Duel McClain has lost everything he's ever loved: his wife, his son, his sense of self. But when a strange twist of fate—and a poker game he'll never forget—leaves an innocent little girl in his care, Duel vows to defend his new family to his very last breath. If only he knew a single thing about taking care of babies. Just as Duel swears his life can't get any more complicated, a beautiful woman stumbles into the light of his campfire, desperate for help. Jessie Foltry is hungry, tired, and running for her life. She agrees to help Duel care for the child in exchange for his protection, even as she fights to guard her broken heart. But Duel will do whatever it takes to make Jessie see that the Texas plains have more than one kind of knight, and perhaps their salvation is closer than either of them could have dreamed.
This was a pretty good book. It’s setting is something I don’t get to read much in books. Both main characters are very damaged people that do a great job of healing each other and forming a new family. I recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

I am sorry that I couldn't complete the book on time and it got expired. I am giving 1 star because of the book description. I liked the synopsis and that is why I asked for the book.

This western historical romance has it all! An abandoned baby! An abused woman! A widower that lost his wife and baby! An injured dog! An ornery goat!

This is a reprint of a book written in 2002 and maybe it shows, but I have to agree with our hero, Duel McClain, when he says "somehow (it) works together." Duel is the modest, loving hero every woman really wants. Poor Jessie has had a horrible life with her very abusive husband. Baby Marley Rose ranks at the top of the adorability scale.

The book could have been a mess of overblown tropes, but it isn't. Instead, it is sweet, gentle and heart-warming. Yes, I cried, more than once. This is a feel-good story in the very best sense. I loved it.

It was an okay read, but I got really tired of the cliches. It was also a little slow.

This Western Historical romance was a sweet, touching and poignant story. I loved this book for its uniqueness and I'm going to remember this story for a long time. The hero, Duel McClain, stole my heart from the start. He never thought he’d take the responsibility of a child, and winning baby Marley Rose at a poker game is a total aberration. Duel doesn’t know a thing about babies, but his connection with the little girl is instant, he can’t leave her behind, abandon her to a father who, sadly, wants of get rid of her. Marley is a sweet child, and Duel is the father she never really had. Duel is a widow, grieving the loss of his wife and his newborn child. His family’s affection could never fill the void he feels.

On his way home, he comes to the rescue of a mysterious young woman, Jessie Foltry. Bruised and battered, it is obvious that she has suffered a lot. Although she is obviously on the run and keeps him at arm’s length at first, he never doubts her. Duel promises to help Jessie, slowly gaining her trust. Despite her torment, Jessie stays with them for Marley’s sake.

I fell in love with both the hero and heroine and literally couldn’t stop reading mostly because the author never took the easy route with their story. She also gives us multifaceted characters who only over the course of the book manage to reveal their whole selves. Duel and Jessie are broken, their backstory is heartbreaking. Talk about wounded souls finding each other. They share the same compassion, grief and tenderness.

I thoroughly enjoyed going on their journey, holding my breath in anticipation of the outcome of the many obstacles they encountered along the way and the wonderful transformation throughout the book replacing despair with new hope. They begin to forge a real connection with Marley, and it was adorable. Packed with endearing characters and backed by a suspenseful plot, this book is a real page turner!

Knight on the Texas Plains kicks off Linda Broday’s Texas Heroes series, very nicely if I might add. This is the type of romance that easily sweeps you away. Duel McClain’s wife and child are gone and he is brokenhearted. One day after winning a poker game he winds up with a baby girl. I know it sounds weird, but the baby’s father is horrific and Duel wins the baby in the card game. Unable to leave the poor little girl behind, Duel figures he will take her back home with him and give her to his sister and her husband to raise, thereby saving her.

While traveling back to his hometown of Tranquility, Texas, Duel runs across Jessie Foltry. Jessie is running for her life, she’s battered and traumatized. Seeing how hurt she is, Duel convinces Jessie to help him take care of Marley Rose for the time being and the three set off. Once Duel gets into town with Jessie and the baby, he is reminded that Jessie might be looked at as a harlot if the townspeople know that she is living with him out of wedlock. So of course, Duel proposes to Jessie for the sake of her reputation.

