The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

July 15, 2021 By Leave a Comment


The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Publisher: Crown Books
Genre: Non-Fiction
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Her name was Henrietta Lacks, but scientists know her as HeLa. She was a poor Southern tobacco farmer who worked the same land as her slave ancestors, yet her cells—taken without her knowledge—became one of the most important tools in medicine: The first “immortal” human cells grown in culture, which are still alive today, though she has been dead for more than sixty years. HeLa cells were vital for developing the polio vaccine; uncovered secrets of cancer, viruses, and the atom bomb’s effects; helped lead to important advances like in vitro fertilization, cloning, and gene mapping; and have been bought and sold by the billions.

Yet Henrietta Lacks remains virtually unknown, buried in an unmarked grave.

Henrietta’s family did not learn of her “immortality” until more than twenty years after her death, when scientists investigating HeLa began using her husband and children in research without informed consent. And though the cells had launched a multimillion-dollar industry that sells human biological materials, her family never saw any of the profits. As Rebecca Skloot so brilliantly shows, the story of the Lacks family—past and present—is inextricably connected to the dark history of experimentation on African Americans, the birth of bioethics, and the legal battles over whether we control the stuff we are made of.

Over the decade it took to uncover this story, Rebecca became enmeshed in the lives of the Lacks family—especially Henrietta’s daughter Deborah. Deborah was consumed with questions: Had scientists cloned her mother? Had they killed her to harvest her cells? And if her mother was so important to medicine, why couldn’t her children afford health insurance?

Intimate in feeling, astonishing in scope, and impossible to put down, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks captures the beauty and drama of scientific discovery, as well as its human consequences.

A story of cells and the things they did–but no one realizes where the cells came from or how impactful they’ve become. The story is now out.

I saw this book when I was at the library. It was part of the Women’s History month display and it intrigued me. Immortal life? And it’s non-fiction? I’m game.

This story is so much bigger than I expected. Holy moly. Henrietta Lacks had a tumor. She knew it and she went to the doctor, but being black in the 1950s, she was treated differently. Her cells were taken to biopsy the tumor and she was given radium therapy. RADIUM! Goodness sakes. But those cells went for biopsy and they did something amazing. They didn’t die. They replicated. That was huge. Unfortunately for Henrietta, she didn’t survive her cancer. Her cells did. Her cells have now been used to help aid in AIDS research, cancer research, Flu research…you name it. If you can use cells, hers were probably used. But neither she or her family received a dime for her contribution.

This story points out how much we as humans don’t know about what happens to those biopsy cells and such when we’re done. Some get tossed but some are used for other purposes. Craziness.

The thing that stood out for me in this book was how much damage was done because of Henrietta’s death. Her family was strong, but their circumstances weren’t. Would money have made it better? I don’t know. But I believe they should’ve known what happened to her cells. She was never told and neither was the family.

I liked that the cells have helped create breakthroughs in medical research. That’s fantastic. But it made my heart hurt to see how much pain not knowing their mother, not knowing what exactly was being done with those cells and not knowing those were the tumor cells, not necessarily their mother’s cells would cause the family. It was heartbreaking to read about how much damage was done and how much wreckage was left in the wake of the unknowing.

If you’re looking for a book that will inspire you, but also make you think and wonder, then this might be the book for you. It’s definitely thought-provoking.

Do you know where your cells are?

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , ,

Signs We Don’t See by Carrie Beamer

July 13, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Signs We Don’t See by Carrie Beamer
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Young Adult (14 – 18 y.o.), Romance, Historical
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Etta Litali has grown accustom to the superstitious behavior that comes along with being in an Italian family. But when her dad begins to spend his nights stealing signs from every city pole within three miles of their home, her house becomes overrun with dirty poster boards and the neighbors begin to notice. Stressed her dad will end up on Oprah as the man who hoards stolen signs, Etta distracts herself with a boy named Jordan. Despite the ban Jordan’s clique has on Etta, their connection grows into something special. Jordan starts to miss school and disappear leaving Etta confused and wondering if their relationship was ever real. Knowing Jordan is hiding something, Etta has to find a way to show Jordan he can trust her or she will lose him. The only way to do that is to reveal to him that she’s been keeping a secret too.

Everyone struggles with something.

