Behold how good and pleasant it is to dwell together in unity.In Book One of the Thanksgiving Books & Blessings Collection Two, just as Mexico and the United States both wanted the Republic of Texas, best friends Charity and Arlene want the same man! Which will the Texicans choose? Who will the man? Will Eberhart de Vechhi, the object of the young ladies’ desires, follow his heart or his … or his mother’s advice? And what of the interloper from New Orleans who knows exactly whom he loves? Can a Christian find happiness with a non-believer? Only the Lord knows the future, but He does give the desires of the heart to those who delight in Him.
TEXAS TEARS is also Book Three in McAdoo’s Cross Timbers Romance Family Saga series after GONE TO TEXAS and TEXAS MY TEXAS!
The other books in the Thanksgiving Books and Blessings are:
MAIL-ORDER MISFIRE Book Two by Davalynn
THANKFUL FOR THE COWBOY Book Three by Mary Connealy
BLIZZARDS & BLESSINGS Book Four by Samantha Bayarr
SPRING OF THANKSGIVING Book Five by Liz Tolsma
THESE GREAT GIFTS Book Six by Allison Pittman
more
What I think you should know:
Texas Tears is the third book in the Cross Timbers Romances Family Saga. It is also the first in Thanksgiving Books and Blessing Collection. While this book can be read without reading the prior books the story does reveal things that have happened in the prior books. The book is set in the Republic of Texas in 1845 as Texas is voting on staying an independent nation or joining the United States.
What I enjoyed about this book:
Seventeen year olds Arlene and Charity has been raised as best friends, almost family, however when a handsome young man rides into town and both are smitten with him all bets are off. Caryl McAdoo, the author does a great job of portraying the emotions of teenage girls. The book and the interactions in the book were very realistic, and while I can’t say many things without giving away parts of the book I found myself rooting for some of the characters’ growth and maturity I also wanted more for one character. McAdoo has once again written a great book in a series that I can’t wait to finish, but leaves me longing for more when it is done.
Who will enjoy this book ( just to name a few):
Fans of Historical Fiction
Fans of Western Fiction
Fans of Christian Fiction
Fans of Romance
I received a complimentary copy for this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
Welcome to the great adventure in Texas where we meet characters who are written with compassion, depth and realistically. I had no trouble picturing myself back in the late 1840’s. It was a time when Texas was fighting for independence and the towns were waiting to see what the vote would be. I loved the history in this story and how accurate it is. It is easy to recognize landmarks and towns because of the detailed description. You could sense the tension among the townspeople as they anxiously hoped for good news. Oh how exciting it would be to be among the people and experience such an historical event that changed lives and helped Texas become an important part in our country’s heritage.
Charity O’Neal and Arlene Van Zandt are two young ladies who make the story intriguing and fun to read. Charity is sassy and quite prideful at times. Arlene is humble and has a dream to be an author. They are very close and always do things together. What a shame they let a man come between them. It was fun to read how these two women were smitten with the same man. I wonder who Hart will pick to be his wife? I am amazed that Hart was willing to let his mother decide who he should marry. Really? Hart please follow your heart and don’t let your mother influence you.
I can’t forget to mention a very important character. Landry is a man who is compassionate and has set his eyes on a certain young woman. He is hardworking and a joy to be around. He has set his eyes on someone who is struggling with their feelings. He questions if God is real and his doubts could push the woman he loves away. Reading how a character doubts God’s existence is powerful and I loved the journey the character took to finding out how much they were loved by God. I love watching someone come to Christ and seeing their big smile as they feel His presence. It gives me chills as I remember the day I gave my life to Christ.
What I really enjoyed about this story was the wonderful biblical stories the author uses to illustrate how Jesus sees people. One of my favorite stories is about the woman who everyone was ready to throw stones at. Jesus told them, “Ye without sin cast the first stone.” Oh I rejoice every time because we all have sinned. It is not our place to judge and the author reminds us of that with a beautiful woman from the Bible.
Some of the sayings the authors uses such as, “Seeing you this morning is like iced water on a hot day, with sugar and lemon….and a hint of mint, ” is brilliant writing and fits perfectly in this time period. I will not divulge who ends up with who because it would spoil the entire story. I will say once again the author has written a story that is filled with wonderful references to scripture and helps me grow closer in my walk with God. The author illustrates about being unequally yoked, pride, jealousy and unconditional love.
Thank you for a story that spans the history pages as it highlights Texas. The characters are easy to relate to and along the way readers get a glimpse of God’s love.. One of the best lines in the book says, ” Sitting in a church doesn’t mean a person has a relationship with God.” That one statement has such power and I like how the author demonstrated how that statement will show the real character in people of this story. Tears are shed throughout the story and hearts are healed. Let the tears fall as you read a story that touches your soul and reaffirms the undeniable love that God has for us.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Texas Tears is the second book in the Thanksgiving Books and Blessings Series featuring multiple authors. It is written by award winning, best selling author Caryl McAdoo. In this Christian Historical Western Romance, she again delivers a page turning novel.
In this story we meet Charity and Arlene, best friends. They both are interested in “Hart” Eberhart. Hart has an interfering mother. She tries to sway him in his decision about the girls. They begin the book a bit immature and bratty, but they are still sweet. There is also Landry from Louisiana as well as a cast of parents.
All of the characters are unique, well rounded, and realistic. Author McAdoo has a way of bringing her people to life on the pages. They become friends. I wanted to have a chat with the girls and their parents. Even Hart was someone with whom I wanted to have a conversation.
There are lovely inspirational messages in this novel. That is one of my favorite things about McAdoo’s writing. She writes to bring glory to God and to inspire her readers. Messages of trusting the future to God, forgiveness, redemption, respecting parents, living in unity and peace, and being unequally yoked are just a few packed into this delightful Christian sweet romance.
It did take me a few pages to get invested in this story. If you find that you start reading it and aren’t quite interested, please keep reading. It turns into a fascinating story that you will not want to put down.
I highly recommend this book. It is appropriate for teenagers and adults. Everyone will enjoy it and glean inspiration from the messages it holds. Caryl McAdoo is an exceptionally gifted writer, and this book is another great labor of love. It gets a 5 out of 5 stars from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but this is my honest opinion.