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Heart of Texas #1

Lonesome Cowboy

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In Heart of Texas, Debbie Macomber's newest six-book series, readers are taken to the ever-popular state of Texas to share in the lives and loves of residents in the ranching community of Promise, Texas. Savannah Weston led a quiet life growing heirloom roses and helping her brother with the struggling family ranch. Never in her wildest dreams did she believe that her life of solitude would be shattered by Laredo Smith, the handsome drifter who captured her heart and showed her that love can be found in unexpected places.

233 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

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About the author

Debbie Macomber

900 books20.7k followers
Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.

In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.

Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.

She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.

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5 stars
1,172 (40%)
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640 (22%)
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25 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
Profile Image for Sina & Ilona Glimmerfee.
1,056 reviews118 followers
January 16, 2022
Eine Cowboy-Liebesgeschichte

Savannah hatte schon ewig kein Date, dafür aber viel Arbeit und viele Sorgen, die jetzt so langsam überwunden scheinen. Gemeinsam mit ihrem Bruder musste sie nach dem Tod der Eltern die Ranch vor dem Ruin retten.
Als die Rosenliebhaberin aus einer Geisterstadt kommt, wo sie auf dem Friedhof alte Rosen ausgegraben hat, sammelt sie den Cowboy Laredo auf. Er ist mit dem Wagen liegengeblieben und obwohl sie nichts über den mysteriösen Fremden weiß, stellt sie ihn gleich ein - Sehr zum Ärgernis ihres Bruders.
Ihr Bruder will das Laredo die Ranch verlässt und gräbt in dessen Vergangenheit, um Savannah zu überzeugen, dass dieser Mann nicht gut für sie ist.

Was mir gefallen hat?
Ich habe mich einfach wohlgefühlt in dem Buch. Ich mochte es Zeit auf der Ranch und mit den Charakteren zu verbringen, denn es war schlicht entspannend. Auch die Geisterstadt hat mich fasziniert, obwohl man daraus wirklich wesentlich mehr hätte machen können, so war es ein wenig verwirrend, warum sie überhaupt da war, außer als nette Dekoration.
Das Buch fühlte sich für mich sehr warm an und ich konnte mich gut beim Lesen entspannen.

Was ich nicht mochte?
Das Buch hätte wesentlich mehr Seiten gebraucht. Die Geschichte wurde teilweise mit einer entspannenden Ruhe erzählt und dann am Schluss kam das Ende sehr schnell. Außerdem ist es für mich weder wirklich eine Familiengeschichte noch eine Liebesgeschichte, für einen gutem Mix waren es einfach zu wenig Seiten.
Obwohl es für mich keine reine Liebesgeschichte ist und ich Romanzen liebe, muss ich sagen, dass mir die Dialoge manchmal etwas sehr kitschig vorkamen, vielleicht aber auch einfach, weil nicht genügt die Entwicklung der Liebesgeschichte im Vordergrund stand und ich daher die Wortwahl überzogen fand.

Für wen ist das Buch etwas?
Für Menschen, die das ruhige Landleben mit seinem Gemeinschaftssinn mögen. Gründe, weswegen ich ja auch immer wieder gerne zu diesen Cowboy Büchern greife. Die Aktivitäten drehen sich um die Natur, viel frische Luft, wenig Technik und dafür umso mehr Gemeinschaft.

Fazit?
Ich habe diesen Band sehr gerne gelesen. Ich konnte mich wunderbar in dieses Buch hineinfallen lassen. Werde ich die Reihe weiterverfolgen? Ich bin nicht abgeneigt, denn die Charaktere waren mir so sympathisch, dass ich sie gerne wieder besuchen würde.


