TROUBLE IN TEXAS by Katie Lane

Publisher:   Grand Central

Date published:   December 18, 2012

ISBN:  978-1455515714

Genre:   Contemporary Romance

Book format:  Paperback

Obtained via:  Publisher

Reviewed by name and email address:  Gina Ginalrmreviews@gmail.com

Prim and proper Elizabeth Murphy is the epitome of the small town librarian.  She dresses conservatively, wears glasses that hide her eyes and pretty much follows the stereotype of how librarians have been portrayed in books for generations. Elizabeth hasn’t chosen to appear as she does because that’s just how librarians look. No. It is because of a much deeper history. Still, when confronted by a naked man hand cuffed in a house she recently inherited her life kinda tips on its axis. Did I mention that said inherited house was also one of the most famous brothels in Texas? Well, yes. And the three ladies that still live there were residents of that house of ill repute.

Branston Cates has lived for revenge. He’s spent years plotting and planning revenge on the town of Bramble because a long ago resident murdered a relative over 100 years ago. Between his need for revenge on the town and the death of his wife and young child, Brant is a pretty miserable guy. When he ventures to Miss Hattie’s the last thing he expects is to find himself drugged, stripped and handcuffed to the famous Madame’s bed. When he wakes to a warm woman with eyes he can’t forget next to him Brant begins to wonder if maybe there is more to life that death, grief and revenge.  But can he set aside his protective shell to learn to love again? And even if he does, will the prickly librarian give him a chance?

I loved the first three books in Katie Lane’s HEART OF TEXAS series, GOING COWBOY CRAZY, MAKE MINE A BAD BOY and CATCH ME A COWBOY. GOING COWBOY CRAZY like her HUNK FOR THE HOLIDAYS were fantastic reads. They had some deep down laughs, wonderful one-liners that just zinged and the loves scenes just had you melting. Ms. Lane gives readers a marvelous blend of romance, humour and just plain good story telling.

TROUBLE IN TEXAS, the fourth installment of the HEART OF TEXAS series was a good read, but lacked a lot of the elements that made the earlier books “can’t put down” fantastic. I tried but couldn’t relate to Elizabeth. It wasn’t her school librarian uptightness – in fact except for being told about it I just didn’t see it.

Through Brant, like Bubba in CATCH ME A COWBOY, readers get to spend some time with younger brother Beau – whose story I am very much looking forward to.  It is looking like his may not be the happiest of endings but I’m still looking forward to it and hope that some of the great humour and romance from the earlier books will be back.

If you have been following the series do read TROUBLE IN TEXAS if for no other reason than to get a bit more of a glimpse of Beau.  If you haven’t, do read the entire series from start to finish, you won’t be disappointed.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.