Colorado » Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book

Review: The S Word by Chelsea Pitcher

May 142013

The S-Word
Teen Fiction
Gallery Books (May 7, 2013)
A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Trade Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1451695168
E-Book File Size: 609 KB
ASIN: B007Z4S22M

Lizzie wasn’t the first student at Verity High School to kill herself this year. But the difference is, she didn’t go quietly.

Lizzie’s reputation is destroyed when she’s caught in bed with her best friend’s boyfriend on prom night. With the whole school turned against her, and Angie not speaking to her, Lizzie takes her own life. But someone isn’t letting her go quietly. As graffiti and photocopies of Lizzie’s diary plaster the school, Angie begins a relentless investigation into who, exactly, made Lizzie feel she didn’t deserve to keep living. And while she claims she simply wants to punish Lizzie’s tormentors, Angie’s own anguish over abandoning her best friend will drive her deep into the dark, twisted side of Verity High—and she might not be able to pull herself back out.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

This was a heart wrenching story to read. Our family has been personally touched by a teenage suicide and then as here a young life was lost because of secrets, lies, and misinformation.

The book is told from Angie’s point of view and questions, guilt, and anger over her best friend’s death are just eating her alive. Her personal journey through the grieving process while trying to hold herself and others responsible drive this story while at the same time as teaching several lessons about bullying and judging people. Actions do have consequences.

The author walks the fine line with subjects that could go very dark but by adding real high school behaviors in a very ingenious way she has escaped that trap. A plot full of surprises and realizations make this a hard book to put down. The diary entries added immensely to the story as we learned Lizzie’s way of not even naming names in a place where she kept her private thoughts.

This is heavy read with some expected and unexpected resolutions. I think it would be a great book to add to high school reading lists.

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About the Author

Chelsea Pitcher is a native of Portland, Oregon, where she received her BA in English Literature. The S-Word is her first novel. Visit her website at ChelseaPitcher.com.

Follow her on:

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review: To Hell in a Handbasket by Beth Groundwater

Reviews 2012 9 Responses »

Nov 232012

2012 best mystery

To Hell in a Handbasket
(Claire Hanover Gift Basket Designer Mystery)
2nd in Series
Mystery
MIDNIGHT INK (November 8, 2012)
A Imprint of Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd.
Trade Paperback: 312 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0738727028

It’s snow accident when a young woman’s icy demise sends Claire’s vacation to hell in a handbasket

Skiing with her family in Breckenridge, Colorado, gift basket designer Claire Hanover hears a terrified scream cut the frigid mountain air. She is horror-stricken to find Stephanie Contino, the sister of her daughter’s boyfriend, dead on the slopes. While everyone else assumes the death was an accident, Claire is suspicious of the extra ski tracks that cross dangerously into Stephanie’s path. But the police are skeptical of foul play, even as more signs point to murder.

When incriminating clues put her daughter Judy in danger, Claire investigates and finds trouble around every mogul. Between interviewing a daredevil snowboarder and giving ski lessons to a drug boss, she uncovers a chilling conspiracy that could turn deadly for her family.

Dollycas’s Thoughts
Hang on to your ski poles, this is a wild run!! Watch out for out of control snowboarders, flying bullets and families keeping secrets.

Claire finds herself right in the middle of the drama as she tries to protect her daughter while helping the police catch a killer. Any mom knows you do not get between a mom and her kids. We will lay down our lives to keep our children safe no matter if they are 5 or 25. Claire is a strong courageous woman and her daughter Judy is following in her footsteps. Of course not all of us have a friendly drug dealer we can call to help us get information and what he wants in return is hilarious. The picture that forms in your mind will have you laughing out loud.

Husband Roger touched my heart. He and Claire are trying to rejuvenate their love after the stress of incidents in the first book in the series, A Real Basket Case. He knows that he can’t keep her from investigating so he helps her as much as he can. He also tries to squeeze in some romantic moments along the way.

I have learned my lesson about Beth Groundwater stories:

When you start reading you will not stop until you reach the end.
Her characters are real and constantly evolving and pull you right into their lives and hold on tight.
They take place is wonderful scenic places.
I use the word “wild” a lot when describing her books.
These are not cozy mysteries! They are edgy mysteries full of suspense!
Bits of humor and tries at romance keep the story with the right feel for cozy lovers.
Think “cozy mystery on steroids”!

I love the way Beth writes and have loved every one of her stories. I highly recommend escaping into this book as soon as possible!

