I really enjoyed this one. The writing set the scene well. The characters were likable and for fans of this genre I think you will definitely enjoy this one.
First time Ive read this author but would read more in the future.

Book One in the Thanksgiving Books & Blessings Collection is a story so powerfully written, I felt swept back to the late 1800s and joined in the journey as if I was part of the story. I loved the story and how vivid the details were. What stuck in my mind as I read the story was how much it reminded me of my granddad. He traveled by covered wagon in the 1800s to homestead his land in Oklahoma. Much like the people in the story, he had many obstacles to overcome along the way.

I think in those days everyone wanted a place to call their own. I can see how easy it was for the families to trust someone only to find that they had been cheated out of land they worked hard on. Day after day they worked the cotton fields and were exhausted at night. They didn't have fancy machines to pick for them and I could feel their aches and pain as they picked the cotton by hand. It was a shock to learn that three families working side by side would soon lose all they had worked for due to a mean spirited greedy man. It made me so angry to read how he had swindled them. What I really liked was how they all came together to make decisions. I could feel the excitement as they decided that Texas was their new destination.

The story is well written and depicts the old west beautifully. Riding in wagons for long periods of time was hard and miserable. Can you image what it was like in a wagon with the sun beaming down on you as you trudge along on terrain that was rough? I was so impressed with the way the author told the story of these seventeen people and how much faith they had in God providing them a new place to settle. A lot of the story at the beginning features Alicia. She has her heart set on marrying Flynn. She sure does pester him a lot about becoming husband and wife. At times she got on my nerves because she almost seemed selfish. What I came to realize was this young girl so much wanted to be loved and her heart was hurting to be loved by Flynn. There are some good talks between Flynn and Alicia's father that really showed how much Flynn respected Alicia. Will they get married before they reach Texas?

Another character I really liked was Gabby. She was the outcast at times and seemed to have a somewhat shady past. Gabby wanted to have a best friend but Alicia didn't really trust her. I loved the theme in the story about trust and forgiveness. Several characters have secrets and feel ashamed. Gabby is one of those who has been hurt in the past, and done some things that she can't forgive herself for. Alicia has a chance to forgive Gabby for something, but will she give her mercy or turn her back on her?

As I read the story I could see the struggles the families endured and how easy it was to become jealous of another. They experience loss that will affect everyone as they travel to Texas. It is a realistic account of how the settlers find their new home and the trials they encountered along the way. Except surprises, mistrust, doubt and a story rich in faith. There is a part in the story that had me crying as I witnessed miracles and redemption. I have always loved the authors gifted way of writing that captures the characters deep emotions. This is one story you won't be able to put down. Be sure and grab a copy and get ready for an adventure on the open range with characters that will feel like family at the end of the story.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

This is the first book in the Cross Timbers romance family Saga by Karol Macado and it could definitely be broken up into three different novels, but it’s so interesting Time just flies by as you read it. The first main plot is Alicia and she is in love with Flynn their families have been friends since before they were born in their moms play they would eventually get married and Alicia wants to make that prayer come true but does Flynn? He isn’t Alicia‘s only problem though because even if he does love her he will first have to convince her dad savvy at at the moment savvy and the to all the families have even more problems. The land they thought they bought wasn’t the sellers land to sell and although he was saying for his deceitful crimes it’s still leaves the three families with the decision to make. Should they stay in the Carolinas or go west to the republic of Texas? The families decide to go west after the harvest and as they take turns bringing the cotton in to be sold on one of these trips Alicia and her dad meet a man his daughter in the slave and when he exes Xavi they could work for them until after harvest he says he asked to talk to the clan first. The families decide to bring them a board even though Alicia and Flynn‘s mamas don’t like that he owns a slave and once they come they like it even less when they say she is expecting a child because they assume it is The man carbons baby and why does his teenage daughter keep gazing at Flynn like she is in love when she knows he is Alicia‘s bow. There is yet another plot in this saga, but I will put it in my review as it would be a big-time spoiler just know this is a great book to curl up on the weekend with and read until your hearts content I cannot wait to get started on the second book in this Siri‘s. I love and admire Carol Macado‘s writing and the fact that her books are always faith filled and are so authentic and her writing style seems to be so natural. As I said this is a very long book but OMG is it worth reading I absolutely loved it and gave it five stars only because that is the most you can give a book. I received this book from netGally and the author and I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review , But all opinions are definitely my own.

