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West Texas Series #1
Sweet Water
Most people merely pass through the quiet town of Agua Dulce on their way to someplace more interesting. Marisa Rutherford has actually returned to care for her mother, who's suffering from Alzheimer's disease, and to run her mother's cafe. But when the town is sold in an eBay auction, it could mean the end of Agua Dulce as Marisa and the other nine residents know it.
Terry Ledger is a high-rolling real estate developer who knows a good deal when he sees it. Though purchasing a remote town in West Texas on eBay sounds crazy, this serene hamlet actually holds much promise as a hub for travelers. Unfortunately, the citizens don't share in his vision. To win them over to his side, Terry must curry favor with the town's unofficial leader, feisty Marisa, who fiercely guards her hometown and her recently broken heart. With different plans for the future of Agua Dulce, they find themselves agreeing on one thing--an undeniable attraction that could change their lives forever.
Terry Ledger is a high-rolling real estate developer who knows a good deal when he sees it. Though purchasing a remote town in West Texas on eBay sounds crazy, this serene hamlet actually holds much promise as a hub for travelers. Unfortunately, the citizens don't share in his vision. To win them over to his side, Terry must curry favor with the town's unofficial leader, feisty Marisa, who fiercely guards her hometown and her recently broken heart. With different plans for the future of Agua Dulce, they find themselves agreeing on one thing--an undeniable attraction that could change their lives forever.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 3, 2006
30 people are currently reading
381 people want to read
About the author
Anna Jeffrey
24 books160 followersAnna Jeffrey is an award-winning author of romance novels as well as romantic comedy/mystery. She has written 11 romance novels and co-authored 8 as USA Today Bestselling author, Dixie Cash. Her most recent book is "The Cattleman."
Her Anna Jeffrey books have won the Write Touch Readers' Award, the Aspen Gold, and the More Than Magic awards. Her books have been finalists in the Colorado Romance Writers award, the Golden Quill and Southern Magic as well as the Write Touch Readers' Award, the Aspen Gold and the More than Magic awards. She is a member of Romance Writers of America and NINC.
Anna is a fifth generation Texan. She was born and grew up in West Texas, where most of her family members were farmers and ranchers or worked in the oil fields. She left Texas for many years and lived in four of the western states, a rich experience she'll never forget.
She loves most things western, from the customs and culture to the philosophy of life. She enjoys many hobbies, i.e., reading, painting and drawing, crafting, needlework and beading.
These days, she's back home in Texas. She and her husband currently live in Granbury, Texas, a small town not far from the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.
Her Anna Jeffrey books have won the Write Touch Readers' Award, the Aspen Gold, and the More Than Magic awards. Her books have been finalists in the Colorado Romance Writers award, the Golden Quill and Southern Magic as well as the Write Touch Readers' Award, the Aspen Gold and the More than Magic awards. She is a member of Romance Writers of America and NINC.
Anna is a fifth generation Texan. She was born and grew up in West Texas, where most of her family members were farmers and ranchers or worked in the oil fields. She left Texas for many years and lived in four of the western states, a rich experience she'll never forget.
She loves most things western, from the customs and culture to the philosophy of life. She enjoys many hobbies, i.e., reading, painting and drawing, crafting, needlework and beading.
These days, she's back home in Texas. She and her husband currently live in Granbury, Texas, a small town not far from the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 21, 2013
I adored this story right up until the very last page, then felt a little flat. The ending felt abrupt, and i think it deserved more of and ending, an epilogue would have have made this 5 stars all day long for me. The characters were warm, cooky and incredibly endearing. I warmed to them instantly. The story is well thought out and set beautifully. The relationships at play tug at the heart strings, while the fantastic written work portray a depth of emotion and vulnerability. I couldn't stop saying "one more chapter". The ending wasn't awful, but i felt it could have been so much more. Overall, still far above average...another few pages and it could be superb. x
January 1, 2013
A decent read if you are looking for something soft to fill your time. While the plot line was written well, it was predictable. There were some grammar issues within the book, but not enough to aggravate, just enough to notice. The characters were fun. I liked seeing all the crazy people living in one small town. I did feel that the ending could have given just a bit more, as I almost felt let down with how it all ended. I would read this author again.
April 15, 2022
Sorry, I was disappointed. To me, it seem to take forever for the book to start moving. I was more than half finished by the time my interest was piqued. When I finally felt the story was going somewhere, I realized I was in the last chapter and the book ended. There were so many unresolved issues I was annoyed. I checked and the next book in the series does not even include any of these characters. Even though I already purchased the next two books in the series, I don't think I will continue with it.
November 26, 2019
I really enjoyed Sweet Water. I liked all the characters and the West Texas descriptions. I especially liked Marisa’s strength and Terry’s grit.
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September 5, 2012Slick's review posted on Guilty Pleasures
4.5 Stars
I bought this book based on the synopsis; a real estate developer buys a small west Texas town on Ebay to build a senior citizen community. This actually happened here in Texas where a town was bought on Ebay, so I had to read this book. I am so glad I did because Sweet Water by Anna Jeffery is an enjoyable and amusing book filled with some of the zaniest characters I’ve read in a long time. The other thing is I’ve been in towns like this, not only in Texas but in Washington, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona as well. So, I can so envision Sweet Water’s main drag and the people who live there.
Marisa Rutherford has moved home to Agua Dulce to take care of her mother who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. She’s running her mother’s antique/flea market/ diner as well as caring for her Mom. She actually enjoys being back in this small town and creating desserts and specials for the locals and tourists who happen by. When news of the town being sold surfaces, she knows this will mean a change for her and her Mom since they don’t own the building their business is located in. It belongs to the town, thus the new owner.
Terry Ledger is a real estate developer who has taken many risks both personally and professionally over the years. He’s just bought a west Texas town sight unseen on Ebay. He knows it’s a gamble but he’s up for the challenge, he’s never failed in business and though he knows this will be his biggest risk he’s up for the job. What he doesn’t expect is to find a town of endearing misfits and their appointed leader, Marisa who knocks him sideways from the first time they meet.
Marisa and Terry have instant combustible chemistry; it just jumps out and grabs you. Thing is they are both dealing with some relationship issues and know it’s not a good time to get involved. When Marisa discovers Terry is the town’s new owner, she’s even more upset. She finds herself time and time again representing the town’s people and questioning Terry’s plans for the town. They dance around each other a lot and then Marisa receives a marriage proposal from a rancher twice her age. This drives Terry crazy and although he pretends he doesn’t care, it’s obvious he does. When they do finally get together it’s crazy sexy and very hot.
It was very easy to like both of these characters. Marisa is determined and strong and I admire her for taking care of her Mom and putting her Mom’s needs above hers. Terry despite being a tough businessman has a heart; he shows it time and time again dealing with the people in the town and Marisa’s mom. Unfortunately when he persuades Marisa to take a short trip, a tragedy back home takes it’s toll on their fledgling relationship.
There is so much about this book that is first-rate. In addition to the main characters all the people in the town have some very out of the ordinary backgrounds. I found them and their stories entertaining and real. The scenes with Marisa’s mom were heartbreaking and very indicative of her disease. I very much appreciated that there wasn’t a rush to happily ever after, both Marisa and Terry had to overcome some obstacles and learn to accept that sometimes life turns your world upside down when you least expect it. Anna Jeffrey is an amazing author and I am really looking forward to reading more of her work.
4.5 Stars
I bought this book based on the synopsis; a real estate developer buys a small west Texas town on Ebay to build a senior citizen community. This actually happened here in Texas where a town was bought on Ebay, so I had to read this book. I am so glad I did because Sweet Water by Anna Jeffery is an enjoyable and amusing book filled with some of the zaniest characters I’ve read in a long time. The other thing is I’ve been in towns like this, not only in Texas but in Washington, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona as well. So, I can so envision Sweet Water’s main drag and the people who live there.
Marisa Rutherford has moved home to Agua Dulce to take care of her mother who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. She’s running her mother’s antique/flea market/ diner as well as caring for her Mom. She actually enjoys being back in this small town and creating desserts and specials for the locals and tourists who happen by. When news of the town being sold surfaces, she knows this will mean a change for her and her Mom since they don’t own the building their business is located in. It belongs to the town, thus the new owner.
Terry Ledger is a real estate developer who has taken many risks both personally and professionally over the years. He’s just bought a west Texas town sight unseen on Ebay. He knows it’s a gamble but he’s up for the challenge, he’s never failed in business and though he knows this will be his biggest risk he’s up for the job. What he doesn’t expect is to find a town of endearing misfits and their appointed leader, Marisa who knocks him sideways from the first time they meet.
Marisa and Terry have instant combustible chemistry; it just jumps out and grabs you. Thing is they are both dealing with some relationship issues and know it’s not a good time to get involved. When Marisa discovers Terry is the town’s new owner, she’s even more upset. She finds herself time and time again representing the town’s people and questioning Terry’s plans for the town. They dance around each other a lot and then Marisa receives a marriage proposal from a rancher twice her age. This drives Terry crazy and although he pretends he doesn’t care, it’s obvious he does. When they do finally get together it’s crazy sexy and very hot.
It was very easy to like both of these characters. Marisa is determined and strong and I admire her for taking care of her Mom and putting her Mom’s needs above hers. Terry despite being a tough businessman has a heart; he shows it time and time again dealing with the people in the town and Marisa’s mom. Unfortunately when he persuades Marisa to take a short trip, a tragedy back home takes it’s toll on their fledgling relationship.
There is so much about this book that is first-rate. In addition to the main characters all the people in the town have some very out of the ordinary backgrounds. I found them and their stories entertaining and real. The scenes with Marisa’s mom were heartbreaking and very indicative of her disease. I very much appreciated that there wasn’t a rush to happily ever after, both Marisa and Terry had to overcome some obstacles and learn to accept that sometimes life turns your world upside down when you least expect it. Anna Jeffrey is an amazing author and I am really looking forward to reading more of her work.
August 30, 2014
Written by a prize winning author, I was hoping to learn something, but was disappointed at first. A particular bone of contention was the clothing. "She pulled on a western style shirt - white with embroidered red roses and silky fringe hanging from arching yokes across the front and back. Then she stuffed herself into clean Rockies jeans. Through the belt loops, she slipped a Mexican tooled-leather belt with conchos and a silver buckle the size of a saucer. She pulled on cowboy boots and added some silver jewellery to her earlobes and wrists." Less is more, this is far too long winded a description and western as apose to eastern. Only an American would immediately think country and western. Writers always need to think who their reader is going to be and if it is going to incorporate both sides of the Atlantic you can not assume the reader has the same cultural nuances you have. Compare this to Keith Wood, "In his taupe coloured uniform and gray Stetson." Perfect, short sharp and I immediately get a picture of him as a state trooper, plus the Stetson suggests cowboy much more than 'western'.
I have been criticised and marked down for using domestic detail and we have a blow by blow account of our heroine making bread and butter pudding, right down to the ingredients used. Wouldn't this be more appropriate in a cookery book? Yet when describing Terry's condo we have "his footsteps echoing through the almost empty space." This conveys the image of a sparsely filled place and gives the impression that he does not spend much time here.
Putting the criticism to one side, this is a novel with a lot of twists and turns and in that sense I can understand why the writer has been rewarded. The relationship between Marissa and her mother is particularly good as we see how ill her mother is by the things she does. She can not be left on her own in the kitchen otherwise she ends up toasting all the bread, hence the bread and butter pudding. We see Marissa's limited choices, her conflicting feelings when it comes to Terry. The physical attraction verses cold hard logic and reason. Yet Terry has conflicts of his own due to his difficult childhood, business acumen and physical desire. The end of the novel brings everyone's problems to a satisfactory conclusion and the feeling that love conquers all.
I have been criticised and marked down for using domestic detail and we have a blow by blow account of our heroine making bread and butter pudding, right down to the ingredients used. Wouldn't this be more appropriate in a cookery book? Yet when describing Terry's condo we have "his footsteps echoing through the almost empty space." This conveys the image of a sparsely filled place and gives the impression that he does not spend much time here.
Putting the criticism to one side, this is a novel with a lot of twists and turns and in that sense I can understand why the writer has been rewarded. The relationship between Marissa and her mother is particularly good as we see how ill her mother is by the things she does. She can not be left on her own in the kitchen otherwise she ends up toasting all the bread, hence the bread and butter pudding. We see Marissa's limited choices, her conflicting feelings when it comes to Terry. The physical attraction verses cold hard logic and reason. Yet Terry has conflicts of his own due to his difficult childhood, business acumen and physical desire. The end of the novel brings everyone's problems to a satisfactory conclusion and the feeling that love conquers all.
Want to read
February 15, 2016352pgs, Terry Ledger, wealthy developer of upscale sub-divisions and builder of high-end homes, has an ultimate goal of constructing a sprawling development for senior citizens exclusively. He has searched for years for the right location, but never expected to find it on an eBay auction. He paid a million dollars to win the tiny town of Agua Dulce, population ten. He 19s used to his activities changing other peoples 19 lives, but little did he know that his association with Agua Dulce and its people would be a life-changing event for himself.
Nor does Marisa Rutherford, the ostensible town mayor, manager of the only cafe, flea market and tourist trap and caretaker of her dying mother, expect to have to protect the town 19s odd population, as well as her heart and soul, from an outsider like Terry and his plans.
Nor does Marisa Rutherford, the ostensible town mayor, manager of the only cafe, flea market and tourist trap and caretaker of her dying mother, expect to have to protect the town 19s odd population, as well as her heart and soul, from an outsider like Terry and his plans.
February 27, 2013
What a sweet book! Ms. Jeffrey devoted much time to character development and plot background. The Texas desert's smells and sounds make you feel as if you have just to walk outside your door and you're there. The reader can only empathize with Marisa's life and admire the choices she's made while feeling as hopeless as Marisa does with the future staring her in her face. And such an assemblage of characters as the town's inhabitants! What a crazy, kooky conglomeration of nutcases! But, kudos to Ms. Jeffrey, you can't help but root for them all throughout the book.
The only drawback I felt was the ending came too quickly. I would have liked to see one of KA's epilogues so that we could find out how things turned out after......But, that's a whole 'nother book.
The only drawback I felt was the ending came too quickly. I would have liked to see one of KA's epilogues so that we could find out how things turned out after......But, that's a whole 'nother book.
September 8, 2013
My oh my. I think this book made me want to go spend some time in a small Texas town and eat some good food in a diner and people watch. Ana Jeffrey used some amazing story lines to keep me interested in this book and give it a 5. The only issue I have is not knowing the rest of the story. The title on Amazon indicates more books are coming but she's got other series happening so I don't know when she'll return to Agua Dulce but I hope so soon.
Will Ben's Rachel return? Will Ledger's dream for the city come to fulfilment? What other wacky things happen while life goes on in Sweet Water? I can't wait.
Will Ben's Rachel return? Will Ledger's dream for the city come to fulfilment? What other wacky things happen while life goes on in Sweet Water? I can't wait.
September 5, 2015
Agua Dulce or Sweet Water is a small town in west Texas that is put on eBay for sale. The population of about ten are a cast of characters that are society misfits that band together in a family.
The real estate developer that buys the town isn't ready for the wacky cast of characters in this small town that he gets to know and finds a new place for all of them in his new development to win the love of the woman that holds the group together.
It is funny, sad, full of tension and conflict that makes it one of the better human experience stories I have read in a long time. Anna Jeffery has another good story out for her fans to enjoy.
The real estate developer that buys the town isn't ready for the wacky cast of characters in this small town that he gets to know and finds a new place for all of them in his new development to win the love of the woman that holds the group together.
It is funny, sad, full of tension and conflict that makes it one of the better human experience stories I have read in a long time. Anna Jeffery has another good story out for her fans to enjoy.
January 20, 2013
Marissa was real & I loved all the kooks of Agua Dulce. The courtship between Terry and Marissa was too brief, but I undestand they kind got the spotlight stolen by the secondary characters but still they went on four dates and then he asked her to marry him. But, really I'm almost okay with it because all the characters where so real and flawed. Too often in books and in life we judge. A drunk is a bad wo/man, a crazy person can't function, or a slut is a slut. But Anna didn't do that she showed the bad with the good and didn't apologize for either.
January 12, 2013
I choose this book because I had read "The Love of a Cowboy" and totally loved it. I really enjoyed Sweet Water. Full of characters and a story line that's a little different. I loved the two main characters. I was expecting something else from the ending by what was hinted at in the end. I really nice read. Anna Jeffrey is now on my list of favorite authors.
September 28, 2013
This is a book.
For a full review, please go to:
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GoodReads's policies no longer comply with my review policy. Therefore my reviews will be posted at BookLikes going forward. Thank you for following my reviews here. I hope to continue discussing books with you on BookLikes.
For a full review, please go to:
http://mlleelizabeth.booklikes.com/
GoodReads's policies no longer comply with my review policy. Therefore my reviews will be posted at BookLikes going forward. Thank you for following my reviews here. I hope to continue discussing books with you on BookLikes.
September 7, 2013
I was into this book until the end.. I thought Marisa was so stupid to through Terry away, when she relied on him to handle things when her mother went missing.. But up until that point it was enjoyable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2015
West Texas Is A Story Unto Itself
This is a heartwarming tale where the goal slays her man, in the end. The mystery is when will she believe it herself. Desolate the desert can me, and some folks can live their lives in the same way. This author has entertained me.
This is a heartwarming tale where the goal slays her man, in the end. The mystery is when will she believe it herself. Desolate the desert can me, and some folks can live their lives in the same way. This author has entertained me.
kindle-i-own-to-read
December 22, 2012Amazon Freebie 12/22/2012
December 30, 2012
Had me from beginning to end. Did not put it down until I was finished.
January 2, 2013
Manages to get details about small town Texas pretty right. That in and of itself is pretty rare.
April 27, 2013
So I desperately needed some fluff, since I just finished reading Fight Club. (I liked Fight Club, but hoo boy I needed cheering up.) This delivered nicely.
March 15, 2015
Is a great book to read
March 24, 2015
Great read
I truly enjoyed this sweet well written story. The characters were nicely written and the storyline well developed. Looking forward to more.
I truly enjoyed this sweet well written story. The characters were nicely written and the storyline well developed. Looking forward to more.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews