Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Reviews of The Texan's Wager (Wife Lottery, Bk 1)

The Texan's Wager (Wife Lottery, Bk 1)
The Texan's Wager - Wife Lottery, Bk 1
Author: Jodi Thomas
ISBN-13: 9780739429501
ISBN-10: 0739429507
Publication Date: 1/1/2002
Pages: 329
Rating:
  • Currently 4.3/5 Stars.
 23

4.3 stars, based on 23 ratings
Publisher: Jove
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

28 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed The Texan's Wager (Wife Lottery, Bk 1) on + 112 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
A sweet historical romance novel, the 1st in a series of 3 books.I enjoyed the characters and laughed out loud a few times at the antics of characters or the funny one-liners they said.A very enjoyable read.
reviewed The Texan's Wager (Wife Lottery, Bk 1) on + 541 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
Well written story about three young women thrown off a wagon train halfway between Ft Dodge and nowhere. They land in the tiny town of Cedar Point and confess to the murder of a notorious mountain man in self defense. The sheriff locks them up and decides to raffle each of them off, with the husband-to-be responsible for their fines, even tho no body is ever found.
This is the story of the oldest, 25 yr. old Bailee Moore and how she fares as the last chosen of the "Wife Lottery".
reviewed The Texan's Wager (Wife Lottery, Bk 1) on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
This is a great novel. It's the first in the trilogy but you don't have to read them in order. I actually read A Texan's Luck first (after the author herself talked me into it). I read The Texan's Wager second. I can't wait to read the final book in the trilogy.
FriscoOBX avatar reviewed The Texan's Wager (Wife Lottery, Bk 1) on + 601 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
cute story with likable characters. Worth the read. But then again, the majority of Jodi Thomas's books are worth the read.
reviewed The Texan's Wager (Wife Lottery, Bk 1) on + 34 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
The first novel in the Texas Trilogy. I enjoyed it. A good book
reviewed The Texan's Wager (Wife Lottery, Bk 1) on + 51 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Jodi Thomas tries to keep her books historically accurate, but with a light hand.
reviewed The Texan's Wager (Wife Lottery, Bk 1) on + 44 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
You can always depend on Jodi Thomas for a good book. this is the first book in a trilogy.
reviewed The Texan's Wager (Wife Lottery, Bk 1) on + 22 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
love this book
reviewed The Texan's Wager (Wife Lottery, Bk 1) on + 60 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I have never read a Jodi Thomas book I haven't loved - this one is no exception. Hard to put down!
reviewed The Texan's Wager (Wife Lottery, Bk 1) on + 8 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I LOVE Jodi Thomas. Keeps my attention.
reviewed The Texan's Wager (Wife Lottery, Bk 1) on + 271 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A Very good read. The Hero in this story is very different.
reviewed The Texan's Wager (Wife Lottery, Bk 1) on + 34 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Thrown off a wagon train with two other women and trying to avoid jail for a murder they committed, Bailee Moore agrees to enter a "Wife Lottery" a ploy concocted by the Cedar Point Sheriff to secure wives for the men of a small Texas Town. For the sensible Baile, however, marying Carter Mckoy is like exchanging one life sentence for another, especially since her new husband hasn't even uttered a single word in her presence. But still, she can't help thinking that something about this strong, silent farmer could be the key to leaving her troubled past behind--and making a worthy wager with her heart.
pinkscoobyjp avatar reviewed The Texan's Wager (Wife Lottery, Bk 1) on + 67 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This was my first Jodi Thomas book and I really enjoyed the story. The characters are well developed and you can really feel their chemistry. There is only one sex scene, but you can feel the sexual tension between the two characters throughout the book. A good, quick read.
reviewed The Texan's Wager (Wife Lottery, Bk 1) on
Helpful Score: 1
The two major characters in this story are made for each other. There's a reason the Midwest Book Review calls her "The Queen of Texas Romances". If you like Texas historical romance novels you'll appreciate this novel and if you love strong silent men you'll love this novel. I like all of Ms. Thomas's novels because her stories seem very genuine. This is one of my favorites.
reviewed The Texan's Wager (Wife Lottery, Bk 1) on + 76 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this book. Not usually my type of book but thought I would give it a try and it kept me hooked. Very endearing, quick read. Liked it so much I ordered the other 3 in the series.
Grnemae avatar reviewed The Texan's Wager (Wife Lottery, Bk 1) on + 451 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Loved this book which is the first of a series. The characters are wonderfully developed. The story captured my interest immediately and I just wanted to do nothing but read until I was finished. Each book in the series stands alone but if possible read all 4 books as characters from each book are common throughout.
reviewed The Texan's Wager (Wife Lottery, Bk 1) on + 29 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed this book very much.
reviewed The Texan's Wager (Wife Lottery, Bk 1) on + 4 more book reviews
This is the first of Jodi Thomas' books that I have read, and I have to say I love the way she writes, and I love the time period she writes. I can't wait to read antoher one. It is hard to find a romance book that isn't smut and Ms. Thomas writes a very romantic story without it being smutty.
jjares avatar reviewed The Texan's Wager (Wife Lottery, Bk 1) on + 3413 more book reviews
How would you like to find yourself married to a man who did not talk? He did not speak by choice; his vocal cords were fine. This is the situation that Bailee Moore finds herself in as the opening book of the Wife Lottery series begins.