Take a faith based journey west to the new Republic of Texas with author Caryl McAdoo and her and the first of her Texas saga. What a tour-de-force! We are introduced to an extended family and their immediate friends who have been cheated on a land deal in Tennessee and now must seek greener pastures. The new Republic's land offerings seem like a reasonable way for the group to get a new start. I cannot imagine a better introduction to the vicissitudes of pioneering then this warm and loving drama. Put this at the top of your must read books!

There is so much I enjoyed about this book! The story was great! The characters were realistic and loveable! I loved the way Caryl enhanced conversation between the characters with the southern drawl and terms of endearment between them. A very inspirational read that touched on every emotion! Though this was my first read by this author, it will not be my last! I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Netgalley for an honest review. My opinions are my own.

As 17 people embark on a journey in the 1800’s riding in covered wagons to their new destination, they endure struggles and hardships that causes them to draw on their faith and forgiveness. I always enjoy reading Carol McAdoo’s books because they are always inspiring, clean and filled with scriptures that cause me to reflect on her characters and how they handle the situations they are put in.

All words and opinions are my own. I was given a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley and the publisher for my honest review.

I really enjoyed every minute of Gone to Texas: Cross Timbers Romance Family Saga, Book One by Caryl McAdoo. The story was very well crafted and kept my attention throughout. The historical aspect of this novel demonstrates the author’s understanding of the era and the characters were simply unforgettable.

This is the kind of book that really begs to be read in one sitting, even if it is 432 pages long – who needs sleep anyway?!

I highly recommend this novel and I will certainly be adding the rest of the series to my ever growing to-read list!

Gone to Texas by Caryl McAdoo is a well written saga of three families trying to reach the Western US by wagon train. The characters are interesting and the problems that they face are realistic. I love historical fiction especially those including pioneers and the West.

In Book One of the Thanksgiving Books & Blessings Collection and the all new Cross Timbers Family Saga series, Gone to Texas uncovers a deception that leaves the characters with a tough decision: stay where they are or travel to a strange and faraway wilderness. Can they stay together all the way to Texas and accomplish their goals?

Enjoyed this story. Glad I read it! Would recommend this to all that enjoy a historical journey. This story was filled with laughs, tears and joy.

This was quite a family saga moving from what they thought would be their forever home in Tennessee to the Republic of Texas. Actually, the travelers are related by blood and/or friendship. It took a couple of months and they experienced tragedy, love, friendship and lots more on the trip. This is the first in the Thanksgiving Books and Blessings series. I am interested to know more about what happens next. It is a clean story and it stirs a lot of different emotions as you travel along with the characters in the story. One of the characters, Liberty, kept a journal of their travels and experiences throughout the book. I enjoyed picking up the book each time to find out what the next adventure would be.

I received an arc but I also own my own copy and I happily leave my honest review.

Gone to Texas
Cross Timbers Romance Family Saga, Book One
by Caryl McAdoo
Pub Date 09 Jun 2018
BooksGoSocial
Christian| Historical Fiction


BooksGoSocial and Network have provided me with a copy of Gone to Texas for review:


Is it possible to create beauty from ashes?


A deception drives seventeen souls to make a hard choice: stay as sharecroppers or take up the lure of free land in a new Republic far away.


Amidst peril and adversity, Liberty O'Neal, a widowed man, his daughter, and slave, head out with Corbin Harrell, a widowed man, a widower, and a slave, gambling everything on gaining land ownership and working it together.


Can friendship and puppy-love survive a harrowing covered wagon journey to blossom into a forever love and marriage between Alicia Van Zandt and Flynn O'Neal?


I give Gone to Texas five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

Book one in the collection. I was easily hooked at the beginning of the book. Told in first person switching characters as it goes, a great group of Christian people. What I like in a wagon train story, it makes you feel like you're on the journey with them going from Tennessee to Texas. They'd been swindled on their collective land and farm in Tennessee so they headed to Texas for the free land there that you could get for homesteading it. Interesting journey and it's nice that you get to see them arrive and get settled as things fall into place.

I received this book free from the author, publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

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