Anmerkung: Das Buch wurde mir als Rezensionsexemplar zur Verfügung gestellt.
Profile Image for Jacob Proffitt.
3,317 reviews2,157 followers
September 15, 2015
My heart bled for Savannah Weston--a love-starved woman in a small Texas town. Her older brother, Grady, is kind of an ass and the two of them have spent years building up their ranch after their younger brother, Richard, stole the inheritance money needed for the rapacious inheritance taxes on their parents' deaths. Savannah's need for affection was overwhelming and raw and kudos to Macomber for not shrinking from the force of it.

And Laredo is an incredibly attractive antidote for her loneliness. He's humble and capable and responds to her need exactly as he ought--with care and tenderness and just a little bit of fear (that he'll screw it up). He's a little slow at times and there's nothing but a kiss or two in the novel, but that only made their relationship that much more moving.

Unfortunately, two elements of the novel drove my involvement down, somewhat. First, the ghost town of Bitter Springs. There's an overt supernatural element going on there as Savannah visits it occasionally during the course of the novel. I kept feeling like this was supposed to be significant somehow, but it never really delivered anything beyond feelings of a barren unease. For all the pages it was given, it turned out to be rather disappointingly unimportant.

Second, little brother Richard shows back up part-way through the novel. He is every bit the user you'd expect of someone who could steal the entire cash portion of their inheritance and not feel even the slightest bit guilty about it. I get that Savannah wants to believe that he's changed. Doing so in the face of every evidence to the contrary just makes her stupid and validates Grady's evaluation of her as naïve. I particularly hated that we get a scene from his viewpoint of him abusing Grady's good credit without that ever coming home to roost. At least a month passes between that scene and the end and we never see the final shoe drop as this solid evidence that he's still stealing from them comes to light. Richard is slime and his continued presence in their lives is a blight on their good judgment. Continuing to coddle the worthless sod risks everything they've worked for since all it'd take is him having the "need" for more ready cash for him to rob them of everything they have--and they're living on a slim-enough margin as it is...

So I loved the actual romance, but found some of the story off-putting. In all, a solid three stars that could easily have been more.
Profile Image for Debbie .
548 reviews43 followers
April 2, 2011
After going against her brother Grady’s wishes by going to the ghost town of Bitter End to find antique roses, Savannah Weston decided to stop for the lone cowboy she saw walking down the side of the road. He just wanted to get his truck fixed and get back on the road, Laredo Smith never planned on staying long I Promise Texas. Seeing the way Savannah cared for her brother, her animals, and her plants shouldn’t have changed his mind. Having protective feelings for her when it came to her plans to return to Bitter End then watching the way her brothers treated her, Laredo knew he had to do the right thing for her and for himself.

Book 1 ….. Opening to the Promise Texas series. Lots of characters, lots of set up for the 2nd , 3rd and even 4th books. This is a re-read for me, but it has been to many years to remember. Found the book to be an easy read with a few great characters, and even more good ones. Plan to read the rest of the series in the weeks to come. Next one is “Texas Two-Step”
Profile Image for Steffi.
891 reviews48 followers
February 20, 2022
Nein leider war das nichts für mich. Die Story klang vielversprechend. Leider ist schon der Schreibstil nicht der schönste. Hinzukommen blasse Charaktere und Platte Handlungen. Für mich ein eindeutiger Fehlgriff.
Profile Image for Zeilen.gefluester.
167 reviews4 followers
December 29, 2021
Meine Meinung

Ich war so gespannt auf die Geschichte, weil der Klappentext mich total neugierig gemacht hat und ich von der Autorin zuvor auch noch nichts gelesen hatte.

Cover

Das Cover gefällt mir wirklich gut und man hat sofort richtige Texas Vibes. Passt einfach perfekt zu der Geschichte und dem Titel. Normalerweise bin ich kein großer Fan von Personen auf Titel aber hier passt es einfach perfekt zum Gesamtbild.

