Texas Star

The Marshalls #2

by Jean Brashear

Sexiest Man Alive Josh Marshall is on his way home to Texas when he rescues a woman on the run. In contrast to the many women crushing on him all over the world, this woman does not trust him and wants nothing to do with him, seeking to escape every time his back is turned.


Elena Navarro is running from an abusive husband with criminal ties. Terrified to trust anyone, she finds Josh's tender care a miracle, but his fame could be a death sentence for them both. When echoes of a shared past life threaten, Josh questions his sanity, but he's a white knight to the core and cannot stop trying to help her, even at the risk of his life.


The second book in New York Times and USAToday bestselling Texas romance author Jean Brashear's TEXAS HEROES: The Marshalls series is an emotional, suspenseful movie star romance that will grab your heart and keep it racing.


Josh's brother Quinn has his own story, TEXAS REFUGE. Their cousin Case's story is TEXAS DANGER. All the Marshalls also appear in the Texas Heroes: The Gallaghers of Sweetgrass Springs series.


"Jean Brashear's distinctive storytelling voice instantly draws in the reader. She writes with warmth and emotional truth. The depth of her understanding of human nature marks her as a writer to watch, a writer to read and a writer to enjoy."~#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber


"Gifting readers with another emotionally charged romance, Ms. Brashear has a fine knack for commingling full-bodied characters, a fast-moving storyline and just the right measure of passion." ~Romantic Times Bookclub magazine


"Jean Brashear has that "it" factor. She is an incredibly talented writer who can hit every note with enough clarity to bring the reader tears, laughter, or just, 'Oh, my, this is an amazing story.' " ~New York Times bestselling author Stella Cameron


The TEXAS HEROES series includes:


TEXAS SECRETS
TEXAS LONELY
TEXAS BAD BOY
TEXAS REFUGE
TEXAS STAR
TEXAS DANGER
TEXAS ROOTS
TEXAS WILD
TEXAS DREAMS
TEXAS REBEL
TEXAS BLAZE


More praise for the TEXAS HEROES series:


"Marvelous talent for creating striking romantic stories by blending charismatic characters, compelling conflict and just the right touch of passion.” ~Romantic Times Bookclub magazine TOP PICK (4 ½ of 5 stars)


"I really enjoyed this, er, literary foreplay. I knew that when these two finally made love, they wouldn't just be going through the motions—there were going to be some fireworks....Jean Brashear is a terrific discovery for me." ~The Romance Reader


“Like fine wine and dark chocolate…uniquely plotted stories and characters so real they could live right next door.” ~Compuserve Romance Reviews


“Emotionally rich reunion book…ripe with secrets, scandals and sexual tension, it’s one book you’ll not want to put down.” ~America Online


”Jean Brashear can rip your heart out then make you laugh out loud, so be sure to have tissues handy.” ~Joyce Dixon, Amazon reader review (5 of 5 stars)


“Jean Brashear has written another great book. This 3rd story about the Gallagher siblings was a good one.” ~Snoopyfan, Amazon reader review (5 of 5 stars)


"Crisp writing, richly drawn characters, strong plotting and fiery interludes show off Jean Brashear's top-notch romantic voice." ~Romantic Times Bookclub magazine (4 ½ of 5 stars)


"By the time I had finished the third page, I knew I was in the hands of a pro." ~The Romance Reader


"May all women have a lover as gifted as Mitch: he is a 6 star lover on a 5 star scale. YUMMY!" ~Compuserve Romance Reviews


"This is a story for all romantics. Ms. Brashear has done what she does best, and makes her readers fall in love with two more wonderful characters." ~AOL

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense, Paranormal, Westerns

345 pages, ebook

First published August 1, 2012

About the author

A letter to Rod Stewart resulting in a Cinderella birthday for her daughter sowed the seeds of New York Times and USAToday bestselling author Jean Brashear's writing career. A lifelong avid reader, at the age of forty-five with no experience and no training, she decided to see if she could write a book. It was a wild leap that turned her whole life upside down, but she would tell you that though she's never been more terrified, she's never felt more exhilarated or more alive. She's an ardent proponent of not putting off your dreams until that elusive 'someday'—take that leap now.

Over fifty published novels later, the five-time RITA finalist and RTBookReviews Career Achievement Award winner has accumulated a whole passel of war stories to swap and loves nothing better than talking writing and books with readers and fellow writers.

And she'd still take that leap, war wounds and all.

