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McLain #1
The Texan's Touch
New York Times bestselling author Jodi Thomas gives readers a taste of the passion and adventure of the Old West with the first addicting romance in her series featuring the McLain brothers.When Yankee doctor Adam McClain is kidnapped and forced to treat a wounded confederate soldier, he soon learns his patient’s name is not Nick, but Nichole. He is struck to his core by her bravery and beauty—and by the brief kiss they share that night. In the morning she saves his life in turn, protecting him from her rebel comrades, and sending him away from the Confederate camp, never to see her again—or so he believes. Despite knowing that he can never be the same after their fateful encounter, Adam returns home after the war to his fiancée, the wealthy daughter of a snobby family of war profiteers, and tries to forget the girl in gray. But when, months later, Nichole reappears, asking for his help once more, Adam must make a choice. In a land still healing from the war that nearly tore it apart, will love prevail?
327 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1998
126 people are currently reading
1311 people want to read
About the author
Jodi Thomas
128 books2,501 followersI'm a New York Times and USA Today Best Selling author, wife, mother, in-law, grandmother, sister, friend, and owner of one fat cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
June 24, 2020
3 STARS
This one started out with a really intriguing storyline. But in the end it just fell a little flat for me. There was just this bit of insta-love between the two, and a mysterious life-threatening injury that just seemed to disappear when it was no longer convenient. I liked the McLain brothers. And their stories kept my interest. I loved Nichole's tenacious character. All in all it was a cute story. So I'm going middle of the road on my rating.
This was my first book by Jodi Thomas. And I will definitely look into more.
The lightning hadn’t frightened her. He wondered what, if anything, would. She was as wild as a spring storm, and it was the wildness that attracted him, nothing more, he decided. The female reb was as far from his world as a woman could be.
This one started out with a really intriguing storyline. But in the end it just fell a little flat for me. There was just this bit of insta-love between the two, and a mysterious life-threatening injury that just seemed to disappear when it was no longer convenient. I liked the McLain brothers. And their stories kept my interest. I loved Nichole's tenacious character. All in all it was a cute story. So I'm going middle of the road on my rating.
This was my first book by Jodi Thomas. And I will definitely look into more.
September 12, 2011
★★★★ ½ This book had so many things against my enjoying it. Three big ones: I don't like books about the Civil War, I don't have a thing for doctors, and I don't like guys who are engaged to someone else. However, Yankee physician, Adam McClain, is yummy. I just loved “Southern Belle” Nichole too. It dragged a smidge when they first get together again after the war, but it made up for it later.
Ms. Thomas manages to change my mind; not an easy feat. I think I have a crush on all the heroes she writes about. Should I let her know, or will she fill out a restraining order for stalking?
Ms. Thomas manages to change my mind; not an easy feat. I think I have a crush on all the heroes she writes about. Should I let her know, or will she fill out a restraining order for stalking?
August 5, 2019
Is this the same author who wrote the Wife Lottery series?
I find that hard to believe.
The Wife Lottery series had overall, a good romance story. This book did not.
It begins with Yankee doctor Adam McClain being forced to heal Nick or Nicole as he soon discovers.
And it all goes downhill from there.
“But when you were bandaged and sleeping.” His confession came slowly. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen anything but war. I couldn’t stop myself from …”
That is not romantic or sweet or whatever the author was trying to achieve. That is creepy.
There's also insta-love. Basically, two minutes after Adam's creepy admission that he touched her when she was unconscious, and as he's about to leave, Nicole tearfully counts down the seconds before he leaves her.
“Five,” she whispered as she shoved away a tear with her free hand. “Six.”
As Adam runs away he considers how he's loved a different girl for so long. And yet he forgot her easily enough to kiss someone else?
When Adam comes home and is at his fiancé's house, Nicole arrives and he and his brother wonder why.
“Only thing I can’t figure”
Wes moved toward the closed doors of the room called the butler’s pantry
“is … are they here to thank you, or kill you?”
Ummm... Does he or does he not remember Nicole promising to find him?
“When this war is over, I’ll find you, Adam McLain, and finish that kiss.”
What did he think was going to happen? Obviously a girl who is OK with him touching her in her sleep and who makes a promise to find him after only one minute of knowing him is going to do exactly that.
Not that Adam's annoyed about her stalking.
Suddenly, her grip broke from the counter and her arms moved around his neck. She pulled him close. She’d never cried, not even when her mother died. Everyone in her family saw it as a weakness. But now tears rolled down her cheeks, and she felt his hands spread across her back in comfort. She didn’t have to tell him she hadn’t believed the fighting would ever end, he seemed to know.