Geschichte

Savannah lebt mit ihrem Bruder auf der Familienranch und unterstützt ihn bei der harten Arbeit, ihre wahre Leidenschaft sind aber alte Rosenstöcke, die sie hegt und pflegt. Alles läuft sehr beschaulich, bis sie Laredo Smith kennenlernt, ihn mitnimmt und ihn kurzer Hand ein Job auf der Ranch anbietet. Schnell kommen sich die beiden näher und Laredo schleicht immer mehr in ihr Herz.

Protagonisten

Ich wusste bis zum Ende nicht was ich von Savannah halten sollte, sie war einfach total gutgläubig, vor allem ihrem Bruder Richard und Laredo gegenüber. Sie hat gar nicht weiter drüber nachgedacht. Sie ließ sich auch sehr um den kleinen Finger wickeln und hat immer alles gemacht, was man von ihr verlangte.

Die beiden Brüder Grady und Richard. Grady war immer total miesgelaunt, absolut überarbeitet und Lächeln hat er auch verlernt. Ja er musste die Arbeit auf der Ranch übernehmen, das sie sie weiter halten konnten, aber er musste einfach mal lernen, das er nicht alleine war. Richard kam einfach zurück als wäre nie etwas gewesen und machte so weiter wie bisher, mir war sofort klar, er hat sich null geändert. Seine Art mochte ich überhaupt nicht.

Laredo fand ich von Anfang an sehr interessant, wusste aber nicht genau wo ihn das ganze hinführen sollte und wie das ganze mit Savannah pasen könnte. Er hat sein Herz aber auf den richtigen Fleck und ich mochte ihn gerne.

Schreibstil

Der Schreibstil war in Ordnung, hatte aber teilweise wirklich Probleme der Geschichte aufmerksam zu folgen, da sie aus unterschiedlichen Perspektiven erzählt wird. Insgesamt waren es einfach zu viele und manchmal war mir nicht direkt klar aus welcher Sicht erzählt wird.

Fazit

Eine Geschichte die wirklich Potenzial hatte, mich aber nicht ganz überzeugen konnte. Das Buch hat nur etwas über 200 Seiten, aber teilweise ziehte sich die Geschichte total und es passierte nicht wirklich was. Einige Zusammenhänge habe ich bis jetzt nicht verstanden, vor allem das ganze mit der verlassenen Stadt, fand ich echt etwas überflüssig. Das Ende war dann doch nochmal sehr süß, kam mir dann aber zu plötzlich und war viel zu schnell und einfach to much.

Im zweiten Band der Heart of Texas Reihe bekommt Ellie ihre Geschichte und darauf bin ich schon sehr gespannt.

Bewertung 2,5/5 Sterne
Profile Image for Brenda McDearmon.
Author 6 books39 followers
July 21, 2021
This book would have received 5 stars from me, except for the fact that I'm a true Texan and am pretty sure people get tired of us Texans bragging and giving the highest ratings to all.things.Texas.

See how many times I said Texas in that one sentence??

Anyway, I love Debbie Macomber's books. She's lighthearted, witty and tenderly understanding toward all the flaws of every character in her stories. Lonesome Cowboy (a Texas story) was no different. Each personality struggled to get along with someone or to accept a negative trait in themselves. Yet, it all kind of came out in the wash at the end, leaving me with a big Texas smile.

*As soon as I finished the book, I added it to my "Books for Texans" shelf, began researching Texas roses and am making plans to attend the Tyler Rose Festival this fall.*

Profile Image for ~Nichole~  Sizzling Pages Romance Reviews.
1,716 reviews625 followers
January 9, 2023
Scribd winner here. Loved it.
Interesting characters and engaging plot. I would love to visit this fictional community. I am eager to see all the different relationships play out.

💞💞💞💞

Check out Scribd—if you wanna enjoy this one too and many more !

It costs less than the price of a paperback, but if you sign up with my link you'll get your first 60 days free: https://www.scribd.com/gae/aaedtk
Profile Image for Cher.
100 reviews
May 26, 2019
Warning: Spoilers ahead!

