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Texas Tempest
SHE NEEDED TO HAVE HIM
Jet-haired Eugenia Leahy was sensuous and slender with an iron will that intimidated even the most powerful of men. Then a handsome stranger rescued her after a bad fall and the steel-hearted beauty suddenly felt soft and vulnerable. With one caress her body yearned to clasp him in an intimate embrace. But Eugenia had struggled too long for independence and vowed to drive away the man who threatened her freedom with the weakness of desire!
HE HAD TO POSSESS HER
When virile, towering MacPherson first saw the petite, fragile form sprawled at his feet, he knew he would ultimately make love to her. His blood clamored to be one with her and his passion rose as never before. Then Eugenia stirred, opening eyes filled with challenge and anger. In that moment, MacPherson resolved to take her soon, whether she consented or not, with all the force and fury of a raging Texas Tempest.
Jet-haired Eugenia Leahy was sensuous and slender with an iron will that intimidated even the most powerful of men. Then a handsome stranger rescued her after a bad fall and the steel-hearted beauty suddenly felt soft and vulnerable. With one caress her body yearned to clasp him in an intimate embrace. But Eugenia had struggled too long for independence and vowed to drive away the man who threatened her freedom with the weakness of desire!
HE HAD TO POSSESS HER
When virile, towering MacPherson first saw the petite, fragile form sprawled at his feet, he knew he would ultimately make love to her. His blood clamored to be one with her and his passion rose as never before. Then Eugenia stirred, opening eyes filled with challenge and anger. In that moment, MacPherson resolved to take her soon, whether she consented or not, with all the force and fury of a raging Texas Tempest.
- GenresHistorical Romance
491 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1986
About the author
Deana James
24 books24 followersDeana James was a pen name for Mona Dean Sizer.
As Deana James, she wrote 20 books, all but 1 were historical romances for Zebra.
A proud, lifelong Texas native, she passed away on February 17, 2022.
aka Mona_D_Sizer and Rachel Davis.
As Deana James, she wrote 20 books, all but 1 were historical romances for Zebra.
A proud, lifelong Texas native, she passed away on February 17, 2022.
aka Mona_D_Sizer and Rachel Davis.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 24, 2012
"Texas Tempest" features yet another steel-willed Deana James heroine.
The prologue begins with Eugenia Leahy getting beaten by her no-good drunkard of a husband, Cormac. When he goes after her daughter, that's when mama bear springs into action, grabs a firearm, and shoots him, paralyzing the abuser for life!
We then flash forward 10-15 years later, and Eugenia is running her ranch and doing a great job at it! Tough, cold, and stern, Eugenia is known as "The Diamondback," as deadly as her namesake. But she is still a woman in a world dominated by men, so she needs some muscle to enforce her rules. Enter the mysterious MacPherson, a gunslinger who saves Eugenia's life and is just the man for the job.
By page 75, Eugenia Leahy has shot three men. You don't mess with the Diamondback! As usual, Deana James' heroines are the major draw in her books.
A hero who can match the heroine in greatness is just the icing on the cake. And what a hero! MacPherson is the little boy from Texas Storm who was declared dead by his father and forced to walk naked with his tribe. He was adopted by Reiver MacPherson and his wife, Mercedes-Maria. Mac is 5 years younger than the 35-year-old Eugenia, and this is a bit of a hang-up for her since in the mid 19th century older women generally did not have relationships with younger men, even if they were their secret lovers.
Yes, MacPherson and Eugenia become lovers and except for her husband, their romance has the all-clear. Her daughter approves, and that's the only person whose opinion matters.
As usual for James, the romance is not the only plot point here, but the high-stakes western drama. There's a lot of lovemaking, but even more action. There's an evil rancher with designs on Eugenia's land. MacPherson is beaten, whipped, and hanged by said evil grandee, yet he miraculously survives despite all his violent suffering. Eugenia is sold to a whoremonger, but MacPherson is there to save her.
There's a scene where Mac is forced to "hurt" Eugenia, and it disgusts him.
"Like an automaton, MacPherson struck again. Only by remaining absolutely motionless could he control the anger that was rising in him. Far from being aroused by the spectacle, his own feelings were revolted. His own sexuality he recognized as propinquity, tenderness, caring, the beauty, and gentleness of a woman’s body. The infliction of pain, even pseudo-pain, excited him not at all.”
So our hero isn't into dominating BDSM or using force on a woman. MacPherson may be a man of mystery, but he's very simple in his preferences and has nothing but appreciation and love for the female body. Sex is not entwined with violence for him. Refreshing.
The main conflict keeping Eugenia and Mac from getting together permanently isn't her husband because we readers know: 1) Eugenia doesn't give a damn about Cormac and 2) Her ailing, wheelchair-bound husband is going to die in the end, anyway. It's when MacPherson's full heritage is discovered that Eugenia's insecurities come to the forefront. Not only is MacPherson more than the simple loner she initially thought he was, but Eugenia feels abandoned by her teenage daughter, who finds love with the son of a prosperous Spanish family.