“It’s over,” he whispered against her hair as he pulled her closer.
This is happening at Adam's fiancé's house. Who, is of course not the women he wants but that doesn't make it any more ok for him to be hugging another woman at her house.
He pulled her closer, feeling her breasts press against his chest, feeling her breath on his neck, feeling her heart pounding next to his.“You’re free to leave.” His arms didn’t loosen.
“And if I don’t?” Her hands spread over the starched crispness of his shirt.
“Then I’ll have to finish that kiss we started,” he answered.
..... Still happening at his fiancé's house.
Which is why I was done with this book. Instant love in my head does not count as romance and since this book (to me) is not a romance, well there's no reason to read it.
I find that hard to believe.
The Wife Lottery series had overall, a good romance story. This book did not.
It begins with Yankee doctor Adam McClain being forced to heal Nick or Nicole as he soon discovers.
And it all goes downhill from there.
“But when you were bandaged and sleeping.” His confession came slowly. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen anything but war. I couldn’t stop myself from …”
That is not romantic or sweet or whatever the author was trying to achieve. That is creepy.
There's also insta-love. Basically, two minutes after Adam's creepy admission that he touched her when she was unconscious, and as he's about to leave, Nicole tearfully counts down the seconds before he leaves her.
“Five,” she whispered as she shoved away a tear with her free hand. “Six.”
As Adam runs away he considers how he's loved a different girl for so long. And yet he forgot her easily enough to kiss someone else?
When Adam comes home and is at his fiancé's house, Nicole arrives and he and his brother wonder why.
“Only thing I can’t figure”
Wes moved toward the closed doors of the room called the butler’s pantry
“is … are they here to thank you, or kill you?”
Ummm... Does he or does he not remember Nicole promising to find him?
“When this war is over, I’ll find you, Adam McLain, and finish that kiss.”
What did he think was going to happen? Obviously a girl who is OK with him touching her in her sleep and who makes a promise to find him after only one minute of knowing him is going to do exactly that.
Not that Adam's annoyed about her stalking.
Suddenly, her grip broke from the counter and her arms moved around his neck. She pulled him close. She’d never cried, not even when her mother died. Everyone in her family saw it as a weakness. But now tears rolled down her cheeks, and she felt his hands spread across her back in comfort. She didn’t have to tell him she hadn’t believed the fighting would ever end, he seemed to know.
“It’s over,” he whispered against her hair as he pulled her closer.
This is happening at Adam's fiancé's house. Who, is of course not the women he wants but that doesn't make it any more ok for him to be hugging another woman at her house.
He pulled her closer, feeling her breasts press against his chest, feeling her breath on his neck, feeling her heart pounding next to his.“You’re free to leave.” His arms didn’t loosen.
“And if I don’t?” Her hands spread over the starched crispness of his shirt.
“Then I’ll have to finish that kiss we started,” he answered.
..... Still happening at his fiancé's house.
Which is why I was done with this book. Instant love in my head does not count as romance and since this book (to me) is not a romance, well there's no reason to read it.
February 8, 2022
Great, a lot of adventures, strong heroine, great faithful, kind hero. they werent communicating good... but i loved this story.
May 26, 2016
3 1/2 Stars
For a time, this booked sucked me in so hard that I felt like the cast of characters were real. I cried with, and for, Daniel. I felt the longing of Adam and Nichole- aka: Nick. I laughed as Wes truly was funny in parts, even Daniel had me laughing toward the end- though that also included Wes in the mix. I loved Wolf, and I'm excited to read his story. Nance- I loved Nick's nickname for the youngster. It was funny and cute, but so appropriate. He was a fountain of information.
However, I did tire of the push & pull, and the letting go, parts. It was just too much angst for this romance lover. I didn't like Bergette's role later in the story, either. It didn't add to the story to truly enhance it, and it dragged on, as well as it was too convenient for when she shows up.
Overall, I loved the whole of the story. It had action, light romance, a woman with some kick butt skills, funny moments, sad moments, and two families who merge into one to share their love, friendships, to protect each other, and save each other's hides.
I can only wonder what will happen to Bergette, Mole, and Russell. A little more closure there would have been good.
As I was about to push 'done' on my review, I realized that the main plot of the bad guys/Nichole/Wes issue was never fully fleshed out well. It happens, hits the climax stages, but then it ends without a great explanation to the either fiasco. You can guess who's all involved- mostly, but it's not clear as rain, nor are their motives. I guess you can be fine with the book taking up so much time on the Bad guys/Nichole issue- but what was the whole point of it starting anyway? Was it just made to make the story revolve around it? Then throw Wes into the mix?
