an eye surgery that could give him his old life back.

When guide dog trainer, Lyssa McElhannon, arrives on his ranch like Florence Nightingale coming to save him, he wants no part of her or her guide dog. But something about Lyssa's musical laugh coupled with her tenacity digs under his skin and won't let go. Having been blind most of her life, Lyssa understands the paralyzing fear Cody feels after losing his vision. But she refuses to let the stubborn cowboy waste his life away sitting in a chair when she knows first-hand that a good guide dog can change his world. She just needs one month to prove it to him.

Falling in love with Cody was not part of Lyssa's plan, nor was having him open her eyes to see that there was a whole lot of living she'd been missing.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Westerns, Novella, Amazon, Ebooks

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2003

About the author

USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR, Lisa Mondello, has held many jobs in her life but
being a published authors is the last job she'll ever have. She's not retiring!
She blames the creation of the personal computer for her leap into writing
novels. Otherwise, she'd still be penning stories with paper and pen. Her first
book, All I Want for Christmas is You won Best First Book in the Golden Quill.
Her books have finaled in the HOLT Medallion, and the Colorado Award of
Excellence contests. In 2011 she re-released her award winning book All I Want
for Christmas is You along with a re-issue of her romantic comedy, The Marriage Contract, with a new contemporary romance called The Knight and Maggie's Baby.
In 2012 she reissued the first 3 books of her popular Western Romance Series
TEXAS HEARTS including Her Heart for the Asking, His Heart for the Trusting and

Reviews

[Melissa Maxwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the book and Lyssa and Cody were great but there was just something missing. Unlike the last book about Mitch and Sara this one made very little if no connection to the first two books. I would have liked to know more about Beau and Mandy and their baby (which was not mentioned but once and no sex was given) or Sara, Mitch, and Johnathon. It does seem a little weird that Cody's nephew or niece is never around aren't babies supposed to cheer people up. Other than no linking connection the story was good.
Cody and Lyssa relationship was very believable. I would have loved a little forward on their life after the airport. I mean does she quit her job and go to the ranch or what. I mean I guess she could start a program at the ranch to bring blind individuals to the ranch for riding lessons and give her back purpose. I just would like more info and the next book I mean seriously its been like ten years when is the one on the other brother Jackson "Leaving Liberty" also when is Gypsy Heart's coming out in eBook.

[Tana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The More I See (Book 3 Texas Hearts) by Lisa Mondello

I really enjoyed reading The More I See (Texas Heart series) this book did not disappoint me at all and I found the plots are all a bit different so you never feel like your reading the exact same story. I am now a big fan of Lisa’s writing and will continue to follow this series. I have already taken a look at her other books to see what else I need to read. Lisa Mondello writes good romance novels, you see the characters develop, friendships formed and love blossoms and of course you keep reading as I have to have the happy ever after ending.

This book we meet Lyssa and Cody, Cody who is blind from a chemical accident is not dealing with things well. His family has hired Lyssa to help Cody adjust to life and teach him how to use a Seeing Eye dog.

Cody is not happy and doesn’t want a dog or any help. Lyssa doesn’t give up and truly understand what Cody is going through. As Lyssa and Cody spend more time together they end up becoming friends and learn many things from each other. Before your eyes you see a fantastic relationship evolve. This is a must read.

The Texas Heart series is an easy to read series, with romance, some suspense, you tend not to put these books down till you reach the end. I cannot wait to read more in this series. I have rated The More I See a 4 star rating as I truly enjoy Lisa Mondello writing, and think anyone who loves romance and cowboys need to read this series.

[Donna Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the third book in the Texas Hearts boxed set and like the other two this was also a wonderful story. These stories are not real long about 115 pages a piece. This one talks about Beau's brother, Cody, who has lost his eyesight due to a accident on the ranch. He meets Alyssa who was sent by his dad to train him with his seeing eye dog. Cody wants nothing to do with this and there in lies the problem. He is however drawn to Alyssa. This is another great read

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the third and final book in a bundle, I liked this tale the least. Granted the first chapter pulled me in. The author certainly knows how to wrap up a romantic ending as well . The middle of the story however, leaves me wonderig if the topic should have been better researched and factual despite being a work of fiction.

