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Texas Pride (Night Riders #6)

3.64 of 5 stars 3.64 · rating details · 67 ratings · 21 reviews

A PRINCE AMONG MEN

Carla Reece had never met anyone more infuriating in her life. The blond giant who swaggered up to her door had no right to take over half her ranch - no matter how stupid her brother had been gambling it away in a high-stakes poker game. Her new foreman claimed to be some foreign royalty who promised to leave in a year. Still, a year was way too long to...more

Paperback, 384 pages

Published March 1st 2012 by Sourcebooks Casablanca

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Mar 29, 2012 Linda Banche rated it 5 of 5 stars

Penniless nobility, female ranchers, treachery, action, and loads of romance set in 1870’s Texas--TEXAS PRIDE has it all.

Impoverished Polish prince Ivan came to America ten years ago to seek his fortune. What he found were the privations of war as a soldier, backbreaking work as a cowhand, and betrayal from someone he thought a friend. When that same false friend offers him half a ranch he won in a card game if Ivan works it for a year, he is understandably wary. But selling his half of the ranc...more Penniless nobility, female ranchers, treachery, action, and loads of romance set in 1870’s Texas--TEXAS PRIDE has it all.

Impoverished Polish prince Ivan came to America ten years ago to seek his fortune. What he found were the privations of war as a soldier, backbreaking work as a cowhand, and betrayal from someone he thought a friend. When that same false friend offers him half a ranch he won in a card game if Ivan works it for a year, he is understandably wary. But selling his half of the ranch will net him enough money to return to Poland. And the ranch’s other owner is a woman beautiful enough to make a man forget his homeland. But is everything as it seems?

Furious at her younger brother for losing his share of their ranch, Carla must now deal with this usurper. She wants to hate him, but she can’t. He’s handsome, kind and able to pull his weight as a cowhand. Even better, he likes her as the feisty female she is and doesn’t want her to change, as every other man does.

Generally, westerns are not my first choice of romance. I prefer my historicals set on foreign shores. I also don’t usually read romances written by male authors. Men tend to make the hero a superman and the heroine a simpering idiot who blindly worships the god-like male. Ugh.

But not Mr. Greenwood. His Texas Pride contains all the elements I love--a story with action and mystery, a hero and heroine I love, and tons of romance. Ivan is heroic, but Carla matches him in gumption and intelligence. A true partnership, not a master and slave. And their romance is scrumptious.

Ivan is my favorite type of hero, the honorable man. I especially like honorable men who make their own way. Even better are honorable men who face treachery and come through the experience even better men. And he’s blond (I love blond heroes) and gorgeous, too. What’s not to like?

Carla is my favorite kind of heroine. I like a heroine who fights against the artificial constraints of the male establishment and wins. I like even more a male author who writes with approval of such a woman. Good for you, Mr. Greenwood. I wish you loads of success.

TEXAS PRIDE has everything I love in a romance. Enjoy.

ARC provided by Sourcebooks(less)

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Jan 12, 2012 Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: action-adventure, historical, non-erotic

Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.blogsp...

Carla has been taking care of the ranch since her parents’ deaths and can’t believe that her brother would be so dumb. He bet his half of the ranch with a gambler in town and lost it!

Mr. Greenwood writes a well-paced story with lots of action, a smoldering romance, cultural differences and a good look at western history. There is enough in this book to hold your interest until the end.

Carla is a strong young woman fighting for acknow...more Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.blogsp...

Carla has been taking care of the ranch since her parents’ deaths and can’t believe that her brother would be so dumb. He bet his half of the ranch with a gambler in town and lost it!

Mr. Greenwood writes a well-paced story with lots of action, a smoldering romance, cultural differences and a good look at western history. There is enough in this book to hold your interest until the end.

Carla is a strong young woman fighting for acknowledgement and acceptance in a world of men. They don’t think she should be running a ranch by herself and most men want to marry her for her land. She’s a strong, opinionated woman who has a good head and knows she will most likely have to marry. She’s holding out for love, but there aren’t many choices in her town.

Ivan is Polish and an impoverished prince who has agreed to stay on gambler’s property for one year. According to the contract he signed, the property will become his at the end of the year and he can then sell it and return to Poland with enough money to resume his princely status.

As soon as Ivan shows up at the ranch, Carla’s hackles are up. She wants no man to take over half the ranch and she’s going to fight the contract. Ivan is patient and he thinks she’s pretty, so he makes camp and waits for Carla to come to terms with the contract.

The main characters find a mutual attraction, but there are too many things going on for them to pursue it actively. You have men coming in to stay on the gambler’s land to hunt Mexicans and bring back stolen cattle. Carla and Ivan’s dance of love has sparks not only from the romance. The gambler isn’t really gone.

The author works the various facets of his plot together in a seamless style that reads easily and enjoyable. Why not take a trip through Texas with a few grins and a few guns and see how the story works out? Mr. Greenwood is a word master at this type of story. You’ll have fun reading it.

(less)

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Feb 17, 2012 Shannon rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, 2012, books-i-own, crappy-love-interest

I was happy when I won this from a Goodreads giveaway. Though to be honest, part of me was a bit weary after learning that the writer was a man. I wouldn't say I'm sexist towards male writers, but my reading preferences tend to go towards female authors. I've never read a romance book by a guy before so, I was interested to see how this book would be. No one can write from a girl's perspective better than a girl herself, so I didn't know if the romance was going to be up to snuff. The book start...more I was happy when I won this from a Goodreads giveaway. Though to be honest, part of me was a bit weary after learning that the writer was a man. I wouldn't say I'm sexist towards male writers, but my reading preferences tend to go towards female authors. I've never read a romance book by a guy before so, I was interested to see how this book would be. No one can write from a girl's perspective better than a girl herself, so I didn't know if the romance was going to be up to snuff. The book started out well enough. I thought that the premise of how Carla and Ivan met was cute. I was excited to see how their relationship would unravel and watch their personalities clash. Unfortunately, things weren't quite what I expected in the romance
department. There's so much more going on in the book that the romance became second fiddle to the cattle thefts and raiders.

I liked the beginning, but things kind of fizzled out as the book continued. I wouldn't say this book was terrible. However, in light of all the action happening, I thought it would have been more exciting. The story just seemed a bit dry and boring. I liked that there was a strong sideplot to the romance, but the whole thing with Riley and his men anti-climatic. It was obvious from the start what was going on and I never once doubted the 'twist'. It was just too predictable for me. There was so much emphasis placed on Ivan's suspicions that there was no room for any surprise or suspense.

I actually liked Carla. She was a strong person, someone that seemed much more mature and responsible than a normal nineteen year old girl. She was likeable and even her idiot brother grew on me. The problem I had was with the hero Ivan. I felt like I should have really liked him, but he didn't interest me at all. I don't think that every love interest in a book has to be a cocky, alpha male, but they need to have some sort of spark to them. Ivan was too perfect. It seems silly to complain about how nice and talented the man was, but I wasn't feeling it. Everyone loved Ivan because he was so charming, friendly, helpful, sexy, etc. It was too much and he faded into Gary Stu territory. He was boring and I wanted someone who wasn't so perfect. No one is that wonderful and I wished Ivan had felt more realistic. The man pretty much had no flaws and it grated on me.

Carla and Ivan were slow going. Even though I got annoyed with anticipation, I must applaud the author for taking things slow with them. The problem with that was that I lost sight of the romance of the book. There didn't seem to be any chemistry between them for the first 140 or so pages. I will say, that I started to feel it during the scene with the tornado. When that happened, I was like 'FINALLY!'. I was so happy that something was finally happening with them. I was disappointed with what became of their relationship. After all the slow build-up with Carla and Ivan, I was a bit pissed with how they went from zero to a hundred in a day. It was like all of a sudden Carla and him were like, 'I LOVE YOU SO DAMN MUCH! YOU'RE MY SOULMATE!'. It was aggravating to me and I thought it was ridiculous. Carla's reaction didn't bother me as much, but Ivan's long paragraph declaring his love was over-the-top and seemed forced. I was only beginning to feel their chemistry and to leap so fast, it came off as unrealistic to me. Even though I was hoping for Carla and Ivan to finally do something, by the end, I couldn't help but feel like I couldn't fully believe in their relationship.(less)

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May 18, 2012 archdandy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult, historical-romance, first-reads-wins

I don't really have much to say about this one. I received a copy of this book through a goodreads win and it was an advanced copy but unfortunatley it took me a while to get reading it. The book did a good job of making me feel like I was in Texas during the plot takes place in. I didn't even notice that it was a male author until I was about half way through the book when I read another review of it. So there's that.

Hmm...oh, I did have a complaint about the first and only sex scene in the bo...more

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Feb 28, 2012 Leigh rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, own, reviewed

In this story you are transported back in time to Texas in the 1870's. Carla and Danny Reece own a ranch in Overlin, Texas. Carla has to come to grips with the knowledge that her younger brother has lost his half of their ranch in a poker game. She meets the man who has come to take possession of half her ranch. Ivan, who claims to be an exiled prince from Poland, says he will run that half of the ranch for one year and then sell it so he can return to Poland. Carla has conflicting emotions abo...more

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Mar 05, 2013 Marcie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance-regular

A western romance novel is a bit different from what I normally pick up lately. The female character is enough of an independent sort to appeal to me. Her male counterpart is a playful rendition of the "dashing prince" as he can only appear in Reconstruction Texas.

Texas Pride is a cute story with a low reading level and is actually rather chaste in sex/romance scenes. I'd actually let a teenager read it, unlike some of the other books I regularly review on here.

Don't pick this up if you are not...more

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May 09, 2012 Ambereen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-read, romance, western

Carla and Ivan are from two completely different worlds, which happen to collide through a gambling mistake made by Carla's brother, causing Ivan to have a claim on the ranch that Carla's family has built. Although things start out rocky, Ivan and Carla eventually become friends and more rather quickly. The question is: how will they resolve the gamble Carla's brother made with their family ranch.

I found this book to be entertaining and the tension that was built up could sink boats. If you take...more

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Sep 23, 2012 Lisa Jo rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, keeper, western

TEXAS PRIDE is a stellar addition to the Night Riders series by Leigh Greenwood. Entertaining drama, fabulous characters and an emotional love story make this a western romance to treasure.

Carla Reece loves her brother Danny, but sometimes he can do some pretty stupid things. Like gambling away his half of their ranch in a poker game to one of the most rotten men in Texas, Laveau diViere. Furious, Carla waits for Laveau to come claim his half, but instead a young man from Poland rides up to her...more
TEXAS PRIDE is a stellar addition to the Night Riders series by Leigh Greenwood. Entertaining drama, fabulous characters and an emotional love story make this a western romance to treasure.

Carla Reece loves her brother Danny, but sometimes he can do some pretty stupid things. Like gambling away his half of their ranch in a poker game to one of the most rotten men in Texas, Laveau diViere. Furious, Carla waits for Laveau to come claim his half, but instead a young man from Poland rides up to her door. No matter how gorgeous he is, no matter how charming he is, Carla will not run her ranch with him. Yet she can't help it if her heart flutters every time he comes into view...

Ivan is met with absolute disdain and hatred from Carla, but that won't deter him from finishing what he set out to do. He is to manage this ranch for one year for Laveau, then the ownership will transfer to him so he can sell it and pay for his trip back to Poland. What he doesn't expect is the fiery young woman who is to be his partner on this venture. She may be disinterested at first, but even Ivan can see her begin to soften the more they are around each other. Still, Ivan has a royal family to return to in Poland and no future in Texas...which means no future with Carla. But as Ivan is about to find out...the heart wants what the heart wants...and what he wants now more than anything is the girl he can never have.

I'll be honest...this was the first novel I've read by Leigh Greenwood. I've avoided his work because I worried about a romance novel written by a man. TEXAS PRIDE has proven what an absolute fool I was to believe it could be inferior in any way. There is that same emotional development that takes you in and absorbs you completely until you never want to leave this world that's been created. For a lack of a better statement, it was awesome...in so many ways.

Ivan is overflowing with charm and personality in this novel, but it isn't apparent right away. Well, to most of the characters it is, but not so for the reader. Carla has such anger and animosity towards the interloper, you can't help harbor the same feelings towards him. Yet it doesn't take long for Mr Greenwood to point out the stunning personality behind the man. You would thinking being an outsider because of his nationality would be difficult for Ivan, but he fits so perfectly, like he was born and raised in Texas. Leigh Greenwood does a fantastic job of creating a character that still holds the major characteristics of his heritage, yet is strong enough to survive and excel in a new world. He may be tough, but you can't forget what a charmer he is. You will find yourself smiling like crazy at the beautiful things he says.

"I have seen Kensey's daughter. I have danced with her and had lunch with her. I have spent a morning shopping with her. At no time did I ever think she was more beautiful than your sister."

Danny laughed. "So why do you think Carla shouldn't wear her new red dress?"

"She will break many hearts." Ivan shook his head sadly. "It is not good to see a man waste away until he has no will to live."

Carla was an interesting heroine. She was tough as nails at first, but ever so slowly, she begins to let her guard down. You have to love the stereotypical norms she blows out the window, all with a smile on her face. When you have a young woman, unmarried and running her own ranch, you know she is a force to be reckoned with. She has an attitude that lets you know she will go down fighting and nothing less. I loved her protective nature that seemed to come into play at every corner, mostly because it showed a bit of her softer side by demonstrating the lengths she would go to for the people she loves. For me, her character was the most interesting because she had the most drastic changes in her personality. She has to accept a lot of new things in her life, but you can delight in watching her do it with a spicy Texas attitude.

What I was completely in awe of was the buildup of such a charming and emotional romance. It was so captivating, at a certain point you find you can't put the novel down. You realize the impossibility of their relationship and it makes the book that much more agonizing to read. Which for all the 'angst-lovers' out there, this is an absolute plus. You don't know if it's all going to work out...you don't know who will have to make a sacrifice, but you just know you can't rest until you find out! TEXAS PRIDE is addictive, compelling and such a fantastic journey that you will thoroughly enjoy.

To summarize, TEXAS PRIDE is a wonderful story. Leigh Greenwood shows after all these years, he still knows how to write a breathtaking western romance. The Texas setting is fantastically charming with beautiful descriptive prose and characters that will make you smile. This novel is perfect in so many ways...from the first page to the last. It would be a great injustice if you were to miss out on such a fantastic read.

Lisa Jo @ The Romance Reviews(less)

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Mar 11, 2012 Blodeuedd Finland rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance

No blurb to be found on goodreads, what a horror. Now I have to say something, but then again this review will go on my blog and I just have to look harder..

Anyway. A cowboy prince, now that is something new for me and I liked it. Not to mention most books I have read about cowboys have been modern ones, but here we got real cowboys. And I do love cowboys.

Carla loves her ranch. She is outspoken and is being courted by two men, cos she is pretty and the farm is big. But she wants something else....more

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Mar 11, 2012 Terra rated it 3 of 5 stars

I did enjoy this story but it became a bit more than I could take when our hero plays stupid just a wee bit too much. We all know he's smart and kind but he story doesn't focus as much on that as it does on a furious heroine and then our hero.

Carla Reece is a stubborn western gal who is trying her darndest to keep the ranch that her mother and father left to her and her brother afloat. Also trying to raise said brother who is still wet behing the ears is a tough job to handle so when he comes ho...more

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Jan 19, 2012 Becky Mrs Condit Reads Books rated it 3 of 5 stars

3 1/2 stars!

The plot is as fun as an old-fashioned Western movie, as Carla and Ivan move toward the moment when a decision has to be made: stay together and move to Poland or separate and live the rest of their lives longing for the one they love. I loved sweet gentleman Ivan and the strong pioneer woman Carla, but there were also secondary characters to love, hate, and want to shake sense into. At its core, though, this is a plot-driven story, and Mr. Greenwood does that well. TEXAS PRIDE is ex...more

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Mar 21, 2012 Seriously Reviewed rated it 5 of 5 stars

I have been a Leigh Greenwood fan for years. Now, when I say years we are talking since I was a teenager and let me say that teen years were many moons ago :) In my opinion, he is one of the best and deserves to be recognized as such.

I, along with my mother, have an extensive collection of Leigh's books that will forever be on our shelves as we revisit them often and each time find ourselves caught up in the emotion and grandure of his writing style.

Texas Pride is no exception.

Emotional, entert...more

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Jun 14, 2013 Yei Ling rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 10th-grade

A very attractive man shows up on your property to tell you that half of the ranch you've been managing ever since your parents passed away was rightfully his to manage, what do you do? Hate him? Or become mesmerized by his physical appearance just like everyone else in town?
At first, I was sort of hesitant to read this book because ranches and horses don't really capture my attention. But when I ran out of books to read, I picked this one up and read it page by page. I found the beginning very...more

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Feb 26, 2012 Megan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. This is the first book I have read that was written by Leigh Greenwood, and I really enjoyed it. It wasn't what I expected in a romance, it had a lot more going on in the story and lots of action that kept things exciting. I thought that all of the characters were well written about and I got into the story and cared about what happened to them.

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Jun 17, 2012 Gail rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: e-book, historical-romance, nook, western

Hero's a Polish immigrant who's been hired/bribed to manage half a ranch his enemy won in a poker game. (Never really do learn why the bad guy wanted him to manage the ranch...) Heroine's the owner of the other half of the ranch and furious that her brother got into the game and the bad guy suckered him into getting drunk. There are rustlers and all kinds of craziness.

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Mar 09, 2013 Martha rated it 3 of 5 stars

Predictible. Light. Jumpy in spots. Okay palate cleanser but not a great one.

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Feb 23, 2012 Dorothy Hensel rated it 3 of 5 stars

a good, fun read. I have always enjoyed this author's books

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Jan 06, 2013 Lindsay marked it as to-read

On sale for $0.99 … one day only 1/6/2013

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Mar 26, 2012 Sharon Sherman rated it 4 of 5 stars

A brother's stupid gamble and 1/2 the land gone.

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Mar 23, 2012 Kim rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

I received this book for free as a First Reads giveaway.

I have to be honest. This book really didn’t do it for me. I like characters to grab my interest in the first few chapters and keep me wanting to come back for more. It was a good story but it seemed to drag on a little and I just didn’t have that connection with Carla and Ivan. Others did seem to enjoy this book, so I am assuming it was just not my type.

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Aug 25, 2012 Dianna rated it 2 of 5 stars

This review sums up how I feel very well: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

For clarification, I also won the book through a Goodreads giveaway.

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Jun 18, 2013 Rebecca Stephen marked it as to-read

Jun 17, 2013 Melissa rated it 2 of 5 stars

Jun 17, 2013 Caroline Adams is currently reading it

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May 04, 2013 Trudi Muir wells rated it 3 of 5 stars

Apr 24, 2013 Polly marked it as to-read

Apr 22, 2013 Meghan rated it 2 of 5 stars

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Texas Pride (Night Riders #6)

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