Lucy Marsh has lost everything but her determination to provide for her brother and sister. When she realizes her father's death was no accident, she decides to accept a proxy marriage in order to get her siblings out of harm's way. But trouble follows her to Wichita Falls, Texas, and nothing there is as she expected.
Sometimes it takes a stranger to see you as you really are. Born and raised on sprawling Texas land, Margaret O’Brien prides herself on her competence as a rancher. But her father believes she’s made for more than just dawn-to-dusk work. He wants her to have the love of a good man, to raise children, to build a life. But Margaret gave up such dreams years ago. She’s convinced no man would have her, that the ranch is her life now. So when Margaret’s father hires Daniel Cutler as a new foreman, she’s frustrated and suspicious. Then an overheard conversation links him with a gang of bank robbers, and she’s downright worried. Daniel swears he’s not involved, but Margaret’s not convinced. She knows the man still has secrets. But would a criminal be so kind and talk so convincingly of his faith? As a series of tragic “accidents” threatens all she holds dear, Margaret must decide what to trust: her own ears, her best judgment . . . or what her heart keeps telling her. From the author of the best-selling Blue Moon Promise . . . an exciting tale of danger, romance, and faith played out under Texas stars. “Romantically tense, but with just the right touch of danger, this cowboy love story is surprisingly clever—and pleasingly sweet.” —USAToday.com for Blue Moon Promise
Malcolm Vernon's stories--delightfully and poignantly retold by his granddaughter--are of a fifteen-year-old boy heading west alone, working the range, recovering stolen stock, seeing men killed over card games and buckets of buttermilk, and, most of all, growing to manhood on the Texas frontier.
The Texas Model: Prosperity in the Lone Star State and Lessons for America, 2014 Edition, is a project of the Texas Public Policy Foundation. The book compares Texas to its large state peers and details why Texas is increasingly the destination for Americans seeking a better life. The Texas Model describes a state with low taxes, modest government, and a lawsuit climate that allows entrepreneurship to flourish while encouraging job creation. The book also introduces and details the "Soft Tyranny Index" for both the federal government and the 50 states, looking at the extent to which government exerts a controlling influence on the lives of Americans in a manner Alexis de Tocqueville presciently warned about in Democracy in America in 1835. The Texas Public Policy Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit, non-partisan research institute based in Austin, Texas with Brooke Rollins as its President and CEO. The Foundation's mission is to promote and defend liberty, personal responsibility and free enterprise in Texas and the nation by educating and affecting policymakers and the Texas public policy debate with academically sound research and outreach. The public is demanding a different direction for their government, and the Texas Public Policy Foundation is providing the ideas that enable policymakers to chart that new course guided by these principles: * Individual Liberty * Personal Responsibility * Free Markets * Private Property Rights * Limited government Chuck DeVore is Vice President of Policy at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. From 2004 to 2010, Chuck represented almost 500,000 people in the California State Assembly in Orange County. He was the Vice Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation and served on the Budget Committee and Joint Legislative Audit Committee. In 2010, Chuck competed for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in California. Chuck worked as an executive in the aerospace industry before starting his service as an elected official. Chuck was a Reagan White House appointee in the Office of the Secretary of Defense where he was a Special Assistant for Foreign Affairs. Chuck is a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army (retired) Reserve. He graduated with honors from Claremont McKenna College with a degree in Strategic Studies in 1985. Chuck and his wife Diane were married in 1988. They have two daughters and make their home in Dripping Springs, Texas.
Disguised as a boy, Marly joins a handsome Texas Ranger in the hunt for a con man and they must bring the fugitive to justice...right after finding a murderer. When Marly Landers is fooled by con man Charlie Meese, she's determined to bring him to justice--even if it means dressing up as a boy and setting off across the plains to find him. Texas Ranger Jase Strachan is also after Meese, for crimes committed in Texas. He joins forces with the young boy in a journey that takes them to Fortuna, where a murder interrupts their mission. Jase is duty bound to find the killer, no matter the cost. Under the Texas stars, Marly and Jase are drawn together by circumstances beyond their control, yet fate plots to tear them apart. Will Marly finally get her man?
