Beyond This Moment by Tamera Alexander (Timber Ridge Reflections Book 2) - Review

Let me continue on with my crappy written reviews for this book series. I must do a better job than I did before. Because that was just some pathetic I don't know what. Fingers crossed that this will be better, but, um, oh go on.

So, Tamera Alexander has become one of my favorite authors. I just love her style of writing. Sure they are romantic stories, but also stories about struggles, family, respect and what life throws at you, good or bad. Everything an excellent story should have. Nothing overly dramatic were you roll your eyes over. She's a Christian writer but her stories are never preachy. No converting anyone here. (I know people are afraid of that stuff.) Anyone of any faith could read her books. That's the last time I'm gonna go into that. A lot of her stuff I can relate to, as I assume many others have and will. No matter what era your story is set in, there are just some human nature/family attitudes you can relate to no matter what.

Beyond This Moment was actually the first TA book I ever read. I was at Barnes & Noble browsing around when I ran across this book on display. I admit I was actually drawn to the cover. (Hey covers can really sell a book, that's so true.) So I picked it up and read the synopsis. It was a period piece, so I thought why not give it a try. I love to read novels set in the past. Plus it had a western feel to it and I love me some westerns. Got home, the book stayed in the bag for about three days until I picked it up and decided this was my next read. Once I started reading, I just did not put the book down. Eventually I had to because of this pesky thing we humans do called sleep. The next day, I got up did what I had to do and then continued reading until I finished. Did some research on the author and the book series, decided I needed to pick up 'From A Distance' yesterday. I tried several book stores and nothing much to my dismay. I did the next best thing and ordered online. Had to wait seven days because express shipping is way to much money. One book should not cost that much to ship. Any who, got off topic there, got to rein myself in. Reined in. Once I got 'From A Distance' in the mail, read it in a day. I declared right then and there that I would buy every book ever written by this woman.

Beyond This Moment is about Sheriff James McPherson (Daniel's best friend from book 1. He and Elizabeth make an appearance. There in the same town, duh, everyone makes an appearance. It's not necessary for someone to read these books in order. They all are pretty much stand alone stories.) Actually a year after the events in the first novel, so it's 1876 in the Colorado Territory. He's a good hard working guy. the town respects him, he's helping out his widowed sister Rachel and her two boys. Basically his life is somewhat in a good place until he meets Dr. Molly Whitcomb, a professor of Languages. Molly's moving to Timber Ridge to be the school teacher for the town's first school. It's all an exciting prospect and James helped choose Molly in a committee. But Molly has a secret that doesn't go over to well on Timber Ridge. Of course she has a secret, why else would she move to Timber Ridge, a former professor at a prestige college in Georgia.

Molly has a tough time adjusting but makes quick friends with her students, James and his sister Rachel. She also makes fast friends with Josiah, his wife and son. Molly ruffles a lot of feathers so it's not smooth sailing at all. It's basically a whole new life for Molly. She's not use to a small town, there way of life. Molly is a kind, respectable, understanding woman. But some of her actions due cause a stir. Eventually James finds out Molly's secret. He's friendship, love and support of her could cost him his job and reputation.

I wish I could just describe the story more but I'd give away to many spoilers and then why would you read it. Again, the romance is so much fun to read, as is the friendship between Molly and Rachel. There's some very well written action. I mean right away in the first few chapters there's a coach almost going off a cliff and it's James to the rescue. I'd say give this a shot. Why not.

From A Distance by Tamera Alexander (Timber Ridge Reflections Book 1) - Review

So, I must post my love for the Timber Ridge Reflections series by Tamera Alexander. I actually read book two in the series before book one, but more on that later. Actually more on that in another post.

The story takes place in the Colorado Territory (the town of Timber Ridge) some years after the civil war, 1875 to be exact. Elizabeth Westbrook is a photographer, a rarity for a woman, who works for a newspaper in her native Washington. She travels to Colorado to take pictures of the majestic mountains in hope of wining a photography contest and getting her big break and respect in the field. Being a woman, what the heck does she know. She's also there for another reason, the hot springs. Elizabeth has a serious illness, trouble with her lungs. In today's terms, asthma. She's head strong, determined to not let anything or anyone get in her way. Of course her being an unmarried feisty career driven woman does ruffle some feathers. She does have one friend, a man she hired to be her assistant, Josiah. A former slave, Josiah is trying to make a new start in life but as you can imagine, some people don't take to kindly to a black man in their town. Elizabeth is also on another task, a secret task, acquiring info about some real estate for the paper she works for. Of course her questions and photos get her into some dangerous situations.

Daniel Ranslett is a loner, a hunter, a man who's haunted by his past. Both family and the the fact that he was a sharpshooter for the Confederate army during the war (Civil War). His best friend since childhood is the Sheriff James McPherson. Even that is strained because of an unfortunate accident involving Jame's sister Rachel. Rachel's husband died in a hunting accident and the sole man she holds responsible is Daniel. This causes Daniel to become even more of recluse as the family he loved has cut him off. James is there for his friend the best way he knows how.

The two meet when Elizabeth is taking a photo of a buffalo and Daniel shoots him. Not a good start, especially when Elizabeth accuses him of ruining her perfect opportunity to capture wildlife on film. Of course, you can read the sparks already. She doesn't like his southern ways and he thinks he to much of a pain in the butt. Daniel ends up becoming Elizabeth's guide, much to his dismay. He can't let her wonder around and die in her quest to get the best photographs ever.

There is so much to say but if I do, I'll give away the whole story. It's packed with a great romance and some wonderful nail biting action. There's this incredible scene (I totally picture what I'm reading as a movie, hence why I say scene) full of tension and suspense when Elizabeth has an asthma attack and it's Daniel to the rescue. It's so charged I broke into a sweat. Daniel caring Elizabeth to the springs, nuff said. Tamera Alexander is an awesome author. She's one of my favs now. After reading one book, I ran out and bought all her books. I just couldn't put the book down. The story had me hooked from the first paragraph. I cared so much for the characters. Alexander definitely wrote her characters with depth, emotion, sympathy, they could be real people that you know. I also loved the fact the heroine of this story was a woman in her thirties. I know I didn't do this book justice, but go out and read it. It is considered a Christian book. I read everything so I don't care one way or the other. I know some people do but it's not preachy, it's not trying to convert anyone. It's just a great story.

Hello Blog World

So I've decided to do an experiment with this whole blog thing. I don't care how unsuccessful it becomes, just something to do on my down time to relax me. So basically I want to just share or add my thoughts on the stuff I love or like to do. Basically no one around me likes the things I like, if they do it's very rarely. So the Internet is a blessed thing. When I was a kid I never had that shared experience when a group of people share their likes or dislikes on the same subject, always thought I was an odd one. (Which I am really.) So when the Internet came around (yes, I was alive before the Internet, cell phones, Cd's, but not that ancient yet) I found people like me. Cue the hallmark commercial and tears. Or better yet, the violins. So here goes nothing.