Katherine Allred - Second Time Around

Five years ago Quinn McAllister's life was almost destroyed. While he lay in a coma from injuries sustained during an auto accident, the woman he loved divorced him. Or so his father told him. Now he's discovered that his divorce was bogus, and his whole world is spinning out of control. He's tempted to give his wife the quick divorce she wants until he finds out about the son he didn't know existed. Now he's going back to Wyoming to claim what's his, and nothing can stop him...not his father, and certainly not his wife's fiance. 
It's taken Lanie McAllister five years to get over losing the man she loved with every fiber of her being. Now she's ready to move on with her life, and has even agreed to marry the local veterinarian until Quinn gives her an ultimatum. Give them three months to try to mend the marriage his father tore apart, or he'll fight her tooth and nail for custody of their son. Torn between the man her heart has never quite forgotten and the man she's engaged to, Lanie can only pray that love will truly be better the second time around.

Comment: This is the last of the books by Katherine Allred I had to read. I know she has two sci-fic romance books but I haven't got those...maybe one day.

I left this book for last because of the title, to be honest. I just knew it would be about a couple reuniting and I do not enjoy the lovers reunited trope much. But, it's one book, not very long, so I kind of wanted to get it over with, one less installment in my TBR.

This is the story of Quinn McCallister, he's had a car accident, a long recovery time and his wife divorced him.

But now not only does he find out his divorce didn't happen, he is even a father! Discovering it was his father's doing, Quinn only wants to get his wife back, get to know his son and live the life he and Lanie wanted when they fell in love.

But after so much time, Lanie, also deceived by Quinn's father, is engaged and thought Quinn abandoned her. Could they work things out despite everything?

Like I predicted, this romance didn't wow me. I was surprised, however, by how little remembrance scenes there were. In these types of books, usually there are scenes showing of or telling us about how things used to be between the main couple, not only as a basis of comparison to what they are on the present, but also to create atmosphere. I really hate those parts because my biggest fascination with any romance is to see the path the couple takes to happiness. I don't want to know about it, I want to see it and it's just not the same thing reading about what used to be or seeing a memory lane flashback to reading it as it goes right now.

Therefore, this book was a nice surprise because those "before" scenes were really small and quick, more like a photograph than a long video, so I could enjoy the book. I tried to think of it as a new chance of seeing them fall in love, which I'm sure it's the aim of these romances, but I just couldn't pretend I didn't know they used to be a couple before.

It was hard to achieve a balance between what I wished and what I get and I can say it wasn't that bad, but it's hard not to fall back on established opinions.

I also think the author tried really hard to add up some drama by making Quinn a man recovering from almost never walking again to someone needing help and physical therapy. I understand this is difficult, time consuming, emotional and it takes a lot of time and effort. We only see the end of it, and it was the excuse for the main couple not being in contact for so long (thus being in a position to solve every misunderstanding and the story not existing) but I think the focus on this wasn't used in the best way, Quinn didn't want pity which is understandable, but the way the story is written it feels like that's the element for the reader to focus on. Not as smoothly done as one would hope for in my opinion.

Things happen, I know, but the way things were written, it felt like this was a task needed to happen and the story didn't flow that easily. I couldn't put aside the details to just enjoy the story.

I liked the horses, the fact Laine had a steady life but she has a fiancé and they've been together for years. They never slept together because deep down Laine is still in love with Quinn. This is very romantic but not very realistic. I think the author should have done this more accurately to what expected behavior would be in a contemporary setting.

The solution to this "dilemma" is handy but I think the author didn't use this approach to its best potential. I don't mean to sat she should be overly dramatic, exploring a love triangle (shudders!) or anything, but a different way to solve things would make the story more polished, mature...I don't know, I just think it was a badly utilized feature.

In the end, the story had too many flaws for my taste, but I have to admit it was easily read despite not being a fluid narrative for me.

I think the ideas are worthy, interesting, but the execution isn't always the best with such good elements to work for.

