To Catch a Texas Star is the third western romance in the Texas Heroes series written by author Linda Broday. Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the advance copy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

I just loved this book. Marley Rose, Duel and Jessie McClain are reappearing from the first book in this series but years later with Marley Rose all grown up and getting her own adventure. I am so happy to see the McClains again. I have fallen in love with them since that first book. Even Luke and Glory from the second book make an appearance. YAY!!!!

This was just an emotional story. It was a hard one to put down. The action and adventure start from the first sentence of the book. Yes, there is violence in this book like one reviewer mentioned but that didn't detour me from this. Violence was a part of the history of the country (and still here today). The people of this time were strong-minded and strong-willed and over came since violence to find their HEA. I just loved Roan. He was the perfect mate for Marley. I was drooling all over him. I'm surprised my e-reader still works. Young Matthew was a wonderful addition to the story.

The book has my favorite dual POVs. It helps me to identify with the characters and to really understand them and their actions. I highly recommend this story to anyone. You don't have to start at the beginning either. This book can stand on it's own BUT the other two are wonderful as well and shouldn't be missed. I really hated to see this end. I'm sad that the McClains are over (privately wishing for more McClain stories say a long lost cousin?!)

This book is a roller coaster ride filled with dastardly villains, life and death struggles and exciting characters that found their way into my heart and kept me rooting for the good guys from start to finish. It’s the perfect combination of historical American fiction with suspense, romance and over-the-top Texas twang that was a delight to read and left me with a happily-ever-after satisfied smile on my face. Roan is a sympathetic character with a lonely and pitiful past that has him longing for a place that he can call home and Marley Rose is just the woman to care for him when he’s left beaten and half dead in the dirt road. Marley Rose is quite a character herself. She spends her days on the ranch helping her parents taken care of a whole host of orphaned children while she dabbles in writing books and painting as a creative outlet in her spare time. Unique characters and a fast paced and creative storyline is exactly what you get when you dive into this entertaining read. I read a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley and all opinions expressed in my voluntary review are completely my own.

Wow!!! I was crying and laughing while I was enjoying this book. ☆☆☆☆☆ rating. Is a must read book.

To Catch a Texas Star by Linda Broday will send you off on an emotional ride that will make you laugh, cry, grind your teeth in anger, and bite your nails as the story races from one wild scene to another. While this Texas tale is ultimately a love story between Roan and Marley, there's a lot more going on than mere romance.

The romance level is whirlwind and sweet, but it's real and touching and progresses perfectly with the overall plot. Abandoned by his no-good father, Roan is drifting through life, trying to find his special place in the world. Surrounded by a loving family, Marley is trying to find her wings to be her own woman with time to explore her writing and painting talents. When their worlds collide, I have no doubt you will agree that these two are a match made in Texas.

But this romance is threatened by greed, lies, and pure evil. The danger escalates when Roan tries to vindicate the murder of his friend and ends up poking a snake pit of hate, violence, and ulterior motives. Linda Broday does an amazing job of juxtaposing the beautiful story of a budding romance with an evil man threatening to destroy Marley for his own gain and destroy Roan because he keeps getting in his way.

An extremely compelling aspect in To Catch a Texas Star is the idea of orphan children who simply need someone to love and care for them. It's that simple. Marley's parents have a houseful of such children, and their love for each other and these children is bottomless. On the flip side, someone with revenge on the mind uses young boys to terrorize and kill and everything in between so that a ranch can be rebuilt with stolen cattle. And someone wants to reclaim a grown child to carry out a despicable and dastardly plan. This comparison between good and evil is stark and shows the reality of how some people offer children unconditional love and how other people use children as a cruel means to an ugly end.

If you think this Texas romance is pure fluff and kisses, think again. Yes, there are plenty of kisses and...well...love, but it's the children who will steal your heart, and it's the people who truly love them and rescue them who will restore your faith in the world.

The characters are extremely well developed, and the plot is engaging and exhilarating, with a twist that pops up when a secret is revealed. You won't want to miss that!

This was my first book by Linda Broday. It definitely will not be my last! I am glad to have quite a number of her books on my TBR shelf. This story was very fast paced and filled with lots of action. If you love westerns (and even if you don't), you'll definitely want to read this. It's the third in the series, but entirely stands alone. You will, however, want to go back and read the first two books. I fully intend to do so.