I fell for this story-line hook, line and sinker. The baby girl in need of a home, brokenhearted Duel McClain who lost his wife and baby in childbirth and Jessie Foltry who is a domestic abuse survivor. These three needed each other and fate brought them together and it was a sweet story.

Jessie’s back story was a sad one, but she stood strong during a time period when women were seen as property and she could hang for defending herself against her husband’s abuse. As the story-line flows, Jessie is a wanted woman and she is fearful she might actually be hanged. I liked that she was honest with Duel and vice-versa and the two always communicated well. Jessie told him exactly why she was on the run and Duel was there to help her, without wanting anything in return. They fall for each other of course and it was nice seeing it all unfold with a few plot twists along the way. I loved the way Marley Rose wins him over too, it was cute.

He’s definitely the knight in shining armor type but I liked that the heroine saved herself first, and he saved her after that.
The writing flowed perfectly and as I said I was swept away as I read. If you are looking for sweet Western historical romance with a HEA, look no further.

Disclaimer: This review is my honest opinion. I did not receive any kind of compensation for reading and reviewing this book. I am under no obligation to write a positive review. I received my free review copy of Knight on the Texas Plains by Linda Broday via Sourcebooks.

https://bookwormnai.wordpress.com/2017/08/25/knight-on-the-texas-plains-by-linda-broday/

Knight of the Texas Plains brings us three broken figures coming together to find healing and love as a family. Duel lost his way after the death of his wife and child. Jessie was beaten and broken by her husband before she dispatched him in self defense. Marley Rose was gambled away by her deadbeat father during a card game. Duel won that card game; but doesn’t actually know anything about taking care of babies. But luckily, while camped outside of town, Jessie stumbles into his camp, broken and bleeding. Jessie agrees to Duel’s bargain – he’ll take her wherever she wants to go in exchange for helping with Marley.


"he’d [Duel] always had a warm spot for poor, defenseless creatures, big or small."


Normally, I’m not one for romances with children. Kids usually do not hold much appeal for me. But right away, I fell for Marley Rose. She really is the star of the book; the linchpin of this family. Neglected and gambled away, she breaks my heart at the beginning of the novel. But as Marley finds comfort and love with her new family, I felt my heart become whole again. She’s charms people, goats, and dogs throughout the novel. Her habit of naming everything as “mine”, from her new parents and grandparents, to her pets, is adorable. Duel kept insisting she call him Duel, and not Papa. By the end of the novel even he concedes that he’s her Papa.

Duel is well-named as the knight of the Texas Plains, rescuing children and fair maidens alike. It’s not difficult to fall for him! He’s been mourning his wife for years, broken inside. He left the family farm for bounty hunting, as he couldn’t bare the pain of his loss. But right away, we see what a knight Duel is. It is a rare man who would take in a child under those circumstances. But Duel is determined to see right by Marley. With Jessie, he sees that she needs space and time and he is determined to help her heal. Slowly we see Duel open his heart, putting the past aside, as his love for his new family grows.


Jessie is the third member of this family, and really, its heart. Her former husband physically and verbally abused her for 8 years, and her body and spirit are broken. Needless to say, she finds trusting Duel at the beginning of the novel very difficult, She does, however, instantly fall for Marley. As Jessie’s spirit heals, she grows to trust, and then eventually, love Duel. But the specter of her dead husband looms over their lives. Jessie is wanted for his murder. I think Jessie really shines here. She faces arrest with aplomb, more concerned with what will happen to Duel and Marley while she is gone. Jessie also has the strength to survive her trial. I’m not sure I would have been able to face that trial.


The cast of secondary characters in this novel are also entertaining. Duel’s sister, brother-in law, father, and brother are a great support to Duel and Jessie when they need them the most. Yellow Dog, the abused mutt that the family adopts and Marley affectionately names Boobie, and Cheeba, the nanny goat, are great at disrupting the tension when needed.


The writing in Knight of the Texas Plains really pulled me in from the start. Ms. Broday does a great job with the characters and plot. The duel narration between Jessie and Duel drives the story forward. I really felt the emotional connection between the two as their love for Marley and each other grew.