Idk- I wasn't satisfied with the whole resolution as I feel like we were jipped information and a real reason.
Maybe as I sit here, thinking on it, I'm just being too picky. I just don't like thinking it happens to just happen, then they want to hunt Nichole down.
Anyway- now I'm off my original review and on to a tangent. :(
For a time, this booked sucked me in so hard that I felt like the cast of characters were real. I cried with, and for, Daniel. I felt the longing of Adam and Nichole- aka: Nick. I laughed as Wes truly was funny in parts, even Daniel had me laughing toward the end- though that also included Wes in the mix. I loved Wolf, and I'm excited to read his story. Nance- I loved Nick's nickname for the youngster. It was funny and cute, but so appropriate. He was a fountain of information.
However, I did tire of the push & pull, and the letting go, parts. It was just too much angst for this romance lover. I didn't like Bergette's role later in the story, either. It didn't add to the story to truly enhance it, and it dragged on, as well as it was too convenient for when she shows up.
Overall, I loved the whole of the story. It had action, light romance, a woman with some kick butt skills, funny moments, sad moments, and two families who merge into one to share their love, friendships, to protect each other, and save each other's hides.
I can only wonder what will happen to Bergette, Mole, and Russell. A little more closure there would have been good.
As I was about to push 'done' on my review, I realized that the main plot of the bad guys/Nichole/Wes issue was never fully fleshed out well. It happens, hits the climax stages, but then it ends without a great explanation to the either fiasco. You can guess who's all involved- mostly, but it's not clear as rain, nor are their motives. I guess you can be fine with the book taking up so much time on the Bad guys/Nichole issue- but what was the whole point of it starting anyway? Was it just made to make the story revolve around it? Then throw Wes into the mix?
Idk- I wasn't satisfied with the whole resolution as I feel like we were jipped information and a real reason.
Maybe as I sit here, thinking on it, I'm just being too picky. I just don't like thinking it happens to just happen, then they want to hunt Nichole down.
Anyway- now I'm off my original review and on to a tangent. :(
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2015
A Texan's Touch
3.5 Stars
Mere hours before the end of the Civil War, Yankee doctor, Adam McLain, is abducted to treat a dying Confederate spy. Adam soon realized that “Nick” is actually a beautiful young woman and so begins a romance that thrives despite all obstacles …
A sweet romance with engaging characters and solid storyline.
Adam and Nick’s opposites attract romance is sweet and spicy. Their immediate attraction despite fighting on opposing sides requires some suspension of disbelief, but their physical and emotional connection is unreliable. One other problematic issue is their tendency toward miscommunication and denial of their feelings, which can be tedious at times.
The minor suspense plot is well developed with some exciting action scenes and the pacing is good although there are short sections that drag here and there, particularly during Adam and Nick’s initial separation. In contrast, the ending is a little rushed and the incident with Wes resolved too easily.
The secondary characters are fleshed out well and I’m looking forward to reading Daniel and Wes’s books as they both conform to my favorite wounded/tortured/scarred hero trope.
3.5 Stars
Mere hours before the end of the Civil War, Yankee doctor, Adam McLain, is abducted to treat a dying Confederate spy. Adam soon realized that “Nick” is actually a beautiful young woman and so begins a romance that thrives despite all obstacles …
A sweet romance with engaging characters and solid storyline.
Adam and Nick’s opposites attract romance is sweet and spicy. Their immediate attraction despite fighting on opposing sides requires some suspension of disbelief, but their physical and emotional connection is unreliable. One other problematic issue is their tendency toward miscommunication and denial of their feelings, which can be tedious at times.
The minor suspense plot is well developed with some exciting action scenes and the pacing is good although there are short sections that drag here and there, particularly during Adam and Nick’s initial separation. In contrast, the ending is a little rushed and the incident with Wes resolved too easily.
The secondary characters are fleshed out well and I’m looking forward to reading Daniel and Wes’s books as they both conform to my favorite wounded/tortured/scarred hero trope.
July 9, 2010
This was a great story. Both the hero and heroine are complex and very real - they have to struggle for what they want, and with themselves for wanting it. The role of hero as protector and heroine as needing protection are reversed, and it is handled in a way that feels believable. Also, the brothers, who are covered in successive stories, form integral, but secondary parts of the plot. In fact, all the secondary characters are really great. I had a bit of a problem with how chummy the Southeners and the Yankees seemed to be, but the premise of a disguised woman fighter is well-documented over the centuries in many wars and is well-used in the story. Just a wonderfully entertaining read.
did-not-finish
November 29, 2023DNF 6%
June 27, 2012
4.5 I don't usually read westerns, now I might have to go out and get some more. The H/h meet during the end of the Civil War. Adam is a doctor for the north. Nicole is injured fighting for the South and the "Shadows" she fights with go over enemy lines to get a Dr to treat her gunshot wound. The guys she fights with doesn't know she is a woman, but the doctor finds out quickly when he is treating her. The guys plan to kill him after he save Nicole. Nicole helps him to escape and tells him she will find him after the war is over. She does and that begins their journey into romance, danger and misunderstandings.Sweet story that I really enjoyed.
June 16, 2016
Did not finish.
This was a valiant effort, but, dang. No. It's kind of a mess. It was all over the place, and I was scrambling to keep up with the changes in POV. A few scenes didn't even make sense.
This was a valiant effort, but, dang. No. It's kind of a mess. It was all over the place, and I was scrambling to keep up with the changes in POV. A few scenes didn't even make sense.
October 8, 2013
Another Jodi Thomas hit:) I just want to say how much I appreciate a couple that loves to make-out...their kissing action was as powerful as many love scenes I've read in other books so I really enjoyed their connection.
October 9, 2014
3.5 stars
February 26, 2018
I enjoyed the characters immensely. Nick has spent the years of the Civil War masquerading as a man as part of her brother's group of Southern spies. Once the war ends, she meets Adam, a former Union doctor. Through Adam's move to Texas along with his brothers, we see Nick meeting up with him again and the sexual tension is as strong as ever. But both fight it, naturally, because they are two very different people. But I loved the way their story unfolded with the Wild West of Texas as the backdrop. I do wish there had been an epilogue. I imagine my own.
February 25, 2020
I found the romance of this a bit lacking...I just it felt to instant not enough build up and too much we don't belogn in each others worlds bah blah blah
However, I give this book full credited for makign me laugh aloud several times and I really liked Wolf and Wes. Also I am a fan of the Texan's Wager so I will definitly be readign the next in these series
However, I give this book full credited for makign me laugh aloud several times and I really liked Wolf and Wes. Also I am a fan of the Texan's Wager so I will definitly be readign the next in these series
May 13, 2017
Adam McLain won me over from the first chapter! I don't usually go all gah-gah over doctors, but he was an interesting character. I wanted to smack him a few times, but it was overshadowed by my desire to drop kick Bergette into next month. What a witch! It was nice to see Nicole's strength and courage. I really liked her. She's no wilting flower or swooning princess. The relationships and bantor she develops with the McLain brothers were both fun and endearing. I have high hopes for this series and I'm curious where it will go next. The author made me cry though...twice...which I don't mind too bad. The HEA and excitement in between helped make up for it and I respect it when a book is written well enough to tug my emotions.
July 18, 2013
I've learned to keep tissues and bottled water handy when reading any JT book. Good thing too as this was another heart-wrenching read. It was also a wonderful love story with a very strong heroine. The hero was more patient than any other I've ever read. Even when he got it wrong he did it in the right way. I fell in love with him almost immediately. Overall a great story.
October 15, 2017
While I liked Nick and Adam, this story did not flow and was not to Thomas' usual standards. It is more like 3-3 1/2 stars. The plot meandered. Bergette was just plain silly, more of a cartoon femme fatale than a real person.
Read
June 29, 2015Dr. Adam McLain was exhausted after working almost 30 hours straight on Union soldiers. He went back to his tent and was kidnapped and taken to help someone who had been shot. That someone belonged to a group called the Gray Shadows and her name was Nicole Hayward. She had been part of a group of men who delivered messages across the boundary lines during the Civil War. No one except her brother knew she was a female. Adam treated her wound and then kissed her. Nicole told him she'd find him after the war was over and helped him get away without her brother, Wolf, killing him.
Adam was picked up on his way back to the Union camp by his brother Wes. Wes told him that Lee was surrendering and that the war would soon be over. When the war was declared over, Wes and Adam when back home where their brother Daniel was living with his pregnant wife, May. Daniel had been shot early in the war and was a chaplain. Daniel was a quiet man and barely spoke to anyone but his wife. They had grown up together and were in love their whole lives. They completed each other.