Roan is a tortured hero (my favorite kind) whose entire life has been one heartache after another. At the story's beginning he just lost his best friend and is near death. Along comes Marley Rose, who brings him home and takes care of him. Marley is the complete opposite of Roan.....She comes from a very loving family. Of course they are attracted to each other, but forces try to keep them apart. Who is rustling her family's cattle? Why are the outlaw gangs comprised of so many kids? And just who is the creepy scarecrow man who is trying to nab Marley?

You will have a blast trying to figure out just what is going on. The loving is sweet, and you just may find yourself blinking away tears throughout the story. I definitely recommend this book and author!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

To Catch a Texas Star by Linda Broday is the third book in the Texas Heroes series. I did not read the previous two books in the series, but it can be read as a standalone novel. The story was well written and very descriptive, and the characters worked well together. It was full of intrigue, romance, and scenery. The pace of the story was slow and there was a lot of details going on in it. It has some descriptive violence in the beginning that was a little uncomfortable. I felt that the book could have been a bit shorter and the story would have been better with less interactions and sub-stories. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it for a slow summer read.

This is the continuation of Marley Rose's story that began in Knight On The Texas Plains, where she was Duel and Jessy's daughter. I really love h0w Linda Broday connects her stories and characters to the previous book. Don't we all love visiting an old friend? Marley is old enough to be married, yet hasn't met the one who makes her heart flutter. She's busy helping her mom Jessy run their houseful of abandoned children. She loves her family and her life, she just feels like life is passing her by. Roan is a drifter who stuck up for his morals, and his friend, and almost died. It's Marley who finds him on deaths door, and saves him. Roan really needed saving. Not just physically, but his heart could use a rescue. Marley's past is catching up with her, and can Roan be the one to save her this time? This was a sweet, loving, family story that caught my heart. Sometimes family isn't blood, but those who you love, and love you back. Maybe you rescue each other.

This is my first time to read a book by this author and will most likely be the last. I personally did not care for the amount of violence in this "western romance". I am not bashing the author I simply did not care for the story. I really don't have anything to add to this review except to say I was disappointed that I committed to reading the whole thing in exchange for a review otherwise I would have stopped after the first few pages.

My first ever book that I have read by Linda Broday and all I can say is WOW!!!!
I can seriously say it will not be my last I’m going to get the previous two in this series. This was easily read as a stand-alone I had no problems getting into the book whatsoever.
A fast paced rollercoaster ride full of action had me gripping my tablet in anticipation, believe me I read this way way past my bed time!
I loved Roan Penny his father’s legacy as an outlaw follows him like a shadow, he knows that deeds speak louder and what better way than being a hero which leaves him seriously injured and almost at deaths door.
That’s how Marley Rose finds him, she brings him home to heal and care for him. As the two get to know each other Marley not only heals Roan she captures his heart! The two really have a connection of spirit and soul. Just when Roan believes he’s found his forever place evil reaches out to destroy their newfound love! He’ll fight to the death to keep the woman that holds his heart in her hands!
Lots of action and descriptive detail of life in the Wild West, reading Linda Broday’s book was like a movie for the mind! AMAZING!!!!! Easily a TEN STAR!

I recieved a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This was my honest unbiased opinion!

YAY! A story just for Marley Rose. I was super excited to read this novel. Marley was one of my favorite characters from Knight on the Texas Plains. Ok, sure. There’s no Cheeba. But it has been close to 20 years since we met Marley as a toddler. So I guess that can be forgiven!
I adore Marley and her spirit. She’s feisty and independent, both great qualities in a heroine. As Marley tells her father, Duel:

“I’ll be fine,” Marley assured him. “I’m not some spineless little girl who wrings her hands and waits for someone to ride to her rescue.”

Bonus point for self-rescuing princesses!
I also appreciate that Ms. Brody writes Marley as a storyteller and artist. Marley creates stories for all the children. She also attempts to illustrate her stories with paintings and drawings. Her ability to take a small idea and make it into an full story is amazing. I’m guessing it’s a similar process that Ms. Brody goes through when writing her novels.
Roan had a rough childhood and not much better luck as an adult. But what really impresses me is that, despite all his hardship, he’s capable of loving, protecting, and supporting Marley. I also really admire the connection Roan has with the adopted kids on the ranch, especially Matt. Roan sees himself in Matt and shows his true character when he’s around the children.
The romance between Marley and Roan is believable, if a bit rushed. I welcomed how they support and encourage each other. For example, Roan encourages Marley to submit her stories to a publisher. And when none of the ranch hands are available to support Roan during his horse race in the next county, Marley is there for him. These two characters really bring out the best in each other.
My favorite secondary character in To Catch a Texas Star is definitely Granny Jack. She’s a hoot. And I’m totally making her catch phrase my own!