Your Escape With A Good Book Travel Agent

My reviews of other books by Beth Groundwater:
A Real Basket Case
Deadly Currents
Wicked Eddies

About This Author

Beth Groundwater writes the Claire Hanover gift basket designer series (A Real Basket Case, a Best First Novel Agatha Award finalist, and To Hell in a Handbasket ) and the Rocky Mountain Outdoor Adventures series starring whitewater river ranger Mandy Tanner (Deadly Currents,March, 2011, and Wicked Eddies, May, 2012). The third books in both series will appear in 2013. Beth enjoys Colorado’s many outdoor activities, including skiing and whitewater rafting, and loves talking to book clubs. Please visit her website at bethgroundwater.com and her blog at bethgroundwater.blogspot.com.

The Aspen 2-Million Winner Take All Blog Tour

E-Book Challenge, Reviews 2012, Virtual Blog Tour 4 Responses »

Jul 312012

This is the last stop of this month long book tour.

The Aspen 2-Million Winner-Take-All
E-Book
File Size: 399 KB
Print Length: 281 pages
Publisher: Publish Green (May 10, 2012)

Morgan loves living Aspen. He could never dream of living anywhere else.

He inherits a dilapidated duplex when his landlord dies and to be able to stay there and fix it up a little he has to sell half. This brings the lovely Risa into his life, and her little yapping dog too.

Morgan a self appointed life coach who uses golf to bring out the best in people travels a lot. When he arrives home after one of his trips Risa informs him her dog is missing. No one is more surprised than Morgan when the dog is found dead in the backyard. Risa blames him and sets in motion a million dollar lawsuit against Morgan for killing her prized pup.

Morgan turns to his friend a lawyer who tells him he doesn’t have a chance of winning the suit. He doesn’t have that kind of money so he comes up with three options:

1. To win in a winner take all golf tournament.
2. Discover a secret about Risa and blackmail her.
3. Make Risa fall in love with him.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

The plot is a little far-fetched. Morgan’s friend is a terrible lawyer, Risa is a bit out there and Morgan lives a crazy life. Luke seems to be the only sane one in the bunch even his hair-brained helicopter ideas end up coming in handy.

All that being said this is quite a funny read.

No man’s life should be full of this much drama. All the people in his life look like movie stars or swimsuit models. Ex-girlfriends, a garage band, parties for what seemed like the entire town keep Morgan pretty busy. Add to that his job of flying around the U.S. trying turn rich grumpy men into something they aren’t using a few common sense rules and a round of golf you start to see how his life has reached this point.

For the life of me I couldn’t figure how why Morgan even liked Risa. She treated him just awful, had mood swings that could break your neck and he always had to watch for flying objects.

Then we come to this Winner Take All Golf Tournament. I can’t reveal much without spoiling the story but the ending to me was pretty expected but it did have its moments of hilarity.

Golfers will get a kick out of this story. Anyone looking for a little stress relief will find this book easy to escape into for awhile for the humor of it all.

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About This Author
John Morris lives in Aspen, Colorado, with his loving wife and two wonderful children. Having worked many of the same cowboy / construction / bartender / ski-patrol jobs as his fictional counterpart Morgan, he can vouch for how easy it is for a good-looking guy to get in trouble there.

Review: Cast On, Kill Off by Maggie Sefton

Reviews 2012 1 Response »

Jun 262012

Cast On, Kill Off
(A Knitting Mystery)
10th Book in Series
A Berkley Prime Crime Mystery
The Berkley Publishing Group
Published by The Penguin Group
Jacket Illustration by Chris O’Leary
Jacket Design by Rita Frangie

Kelly Flynn’s friend Megan is getting married. They have found the perfect seamstress in Zoe Yeager to create the wedding and bridesmaids dresses. Each bridesmaid is knitting their own shawl to drape over the top of their beautiful dresses.

Megan has planned her wedding with the precision of a surgeon or a drill sergeant depending on which day you catch her. Nothing is going to ruin her wedding day. Not even when their seamstress gets enough courage to leave her abusive husband. The ladies all rally behind her to keep her safe. They help her get tucked away at a shelter and move her supplies right into Mimi shop so she will never be alone.

The plan works great until it doesn’t and Zoe is found dead in a parking lot. Of course the key suspect is her husband but their are others who may have wanted her dead.

Kelly and her knitting friends are on the case. They are going to stitch everything together to catch the killer. Then they are going to get all dolled up to escort Megan down the aisle so she can start living happily ever after.