[Mary Jane McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really Great Series

I'm totally enjoying this series and getting to know all the characters. I loved Lyssa and Cody's story. It has all the emotions and feels. A captivating read that I read straight through.

[Linda Zelinsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this story of perservance and love. Cody didn't give up because of his blindness and went after Lyssa. A tender love story.

[Joan Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

I relly liked the story and the aide dogs.

[Beachbaby]

In boxed set - "Texas Hearts Boxed Set 1-3"

[Avid Reader Amy's Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mrs. Mondello writes wonderful, heart felt romances and The More I see is diffidently one of them. The characters that she writes you can easily relate too and fall in love with. In The More I See Cody Gentry in a stubborn cowboy. Used to doing things on his own, he was thrown off course when a chemical accident left him blind. His father went behind his back and hired Lyssa McElhannon, a guide dog trainer, to come in and help train Cody and his new guide dog. Just what Cody needs, to seem helpless in front of a dog and a woman. Men. Lyssa makes it her mission to show Cody that just because you are blind doesn't mean your life has stopped. She was once blind herself and uses her past experience as a chance to show Cody what he is missing. Working so close together things are bound to heat up and they do. Cody and Lyssa get close. Cody feels that Lyssa could be the one but Lyssa has other plans. She has commented herself to helping the blind. Cody another chance at surgery. While he is recuperating Lyssa leaves. So Cody does what any man in love is suppose to do, chase after her and declare your love for her.
I have just started reading cowboy romances and Lisa writes a good modern take on that romance genre. Cody and Lyssa and both great characters. You root for them till the end. You would think that the whole plot would be Lyssa showing Cody how good life could be even if he can't see. You also see that Cody is showing her how good life could be even though she can see. She spent so much of her life blind that when she could finally see, she still didn't really see. I think it took both of them to show each other how good each side of the world could be.
I wish that maybe the book was a little longer and maybe there was more detail in Lyssa's life. It seems to be that Cody's story was all consuming when Lyssa's story was being told too.
It is a light hearted book, not heavy on the drama. I recommend this book. The series as a whole is a sweet read and heart warming.

[Christi Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Review:


I adored this book. Every single little thing about it. You get to see glimpses of Cody in Beau's book (Book #1 in this series) and I wasn't sure I was going to like him, but I fell in love with him. In the process of saving a young ranch hand from getting burned in a chemical spill, Cody ends up blinded by those chemicals. Cody is a competitive cutting horse rider, something he DEFINITELY has to have his eyes for. He also trains the horses and riders for cutting. This is a working guy. He's up in the saddle and out on the ranch every day all day. But when he loses his sight he loses all of that and doesn't know how to deal with it.

Lyssa knows about blindness. She lost her sight as a young child and through medical advancements was able to get it back after being blind for 20 years. Now she devotes herself to helping others who find themselves blind by training working dogs and blind people how to trust them. When Cody's father comes to the school for help for Cody, he gives them an offer they can't refuse...a huge chunk of money in return for a month at the ranch teaching Cody and his new dog how to adapt. The issue though is that Cody doesn't want to learn. He's already given up.

Did I mention I loved this book??? Every little move in this book was perfect. I loved how Lyssa and Cody slowly slide into their friendship and then more. Cody doesn't want her there. He's scared of failing and accepting that this is his life now. Lyssa sees why he is striking out at her, but she doesn't give an inch. She tells him like it is even when the truth hurts.

I loved the views of ranch life in this book. I've always been fascinated by cutting so that made this book particularily fascinating. This has just been a great series and I've loved reading it.

I received a complementary copy of this book in return for an honest review.

[Ruby Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book of the series. I think that, besides the great characters and the romance between Lyssa and Cody, the story itself is exceptional.

I don't think it's a sad story. I feel like it's more a story of triumph, of growth. And there's also this idea that you can appreciate things better if one your senses or your brain doesn't get in the way. I mean, really, you usually read about drop-dead gorgeous heroines (which is not bad, mind you), but for me it's always refreshing to read about those women who aren't exactly perfect.

I didn't think I'd like Cody. I was afraid he'd be like his dad for some reason. Instead, I found a tortured soul in need of some love. Real love. I respected him a great deal. I don't think I'd be able to go through what he did and not go completely crazy. I liked that he was modest, caring, fun. And he was honest from the start, not trying to be someone different.