Nikki Hunt thought her night couldn't get worse when her no-good, cheating ex ditched her at dinner, sticking her with the bill. Then she found his body stuffed in the trunk of her car and lost her two-hundred-dollar meal all over his three-thousand-dollar suit. Now not only is Nikki nearly broke, she's a murder suspect. Former cop turned PI, Dallas O'Connor knows what it's like to be unjustly accused. But one look at the sexy-though skittish-suspect tells him she couldn't hurt anyone. The lead detective, Dallas's own brother, has the wrong woman and Dallas hopes a little late-night "undercover" work will help him prove it . . . Previously published as Don't Mess With Texas
With more than sixty million copies of her books sold worldwide, "New York Times bestselling author Fern Michaels writes big, bold, provocative stories of love and heartbreak, drama and desire that are impossible to put down. Standing out amongst her most treasured works is the breathtaking Texas series. Now for the first time in a new hardcover edition comes "Texas Rich, the extraordinary novel that introduces the unforgettable Coleman family- and the brilliant heroine who began a powerful American dynasty. Young and pretty Billie Ames naively fell for the exciting pilot Moss Coleman at the Philadelphia Navy Yard during World War II. Within a few months she was pregnant, married, and traveling across the country to Austin . . . to the 250,000-acre spread known as Sunbridge and into the tantalizing world of the Texas rich. In a vast land dominated by the industrious Colemans, Billie fights to maintain control of herself and her marriage. This is the captivating story of four generations. There's Moss, living in the shadow of a father whose obsession with power overshadows the needs of his only son; Jessica, the doomed mother who gave up everything to become the perfect Coleman wife; Moss and Billie's children, struggling against the family's legacy while desperately trying to live up to insurmountable expectations; and the grandchildren, heirs to a tarnished empire who just might fulfill their dreams. Most of all this is the triumphant story of Billie Ames Coleman, a woman of courage and strength who holds them all together even as her own life falls apart. In the hands of consummate storyteller Fern Michaels, "Texas Rich sweeps across the twentieth century with seductiveintensity and fiery passion in a tale as magnificent as the land that inspired it.
Now available in one volume, USA Today best-selling author Colleen Coble’s Under Texas Stars series! Blue Moon Promise Lucy Marsh's worldly resources are running out, but she's fiercely determined to care for her younger brother and sister. When she discovers that their father's recent death was no accident, Lucy is eager to leave town. She accepts a proxy marriage she believes will provide safe refuge. But trouble follows her to Texas where her new husband is surprised to suddenly have a wife and children to care for. Blue Moon Promise is a story of hope, romance, and suspense . . . immersing the reader in a rich historical tale set under the Texas stars. Safe in His Arms When Margaret O’Brien’s father hires Daniel Cutler as a new foreman, she’s frustrated and suspicious of her father’s intentions. Then an overheard conversation links the man with a gang of bank robbers, and she’s downright worried. Daniel swears he’s not involved, but Margaret’s not convinced. She knows the man still has secrets. But would a criminal be so kind and talk so convincingly of his faith? As a series of tragic “accidents” threatens all she holds dear, Margaret must decide what to trust: her own ears, her best judgment . . . or what her heart keeps telling her. From the author of the best-selling Blue Moon Promise . . . an exciting tale of danger, romance, and faith played out under the Texas stars.
Dancing Across Texas by Jimmy D. Swearengen is a captivating journey through the heart of the Lone Star State. This book is a rich tapestry of life, love, and the wild spirit of Texas, woven together through the eyes of a true Texan troubadour. Jimmy D. Swearengen, known for his soulful country music, brings his storytelling prowess to the literary world, creating a vivid and immersive experience for readers. In “Dancing Across Texas,” Jimmy takes us on a two-step through the honky-tonks, late-night campfires, and the vast, open landscapes that define Texas. Each chapter is a dance step, painting a picture of the state’s vibrant culture and unique stories. From the dusty trails of small towns to the bustling streets of cities like Dallas and Austin, Jimmy captures the essence of Texas life. The book opens with a heartfelt introduction to Jimmy’s roots. Born where the sun kisses the mesquite trees and the wind whispers secrets across the plains, Jimmy’s childhood was a symphony of cicadas, rodeo dust, and wide-open skies. His love affair with music began on a small ranch, where a creaky porch swing and a guitar leaning against a weathered fence set the stage for his journey. As we delve deeper into the book, Jimmy’s pen dances like a tumbleweed caught in a twister. His stories are filled with the grit of rodeo life, the ache of leaving home, and the joy of finding love in unexpected places. Songs like “Dust on My Boots” and “Whiskey River Bend” echo through the pages, bringing to life the sounds and emotions of Texas. Jimmy’s dual identity as a wordsmith and a bull rider adds a unique dimension to his storytelling. When the arena lights blaze and the gate swings open, he becomes poetry in motion. The thrill of the ride, the bruises that fade, and the adrenaline that lingers are all captured in his words, creating a visceral connection with readers. Throughout “Dancing Across Texas,” Jimmy’s creative fire is stoked by the whispers of the land. Texas sunsets, with their burnt orange and indigo hues, old letters with ink faded by time, and the sighs of desert rain all find their way into his melodies and stories. These elements create a rich, sensory experience that transports readers to the heart of Texas. The book also explores Jimmy’s future aspirations. From concept albums that tell sagas of lost highways and ghost towns to collaborations with fellow musicians, Jimmy’s restless pen is always seeking new horizons. His secret project, a literary rodeo where characters ride bulls and sing their way into eternity, hints at the boundless creativity that drives him. “Dancing Across Texas” is more than just a collection of stories; it’s a love letter to Texas. Jimmy’s deep connection to the land and its people shines through in every chapter, making this book a must-read for fans of country music, Texas history, and anyone who loves a good story. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Jimmy D. Swearengen or new to his work, “Dancing Across Texas” promises to be an engaging and memorable read.