Overall, a sweet romance, where the love of a child brings together not just the immediate family, but an extended one as well.

Good read, especially if you miss it the first time around.

A baby won in a poker game, an abused woman on the run, and a man not looking to be anyone’s hero come together one night on the Texas plains. I was all in to get their story from an author who writes Western Romance like few others can.
Review

Knight on the Texas Plains had a big opener that grabbed me from the first moment. I couldn’t put the book down when I only meant to read a few chapters. Duel McClain is a tarnished, reluctant hero in his own eyes and carries around a lot of guilt, but I loved his sterling, tough character right away. I melted when he took both a little girl and a woman so abused that she was terrified to be near him. And when he calls them ‘his girls’… just le sigh…

The historical backdrop is a western in flavor, but this one hit on some societal issues of the time which gave it depth and emotion. The subjects of abuse, self-defense, and legal recourse along with married women’s rights play a prominent role in this story. I was infuriated on the part of Jessie who suffered and people knew of it. Call me bloodthirsty, but I was satisfied that she shot the fiend who abused her for eight years. The courtroom drama was another form of excitement there at the end.

Due to the abuse Jessie underwent and their marriage of convenience, this was a slow burn romance. The sparks were there and I loved how this pair respected and cared for each other. Neither thought they were worthy while the other saw them as more than worthy so I loved how they went to work convincing each other. Surrounded by Duel and the McClain family, Jessie and Marley Rose flourished and both were in love with their Texas Knight.

In summary, this was a deep, moving, romantic, and suspenseful western romance. I am eager now for Luke’s story and pretty much have this author and her books on autobuy.

My thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I've learned that historical fiction romances are my form of escapism and this one hits the mark. I found the story to be original with a good dose of humor, cuteness, and tragedy. Duel is a great hero who overcomes the death of his wife and child to look after the adorable girl and broken woman who surprisingly enter his life.

I'm just going to be straight up and say that the reason I didn't give this book five stars was because of the dialogue. It was so corny at times that I couldn't take the characters seriously. Other than that I really enjoyed this story. It was extremely emotional and I found myself in tears for Jessie several times. She went through some pretty heavy things that would break most women but I loved her fight and determination. She and Duel were great together and I liked that she didn't project her feelings towards one man on all men. Duel and Jessie both find their second chance in each other. A heartwarming story with all the feels!

Knight on the Texas Plains, by Linda Broday is an entertaining historical western romance, and the first book in the Texas Heroes series.

After his wife died, Duel McClain has simply been existing, rather than truly living. His life drastically changes when he wins an unusual prize in a poker game, which leads him to be a caretaker for a baby girl. The same evening, Jessie Foltry arrives at his campsite.

After years of abuse and several tragic events, Jessie has run away from her miserable life. Even though she's wary of men, Jessie agrees to help Duel with the adorable baby on his journey back home. Both characters have faced difficulties and are working to overcome various issues from their pasts. Of course, Duel and Jessie's agreement becomes a marriage of convenience, yet she's still hiding several secrets.

Knight on the Texas Plains is recommended and geared towards those who enjoy reading historical western romances.


Note: I received this book from NetGalley, which is a program designed for bloggers to write book reviews in exchange for books, yet the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This book was simply a delight to read! I was completely swept away by this wonderful story filled with characters that will stay with me. I used to read a lot of western historical romances but haven't picked up in years. I really decided to read this book on a whim and what a good decision that turned out to be. This was a book that was nearly impossible for me to put down once I started reading and I ended up finishing it in less than 24 hours. This book had so many wonderful elements that just seemed to work together flawlessly.

Duel McClain is a character that I won't be forgetting anytime soon. At the start of the story, Duel wins a little girl in a poker game. It quickly becomes obvious that while he has good intentions, he has no idea what he is doing. As luck would have it, Jessie finds her way to his campsite needing help. She is able to help Duel care for Marley Rose while he works to keep her safe. They have all been through some really tough times but together they seem to be stronger and really make a wonderful family.

