There were a lot of people milling about, and at times Austin and Loree got a little lost in the shuffle. While I enjoyed seeing them again, their presence was a little overwhelming during the second half of the book. Both Houston and Amelia (from Texas Destiny) and Dallas and Dee (from Texas Glory) were very much in evidence. The secondary characters were strong also. Loree was great as well – she had a lot of secrets, and it took a long time to figure them out. He worked for Dallas, but his true passion had always been music. And while he falls for Loree, he was also trying to figure out what he wanted to do with his life. Austin was an especially complex hero he had a lot of bad luck, but it didn’t stop him from being honorable. Both the hero and heroine were wonderfully portrayed, and they seemed very real, particularly in the beginning of the book. Lorraine Heath’s strong point has always been characterization, and Texas Splendor is no exception. There are also the matters of Boyd’s unsolved murder and Loree’s mysterious past. Loree is sure Austin still loves Becky, and Austin doesn’t know how to win her trust. Austin marries her and takes her back to Leighton, where his brothers live.Īustin and Loree come to care for one another, but there are still problems. An emotional moment has them sleeping together, and Loree discovers she is pregnant. She is lonely, and although she doesn’t feel worthy of Austin’s affection, he seems like an answer to a prayer. She has lived alone since the rest of her family was murdered, and she still has horrible dreams about the night they were killed. Austin stops for a meal, then stays for a while when an injury starts bothering him. On his way, however, he gets sidetracked at the home of Loree Grant. Since he is grieving for his lost relationship, Austin decides to leave town and search for Boyd’s real killer. He is crushed when he discovers that Becky has married his best friend Cameron instead. Only one thing kept him going: the knowledge that when he got out, his sweetheart, Becky Oliver, would be waiting for him. It is still a good read, and a fitting end to a great trilogy.Īustin Leigh has just spent five years in prison for murdering Boyd McQueen – a crime he didn’t commit. Toward the end, it loses its way – a little. The characters are terrific, the conflict is interesting, and the sexual tension abounds. Texas Splendor starts out like an “A” book.

Texas Splendor by Lorraine Heath