Adam had a finance named Bergette whose father had gotten rich due to the war. She arranged a party for Adam but his family didn't seem to like her and they weren't invited to the welcoming home party. Adam quickly figured out that the party was for her and not him. He was very disappointed and wanted to leave. Wolf and Nichole came looking for Adam at Bergette's house. Nichole told Wolf that she wanted to return Adam's medical bag and have her wound checked. She wanted to finish the kiss that he started when they first met. Wes had brought them to Bergette's house and she was upset about them being there. Wes told her she needed to keep it quiet that they were leaving or she would embarrass herself. She slapped Wes and they all went back home.
When they arrived home, Daniel was in a panic. It was beginning to storm and he couldn't find May. They all started searching and found May in labor by the barn door. They quickly changed her into dry clothes and she died having twin girls. Nick and Wolf left the next morning headed for their home. Unlke Adam, they didn't have someone keeping their land for them. They were headed toward a fight to reclaim their land.
Adam broke off the engagement with Bergette that afternoon. He, Wes, Daniel, the twins, and Willow (who had been found as a wet nurse for the babies), all packed up and headed for Texas. The left Daniel at a settlement called Parker's Fort near Dallas and headed for Ft. Worth. Wes searched for guys willing to round up some cattle and take them north to market. Adam followed a boy, Nance, home who was begging for money to buy food for his sick mother. He helped the mother out and moved into the bottom floor of her boarding house to begin his practice. He was assisted by an older nun who said she had disgraced her title and wasn't really a nun anymore but she had nothing but her habit to wear. She offered no explanation, not even her name.
One day, a telegram arrived from Wolf telling him to guard a shipment with his life that would soon be arriving by stage. Wolf sent Nicole to Adam as herself rather than as Nick so that there would be no chance she would be recognized as one of the Gray Shadows. The stage got a broken wheel and Nicole wandered down by a stream and took a nap. She woke up to find the stage being robbed. She snuck into Ft. Worth without anyone seeing her and found Adam. They knew that the stage robbers would be after her whether or not she could recognize them. She told Adam that she wouldn't recognize them but she might recognize their horses.
Bergette arrived by stage from Indiana the day after Nicole came to town. She introduced herself to everyone as Adam's fiancee. Adam asked what she was doing there and she told him that her father had sent her. Her father was running for a state office and was embarrassed by the broken engagement. She had to stay a month. Nicole had to keep hidden and she assumed that Adam was still engaged. She told Adam that she also was engaged to another of the Shadows, named Tyler. Nance showed Nick how to sneak around in the boardinghouse without others seeing her. Nance showed Nick an outfit of his fathers that was all black. Nance told Nick that his father had become an outlaw during the war and overheard someone say that his dad was killed in a beating by the jailers who were trying to get him to tell them where he had hidden his money.
One of the local barmaids, Dancing, was beaten and brought to Adam. A friend of hers, Rose, came to visit and was also beaten by the saloon owner, Mole, who had beaten Dancing. Mole was fighting Nicole with a knife when Adam arrived. Mole had kicked Dancing who was still recovering from the beating. She died that night. Mole had threatened Adam so Nick went and dressed in the black clothes as a guy again. She felt that she was being followed but found Mole sleeping and took his saloon key. She went to the saloon and put holes in all his whiskey barrels and returned the key and went home. Nicole told Adam what she had done but he took what she said as a joke.
Rose cleaned herself up and came to the boardinghouse asking for a job as cook and was hired. She had to promise not to mention that Nicole was there. Wes returned to visit while he rounded up more cattle for the trip to Kansas. Adam and Nick went to where they were camped for dinner. Nick told Wes that she expected trouble because she saw the one of the horses from the stagecoach robbery in his ramada. Adam went back to the boardinghouse with one of the wranglers who needed his leg stitched up. Nick was to spend the night with Wes.
During the night, Wes was attacked but Nick and Wes were ready and caught the three robbers. They were tied up and taken to jail. Nick fell asleep by a tree and Wes. Adam found them when he came back to pick up Nick in the morning and he was furious. They ended up fighting and making love on the way home. When they got back to town, the robbers had escaped and were shooting at the boardinghouse. Nick snuck out and caused enough of a distraction for two of the robbers to be caught. The third robber was caught soon after and this time the sheriff took care of them. It was rumored that the deputy was involved with the robberies and he was being watched as well as Mole.
