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nadoislandgirl's review against another edition
2.0
Super cheesy Christian romance.
What I didn't get was our romantic leading man. We got an inside look into his thoughts and still couldn't figure out where he was coming from. He seemed really confused at the start.
What I didn't get was our romantic leading man. We got an inside look into his thoughts and still couldn't figure out where he was coming from. He seemed really confused at the start.
sassybookishmama's review against another edition
5.0
After seeing all the negative reviews I knew I had to write my own. I hate reading reviews before reading a book because I want to formulate my own opinion.
This was my first time reading a book from author Maggie Brendan and I must say I’m glad I picked up the book. I’ll be reading more of her books and definitely finishing this series.
I think the story of Crystal a Georgia belle coming to Colorado to stay with her aunt after her fathers passing was good. Without giving spoilers I think the author really portrayed what life was like in those times. Death, miscarriages and trying to grow in a strange land was hard but not something that you had time to dwell on and sit around moping about for a long time. Life had to continue on.
The Love story between Crystal and Luke was sweet! The love/hate relationship and frustration with each other was great! Yes, it would have been nice to know a bit more about Luke’s past but I did not think that it was taking anything away from the story.
I’m by no ways a writer... I’m an avid reader who love Christian fiction and clean reads.
As I say in most of my reviews if Christian fiction and clean reads are not your jam then by all means don’t pick the book up! But if it is, then give the story a chance! I thought it was a good one!
This was my first time reading a book from author Maggie Brendan and I must say I’m glad I picked up the book. I’ll be reading more of her books and definitely finishing this series.
I think the story of Crystal a Georgia belle coming to Colorado to stay with her aunt after her fathers passing was good. Without giving spoilers I think the author really portrayed what life was like in those times. Death, miscarriages and trying to grow in a strange land was hard but not something that you had time to dwell on and sit around moping about for a long time. Life had to continue on.
The Love story between Crystal and Luke was sweet! The love/hate relationship and frustration with each other was great! Yes, it would have been nice to know a bit more about Luke’s past but I did not think that it was taking anything away from the story.
I’m by no ways a writer... I’m an avid reader who love Christian fiction and clean reads.
As I say in most of my reviews if Christian fiction and clean reads are not your jam then by all means don’t pick the book up! But if it is, then give the story a chance! I thought it was a good one!
esquiredtoread's review against another edition
2.0
I’m doing a clean out of my kindle ebooks and realized too late I had already read something by this author that I didn’t like. I wouldn’t have started this is I realized that earlier.
This one didn’t work for me either. Luke, the main love interest, kinda sucked.
This one didn’t work for me either. Luke, the main love interest, kinda sucked.
lizclev's review against another edition
1.0
Kind of embarrassed to admit that I actually finished it.;) Was pretty bad.
pixieauthoress's review against another edition
3.0
This one didn't turn out to be quite as interesting as it sounded from the synopsis, but it was a fairly entertaining and enjoyable historical romance. A plot that's been done many times before, but with a few tweaks here and there - mainly the details about Crystal having to learn how to run the cattle ranch and pay off her aunt's debts. The majority of the issues that kept the two characters apart involved a lack of communication, a major pet peeve of mine when it comes to romance novels, so that drops the rating a bit for me. However, I did love the descriptions of Colorado. Although I got bored during the sections about the cattle drive, I drank in the wonderful scenery. While the descriptions of Colorado flowed wonderfully, I did find that the author "head-hopped" a lot, jumping from one person's thoughts to another without any scene changes or paragraph breaks to show the change of perspective. While the whole book was in third-person POV, this still gave it a choppy feel and was quite distracting.
I think this is a good debut attempt from Maggie Brendan, and while I didn't find her book particularly original and think that she could work on her writing technique a little, I would definitely read more from her in the future as I think she has potential and I was intrigued by the teaser for #2 in the series. I'd recommend this book for Christian historical romance fans looking for a book they can rely on to provide them with all the facets that make a pleasurable reading experience. 6/10
I think this is a good debut attempt from Maggie Brendan, and while I didn't find her book particularly original and think that she could work on her writing technique a little, I would definitely read more from her in the future as I think she has potential and I was intrigued by the teaser for #2 in the series. I'd recommend this book for Christian historical romance fans looking for a book they can rely on to provide them with all the facets that make a pleasurable reading experience. 6/10
aggiew3thrgirl's review against another edition
3.0
Hmmm...what to say. Really, I wanted to give this one about 2.5 stars according to my ratings system. I didn't have any problem getting through the story, as I found the idea of a girl sent out to CO in the late 1800s after the death of her father compelling. Also, the fact that Crystal was determined to be strong and not shy away from the tough stuff made me happy, as usually these books devolve into the weak female saved by the strong male.
However, the writing was pretty awful. I'm not a great writer, but one thing I've heard over and over again is to show and not tell. This book was ALL tell it seemed. The only bit that could be even close to showing is the setting, where the author clearly had a good grasp on the surroundings of CO. The characters seemed slightly one-dimensional, and I never felt like I had a motivation for the way most of them acted.
There was a lot of repetition in terms of characters feelings (Luke just can't figure out why he is drawn to Crystal over and over and over and over...), which started to get on my nerves by about the middle of the book. With all that repetition, the ending seemed rushed and could have done with more.
