Texas Bluff [Large Print] [Mass Market Paperback]

Becky has been keeping a secret for years. Behind her sweet, nice demeanor she has been dying inside since Luke Chisum has come back to their hometown of River Bluff, Texas. She is afraid Luke will find out that years ago he fathered a child and she has raised him as another man's son. Becky is the nicest nurse around, will help anyone with anything even the family of the man who broke her heart before he left town for good.

Luke Chisum was just as heartbroken when Becky found out about a bet and ended their relationship. She thought she was a joke to him, but he loved her more than life. He left town to heal, and became career military to block the pain. Sixteen years later he has to return home and his heart still wants the girl he once knew.

TEXAS BLUFF is an extremely well written tale that will keep readers sighing for more. As parents know they will do anything to protect their young - and the parents in this story have done their best, yet heartache is about to come to the surface. The emotional ups and downs of this story will make every reader come back for more.

Linda Warren has a writing style that just gets better with time. Ms. Warren is a talented author who just keeps getting better! The tight knit story line, combined with the creative pictures Ms. Warren has written, give this book a dimension that will make readers feel right at home in River Bluff, as though they can look out their window and see the clinic where Becky works! After more than twenty published novels, this author's writing is still fresh, her creative plots flow from one scene to another drawing the reader in.

This is an author to be watched! Her next novel, due out this spring ALWAYS A MOTHER is sure to be a keeper!

Review Courtesy of Love Romances and More.

Becky falls for the sexy cowboy named Luke on their first date. She thought he felt the same for her, until she hears that their date is nothing but a dare. She ends their relationship and her daddy gives Luke his first taste of hell. Luke enlists in the army, leaving River Bluff.

Years pass and Luke returns home from injuries sustained during combat. He is no longer the reckless teenager but is still devilishly handsome. He finds things have changed except for Becky who is still as beautiful and sassy as ever. She never left River Bluff. She works as a nurse at the high school and helps out at the clinic. She is always there when someone needs her.

Luke and Becky's unresolved issues with their past keep them from going forward. Living in the same town puts them together too often for Becky's comfort. Becky's first marriage ended in divorce. Now she lives with her father. Bravely she tries to take care of her wayward son who is at the age where he needs money to buy a car.

Luke has his own problems with his family. His older brother resents him, his father is recovering from a stroke, and his mother relies heavily on Becky to get through the hard times. Wherever Luke travels, Becky is either there or on her way to help someone in trouble. He just can't avoid her no matter how hard he tries.

Becky has her own troubles. The fact that her son doesn't want to be around the man who is his father should be a good sign, but it isn't. She also has a secret. She knows that she needs to keep it quiet, but doing so makes her feel guilty. When it leaks out it will change their lives forever. She isn't the only one with a secret. Luke's family has one of their own. Will the news blow Luke's life apart in ways that were untouched when he was fighting the war or can he survive?

TEXAS BLUFF is a riveting novel by Linda Warren. The story is skillfully written with characters that are true to life. In this story, Linda relates to issues found in many homes today, where family members come home to take care for their aging parents. In this tale, she gives insight on how Luke handles and helps his father's recovery along with Becky's help. Becky is a gutsy woman who takes life by the horns and meets it. Luke's training in the army helps him to handle most circumstances without flinching. Both traits will see these two to the end. Will they get together, or will their deceit destroy them? Run to your nearest store and pick up a copy of Linda's book. No bluffing, this is an excellent read!

Reviewed by Amelia at Romance Junkies

Luke Chisum has spent a good chunk of his life running from the past. Luke was adopted as a infant and though his parents have always loved him it seems as though his older brother hates the fact he is part of the family. When he was a senior in high school, he dated Becky (Bec), the sheriff's daughter on a dare. The first date was a dare but all the subsequent dates were because he fell in love with her. The only problem was that he never told her about the dare. When she found out, she refused to talk to him anymore and started to date someone else. Luke was devastated and joined the Army and left town.

Now sixteen years later, he is back. He's home to help out his mother after his father has a stroke, and to work on the family farm. He has never gotten Bec out of his system and would love to pick up with her. But she is a divorced woman now and has a son in high school.

Bec is scared that Luke will learn her secret. But a couple of shocking family revelations will stun not only Luc but all in town. What will happen when Bec reveals her secret on top of all of this? Will they all have enough love to survive the issues?

In this final chapter with the friends of River Bluff, we meet Bec and Luke who have quite the past together. I enjoyed Texas Bluff, though I had not read any of the other books in this series. I must say Ms. Warren did a great job in throwing in a number of unforeseen connections. I think that Ms. Warren has definitely found the genre that she thrives in and adds a new twist to a popular genre. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and wish there was another in the series to visit the area again. If you enjoy Texas romances, you will like Texas Bluff.

Tanya
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed