Rhayne's review posted on Guilty Pleasures 
 4.5 Stars 
 Joan Johnston is one of my absolute favorite authors of all times. So it's no big surprise that once again she has written an amazing, heartfelt, passionate story with Texas Bride. 
 Texas Bride is the first book of the new Mail Order Bride series. However, it does also tie into the Bitter Creek series. Don't worry if you haven't read that series, you won't be lost. But I guarantee after reading this you will want to run out and get all her books. She has an amazing talent for intertwining her series. 
 This book has an amazing story line. Miranda and Jake are pushed together out of necessity on both their parts. They are both coming from dire circumstances and must learn to overcome the past in order to have any kind of a future. Their story is full of heartache and devotion. They are both very strong characters who bring out a lot of determination and excitement. 
 The additional characters in the story really brought out a new layer of depth. It was not easy to bring these two already-made families together. The emotion and the feelings that each were experiencing was written beautifully and realistically. You could really understand the feeling of everyone involved. 
 I admire the way Ms. Johnston pays attention to detail in a story with the perfect balance of describing, but not going overboard. The passion is strong, the suspense pulls you in, and the characters are captivating. 
 I would highly recommend this story to anyone who loves historical western romance about a feisty, strong willed woman who is determined to not only love, but be loved by a stubborn, prideful but caring cowboy.