The Barons (The Texicans Book 2)
by Parris Afton Bonds
Reviewed by S. S. Bazinet

Description: By 1845, Don Alejandro de la Torre y Stuart, Baron of Paladín, a self-confessed scoundrel and reputed despoiler of ladies, has accomplished what he set out to achieve when first coming to Tejas in 1835-validate the land grant bequeathed to his family by His Spanish Majesty in 1763.

That land grant has become legally Paladin’s both through his participation in the Texas Revolution and by his marriage to the Irish termagant Fiona Flanagan. Their wedding unites her stormy nature with his equally tempestuous passion.

Lord Paladín-Alex, as he prefers to be known once a Texican-and Fiona might disagree over the rearing of their three children, on political issues, or even on the very existence of God Almighty, but they both agree on their love for each other and for the land they had both risked their lives to acquire. However, his intent to expand the Barony Ranch property into a virtual empire is proving difficult to accomplish, even for a man of his resourceful qualities, as Alex’s grown stepson, the covetous and formidable Liam, has other plans.

With the second entry in her riveting Texicans saga, New York Times bestselling author Parris Afton Bonds takes her craft to the next level with a tale of intrigue and loyalty stretched to the breaking point. Politics, plunder, passion, profit, and power collide in a new and bountiful land through the eyes of the Paladín family, a captivating, richly-painted cast of characters playing out their lives against the backdrop of history. Their loves, their desires, their perils and rewards?all rendered in service to create a new state in America’s southwest, take on an urgency and realism unlike any before. With The Barons, Bonds has become a grandmaster of the historical epic on the same level as John Jakes or Herman Wouk.

Review: “A highly recommended, five star triumph!”

THE BARONS is a grand continuation of the series, The Texicans. In the first book, I was captivated by the main two love affairs. The first involved Lord Paladín (Alex) and the fiery, Irish born Fiona Flanagan. The second was between an Irishman named Niall Gorman and the young, Spanish born Rafaela Carrera. Both couples faced countless challenges as they entertained the idea of love and commitment. I was relieved and happy when their hearts won out by the novel’s end.

In book two, it was so fascinating to see where their journey would lead next, especially when it came to family and children. As we watch the offspring of the two couples take center stage as adults, we have powerful new love affairs in the making. But that doesn’t mean Alex and Fiona are forgotten. Their love for each other never diminishes. Neither does the telling of the times they lived in. Texas history is always a powerful and detailed framework that accompanies the beautifully portrayed characters and their ever shifting lives.

Through this continuing family saga, we are presented with every emotion that humans experience. Tales of love, hate, betrayal, loss and hope keep us turning pages. All the while we’re able to experience an amazing and tumultuous time in history. It’s all done through the eyes of characters we identify with and characters we want no part of. This second book, THE BARONS, is a highly recommended, five star triumph!

Parris Afton Bonds’ website: parrisaftonbonds.com
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