Lyssa is also an interesting character. I liked her strength, her courage. She went through what Cody does at an early age, so she knows what it's like to depend on others for even the most simple things. But she doesn't pity him, or make him feel like it's ok to feel depressed or that it's ok to hide from the world, sitting in a chair all day and refuse to do things. She also doesn't try to help him, making him feel useless. I liked that, because she's treating him like he's a normal person, not like someone who can't see.

Like I said, this was my favorite book of the series. I am hoping we'll get more books in this series in the future. I would definitely recommend it to anyone that loves a good romance story and sexy, stubborn cowboys

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The More I See is now in ebook.

Cody Gentry lost his sight eight months ago and stopped living. The only thing he seemed to focus on was when he could have his next surgery and he assumed it would give his sight back...end of story. He didn't expect a whirlwind to enter his life and turn it all about but he soon learned to enjoy it.

Lyssa had been blind for twenty years before a miracle operation so she could teach with that experience behind her. And she knew the important work the guide dogs did. She put her heart and soul into her work, but was she truly living?

When Lyssa is sent to Cody with Otis the guide dog it seems that both of their hearts got a shot of adrenaline to get them living life to it's fullest.

Lisa brings her characters to life. You can sense a wee bit what it must be like to know your home so well and yet without your sight how easy it can be to get turned around and confused. To feel the wind whip past your face as the horse gallops through the field. The joy of going from darkness to light. And the fear that the love you feel may not be returned.

Another great addition to the Texas Hearts series and I look forward to reading the next two books in this series. Gypsy Hearts, Brock Gentry's story is in book 4 of the series is in hardcover and can be found online. Book 5: Leaving Liberty is the Jackson Gentry's story. We have not heard much about this brother as of yet, only that he is in law enforcement.

[Debbie Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book in the Texas Hearts series, is my favorite. It is very easy to relate to and fall in love with the characters in this book. Lyssa, is a guide dog trainer and Cody Gentry needs a guide dog, but doesn't really want one. After being in a chemical accident, Cody is blind, and very depressed. His life is the ranch, cattle and horses, and now he feels like all of that is gone. Lyssa, hired by his father, really has her work cut out for her, because Cody doesn't want any part of it. In the beginning, he takes his anger and frustrations out on Lyssa, and she quickly realizes that she has to be tough on him, to pull him out of his depression, without pitying him. Once he finds out that Lyssa, was blind for a while, he starts to change the way he feels about her, and decides to give her and the dog a chance. He also opens her eyes to the fact that she may not be living her life to the fullest. I recommend this book to anybody who likes a good romance, a stubborn but sexy cowboy, and a woman, full of courage.

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think of the three stories in this series this is my favorite. Cody Gentry (brother to Beau from the first two books in the series) finds himself without his sight after a chemical accident. In his line of work, he feels pretty useless without it. Enter Lyssa McElhannon, guide dog trainer. I found it comical that Cody could never remember her last name, although he was pretty consistent in what he called her. Through the course of events, Lyssa is able to help Cody find himself and to be able to enjoy his life again and not be stuck at home sitting next to the pool all day. Cody does a great job at helping her to realize that she's been hiding out in her life too, and not taking risks that would make life enjoyable for her. I liked how once she got him away from home he was able to realize that there were things he could still do because he was familiar with his ranch and his horse and the wild ride at full speed across an open area of land opened up his need to get on with life.

[Dianne Sidebottom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dog trainer for the blind brings her dog to the client on his ranch. The client has n idea he is getting a dog n family members are not sure how to deal with blindness. An accident which left Cody with blindness n then a failed replacement has put Cody in a depression of what his life is about. Lyssa who comes with Otis has a job for a month to teach Otis n Cody to work as a team but she is up against unmoving bog. I have respect for those who train dogs to aid man in his recovery as a working dog. I liked the way Lisa has brought this story together from the perspective of being blind for many years to accidents that cause blindness n the issues that need to overcome n occur. Hope that in advanced methods of bringing sight maybe successful or failure the big risk of choosing!