“Honey, every tub has got to sit on its own bottom.”

That makes me laugh each time I think about it. Classic Granny Jack!
I also really enjoyed catching up with Duel and Jessie from Knight on the Texas Plains. For me, it’s always great to see a couple I fell in love with still happily in love after close to twenty years together.
The romance in To Catch a Texas Star may have caught my initial attention, but the mystery plot kept me reading. Ms. Brody does a fabulous job weaving together separate plot lines of discovering who is trying to destroy the Aces ‘n’ Eights Ranch by wrangling cattle with the mystery of who killed Roan’s friend Mose and left Roan for dead. There were a few twists and turns that I didn’t see coming in the road. Kudos to Ms. Broday for seamlessly blending the plot!
Overall, To Catch a Texas Star is a great historic romance with strong, well-developed characters. Highly recommended!
4 1/2 Stars!

Miss Marley Rose captured our hearts in Knight On The Texas Plains, now her story continues in Linda Broday’s, To Catch A Texas Star.
I cannot praise this book enough. Ms. Broday invites us onto the Aces and Eights Ranch and into the lives of the McClain’s.
The fast rollercoaster drama she incorporates leaves her readers on the edge of their seats not knowing where the next wave of bullets will strike.
As evil rides down on the McClain’s, it will take everyone’s help to save them from the terror heading their way.
The emotional revelation Marley Rose encounters will leave you drying your eyes.
Drifter Roan Penny will notch a place in your heart that will forever remain embedded.
Marley and Roan truly needed one another, not just for love, but for healing, comfort, and sense of belonging.
Duel and Jessie, with their kind caring hearts for those neglected, just confirms how love “knows, no boundary” and blood kin doesn’t always make a family.
I highly recommend this book of honor, family, and love.
Miss Broday’s best book to date.
So saddle up, pull your hat down low, and hang on tight. This book starts out fast and furious and doesn’t stop until the conclusion.

A wonderful heartwarming story. I will say this one started slowly for me but the finish was spot on. I enjoyed the way Marley and Roan’s romance developed throughout the story. This is a very sweet story complete with great characters, romance, and adventure.

Since Duel McClain won sweet baby, Marley Rose, in a poker game, and then rescued Jessie to bring them home as his family in Knight of the Texas Plains, I have been waiting for things to come full circle with Marley Rose’s story as an adult I was not disappointed with the heartwarming, the family love, the heartbreaking, and the western historical past come alive in this wonderful story.
Review

To Catch a Texas Star is the third book in the Texas Heroes series. I suppose one could get away with reading it standalone, but I did enjoy it best after at least having read the first book that starts it all.

So, yes, Marley Rose is grown up. Reared in a lovely, generous and giving large family thanks to Jessie’s continued need to bring home orphaned or abandoned children. Marley lives alone in her own place on the ranch and helps. The story gets going when she encounters Roan Parrish left along the side of the road after he watched someone he was closer to than family get killed for his land and then Roan drug behind horses and left for dead. He now has an enemy to find and make pay for what was done to Mose and what is happening to many others in the region.

I was so curious to see who would become Marley’s hero and I loved Roan from the start. He has his mind set on dealing with what the villain’s started, but his love for Marley grows and he is so good for her. He has his own tough past as the son of an outlaw. He’s tough and determined, but protective and such a great hero. Marley has grown into a woman to ride the river with and proves herself during the tough times that are come for the McClains because of an evil enemy to them and Roan.

This book gave the reader so much. All my emotions were touched even some great fun times, especially with Granny, all the way to a teary-eyed moment. Exciting western action and even a mystery are tossed in for good measure, but overall that is the romance that was delectable and the strong sense of McClain family love that pulls in Roan, too.

All in all, I couldn’t have been more pleased with this one especially since my expectations were high in anticipation of Marley Rose’s story. Western Historical Romance fans can’t go wrong with this author’s books, but particularly this book/series. Love the McClains and was sorry to see the end of this book.

