Texas Lady

Professional Reviews

4 CUPS: "Elizabeth fell in love with Jeff when she was just a young girl. Although he was a bit older, that did not matter, but he only thought of her as a sister. Unfortunately, she was sent away to boarding school to learn to be a lady rather than a tomboy. Growing up, Jeff treated Elizabeth as a younger sister. But she is now grown up and sporting some womanly curves that do unspeakable things to Jeff’s libido. Not to mention the jealousy he feels when she brings an easterner named Gregory Webster home with her. Jeff and Elizabeth clash at every turn, butting heads over everything; yet they both feel a fire building within them as well. Rustlers are invading many farms in the area and hurting them. Elizabeth thinks that marriage to Gregory might save them, but is it a huge mistake if her heart belongs to Jeff? This is a sweet and tender story that has a lot of exciting elements to keep the reader turning the pages. About halfway through, when a tragedy occurs, I broke out in tears thinking of my own father who died a few years back. But I soon rallied back to smiles when the storyline again changed. A read by Sandy Sullivan comes highly recommended from this reviewer." -- Matilda, Coffee Time Romance and More

4 KISSES: "Texas Lady by Sandy Sullivan is a wonderful story with plenty of endearing characters and a tried but true plot - the hero doesn’t realize the love that has been under his nose all along. The well-written plot and sub-plots that make up the story take us on a great ride that evokes a myriad of feelings for the central characters. In getting to know Elizabeth, you are charmed by all of her brothers who would do anything for her and are a wee bit over-protective. To see Elizabeth handle the lot of them is humorous at times. Elizabeth is a heroine who does not like to play the helpless damsel in distress and wants to throw in her lot with her brothers and father to fight the rustlers. She is a strong young woman who does not take being told no very well. She is very easy to like and like her I did. Jeff is a likeable hero, and in the vein of the historic western, is at times a bit over-bearing and domineering. This is acceptable though, as it suits the time period. Once he has come to grips with his feelings for Elizabeth, he vows to protect her at all costs and through any extreme. Texas Lady is definitely a winner among historical western romances. Ms. Sullivan has done a great job of injecting emotions in the right places of her story. It has great characters, plots and sub-plots and wonderful emotion spread throughout. At times, you find yourself laughing at or cheering for something Elizabeth’s brothers have done to or for her, and at other times, you find yourself filled with sadness, as when a loved one is taken from the Johnston family. I would absolutely read this book again and think it would be a great addition to any bookshelf or e-reader. If it’s time to pick a new book to curl up with, and you are a fan of western romances, Texas Lady by Sandy Sullivan is a sure bet not to disappoint." -- Kiki, Two Lips Reviews

Excerpt

Jeff was completely surprised at the vision standing in front of him. He hadn’t seen Elizabeth since the spring dance four years ago when she had unceremoniously shoved him into the horse trough after she had caught him kissing Aubrey Dillon. She had been so proud of herself that night, but he had spent an uncomfortable ride home in wet clothing.

“Of course, it’s me, you ninny. Who else would be swimming in this pond? After all, it is on Double J property. Now, please turn around like a gentleman so that I can get dressed.”

“Well, you never know. Besides, it’s half on Rocking W property too, you know.” His eyes met hers. Desire raced along his nerves. He’d caught a peek of some luscious curves before she’d grabbed her clothes. After another quick glance, he turned around. “I didn’t know you were home. I’m surprised Ray hadn’t mentioned it since I had just seen him in town last night,” he said over his shoulder.

“I just got home a few days ago,” she replied, her words muffled slightly as she pulled her shirt over her head. “You may turn around now.”

He turned to see she’d mostly returned her clothing to its proper place, but her hair was beginning to dry and wildly tangled about her head. Her blue eyes shot daggers at him when he raked his eyes appreciatively over her, and he began to smile.

Elizabeth had changed dramatically from the last time he had seen her. At the time, she’d been only sixteen and hadn’t completely filled out her womanly form. The woman standing before him was magnificent! Soft rounded bosom and a tiny waist showed off the curves to perfection. Although she didn’t know it, he had seen even more of her beautiful body when she had emerged from the pond. Of course, at the time, he hadn’t known it was Elizabeth. He really hadn’t come here with the intention of spying on whomever was swimming in the pond, but he’d heard a horse nicker softly to his when he rode near the nearby. He hadn’t recognized the horse so he had gotten down to investigate. With so many rustlers in the area, he had to be careful.

“Would you please stop looking at me like that?”

“Like what?” His gaze slid over her again.

“Oh, never mind.” She slipped her boots back on and stomped off to where her horse stood tied.

He followed behind her, watching her backside sway with appreciation. Why hadn’t he noticed how nicely her backside fit in her brother’s trousers before now?

When she approached her horse and attempted to slide her foot into the stirrup, he came up behind her, grasped her small waist, and easily lifted her into the saddle.

Elizabeth landed with an unladylike thump, and she grabbed for the reins quickly.

* * * *

Staring down at him from atop her horse, she realized he was still the most handsome boy she had ever seen. Man, she corrected herself in her mind. After all, he is twenty-four years old now and had easily grown another three inches since she had been gone. Her head barely reached his shoulder, and she was tall for a girl at five feet eight inches herself.

“Are you headed back to the ranch house now that you are well refreshed?”

“Yes,” she said with a sheepish smile. “Mother is going to kill me, I’m sure. She never did understand how I could swim in the pond anyway, much less now.”

“I’m sure all will be forgiven, even if you do look a little disheveled.”

“Do I?”

“It’s not all that bad, Elizabeth. You just look, um, how shall I say this without sounding crude?”

“What?”

“You look like you’ve just had a wild romp with someone in the field.”

 She could see the laughter in his eyes. “I do not! Do I? I can’t go home like this!”

“It will be fine. Just run your fingers through your hair. Do you have anything to tie it back with?”

“No. I didn’t bring anything with me. I really hadn’t planned on going for a swim this afternoon when I headed out here.”

Taking the bandana from around his neck, he said, “Here. You can borrow this to tie back your hair until we get back to your parents’ place.”

“Thanks.” She took it from him, ran her fingers through her long hair as she attempted to make it somewhat presentable, and then tied his bandana around it at her nape to secure it in place the best she could.

“Shall we go?”

“Yes, I supposed we should. Why were you out here today anyway?”

“I was riding out to check on some of the cattle in the pasture back to the east, and your horse nickered at mine so I thought I’d check it out.”

“You really don’t have to ride back to the house with me. I know the way.”

“I’m sure you do, but there have been some problems out here lately, so I just think I’ll ride along, if you don’t mind.”

“I don’t mind, I guess.” She really didn’t want him riding home with her. Her parents and her brothers didn’t need to know they had run into each other near the pond. She would have enough explaining to do about her appearance without explaining Jeff’s presence, too.

Glancing at him, she wondered what he was thinking. Several times he looked at her when he thought she didn’t notice. The changes in him weren’t glaring, but apparent to her, none-the-less.

His eyes had gotten a slightly deeper brown, if that was possible. His hair was a bit longer near the collar and had a little bit of a curl at the ends that she could see under his black cowboy hat. His chest was broader, and she could see small springy curls of brown hair from around the opening of his shirt near his neck.

 I wonder what it would feel like to run my fingers through those curls. She quickly looked back at the road in front of them. My goodness! Where did that come from? You would think I’m some sort of brazen hussy with all that’s flittering through my mind at the moment.

 A talk with her mother might be in order this evening. Then again, maybe not. Mother wouldn’t understand.