Texas Vows

by Cathy Gillen Thacker

Book Overview

In a brand new story about her famous McCabe family from the Harlequin American Romance( series, the author brings a newly widowed Sam McCabe back to Laramie, Texas with his five boys. But coming home... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0373834632
• Release Date: March 2001
• Publisher: Harlequin
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 0.8" x 4.3"

Customer Reviews

Compelling -- Very highly recommended

When the tenth housekeeper in six months quits, a retired lady-marine-turned-house-keeper, Sam McCabe still refuses to admit he and his five boys need the help of a grief counselor, and especially the help of Kate Marten. Kate confronts Sam, stating that what is happening in the aftermath of Ellie's death is not routine, but Sam won't listen. He's always "sucked up" and gotten through emotional times by controlling his emotions, and that is exactly what he and boys will continue to do. In one last effort to help, Kate insists upon becoming their temporary housekeeper, hoping to create opportunities for healing.Kate understands grief. Her brother Pete, Sam's best friend, died in a tragic accident when she was twelve. Her parents coped with the loss much as Sam does -- by stoically keeping their chins up and not confronting the pain. Healing for Kate came in college when she began taking psychology classes. Now Kate pursues the career path she loves through grief counseling. Defying her parents' advice and the harsh words of her fiancé, Kate moves in with Sam's brood for five weeks, determined to bring healing to this hurting household of males. She doesn't expect to have to confront her own needs as well, including the lack of passion in prospective marriage and a wish for the kind of passion Sam shared with Ellie.As TEXAS VOWS unfolds, the humor of the five boys, ages five to eighteen, carefully balances the weightier subject matter. Even the secondary characters are carefully drawn and richly embellished with detail to give them vibrancy. Indeed, TEXAS VOWS is a surprising gem -- with its multi layered plot and multi faceted characters, it sparkles with freshness and depth. The subject of grief and the tragic loss of important characters within the novel result in a compelling read that is heartwarming and "real." Rather than the typical escape from reality most genre romance novels provide, TEXAS VOWS escapes into reality, confronting our fears of loss and need to live beyond death of loved ones. The characters, including the children, are believable, even allowing teens to be belligerent, angry, and dangerous to self. TEXAS VOWS comes very highly recommended.

Texas Vows

A Good heart warming story... Look for the other 2 books in the seies

Buy an extra box of tissues...

We were introduced to Sam McCabe in "The McCabes of Texas" series. He was the gruff and grieving cousin trying to hold his family of 5 sons together. Now we have the opportunity to read his story.Cathy Gillen Thacker offers us a warm, compelling and thought provoking story about a husband and his sons who are struggling to deal with the death of their beloved and "perfect" wife and mother. We feel the hurt, anger and grief that has crippled these males lives with the loss. Brilliantly written, we are swept along with the story and the character's denials, guilt and ultimately their forgiveness and understanding of some of life's curveballs.Expertly woven within the main story, we discover other themes and intertwined stories with the supporting characters. Although the subject matter is heavy hearted, the author does a wonderful job with interspersing humorous adventures and balancing what would become maudlin with the powerful theme of forgiveness and faith.I laughed... I cried.... I rode the emotional roller coaster along with Sam and his family. They were real life people, dealing with real life concerns and tragedy. Cathy Gillen Thacker takes us through a vast range of emotions but leaves us with the sense of fulfillment and peace.

Bring your hankies...

Ms. Thacker brings a more heavy-hearted subject matter to this novel, but she keeps the same magical charm going. I am amazed how she continually creates fantastic characters who are so honest and likable, even if they do some hurtful things. Ms. Thacker acknowledges through her characters that everyone has a past, but that past can certainly be reckoned with. I find a great theme of forgiveness throughout the novel, one that by the end, I find myself feeling forgiven and refreshed along with the characters. I feel their pain and their trauma as they live through it - Ms. Thacker deserves all the credit for making these families live through some events that are very real, hitting very close to your heart. Way to go, Ms. Thacker. Keep it up!