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lyssa was blinded as a child and only recently (the past few years) regained her eyesight. She is a "seeing eye dog trainer" and is very good at her job. When she herself was being trained or taught, she fell in love with her teacher; now the tables are turned and she is the teacher. Her latest student is Cody Gentry, a surly depressed man who recently lost his eyesight during an accident. He is banking all his hopes on the positive results of a cornea replacement surgery. Until then, his father has hired Lyssa and purchased Otis, a dog, to help Cody get on with his life. Once their time is up, Lyssa will have to see if Cody really loved her or is just dependent on her because she knows she really loves him.

[Lenna Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the Gentry brothers, Cody, met Beau in the first story, but you will see Beau in this one quite a bit. Cody lost his eye sight from a moisture of drain cleansers, a greenhouse on the ranch mixed a lot a lot of different cleansers together but Cody save the kid but got the burns and the damage instead. His dad Mike finds a program for home trainers and dogs, and when Lyrssa and her dog Otis came out to the ranch she finds a very moody Cody sitting by the pool, depressed, he's been like this for 8 months. Her job is only to get Cody and Otis to work as a team and to help Cody understand what the dog does and how he is there to help Cody. Lyrssa never thought her job with him will take a turn into a deeper connection then what she ever planed for.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Thoughts:
I fell in love with Lisa Mondello's characters in book one of this series and was thrilled to have the opportunity to continue reading her books. Each book has different main characters, but we are given glimpses of everyone which is fun.
This book was as good as the first two. I was intrigued from start and was fully invested before I knew it. The struggle that Cody is going through is heart breaking and Lyssa's determination is uplifting. Lisa Mondello takes the reader on a wild ride with emotions that are all across the map. Another fantastic installment to the series. This one will pull your heart strings.

[A Klue · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book synopsis says the heroine has been blind most of her life...but, folks, she isn't actually blind....now. Would it have been too much to ask for that to have been made clear? Was intrigued with the concept of a strong, "blind" heroine helping a recently blind hero learn to cope, until most likely his surgery restores his vision. So it turns out I bought a book that isn't going to be what I thought it was. Sure she can relate but it just wasn't the same.

Unfortunately, I found this book really boring, as well. Way too much detail re. horse training, etc. Also, not a steamy read, if you are looking for a PG romance, you might want to consider this one.

[Mayas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lyssa and Cody a love story at it's best. Beauty is really in the eye of the beholder and sculpting is a brilliant way when you are without sight. I cried at the "dear john" letter because she bared her soul and all he wished for was gone. I agree if the doctor would have allowed his request she never would have left. The question is though, what woul d she do about her job. I am with Cody her last name is even difficult for me and Gentry is much better on the tongue. Great book Lisa, I am happy I stumbled across the box set.

[Sassy Beta Reading & Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the best of the three books. Loved Loved Loved the story of this book. Wish it would have been longer. I hope in the next book of the series though that we get to find out more about the people of the past 3 books. This book did not really hit on what was happening with the characters of the previous book (except for Beau at a few moments) Best to read the other 2 books first but can be a stand alone book as well.

[Pam H · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this final book of the Wounded Heroes boxed set. Cody has lost his eyesight and Lys is the dog handler sent to the ranch to teach him how to work with a seeing eye dog. I didn't really feel Cody's frustration with the blindness and wish that would have been developed more. I also didn't feel that much anger with the intrusion of Lys and Otis the dog. Still it was a nice story and although I liked the ending - it felt rushed.

[Merle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Wounded Hero Romance Theme. Cody is a top cutting horse rider and trainer. After saving a ranch hand and being blinded by an explosion, Cody has turned into himself. His wealthy father reuests unusual service from an agency that trans and places guide dogs.

This story is very fast-paced and a quick read.

[Kristel Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hate that it didn't talk anything about the couples from 1&2 and this relationship was lackluster. It was missing the romance and fun. The one thing I could relate to though for sure was her self esteem issues.

[Stace]

Wounded heroes box set

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story about ordinary people. Strong characterization and a fluid and talented writing make the book a very good read.

[Kellie Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as good as the first 2!! They all are short but awesome reads!! It took me a day and a half to read 3 of the 4!!!

[Bridget Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good wholesome romance. Not bad words. Nothing sexual, kissing only.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[Ruthie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read. But fairytale like. Unrealistic, but I read for the HEA.