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A review by isitcake
Texas Splendor by Lorraine Heath
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
3.75
Wow again impressed by Lorraine Heath, she had this all planned out at least from the previous book with Boyd writing "Austin" in the dirt.
Picking up 5 years later, Austin is freed after serving 5 years in prison for the murder of Boyd McQueen. He's innocent but he refused to give his alibi since he was with Becky Oliver and it would have ruined her reputation. But she's now married to his best friend Cameron McQueen and they have a kid together, Drew. Without any clear future, Austin heads to Austin to pick up the trail of the real killer. Right outside of town he comes across Loree who he initially mistakes for a boy. They recognize the loneliness in each other, and he keeps coming back to her while he and a detective unsuccessfully try to pick up leads in Austin. Loree's dog had died and he brings her a puppy, Two Bits, which stays throughout the entire story and its adorable. Rawley eventually cares for it.
But Austin got Loree pregnant like the first time they're together. He comes back and convinces her to marry him, then takes her back to Leighton. It's a bit rocky with the family since Austin literally just got out of prison and suddenly he has a pregnant wife. Loree is unsettled by the town as she recognizes it from her dark past.
Soooo turns out Loree was Boyd's murderer! And this ties the previous book together. The false land rights the McQueen's claimed were won from Loree's father, who frequently cheated and had false land claims. Boyd was pissed and came back, raped and hanged her 14-year-old brother and murdered her entire family. Loree was shot and left for dead but she survived. She tracked down and murdered Boyd. She didn't know Austin was sentenced for the murder she committed. Soon after the birth of their son, Grant, she confesses to Austin and then confesses to the sheriff. Austin pleads with the judge for the time he already served and the judge sentences her to "life with this man" lol.
Austin also figures out what he wants to do - be a musician. Except a conductor said a convicted felon can't be traveling with them. After the trial he comes back and offers the job to Austin, who initially refuses because he thinks its only because the conductor now knows he's innocent, which the conductor denies saying he can't get the song Austin played out of his head.
The song is what Austin hears when he thinks of his love for Loree.
But Austin got Loree pregnant like the first time they're together. He comes back and convinces her to marry him, then takes her back to Leighton. It's a bit rocky with the family since Austin literally just got out of prison and suddenly he has a pregnant wife. Loree is unsettled by the town as she recognizes it from her dark past.
Soooo turns out Loree was Boyd's murderer! And this ties the previous book together. The false land rights the McQueen's claimed were won from Loree's father, who frequently cheated and had false land claims. Boyd was pissed and came back, raped and hanged her 14-year-old brother and murdered her entire family. Loree was shot and left for dead but she survived. She tracked down and murdered Boyd. She didn't know Austin was sentenced for the murder she committed. Soon after the birth of their son, Grant, she confesses to Austin and then confesses to the sheriff. Austin pleads with the judge for the time he already served and the judge sentences her to "life with this man" lol.
Austin also figures out what he wants to do - be a musician. Except a conductor said a convicted felon can't be traveling with them. After the trial he comes back and offers the job to Austin, who initially refuses because he thinks its only because the conductor now knows he's innocent, which the conductor denies saying he can't get the song Austin played out of his head.
The song is what Austin hears when he thinks of his love for Loree.
The music began softly, gently, and she imagined a child discovering the wonders of a dandelion, blowing the petals, and watching them float upon the breeze. As smoothly as the dawn pushed back the night, the song grew deeper, stronger. The chords echoed around them, thundering against the falls, filling the night until chills swept through her and her heart felt immense gladness. The song rang of destiny and glory and splendor.
The epilogue is 10 years later. Austin and Loree are back from touring Europe with their FOUR sons; 10-year-old Grant, 8-year-old Zane, 6-year-old Matt, and 4-year-old Joseph. Grant is as gifted a violinist as him.
This joins Houston's brood of all girls - Maggie May, Laurel Joy, Amanda and A.J.
And Dallas' daughter Faith and their adopted older son Rawley.