Beneath the Texas Sky

Rating:
Summary: A returning award winner -- Very highly recommended
Review: Her first novel, BENEATH THE TEXAS SKY, published in 1988, won both Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice for Best Western Romance of 1988 and the National Press Women's novel of the year by a woman in its category. Now Zebra reissues BENEATH THE TEXAS SKY with a new cover.

In 1865 Texas, redhead Bethanie Lane can no longer avoid the lecherous advances of her uncle whom also treats her as an unpaid servant. Her mother's dead and her father left before she was old enough to remember him. Scorned by her neighbors... Bethany has no friends and few resources. Finally she effects her departure by persuading Texas Ranger Josh Weston to allow her to become the cook at his brother's ranch.

She doesn't recognize him, but Bethanie and her mother once saved Josh's life with their healing skills, and he's always wondered if he'd ever again see his angels of mercy. Despite his misgivings, he finds himself traveling into the wildest country in Texas with the redhead, her aunt and cousin, and a precocious boy. Never had a woman frustrated him as much as Bethanie, yet Josh can't resist this fiery, independent woman.

A timeless treasure, new fans of Jodi Thomas will welcome the release of BENEATH THE TEXAS SKY. With a twisting, multifaceted plot that explores the highest and depths of emotion, BENEATH THE TEXAS SKY weaves a fascinating tale of complex relationships and challenges. These strong characters will live in the hearts and imagination long after the last page is turned. Very highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: This Book had Too Many Stories Going on at Once
Review: This first novel by Ms. Thomas simply tries too hard.

The first half of this book is dedicated to only Bethanie. It is her journey to escape her uncle, who (typically) lusts after her. She presses Josh to help her escape, and falls in love with him. Josh takes her to his brother's ranch, where she can begin a new life. It is here that the plot and momentum of the book shift from a "Josh and Bethanie" story to a "Bethanie and Ben" story. Through a decision made in haste, Bethanie and Josh are separated for three years before reuniting in a quick story that seemed, actually, too quick. Frankly, most of the novel regarding Bethanie revolves around her involvement with Ben, not Josh.

The second half of this book involves Bethanie and Josh's daughter, Mariah and a boy Josh brought with him from San Antonio, Dusty. Again, this is a diversion of what the book states it is about. I simply had a hard time understanding why the publisher sold this as a love story between Bethanie and Josh when it had more diversions from that story than the book simply could handle.

While I am a Texan, and support Texas writers any chance I get, this book is not Ms. Thomas' best. I would recommend skipping this book in favor of her more recent stuff. This book simply tries too hard to include too many stories. It would have been better to split the story about Mariah, and develop Josh and Bethanie's story without the diversion.

This is the only book I have been disappointed with by Ms. Thomas. I do recommend her other novels, just not this one.