Once he gets over the shock of finding out he's a father, Phoenix Rebel is ready to do right by his toddler son. The gorgeous barrel racer he runs into on the circuit could add a much-needed woman's touch. There's just one problem. She's a McCray—a Rebel's worst enemy.
Rosemary could gaze into Phoenix's warm brown eyes forever. And helping the sexy bull rider and his adorable two-year-old has ignited a fierce yearning in Rosie. Somehow she and Phoenix have to find a way to create their own family—even if it means leaving everyone else they love behind…
Linda Warren loves happy endings. The Rita® nominated and award-winning author has written 26 books for Harlequin, including SuperRomance, American, and Everlasting Love. Drawing upon her years of growing up on a farm/ranch in Texas, she writes about sexy heroes, feisty heroines, and broken families with an emotional punch all set against the backdrop of Texas. She lives in College Station with her husband and spends her days doing what she loves—creating unforgettable love stories—with happy endings.
Linda Warren was born Linda Siegert in Brazos County, TX, on July 2, 1945. She passed away on November 8, 2023, in Bryant, TX. Warren is survived by her husband, several children, and grandchildren.
I very much enjoyed this book ! .... Family feuds are unkind, hurtful and destructful with all its negativity ! ... one was definitely threaded through this storyline impacting on two people: Pheonix Rebel and "Rosie" Rosemary McCray. .... and by contrast to this dark feud is the bright light of a little boy Jake Rebel.. exudes a positive influence and love throughout those who meet him. Rosie was definitely cast by a spell of this wonderful little loving little 2 year old.
Phoenix was part of a tightly knit loving family by contrast to that of Rosemary McCray's family :- a father who was mean and selfish... marrying her off for his benefit - to an abusive, mean and destructive wealthy man.
Grandpa and the Rebels helped Phoenix and Rosemary move forward .... which made me smile.
This was a very emotional story with sadness and happiness and some funny moments. ... the strength of the bond of the Rebel family is extraordinary !
Looking forward to reading about another Texas Rebel brother .... and finding is HEA .
Very good book. Phoenix is the youngest of the Rebel boys and the one best known for his fun-loving ways. So it comes as quite a surprise to him to find out that he is the father of a two year old little boy. As unprepared as he feels, a Rebel doesn't run from responsibility, and Phoenix steps right up.
I have to say right off that I loved the way that Phoenix jumped right into being a dad. He connected very quickly with little Jake and I loved how he understood Jake's separation anxiety. He could very easily have accepted the offers of various family members to help him out, but he understood Jake's fear and was determined to be there for him. I also understood his frustration with the way his family seemed to think he wasn't capable of caring for Jake. It added to his determination to do it himself.
Phoenix had been aware of Rosie for awhile, but because she was a McCray, he ignored her just as she ignored him. But an encounter while parking their trailers brought them into closer contact and sparks flew between them. Their next encounter had Phoenix asking for her help in shopping for things for Jake, and Phoenix's fascination with her grew.
Rosie had grown up with the feud between the families, but had had problems of her own to deal with. Her father had forced her to marry an older man who would help with the family finances. The man turned out to be abusive and had beaten Rosie so badly at one point that she lost her baby. Since her divorce from him her father had disowned her and she'd had no contact with her family. Seeing Phoenix's son brought back her grief, but also brought some light back into her life.
As she and Phoenix began to spend more time together, their feelings grew stronger. As long as it was just the two of them with little Jake, everything was fine. The love they shared was obvious and they were the perfect family for Jake. But the feud between their families was always hovering, ready to take the joy out of their lives. I really enjoyed seeing Rosie face down her father and brothers and make it clear that she was done with them. There was a brief moment of support from the brother whose son caused problems in the previous book. Meanwhile, Phoenix had been avoiding telling his mother about Rosie because of her own attitude toward the McCrays. I have to say that for most of this book I really didn't like Kate much at all. Because she didn't want to tear Phoenix away from the family he loved, Rosie tried to break things off with him.
Just as Phoenix is really settling in to being Jake's daddy, Jake's mother suddenly comes back into the picture. There were some scary, stressful days as Phoenix worries about losing custody of the son who has come to mean so much to him. The scene in the courtroom was fantastic, with the new Phoenix really shining.
But it still left the relationship between Rosie and Phoenix in limbo. I loved Phoenix's determination that he would marry Rosie no matter what. I especially enjoyed his grandfather's straight talk to Kate and his unwavering support of Phoenix. There were some intense moments there in Vegas as everyone waited to see what Rosie would decide. I loved the ending and seeing the little family finally have it all.
My Review: Texas Rebels: Phoenix by Linda Warren is book five in the series. It features the youngest Rebel son and his relationship with Rosemary McCray.
About the Book: When Phoenix first learns he has a son, he is taken aback. Overwhelmed and clueless, he does his best to be a responsible father. He's hurt by his family's reactions when it comes to the way he desires to raise his little boy and also when it comes to acceptance of his love interest.
Rosie has been betrayed in the worst ways. She has been hurt by her family. She has been abused by her husband. She's been devastated by loss. It's no wonder that she's afraid to see where things might lead with the handsome cowboy with a sweet boy for a son. Something, however, keeps drawing them closer to each other.