Nick went to Dan's place close to Dallas. Dan still hadn't named the twins and was a blacksmith there rather than a preacher. Nick found out that he was drinking to help him through his sorrow and tried to be a friend and drink with him. She ended up drunk and fell asleep in the barn with Dan. Adam found them together the next morning. Before they left Dan's community, the bridge over the creek had collapsed and a rope was tied around Nick so she could pull some children out of the creek and Adam could treat them. Nick fell in the river and Adam ended up treating her and they slept together again. Nick left in the morning with Wes before Adam woke up. Adam and Dan followed soon after. Nick and Wes had been caught and tied up by someone who thought that Wes had stolen his horse. Wes had bought the horse from a trader who had a border to whom the horse belonged. Wolf showed up to pick up Nick and helped them escape after Dan married Adam and Nicole in the cellar where they were tied up. Wolf hit Adam a few times as a distraction and then they were all told that Adam and Nick had gotten married and they all proceeded to celebrate the marriage and forgot all about hanging Wes for stealing the horse, that he didn't really steal.
Adam was picked up on his way back to the Union camp by his brother Wes. Wes told him that Lee was surrendering and that the war would soon be over. When the war was declared over, Wes and Adam when back home where their brother Daniel was living with his pregnant wife, May. Daniel had been shot early in the war and was a chaplain. Daniel was a quiet man and barely spoke to anyone but his wife. They had grown up together and were in love their whole lives. They completed each other.
Adam had a finance named Bergette whose father had gotten rich due to the war. She arranged a party for Adam but his family didn't seem to like her and they weren't invited to the welcoming home party. Adam quickly figured out that the party was for her and not him. He was very disappointed and wanted to leave. Wolf and Nichole came looking for Adam at Bergette's house. Nichole told Wolf that she wanted to return Adam's medical bag and have her wound checked. She wanted to finish the kiss that he started when they first met. Wes had brought them to Bergette's house and she was upset about them being there. Wes told her she needed to keep it quiet that they were leaving or she would embarrass herself. She slapped Wes and they all went back home.
When they arrived home, Daniel was in a panic. It was beginning to storm and he couldn't find May. They all started searching and found May in labor by the barn door. They quickly changed her into dry clothes and she died having twin girls. Nick and Wolf left the next morning headed for their home. Unlke Adam, they didn't have someone keeping their land for them. They were headed toward a fight to reclaim their land.
Adam broke off the engagement with Bergette that afternoon. He, Wes, Daniel, the twins, and Willow (who had been found as a wet nurse for the babies), all packed up and headed for Texas. The left Daniel at a settlement called Parker's Fort near Dallas and headed for Ft. Worth. Wes searched for guys willing to round up some cattle and take them north to market. Adam followed a boy, Nance, home who was begging for money to buy food for his sick mother. He helped the mother out and moved into the bottom floor of her boarding house to begin his practice. He was assisted by an older nun who said she had disgraced her title and wasn't really a nun anymore but she had nothing but her habit to wear. She offered no explanation, not even her name.
One day, a telegram arrived from Wolf telling him to guard a shipment with his life that would soon be arriving by stage. Wolf sent Nicole to Adam as herself rather than as Nick so that there would be no chance she would be recognized as one of the Gray Shadows. The stage got a broken wheel and Nicole wandered down by a stream and took a nap. She woke up to find the stage being robbed. She snuck into Ft. Worth without anyone seeing her and found Adam. They knew that the stage robbers would be after her whether or not she could recognize them. She told Adam that she wouldn't recognize them but she might recognize their horses.
Bergette arrived by stage from Indiana the day after Nicole came to town. She introduced herself to everyone as Adam's fiancee. Adam asked what she was doing there and she told him that her father had sent her. Her father was running for a state office and was embarrassed by the broken engagement. She had to stay a month. Nicole had to keep hidden and she assumed that Adam was still engaged. She told Adam that she also was engaged to another of the Shadows, named Tyler. Nance showed Nick how to sneak around in the boardinghouse without others seeing her. Nance showed Nick an outfit of his fathers that was all black. Nance told Nick that his father had become an outlaw during the war and overheard someone say that his dad was killed in a beating by the jailers who were trying to get him to tell them where he had hidden his money.
One of the local barmaids, Dancing, was beaten and brought to Adam. A friend of hers, Rose, came to visit and was also beaten by the saloon owner, Mole, who had beaten Dancing. Mole was fighting Nicole with a knife when Adam arrived. Mole had kicked Dancing who was still recovering from the beating. She died that night. Mole had threatened Adam so Nick went and dressed in the black clothes as a guy again. She felt that she was being followed but found Mole sleeping and took his saloon key. She went to the saloon and put holes in all his whiskey barrels and returned the key and went home. Nicole told Adam what she had done but he took what she said as a joke.