This was such a compassionate take on how one working class family handled mental illness in the 1980s. Obviously, the medical treatments and community understanding of the disease Etta’s father was eventually diagnosed with was not as advanced as it would be today. It was fascinating to me to see how everyone tried to understand what was going on with him. Their reactions were as true to the era they lived in as they were true to the individual personalities of the family members, friends, and medical professionals who were trying to help in the best ways they knew how.

It would have been useful to have a little more time spent developing the romantic plot, especially during the last few scenes. While I appreciated the slow, natural pacing of it during the beginning and middle of the story, I did think there was space to explore it further once the main conflicts had been resolved and Etta had enough emotional energy to devote to lighthearted matters like these. This is a minor criticism of something I thought was otherwise well written. If the author ever writes a sequel, I hope the romantic subplot will be given more attention then as it really was a delightful part of this character’s personal growth.

I absolutely adored Etta’s relationship with her best friend, Nessa. Their personalities and interests complemented each other beautifully. The only thing better than seeing how they used their strengths to improve each other’s lives was how loyal they were. No matter what they were going through, they were always there for each other.

Signs We Don’t See was a thought-provoking read that I’d recommend to anyone who is interested in mental illness or 1980s culture.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,

Land Of Enchantment by Jodi Payne and BA Tortuga

July 13, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Land Of Enchantment by Jodi Payne and BA Tortuga
Publisher: Tygerseye Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

What if you had to leave everything behind to find your way home?

Opposites definitely attract, but can an east coast kid on the run and a southwest rodeo cowboy learn to speak the same language, let alone learn to trust each other?

When Mason Wild has to get out of Jersey fast, he heads west without a plan or a penny to his name. Luckily he finds a job with a roofing company run by a rodeo cowboy who’s kind, easy to work for, and even with his jaw wired shut, hotter than July in the high desert.

Bull rider Levi Yost knows what it’s like to be down on his luck. He’s not much older than Mason, but he’s been around the block a few times–or at least around the rodeo arena. He takes a chance on Mason, giving him a job and a place to live on his ranch. The two of them discover a surprising amount of common ground, but trouble has a way of finding each of them. Mason has to decide whether to trust Levi with his past, and Levi has to come to terms with the fact that he’s not just riding out for himself anymore.

On the run and having been on the road for a while, Mason is hungry and pretty desperate for some steady work when he finally gets some luck while hitchhiking out in the desert. Levi takes a step of faith and hires Mason onto his regular crew doing some roofing work and quickly both men realize they can truly trust each other in all the important ways.

I really enjoyed this full length cowboy story and loved the slow, emotional pace. From the start it’s clear that Mason has more than a few secrets and is in dire need of people he can trust and who will do right by him. Levi, also, is recovering from a bad fall while rodeoing and I loved how the longer length of the story let the two men ease into a true and deep relationship. While sexy and hot, I loved how the co-authors took their time to let the two men learn and trust each other first. This really helped me as a reader get a good feel for them both and get excited as they trusted each other inch by inch.

With a few really strong secondary characters I loved how Mason in particular flourished after he found his feet. The pace around the reader learning his backstory was lovely, snippets here and there that added up into an interesting and intense sub-plot around where and what Mason had left behind him. Levi also was a delight, and once we finally get back onto the rodeo circuit with him I loved how the reader could see it all fresh and learn through Mason’s eyes. Personally I have zero knowledge about real cowboying and rodeos (short of what you’d see on tv) so I loved how much detail and authentic description the co-authors added into the story without it feeling like a massive info-dump. I loved these scenes and felt they really added hugely to the story as a whole.

While it took a while for the plot (both Mason’s past to return and Levi to realize maybe his time for being on the rodeo circuit was a limited thing) to really blossom and come to fruition but I didn’t mind this at all as the growing relationship between Levi and Mason was given ample time to really come around and not be rushed. This book is really like a lovely long, slow drop and I adored this pace.

Readers eager for a character-centric story with vibrant and different characters, plenty of hard work, desert settings and authentic cowboys along with some complicated personal plot-lines and a loving and emotional, deep M/M romance should find this story really fits the bill. I loved this story and can’t wait to reread it again soon. Recommended.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

When All The Girls Have Gone by Jayne Ann Krentz

July 12, 2021 By Leave a Comment


When All The Girls Have Gone by Jayne Ann Krentz
Publisher: Jove
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

When Charlotte Sawyer is unable to contact her stepsister, Jocelyn, to tell her that one of her closest friends was found dead, she discovers that Jocelyn has vanished.