This is a Christian fiction book, which I knew before reading. I have seen comments elsewhere from people who apparently didn't know about that. However, I didn't find it overly preachy until maybe the end, where it got into marrying an unbeliever for about 2 seconds. That may put some readers off and could come across preachy. I didn't feel that it did, but for anyone who hasn't read the book and is considering it, there is religion in the book. The majority of the Christian fiction bit came in the dialog, which I found endearing, because it reminded me a lot of my grandma, and little prayers that the main characters pray.
That all being said, I was rooting for the characters, even though it was pretty obvious how it would end. I did get caught up in the setting and the whole "life in the wild west" feel pretty easily, which made the read much more pleasant. I'm not sure I would read this author again, but it's certainly made me interested in more novels like this with similar settings.
However, the writing was pretty awful. I'm not a great writer, but one thing I've heard over and over again is to show and not tell. This book was ALL tell it seemed. The only bit that could be even close to showing is the setting, where the author clearly had a good grasp on the surroundings of CO. The characters seemed slightly one-dimensional, and I never felt like I had a motivation for the way most of them acted.
There was a lot of repetition in terms of characters feelings (Luke just can't figure out why he is drawn to Crystal over and over and over and over...), which started to get on my nerves by about the middle of the book. With all that repetition, the ending seemed rushed and could have done with more.
This is a Christian fiction book, which I knew before reading. I have seen comments elsewhere from people who apparently didn't know about that. However, I didn't find it overly preachy until maybe the end, where it got into marrying an unbeliever for about 2 seconds. That may put some readers off and could come across preachy. I didn't feel that it did, but for anyone who hasn't read the book and is considering it, there is religion in the book. The majority of the Christian fiction bit came in the dialog, which I found endearing, because it reminded me a lot of my grandma, and little prayers that the main characters pray.
That all being said, I was rooting for the characters, even though it was pretty obvious how it would end. I did get caught up in the setting and the whole "life in the wild west" feel pretty easily, which made the read much more pleasant. I'm not sure I would read this author again, but it's certainly made me interested in more novels like this with similar settings.
rachearl's review against another edition
3.0
Crystal moves to Colorado to be with her aunt and to leave her stuffy social life behind in Georgia. Then tragic strikes and its up to Crystal to make sure the ranch survives.
I love a good western with a strong female character, but it was pretty cheesy too!
I love a good western with a strong female character, but it was pretty cheesy too!
littlemainelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Have you ever read a book and just KNEW you'd read it before? That is the feeling I had with this book! I went back over my reading logs for the last 4 years and didn't find it but I know I've read it before. Regardless, that knowledge did not diminish my enjoyment in the slightest! :-)
After the death of her father Crystal leaves Georgia for the wilds of Colorado. Being a traditional southern bell she's out of her element but soon makes friends. As usual life throws laughter and tragedy in her way. Through it all her faith sustains her. Always joy abounds!
I just know you'll love this one, read it! :-)
XXO
~ Hope
After the death of her father Crystal leaves Georgia for the wilds of Colorado. Being a traditional southern bell she's out of her element but soon makes friends. As usual life throws laughter and tragedy in her way. Through it all her faith sustains her. Always joy abounds!
I just know you'll love this one, read it! :-)
XXO
~ Hope
donnah's review
3.0
For a first novel I think this was a good start. The book is a christian / inspirational romance.
Crystal Clark arrives in Colorado's Yampa Valley amid the splendor of a high country June in 1892. After the death of her father, Crystal is relieved to be leaving the troubles of her Georgia life behind to visit her aunt Kate's cattle ranch. Despite being raised as a proper Southern belle, Crystal is determined to hold her own in this wild land--even if a certain handsome foreman doubts her abilities. Just when she thinks she's getting a handle on the constant male attention from the cowhands and the catty barbs from some of the local young women, tragedy strikes the ranch. Crystal will have to tap all of her resolve to save the ranch from a greedy neighboring landowner. Can she rise to the challenge? Or will she head back to Georgia defeated? Book one in the Heart of the West series, No Place for a Lady is full of adventure, romance, and the indomitable human spirit. Readers will fall in love with the Colorado setting and the spunky Southern belle who wants to claim it as her own.
Crystal Clark arrives in Colorado's Yampa Valley amid the splendor of a high country June in 1892. After the death of her father, Crystal is relieved to be leaving the troubles of her Georgia life behind to visit her aunt Kate's cattle ranch. Despite being raised as a proper Southern belle, Crystal is determined to hold her own in this wild land--even if a certain handsome foreman doubts her abilities. Just when she thinks she's getting a handle on the constant male attention from the cowhands and the catty barbs from some of the local young women, tragedy strikes the ranch. Crystal will have to tap all of her resolve to save the ranch from a greedy neighboring landowner. Can she rise to the challenge? Or will she head back to Georgia defeated? Book one in the Heart of the West series, No Place for a Lady is full of adventure, romance, and the indomitable human spirit. Readers will fall in love with the Colorado setting and the spunky Southern belle who wants to claim it as her own.
ilovebread's review
1.0
This was. Maybe the most boring thing I’ve read all year. I’d give it 0 stars if I could.