Rose cleaned herself up and came to the boardinghouse asking for a job as cook and was hired. She had to promise not to mention that Nicole was there. Wes returned to visit while he rounded up more cattle for the trip to Kansas. Adam and Nick went to where they were camped for dinner. Nick told Wes that she expected trouble because she saw the one of the horses from the stagecoach robbery in his ramada. Adam went back to the boardinghouse with one of the wranglers who needed his leg stitched up. Nick was to spend the night with Wes.
During the night, Wes was attacked but Nick and Wes were ready and caught the three robbers. They were tied up and taken to jail. Nick fell asleep by a tree and Wes. Adam found them when he came back to pick up Nick in the morning and he was furious. They ended up fighting and making love on the way home. When they got back to town, the robbers had escaped and were shooting at the boardinghouse. Nick snuck out and caused enough of a distraction for two of the robbers to be caught. The third robber was caught soon after and this time the sheriff took care of them. It was rumored that the deputy was involved with the robberies and he was being watched as well as Mole.
Nick went to Dan's place close to Dallas. Dan still hadn't named the twins and was a blacksmith there rather than a preacher. Nick found out that he was drinking to help him through his sorrow and tried to be a friend and drink with him. She ended up drunk and fell asleep in the barn with Dan. Adam found them together the next morning. Before they left Dan's community, the bridge over the creek had collapsed and a rope was tied around Nick so she could pull some children out of the creek and Adam could treat them. Nick fell in the river and Adam ended up treating her and they slept together again. Nick left in the morning with Wes before Adam woke up. Adam and Dan followed soon after. Nick and Wes had been caught and tied up by someone who thought that Wes had stolen his horse. Wes had bought the horse from a trader who had a border to whom the horse belonged. Wolf showed up to pick up Nick and helped them escape after Dan married Adam and Nicole in the cellar where they were tied up. Wolf hit Adam a few times as a distraction and then they were all told that Adam and Nick had gotten married and they all proceeded to celebrate the marriage and forgot all about hanging Wes for stealing the horse, that he didn't really steal.
March 8, 2020
A miss for me
I really liked the premise: she's a shadow soldier, he's a military doctor. Lots to build on, lots of fun family members. The problem is that the main characters assume so much about each other. 90% of their fights are over what they think the other's thinking. There were so many better issues that could have been obstacles to their love but mostly it came down to him assuming she wanted to be free and honesty we never really heard her thoughts.
The title doesn't really match the story since neither are really Texan, they just go there after the war. This was a miss for me. Not bad, but not fantastic. I generally really like Thomas' series but this one just didn't hook me.
The sex seemed thrown in, didn't really advance the plot. If you're looking for heat, it's not super steamy.
Overall, Would not recommend.
How I rate a story. (In order of importance):
Does it keep my attention? 🌟 Yes, for the most part it was interesting
Is it plausible / logical? Not really, they got upset at non issues and things that should upset them didn't. Also, there were characters in it who added nothing to the plot but annoyance
Grammatical errors or odd, repetitive language? 🌟 no, it's well edited.
Do I like the characters? I wanted to, I really did, but the only ones I liked were the brothers (Wes, Daniel, and Wolf).
All in all - An ok Read - 2.5 stars. 🌟 🌟
There are very few stories that I'll give a 1 star. If I finished reading it then it had to be "ok".
I really liked the premise: she's a shadow soldier, he's a military doctor. Lots to build on, lots of fun family members. The problem is that the main characters assume so much about each other. 90% of their fights are over what they think the other's thinking. There were so many better issues that could have been obstacles to their love but mostly it came down to him assuming she wanted to be free and honesty we never really heard her thoughts.
The title doesn't really match the story since neither are really Texan, they just go there after the war. This was a miss for me. Not bad, but not fantastic. I generally really like Thomas' series but this one just didn't hook me.
The sex seemed thrown in, didn't really advance the plot. If you're looking for heat, it's not super steamy.
Overall, Would not recommend.
How I rate a story. (In order of importance):
Does it keep my attention? 🌟 Yes, for the most part it was interesting
Is it plausible / logical? Not really, they got upset at non issues and things that should upset them didn't. Also, there were characters in it who added nothing to the plot but annoyance
Grammatical errors or odd, repetitive language? 🌟 no, it's well edited.
Do I like the characters? I wanted to, I really did, but the only ones I liked were the brothers (Wes, Daniel, and Wolf).
All in all - An ok Read - 2.5 stars. 🌟 🌟
There are very few stories that I'll give a 1 star. If I finished reading it then it had to be "ok".
April 25, 2022
-4 stars. a bit more going on than just the romance story. the heroine is a strong independent woman who could kick your ass.