Reviews

[Isha Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Texas Star is everything a romantic can ask for. Brashear has a way with a pen. Standing on the edge of forever Josh and Elena are realists who must take a leap of faith to find happily ever after. On the run from her past Elena is scared to trust anyone including herself. Josh is her only chance out of the abyss of darkness that surrounds her. Can he protect her without endangering himself?  Brashear and Dove are a lethal combination.  Dove is a master at delivery with his velvety voice and soulful vocal stylings. Brashear uses her words to tempt readers into a world of dangerous love and unforgettable characters.  Suspense has never been so seductive.

[Trish R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a favorite of mine..

Wow! This book had a lot of inner turmoil and conversations about how they didn’t belong in the same world. It kind of went on and on. So, it’s like a book on angst, and I do hate an over-abundance of angst. This is the biggest book in the series and there wasn’t any point to making it so long by adding so much angst. I found myself skipping page after page when Elena started her thoughts that she didn’t belong in his world and Josh’s thought of having to go back to LA without her because the people there would eat her alive. It became very repetitive. From the time they met it was these kinds of thoughts and they did become boring after about 150 pages, yet still they continued thinking this.

I wasn’t crazy about her dreams/visions, either. I think that’s what made the story soooo long. I realize they were soulmates but the dreams/visions were kind of boring. I was more interested in the husband, Richard, and Guzman, and what was going on in that arena. As it turns out, the worst thing about this book was that Richard didn’t get all that he deserved. He was such a vicious bas*ard

And I have to give Josh kudos for being soooo patient with Elena. Richard beat the backbone right out of her. I didn’t think she’d ever get any of it back. After 200+ pages of her being scared of her own shadow I was beginning to think the book would end that way, no matter how many times Josh proved to her that she could trust him.

I will continue to read Ms. Brashear but I’ll stick to her 250 pages-or so books. I’ve read 8 of her books and this one is my least favorite.

There wasn’t much sexual tension but the sex was good.

[Katina Fragakis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Texas Star: Texas Heroes
The Marshalls, Book 2
By: Jean Brashear
Narrated by: Eric G. Dove
Past life, present solution
Overall 4 out of 5 stars Performance 5 out of 5 stars Story 4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed: 07-17-18

I read this book as part of The Marshalls Boxed Set, then listened to the audiobook recently. Josh Marshall is a successful actor who rescues a runaway being accosted on a dark highway. A chivalrous gentleman, he convinces her to trust him enough to allow him to give her a ride to a safe venue. He soon recognizes Elena to be a kindred soul to his sister-in-law, who had been stalked and tortured.

I liked the slow development of trust, leading to friendship, then love. The mix of a previous life experiences with the present was a plus. The suspense was well written. What I did not enjoy was the stupid dangerous choices Elena insisted upon making, sure that she knew best how to handle the situation. It's hard to believe an abused woman would make such rash emotional decisions which could obviously set her back in the hell she had just escaped. Lucky for her, Josh was more patient than I am.

You will enjoy any and all of Ms. Brashear's Texas Heroes. And check out the audiobook, too! Mr. Dove does an excellent performance of all characters with a pleasant reading voice. His portrayal of the suspense is well-modulated, not overplayed.

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So enjoyed this box set.
Narration was awesome.
Loved all the characters that brought this series together.

Quinn and Lorie’s story was so dear to my heart in the way Quinn is so attuned to himself and the universe. The drama in the story kept you guessing at what was happening next and kept me reading/listening to the last page, hunger to get on to the next in the series.

Josh and Elena’s story starts out a bit funny in the way that she keeps running from him. But he means to keep his woman. Loved this one as well as it introduced past lives and soul mates, also dear to my heart. Again couldn’t wait to get to the end and start the next book.

Case and Sammie’s story was a great read also. Having powerful people after you is a good reason to say nothing and hide. But the strong characters in this book were more powerful. Sammie in the end ready to face her past to move forward.