My Final Say: This western romance was thick with emotions and family drama. The leads were scarred but able to grow despite those scars.Readers who enjoy cowboy-themed romances will appreciate this story.
Rating: 3.5/5 Recommend: Yes Audience: A
Thanks to the author and to the publisher for allowing me to review this title in exchange for an honest review.
Phoenix is a bull rider and has a pretty wild life. He is willing to drop that for the son he never new he had. Until the mother can make an appearance, his son will stay in his life. But with his job he'll need help and Rosemary is a reluctant to help due to her past. Thier families differences dosen't help either with the fued going on it will make things downright complicated but the more time spent the deeper they fall for one another.
So this is your basic wild cowboy with an unknown child looking for help. Its the other small details that made this book unique and interesting. I mean this is the type of book that I'm usually drawn to. I thought that the families history and how it collided in the present. I thought it was interesting how many of the problems were solved. The one thing I didn't like much though was the instalove, I wanna marry you bit. I mean it wasn't much insta love but I thought with their history they wouldn't fall so fast. I mean even to mention marriage was a bit too quick. I wish there was a bit more conflict, but then again I'm used to jam packed books with loads of drama so I guess this was a good amount of content going on. I enjoyed the the characters and the storyline. Overall this book was a really fun read.
I had problems with the hero that detracted from my reading enjoyment. The protagonists also got to the "I love you" stage far too quickly, which gave weight to Phoenix's mother's fears that he was just being his usual flaky self and was only infatuated with Rosie. This time around, I could not stand the Rebel matriarch, and the McCrays - well, the less said about them, the better. They came across as ridiculous caricatures, unbelievable one-dimensional villains. At least Grandpa had a backbone and developed into a likable supporting cast member.
Although the hero and heroine spent too much time thinking about each other and not enough time together in the first pages of the book, it held my attention. And when they finally spent time together...wham! Rollercoaster emotions and a wild ride. Overall, an excellent read.
This is a joy to read. Its right out of the old west in some ways. Phoenix Rebel and then we have Rosie who is a McCrae. But having said that, this story is about fighting fears of the fued from his side of the family. Its such a special story and worth a read. It a great story for you see two people work hard to beat the odds. Its worth getting for the twists in it are worth it. J
Linda Warren never disappoints readers. Her story was another great read... wonderful characters with Phoenix and Rosie. The story was a heart tugger. Can't wait to read the next.
The little boy in this book broke my heart his back story was sad but I'm glad he got the happy ending he deserved. The girl deserved the happy ending also with everything she had been through.
This book was just as wild as its fellows, but was somehow more believable. I’m either experiencing brain rot (probably), but it was really just the insta-love and perpetually clunky dialogue aspecst that kept it from a 3 star.
This was a very 'Western' and a very comforting book in that it gives you exactly what you expect,a happily-ever-after no matter what the odds. And in this story the odds are NOT in the hero and heroines favor.
This is a story that has been told a thousand times- Phoenix the hero of our story and youngest of the Rebel family has been caught fathering a child.
Rosemary McCray the arch enemy of the Rebel family (they've been feuding for decades) comes to Phoenixs' help, albeit reluctantly. Suddenly love is in the air. There is a mild sex scene but nothing to offend anyone.
There are a number of pitfalls and surprises in the way of the happy couple -but what irked me the most how nobody listens to anyone else and how childish Phoenix was about not accepting help from his family.
Contemporary romance in a western/rodeo setting between the children of two feuding families. Phoenix is attracted to Rosie and vice-versa, but are afraid the old feud will keep them apart. Phoenix finds out he's a dad with an old one-night stand and steps up to the plate. That makes him even sexier to the young woman who escaped the terrible marriage her father sold her into. Nice family interaction and sweet sexy romance develops in this book. I received a free copy for my honest opinion and enjoyed the read.
Being the youngest of the Rebels, Phoenix has always had it easy. But when he learns he’s the father of a young boy, he’s determined to do what’s right by his child. Too bad he doesn’t have a woman by his side to guide him. Since the one woman he wants is the last woman he can have, as she’s a McCray and the daughter of his family’s enemy. Read More
Love the Rebels. Phoenix did a lot of growing up and he just melted my heart taking care of his son like he did. Awesome storyline, and I think everyone needs a Rebel.
Only read 2 books in this series but I truly love these books. Written so well I feel like I'm part of the family. So sweet and heartwarming. Linda Warren does an outstanding job. An A+++
This is the only book I've read in this series. And though I really like a good Romeo and Juliet novel, this one fell a little flat for me. It wasn't the fact that the characters weren't interesting or that the story line wasn't engadging enough, but rather I really didn't like his family. Perhaps if I had read the series in order I wouldn't think the same, but the way some his mother treats both Phoenix and Rosie I consider completely unexceptable- she's supposed ot be part of the good guys! Couple that with the way that Rosie is treated by her family- who in my mind are boardering evil- I was ready to pack it all in. And in the end, the only one that seems to be losing in all of this (without anyone realising, mind you) is little Jake.
It's not that I regret reading it. I'm just not sure I will continue reading the rest of the series.