A Texan's Promise (Heart of a Hero Series #1)

Sflintwolf

What a great book. I could not put it down. I highly recommend this book, also, very inspirational.

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

A Gripping Story!

When Vanessa Grant's father lay on his death-bed, Clayton Profitt made a promise to his employer that he would always look after Vanessa. Years later, that promise is tested when Clayton finds Vanessa crying in the barn. As Clayton sees the bruises on Vanessa's body, he makes the quick to decision to take her out west so she can escape her step-father. As they make their way to the Colorado territory, it becomes evident they'll have to marry in order to keep her completely safe from her step-father, who is no doubt hunting them down to take Vanessa back.

A Texan's Promise is both engaging and heart-wrenching. While it starts off slower than most stories, every moment is worth it.

Shelly Gray's writing style is different and fresh as she brings a mixture of heart-wrenching events and romance in the same story. Her characters are compassionate and enjoyable.

While I had a hard time understanding the heroine's reluctance to marry the heroine, Shelly Gray brings us deeper into the the character and exposes his true reluctance.

Shelly Gray brings event, such as rape and abuse, into this story that might make some people cringe or may be downright uncomfortable for others.

At times the book did seem to border on the verge of "preachy". With that said, Shelly Gray does skillfully engage the preaching through interesting dialogue, and not once does she ever slow down the story. It's through this skill that I didn't find the preaching overly annoying.

I definitely recommend A Texan's Promise and can't wait to the next book in this new series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, Abingdon Press, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

6 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

Gritty and Realistic yet Truly Inspiring

Vanessa Grant has always loved Clayton Proffitt, foreman of her family's ranch, the Circle Z. When Clayton finds Vanessa crying in the barn one night he discovers that her stepfather, Price Venture, made unwelcome advances toward her and left marks on her back with his belt. Remembering the vow he made to her real father to watch over Vanessa, he packs a few things and takes her away that night. As they head West together their feelings for each other grow deeper and deeper. Price and her brother Miles are also heading west in search of them. The journey is long and difficult. Will their love and faith survive all the things they must face along the way? A Texan's Promise is going down as one of my top favorites! A gritty and realistic tone gave this tale a real authenticity. From the first page until the hair-raising conclusion I was absolutely glued to the pages. I loved everything about this story including the cover. The characters were very well drawn and fully fleshed out. The dialog was totally awesome. The romantic tension between Clayton and Vanessa sizzled. The electricity between them was so strong it lit the room I was reading in. I loved it! One thing I thoroughly enjoyed was that there was lots of interaction between Vanessa and Clayton. Clayton was a swoon-worthy hero! I loved the way he was with Vanessa. Vanessa was a great heroine with lots of spunk but a tender heart. The author tackled the subjects of abuse, trust, forgiveness, war, honor, friendship, love and faith. I especially liked watching the growth of the characters. It really felt natural and not forced at all. God is always with us was the theme running through the story. A good reminder when we face difficult things. I highly recommend A Texan's Promise. It's truly inspiring. This is book one in The Heart of a Hero Series and you can bet I'll be watching for the next installment. Fantastic job Shelley!!! A thank you goes to Abingdon Press for this complimentary copy for my review. Paperback: 352 pages Publisher: Abingdon Press (October 2011) ISBN-10: 1426714599 ISBN-13: 978-1426714597

6 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

Read it in one sitting!!! Could not put it down.

GREAT story!! Started reading it one night and stayed up all night to finish it!! Amazing love story.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Time to read this for the 4th time

This is the best book i have ever read i stayed until 11 the first time i read it you wont be able to put it done its good for teens as well as adults the perfect romance novel love story with turmoil BEST BOOK EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Highly recommended!!

Story of a young girl abused by her step-father and rescued by a ranch hand. Leaving everything behind they escape to another state while being pursued. A tough cowboy can be tender, loving and patient while his beloved recovers from emotional and physical scars. His insecurities need time to heal, but in time a family is built. Framed in the wild west, faith and prayer pull the two through many scary, life threatening times.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