Book Info
Mass Market Paperback, 416 pages
Expected publication: July 3rd 2018 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN 149265101X (ISBN13: 9781492651017)
Edition Language English
Series
Other Editions None found
Source:Netgalley EARC

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BOOK BLURB


He'll do what it takes to prove his love...

The son of a notorious outlaw, Roan Penny yearns to make his life count...but heroism comes with a price. Left badly injured, only the kindness of a gentle stranger can save him. He longs to be with the captivating beauty―his savior, his Texas star, his Marley Rose McClain―but he knows he'd bring her nothing but trouble.

If only he could convince his heart of that.

Marley's lived a charmed life, and she's determined to spend the rest of her days at her quiet hero's side...but she isn't what she seems. A life-long secret threatens to destroy everything she knows―and everything she could hope to be. As dangerous men threaten to pull her back into the shadows, a desperate Roan must ride hell-bent for leather to save the other half of his heart...before he can lose her light for good.


My Thoughts


What I liked most about this story was how the characters found their individual strength as the scenes unfolded.

I liked the ability to revisit with Duel, Jessie and Marley Rose again.

I liked the settings and how it felt like the reader was there with the characters throughout the book.

I liked the flow of the story as it unfolded, it was not only paced just right but easy to follow along with each plot point as well.

I liked how Roan and Marley Rose's pasts were explained and how the wrongs done them both were made right thereby closing that chapter of their lives so they could feel safe going forward.

I truly enjoyed having the chance to learn more about the Aces and Eights crew. It was interesting to also see how loyal and devoted to the McClain family those men were.

What really stood out to me was the fact that from the tiniest baby to the fully grown Marley how Jessie and Duel McClain showed love and compassion above and beyond that of most couples. Also the utter devotion that this couple have for each other was and is the touchstone upon which Marley based her own hopes and dreams when she fell head-over-heels for Roan.

This family was made through love and compassion for others rather than being blood-kin, it warmed ones heart that they were able to create such an unbreakable bond and nurture it even more when things got rough.

In this third book we have come full circle as Duel McClains now grown daughter Marley Rose McClain has her own story intertwined with that of drifter Roan Penny.

[EArc from Netgalley]

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.

o Catch a Texas Star is the third book in this lovely trilogy, and this story is Marley’s story. Marley Rose is the daughter of Duel and Jessie. She lives with a huge family. Her parents take in every child that end up finding that are in need of a loving home. Marley has no clue about her past or about her birthright and who her birth parents really are. Marley has dreams of her own. She would love to have a family of her own but she also has a beautiful talent that she wishes to cultivate. Roan, has always been on his own and has tried to make a good life for himself. But when his closest friend is murdered and he is almost killed himself all he cares about is justice. When Marley finds Roan on the side of the road, barely alive, she brings him home and tends him and brings him back to health. And both Roan and Marley are taken on a dangerous journey that will only strengthen the close intimacy they have built and the love they share…

This was a powerhouse of a story, now I wouldn’t say that this would be my favorite book from this author. I had, at times, had a difficult time getting fully into the story at times especially in the first up. However I was really into the later half of the story. I was thrilled to hear that the heroine would be Marley Rose. In book one, we see how Duel and Jessie have fared over the years. We see the close relationship that Marley Rose has with her parents. But her family has a enemy, an enemy that is Roan’s enemy.

The plot of the story is what really was most intriguing and I loved the twists and turns that this story takes on. It is pretty interesting seeing this romance blossom and how much their relationship strengths as they face danger and the truth together. I loved the history and the realstic elements of the west and the dangers that many people lived in those times.

Broday creates the perfect blend of romance, family, and adventure. Another fun book in her Texas Heroes Series.

To Catch a Texas Star follows Marley Rose and Roan’s story. You may remember Marley Rose as the cute little girl from Duel’s story, but she’s all grown up now. After rescuing Roan, they’re thrown into a whirlwind of love and danger. A group of bandits are wrecking havoc on the towns, from killing innocent people to stealing Duel’s cattle. One of them is connected to Marley’s past and will stop at nothing to have her. With the help of Duel and his ranch hands, Roan fights to keep Marley safe and get justice for those (especially his friend) they hurt.

