Allie Shaw
Reviewed by: Megan Kopp
Publisher: Ivy Books
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 0-8041-1964-3
Rating: 3 out of 4 stars
Marlena Maxwell is her father's unofficial aide. Just as the 1888 senatorial race begins to heat up, she learns that Jason Maxwell has hired a Yankee to run his campaign -- a fact Lena's not about to take lightly. She will slam a door in his face if that's what it takes to get rid of the Harvard-educated blueblood.
Tyler Hamilton III is bowled over by the 24-year-old, coffee-drinking beauty. Lena is unafraid to speak her mind and Tyler quickly acknowledges that he must get her on his side if the campaign is to succeed. He can provide the logic, the reasoning and the statistics, but Lena has the social connections, grace and charisma that will give them the edge.
Unwilling to acknowledge his daughter's anger and unaware of the depth of his wife's hatred of Yankees, Senator Maxwell invites Hamilton to the family ranch for the weekend. Claudia Maxwell refuses to accept her husband's decision to keep the Bostonian on his staff and remains at the ranch while the political machinery grinds into full speed in Austin. The seething anger Lena directs towards Tyler becomes an explosive attraction that she rapidly loses control over.
The Impossible Texan is written in an unhurried pace. Supporting characters and subplots add depth to the central story without distracting. A scheming newspaper editor threatens to bring down Maxwell's bid for the senate, an act that binds together the main characters as nothing else could do.
The author has created intelligent, strong and beautiful protagonists with just enough character flaws to endear them to readers. Lena is stubborn, impulsive and utterly charming. Hamilton is reserved, overly logical and yet prepared to accept change. Elements of tension are woven in as the romance between the pair is threatened by Claudia's bitterness, ill health and surprise secrets that will sink the Senator's candidacy if they are revealed.
Allie Shaw, with her debut novel, has proven that she is a talent to watch for in the future.
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