Beautiful, brilliant, and reckless, Jocelyn has gone off the grid before, but never like this. In a desperate effort to find her, Charlotte joins forces with Max Cutler, a struggling PI who recently moved to Seattle after his previous career as a criminal profiler went down in flames—literally. Burned out, divorced and almost broke, Max needs the job.

After surviving a near-fatal attack, Charlotte and Max turn to Jocelyn’s closest friends—women in a Seattle-based online investment club—for answers. But what they find is chilling…

German researchers were the first to come up with cialis discounts appalachianmagazine.com this anti ED medicine. levitra uk appalachianmagazine.com A diabetic will typically experience large variations in the design of splints, but the principle is the same. So consumers have many options on where to buy Propecia without prescription, it is best to inform your doctor about taking the drugs. achat cialis cipla Kamagra Easily Available Via Online The online presence of this high quality ingredient ensures the best result to the individual in future. order cheap cialis http://appalachianmagazine.com/category/featured/page/47/ When her uneasy alliance with Max turns into a full-blown affair, Charlotte has no choice but to trust him with her life. For the shadows of Jocelyn’s past are threatening to consume her—and anyone else who gets in their way…

Max Cutler enjoys his work as a PI even though his first career as a profiler for the FBI – along with his marriage and the home he’d made for himself – all went down in flames during his last case. When he agrees to take on a client who insists his cousin’s death isn’t what it looks like Max meets Charlotte and together they discover the unusual link between Charlotte’s step-sister’s mysterious vanishing and Max’s suspicion, death. Soon they’re working together, each determined to find some answers.

Jayne Ann Krentz has been a staple of my reading material for more years than I’m comfortable remembering. This book really brought home to me just how amazing she is as a writer, because over the years (gulps: decades!) she has continued to grow and thrive in her writing style. She has always been an exceptional writer but I found this book really exceeded even my own high expectations.

For example – this book had a good number of strong, varied and interesting secondary characters (the investors group of four friends, the nursing home residents and Max’s family as just a few). Whereas there is almost always some secondary characters to help flesh out the world and situations – I thoroughly enjoyed that this book really had a higher than usual number and yet the quality and interest in this large group remained high. I also really enjoyed how the plot wasn’t linear – numerous threads all wove slowly but steadily together and the story-telling around this and weaving the pieces together was not just artful but entrancing to me.

As I admitted above I’ve been a fan of Krentz’s for ages, but like all relationships it ebbs and flows. Some books hit the mark better than others and while they’re all good – there are different levels of “good”. I adored this book and it really hit a number of my “excellent” buttons so I rate this book above a number of her other recent works. Now sure, there are the usual tropes which are as comforting and enjoyable as they are predictable – Charlotte is smart, savvy and has a “crash and burn” relationship in her near past, Max has his own issues and a far bigger “life-altering moment” in his past and they each are dealing well with their respective histories and baggage. They’re both strong characters, attracted to each other but cautious of getting burned again and focused on the mystery and task at hand – all the usual tropes. But that doesn’t detract (for me, at least) one inch from the enjoyableness of the story, and for sure it doesn’t lessen the intensity of their characters or the situation at all. Indeed the comfort and known quantity of these aspects helps me enjoy the tension and weaving of the multiple plots more than if I was trying to grapple with their character and objectives. I know this style of characters and can enjoy the plot and circumstances more because I’m not questioning or catching up on other parts of the story.

Readers who love a fairly traditional style of romantic suspense should definitely give this book a whirl. If you haven’t read Krentz before you can pretty much look into anything of her backlist in the last 10-15 years and chances are good there’s a number of decent stories there awaiting your perusal. Krentz is a go-to for me for solid, enjoyable, believable and interesting romantic mystery/suspense. This is definitely one of my favourites though they’re all of a high quality. The romance is a slow-burn and while the bedroom door is left open the focus of the romance is more emotional and Charlotte and Max connecting and working their investigation together with a bit of bedroom sizzle thrown in – this is not an explicit or heavily graphic romance story, but a solid mystery/suspense with a good dash of romance woven in and balanced well.