I fell in love with these characters. Duel was such a good man. He was always trying to do the honorable thing and put other people's needs above his own. Jessie went through some horrible things before meeting Duel. She is a survivor and doesn't make excuses. She is honest with Duel from the very beginning despite what she thought it might cost her. She was such a caring person and her strength never ceased to amaze me. Marley Rose really helped to bring them together. The love the three of them shared really melted my heart.

I thought this story was really original. I am always looking for something that is a little different when I pick up a book. This one was a pleasant surprise. Duel and Jessie had such vivid and heartbreaking backstories that I was immediately hooked. Their romance was built on trust and respect and was at a much slower pace than I would have expected. There was plenty of excitement to keep the story interesting and the end of the book turned out to be quite intense.

I would highly recommend this book to fans of historical romance. I am really excited that this is the beginning of a new series because I can't wait to read more. This is the first book by Linda Broday that I have read but she has definitely captured my attention with this one.

I received an advance reader edition of this book from Sourcebooks Casablanca via NetGalley.

Knight On The Texas Plains is a bitter sweet romance that brings together a family, a family that all are lost souls until they find each other. We begin with our hero, the KNIGHT of the story. This isn't your normal knight in shining armor (although he might as well be wearing some) while playing a card game, somehow wins a toddler, and even though the last thing he needs is another human being to care for, he can't seem to say no to this sweet child that deserves better than the father she happened to be saddled with. While on the trek back to his folks home, he stumbles across an injured woman, a woman that has obviously been suffereing from severe abuse. He offers marriage as protection and Jessie agrees. This story is so powerfully written in only the way that Linda Broday can writes a romance. What I did admire about this book however were the tough topics that she touched on. I don't mind seeing the effects of abuse or this form of PTSD. Even though it can be heartbreaking to see, its very real and I loved how real this author made it to be without it overshadowing the actual romance that builds between Jessie and Duel.

What a FANTASTIC book this turned out to be and I just flew through the pages on this one, before I realized it the book was over and I was feeling like WHAT?? ALREADY...NO!! hehe Yes that was my exact thoughts because I fell head over heels in love with Knight On The Texas Plains and this book quickly won my heart. Now there were some unique aspects to the story that make this different from most romances I have read. Our little baby girl, has such a beautiful and sweet way of adopting family and animals to her side instantly. It was quite hilarious to be honest, seeing how this child was so enchanting that she brings people to her and aids in healing and past hurts and traumas from all types.

The romance builds slowly and sweetly, but is ever so endearingly written. Duel and Jessie learn to rely and depend on each other as partners and they see that life may get rough but as long as they have each other, they really can accomplish anything. Jessie is in a bad spot, she has a past, and some enemies and in order to save herself had to resort to some difficult decisions and now her past is coming back and could destroy everything she has built with Duel. Jessie's story is simply heartbreaking to be honest. Seeing the ways the she is abused by her late husband, and then having to go through a challening process to clear her name brought some tough emotions to the surface. What is very powerful about this wonderful story is the love this family has for each other, the way the stand up with Jessie through this tough time, and seeing Jessie face up to her past and find some healing and inner peace that she deserves. This story goes through all of the emotions and you begin to see the power of fighting for what is right no matter how hard it is and what a sweet reward you find at the other end.

This story is simply endering, packed with powerful message of humanity and the true healing power of family and love!!

Review will be posted in Lone Star Literary Blog Tour on 8/16
http://thelibrariantalks.wordpress.com

Knight on the Texas Plains by Linda Broday is the first book in her new Texas Heroes series. When I decided to read this Western historical romance that takes place in 1880 Texas, I was not sure what to expect, since I do not read a lot of this genre. Upon completing the book, I am so glad I did. I loved Knight on the Texas Plains.

Duel McClain, our hero, is a loner who is privately grieving over the loss of his wife to childbirth years before. During a card game, Duel wins a little baby girl, and despite his original refusal to accept the child, he will change his mind. Duel doesn’t want the child to be tossed around by the nasty man who was keeping the child, and the little girl (Marley Rose)was quickly clinging to him: he then makes the decision to head home to his family ranch, where hasn’t been since he left home.