"nothing's missing in me just because i think i can live without you in my life."
"you can go to sleep and wait."
"i can't go to sleep. what do you think i am, crazy?"
"no. you're not crazy. you're bait."
"oh. thats comforting."
she swung before he had time to block, delivering not a feminine slap, but a full-blown slug knocking adam off his feet. adam, flat on his back, stared at the sun as he felt his jaw. she moved above him. "get up!" she shouted. "i want to hit you again."
"half the time i think i'm losing my mind. the other half i'm sure it's already gone."
"dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in this dusty dugout, while awaiting our brother's hanging, to join this woman and man..."
"nothing's missing in me just because i think i can live without you in my life."
"you can go to sleep and wait."
"i can't go to sleep. what do you think i am, crazy?"
"no. you're not crazy. you're bait."
"oh. thats comforting."
she swung before he had time to block, delivering not a feminine slap, but a full-blown slug knocking adam off his feet. adam, flat on his back, stared at the sun as he felt his jaw. she moved above him. "get up!" she shouted. "i want to hit you again."
"half the time i think i'm losing my mind. the other half i'm sure it's already gone."
"dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in this dusty dugout, while awaiting our brother's hanging, to join this woman and man..."
October 22, 2017
While I love the beginning of the story and it's flow, however Nicole's character feels very unsteady... One moment she's kissing him, making love with him next moment she would leave him or punch him.... Arghhhh her actions are frustrating.... then shell sleep with Wes and Daniel she even let Wes kiss her on the lips (what the hell he's the brother of Adam!) She acts like it's nothing! Well it's not nothing.... I am disappointed how Jodi Thomas made her heroine acts like a woman who would kiss just anyone or too selfish to let her pride get in the way and stupid at the same time....
July 1, 2018
4.5 stars rounded up. Nick was fantastic - strong, true to herself, an amazing heroine. I liked the whole storyline; there was not a dull moment! Adam annoyed me a couple times with repeatedly thinking that Nichole "deserved" something more, something better, than him, but on the whole I liked him too. I might read Wes's book, might read Wolf's book; don't know about Daniel - he is such a sad panda.
July 2, 2020
Love Me as I am
A passionate historical love story.
Written by a master story teller who weaves in lots of problems for the main characters and their families. This story is full of strong family ties and unique situations. A very entertaining book the first in a series that leaves you anxious to read the next one sooner than later.
A passionate historical love story.
Written by a master story teller who weaves in lots of problems for the main characters and their families. This story is full of strong family ties and unique situations. A very entertaining book the first in a series that leaves you anxious to read the next one sooner than later.
January 7, 2024
Is the recommended way to hold the reins of a horse really a good idea?
He’s not a Texan.
No one is in this kept maybe the young boy from the boardinghouse was born on the state.
Anyway, refreshing to have a woman who can take care of herself and is often wiser then the dudes when it comes to knowing of someone is about to kill them all/is shady or not to be trusted.
He’s not a Texan.
No one is in this kept maybe the young boy from the boardinghouse was born on the state.
Anyway, refreshing to have a woman who can take care of herself and is often wiser then the dudes when it comes to knowing of someone is about to kill them all/is shady or not to be trusted.
May 20, 2025
(inglés). (Explícito). No me gustó. Tiene demasiado humor forzado para mi gusto. El inicio fue muy prometedor pero luego de ahí todo se sintió como una flat line. Me esperaba algo mucho mejor. Creo que lo único que hizo el libro algo memorable fue Bregette, por ser insoportable. De ahí en fuera, todo es aburrido.
Narrado en tercera persona y ofrece los puntos de vista de los protagonistas.
Narrado en tercera persona y ofrece los puntos de vista de los protagonistas.
February 1, 2020
Not your usual heroine
This is a switch on the handsome hero saving the damsel in distress. He’s a doctor who’s more interested in saving lives than taking them and she is a warrior who doesn’t need saving. Excellent twist and interesting characters all around.
This is a switch on the handsome hero saving the damsel in distress. He’s a doctor who’s more interested in saving lives than taking them and she is a warrior who doesn’t need saving. Excellent twist and interesting characters all around.
July 31, 2018
Unusual love story but with lots of laughs as well as twist and turns.
June 12, 2019
Must read
I freaking love this story. The way she allows the woman to be loved for herself.. It's incredible and such an exciting journey.
I freaking love this story. The way she allows the woman to be loved for herself.. It's incredible and such an exciting journey.
November 30, 2019
3.5 stars
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