What I think you should know:
Leaving Texas is the fourth book in the Cross Timbers Romances Family Saga by Caryl McAdoo. It is a historical fiction novel set in the west during 1841. While this book can be read without reading the prior books the story does reveal things that have happened in the prior books and I HIGHLY recommend reading Texas Tears as Charity’s story relies heavily on what happened in it. Over four years have passed and Charity has grown tired of her life being on hold while she waits on Hart to come back for her, so she sets West to begin her life with him.

What I loved about this book:
I have been excitedly awaiting Charity’s story since reading Texas Tears. McAdoo has a wonderful gift for bringing her stories to life and this in no exceptions. Charity has waited over four years to be reunited with Hart and she isn’t going to let a grueling journey get in her way. I love the strength and passion that she exhibits when she is determined. I enjoyed reading about her journey and felt like I was in the story with her, I could imagine all of the people she met and the experiences of a lifetime. I enjoyed getting to know Morgan and the other members of the wagon party. I hesitate to say more as I don’t want to give any spoilers, however I LOVED this book and it was worth the wait. It left me cheering and looking forward to the next part of the story.

I received a complimentary copy for this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own. ( )

For quite a while I have enjoyed reading books by Caryl McAdoo, and this book is no exception. Having read the other books in this series, I was excited to see what this story would reveal. Charity makes the difficult decision to leave her family and Texas and seek out the man she believes she loves. But as sometimes happens, time and distance play a cruel trick on Charity’s heart. Along the journey, she meets Morgan who proves he is worthy of her friendship and possibly more.

I love how this story captures the essence of why Christians need to forgive others not for the other’s sake but for their own instead. I also love how this story emphasizes how telling the truth can have remarkable results in the case of one of Charity’s friends who is on the journey with her.

So if you enjoy Christian books that include forgiveness and love, check out this book for yourself.

I received a copy of this book for my fair and honest review. ( )

If you are looking for a heartwarming and blast from the past story than “Leaving Texas” is your book. We are taken into Charity’s journal traveling from Texas to San Francisco in hopes of marrying the man of her dreams. Her sister Autumn doesn’t like her dream man. Caryl McAdoo created a detailed story of what traveling by wagon train was like. She did her research because I see the scenery and feel the struggles of the characters. Morgan Lowell, helped make the trip easier for Charity and her friend Arletta. We learn Morgan has spent many years traveling around country. He was leery wanting to help Charity travel from Texas to California. They spent time getting to each other and both of them started trusting each other. They run into some Native Americans on their way.
Charity truly believes her fiancé is waiting for her even though it has been several years not hearing from him. She is a smart young woman but also naïve. She is in denial or has his feelings changed? Or does he truly love her and something happened? I guess you are going to have to read the book to find out. Or will she realize Morgan is the guy for her?
I truly could see this as a Hallmark series. I highly recommend this book. It has just the right about of love, faith, the past, history and life story. The main message I received from reading this book is things don’t always go as plan but God does have a plan for us and he is always with us bringing amazing people in your life.

Check out my blog called Stephanie's Life of Determination https://stephsceliacdisease.blogspot.com/2020/02/leaving-texas-by-caryl-mcadoo-b...

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. This book review is my own opinion.

Our plans are not always God’s plans! Charity is traveling by wagon train from Texas to San Francisco to marry the man of her dreams - she thinks. Autumn, her baby sister, has a dream about Charity’s future husband and it certainly doesn’t match what Charity sees as her future. Who will turn out to be right?

A lovely detailed story of what traveling by wagon train must have been like. While the scenery and interaction with fellow travelers might make it an interesting experience, the dust, sleeping on the ground and cooking over a fire makes me very grateful for our current modes of travel. Hiring Morgan Lowell as a trail helper made the trip somewhat easier for Charity and her friend Arletta. A fascinating man, Morgan has spent a number of years traveling around the country but always nursing a grudge against those left at home.

Life throws a curve ball at Charity and Morgan isn’t interested in forgiving the past. Will their faith bring them through disappointment and hate? Dreams do come true, perhaps not the way you expect but God always has the best plan for each of us.

I received this ARC through CelebrateLit. The impressions and comments are my own and were not solicited. ( )

The author delivers another wonderful story that takes readers to a time when wagon trains were the most common way of traveling. I loved reading about the land from Texas to California. It is hard to imagine riding for months in a wagon. I didn’t realize that most wagons were pulled by oxen. In western movies I always remember the wagon trains with horses. The author has a vast knowledge about this time period which enhances the story.
Charity is a smart young woman who is ready to travel to California to find her fiancé. After not hearing from him in several years, she still believes he is waiting for her to join him. Oh Charity I do wish you weren’t so naive. She is such a fun character to get to know. Her faith is strong and with God’s help she will set across country to find her fiancé. I wonder what will happen if she does find him? After not hearing from him, I would think she would figure out that his feelings have changed for her. One of the best qualities Charity has is her pure heart.
Morgan at first seemed a little distant as he decided to help Charity travel across country. The author paints a picture of him as a strong man who has a past that keeps him guarded and secrets about his life. His story was very interesting and as he gets to know Charity he comes to trust her. Their conversations about God are realistic and sincere. Along the trails they run into Native Americans . I especially liked this part of the story because I am part Comanche. The author describes them perfectly as fearless and ruthless.
The story made me feel like I was watching a western on the big screen. A wagon train that sees tragedy, hardship and pulls together to help each other out. The time spent around the campfire was intriguing as I learned about the meals that were cooked and how they were prepared. It was tough on the trails and by evening it was time to eat and go right to sleep. The relationship between Charity and Morgan is a slow, gradual meaningful beginning of a true friendship. I was cheering them on hoping they would realize that they were meant to be together. It’s funny how Charity was so sure of her future as she first started out on her journey. God has a plan for us and that lesson was eloquently displayed in this story. Once again I am honored to read a book by this gifted and humble author. Thank you for writing stories rich in faith, unconditional love and forgiveness.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. ( )