The story got a little drawn out for me after the 70% mark, so this enthralling read turned into just a very entertaining one. Regardless, it's a 4-star keeper for me, one which I will have to reread just for how tenacious and capable Eugenia was, a woman of that greatest and rarest of strengths: fortitude.
The prologue begins with Eugenia Leahy getting beaten by her no-good drunkard of a husband, Cormac. When he goes after her daughter, that's when mama bear springs into action, grabs a firearm, and shoots him, paralyzing the abuser for life!
We then flash forward 10-15 years later, and Eugenia is running her ranch and doing a great job at it! Tough, cold, and stern, Eugenia is known as "The Diamondback," as deadly as her namesake. But she is still a woman in a world dominated by men, so she needs some muscle to enforce her rules. Enter the mysterious MacPherson, a gunslinger who saves Eugenia's life and is just the man for the job.
By page 75, Eugenia Leahy has shot three men. You don't mess with the Diamondback! As usual, Deana James' heroines are the major draw in her books.
A hero who can match the heroine in greatness is just the icing on the cake. And what a hero! MacPherson is the little boy from Texas Storm who was declared dead by his father and forced to walk naked with his tribe. He was adopted by Reiver MacPherson and his wife, Mercedes-Maria. Mac is 5 years younger than the 35-year-old Eugenia, and this is a bit of a hang-up for her since in the mid 19th century older women generally did not have relationships with younger men, even if they were their secret lovers.
Yes, MacPherson and Eugenia become lovers and except for her husband, their romance has the all-clear. Her daughter approves, and that's the only person whose opinion matters.
As usual for James, the romance is not the only plot point here, but the high-stakes western drama. There's a lot of lovemaking, but even more action. There's an evil rancher with designs on Eugenia's land. MacPherson is beaten, whipped, and hanged by said evil grandee, yet he miraculously survives despite all his violent suffering. Eugenia is sold to a whoremonger, but MacPherson is there to save her.
There's a scene where Mac is forced to "hurt" Eugenia, and it disgusts him.
"Like an automaton, MacPherson struck again. Only by remaining absolutely motionless could he control the anger that was rising in him. Far from being aroused by the spectacle, his own feelings were revolted. His own sexuality he recognized as propinquity, tenderness, caring, the beauty, and gentleness of a woman’s body. The infliction of pain, even pseudo-pain, excited him not at all.”
So our hero isn't into dominating BDSM or using force on a woman. MacPherson may be a man of mystery, but he's very simple in his preferences and has nothing but appreciation and love for the female body. Sex is not entwined with violence for him. Refreshing.
The main conflict keeping Eugenia and Mac from getting together permanently isn't her husband because we readers know: 1) Eugenia doesn't give a damn about Cormac and 2) Her ailing, wheelchair-bound husband is going to die in the end, anyway. It's when MacPherson's full heritage is discovered that Eugenia's insecurities come to the forefront. Not only is MacPherson more than the simple loner she initially thought he was, but Eugenia feels abandoned by her teenage daughter, who finds love with the son of a prosperous Spanish family.
The story got a little drawn out for me after the 70% mark, so this enthralling read turned into just a very entertaining one. Regardless, it's a 4-star keeper for me, one which I will have to reread just for how tenacious and capable Eugenia was, a woman of that greatest and rarest of strengths: fortitude.
April 6, 2020
This review is of “Texas Tempest”, book #2 in the “Texas” series by Deana James.
The book begins with rancher Cormac Leahy coming home drunk-a frequent occurence-and demanding his wife Eugenia, the hero of the book, have sex with him. Eugenia refuses, as their daughter, Johanna, is ill. Cormac proceeds to beat Eugenia and Johanna. Eugenia fights back, however, and shoots Cormac, paralyzing him from the waist down.
Later, while riding around the ranch, the Double Diamond, Eugenia is thrown from her horse and injured. She is rescued by a man named MacPherson, no first name, the hero of the book. Eugenia then hires him as temporary foreman, since she’s having trouble getting her cowboys to listen to her.
Eugenia has many challenges running the ranch. One is Cormac, another is another rancher, Carlos Villagran, who is trying to push her off her land. Viilagran kidnaps both MacPherson and Eugenia and tortures both of them, but both escape. However, Eugenia ends up where Villagran planned to take her anyway, a brothel. MacPherson arrives to rescue her.
They return to the Double Diamond to discover Villagan attacking the ranch. This attack is repelled by Cormac, Johanna and their workers; however, Cormac is shot again and later dies from complications from this wound.
MacPherson later learns he has a grandfather and cousin he didn’t know about, and gains a full name: Alejandro Paruwa Sermahno MacPherson Montejo. Meanwhile, Johanna is falling in love with Alejandro’s friend, Marcos Sandoval, which Eugenia strongly objects to, in part because of Johanna’s age-she’s 17-and Eugenia’s own unhappy past.
