To Love a Texas Ranger

After narrowly escaping death, Sam Legend boards a train back to his family's ranch but, on the journey, is embroiled in a woman's escape from brutal captors and helped by an enigmatic ally he's not sure he can trust.Miraculously saved by a stranger after being nearly hanged by a group of cattle rustlers, Texas Ranger Sam Legend doesn't feel able to do his job safely and adequately. Taking time off, he heads home to his family's huge ranch, but on the train he runs into Sierra Hunt, who has escaped from the villainous Ford gang. Sam vows to help her, and the two flee the train at a remote stop, only to be followed by Ford and his men as well as a fellow passenger who's wounded helping them. Sam recognizes him as thief Luke Weston, who, it turns out, is also his half brother. Trailed by the outlaws, the three cross Texas on horseback, then team up with a caravan of Mexican refugees who help them treat Luke's wounds. Once they reach the ranch, Sam and Sierra give in to the attraction they fought on the road, while Luke has to adjust to the idea of family, which he's not so sure about, even while he keeps a slew of secrets: a bounty hangs over his head, and the true villains are still on the hunt for Sierra. Broday launches a new series that revolves around the Legend family, and while die-hard historical Western romance fans may enjoy the book, cliched writing, repetitive character descriptions, and too much telling and not enough showing make it hard to recommend. Plus, Sam's description of his feelings after lovemaking--"If the world stopped revolving, spinning slowly down to die..."--is both corny and lifted from a 1970s ballad by Bread. An appealing story idea with sluggish and disappointing execution. COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.