Of all Debbie's books that I've read so far, this one is by far my least favorite. Although the book is titled 'Lonesome Cowboy', I felt like the plot didn't discuss Laredo's character enough. To me, Savannah came off as a woman that fell in love with the first random man that she struck up a good conversation with. My impression of her didn't change one bit when she apparently admitted her love to Laredo in the very first couple of days since she met him and continued to make clumsy decisions, and even suggesting marriage turning him into a speechless mess!
The book discussed almost every character of Promise instead of just focusing on the two main characters, which frustrated me greatly.

Overall, it's a two stars read for me.
Profile Image for Rohn Strong.
Author 9 books28 followers
July 31, 2018
Such a good little tidy romance. I loved every minute of it!
Profile Image for Nancy.
2,590 reviews65 followers
November 16, 2020
3.5 rounded up. Savannah is a great heroine.
Profile Image for Angie.
264 reviews
July 9, 2021
I have a harder time with this type of book lately, although it worked for my week in Kiawah. Beach reads are their own thing apparently.
Profile Image for Nina Sollorz-Wagner.
3,143 reviews27 followers
January 5, 2022
In " Heart of Texas - Der Himmel so frei " hat sich Savannah ihr Leben auf der Familienranch gemeinsam mit ihrem großen Bruder Grady und für ihren geliebten Rosengarten eingerichtet. Ein passender Mann würde ihr Glück vollständig machen. Doch woher nehmen, wenn man wie sie etwas zurückgezogen lebt.
Als Savannah auf Lerado trifft, nimmt sie den unbekannten Cowboy kurzerhand mit auf die Ranch und bietet diesen gleich noch, sehr zum Missfallens Gradys, eine Arbeit an. Doch Lerano hat etwas an sich, dass Savannah regelrecht anzieht.
Lerano war auf dem Weg zu seinem Fleckchen Land in Oklahoma, als ihm sein Pick up den Geist aufgibt. Zum Glück kommt er auf der Ranch der Westons unter, um dort etwas Geld zu verdienen, bis er weiterreisen kann. Doch dann kommen ihm die Gefühle zu Savannah in die Quere.
Kann es für Savannah und Lerano eine Möglichkeit auf eine gemeinsame Zukunft geben und wie reagiert Grady auf den neuen Ranchmitarbeiter?
Die Story lässt sich leicht und flüssig lesen, bleibt dabei spannungsgeladen sowie abwechslungsreich. Man darf mit Savannah und Lerano mitfiebern und die verschiedesten Emotionen erleben. Es gibt einiges zum schmunzeln bis herzhaft zu lachen und so manche mitfühlende Momente.
Da ich wissen wollte, ob es für Savannah und Lerano ein Happy End gab, konnte ich das Buch nicht mehr aus der Hand legen.
Das Buch bekommt von mir eine Lese / Kaufempfehlung und 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sterne.
Profile Image for amanda s..
3,117 reviews95 followers
July 25, 2013
I was going to give this book five stars but..

When she saw him walking alone, Savannah can't help but gave him a ride. Laredo, alone and jobless hooked with Savannah's kindness. She even offered him a job as her gardener. He's in love, and apparently the feeling's mutual. But what would Laredo do when he got nothing to give?

This book is good. The story flowed beautifully and I'm in love with Laredo instantly. Even with Grady despite his roughness. Savannah's thirty years old and she yearns for love, that's why when she met Laredo who's kind and sweet, she's having a sudden crush. I liked it! This book's very old-fashioned yet easy to read.

But, with Richard, it's like things have left unsolved. I don't like Richard, I feel like he's a trouble waiting to happen, but when the author didn't give him "end", I was disappointed. That's why I don't give this book full 5 stars. I want to slap Richard. After all of those bad description, how come the author left him like that? Cheese. :/

But then again, this book's really lovely. I liked it. Looking forward to read the sequel.
148 reviews9 followers
August 11, 2015
I started reading this book with the thought that I would not like it at all. I was only reading it for a challenge. Turns out it was not too bad. It was not the best book ever, but it was ok. I hadn't read a ranch/cowboy book before and thought it would be completely boring.

