He who puts his trust in God will possess the land and inherit the blessings.Scripture tells a husband to love his wife, but what if she loves the memory of a dead man? Lured to the Texas frontier by more free land than they could ever buy, four families struggle to carve a home and a living out of the western wilderness. And though love isn’t always easy coming, like bees to sweet flowers, a … flowers, a neighbor and his partner swoop in hoping to steal the hearts of the clan’s two young beauties. Will their infants spoil the ointment? Predator animals, Indians on the warpath, and living hand-to-mouth never make it easy, but my oh my—Texas my Texas! What a land! Don’t miss this breathtaking addition to the Cross Timbers Romance Family Saga!
Book One ~ GONE TO TEXAS 1840
Book Two ~ TEXAS MY TEXAS 1841
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I am always excited when I get to read a book from this author. She has a gift of writing that spreads across the pages with grace and compassion. Her characters are always well developed and she makes you feel part of the story . I love the title but it could be because I am a Texan. Texas is a wonderful place filled with lots of land and people that make you feel at home. This story takes place in March 1841. The author captures the dialect of the time period perfectly.
Gabrielle is so sure the man she loves is coming back to her. Poor thing doesn’t realize he may have run scared and abandoned her. My heart went out to her as days went by and she still held out hope for a man that may never return. There is little time to think as Gabrielle has a son to care for and chores that never end. It was so hard to keep herself together each day and I began to wonder if she would give up hope. She is a very unhappy person , just longing for the man she loves. It hurts when your loved one is gone. Can Gabrielle find happiness?
Isabel is a wonderful character and kind of reminds me of a spitfire. She has a baby to care for . Now where did the father of the baby get off to? Isabel has her eyes on someone and she better be careful that she doesn’t get ahead of herself. Isabel catches herself day dreaming about a certain young man and her thoughts are starting to overtake her. She steps up to help Gabrielle when she notices how unhappy Gabrielle is.
I loved reading about the dangers around the clan with wild animals and how hard they worked everyday to keep the crops growing and enough food for everyone. I wasn’t familiar with some of the things they ate but it did make me want to know more about the food they had back in the 1840s. We have it so easy today. If we are hungry, we go to the store or fast food place and there is food choices galore. As I read the story I really started to appreciate all the food and shelter that God provides for us.
I loved how the author said , ” A person can waller like a hog in self-pity and regret til they make themselves sick, or they can choose to put the past behind them and look forwards instead.” It made me think how much we wallow in our own misery and forget to call out to God for help.
The story is filled with adventure, heartache and danger. I loved following each character and reading about how their lives took different turns. The hero in my eyes is Thomas in this story. He is a true gentleman with kindness and patience. I realized that Thomas made me think of my husband. He is kind, gentle and oh so patient with me. The author has given readers a glimpse into long ago days with beauty, faith, adventure and most of all the importance of God and family.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Book Two in the Cross Timbers Family Saga . . . Texas My Texas does well as a standalone too. a sweeping story of new beginnings, McAdoo doesn’t sugar-coat the hardships endured by these characters. And yet, through disappointment and loss, their spirit and faith are such that they persevere and even overcome.
A good read, with well-drawn characters, Texas My Texas felt like a glimpse of history in my hands.
[I was fortunate to receive a copy of the book from the author, through the 2021 Winter Games Reader Challenge, with no obligation to review. The opinions expressed herein are given freely and are entirely my own.]
My Penny’s Worth
Gabrielle is full of mixed feelings, allowing them to pull her off the path to love. The more bullish she gets, the more she is loved, showing that love is stronger. However, can Gabrielle embrace such love or will she remain blind to it? Her jealousy tinged each day and made me want to say, “Be thankful for what you have.” A lesson I need to learn myself!
I thought all I had to do was break the bands of sadness that held you prisoner.
Is it a page-turner?
Caryl McAdoo carefully constructed her novel keeping me dangling on the fishing line. She teased me making me want to read more. And it wasn’t only Gabrielle; there were many characters who pushed the story on around the campfire. Because I had read the first book in this series, everyone has a place in my heart. I wanted to know what happened to them and their families. And I wasn’t disappointed.
Their smiles all helped her to put more truth into hers.
I enjoyed the lessons this book teaches
There are lessons of forgiveness, trust, overcoming, and love. It gives a flavour of how life on the frontier would have been like for those Americans brave enough to venture forth. And they needed to be brave, and perhaps that is something we lack today. That pioneering spirit that in a way is blind to the full extent of what a ground-breaking move towards total trust is all about. We rely on the world instead of the great power of God.
