Search - Texas Destiny (Texas, Bk 1)

The story is about Houston,a man scarred inside and out by his experiences in the Civil War and Amelia, his brother's mail order bride whom he's escorting to her new home. The book was an enjoyable read, but not as good as some of Heath's other work. The problem lay in the plot, which had the hero/heroine on the road together for almost the entire book, getting to their ultimate destination where all the real drama would take place. I can understand some time spent traveling alone to get to know one another and share experiences, but not the whole book! Both characters behaved honorably, but it also limited their familiarity with each other so things got rather static. I got antsy after a while wondering when they would finally get to their destination, and what would happen with the relationship. On the plus side, the characters were well written and sympathetic. I just wish I had more opportunity to see them interacting with characters other than each other. When Amelia finally reached her husband-to-be, Dallas, things picked up beatifully. I just wish it had happened at least 50 pages earlier.

one of the best!!

Have the tissues ready as you will need them.
Houston is a man scarred both physically and emotionally by the Civil War. He lives alone and avoids people when possible. His brother Dallas has a mail order bride coming but breaks his leg just before it is time to collect her in Fort Worth so he asks Houston to "fetch" her. Amelia is a strong woman who survived the war but is now all alone in the world and has offered herself as a mail order bride in order to have a future and security as a wife and mother.
A tender and heart breaking story unfolds as Houston and Amelia make the 3 week trek back to the ranch that Dallas has established. They endure hardships that brings them closer together all the while each of them fighting the feelings that they have for the other.
Why is Houston like he is? Can Amelia change him? Why does she want to change him? Wonderful questions and a story that is hard to put down.