TEXAS LEGACY is a novella that's part of Lorraine Heath's Texas Trilogy series. TEXAS LEGACY is a book about second chances, love, and family. Rawley Cooper grew up never knowing love until he was adopted by the Leigh clan. His early boyhood was a horror show until Dallas Leigh and his wife Cordelia made him a part of their family. Things got a little tangled up when Rawley eventually fell for Dallas and Cordelia's daughter Faith. He fled the coop rather than face any fallout from attempting to try a romance with Faith. Years later, Rawley and Faith have matured and try to make something work between them. This is another character- driven tale by Lorraine Heath, with a happy ending after the main characters dodge a few curveballs.

Rawley Cooper, because of his feelings of inferiority, but also out of love for his family, never felt good enough to be a mate to Faith. After six years of living on his own and away from the people he loves most, Rawley finally feels it's the right time to try and be the man in Faith's life that she needs and wants. Lorraine Heath tells this story from alternating perspectives so that the reader sees what this hero and heroine are slow to reveal to each other. During Rawley's absence, Faith dealt with some life-changing events and got a daughter out of the mess. Readers who enjoy strong female characters who are treated with respect by friends and family will love this heroine. After Rawley left, Faith took on a lot of responsibility and came into a position of power in the family business. Considering this is the wild west and 1909, it's to everybody's credit that nobody expects Faith to vacate that position when Rawley comes back. One of the things I enjoy so much about this story and this couple is that they complement each other and work together. The prior history, level of trust, and support are all things that ratchet up the sexual tension and make the passion that much hotter when they do finally get together.

TEXAS LEGACY is a sweet and sexy combo that will give you cowboy dreams. Fans of the previous books in this series will enjoy seeing familiar characters, but this works as a standalone romance as well. This story will appeal to readers who enjoy the "second chance at romance," "friends to lovers," and "cowboy" tropes, as well as readers who just enjoy good storytelling. I look forward, as always, to Lorraine Heath's next book.

Book Summary

For as long as he can remember, Rawley Cooper has loved Faith Leigh. But the cruelty of his childhood haunts him and he knows he’s undeserving of Faith. When she comes to him on the night of her nineteenth birthday, they both give into temptation. But the searing kiss reaffirms what he’s always known: he can’t have a lifetime of her in his arms. To protect his heart, he packs his things and heads west.

Faith has always adored the boy her parents took in and raised. But she’s not certain she can ever forgive him for riding out of her life just when she needed him the most. When an urgent telegram forces him to return six years later, Rawley discovers Faith is now a woman to be reckoned with.

As old feelings are stirred back to life and new passions take hold, they both must confront secrets from their past or risk losing a legacy of love.