romance, western & Christian in one

I enjoyed reading a Texan Promise. It was romance, western, & Christian book all in one. It dealed with everyday problems that unfortunately happen all too often.
Clayton has been the forman on the circle Z ranch for the past 6 years. He found Vanessa in the barn in a stall crying and upset. Finally he noticed the bruise on her face and her dress torn and three big Whip marks on her back. Her stepfather Price had whipped her and hit her because she did not want him in her room. He raped her and her brother stood out in the hall and did nothing.
Clayton told her he was getting her away from the ranch after he gave her first aid. Told her to gather food in his room, blanket and he would pack stuff for her out of her room.
Clayton came to the ranch after General Lee ended the war. 13 year old Vanessa started to follow him around then and told him all her troubles to. Soon after Clayton hired on her father made him foreman and when he was dying Clayton promised to look after them. A short time after her mom married Price and his true colors came out. He was drunk and spending all her mom's money but he let Clayton take care of ranch. Miles came and asked Clayton where he was taking his sister and was told away. That if he was a man at all he would hinder Price from following them. He knew Price wanted her and wanted her money that her father left her in the bank.
They rode hard and a few different times they ran into men that Clayton served in the war with or helped in the past. Because he was always reading the bible and trying to live its teachings, those who he helped in the past were willing to help him.
One was now a preacher and married them so Vanessa would have some protection. Clayton told Vanessa he hoped someday to have a real marriage together but he would give her time.
It had a lot of scriptures quoted. In the right places. It showed the struggle to do what he promised and their struggle to get to a safe place.
I would read more of Shelley's books in the future. Recommend the book.

2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

It was a great read

The story is so well constructed. I read both books and although i wished the characters had met during the actual story and not as a side note of information. Still this is a must read i hope you enjoy her work as much as i do.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Too much bible stuff.

I didn't know it was a Christian book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Highly Recommend

Clayton Proffitt is foreman of the Circle Z ranch in Texas. He been there six years. After the war he was an empty shell, little Vanessa Grant had filled that shell from the first day there. When her father died he promised to protect her.

When Vanessa woke Clay up with her crying in the barn he went to her. Her step father had beaten her and she had gashes in her back. Clayton decided he would take her away that night. After reprimanding her brother for being spineless and allowing this to happen he packed her clothes and they set off for Colorado. When staying with an army buddy along the way Ken talked him into marrying her. Vanessa always cared for Clay but did not want to trap him, but they knew to protect her name and from Price Venture it was what needed doing.

In this story we travel from Texas to Colorado. There are many hidden emotions both character hide. Clay's memories of war and Vanessa keeps hidden all that happened that night Price attacker her.

Miles Grant struggles as he goes with Price in search of her. Miles just wants to be cared for by anyone who will.

We meet Lacy in Denver. A childhood friend of Clay's sister Corrine. Lacy's life has taken a bad turn.

The author does not leave out the dark side of life. The temptations and desires that call to mans sinful nature. The emptiness of man without God in his life.

I look forward to more of her writing.

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

WOW!! And I'll say it again, "WOW!" Excited about read

WOW!! And I'll say it again, "WOW!" Excited about reading the next one.

Rated 1.5 stars

I thought the book a little shallow. The storyline just felt like someone filled pages. The hero did have some character to take care of the girl. The story didn't display what love is really like.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

True of heart

I feel in love with the characters of this love story. Clay is a man that any woman in her right mind would fall head over heels for. Vannessa's story hit home on a personnal level for me and I would have love to have had a caring man as Clay to care for me.

Loved It!

This book was great! Loved the whole thing from beginning to end. I couldn't put it down. Excited to read the next one.

Sweet

This book was not quite what I expected. It is historical meets western, romantic meets religious. This book is filled with sweet romance, and packed full of Biblical references. Every other sentence has a reference to God, the Bible or Jesus. The two characters spend most of their time with inner doubts, wheras if they talked to each other honestly they would see they shared those doubts. Overall a nice, well developed book.

I thought the basic story was good but I found myself wanting to

I thought the basic story was good but I found myself wanting to be done with it. A lot of unnecessary repeating.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Good Story, but missed the climax

Great story on growing love, a little predictable. Its a little obvious hero falls in love with girl type of story with their own inner challenges. I wished that the climax that was bigger, it just came and went without much excitement or "edge of your seat" gotta keep reading. But overall its a good book and i enjoyed readng it.

This is a sweet christian novel set in the 1800's. The characte

This is a sweet christian novel set in the 1800's. The characters came to life and I was captivated from the beginning. The "clean" read was refreshing as we were able to experience the romance without the smut. Clayton and Vanessa really tore at my heart strings, as did Miles. I was intrigued to continue the journey through heartbreak, sadness, anger, love, and romance. This book was an easy read. If you're looking for a sweet, romantic, uplifting book. . . this is a mush read for you.

Yuck yuck

I'm not really sure why I kept reading this book after I got so bored with it I kept falling asleep. It was so syrupy I thought I was going to gag, but then I suppose some readers love this style of writing. This story was not for me.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

excellent

excellent read