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165th out of 308 books
—
223 voters
A Texan's Promise (Heart of a Hero #1)
by
Shelley Gray
Past promises will be tested as new ones are given...
When Clayton Proffitt, foreman of the Circle Z Ranch in Texas, discovers Vanessa Grant crying in the barn late one night, he first thinks she’s gotten herself into another scrape. But when he spies the marks on her back and hears about her stepfather’s advances, Clayton knows he must spirit Vanessa away to safety.
As the...more
When Clayton Proffitt, foreman of the Circle Z Ranch in Texas, discovers Vanessa Grant crying in the barn late one night, he first thinks she’s gotten herself into another scrape. But when he spies the marks on her back and hears about her stepfather’s advances, Clayton knows he must spirit Vanessa away to safety.
As the...more
Paperback, 350 pages
Published
October 1st 2011
by Abingdon Press
(first published January 1st 2011)
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When Clayton finds Vanessa crying one night, he begins to console her only to find out that Vanessa's stepfather took liberties with her that were not his to take. Clayton packs her things and they head west. Along the way though, they quickly discover that there's more between them than friendship. But, with her stepfather on their tail, the elements of nature, and heading through Indian territory, their trek is far from easy. Will Clayton be able to keep his promise to Vanessa's father and kee...more
An interesting exercise in Christian fiction. Gray captured some of the grit of the post-Civil War east and wove in Christian themes and values. A good early effort, but needed editing. "…when Clay's patience was at its wit's end." Checking a regional map and a western history would have eliminated many gaffs.
While this was not historical fiction per se by identifying the time and setting: west Texas in 1873, Gray assumed the burden of some semblance of accuracy. Instead, her heroes ride to Lubb...more
While this was not historical fiction per se by identifying the time and setting: west Texas in 1873, Gray assumed the burden of some semblance of accuracy. Instead, her heroes ride to Lubb...more
Vanessa Grant is crying her heart out in the barn when Clayton Proffitt, the foreman of the Circle Z Ranch finds her on his way to his private quarters. He gets the story out that Vanessa's stepfather tried to get pervy with her, but she fought and he beat her up.
Clayton convinces Van to run away from the Ranch in Texas and start a new life. Straight off I could smell the Christian themes laid heavy in the story and Clayton's thoughts.
My favorite christian romance is Love Comes Softly. So don't...more
Clayton convinces Van to run away from the Ranch in Texas and start a new life. Straight off I could smell the Christian themes laid heavy in the story and Clayton's thoughts.
My favorite christian romance is Love Comes Softly. So don't...more
Historical Western Romance is my favorite genre, and the American Old West is the perfect setting for stories of faith. Those were exciting, but uncertain, times. The element of lawlessness and those who tried to control it often became quickly involved in abruptly brutal conflicts. Love and life could be found and lost in the space of a heartbeat. Women had to be strong in mind and body, with an even stronger faith. "A Texan's Promise", by Shelley Gray, is a story of loss and redemption, but it...more
Apr 03, 2012
Germaine
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Only to someone who was really desperate for something to read.
Once again I was seduced by the glowing five star reviews. This book had potential -- an abused heroine, the Confederate veteran who rescues her, his not-so-forgotten past, the evil stepfather, an inheritance. This could have been a powerful story, but most of it is told in long, turgid passages describing what the characters think. At least fifty percent of these "thoughts" could be deleted and we'd be left with an interesting novella.
The secondary characters are poorly developed and interchang...more
The secondary characters are poorly developed and interchang...more
I love to read about the past era'S when the west was wild and the only way to get around was on horse back or stage coach. I think I should of lived in that era, I would of loved it! Anyway....This book tells a wonderful story about a soldier Clayton who had lives thru the the war between the north and south as so many of his friends did not. After the war, he really doesn't know where to go or what to do. He wanders around for a while until he comes upon the circle Z ranch. There, he found a f...more
I picked this book up on my kindle because the download was free. It was quickly evident that this was, perhaps, a self-published endeavor. It read like a first draft and there were many, many formatting errors. I thought this novel had a nice steady plot that would be enhanced by some expert editing, but I was shocked when I got to the end and discovered that this was a traditionally published book put out by Abingdon Press. Shame on their editing department.
Shelley Gray writes from a gentle Ch...more
Shelley Gray writes from a gentle Ch...more
Vanessa carries feelings for Clayton Proffitt deep within her heart. The patience of Clayton knows no limits as he honors the vow he made with Vanessa's father long ago. Price Venture, stepfather to Vanessa and her brother Miles, whose violence extends far beyond his words, his anger and hatred causing more harm and scars for Vanessa. When Clayton finds Vanessa crying in the barn one night a plan is devised to get her as far away from Circle Z and Price as they can so he can no longer hurt her....more
Well I'm sure glad I didn't give up on cowboys after all my swooning over a Scottish hero with a brogue last week!!!! Because Clayton is the epitome of perfection right down to his exasperating hard-headedness. And he wouldn't be much of a cowboy without that mile-wide stubborn streak, would he? Luckily it's off-set by copious amounts of tenderness and the endearing quality of addressing Vanessa as sweetheart and sugar and darlin'...(and just so you know, a shiver goes up my spine when a cowboy...more
The story of Vanessa and Clayton jumps straight into the action, with the ranch foreman finding the family's daughter (whom he's watched grow up into a woman) in the barn crying.
After finding out her step father attacked her they pack their things and set out to get away from him. But Vanessa lies about exactly how far the attack went.
The danger wasn't benign, as happens sometimes in stories that deal with sensitive topics. It was a realistic instance of a young woman helpless (her mother and b...more
After finding out her step father attacked her they pack their things and set out to get away from him. But Vanessa lies about exactly how far the attack went.
The danger wasn't benign, as happens sometimes in stories that deal with sensitive topics. It was a realistic instance of a young woman helpless (her mother and b...more
"Vanessa, honey, why you crying?"
Clayton! He stood in the doorway to the stables, his presence both a soothing balm and a source of panic.
Vanessa gingerly leaned back against the wood behind her, willed herself to relax, but it was no good. It was going to be some time before she could calm down again. "I'm sorry I woke you."
"You didn't." His eyes narrowed as he stepped closer. "It's midnight. Isn't it awfully late for you to be out of bed?"
Yes. Yes, it was. It was too late for a lot of things n...more
Clayton! He stood in the doorway to the stables, his presence both a soothing balm and a source of panic.
Vanessa gingerly leaned back against the wood behind her, willed herself to relax, but it was no good. It was going to be some time before she could calm down again. "I'm sorry I woke you."
"You didn't." His eyes narrowed as he stepped closer. "It's midnight. Isn't it awfully late for you to be out of bed?"
Yes. Yes, it was. It was too late for a lot of things n...more
A Texan's Promise by Shelley Gray is a historical Christian romance. It is the first book in The Heart of a Hero Series and is due to be released October 1 2011. One night Clayton Proffitt, trusted foreman of the Circle Z Ranch in Texas, finds Vanessa Grant crying outside his room. He knew things were far from all right. When Clay discovers that Vanessa was attacked and beaten by her callous stepfather, Price Venture, he realizes that the only way to protect Vanessa is to get her far away from P...more
5 STARS
I enjoyed reading a Texan Promise. It was romance, western, & Christian book all in one. It dealed with everyday problems that unfortunately happen all too often.
Clayton has been the forman on the circle Z ranch for the past 6 years. He found Vanessa in the barn in a stall crying and upset. Finally he noticed the bruise on her face and her dress torn and three big Whip marks on her back. Her stepfather Price had whipped her and hit her because she did not want him in her room. He rape...more
I enjoyed reading a Texan Promise. It was romance, western, & Christian book all in one. It dealed with everyday problems that unfortunately happen all too often.
Clayton has been the forman on the circle Z ranch for the past 6 years. He found Vanessa in the barn in a stall crying and upset. Finally he noticed the bruise on her face and her dress torn and three big Whip marks on her back. Her stepfather Price had whipped her and hit her because she did not want him in her room. He rape...more
A Texan's Promise is the first book in the new Heart of a Hero series by Shelley Gray. I have grown accustomed to her novels with Amish settings and was intrigued to find this one to be a historical western. I found A Texan's Promise to be every bit as well written and attention holding as any of Gray's other novels.
When ranch foreman Clay finds the daughter of the late ranch owner crying in the barn, he discovers that she has been badly beaten by her new stepfather. Remembering his promise to h...more
When ranch foreman Clay finds the daughter of the late ranch owner crying in the barn, he discovers that she has been badly beaten by her new stepfather. Remembering his promise to h...more
I loved this book! But then again I love everything Shelley (Shepard) Gray writes.
This book had everything a good book should have, love, drama, faith, conflict, etc.
I loved the character of Vanessa. She started out as so weak and became so strong. There was so much going on in her life, mostly led by fear, followed closely by love. The conflict of emotions was well defined during the story. Vanessa and Clayton certainly became a couple I admired.
Clayton had promised Vanessa's father he would pr...more
This book had everything a good book should have, love, drama, faith, conflict, etc.
I loved the character of Vanessa. She started out as so weak and became so strong. There was so much going on in her life, mostly led by fear, followed closely by love. The conflict of emotions was well defined during the story. Vanessa and Clayton certainly became a couple I admired.
Clayton had promised Vanessa's father he would pr...more
I am shocked this book has such a high rating. I am used to and don't mind light Christian romances, but this book was terrible. I felt the abuse scenario was based on an outsider's perception and not reality, and the characters (especially the stepfather and brother) were one dimensional stereotypes. Much of the details and explanations was unecessary - the author did not seem to trust the story to speak for itself and let the reader make his/her own conclusions. I found the romance odd and sti...more
A TEXAN’S PROMISE by Shelley Gray was a very enjoyable book that takes place in my favorite setting, the Western Frontier.
Vanessa Grant falls victim to her stepfather’s vicious advances. When Clayton Proffitt, the foreman at the Circle Z Ranch, finds her in a heap, he makes good on the promise he made to Vanessa’s deceased father . . . protect Vanessa at all costs.
Vanessa has been smitten by Clayton Proffitt from the day he arrived at the Cricle Z ranch. Though he is ten years her senior, and h...more
Vanessa Grant falls victim to her stepfather’s vicious advances. When Clayton Proffitt, the foreman at the Circle Z Ranch, finds her in a heap, he makes good on the promise he made to Vanessa’s deceased father . . . protect Vanessa at all costs.
Vanessa has been smitten by Clayton Proffitt from the day he arrived at the Cricle Z ranch. Though he is ten years her senior, and h...more
What can I say. I got this book free from Barnes and Noble and am I ever glad I did not pay a penny. This was 260 pages of drivel. "I love him, but don't deserve him," "I love her, but I'm no good for her." Throw in a few scriptures (because this is Christian Lit) and a conversion story and then tell us over and over again how Clayton and Vanessa were made for each other and God had led them to each other and now they needed time apart, but no, now God was leading them back together. And of cour...more
i really enjoyed this book i'm not a big fan of historical books but i really liked this author so i thought i would give it a try. i am glad i did. the story is about a girl named Vanassa she and her family was living on a ranch her dad hired Clay to help him manage the land. When her dad died everything changed her mother married Price he was a gold digger did not care about anybody loved to party and drink. One night Vanassa she was in her room and Price came in he was drunk he started to be...more
I want to get this book to read but I was reading another book by Shelley Shepard Gray at the time. I was either going to wait for it to become free for my Nook or get it though the library. Well I was surfing my facebook or looking at posts that were coming to my surprise Shelley Shepard post Status update saying that her book "A Texan's Promise" was being able to download it free for that day or that week for the Nook at Barnes & Noble website. So I downloaded it to my Nook and started rea...more
This book was for a long time on my shelve. To much books, to little time.
But once I started I could not stop. The gripping tale of promises made to a father and not saving the daughter tore at the heart of Clayton, the main character in the book. A True hero of the Confederate war in the 1800 he struggled to get to grips with this and almost lost the woman he deeply cared for. Later after their marriage he realised that he fell in love with his wife but did not know how to tell her and fled. He...more
But once I started I could not stop. The gripping tale of promises made to a father and not saving the daughter tore at the heart of Clayton, the main character in the book. A True hero of the Confederate war in the 1800 he struggled to get to grips with this and almost lost the woman he deeply cared for. Later after their marriage he realised that he fell in love with his wife but did not know how to tell her and fled. He...more
Gray's book explores in considerable detail, whether Clayton and Vanessa's marriage is one of convenience to save her from a lecherous and violent step-father, or the real thing. Clayton came to Vanessa's ranch full of the pain of the civil war but did an admirable job of running the ranch. When Vanessa's father died, his widow quickly married Price, a cruel villain. After a horrific attack, Clayton rescues her and they flee the ranch. On the way, for propriety's sake they marry. They make promi...more
When Clayton Proffitt, foreman of the Circle Z Ranch in Texas, discovers Vanessa Grant crying in the barn late one night, he first thinks she’s gotten herself into another scrape. But when he spies the marks on her back and hears about her stepfather’s advances, Clayton knows he must spirit Vanessa away to safety.
As they make their way west, it becomes apparent that there’s something special between Vanessa and Clayton— far more significant than mere friendship or his sense of duty. Unfortuna...more
As they make their way west, it becomes apparent that there’s something special between Vanessa and Clayton— far more significant than mere friendship or his sense of duty. Unfortuna...more
I almost feel as though I can't give an honest review of this book. It's not the type of book I usually read. I'm not a Christian, and while religion in books doesn't usually bother me, the several references to the Lord and the Bible occasionally got in the way of my enjoyment.
That being said, it was a good book. The storyline was good and well thought out. It was easy to follow the shifts in point of views, and I did enjoy the characters. Corrine was one of my favorites and I almost enjoyed he...more
That being said, it was a good book. The storyline was good and well thought out. It was easy to follow the shifts in point of views, and I did enjoy the characters. Corrine was one of my favorites and I almost enjoyed he...more
A Texan’s Promise is the first book in a new series, Heart of a Hero, by Shelley Gray. This is the first non-Amish fiction book I’ve read by this author who also writes under the name Shelley Shepard Gray. The author classified this as a Western. I never really thought I enjoyed Western’s and never would have read it if I had not read the Amish books written by the author. I loved the historical fiction parts of the book and since I love historical fictions, this book fit right in with what I en...more
This was a fun, light historical Christian romance. I haven't read one of these in a long time, so when this turned up as the free Friday Nook book I downloaded it and looked forward to reading it. I finished it in an afternoon. It was enjoyable, though a bit predictable. I have to agree with some of the other reviews I read in that the gospel message was a bit heavy-handed. I am a believer and I appreciate scripture and faith being woven into the story, but at times it felt a little like it was...more
Price Venture romanced Vanessa’s mother and she married him on a whim. After all, she really had little choice. She and her two children had no idea how to manage the large ranch, but she didn’t realize how dangerous Price was until it was too late. Price drank excessively and was prone to violence.
One dark night, Price cornered Vanessa in her bedroom. Van fought furiously, clawing at her attacker and shrieking in fear, but her brother Miles was too afraid to help her. Foreman, Clay Proffitt, fo...more
One dark night, Price cornered Vanessa in her bedroom. Van fought furiously, clawing at her attacker and shrieking in fear, but her brother Miles was too afraid to help her. Foreman, Clay Proffitt, fo...more
1873 -- Vanessa father passed away and her mother quickly married to perserve the ranch. The new stepfather takes advantage of Vanessa and the forman of the ranch, Clayton, comes to rescue her (following his promise to Vanessa's father to alway take care of her )and takes Vanessa to his sister's ranch for safety. Vanessa' borther, Miles, is forced by his stepfather to search go on a quest to find and return Vanessa. Clayton marries Vanessa to save her reputation but it isn't a real marriage. The...more
This was a weekend read. Its an entertaining book about a man who made a promise to a girls father. It doesn't really have big twists and turns. If anything I kept on reading in hopes that people would get it on. Sadly, you never got to hear about any of it other then Gods plan and what God wanted and God makes everything better. God heals and God is great. Its a shame everyone became automations when it came to God and thier relationship with Him. It was a major turn off. I felt if I read Jesus...more
I've been reading a different type of books for a while and thought I would read this one for a change. I found it interesting and I do like the old west stories. It was a sweet story of romance and the main character coming to the rescue of the damsel in distress. He marries her, he must as a man traveling alone with a women needs to do that or she would be labeled all kinds of bad.
They have many misunderstandings because he had to marry her and she had to agree. They are on the run as her step...more
They have many misunderstandings because he had to marry her and she had to agree. They are on the run as her step...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fans of Christian...: January Read: A Texan's Promise | 7 | 13 | Feb 01, 2012 02:39pm | |
| Fans of Christian...: ***CLOSED**January Book Nominations:Series! | 22 | 51 | Dec 21, 2011 12:14am |
Librarian Note: AKA Shelley Shepard Gray (Amish fiction, Christian fiction).
I live in southern Ohio with my husband, two teenagers, and two dogs. My days are filled with busy activities like most any other mom and housewife. But I also love to write books.
Each morning, after my kids go off to school, I sit at my desk, look out my window, and dream of other places. The hours fly by as I make up peo...more
More about Shelley Gray...
I live in southern Ohio with my husband, two teenagers, and two dogs. My days are filled with busy activities like most any other mom and housewife. But I also love to write books.
Each morning, after my kids go off to school, I sit at my desk, look out my window, and dream of other places. The hours fly by as I make up peo...more
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“Oh, Van. Don’t you know? Home is where your mind goes when the night is black and your heart is hurting. Home is where you go when things are happening that you can’t control but wish you could. Home is where the person you love is waiting for you.”
—
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Apr 16, 2011 03:34pm