[Coral Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Josh rescues Elena from a dangerous situation, is drawn to her, and wants to help her with her larger problems. Elena has visions of a past life and a green-eyed man in danger. Josh does not want to be with Elena long-term because she will not fit in with his Hollywood lifestyle and the negative press their relationship would receive. There was almost a story within a story with the past and present lives connecting. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Dawn Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked Texas Star and the suspense. In my opinion Jean Brashear did a good job with it. I liked Josh and Elena together. I loved that Elena wanted to protect Josh and his family and she made the decision to enter the belly of the beast. I loved how Josh's protective side for Elena and his family. The one thing I did not like was the repetition of how Elena and Josh were not good enough for each other, it was very annoying. The dreams Elena had got a little annoying and made the Texas too long. I enjoyed the action, especially at the end. Overall I enjoyed and was entertained.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the boxed set and is about Josh Marshall. It was quite an accident that Josh met Elena Navarro after she had escaped an abusive husband by running away with just the clothes on her back walking in the rain. Their friendship grew as they got to know each other and it took his Aunt and his brother to make him realize that Elena had dreams about their past in Ireland. Did their past reflect their future? Great story.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the plot and love the whole series. I’m not a paranormal/magic/spirit fan. I wasn’t too fond of the part about Helen and Sir Richard and Elena and Quinn being able to “see” things. I enjoyed the romance, the suspense of Elena’s life and her evil husband and the Marshall Family a lot. Jeans books are great to read.

[Anne Blyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance and action, a great combination. I’m really enjoying Jean Brashear books.

[Irma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

[JigsawGirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book several years ago. It was not one of my favorite Jean Brashear books. I didn't get that same sense of romance from this one for some reason.

In reality, I do empathize with Elena's fears, based on the life she lead with Richard. But, when I am reading/listening to a romance novel, I don't want all of the angst. Josh was out of control when trying to keep Elena safe , but, luckily he had Quinn to help keep him somewhat sane.

It seemed like Elena's angst was never ending. It was exhausting. Normally when I finish a romance I have a smile regarding the HEA, but I was tired when this was over.

The end was suspenseful and full of action, but getting there was a long road.

Audiobook:
The audio book made the angst much easier to handle. Listening to Eric Rove's narration helped to keep you involved in the story and not focus on how long it took the romance aspect to come into play.

I voluntarily listened to and reviewed the audio Book that was provided by the author.

[Pamela Devereux · Rating 4 out of 5]

Josh Marshall is a movie star who believes in tangibles. When an old woman tells him his soulmate is in this time & in danger, he laughs. Enter Elana Navarro. She is running away from an abusive husband. Josh comes to her rescue but she has trust issues. Also, she keeps blacking out & going back in time. As she starts to remember her dreams, she knows Josh is in danger. She can't let anything happen to him. So she leaves. What she doesn't know is that Josh is her white knight. He is willing to fight for her life & love. He respected the dreams enough to know you could change them. Loved the ending.

[Moira · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the second book more than the first. Josh and Elena's story was an interesting one and it was nice that the author wove in the characters from the first book. It was like getting updates on your favorites from the past in the current story. I found the dream scenes interesting - I believe in deja vu and the feelings that we've experienced something, met someone, or been somewhere at another time in our lives. It will be interesting to see how the third book in the Marshall's series is.

[Jodster's · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the final book in the series. It was a cute book. I loved how drawn Josh was to Elana and I loved how the dreams came into play. They were drawn to each other by a higher power. It was nice to see Josh spend time with his brother Quinn and Lori.. I loved how the whole family was involved. I would love to see another book of their wedding though...

[Black Butterfly · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS IS JOSH MARSHALL'S STORY, IS A BIG MOVIE STAR IN LA, HE MEETS ELENA AND HIS LIFE CHANGES FOREVER. JOSH WAS INTRODUCED IN BK#1, HE IS NOW VERY SUCCESSFUL BIG TIME STAR. THIS STORY LINE HAS ROMANCE AND ACTION AND A TOUCH OF THE SUPERNATURAL. A VERY PLEASANT SUNDAY AFTERNOON READ, VERY WELL WRITTEN. ;D

[Phyllis Carnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Those of you who fell in love with Quinn Marshall will fall head over heels in love with his brother Josh. The author is an incredibly talented writer who kept me glued to yet another one of her wonderful love stories.

[Kylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read by Jean Brashear. She was able to draw your attention and paint a picture of who the characters were and who they would become. Loved how it tied in how they were connected in a past life. Definitely recommend.

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had me on the edge of my seat! Wow great book. I hope Carmen and Greg get a story too

[MamaBear2019 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my 5th book from this author. I have no complaints. I enjoy each book

[Glenda Bettin · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow I am loving this author

[Jeanette montgomery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book from start to finish.

I loved the characters and the story.

[Linda Zelinsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Josh is a movie star who is looking for time away from the glamour and glitz. He comes across Elena who is running from her abusive husband and does not trust men. Josh goes out of his way to protect her and show her what true love is really about.

[Bette Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok read

This was just an ok read for me. Not my favorite of the series although I really do like the characters of Josh and Elena. The back on time dreams just weren't for me.