The book is about Savannah and a poor horse breeder who goes by the name Laredo(weird name I know). She finds him walking along the highway after his truck breaks down, and decides to give him a ride and later a job.
Laredo was a really nice guy, but he ticked me off when he left Savannah because he felt he didn't have enough money for her. She was not concerned about money at all, but only wanted his love. Most guys would love a woman who thinks that way. Grady, Sydney's brother was too overprotective. The girl is 29 for heaven's sake.
I was very happy with the ending although it was very predictable and cliché. I would definitely read more books by this author.
Profile Image for Michelle Molinari.
114 reviews
August 31, 2016
I adore these characters. Macomber’s writing is wonderful. I could barely put this book down, I’m so happy there are more books in this series. A quick read, an excellent pace, not too quick and not too wordy. Just when you’re settling into the romance, Macomber throws in another obstacle. Love it.

SPOILER *******************

I would say my two nit-picks have to do with the ending (I know, you can’t please everyone – I’m still mailing the series to my friend in Hawaii for beach reading.) I felt the ending was a little rushed. Almost like she put her heart and soul into the story and then spent 30 seconds on the ending. It’s still a good ending…well, something needed to be done about Richard. Maybe he’ll get his in the Texas Two-Step.
Profile Image for Melissa.
286 reviews62 followers
February 4, 2012
I love the town of Promise, Texas..where the neighbors are friendly!
Savannah loves helping her brother on their ranch,..and growing her garden of many kinds of Roses.
She wasnt looking for a romance..until Laredo Smith enters town.
With Laredo's past, Savannah's Brother questions Laredo's intentions towards his Sister.
Laredo and Savannah's brothers discourage her from visiting a Ghost Town called Bitter End..but she was determined to find more Antique Roses for her Rose Garden in this Ghost Town full of suspense and secrets.

This is a story about life on a Ranch, Family Values and Love!
I give it 5 stars!
Profile Image for  Ela's Welt der Bücher.
1,833 reviews
January 23, 2022
Dieses Buch hat mich mit seinem Cover echt neugierig gemacht und der Inhalt klang nach einer Kleinstadt mit Ranchfeeling. Ich habe mich so gefreut, dass ich es so schnell wie möglich lesen wollte, leider war es dieses Mal nicht so meins. Ich kam nicht mit den Protagonisten klar, sie haben mich meistens nur genervt, allen voran eine bestimmte Person. Ich hätte sie so gerne geschlagen und geschüttelt, wie kann man Menschen so benutzen. Außerdem ging mir alles viel zu schnell. Ich hatte so große Hoffnungen in diese Geschichte und ich würde schon sehr enttäuscht. Ich überlege ob ich dem zweiten Band noch eine Chance geben soll.
3 Sterne
Profile Image for Judy.
294 reviews6 followers
March 27, 2014
A well written story about a woman who picks up a hitchhiker and takes him home to the ranch she owns with her brother. It's a story about taking care of one's property, values and beliefs. It's about taking care of one's family first. It's about learning how to trust and love and believe that there is more to life than working the ranch. It's about life. It's about appreciating life and taking all there is to one's life with joy and hope.

Pick up a copy today! You'll enjoy it!
Profile Image for Buchforscherin.
51 reviews12 followers
January 1, 2022
Das erste Buch des Jahres und ein Volltreffer. Cowboys, Landleben, Liebe. Ich bin verzückt. Ja ok kitschig. Aber schön kitschig!
Profile Image for Marsha Keeper Bookshelf.
4,290 reviews88 followers
October 7, 2018
Reviewed at Lovin'A Cowboy Romance

Lonesome Cowboy would be considered a clean, sweet romance by today’s expectations. And I enjoyed this re-read of Savannah and Laredo’s falling in love as much as I did the first time I read it. In fact, the 1998 Harlequin paperback is over on my physical bookshelf even now, along with the rest of this series. Yes, I do hold on to the good ones, and I’ll always do a few re-reads of the ones that I keep. Debbie Macomber has gone on to become a best selling author with a worldwide following… and while I do love her books to this day, I still enjoy going back to her beginnings now and then.