Jessie Foulty, our heroine, is on the run, and comes across Duel and Marley sitting by a campfire for the night. Jessie is scared, and badly bruised. Duel can see that she was beaten up, and tries to help her. Jessie trusts no man, but when she watches Duel with little Marley, she begins to relax and in her desperation, she will accept Duel’s offer to come his ranch with him and take care of Marley. Eventually Jessie, who feels she is unworthy will tell Duel the truth: she killed her husband, and even if she was defending herself, Jessie knows if they find her, they will have her killed. Duel, who slowly begins to care for Jessie, knows she suffered very badly, and when he sees the branding on her shoulder (like a cattle branding), he knows she is truly the innocent one.

What follows is a unique and wonderful story of two people broken, for different reasons, will find love for each other and a child, who has brought them together. I loved when they got to the family ranch, and Duel’s family was great. Marley was such a precious child, so cute and bubbly, and we too could not help but adore her. I enjoyed when an injured stray dog becomes Marley’s friend (Boobie), and will become another addition to the family. To protect Jessie, Duel convinces her to marry him, as they bring up Marley together. Most important was watching both Duel and Jessie find their way past the loss of his wife, and her discovering how Duel was sweet, gentle, and loving, not like other men who tortured her. This was a very emotional story line, which was also suspenseful, especially when Jessie is discovered and brought back to the town where she killed her husband. But when the family stands by her and the truth of what she endured during her marriage is revealed to all to see, there is hope.

I can’t say enough how much I enjoyed this heart wrenching story, and the wonderful characters Linda Broday has created. I strongly suggest you read Knight on the Texas Plains.

Dragged on far too long. Thank you to the Publisher for the review copy though.

Who would have ever guessed that winning Marley Rose in a hand of poker would change his life in so many different ways. Just her character alone is every reason to love this book.
Knight on the Texas Plains, is a very touching book.

Book Info
Paperback, 352 pages
Expected publication: August 1st 2017 by Sourcebooks Casablanca (first published October 2002)
Original Title Knight on the Texas Plains (Leisure Historical Romance)
ISBN 1492646504 (ISBN13: 9781492646501)
Other Editions (3)
Source:Netgalley EARC

Buy book from
Amazon
B&N

BOOK BLURB


UNDER A STARRY TEXAS SKY

Duel McClain was no knight in shining armor --- he was a drifter who prided himself on having no responsibilities. But a poker game thrust him into the role of father to an abandoned baby, and then a condemned woman stumbled up to his campfire. The fugitive beauty aimed to keep him at shotgun's length, but obvious maternal instincts belied her fierce demeanor. And she and the baby were clearly made for each other. Worse, the innocent infant and the alleged murderess opened Duel's heart, made him long for the love of a real family. And the only way to have that would be to slay the demons of the past.

My Thoughts


Duel McClain is an honorable man whose heart was torn open when he least expected it so from that moment on he made sure that the only constant in his life was his horse, Preacher.

The nomad lifestyle was enforced when he took on the role of Bounty Hunter to earn a living, thus creating a reputation with his gun that pretty much ensured Duel was left alone by pretty much everyone.

Having broken ties with his family for years, a younger brother, a sister and their father Duel was truly a man alone.

Marley Rose came into Duel’s care via her no-good father wagering the baby girl in a poker game. (view spoiler)

To add to the poor man’s discomfort, Duel had no prior experience with taking care of children. When Jessie stumbled upon his camp, clearly having been recently brutally beaten and on the run for reasons she did not disclose, his caring instincts flared once again prompting the offer to have her travel with he and the child as her caregiver.

The events that unfold over the rest of the book encompass not only Duel, Jessie and Marley Rose slowly merging into a life together but a bit of western drama and a very long overdue making peace with ghosts from the past.

1880's Texas is the setting for this historical western romance and it carries a heck of a lot of emotions that run the gauntlet from sorrow to joy and everything in between.

I thought the solid leading man and his unexpected ladies were a good fit. As Duel said all three of them are broken but together they work as a family.

[EArc from Netgalley in exchange for honest review]

On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.