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Book Review of One Texas Night: Amarillo by Morning / Silent Partner / The Outlaw / The Ranger's Angel

One Texas Night: Amarillo by Morning / Silent Partner / The Outlaw / The Ranger's Angel
jjares avatar reviewed on + 3413 more book reviews


Of the four stories included, Id only read one before: THE OUTLAW. Probably the main disappointment of this collection is that each story has been taken from an anthology/omnibus from recent years: 2008, 2009. 2010, 2011. There ARE short stories from earlier Thomas collections that are much harder-to-find; it would have been great to see some of her 1990s work.


One thing I do enjoy about this collection is that each is written by Jodi Thomas. In some anthologies, the writing skills that each writer brings to bear can be very uneven.

AMARILLO BY MORNING - The clever way Ms. Thomas slid this very famous song line in was a hoot. Hank goes to town to sell some cattle and finds a wife along the way back.

SILENT PARTNER - Rowdy Darnell is trouble; hes just finished a 5-year stint in prison. He has $12 in his pocket and no prospects. Laurel Hayes has been living in another kind of prison gilded to be sure put she is a prisoner at home and her fathers bookkeeper. She wants out.

Laurel decides to bank Rowdy to the only money she has so he can win the rodeo and they can split the money and cattle.

THE OUTLAW - Cozette Camanez is a world-class liar. She has promised her wealthy father, who is dying of consumption, that her intended is on his way to marry her. To make sure she marries, he gives the rancho (in his will) to her husband as soon as they marry.

The problem is that Cozette is missing the groom for this lovely plan. Her ruthless Uncle Raymond is waiting for her to fail hes the alternate heir.

THE RANGER'S ANGEL - The Texas Ranger Wynn McCord, has been following the trail of some cutthroats and Randfolph Thorn. He comes across a stagecoach stopped at a station, containing a single woman and several men.

Annalane Barkley has spent most of her adult life in military hospitals and on battlefields during the Civil War. She doesnt take guff! McCord knows the way station is about to be attacked and should go for help; Annalane talks him into letting her accompany him.

Overall: 4.5 stars



Give Me a Texan: Linda L. Broday, Dewanna Pace, Phyliss Miranda, and Jodi Thomas Amarillo by Morning
Give Me a Cowboy: Linda L. Broday, Jodi Thomas, and Dewanna Pace Silent Partner
Give Me a Texas Outlaw: Jodi Thomas, Linda L. Broday, and Phyliss Miranda The Outlaw
Give Me A Texas Ranger: Jodi Thomas, Linda L. Broday, and Dewanna Pace The Rangers Angel