Dollycas’s Thoughts
I have enjoyed this entire series very much. My excursions to Fort Connor always but a smile on my face. The characters have become old friends and I am always anxious to see what they are up to.

When I picked up this one what I really wanted to know is if Kelly and Steve were going to get back together. I can’t tell you because you will have to read the story. I did figure out the murderer this time very quickly but the drama of Megan’s wedding still made this a good yarn. Carl, the rottweiler, and the ongoing adventures with the backyard squirrel were funny and cute.

This is not my favorite story of the series. Sometimes there needs to be a book to keep the story lines moving along and Cast On, Kill Off is exactly that. The mystery wasn’t as complex and did not have the usual twists but we are set up nicely for the next edition.

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About This Author
Maggie was born in Richmond, VA, and grew up in Northern Virginia in Arlington, close to Washington, D.C. She attended university and received a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature & Journalism, married, and started her family there. All four of her daughters are grown and established in careers of their own and are literally scattered around the globe. She now resides in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado with two very demanding dogs.

Find out more here.

Review: Deadly Currents by Beth Groundwater

Mystery & Suspense Challenge, Off The Shelf Challenge, Reviews 2012 Comments Off

May 262012

Deadly Currents
(An RM Outdoor Adventures Mystery)
1st in the Series

Midnight Ink
Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd.
Cover Design by Lisa Novak

The Arkansas River is the heart and soul of Salida, Colorado. It also is a great tourist attraction for fishermen and white water rafting adventurists. For Mandy Tanner it is home. She grew up in Salida, raised by her Uncle Bill and working as a river guide for his white water rafting business. This Summer she is a Seasonal River Ranger for Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA). She has completed her training and into her second week on the river when she takes part in tricky river rescue. She is able to get two people to shore but one of them dies anyway. Land developer Tom King died in the water but it wasn’t the rapids that killed him. There was nothing Mandy could have done to save him because he was murdered and there are a lot people that may have wanted him dead.

Mandy world is then turned inside out when tragedy hits closer to home. Could the events be connected? Mandy has to find out, the answers may be found in the Deadly Currents of the river.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

I love the way Beth Groundwater writes. You ride the rapids from the first page until the last.

The only rapids I have ran outside of a book have been at an amusement park or the family friendly ones in a canoe on the Crystal River here in Wisconsin. Groundwater’s descriptions are so vivid you can feel the bumps, currents and eddies.

She has created flawed protagonist we can genuinely get behind and want to read about. Mandy has dealt with a lot in her life leaving her with commitment issues and she has a bit of a chip on her shoulder when people offer to help her. The supporting characters are all real and very believable. I absolutely love Cynthia with her blonde jokes.

It was really interesting to read a story where law enforcement actually worked together with the main character instead of all the random sleuthing going on behind the scenes. I am sure this relationship was embellished a bit for the story but it seams credible that the Park Service would work together with the Sheriff’s Office.

The groundwork has been laid in this debut for what I know will be an exciting series. I know I am ready to hit the rapids again.

Beth Groundwater Will Be Here For Cozy Wednesday on May 30 and I will review the next book in the series Wicked Eddies (An RM Outdoor Adventures Mystery) and will be giving my review copy away. So be sure to mark your calendar and come back on Wednesday!!!

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*This Book Was From My Personal Collection.

Review: Woodrose Mountain by RaeAnne Thayne

E-Book Challenge, Reviews 2012, What's In A Name Challenge 1 Response »

May 242012

Woodrose Mountain
HQN Books
Hope’s Crossing Series
2nd in Series

We met Evie Blanchard in the first book of the series Blackberry Summer. She works for Claire in the bead shop but before she came to Hope’s Crossing she lived in Los Angeles and was a very successful physical therapist. After a very emotional year there she sought refuge in the relaxed pace of Hope’s Crossing. She is shocked when her friend Katherine who knows her history asks her to help with her granddaughter Taryn’s rehabilitation. Taryn was injured in a accident the shook up the whole town. Evie was able to turn down dad Brodie’s request when he asked her to help but there was no way she could turn down his mom.

Brodie is a single dad that will do anything he can to help his daughter recuperate and is happy when Evie agrees to at least get things set up and started. She is immediately drawn in by Taryn’s spirit and realizes the she can help her. The feelings that she is starting to feel for Brodie are the last thing she needs.

With some help for her friends Taryn starts to make strides in her recovery and Evie and Brodie are on a path to find a love neither of them expected.

Dollycas’s Thoughts
This book hit me on a very personal level. Many of you know my story. I was in a accident back in 2001 that has left my right side paralyzed. I spent 75 days in the hospital and then another year in outpatient therapy. I was privileged to work with some awesome physical and occupational therapists. Thankfully my brain and speech was not affected like Taryn, but it was a long road and while I can walk very short distances, any trips outside of our home require a wheelchair and learning to do things left-handed and one-handed has been a journey I would not wish on anyone. My prognosis wasn’t that good and there have been bumps along the way but each day I wake up is a gift.

Because of what I went through Taryn’s story rings true. Her depression, her anger, her temper, are all things just like I experienced as well as the joy she felt when a goal is reached. The therapist’s push you beyond what you think you can do. That’s what Evie did for Taryn.

Yes, this a romance novel, and the romance was engaging. Like the first book in the series the characters and their relationships with each other is wonderful. Hope’s Crossing seems like a great place to live. The author has created a place I want to visit again and again. But it was Taryn’s story of strength and drive and doing the right thing in the end that made me absolutely love this book.

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To find out more about RaeAnne Thayne visit her web page HERE.

Review: Blackberry Summer by RaeAnne Thayne

Just For Fun Challenge, Reviews 2012 5 Responses »

May 242012

Blackberry Summer (Hqn)
Hope’s Crossing Series
1st in Series
HQN Books

Set in Hope’s Crossing, Colorado. Claire Bradford is the owner of a successful bead shop. She is a single mom with two kids living a predictable life. She has no time for romance. At least that is what she keeps telling herself. So why does her best friend’s younger brother Riley seem so darn sexy and hot? He has returned to be the the new chief of police of this boring little town when he was some big shot on the police force in California. It just doesn’t make sense.

A string of robberies leads to a tragic accident that forces Claire to accept help from her friends, even from Riley McKnight. The accident ends up affecting the whole town. Things get ugly when it is found teenagers are involved in the robberies and it starts to rip the town apart.

A mysterious “Angel of Hope” inspires a small group and then the whole town to plan an event to help bring everyone back together. A bit of romance also starts to blossom making for a very interesting summer.

Dollycas’s Thoughts
I was swept away by many things in this book. The friendships of the people who visit Claire’s shop, the long term relationships of the people of Hope’s Crossing, seeing someone you have known all your life differently after time has passed, and the effect the “Angel of Hope” has on this town.

If I was ever lucky enough to win the lottery or come into a great deal of money I would want to be just like the “Angel of Hope”, helping people anonymously with things they need. The way the angel inspired the people of Hope’s Crossing was really uplifting.

The characters in this story are so engaging and well developed. You want to be part of everything they are doing.

I haven’t read Harlequin in quite awhile because they were started to feel the same story just with different names but that is definitely not the case with this story. This book is about so much more than the romance. Claire needs to break out of a life she has trapped herself in. Riley has so many reasons for coming home and for staying away as long as he did. Claire’s mother has issues that need to be dealt with. Claire’s ex-husband and his new younger, pregnant wife live right in town. Thayne interweaves and blends all their lives together wonderfully along with many other residents of the town of Hope’s Crossing. I love the way she writes and her descriptions of people and places were a delight. I will be reviewing the next book in the series Woodrose Mountain later today.

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*This book was from my private collection.

Cozy Wednesday with Maria E. Schneider with Giveaway!!

A - Z Cozy Mystery Challenge, A - Z Reading Challenge, Cozy Wednesday, Giveaways, Guest Posts, Reviews 2012 33 Responses »

Mar 282012

Welcome to Cozy Wednesday!

I “met” Maria awhile ago when she was nice enough to share the first two books in the Sedona O’Hala series with me. Sedona sure gets into some intense situations but the thing that makes me love these story are the parts that are laugh out loud funny. I am so excited to have her here today to talk books. I will also review Executive Sick Days. It is so funny that this one has to do with x-rays since my husband manages a mobile x-ray company here in Wisconsin. He could probably write a book as well about some of the happenings but he will never have Maria’s gift!!

Welcome Maria!

Hi Everyone!,

I’m on a cozy reading group over on the Amazon forums. I asked the ladies there what I should blog about for my guest blog here on Dollycas’ fabulous site. “Oh, blog about your two feral kitties, Scamp and Junior,” said one. “No, no, you have to tell them about trying to find shorts that fit and that one pair you made where you kept cutting the legs to match until all you had left was pair of underwear with pockets.” Gosh. By all means, let me leave a first impression of a homeless bag lady with cats. Uhm.

Perhaps it’s best if I just introduce myself as a writer with a lot of hobbies. I write cozy mysteries and not-quite-cozy paranormal mysteries. Lori has told you all about my Sedona mystery series: an amateur sleuth trying her best to climb the corporate ladder and make a decent living. Like a lot of us, her boss isn’t necessarily cheering her on, and she has some co-workers who could make an angel plot revenge.

But enough about me. Let’s talk books. You like books, I like books. I’ll tell you my favorites if you tell me yours.

Elizabeth Peters – I not only like her Amelia Peabody series, but perhaps even more, her zany Vicky Bliss series. I am pretty sure Peters influenced me and I don’t mean my writing–I own a parasol because Amelia owns one. Ever since I read about a parasol making a nifty weapon, well, I just had to have one. It’s pure cotton lace and would make a terrible weapon, but yes, I really have walked through the park with my dear husband and my parasol. It is true that I giggled, but at least two other passersby stopped to ask me where I bought my parasol. One was a lady on a bicycle who stopped so suddenly I worried the little dog in the carriage behind her might catapult into a tree. We had a nice chat about my parasol. The dog’s name was Bo. I don’t remember her name, but I always wondered if she bought a parasol.

Virginia Lanier – Now this series isn’t really cozy. It’s got an edge and there are some parts that are heartbreaking and scary. But there’s dogs and people who work hard and care, and the writing and plots are some of the best I’ve read. Ever. I don’t think this author influenced me. I could not write like she did, and I don’t have a dog. But if I did have a dog, it would be awfully cool if, like in the books, it was a talented bloodhound capable of rescuing people–and guarding the heart of its owner as the most valuable thing in the world.

Patricia Briggs- She writes a lot of urban fantasy these days and it’s all very, very good. Specifically the Alpha and Omega series which has so much heart and mystery, you’ll be glued to the pages. I read Patricia Briggs back when she started out in fantasy. When Demons Walk remains an all-time favorite. But it’s not the fantasy or urban fantasy themes that make this author’s work so special. It’s the fact that she can write a thrilling mystery with characters you care about–in any setting. She never forgets to wind in a romance, the kind that puts a smile on your face and makes you nod your head because it isn’t that the hero is handsome, it is that he is kind and good and special. If her work has taught me anything, it’s that you can write a book that is a superbly-plotted mystery in any setting so long as you take the time to create just the right characters to go with the story.

Those are three of my favorites. Stop by and tell me yours!

~Maria
www.BearMountainBooks.com

Please Leave A Comment telling Maria your favorite authors and look for a special giveaway after my review.

Executive Sick Days
A Sedona O’Hala Mystery
3rd in Series
Bear Mountain Books

Those darn Huntington brothers have lured Sedona into another dangerous investigation. Good thing one of them makes her heart beat faster and the other gives her nice gifts, like a Mercedes.

Someone at the hospital is running a scam and it is not easy to figure out who or how but Sedona is on the case in addition to cleaning bed pans and avoiding a certain nurse. Hopefully she doesn’t end up on a slab in the morgue before she works out all the details.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

The crime here is serious but Sedona just cracks me up time and time again.

This story hits home for me not only because my husband works for an x-ray company but because just last week I was contacted about a past due bill for a doctor I have never seen in my life. Yes, I was in the hospital last April but that doesn’t mean every doctor on staff can bill me for services. I understand way to clearly why American health care is so screwed up.

But now back to this wonderful story. The plot is believable and real. The characters are fantastic. Sedona volunteering at the hospital where her sister-in-law works is the perfect setting. How long can anyone seriously think they can hide a pregnancy? The romantic tension keeps building with one Huntington and just plain tension is going strong with the other one.

This whole series of books is just plain fun and entertaining!! Word of caution, watch out for the snake!! You will love this book!!

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Now for the special giveaway!

Since I received my Kindle I have become addicted
to it so this is an e-book giveaway.

My first!!

Your Choice Kindle or Nook!
Your Choice of one book from the Sedona O’Hala Mystery Series!

There will be 3 winners!!

Fill out the form below and I will contact you for your choice of book if you win!
Contest Will End April 12 AT 12:01 AM CST
GOOD LUCK!!
Continue reading »

The Good Father Review & Giveaway

Giveaways, Reviews 2012 1 Response »

Mar 162012

The Good Father: A Novel
Doubleday
Release Date: March 20, 2012

Doctor Paul Allen’s specialty is diagnosing patients with conflicting symptoms, patients other doctors have given up on. He is married, with two sons and has a son Daniel from a previous marriage. Things are going well in his life both at home and professionally. He doesn’t see Daniel as much as he would like, but Daniel is an adult, has always been a good kid and a decent student, but he is easily distracted, something inherited from his mother. He recently dropped out of college and it traveling around the states. Paul is worried about him but knows that Daniel will check in with him if he needs anything.

Home relaxing with his family he is shocked when a televised news report announces that the Democratic candidate for president has been shot at a rally, and Daniel is caught on video as the assassin. There has to be a mistake, that can’t be Daniel.

Dollycas’s Thoughts
The book chronicles Paul’s journey to find the answers he needs to come to grips with what everyone is convinced his child has done. He researches other well known killers like John Hinkley and Sirhan Sirhan to try to get inside their heads and compare them to his son. Why did they do what they did? Could his son have been brainwashed or had a mental breakdown? He knows he wasn’t the best father but he was a “good father”. What did he do wrong to raise a son like Daniel? Did his son actually assassinate a man running to become President of the United States?

This is a very gripping novel. It uses several real events to ground the story in reality. As a parent you understand the unconditional love that you feel for your children and understand Paul’s need to find the truth. His job is to explain the unexplainable and this drives him throughout the story.

The author really had me with him in most places throughout the story but lost me at a couple of illogical turns. At times the writing felt forced but the subject matter was compelling enough to keep the story moving forward. A little more editing would have made this a great read. It is a very good read that I do recommend.

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Thanks to Joe at Doubleday I have 2 copies to share!
U.S. Residents

You do not have to be a follower to enter but I hope you will find
something you like here and become a follower.

Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries.

2 Bonus Entries For Liking My Facebook Fan Page.

Tell your friends and family about this book!
If you publicize the giveaway anywhere you will receive
5 Bonus Entries For Each Link.

Contest Will End March 30, 2012 at 11:59 PM CST
Winners Will Be Chosen By Random.org
Winners Will Be Notified By Email
and Will Be Posted Here.

Dodge the Bullet by Christy Hayes

A - Z Reading Challenge, Reviews 2012, Where Are You Reading Challenge, Why Buy The Cow Reading Challenge - 2012 1 Response »

Feb 112012

Dodge the Bullet
This is an e-book
that was offered FREE from Amazon.

As I type this the book is still free.

A.J. Dodge is a man with a past. He recently returned home to Hailey, Colorado, to become a rancher like his dad. He has six sisters so “he knows women”.

Sarah Woodward is trying to put her life back together. Her husband passed away over two years ago and she has decided to leave Atlanta and relocate to Hailey where she and her husband bought a ranch they hoped to move to someday. Her sons are not very happy about moving but she feels the small town is a better place to bring up her sons than the fast paced city of Atlanta.

What Sarah doesn’t understand is why a U.S. Senator is trying so hard to buy her land in Colorado away from her. She doesn’t understand that the Senator has made some promises he can’t fulfill without her land.

Sarah really knows nothing about running a ranch and realizes the place needs a lot of work but she is not going to let anything deter her dream. She is very surprised when a handsome man shows up at her door offering help, telling her the Senator sent him through a local friend, Tommy Thorton, to help get her off to the right start. The handsome man is A.J. Dodge and when the Senator finds out that Tommy sent Dodge to help Sarah, he is livid.

The Senator wanted someone he can control, someone that would ensure that Sarah would see that there was no way she could run a ranch. Dodge was the exact opposite of what the Senator had in mind. Now he will have to take drastic measures to get that land and Dodge is the man standing in his way.

Plus Dodge may understand women, but Sarah is unlike any woman he has every known. He finds himself risking everything to keep her and the kids safe.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

I love a story with a strong woman and Sarah has been through the wringer but she is still tough as nails. She is stubborn and opinionated and sparks fly immediately between her and Dodge as he tries to treat her as a helpless woman.

Dodge is a strong man that doesn’t care what anyone think about him. He is in Hailey to put down roots no matter how many people are talking behind his back.

The mystery of Dodge’s past and the suspense of the Senator trying to steal the land added nicely to make this a very enjoyable read. It is very well written and I can see why is was a finalist in the 2007 Virginia Romance Writers Fool for Love Contest. This is my first Christy Hayes novel but it definitely will not be my last.

Your Escape With A Good Book Travel Agent