Three young women are cut from the last wagon train of the season when one nearly dies of the fever and the 2 other women try to care for her. Abandoned with no weapons, the 3 ladies are accosted by a man who decides to steal their wagon, oxen and one of the women! After out-maneuvering the thief, they take turns beating the man with a board -- then realize they have killed him.

As soon as they get to a town, they surrender to the sheriff. They feel they acted in self-defense; the lawman sees things differently. Soon, they are costing the town lots of money (food, guard expenses, etc.) that it doesnt have; the sheriff thinks of an ingenious plan.

The women have no money and no means of support; however the area has a serious imbalance between marriageable ladies and men. He decides to let the ladies draw a mans name and let him pay her fine. Thus, the man gets a wife and the woman gets a home and the town erases its debt.

Bailees draw is a recluse with many secrets. Thomas feeds the reader Carter McKoys secrets a teaspoon full at a time. This makes for a page-turner with great charm. The reader cares about the struggles this couple has adjusting to marriage and the circumstances that change around them. A great story!

JODI THOMAS Wife Lottery Series:
1) The Texans Wager
2) When a Texan Gambles
3) A Texans Luck
4) The Texans Reward
reviewed The Texan's Wager (Wife Lottery, Bk 1) on + 12 more book reviews
If you enjoy Texas romances you'll enjoy this one.
tam68 avatar reviewed The Texan's Wager (Wife Lottery, Bk 1) on + 32 more book reviews
Great story by Jodi Thomas! This book is listed as paperback but is a hardback.
reviewed The Texan's Wager (Wife Lottery, Bk 1) on + 64 more book reviews
Harlequin Romance
reviewed The Texan's Wager (Wife Lottery, Bk 1) on + 18 more book reviews
Excellent book, one of my alltime faves. This one introduced to me to Jodi Thomas' writing. I am now hooked on her writing.
reviewed The Texan's Wager (Wife Lottery, Bk 1) on + 28 more book reviews
This is a really good book.
mamadoodle avatar reviewed The Texan's Wager (Wife Lottery, Bk 1) on + 1105 more book reviews
Loved it! Terrific western romance.
reviewed The Texan's Wager (Wife Lottery, Bk 1) on + 97 more book reviews
First of a trilogy about three young women alone in the 1880s in Texas.
reviewed The Texan's Wager (Wife Lottery, Bk 1) on + 373 more book reviews
Thrown off a wagon train with two other women and trying to avoid jail for a murder they committed, Bailee Moore agrees to enter a "Wife Lottery"-a ploy concocted by the Cedar Point sheriff to secure wives for the men in the small Texas town. For the sensible Bailee, however, marrying Carter McKoy is like exchanging one life sentence for another-especially since her new husband hasn't even uttered a single word in her presence. But still, she cna't help thinking that something about this strong, silent farmer could be the key to leaving her troubled past behind...and making a worthy wager with her heart.
reviewed The Texan's Wager (Wife Lottery, Bk 1) on + 331 more book reviews
Thrown off a wagon train with 2 other women and trying to avoid jail for a murder they committed, Bailee Moore agrees to enter a wife lottery. But her new husband is a strong silent farmer that could be the key to leaving her troubled past behind.