A Man of Legend

One-sided family feud Crockett and Paisley were childhood sweethearts who parted ways in 1898 to pursue their separate careers. Ten years later, their reunion is complicated by the layers of hatred her family has for his, which is both undeserved and covering up a much bigger threat to the peace and stability of their little corner of Texas. This is my third excursion to the world of the Lone Star Legends, and with each one I'm more and more convinced that I need to carve out the necessary time to go back through this author's catalogue and start at the Legends' beginning. The author has created a fascinating Old West setting with authentic characters and old-fashioned values, painted with vivid imagery and imbued with heartwarming emotional scenes. There's a certain villain who tests their loyalties, but most of the story surrounds Paisley's nursing work on Crockett's family ranch. I really enjoyed reading about how she stepped up and was able to be such a miracle worker for so many who needed her. I loved the way the women banded together to take care of the threat against them, and I thought Casanova was a hilarious addition, especially how he made himself useful as a guard. There are gentle themes of conservationism and egalitarianism, along with an early form of employer-provided health care that I wish had become the standard. This is perhaps an idealistic view of life in the early 1900s, but that's exactly what I read romance fiction for and this story checked all my favorite boxes. By the end of this exciting journey, happiness prevails for all our favorite characters, justice is served for the rest, and the extended epilogue was the perfect wrap to an amazing legacy. I couldn't have loved it more. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

I have enjoyed every book in this series and am sad to see it end. The Legends are well, legend! They are what people think of when they imagine the West and what Texans are....independent, loyal, strong, brave, family and they won't be pushed around. However, when there is a feud, look out! Crockett and Paisley have loved each other for years but they are on opposite sides of that feud. However, Paisley quickly comes to realize that her family has no leg to stand on. It was all her father and brother's greed and evil thinking that drove them to create a feud that wasn't really there. Her brother, Farrel, is one mean guy! He creates a lot of problems for the Legends, but I was very impressed at how they never sought revenge. They always went through legal channels to try to get him stopped. Paisley is a nurse, and I enjoyed her nursing patients so much. She was made for that job! Although the story focused on her and Crockett, the other characters were wonderful. The author really developed all the characters. The young boy, Tye, was a delight, along with the parrot, Cassanova! I loved so many parts of this book. It was hard to see it end!

Texas 1908 Lost love, a feud between families that seems like will never end and a chance to come to a possible truce. Yep, Linda Broday is one of my favorite writers of historical westerns, with her bigger than life characters, vivid descriptions and high emotions, her stories always leave me with a big Sigh! Crockett and Paisley had spent their childhood together and he had loved her. Unfortunately they were pulled apart by a feud and it seemed there would always be a void between them. That is until three years later they wind up on a train together and of all things, robbers try to hold up the passengers. Then the journey begins! Truly enjoyed this wonderful story and look forward to more from this fantastic author!