One thing I love about Boday’s writing is how easy it is to connect to the characters. I loved both Marley Rose and Roan. Duel and Jessie also play important roles in this book and I loved reconnecting with them too, but this could be read as a stand-alone and still be enjoyable.

This historical romance has the tropes of classic Western movie. The bad guys are really bad, (except for those who are kids and don’t really understand what they’ve become involved in), and the good guys are noble and kind.

The hero, Roan Penny, is a wanderer who was cast out by his father. He could have become a loser outlaw, but instead he is a man of honor. When his one friend is brutally murdered and he’s terribly beaten, he resolves to revenge his friend’s murder. This takes him to a nearby ranch, the Aces & Eights, where his life is saved by the daughter of the ranch, Marley Rose McClain. Of course, they fall in love. She is naive and sweet, but handily enough, she also knows medical care and is a crack markswoman.

They work together to figure out who is behind the evil in the region. And it is real evil and becomes even more evil as we and they learn more. If you like that sort of set-up on the Texas frontier, you’ll enjoy this.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

To Catch a Texas Star by Linda Broday is the 3rd book in her Texas Heroes western historical romance series. I loved both books in this series, and I am happy to say this was as equally as good. I do not read much western romances, but I have come to love Linda Broday’s writing and I will continue to read her books.
At the start, we meet our hero, Roan Penny, who is a drifter, working for a local rancher. Roan has befriended the rancher who had become his friend, and when a group of vigilantes attack the ranch and kill the rancher, Roan is determined to enact revenge. But unfortunately for Roan, the attackers beat him badly, putting him on horse and leaving him barely alive.
Marley Rose, who was the precious child when we spent time with Duel and Jessie McClain (previous book heroes) years before. Marley is now all grown up, and it is she who will come across the badly beaten Roan. She will bring him back to the Aces and Eights ranch, which her mother and father run and where she and all her siblings live. We knew that Duel and Jessie were very caring and loving people, and it is no surprise to see that besides Marley, they have over the years taken in a number of lost or abandoned children.

Both Marley and Jessie see to Roan’s wounds, as his life hangs by a thread. Roan slowly begins to gain his conscious, and is immediately calmed by the voice of the woman taking care of him. Marley herself has been somewhat sheltered by her parents, and finds that she is becoming attracted to Roan. It will take Roan more time to gain his strength, and in time Duel, who senses that Roan is one of the good guys, will trust him. After telling the family about his attack and the death of his friend, Duel offers him a job on the ranch, allowing him to be able to work and have the time get better, before he tries to find the culprits.
Marley and Roan find themselves falling hard for each other, though Roan feels there is no future, since he will probably get killed going after the attackers. But everything he was missing all his life, was right there in Marley… love, happiness, family, togetherness. Will Roan give up everything he has always wanted to pursue a dangerous mission and leave Marley?
Marley was not only sweet, gentle, caring and lovable to everyone, but she is also very strong and determined in her own rights. She refuses to allow Roan to put himself in danger, and is determined to help him.
What follows is an exciting action packed adventure that will put all of them in danger, as they try to find out who is behind the murder, as well as the stolen cattle off the ranch. Most of all, the main villain is evil, and determined to get Marley at any cost. Can Roan save her?
To Catch a Texas Star is a unique and wonderful story of two people very much different who will find love for each other, find a way to survive the evil chasing them throughout this story.
I really loved this heartwarming story, as Marley and Roan were a wonderful couple. Spending time with Duel, Jessie and the other children was also fun. Linda Broday once again gives us another wonderful couple, sweet romance, great secondary characters, action and so very well written. 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 To Catch a Texas Star.

“To Catch a Texas Star” is the third installment in Linda Broday’s Texas Heroes series and I believe it is one of the best novels she has written to date. Roan Penny has had a hard life due in part to his father abandoning him at a young age and telling him that he was worthless and would never amount to anything. He finally felt at home with his friend Moze Mozeke until one fateful night when he found himself at the wrong end of the rope. Marley McClain craves peace and quiet and when she is given an opportunity to go to town on her own to get supplies she finds Roan Penny half dead alongside the road and knows that she needs to get him home if he has any chance of surviving the night. Roan’s need to heal is not only physically, but mentally and thanks to Marley and her family he may find just what he needs. I was given an advanced copy of this book, and all of the opinions expressed in this review are my own.