Lonesome Cowboy is the first of the Heart of Texas series by Debbie Macomber. Since her parents were killed six years ago, Savannah Weston has done all she can to help her brother Grady in working to keep the Yellow Rose, the Weston family ranch, after their younger brother Richard stole their inheritance. Her one joy, especially as she has managed to turn a profit on it, is her cultivation of antique roses. When, against Grady’s wishes, Savannah employs wrangler Laredo Smith to help with her roses, she finds herself more attracted to this man than any one before. But Grady is highly suspicious of Laredo, and is sure he will hurt Savannah. Richard returns to complicate matters even more, and Savannah is determined to go to the eerie ghost town of Bitter End to look for roses, despite warnings to the contrary. Macomber introduces residents the town of Promise Texas with this volume: some sweet characters, some feisty and some despicable ones. There’s intrigue, happiness and heartache. The foundations are laid for several further books in the series: an enjoyable Macomber read. Texas Two-Step is the second of the Heart of Texas series by Debbie Macomber. After the death of her father, Ellie Frasier’s mother moves away and Ellie takes over the feed and supply store in Promise, Texas. Still in mourning, she appreciates the support of her lifelong friend, rancher, Glen Patterson. The irresponsible, debt-ridden Richard Weston appears to be courting Ellie, but is it really love, and should Glen be concerned for her? Surely he’s not jealous, after all they are just friends! As Macomber leads us through the lives of the inhabitants of Promise, she does what she excels at, people and relationships. There are characters to like and to mistrust, the dialogue is realistic and the plot has some intrigue in the background of the main romance. The first marriage proposal is especially funny. The ghost town of Bitter End features again, and the characters for the next instalment are set up in this story. Another heart-warming Macomber read
This is the combination (re-print) of two novels in the Hart of Texas saga (Lonesome Cowboy and Texas Two-Step). I love all these characters and I thoroughly enjoy how Macomber shifts POV so the readers get full disclosure on every character. In these two novels we get two love stories from two different couples. Instead of following just one character through-out the eight books, the readers gets to see everyone’s lives. Each book had two central characters with the cast of supporting characters. So for instance, in the first story we follow Savannah and Laredo; while in the second story we follow Ellie and Grady. A very smart way of keeping the series going and yet keeping it fresh.
What do You think about Heart Of Texas, Vol. 1: Lonesome Cowboy / Texas Two-Step (2007)?
I picked this one up at a local bookstore hoping for a change of pace with the western. Although it's rated highly by others, I just could not enjoy the characters and did not finish the book. This is a "2 books in one" type printing and I was able to make it through the first book, "Lonesome Cowboy". I found the female lead character to be entirely too naive, too sweet and too unbelievable. The male leads were okay, but were not strong enough to offset the female. Unfortunately, I just couldn't make a connection with anyone and ended up struggling through until I just couldn't take any more.
—Pam
My goodness this was a super quick read. This is two books in one and I read it in 2, maybe 3 days. Lovely romance stories; although I wouldn't call it romance so much as personal relationships. Quoting someone else on goodreads, the stories are set in the town of Promise, Texas and each story in the series revolves around the relationship of one couple, all of which have a happy endings after going through some type of difficulty. Other characters from Promise are introduced so that when you read their story later you feel more involved in their story. Will read remaining volumes as time permits. I must say though, its one of those books that you think... have I read this before? That being said I'm a huge Macomber fan. I've nearly read them all, so maybe I have already read these. :)
—Stacey
Starting the Heart of Texas series. This book contains the first two books. Lonesome Cowboy and Texas Two-Step.I enjoyed them very much. I do not usually read Debbie Macomber books but this series sounded interesting. The series is about a small town in Texas and its people. Each book discribes their beginnings. I have the feeling that a little more interesting things will happen in further books as there is a small ghost town that only a few people know how to find. Those that have been there refuse to talk about their experience and seem to feel that strange things happen there. Looking forward to seeing how things happen in the future.
—Judy Wise
