by Katie Lane
Series: Deep in the Heart of Texas #4
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Western
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
THERE'S A FOX IN THE HENHOUSE -Inheriting the most notorious house of ill repute in Texas can spell trouble for a girl's reputation . . . especially when she's Elizabeth Murphy, Bramble's prim and proper librarian. Yet when she discovers a buck-naked cowboy handcuffed to a four-poster bed, she forgets all about the town gossips. Elizabeth has sworn off men, but the stranger's kisses melt her resolve faster than ice cream on a hot summer day. Waking up in Miss Hattie's Henhouse isn't how Brant Cates reckoned on getting to the bottom of his great-granddaddy's murder. The plan was to solve the centuries-old crime, then get the heck out of Dodge. But after meeting Elizabeth and discovering that the buttoned-up beauty is a sexy siren in disguise, he just can't pull himself away.Now Brant needs Elizabeth to finally put his past to rest, but is she willing to risk her future on Bramble's newest bad boy?
If you have been following my reviews you know how anal I am about reading books in order so when I downloaded and accepted an ARC of Trouble in Texas and discovered it was book four I was pretty darn nervous; in fact, I kept shuffling it back in my reading pile…But holy hot cowboys am I glad the responsible side of me that keeps and honors commitments forced me to read it. Lane gave me a delightful tale that had me laughing, crying, giggling and sighing! This was a fast-paced story, with wonderful characters that I connected to and had me buying the previous books in the series. Like a lot of the series, I love each book can be read as a standalone and centers on a couple.
The tale begins at Miss Hattie’s Henhouse once a place men traveled to from miles around for good brandy, fine Cuban cigars, and lovely ladies; the home is crumbling but Brant Cates goes there searching for answers surrounding a family curse and the death of his granddaddy. With a chip and the weight of his family resting squarely on his shoulders, he’s seeking to solve a century-old crime. Imagine his surprise when he is greeted by a couple of old hens and ends up getting shot. Then finds himself handcuffed to a four-poster bed kissing a woman. Elizabeth Murphy the town librarian and reluctant owner of the Henhouse gets a call from the three old women who reside there and immediately heads out to the farm to see what trouble they have gotten themselves into this time. Imagine her surprise when she discovers a naked man handcuffed to the bed. Brant wakes up and begins kissing Elizabeth thinking he is dreaming but before things can go to far she makes her escape. What have the hens done this time and how will she get them out of this mess? The tale that unfolds was hilarious, romantic and captivating.
Kane provided some of the most unique and colorful characters. Elizabeth is a thirty-seven-year-old woman who dresses like a schoolmarm, wears her hair in a tight bun and lives alone with her cat. Her mother taught her to avoid men and sadly she lives her life through the pages of the books that line the library walls. I immediately connected with her as we book lovers gotta stick together. The hens exasperate her. She loves them even though she is determined to sell the Henhouse. Brant Cates just oozes smexy, despite the hard-ass walls he has built around himself. This man bears the weight of loss and family. I found him to be noble and sweet. Brant was complex and the more layers the author revealed the more I admired him. (swooned over him!) His brother Beau was lucky after surviving some challenges and I am hoping to get his tale. We meet his other brother who just recently wed, and I am assuming his tale was a previous novel. The Hens themselves were an absolute riot. Their outrageous behavior, Willey ways, and kind hearts won me over in a heartbeat. The three of them plot to help Elizabeth find happiness and I was rooting for them the entire time. The townsfolk added to the tale and I think I’d have a grand old time if I ever visited just people watching. The romance felt genuine, developed slowly and was at times very hot. I enjoyed watching it unfold.
I thought Trouble in Texas offered up a fresh, fast-paced plot. Now granted I do not read a lot of contemporaries and maybe you will tell me it’s been done, but it was new to me and I became completely swept up in the tale. At the top of each chapter the author shares Hen House Rules and each was funny, unique and sometimes truthful. The mystery surrounding Brant’s ancestor was interesting and the reveal shocking. I liked the way the character’s tied into the tale and it came full circle. This was an excellent escape from reality and I enjoyed it immensely.
It should not come as a surprise that I recommend Trouble in Texas and the entire Deep in the Heart of Texas series. Kane spins a wickedly good tale with delightful characters and I am looking forward to reading her books for years to come.
Copyright (c) 2011-2013 Caffeinated Book Reviewer
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
A Belle's Tales
Holy cowboy abs!! The summary of this one made me giggle and your review was, as always, full-on awesome. So happy you stopped shuffling it back in the pile and read it! You and your four campfire coffees certainly have me intrigued! 😀
kimbacaffeinate
and yeah..that is exactly what made me grab this book too!
Blodeuedd
What can I say..I love cowboys!
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed!
kindlemom1
I don’t read a lot of westerns because normally they aren’t my thing but this sounds like it was a great fun read!
kimbacaffeinate
ooh contemporary cowboys are yummy!
GRgenius
So glad the series read worked out for you! I’m a stickler like that as well…if there are previous books in a series I am compelled to read them first….hence one of the current ones I’m working through. ^_^
kimbacaffeinate
Me too…but with all of the holiday reads I accepted, downloaded etc, and my procrastination over it..i had to dive in, but truly it was all good. I did end up buying book one
thegeekyblogger
This is actually on my seriously series maybe list. Mary didn’t like it so much but I love me some cowboys so I am glad to see a positive review. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I liked the different aspects..the mystery, the old hens, the librarian and yeah the yummy cowboy
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Heather 🙂
Book Savvy Babe
I think you’ll find that the cowboy/small town romance read provide quality reading, they have that sense of community and good people, which is a good background for stories. I’m glad you enjoyed this one, and yes, the cover is delicious 😉 Book Savvy Babe
kimbacaffeinate
hahaha..it was a fun read!
Andrea
Love that cover! Wow! Trouble in Texas sounds like a good read. I’m not into cowboys st all, but I still may give it a try.
Thanks for sharing!
kimbacaffeinate
You should…i never liked straight contemporaries and now I am eating them up in the New Adult genre like they are crack!
kimbacaffeinate
Eeew….no go for it, the librarian is his age or a little younger!!
kimbacaffeinate
Those things bother me too Barb you are not alone…in fact I skip books with cheaters, cougar’s, threesomes and yeah I want my hero to be taller!
Heidi
Oh that is a smoking hot cover perfect for a Top off Tuesday Post. I don’t read too many contemporaries either but on the other hand books that make me laught and have a great romance are alwasy a nice pick me up. I am glad that you were able to read this out of order without a problem, either.
kimbacaffeinate
I have always loved this type of contemporary, since it usually involves small towns, but I have recently been reading some New Adult straight up contemporaries and was shocked by how much I am enjoying them..go figure. Oh yum on that cover, and while I do not participate in that meme..heck yes this is a good pick for that!
Nick
Ha! I was just going to ask Kim the same question. I’m not a fan of the woman being too much older than the guy. And totally agree about the shorter hero thing as well! 😛
Nick
I find the guy’s pose on the cover hilarious for some reason! 😛
Wait, why was he naked? :O
You’re digging these contemps aren’t you, Kim? I need to find some free time to read some myself. Sounds very interesting! The characters seem to have great chemistry! Great review as always, Kim! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
He is yummy..isn’t he..LOL Nick I have always like contemporaries like this, with cowboys and/or small towns. What has surprised the heck out of me is how much I am enjoying straight up New Adult contemps..who knew?!?
kimbacaffeinate
He is smokin’
kimbacaffeinate
Diah Didi, I am so excited that one you look at my side bar and wait for the reviews and that two..this hot little book is on it’s way to you. This was such a fun read and oh yeah..I think we all love that cover!
Naomi Hop
Loving those abs!!!! Glad you loved it, even though you didn’t read it in order!! I know what you mean though, I love to read all books in the series, not to start at book 4.
kimbacaffeinate
It’s ok because I grabbed book one..and yum on those abs!
Turning the Pages
Okay the cover is hot! I might have to read this one as soon as I can. I’m glad it can be read as a standalone too and that it had you laughing a lot. Thanks for the review 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I loved this so much I bought the three before it <3
kimbacaffeinate
🙂
Aurian
o that blurb makes me laugh out loud, I really want to read at least that first part of the book!