Savannah’s story is full of loneliness and hope. While it’s hard to be truly lonely in the community of Promise, Texas it is possible to feel alone, and her feelings of loneliness and desiring for someone to love her unconditionally are very raw and obvious. Savannah and her brother Grady run their ranch, rebuilding in a sense after the treacherous actions of their brother Richard. While Grady can be an overbearing jerk at times, he stayed to rebuild the ranch unlike Richard who stole their inheritance and ran for greener pastures.

Savannah has a special touch with antique roses and her gardens are full of these beauties that she tenderly brings to life to enjoy and preserve. It’s while returning from a trip to the ghost-like abandoned town of Bitter Springs that Savannah first encounters her future… Laredo.

I enjoyed Lonesome Cowboy, it’s an excellent lead-in to the series, and while giving us some background, a touch of mystery surrounding Bitter Springs (which will be a thread woven throughout this series), it also gives us a good look at the community and the characters we’ll run into in this series. One jerk of a villain will return to Promise, Texas and I will dislike Richard every single time. It’s sad to watch Savannah try to give him second chances, and to see the results each time. Laredo is a gem worth keeping, even though he certainly does not see himself in that light. For Savannah, this man is her heart and it shows.

If you like to take a step back to the earlier works of some of your favorite authors, then I’d strongly recommend Lonesome Cowboy and the entire Hearts of Texas series. You’ll find a really good story, believable characters and a touch of mystery to solve.

I own an original Harlequin paperback edition of this story.
Profile Image for Buch Versum.
1,741 reviews12 followers
December 2, 2021
…eine Sehnsucht, die kaum gezügelt werden kann…

Die weiter Prärie von Texas, Rinderzucht und eine tolle Farm, die es im Alleingang schwer zu führen gab.
Savannah und ihre Brüder mussten nach den Tod ihrer Eltern die Farm alleine führen, wollten das Erbe unter keinen Umständen aufgeben.
Ihr Bruder Grady und sie haben mit allen Mitteln daran gearbeitet, Fleiß und sicherlich schlaflose Nächte investiert, wo Savannahs Liebe jedoch wirklich hingehört, ist die Zucht von Rosen.
Genau aus diesem Grund trifft sie unerwartet auf Laredo, einsamer Cowboy, Pferdezüchter, doch vom ersten Moment an viel mehr.

Die Verbindung und Chemie scheint intensiv, fast erschreckend und einnehmend.
Wo Savannah eigentlich die süße, herzallerliebste, eher unschuldige junge Frau, scheint wie ausgewechselt, steht für ihre Gefühle ein, verschließt sich nicht mehr vor einer Zukunft und erstaunt durch ihre Willensstärke.

Ganz und gar ist darauf Laredo nicht vorbereitet da seine Plan plan ganz anders aussieht. Wird ihm die Liebe einen Strich in die Rechnung machen oder wird er wie geplant ohne zurück zu schauen weiter ziehen ?

Lest selbst, verliert euch in der Weite und idyllischen Landschaft, der kleinen Stadt rundum und dem Bewohnern, die in der Kürze einen ans Herz wachsen.
Besonders Caroline, die beste Freundin und alleinerziehende Mutter hat mir sehr imponiert, mich neugierig auf ihre eigene Geschichte gemacht.

Herausstechend auch Grady, der soviel Wut in sich hat und doch nur das beste für seine Schwester möchte, schützend und sehr oft zu fürsorglich.

Ich bleibe daher vom Einstieg der Reihe gut unterhalten, beflügelt von Atmosphäre, dem Setting, der Liebe auf den ersten Blick, intensiven Verbindung, ergriffen von den wundervollen Gemüt, vernarrt in die Persönlichkeiten und gefühlvoll entzückt zurück.

Vielen Dank für das Rezensionsexemplar an den Verlag.
Trotz der Bereitstellung hat dies in keiner Weise meine ehrliche Meinung zum Buch beeinträchtigt.

#HeartofTexas
#DerHimmelsofrei
#DebbieMacomber
#MiraTaschenbuch #HarperCollins
#Rezension
Profile Image for HEAjunkie.
87 reviews42 followers
February 19, 2018
This was typical small-town, sweet, feel-happy Debbie Macomber. Savannah Weston is a quiet, slightly old-fashioned woman living on the Yellow Rose ranch with her two brothers, Grady and Richard. Savannah has a passion for antique roses. They are working hard to pull out of debts and can ill afford to hire people. Then Savannah comes across Laredo Smith, a drifter crossing through town, with a broken-down truck. She takes him under her wing and offers to hire him. Their love story is a sweet progression, with a beautiful bonding of two lonely people, a posse of characters who make the texture of the story much richer. I loved the way Savannah confesses her love to Laredo, how Laredo resists her, and all his reasons. I loved Grady's protectiveness, and how he was strong enough to admit to his misjudgment of Laredo. I loved the way Caroline and Nell and the elderly schoolteachers, Cal and Ellie and Glen weave together and make Laredo part of the town, while sticking up for Savannah. I cried on behalf of Savannah when Laredo leaves, I could see Savannah's serenity when she revisits Bitter End (the ghost town that features through this series), and I could just see the whole company gathered in Savannah's drawing room when Laredo returns. Oh, the tenderness of the reunion! I loved, loved, loved the feel of this beautiful little book.
Profile Image for Amanda Hash.
295 reviews14 followers
October 15, 2019
I am, admittedly, a sucker for Macomber's brand of romance, but I was skeptical going into this one. An older book to start with, opening with descriptions of antique roses, siblings living on a struggling ranch... none of that particularly appealed to me. But again, huge fan of Macomber, and equally fond of cowboys, so I gave it a chance.

I'm so happy I did. Like in her Blossom Street and Cedar Cove series, Macomber created a town and a cast of characters I quickly became attached to. I didn't immediately connect with Savannah, but she grew on me. Grady, despite his rough edges, was someone I immediately liked (and thought more of as the story progressed.) The more characters that were introduced, the more I appreciated Promise-- its quirkiness, its mysteries, and its charm. I got sucked in and wasn't even finished with this book before I bought the rest in the series.

I am enthralled by the idea of the super secret ghost town of Bitter End, and can't wait for the mystery to unravel so I can learn what happened there. And I'm deeply rooting for Grady, and Caroline, and the rest of the wayward cast to find love-- I'm so excited to continue this series and spend more time in Promise.
Profile Image for Lea.
259 reviews
September 20, 2022
dem ersten Band der Heart of Texas Reihe, der Himmel so frei geht es um Savannah, sie wohnt und arbeitet zusammen mit ihrem Bruder auf der Familienranch. Savannah züchtet Rosen und verkauft diese, besonders alte Rosenstöcke pflegt sie in ihrem Garten.
Eines Abends begegnet sie Laredo Smith auf der Straße und bietet ihm einen Job auf der Ranch an. Savannah ist sofort begeistert von Laredo freundlichen, hilfsbereiten Art, doch ist Laredo wirklich der für den er sich ausgibt ?

Persönlich Meinung:
Eine entspannte Geschichte. Die Geschehnisse in dem Buch sind leider ein wenig vorhersehbar, trotzdem fand ich die Geschichte gut. Der Schreibstil der Autorin lässt sich gut lesen, wo durch ich das Buch schnell beenden konnte. Savannah als Hauptcharaktere fand ich sehr sympathisch sie ist eine ruhige, hilfsbereite Person und sieht so weit nur das gute in den Menschen. Laredo ist freundlich, hilfsbereit und arbeitet viel. Er unterstützt Savanna beim Pflanzen und der Pflege der Rosen in ihrem Garten.

Fazit: Ein entspannter Liebesroman von Debbie Macomber, leider fand ich das Ende der Geschichte ein wenig vorhersehbar, freue mich aber schon auf den zweiten Band der Reihe.
Ich gebe dem Buch drei Sterne.
7 reviews
January 14, 2019
Very frustrating book.
Savannah and Grady had a hard time on the ranch after their parents died and their brother took off with all of their savings. Grady doesn't trust the brother (Richard) and wants to throw him off the property. (I lost track of how many times). So, since he didn't throw him off the property, Richard continues to take advantage of Savannah and Grady, Over and over again. No-one is that stupid. No-one in the town seems to know how much Richard hurt Savannah and Grady - unlikely.
The description of this book is about a lonesome cowboy named Loredo. Then why is most of the book about Richard? Too much going on. Richard getting away with everything. Savannah doing everything (Cooking, cleaning, shopping, rose business, and falling in love). Grady pulling his hair out, getting mad at everyone and always apologizing. A ghost town.

I wanted to punch Richard. Why didn't anyone else?

Can't finish reading this. Too frustrating.
Profile Image for Mª João Monteiro.
960 reviews81 followers
December 31, 2017
Mais um daqueles ebooks que me aparece e que eu leio porque daqui não vem nenhum mal ao mundo. Romance leve e sentimental, que conta como atualmente ainda se vive no Texas e o que se faz para sobreviver ,o que achei interessante. A protagonista é uma mulher forte e independente (parece que também as há na América, mas continuam a ser apresentadas como exceções, coisa que acho idiota) que se cruza com um cowboy em apuros. O irmão, dono e senhor do rancho onde vivem, desconfia das intenções do desgraçado, mas claro que tudo (ou quase, até porque é o primeiro livro de uma série de seis...) se vai resolver. Um irmão trapaceiro de regresso, uma amiga mãe solteira (outra mulher forte e independente...) e mais uns pozinhos de cor local.
Profile Image for Vicki.
1,707 reviews
April 26, 2019
This was a sweet romance. There are 3 Weston siblings. Grady's the oldest and has worked himself hard to try and keep the ranch running. Richard is the youngest and he stole the money left to all of them after their parent's funeral and ran away but he does come back. Savannah is the only girl. She 31 and sweet and kind and loves antique roses. On one of her searches see finds a broken down truuck and further down the road she picks up a hitchhiker, Laredo Smith and offers him a job on their ranch. They all live in the small town of Promise, TX. The romances and problems each faces makes for a wonderful story. Debbie Macomber never fails to write a great story.
Profile Image for Nancy Luebke.
1,466 reviews65 followers
August 14, 2021
I really enjoyed this clean, cowboy romance. I bought this at a recent Library book sale and I voluntarily chose to review this. This is the first of the Heart of Texas Series and it sets the stage pretty well for this series of romances in a community that has a Ghost Town that seems to be part secret and part scary. I've given it a 5* rating. I've so been enjoying this series. There are lots of twists and turns and a bad character to keep stirring it up. Each story centers on a different character's romance. Onto the next.
Profile Image for Bea Tea.
1,204 reviews
April 3, 2024
Ooooff - so close to five stars. I did super enjoy the romance (it was lovely) But the heroine... good LORD she was a wishy-washy-weak-ass blob of jelly when it came to her awful brother. I swear every time she stood up for Richard - against Grady who saved their asses from ruin no less - I wanted to shred my hair from my head and scream. How could she? How could she take Richard's side after all he did, and continues to do? I think I internalized so much rage I got an ulcer.
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