Texas Glory begins five years after the conclusion of Texas Destiny. The events in that book are cleverly woven into the story line of Texas Glory, so it is not necessary to have read it to understand this one, but trust me, you do want to read Texas Destiny.

Dallas Leigh’s dream is beginning to come true. A town is springing up on his land, a town called Leighton. There are stores opening, they’ve hired a sheriff and in a few months, the train will come through. All is just what Dallas has hoped for except that very few women have come to Leighton to live. Dallas is now thirty-six and his desire for a son is becoming an all consuming obsession. Dallas is also having problems with his neighbors, the McQueens, who are cutting fences and even killing cattle in their dispute over land and water rights. When Dallas finds out that Angus McQueen has a daughter, he offers to trade land and water rights to the McQueens if Angus will give him Cordelia McQueen as his wife.

I use the word “give” because Angus McQueen considers his daughter to be his property. Cordelia McQueen has spent most of her young life nursing her mother who was paralyzed when Angus McQueen threw her down the stairs. Cordelia has not been allowed to ride a horse, plant a garden or even go outside by herself. “Women belong in the house taking care of their menfolk” according to Angus McQueen. Cordelia is scared to death of Dallas Leigh and bitterly resentful toward her father and brothers for just giving her away and not allowing her any say in the matter.

The first half of the book details how Cordelia and Dallas become acquaintances, then friends and finally lovers. This is where Lorraine Heath shines as a writer. There is no clichéd, “I hate you, I hate you, kiss me, you big strong lug” dialogue. Dallas and Cordelia move toward each other in a slow and halting way. Dallas gives Cordelia freedom for the first time in her life. He teaches her to ride a horse and allows her to redecorate his house to make it more comfortable. When Cordelia comes to Dallas with a plan for building a grand hotel in Leighton, he supports her, defends her to her family and does not dismiss her like they do, just because she is a woman. It’s the respect that Dallas gives to Cordelia that leads her to love him.

As for Dallas, the poor man has no idea how to treat a woman or even talk to one, much less one as sheltered as Cordelia. At first his gruff manner frightens her, but as they grow more comfortable with each other, Cordelia loses her fear while Dallas’s feelings toward her deepen until finally he admits to himself what his sister-in-law Amelia, knew all along. Dallas Leigh is a man who desperately needs love. Without Cordelia and the love she brings to him, all his accomplishments and dreams are nothing but dust and ashes.

Texas Glory has a larger scope than Texas Destiny. There are more characters, much more action and a more complex plot. The last half of the book is very action driven, but Ms Heath never loses control, and the characters are not overwhelmed by all the events taking place. I read the book in two marathon sessions and closed it with a feeling of respect for Ms Heath’s ability to tell such a complex story while still keeping the characters in the foreground at all times.

Houston and Amelia from Texas Destiny play a significant part in the story along with their little daughter Maggie. The youngest brother, Austin Leigh has grown up and matured, but is still the same lovable blue-eyed charmer. Austin also plays a large part in the story and it ends on a bit of a cliffhanger involving his part in a shooting. Austin’s story will be told in Texas Splendor, due out this fall. If it is as good as the preview chapter indicates, these three books will be my all-time favorite family saga.