Isn’t God good?
Was He? Was there really a giant spirit up there in the sky looking out for a fool like him?
I love this book and would like to give it 5 stars.
Thank you, Caryl, for writing Texas my Texas and putting such a strong message into story form. May it open readers eyes and banish their blindsight.
*I was given this book for free. No compensation was received, and all opinions are my own.*
Texas My Texas is the second installment from Caryl McAdoo’s Cross Timbers Romance Family Saga. I thought it was a fabulous addition to the saga. I enjoyed this mid nineteenth century story. I am giving this faith filled and inspiring historical four and a half stars. I recommend it.
I received this book from the Unlimited Kindle program. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
Texas my Texas
Set in 1841. Two babies to care for, Gabrielle and Izzy are the young mothers. Both are single mothers. Gabrielle’s baby father is Junior, he is gone from home. She desperately wants him to return. Monroe and Thomas comes along, they want to marry Gabrielle and Izzy. Read and see what happens from there.
There is a lot of characters in the book. I did have problem with keeping up with them all but good memory exercise. My favorite character was Thomas. He was so patient with Gabrielle. He would love to have Gabrielle as his wife but will she accept?
I received an complementary copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write an positive review. This is my own opinion.
Now that the clan of families has arrived in Texas, the work to make the land their own begins. The seeds from Tennessee are planted as soon as the ground is cleared bringing forth tiny shoots of green and joy to the farmers. What a great deal of work, but so worth it in the end. With marriages, babies and new families a tiny community is born, bringing with it many dreams. Is it possible that with learning to lean on the Lord those dreams will finally overshadow the hurts of the past? This continuing saga is a most enjoyable way to learn more about the settling of Texas.
I received this ARC through CelebrateLit. All impressions and opinions are my own.
I was hooked in the first book, Gone to Texas, so I couldn’t wait to read the second book in the series. The trials and triumphs of the O’Neal, Worley, Van Zandt and Harrell families will keep you riveted until the very end. Now, I’m just hoping for another book in this series!
A Christian historcal fiction story about some families and their struggles as they settle in Texas. Somewhat complex but definitely interesting. Well written tale with great characters and interactions.
3/3.5 stars.
To be honest I’m not a huge fan of historical because it can be hard at times to understand the language like with this. The story itself was nice and I enjoyed the faith based part to it as well but it was hard to get into and with so many characters it took a while to sort out who was who.
This is a lovely family saga, with romance, drama, disagreements and friendship running throughout. The family dynamics are relatable and it is totally believable that those loving ties are the strongest bond there is. The characters are endearing and you feel a connection to them all, no matter what they are going through. The state of Texas is a beautiful backdrop to the story and there are fascinating titbits about the history that have inspired me to learn more.
It was also lovely to read the Christian messages of love, faith and forgiveness, a gentle reminder of these is always welcome.
Caryl McAdoo is new to me and I truly loved her way of bringing Christianity into it without pushing it on you.
In this book there are scenes that are unexpected where others they relied on their faith to get by.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read and look forward to reading all of Ms. McAdoo work.
I highly recommend this book.
this was a really great book! there are people who are just trying to get by and live to see another day. they all deal with love hate and revenge. read to find out what happens.
I have really enjoyed these books, I have followed the families on their journey and it has been page turning..
This is the first family saga series I have read and I like filling the characters from Gone to Texas. This story is not a stand alone if you want the background stories and to know the characters. It is an interesting clean story that follows a family through their trials and their faith in Christ.
Texas my Texas picks up right where Gone to Texas ended. This story is a real page turner! There is plenty of suspense, getting upset and learning the truth. There is also an abundance of how the Lord is there for you if only you will put your will aside and follow His word! 5 stars but really wish I could give it at least 10!
This pre-Civil War story contains a family which includes children of both parents from previous marriages and freed slaves who function as syblyings in the home . There are some very adult themes which weave the two daughters together as they struggle with life.
Caryl McAdoo’s newest novel, Texas My Texas, is set in one of my favorite states (I lived there longer than most places, and I love and miss it!).
Texas My Texas is also book two in the Cross Timbers Romance Family Saga, where we meet up again with the Harrell, Worley, Van Zandt and O’Neal families along with several other families. Because there are so many characters in the story (in fact, they refer to themselves as a clan), I feel it would be extremely helpful to first read book one, Gone to Texas.
Texas My Texas picks up with the “clan’s” life after they moved to Texas. The story focuses mainly on Gabrielle “Gabby” and Isabel “Izzy” Harrell. Gabrielle is the daughter of “Pap” and Isabel was his slave. She took on his last name when he freed her. Both girls, however, have something else in common-they both have a child fathered by “Junior.”
Gabrielle thought Junior loved her, and as a result, became pregnant. I had a very difficult time with Gabby. She was petty, whiny, self-centered and cared so very little for her child as to be reprehensible. Plus, all the excuses she made for Junior and her daydreams of life with him were indefensible.
Izzy became pregnant against her will when Junior forced himself on her. However, Izzy kept an upbeat, optimistic and cheerful attitude, in addition to being a great parent to both her and Gabby’s babies.
Overall, I enjoyed catching up with the clan and seeing how obstacles and heartaches were overcome. McAdoo’s writing is replete with her love for God and her fellow readers, in that she points the way to Christ and the paths to follow Him throughout her stories.
I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. However, I was under no obligation to post a review.
This delightful, faith-filled novel is 2nd in Caryl McAdoo’s Cross Timbers Romance Family Saga series. It embodies the faith and heart of 1840’s Texas and the independent, hard-working families who moved there. I enjoyed the history, the characters, and the intriguing plot.
The group of families often referred to as the clan includes the Harrell’s, Van Zandt’s, Worley’s, and O’Neal’s. Gabrielle Harrell, Corbin’s daughter, and Isabel Harrell, a former slave who took the Harrell family name when Corbin freed her, and the men they love are the focus of this drama. Each has a son who share the same father, Gabrielle’s first love and Isabel’s tormenter. Gabrielle could not let go of her love for Junior, sinking into despair of not knowing where he is.
Thomas Baldwin owns the neighboring property with his sisters; he and his friend Monroe Humble recently returned from a trip. Monroe, a Louisiana Creole, and Isabel hit it off quickly. Thomas begins to watch Gabrielle, but she has no interest in anyone except Junior. They help the clan plant their 72 acres of cotton before getting their own completed. Isabel works hard and quickly, whether helping with the planting or harvesting of the crop or household chores. Gabrielle’s work ethic tends to match her enthusiasm for the job; she only really enjoys designing and sewing clothing.
Monroe brought a milk cow for Isabel and Gabrielle’s sons while on a trip, and a beautiful engagement ring for Isabel. Soon afterwards, Junior’s slave Buckshot comes to their property with Junior out cold, supposedly seriously stabbed and injured by someone whose chickens he attempted to take so they wouldn’t go hungry. Gabrielle is happy again, especially when she, Junior, and Buckshot make plans to leave together. She refuses to accept that Junior doesn’t love her or their son. She also refuses to even consider that Thomas, a good man, is worth far more than a dozen Juniors.
The characters are very well defined, particularly those on whom the novel focuses. Isabel is a lovely young woman who did not let being a slave embitter her; she is happy as a member of the Harrell family. Gabrielle has many traits that I didn’t like, probably because I have seen a few in myself. I like Liberty, Corbin’s wife and Gabrielle’s stepmother, best. She has lived through good times and lean, and is an amazing woman of God, a true inspiration. They are such extreme opposites, yet they love each other dearly. Corbin stopped drinking before the families moved to Texas, which was no small feat nearly two centuries ago. These are families of faith, grit, and determination!
As historical fiction, I learned more a little about Texas and could see the results of slavery before the Civil War. I could see the respect the family members had for each other, and the love in their midst. Faith in God and being people of prayer are beautifully demonstrated. This saga drew me in from the first chapter and held my attention throughout. As second in the series, it is possible to read it as a standalone, but the experience might be much richer to read the first in series before this. For me, at least, it took a while to understand the various family relationships. With that exception, I was more than satisfied with the characters, plot twists, Christian values, and history, and highly recommend it!
From a grateful heart: I received an e-Arc of this novel from CelebrateLit Publishing, and this is my honest review.
Texas My Texas takes us back into the family saga and on to the settling of their new unsettled Texas homestead. It focuses on a young lady, Gabrielle, who I had a hard time liking. She had an attitude that just made me keep thinking.. grow up already! There was plenty of action and between Gabrielle’s story and all the interesting characters, I found it to be a wonderful and interesting journey.
I was gifted a copy, no review was required. My review is voluntary..
I loved this second book in the Cross Timbers Family Saga. This book was full of drama and adventure. Everything you would expect from a book about settlers in a new country called Texas. I loved watching the characters grow and mature. Gabrielle and Alicia, especially, seemed to change from selfish little girls into grown women. I loved how the group continued to support each other even as they grew in number. I have said before that Mrs. McAdoo is a great story teller and this is another great story.