In the end, Eugenia blesses Johanna’s marriage to Marcos, works to get past her fears to marry Alejandro and they have their Happily Ever After.
Upside: “Texas Tempest” is a rare book where the heroine is older than the hero; Eugenia is 35, Alejandro is 30. Eugenia is one of the strongest heroines I’ve read in a book; she has to deal with a history of abusive behavior; first from her father toward her mother, then later Cormac, which makes her very closed off to love, especially from a man, but eventually Eugenia realizes that Alejandro really does love her.
This is going to sound morbid; apologies in advance. I liked the fact that Eugenia shot Cormac and paralyzed him, but didn’t kill him. The reason: Cormac had to spend the rest of his misogynistic life watching his wife and daughter, both of whom he abused horribly, find love and he couldn’t do a damn thing about it! Except bluster and be more misogynistic, which no one really listened to or cares about.
Downside: After both Cormac and Villagran are killed-about 75% into the book-”Texas Tempest” kind of runs out of steam. The characters could have been developed more, but I find that this is not necessarily a strength of Ms. James’ work.
Sex: Love scenes involving Eugenia and Alejandro and Johanna and Marcos (separately). The love scenes are mildly graphic.
Violence: There is a good deal of violence in addition to that stated above. Whippings, shootings and other killings take place. The whipping scene-where Villagran’s henchmen whip Alejandro-are mildly graphic; the other violence, not so much.
Bottom Line: “Texas Tempest” is probably the best Deana James book I’ve read so far. Not great, but interesting and intriguing.
The book begins with rancher Cormac Leahy coming home drunk-a frequent occurence-and demanding his wife Eugenia, the hero of the book, have sex with him. Eugenia refuses, as their daughter, Johanna, is ill. Cormac proceeds to beat Eugenia and Johanna. Eugenia fights back, however, and shoots Cormac, paralyzing him from the waist down.
Later, while riding around the ranch, the Double Diamond, Eugenia is thrown from her horse and injured. She is rescued by a man named MacPherson, no first name, the hero of the book. Eugenia then hires him as temporary foreman, since she’s having trouble getting her cowboys to listen to her.
Eugenia has many challenges running the ranch. One is Cormac, another is another rancher, Carlos Villagran, who is trying to push her off her land. Viilagran kidnaps both MacPherson and Eugenia and tortures both of them, but both escape. However, Eugenia ends up where Villagran planned to take her anyway, a brothel. MacPherson arrives to rescue her.
They return to the Double Diamond to discover Villagan attacking the ranch. This attack is repelled by Cormac, Johanna and their workers; however, Cormac is shot again and later dies from complications from this wound.
MacPherson later learns he has a grandfather and cousin he didn’t know about, and gains a full name: Alejandro Paruwa Sermahno MacPherson Montejo. Meanwhile, Johanna is falling in love with Alejandro’s friend, Marcos Sandoval, which Eugenia strongly objects to, in part because of Johanna’s age-she’s 17-and Eugenia’s own unhappy past.
In the end, Eugenia blesses Johanna’s marriage to Marcos, works to get past her fears to marry Alejandro and they have their Happily Ever After.
Upside: “Texas Tempest” is a rare book where the heroine is older than the hero; Eugenia is 35, Alejandro is 30. Eugenia is one of the strongest heroines I’ve read in a book; she has to deal with a history of abusive behavior; first from her father toward her mother, then later Cormac, which makes her very closed off to love, especially from a man, but eventually Eugenia realizes that Alejandro really does love her.
This is going to sound morbid; apologies in advance. I liked the fact that Eugenia shot Cormac and paralyzed him, but didn’t kill him. The reason: Cormac had to spend the rest of his misogynistic life watching his wife and daughter, both of whom he abused horribly, find love and he couldn’t do a damn thing about it! Except bluster and be more misogynistic, which no one really listened to or cares about.
Downside: After both Cormac and Villagran are killed-about 75% into the book-”Texas Tempest” kind of runs out of steam. The characters could have been developed more, but I find that this is not necessarily a strength of Ms. James’ work.
Sex: Love scenes involving Eugenia and Alejandro and Johanna and Marcos (separately). The love scenes are mildly graphic.
Violence: There is a good deal of violence in addition to that stated above. Whippings, shootings and other killings take place. The whipping scene-where Villagran’s henchmen whip Alejandro-are mildly graphic; the other violence, not so much.
Bottom Line: “Texas Tempest” is probably the best Deana James book I’ve read so far. Not great, but interesting and intriguing.
August 18, 2019
This is my first old school romance read, and I was really excited for it by the synopsis alone and I wasn't disappointed. The heroine was strong and fierce which was probably my favorite part of the book besides the brave and handsome MacPherson who was utterly swoon worthy.
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March 10, 2021Go to Sarah..
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews