It should be made clear from the beginning that this is a continuation of an on-going theme. The Legend by Donna Grant neatly ties up the missing father suspense element that brought the three brothers back together but ends with an expectation of more from the evil Saints. To have the fullest enjoyment of this book, I would recommend that the books be read in order. Also, I want to point out that while this is a contemporary military romantic suspense series, Ms. Grant is queen of the paranormal genre so expect a few liberties with realism even though this is not a paranormal.

The third book of the sons of Texas is Wyatt and Callie’s story. They have a history growing up, baggage and an attraction that will not go away. As they work though all of this, there are bio-weapons, Russians, a missing father to find, and a secret global organization to thwart making this an action-packed thriller as well as a romance. To sum it up, it is a mission impossible type of read; escapism reading at its most fun.

So this book is considered an inter-connected standalone. Yes, you could read this book by itself, but I would read the first two books (The Hero and The Protector) first. I was able to follow this story but some things were just a bit confusing for me, because I didn’t know the history with the family. Also, it was a lot of characters swirling around and I think it would have made more sense to me had I experienced the first two books.

Generally, I enjoyed the story. Callie, in particular, was really likable and I enjoyed her fighting spirit. She has never had an easy go of things in life, but she always keeps trying and learning from her experiences. I also enjoyed that we see Callie’s character working on coding and other factors that would require her to be intelligent and able to think on her feet. I personally love seeing a heroine who is able to knock the socks off the guys and Callie is definitely that.

Wyatt’s character is the epitome of broody, alpha male. However, even though he was that, he was also sensitive and his softer side did come through during certain parts of the story. Another facet of Wyatt that I loved is that the reader gets to go back in time with he and Callie. We see their past, and we also see Wyatt learning from the past. Callie is trying to protect her heart, but Wyatt seemed to learn his heart.

One thing I really struggled with in this book was some of the things the characters did just didn’t make much sense to me. One scene that stood out was Wyatt carrying Callie to a location. They had a car and could have driven in, but Wyatt feels that’s too risky, so he decided to carry her. To me, this seemed to make them even more vulnerable. There were other times where this happened in the book. I didn’t necessarily mind the character doing one thing vs another, it was just hard for me to see the character actually doing that.

Overall, I enjoyed this story. The story is full of non-stop action. I could honestly seeing this series being made into a movie, or t.v. series because the action is always going. There are no dull moments and I enjoyed that a lot.

I was hooked from beginning to end on this second chance romance, this is the 3rd in the series and to truly appreciate it, I do recommend reading the entire series in order. The story is fast paced with tons of drama and suspense. Wyatt and Callie have known each other since they were kids, however Wyatt know the kind of dangerous life he had planned to lead and left Callie behind. Now he must protect her and deal with everything happening with his family. Steamy chemistry and a great story.

A Delta Force operative comes home and keeps safe his once childhood sweetheart against a huge, lethal shadow organization with a doomsday rule the world type of goal. Oh yes, count me in.
Review

So… The Legend is the third book in the Sons of Texas series. Heh, yeah, I missed that when I was all excitable over the blurb and cover. It was not the best of reading experiences for this book as a result. Then again, I had little trouble with getting into the ongoing series arc or already introduced characters.

The Legend was my first book by Donna Grant. It not exactly what I was expecting and I’m not referring to the fact that it was book three and I had to get up to speed. I was expecting maybe some local troubles and a second chance romance. Instead, I got an American version of a James Bond story with Wyatt being the James Bond figure and The Saints organization being the evil, secretive world-wide criminal group and the bio weapon with scientist fitting right in.

Now, I’m not trying to say this is a James Bond retelling because its not, but just trying to explain that I had to alter my expectations and get used to what I had. Its got some far-fetched going on, but I went with it since I tolerate that better in spy thrillers. It did tip into over the top a few times with the addition of the terrorist group out for revenge on Wyatt and Callie’s criminal family trying to steal her back. Callie’s family motives made no sense to me since I had no idea what they thought they were going to do with her once they had her back. They seemed more distraction than anything else.

