PROMISE ME TEXAS

Linda Stephens, a prolific and talented narrator, tries to breathe life into this Western romance, set in the late 1800s. After beautiful, headstrong Beth McMurray is saved by a handsome stranger during a train wreck, she agrees to pretend they're married so that he can escape the law. Stephens gives distinct accents to the collection of Texas Rangers, Western legends, and orphaned children who populate this story. But Stephens's voice misses the mark for the character of Beth. The quavering timbre he uses, which sounds more elderly than young, is a poor match for the heroine, as well as the spirit of the book as a whole. It also makes the love scenes just a little creepy. A.C.P. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2014]