A solid and thoroughly enjoyable read, I was delighted by this and can heartily recommend it.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Illusion by Aurelia T. Evans

July 8, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Illusion by Aurelia T. Evans
Publisher: Totally Entwined
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Horror, Paranormal
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Mistletoe

Arcanium’s greatest illusion is that there’s any illusion at all…

When an old flame returns to Arcanium in the company of her own magical circus, Illumina, offering an alliance, Bell initially considers the merger an opportunity for much-needed change.

However, with Illumina comes Maya, who has lost her memories not just of Locke’s Arcanium but all her time with Bell—love, guilt, wishes, everything. Having her memories removed leaves Maya with too large a gap in her mind that she’s desperate to fill, and she knows that Bell, of all the people in Arcanium, can give her the information she’s missing.

Bell still loves Maya and spends every day trying to atone for the pain he caused her and the rest of his cast. In spite of her frustration, she’s happiest without him, without the memories that once nearly destroyed her. If Illumina is to become part of Arcanium, he has no choice. He has to keep his distance, because she doesn’t know why she should run as far away as she can from Arcanium—and from Bell.

Even so, resisting Maya is almost too much for him to bear.

Once again, we find ourselves in the world of Arcanium where Bell rules and the consequence for breaking his rules are harsh. Yet even Bell has a heart and a conscience. He has learned from his mistakes and works hard at making his circus safe and a happy place for those in it. When an old friend and lover returns to Arcanium with her own cast that includes Maya, Bell must make the hard choice of opening his doors or shutting them. His own heart lays in the choice and he could lose it all over again if he is not careful.

I was both excited and sad to see this book come out as it is the last in the Arcanium series. I enjoyed returning to this world and its characters. As much as I enjoyed this book, there were a few points where the story dragged on a bit too much, and there were characters made to stand out, it seems, just for the purpose of being annoying. It worked. This story brings readers full circle and back to the beginning. It is centered around Bell and Maya of course, and as with all the books in this series, there are major twists and turns.

This book is an interesting way to end the series and the author has made a great world with memorable characters that I fell in love with and hope to see again in the future.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Horror, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

While the Devil Lies Waiting by David J. LeMaster

July 7, 2021 By Leave a Comment


While the Devil Lies Waiting by David J. LeMaster
Publisher: Champagne Book Group
Genre: Horror, Paranormal, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Historical Fiction, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

During the Civil War, the War of Northern Aggression to Southerners, General Elijah Beauregard was heralded, although not within earshot, as a demon. Known for shooting his own men for running from carnage, he had no less respect for his beloved Virginia.

She’d prayed for his demise, yet only received absolution in her own and her child’s death in childbirth. No one else, who dared live in his house, ever died in peace…nor left the premises. Over a century later, and many mysterious deaths and events, he would have his Ginny…again.

If you’re ready for a good ghost story, this is it. General Beauregard of the Civil War is creepy and scary. What makes him worse is that he is motivated to hurt people.

In this book, we jump through time and meet the general’s unfortunate victims as they stay in his house. The setting and atmosphere, the mood are superbly written. Characters—dead and alive—interact in realistic ways, and suspense is strong throughout the story.

We see some of the characters at different stages of their lives. The challenges they face keep the pace of the book quick. It is a horror story, but can anyone have a happy ending? Are the good guys hiding anything?

David J. LeMaster has written a unique tale that readers of this genre are sure to love and remember.

Filed Under: Horror, Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Rooster by Harley Wilde

July 7, 2021 By 1 Comment


*Rooster by Harley Wilde
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Larkspur

Alora – I’ve prided myself on being a strong, independent woman and not needing anyone. I didn’t become a bestselling author by the age of twenty out of pure dumb luck. I worked my tail off to get as far as I have. But there are few perks to having a man in my life. Laughter, romance, and companionship. Battery operated boyfriends can only do so much. Too bad the guy who sets me on fire is a bossy biker who wants to claim me. No way I’m letting him label me as property. Nope. Not happening. Doesn’t matter if he does make my knees weak and my heart race. I’m not giving in!

Rooster – Of all the women to capture my interest, it had to be the most stubborn, sexy, adorable woman on the planet. I love her mind, her sense of humor, and the way she fills out a pair of shorts. I don’t even mind that she’s an exhibitionist, as long as no one touches. Doesn’t matter to me her uncles were both rotten to the core. The Devil’s Fury may think she belongs to them, but I have other plans. Alora will be mine — no matter the cost.

Rooster is an entertaining and spicy story with a little intrigue thrown into the mix. This fast paced book was just the type of book I was looking for. It is a quick, steamy and satisfying MC story that includes BDSM, voyeurism and some very hot scenes that had me fanning myself.

Rooster is part of The Devils Boneyard motorcycle club and even at forty, he is still a good looking guy. From the moment Rooster sees Alora, he wants her and wants to make her his. Even though Alora is only twenty one years old, she has become a successful romance writer. She is feisty and sassy and gives Rooster a run for his money. It is fun when these two are together; there is a lot of verbal sparring and sparks flying. Alora and Rooster argue and bicker and they have a passionate relationship from the moment they meet. Alora isn’t interested in a relationship, but Rooster enjoys the challenge of trying to change her mind.

I liked both Rooster and Alora and I have to admit, I have a weakness for stories about an older man and younger women. I enjoyed all the passion Rooster and Alora shared and this short, lighthearted story.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , ,

Two Murders Too Many by Bluette Matthey

July 6, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Two Murders Too Many by Bluette Matthey
Publisher: Blue Shutter Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Snowdrop

Barn burning in a sleepy farming community is a serious enough matter, but a grisly murder or two in a small midwest town is a showstopper. Throw in a serial blackmailer who has his claws in some of the town’s leading citizens and you have one big recipe for disaster.

Charlie Simmons, newly sworn in as Shannon’s policeman, takes on the challenge of investigating this cauldron of crimes in stride, untangling one thread after another from the fabric of the town of Shannon to find the simple truth.

When I got into what I will call her working story, I found a suspenseful tale full of twists and turns, with blackmail and murder mixed in.

I always have a fondness for a small-town sheriff and this story has one, one that has just been sworn in before the gruesome crimes. Matthey did not craft a slow-minded small-town cop but a good sheriff, well-defined in words and busy with incidents. Probably many more incidents than he ever thought he would have in a small town.

I wasn’t crazy about Matthey’s picture of a small Midwestern town. I suppose because it was personal; we weren’t all interbred in the town where I grew up, or at least I don’t think we were.

I won’t hide that there are some very quirky characters invented in this book. Some fun; some quite irritating. The story kept me turning the pages and for some readers the ending will seem satisfying, for others…they’ll want more. Actually, I bet everyone will want more anyway. It was a good read.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Craving Tara by Lila Fox

July 5, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Craving Tara by Lila Fox
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Since her mom became sick, Tara’s had to work hard, even doing things she never thought she would consider in order to pay the bills.

Soon after meeting Traeger, the sexy and broody VP, she agrees to come live with the Devil’s Sons MC and cook for them. She moves to the clubhouse, but she’s unsure if it’s the right place for her. While her mom is being taken care of by professionals, Tara needs to find out where she fits in.

Traeger takes one look at Tara and knows she’s his. He just has to get over the guilt of his last girlfriend’s death to move on with Tara. Can he make peace with his past before he loses his chance at love again?

Tara had needed to quit her regular job when her mother got sick, needing to earn more money with less hours left her with only the one option – stripping. While she adored dancing, she hated how tiring it was and how little she enjoyed the stripping. Still, she was determined to do everything she could for her mother. Traeger had been devastated when his previous girlfriend had been killed right in front of him. For years, no one else had stirred him since that moment until he met Tara. Innocent but strong, self-conscious but full of fire she drew him and Traeger almost felt as if he was ready to try again for something as difficult and painful as love.

I really enjoyed this longer length MC story. Tara and her bff Amelia are interesting and modern women who are both in difficult situations but don’t let the stress of their positions drag them down too much. I particularly enjoyed how while there was attraction between Tara and Traeger (and Amelia and Fury) neither women just rolled right over and jumped into bed with their respective men. They all took some time to interact together and try to adjust to their new positions and lives before making a commitment or delving into something that would have been painful and messy to undo. It helped me as a reader to get a bit more comfortable with their respective situations and allowed me to see the depth of friendship and genuine love between Tara and Amelia as they both navigated their new and rocky romantic relationship with their respective men.

I also felt there was plenty of conflict and tension in the plot – Traeger still feels guilt a number of years later about the murder of his previous girlfriend, which was a different and really interesting plotline for me reading an MC romance. I also thought while a little predictable, the club whores being so antagonistic to Tara and Amelia added a good bit of tension to the story as well.

While the sex was hot and intimate I was pleased that Tara and Traeger both clearly became emotionally connected to each other and it wasn’t just purely physical. Readers looking for a spicily hot, explicit MC style of romance novel should find this really suits their purposes. I enjoyed the other guys in the club and even thought the author did a good job introducing what I expect might be the next story’s heroine toward the end.

With realistic and interesting characters and plenty of steamy sex this is a great read and a story I really enjoyed.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

The Cowboy’s Fairy Tale by Jessie Gussman

July 2, 2021 By Leave a Comment


The Cowboy’s Fairy Tale by Jessie Gussman
Sweet Water Ranch Western Cowboy Romance Book 6
Publisher: Self-published
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

He’s the billionaire heir of Sweet Water Ranch. His family is throwing a ball and he must choose a wife.

She’s too poor to attend the ball as a guest. But she can go as the hired help.

One magical dance and a case of mistaken identity later, and nothing is as it seems.

If he backs out, he loses everything.

She never had anything to lose to begin with. Other than her soul-mate.

Will he choose love over a multi-billion dollar business and the biggest ranch in North Dakota? Can she let him give up everything for her?

If romance fans enjoy the Cinderella trope for their heroine, then this author has written a book filled with all the best parts to entertain her readers.

In this version, there is the step-father, two step-sisters and a younger half-brother. The yoke of responsibility that tethers Nell to her family farm is her half-brother, Vinton. Her love is so strong that it carries her through the times that would break a less determined person. Her respect and adoration of her deceased mother, and her guidance and advice while she was alive, buoys Nell up when she needs it the most. It’s said that the meek shall inherit the earth, but being meek doesn’t mean a person doesn’t stand up for themselves. It means they have an inner strength that a lot of people can’t fathom, and when something is really important, they step up to the plate with dignity and stand for what they believe in. They choose their battles with wisdom. Nell wouldn’t believe that of herself, but that’s what I saw. It may not come out until the end of the novel, but again, that’s when it counts the most and the author made sure readers would cheer for her heroine when the time came.

Ryder is the hero with a lot riding on his shoulders. He’s rich because he worked hard and is dedicated to what he does – so dedicated that it cost him in his first marriage. The author has the hero growing emotionally and in maturity during the course of The Cowboy’s Fairy Tale so that clarity comes to him. It takes getting to know Nell and Vinton to show him the way and I enjoyed watching all those baby steps and seeing how they guide him.

There were secondary characters of import besides Nell’s step-sisters. There is Roxie, Ryder’s sister, and then there’s Michelle, a character I didn’t like at all. I’m sure that was the point, and the author created an effective plot conflict using Michelle’s conniving and manipulative actions as she aimed to get what she wanted. I think that’s also where I had a hard time in the book. The angst got to me. When a certain scene came up, I knew exactly what was going to happen and I despised that eye-roll moment but I couldn’t help myself. I got that feeling of “oh, come on!” and I couldn’t take it. I walked away from the story for a bit. But, I had to come back; I had to know how the happily ever after could overcome what was going to transpire. I have to give the author credit, it didn’t play out exactly as I expected. It was much more devious than that. So, when Nell decided it was time to make her move, to finally stand up for what was of the utmost importance, she didn’t disappoint. She did it with dignity while wearing a fashion statement that is sure to never be forgotten. It was a little over the top, but then again, what Cinderella-themed trope isn’t? It wouldn’t work otherwise.

The happily ever after does occur but again, not quite in the way readers may expect. That fact makes this book stand out. It’s not expected perfection, but it is perfect and in line with what I enjoyed in the previous story, The Cowboy’s Convenient Marriage, and it’s what makes The Cowboy’s Fairy Tale well worth reading. And, just like the previous book I read, the author includes a hook in the epilogue to get a reader interested in the next story. I believe it’s about Clay, a/k/a Preacher. He’s a nice guy and he’s helped the heroes and heroines in previous stories so it sounds like he’s overdue for his own HEA. It’s something to look forward to, that’s for sure.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,
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