by Mary Connealy
Bethany House
Rafe Kincaid thinks he is in control. And he is, mostly. Then he meets Julia Gilliland. They are introduced when he rescues the fiery redhead from the dark recesses of a cave near his ranch.
Sparks fly immediately, and Julia insists that Rafe take her back into the cave to investigate fossils she spotted. But the cave holds memories from Rafe’s tormented past, so he hesitates to make any promises to take her back in.
Their connection tangles further when Rafe returns Julia to her home. Wendell, Julia’s oft absent father is ailing, and Audra, Julia’s stepmother, is due to have her baby any minute. To complicate things even more, Rafe’s brother Ethan appears after a long absence.
A confirmed bachelor, Rafe isn’t interested in making room on the ranch for a woman. Things run just fine the way they are, thank you very much. Julia can relate somewhat; with her father gone most of the time, she is content doing things by herself. When Wendell marries Audra, a woman young enough to be Julia’s sister, everything changes. The women forge an unlikely friendship, however, and actually prefer it when Wendell disappears.
As if all of this isn’t enough of a puzzle, Rafe and Ethan are tracking the man they think nearly killed Julia in the cave. Add the growing interest between Rafe and Julia and you have all the makings of a good old western romantic mystery.
I had a little trouble getting into this book at first, as it had more than two points of view. For some reason, I am better with only one or two. I guess it just takes me a while to keep everything straight. Once things got going though, I was drawn in, wondering what was going to happen next. I won’t give anything away, but if you like a mystery with strong characters, you just might like this one.
What's on your reading list these days?
Happy reading and writing,
Karen
I received this book from Bethany House for review purposes. No compensation was received.
Multiple POV are tricky to pull off.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading American Gods by Neil Gaiman and Morpheus Road by DJ MacHale.
I'm reading Welcome to My World, by Miranda Dickinson. It's a great read so far!
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday!
I too am better with only one or two points of view, amigo. But this book sounds great.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to start The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, by Tom Angleberger.
<3 you.
The man on the cover is awfully cute! :) Many different points of veiw can be confusing. I'm reading Mine is the Night, by Liz Curtis Higgs, based on Ruth. Almost finished and then I need to dive into my writing books again!
ReplyDeleteI have a couple fellow blogger's books I need to read. After that, I'm wide open. I am finishing Heaven from Randy Alcorn, an excellent read. He has a second small book called The Treasure Principle also in my TBR pile.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a really good book - the type I do read. I also read self help book s and books by Christian authors.
ReplyDeleteIt it hard when they have multiple points of view in a book.
Love, sandie
this sounds like a good read. I'm putting it on my list. Thanks, Karen.
ReplyDeleteTheresa,
ReplyDeleteI know it, and when I write, I stick with no more than two. Perhaps someday I will be more daring! :)
Talli,
Haven't heard of that one, but I haven't been paying too much attention to what's new either. lol Will check it out!
Robyn,
It is a good read. I enjoyed the other books of Mary's that I read. Hugs to you! :)
Lynn,
Okay so I'm not the only one, right? :) I loved that book by Liz - she's a great writer!
Stephen,
I've heard that Randy is good but haven't picked any of his up yet. I may need to.
Sandie,
Me too, when I have time! I appreciate being able to review books, it gives me an excuse to read! :)
Joylene,
I hope you like it! I've enjoyed a few of her other books too.
Happy Monday,
Karen
Catus Country posted a list of westerns that were a 'must read." I finished 'Death Comes for the Archbishop' and am in in the middle of 'Monte Walsh'.
ReplyDeleteI have trouble with double POVs too. Glad you ended up liking it!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great cover. Thanks for your review, Karen! My reading list has all sorts of books on it, but they've been put on hold as I do last-minute prep for ACFW. :)
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Sally,
ReplyDeleteI may need to check out this Cactus Country site! :) Thanks for telling me about it.
Lydia,
I just seem to get tangled and confused sometimes, glad to know maybe it isn't just me!
Sarah,
The cover is interesting, isn't it?
Have fun at the ACFW conference!
Blessings,
Karen
icant say anything...
ReplyDeleteT.T
Thanks for this review Karen. More than two points of view would confuse me too :)
ReplyDeleteKaren:
ReplyDeleteThis looks interesting. I also have trouble with more than two povs. I think it's because I didn't read very many multiple-pov books as I was growing up or in my early adulthood. Is multiple-pov a recent style of writing?
I love books with two POV's. Its something I would love to try.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen for reading my guest post on Kim's blog.
Sounds like a fun book! I know what you mean about reading more than two POVs . . . sometimes I like one character better than the others, and I feel like I'm slogging through the other POV chapters to get to the one I like best. However, sometimes it is a great way to build tension, and really get a reader hooked.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, my current WIP is all in one POV, even though that has its own challenges.
Riva't,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
Marja,
You are welcome. I am finding that many agree with me about the POV! :)
Cecelia,
I wonder about that - I think the multiple POV (more than two maybe?) is a newer thing. Or perhaps I am just now reading more done that way.
Rachna,
My current WIP has two. That I don't mind, but I can see where it might be hard to keep track of writing more than that! :) Enjoyed your guest post!
Tyrean,
I think you can never go wrong with one POV. It's safe anyway!
Blessings,
Karen
Well, a mystery; then "Lead...for God's Sake," a parable written by a gentleman from our community; the new John Eldredge book, "Beautiful Outlaw;" and some really great Bill Peet books I picked up at the library to read to a VSP (Very Small Person) in jeans. Oh, yes - and Judith Viorst. (You know, Alexander of the terrible, horrible day?) So glad I still have one small boy to read to. Keeps me from looking goofy when I pick out my favorites in the kids' section. :)
ReplyDeleteI like books with multiple points of view. You get to see what's going on in all the characters' heads. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review. I've read one of Mary's books set in Alaska and enjoyed it very much.
Hmm, interesting about two points of view. I def. want to read this one. Mary is a great author.
ReplyDeleteI've had Noah Lukeman's "The First Five Pages" knocking about for a while, and I'm finally going to read it. After that will be "The Help" which my daughter gave me. Those ought to keep me busy for a few days. :)
ReplyDeleteRhonda,
ReplyDeleteI like that - VSP - very cute! And of course, he is! Maybe I should pick up my grandson and head to the library to pick up Amelia Bedelia! :)
Susan,
I agree, and I am good with two. I'm okay with writing two points of view too. But four is harder for me to read and get through, especially if the writing isn't very good.
Jessica,
I guess everyone is different on the pov angle. I did enjoy two others by Mary - The Husband Tree and Montana Rose. This had some of the same flavor.
Lisa,
Yes, it does sound like you will be busy! I'm tempted to pick up The Help with all the buzz about it. Let me know how you like it!
Blessings,
Karen