Book excerpt: A pioneer woman searches for a happier life in this dramatic debut historical romance by the New York Times bestselling author of the Honey Creek novels. Texas Ranger Josh Weston is a stranger to Bethanie Lane—and her only chance to escape from her lecherous uncle’s grasp. Without hesitating, she strikes a deal with the rugged lawman to take her with him when he leaves San Antonio. And on the journey to his family’s ranch near Fort Worth, they forge a bond as powerful as it is unexpected. When Bethanie’s dream of a future with Josh falls apart, she’s forced to make a harrowing choice. Yet through every danger and revelation, one thing remains—a love worth living and dying for . . . Praise for Beneath the Texas Sky “Thomas managed quite creatively to follow the life of a woman who embodied all the characteristics of a survivor and yet still made her compassionate and vulnerable—quite a dichotomy. This is a story rich in details that draws you in from the first page and manages to create quite a few surprises along the way.” —Fresh Fiction