I hadn’t read the earlier books about Wyatt’s brothers, but for those who did, there are several cut to scenes with them and their dad. I enjoyed encountering all of them and some of the family’s allies and friends. There were a few villain scenes, too, that were quiet intriguing.

This was one of those romances that worked for me because of everything else going on around it. I didn’t have much patience for this pair though I could understand, to an extent, why they were dinking around. The pair were already in love, but were equally as strongly in denial. Wyatt denies because he’s still messed up after his mother’s murder when he was younger. Callie denies because Wyatt hurt her when he pushed her away as a teen. I smirked over their denials because here they are so protective of each other that they hide vital information so the other doesn’t worry and they dash into trouble to throw themselves in front of each other. And then there is all the sniping because they are sexually frustrated. Yeah, definitely not into each other. At all. Nope. Definitely not. Now, I didn’t hate them, but I thought they were good for each other and just needed a swift kick in the butt to get with it.

All in all, I had a good outing with my first Donna Grant. I’m curious about where things are going particularly if a couple of the side players get their story now that the brothers all got their HEAs. I’m all on board with the small band taking down the evil Saint organization, too. I would recommend this one, but I would recommend starting rather with book one, The Hero.

The cover got my interest, I read the blurb and I was hooked and requested the book on NetGalley. I saw that the book is part of a series, but I didn't care. Well, maybe I should have. Because even though I found this story highly entertaining and engaging, I think this is one of those times that reading the previous books not only helps to keep a track of the different players and elements but most likely would have made this story even more enjoyable to me.
The author's writing is great, the story has a good tempo, timing, and a natural flow that made me get completely lost in the story, with the heartfelt, rather sweet second chance romance and the edgy, deadly, escalating suspense that kept me on my toes.
I loved Callie Reed as the heroine, she is capable, she is equal, she knows what she is doing, she is part of the team, and held her own against the savage culprits as well as against her family, everyone who is after them. Wyatt Loughman is a true alpha, protective, strong, steady, and silent, with only one weakness - Callie. I loved them together because of the connection they had, have had for years, and how those feelings they used to have for each other are maturing and developing as they have as individuals.
The suspense is a tangible force in the story. Like a snowball effect, it keeps escalating with frequent, violent, brutal one on one combat action scenes until the grand explosive finale. There are several different culprits coming at them, looking for revenge, to take them out, annihilate them. Here is where the information from the previous books would have been a great benefit, I believe. There is a lot going on, a lot of players on the field, sub-plots that some were wrapped up some left open ended. The whole ending, even though coming to a satisfying conclusion as of now, had a feeling that there is more to come.
For all the conspiracy lovers, suspense readers, who enjoy a taste of romance mixed with the action scenes, who appreciate a strong sense of family, and the bond of military brotherhood, this series is for you!
~ Four Spoons

This is the third installment in the series, I still liked the second book the best, maybe its because I just liked Cullen, the best. This one was Wyatt and Callie and there second chance at love, they had grown up together, and then Wyatt turned his back on her and she had not seen him for about fifteen years. However, Wyatt knew that Callie was the one for him, he never got over her, nor her over him, but he knew the type of life he was planning on living, that is why he left. The brothers are communicating, but they do have a strained relationship, due to having there mother brutally murdered years ago, and they blamed there father for it, they barely see each other, and now there father is missing, and someone is gunning for them, so they are the run, trying to figure out, who it is, and trying to stay alive at the same time, all the while, Callie and Wyatt can not fight the chemistry that they still have. Eventually everybody unites, and we finally reach the end, but I am not telling you, you have to read...

I usually love stories by Ms. Grant, but found this one very confusing. It seems this is one of those series where you really need to read the books in order. I restarted this book three times and couldn't get into it. A lot of characters and actions that didn't make sense to me, not knowing their stories previously.

Donna Grant continues her saga of the “Sons Of Texas’, weaving a plot around the Loughman brothers. The series started off with loved ones murdered and the Loughman father kidnapped. With a conspiracy spanning countries worldwide, the Loughman brothers are brought together to unravel the threat to the world and protect the ones they love.

“The Legend”, oldest of the brothers and deadliest of the deadliest Delta Force, Wyatt Loughman knows the parties gunning for him and his family, and the deadly Saints hell bent on launching nuclear weapons to harm the human race. But more dangerous is Callie Reed, his forever love and the woman of his heart, and he will kill and get killed to protect her.

A renegade and ultra smart hacker and a trained sharp shooter, Callie Reed needs no protection to save herself, but the heart is all together a different matter. Teaming with Wyatt to bring the Saints down, death stalks them, emotions weigh them down and love gives them the motivation and courage to fight the evil, and she will kill anyone who threatens her only family the Loughmans, be it her own flesh and blood.

Things heat up in Donna Grant’s third book, “The Legend”, as secrets slowly come into the open, betrayal becomes their shadow and friends turn foe. Yet it also brings the entire Loughman family together, as they rally around their loved ones and fight one battle at a time, getting closer to eliminating the Saints.


Donna Grant’s first foray into romantic suspense is just invigorating and brilliant. She delivers with intensity and passion, as the soldiers protect and serve, live to fight for honor and justice and live to fight for the women of their souls. Although each book can be read alone, it would be enjoyed much more if read in sequence as the sub plot flows from the other books, and new characters get introduced.

A five star read and a definite addition to the library!

Received an ARC from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley for an honest review.

THE LEGEND by Donna Grant is an amazing, fast paced, secretive, nerve racking third Sons of Texas novel. While reading the first two books, I have to admit that I didn't like Wyatt that much, he is cold, demanding and tended to belittle Callie just a bit too much for my taste. But a few surprising truths come out about his feelings. One thing that comes to light is -- Callie has a horrible and abusive family and we find out that it was Wyatt that frightened them into leaving her alone, but now they are back wanting her to return to the fold. What has given them the courage to become pests again?

The Loughman's know that they are up against an organization called, believe it or not, Saints, who will stop at nothing to obtain a bio-weapon that Orrin has hidden. Wyatt and Callie have their hands full as they try to work together, face their feelings and deal with her family and the Saints.

This is a reunion book of sorts, but I am hopeful that it is not the last, as there are a couple of characters that I would not mind seeing have their own books. Sergei, Lev and even Maks would make really good leading men. If you want action packed pages, danger, intrigue, love and romance then THE LEGEND will bring all that and more.

~ Annetta Sweetko, reviewer at Fresh Fiction

My complete review can be found at: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=63136

http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=63136 and sent the social media out for it on release day

Even though I had not read the two preceding books in the series I was able to quickly catch up. Wyatt has returned to his families ranch after retiring from the military. After his family became under attack he united with his brothers to protect his family and find his missing father. Never forgetting Callie he will protect her at any costs. Trying to figure out where they stand when she can no lie never deny the chemistry that courses through her veins. Fast paced action that keeps your attention from the first first page.

They live to protect. They live to fight for honor and justice. They live to love the women who have captured their souls. These are the Sons of Texas, from New York Times bestselling author Donna Grant.
In The Legend, Callie Reed doesn’t need a man to protect her. An expert sharpshooter and renegade hacker, this Texas-born spitfire’s got the skills and the courage to stand up to any danger―no matter how deadly. But when she becomes the target of a shadowy organization known as the Saints, Callie is forced to team up with the one man she can’t outshoot: the gorgeous, and infuriating, Lone Star legend named Wyatt Loughman…
A Delta Force Colonel with a rock-hard body and stone-cold heart, Wyatt has been teasing and tormenting Callie since they were playmates on his family’s ranch. Of course, he’s wildly attracted to the fiery, strong-willed Callie. But he’s always hidden his feelings behind a wall of Texas tough and military cool, even as he’s burning up with desire. Can Wyatt save Callie’s life―without putting her love in the line of fire?

There are so many points of view in this book and it made it so worth the time and effort. You get to see everything that is going on from all sides. I, personally think this was the best in the series to date. Donna has now set the scene, for all the books and you just get stuck in the book as soon as you start. There was a lot more action in this book than the last book. I felt like the last book was more backstory and this one was more "let's do this!" We get to see some justice done and some romance along the way. Answers are found in this one that was just alluded to in the last book. I still felt like since there were soooo many unanswered questions that we're going to have another book and possibly a couple more in the series. I would personally love that. With each book the story and the author's ability to tell the story has grown. I believe it would be awesome to have a couple others come out. Pick this up on a lazy weekend and if you haven't read the series, then start with the first one and go from there.

I was given a copy of this ARC from the publisher/author for an honest review. All of the above comments are my express opinions and no one else's.

A heart-felt, action packed, 2nd Chance Romance

The story picks up right after book two and the action and danger is alive and kicking.
This can definitely be read as a stand alone, trust me, you won't miss much as the plot is easy to follow and recaps are plentiful.

Wyatt is back home to deal with the terrorist group targeting his family. For the last fifteen years he's stayed away. Now a decorated and highly skilled Delta Force operative, Wyatt is read to fight alongside his brothers and face the girl he left behind.

Callie loved Wyatt fifteen years ago with stars in her eyes but when he pushed her away and left home without a backwards look, she tirelessly worked to eradicate him from her life and her heart. With their lives in danger and enemies at every turn, Callie finds herself working alongside the one man capable of bringing her up or tearing her down.

As Callie and Wyatt try to out wit and out fight the Saints, they have to face the fact that there is still a love stronger then either imagined linking them together.

Some light is shed on the murder of the Loughmans' mother, we get to see the rest of the gang in action and the good guys just barely manage to stay one step ahead of the sinister Saints.

What I liked:
Wyatt and Callie were fleshed out and in depth characters. They both had baggage but slowly worked out their issues to finally be able to claim the future of love and acceptance that they both craved.

I liked that Callie was such a strong woman, her love for Wyatt was complicated and messy and emotionally draining but she remained a brave and intelligent woman. There were no TSTL moments for Callie. She called Wyatt out on his BS, stood up to him, and gave as good as she got.

Wyatt was definitely the self sacrificing martyr type Hero. He loved deeply and whole-heartedly, it just took him a bit longer to admit it and accept it. He makes up for it with his feelings and inner dialogue that shows his more vulnerable side.

For years, he'd kept the memory of a girl alive, but now, the woman was in his arms. A woman who stole his heart with a smile. A woman with a fiery spirit who laughed in the face of overwhelming odds.

The fast pacing and on-going plot kept me engaged and pretty hooked on the main story line. The light romance kept this read light and optimistic.

The ending did feel a bit rushed but it could be that I just wanted to keep reading about Wyatt, Callie and the rest of the Whitehorse team. I hope the war against the Saints will live up to the hype because so far, leading up to it, has been completely worth it and a great opening to more action fighting suspense with just the right about of light-hearted romance.

Favorite Line(s):
"He was the only one for her. She was willing to fight to the death for him, to have him any way she could - because he was the other have of her heart."
It was a poignant moment when Callie accepts Wyatt just the way he is, no compromise, no lies, just unconditional support and love for her man. It was a hard core declaration of her love for him.

Donna Grant’s Sons of Texas is a stellar romantic suspense series, and I am sad to see it end. I eagerly anticipated The Legend - Callie and Wyatt’s story - and it did not disappoint. It was a sexy, angsty, and heartfelt love story with a plot full of intrigue and suspense that kept me riveted.

Callie and Wyatt had a brief affair when they were young after she began working at his family’s ranch and becoming a semi-member of his family. They fell hard for each other, but Wyatt broke her heart when he left to join the military. They haven’t spoken since, but she stayed close to his father and has been working with him.

Wyatt returns only when his father goes missing, and he has to work with Callie ands brothers in order to find him. Neither ever forgot each other, and their partnership is pushing them together again. They cannot hide or deny the fierce attraction. As things heat up (bad guys, chemical weapons, danger) and they have to rely on each other more and more, their defenses begin to drop allowing them to face their past.

Callie and Wyatt make a great team. They’re both strong personalities and self-reliant; therefore, it is difficult for them to accept they might need to rely on someone else. They both want to take care of everything and everyone, especially Wyatt. They have amazing chemistry, and there reunion feels genuine and heartfelt. The Legend is a wonderful second-chance romance and an amazing action-packed suspense story.

ARC provided, but this review was voluntarily and honestly written.

I would highly recommend that you read the previous books in this series. I did not and felt a little lose which affected my overall enjoyment of the book. Wish I had known what was going on. Lots of characters I didn’t know.

Other than that this was a fast paced, action filled book with two characters that I enjoyed. The romance is not front and centered and let’s face it, that’s why I read. I would definitely recommend this if you’re willing to read the previous books first.

More than one POV

ARC provided by Netgalley

Ok, so this book is probably considered standalone but I highly recommend reading the first two books in the series (I have not) since there is an ongoing story laced through the three books. However, each book does feature a different couple. That being said I still really enjoyed this book and would have probably enjoyed it even more if I read the first two. For me this book read like a movie. It's extremely fast paced and action packed with some steam thrown in. The characters are likeable and have great chemistry. There's also a lot of fantastic secondary characters. My only complaint is that some of the dialogue between Wyatt and Callie was cheesy during times of intimacy. It didn't fit Wyatt's character and threw me off. But overall this is a great story and while Wyatt and Callie got their HEA, I have a feeling this storyline is going to continue. Looking forward to it!

3.5 stars
So, this is the third book in this series, and I'll admit, I was a bit lost at first.  It evidently picks up right where the last one left off.  After catching on to what was happening, I really enjoyed it.  It was fast paced and action packed.  I felt like there needs to be more to the story because there was some unfinished business.

I'll be going back to read the previous books in this series :)

*thanks to Social Butterfly PR for sharing a copy of this with me*

The Legend is the third installment of the Sons of Texas series, as the Loughman brothers search for their kidnapped father and outmaneuver the danger that is out to kill them. Wyatt Loughman is the oldest of the three and probably the most dangerous. He lives up to his name “The Legend” as a member of Delta Force, because he is ruthless and fights like there is no tomorrow. He left Texas when he was able because he blamed his father for his mother’s murder, and vowed never to return. He left the only girl he has ever loved and now there are together and old feelings are stirring again.

Wyatt and Callie were interesting characters because they stood independently for so long but couldn’t help longing for the other. I loved how tough both of them were and how they both worked hard to be tough and talk themselves out of those feelings. But when the only person you ever loved is in danger, it’s hard to deny those feelings when you know that there may not be a tomorrow. All bets are off and they have a tender and loving moment together. There was a good balance of intrigue with the romance which worked well for me.

Donna Grant has created a story of suspense, slowly building over the course of the series, and it concludes with an epic battle. It even had a few twists at the end which was a pleasant surprise too. I love her writing because she gives you enough to tease you and lure you in, and before you know it you’re hooked. She kept me on the edge until the very end and left a few loose ends that I am hoping will be a chance for more stories to be written. I hope so because it would be nice to see the FINAL battle when their enemy is confronted once and for all. I really enjoyed this story and would definitely recommend it for a summer read.

This is the 3rd book in this series about a father and three sons, all military, who are battling an unknown enemy called The Saints. The plot seems unnecessarily convoluted, but I will say I have preservered because the writing is strong. If all three books up to this point had been condensed to one story, I think I would have followed the storyline better. This book focuses on the oldest brother, Wyatt and the young girl who came to live with this family when she was very young. They both had feelings for each other all along, but Wyatt in particular fought these feelings because he is "Delta". They are thrown together because of the new battle happening. My sense is that this series not finished, because although the current battle has been won, the war is not. I have mixed feelings about this book and this series. But, thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this for an honest review. This was honest!