Grade: 5/10

Katherine Allred - For Love of Charley

It's been ten years since Cole Jordan was run out of Canyon Bend, ten years he spent accumulating a vast fortune. Now he's back with only one goal in mind. To win the woman he left behind, the woman he never forgot. This time, not even her wealthy, overprotective uncle will stop him. Because everything he's done, he's done for love of Charley. After Cole made passionate love to her one night, he vanished without a word, so Charley doesn't trust him worth a damn when he reappears. Especially when she discovers it's his company that bought half of her business, the Red Dog Saloon. But Cole has big plans for the town that once shunned him, and as Charley finds herself working with him daily, the love she's tried so hard to suppress blooms again. Only one thing stands in their way; Cole's refusal to tell her why he left so abruptly. While they fight their way back to each other, outside influences work to keep them apart at any cost...even death.

Comment: I got this book around the same time I got the others by the author. This didn't feel much interesting to me based on the blurb. I'm not a fan of lovers reunited plot themes and I dreaded this reading even with this book being small. Still, I decided to get it over with because I hate the idea of leaving books unread if I already have them. Better go with the flow on this.

This story presents us Cole and Charley. They were an item years ago but a threat made Cole leave in order to protect his mother but he never explained why to Charley so one day he just left and she thought he didn't care for her, especially after he had proposed.

Now Cole is very rich and has plans to improve the small town where things happened a long ago, but will he get Charley back?

Well, by this blurb alone, one could say this is one of the most repeated plots in romance books since ever. I wasn't very interested in reading about the couple's romance because it would mean memories from times back and a lot of time remembering and rekindling. I managed to read this story faster than I could say but being a small story helped, as did the fact I skipped a sentence here and there. I know, shame on me, but some parts were really too manufactured to be realistic. 

I think there are several parts or scenes in this book that were probably the author's imagination running free and things she felt like would suit the plot. I think anything is possible and those things might have worked if the story had a bit more purpose, more feel about it. I had the sensation this was the result of a lot of scenes that had to be there but the tools to make everything work together weren't the best one in my opinion.

The romance, like I predicted, wasn't amazing for me. Sure they had had their issues, there were thing to talk about but I think they got together so easily after what they described as painful years in the meantime. I don't know but this romance didn't feel very powerful or meaningful. I understand the point, the difficulties but I have to be honest, they didn't win me over.

I think the biggest issue is, this book has a big misunderstanding, something that could have been worked out way before, even considering the surprise we get close to the end which I didn't even imagined - which kind of "saved" this book from a worse grade from me. But the big misunderstanding, like most of them are, could have been solved with some honesty, some daring and a little bit of that thing, what is it called, ah yes, communication. Share your thoughts with the person you love and explain the situation. Then you could work together to solve it somehow. 

Of course, this would mean no story. Wrong! In my humble opinion, if Cole and Charley had talked they still wouldn't fix the problem because let's face it, it was about money, which they didn't have then, at least not in a way that would allow a solution so, the problem would remain but then so would their relationship.

One could say, if they did talk, then the story wouldn't have gone this way. I say, well then, the author could have written a different outcome or a different story altogether. Which wouldn't be bad if one measures by this one. The big surprise would still be there too.

Anyway, this is all speculation, personal ideas about it, but the truth is, this story didn't feel as strong as some of the others by the author. To me it could have been better, so... I think the writing wasn't as polished and "serious" to me, at least not throughout all the plot and in the key moments. It's a style I didn't cherish much, I'm afraid.

Grade: 5/10

Katherine Allred - Sweet Revenge

Former fat girl Jessie James has returned to her small hometown to open her own dance studio, something she's always dreamed of. Driving the local sheriff and former high school football star, who used to ignore her, crazy with lust is a side benefit she hadn't counted on. But revenge is sweet when all the sheriff can think about is frisking the delectable Ms. James. After the hell his ex-wife put him and their daughter through, getting involved with another woman is the last thing Chase Martin wants. His body has different ideas, though. And after all, when an outlaw like Jesse James moves into the house behind his, the sheriff has an obligation to keep his eye on her. Right? To his surprise, this outlaw steals more than his body. She captures his heart, too.

Comment: In my quest to know if I'm actually a fan of this author or simply of the books she writes, I'm keeping up with reading her stories. This month I picked Sweet Revenge, a title whose cover is simply too bad. I know smaller publishers don't have as much money to put on covers and such but I'm a firm believer any picture taken from the nature could be so much better, maybe with some people in the background but the way this cover is presented it's just so unappealing...I know, I know, covers aren't the important thing, but I think it's a bit difficult to avoid them completely, so.. a little more (better) effort could be nice...

So, this is Jessie's story, she returned to her hometown after a successful career as a choreographer in New York. She opened a dance studio and plans on living in the place where she was mocked as a teenager due to her body shape, for Jesse used to be fat.
Chase Martin is the guy Jessie had a crush on but who never looked at her. Now the sheriff, Chase sees Jessie, who by the way, lives next door and wants to know her better. But if they didn't match before, will they now?

I don't think this story was as successful as the previous ones I've read by the author.
I think this story wasn't as emotionally developed as it could, considering the theme and the situations created. Two main things caught my attention as interesting aspects to develop and explore which were treated rather superficially, without a better twist to the way on how to deal with things.

First there's the fact Jessie was said to be fat while a teenager and how that shaped her vision of those days and how other people treated her, in particular her peers. Throughout the book we get references to this and that about her teenage years but nothing done in a way I consider enough to offer me any kind of empathy towards Jessie. I assume she had trouble and besides the panties as flag episode we don't see more. One could say the point isn't about that, but then what is the point of saying she was fat? I didn't see any development on that subject nor did I see scenes where it mattered because now she has a better body. I think someone with those kind of issues would have more to deal with, would look at life in different way, even if optimistic like Jessie behaves. In fact, she became a very physical person, which is commendable. But if her past body was such a thing for her why wasn't it dealt with more seriousness? I had the feeling it was just an excuse to bring her initial opposition to Chase but then, anything could have worked.

Then the second thing I think would have worked out better differently. The relationship between Chase and Jessie seemed to start slow but after a couple of pages it wasn't so anymore...and Jessie, who at first didn't want to fall for Chase to prove him she still had feelings was suddenly losing any self control...I mean, why, the story would feel so much more enjoyable if they could have started a more natural seduction game, and more in accord to their positions in life after all their individual experiences...but the need to just keep up with the story as fast as it could was more imperative apparently.

I think the story is full of possibilities like usual, but the way the characters took on their path to each other and together wasn't the most appealing, at least there isn't anything special about it.
I wish the author could have taken a more character development approach where we could understand each protagonist better. The overall story was ok and it had some interesting scenes but despite the here and there good things, I still couldn't help but focus more on the things that could have been better.
Let's hope the remaining romances I have to read by this author are better than this one.
Grade: 5/10

Katherine Allred - The Sweet Gum Tree

Sweet tea, corn bread, and soup beans—everyday fare for eight-year-old Alix French, the precocious darling of a respected southern family. But nothing was ordinary about the day she met ten-year-old Nick Anderson, a boy from the wrong side of town. Armed with only a tin of bee balm and steely determination, Alix treats the raw evidence of a recent beating that mars his back, an act that changes both of their lives forever.
Through childhood disasters and teenage woes they cling together as friendship turns to love. The future looks rosy until the fateful night when Frank Anderson, Nick's abusive father, is shot to death in his filthy trailer.
Suddenly, Nick is gone—leaving Alix alone, confused and pregnant. For the next fifteen years she wrestles with the pain of Nick's abandonment, a bad marriage, her family and friends. But finally, she's starting to get her life back together. Her divorce is almost final, her business is booming, and she's content if not happy—until the day she looks up and sees Nick standing across the counter. He's back…and he's not alone.
Once again Alix is plunged into turmoil and pain as Nick tries to win her love, something she resists with all her strength. Only one thing might break the protective wall she's built around her emotions—the truth about Frank Anderson's death. But when that truth comes out and those walls crumble, neither Alix nor Nick is prepared for the emotional explosion that could destroy as well as heal.

Comment: This is the second book by the author I picked. I have three more to read during the year. I chose the book only for its title, I haven't checked blurbs yet but the title seemed sweet and I thought I'd get a good romance...something to dream a bit.

This is the story of Alix and Nick. Alix has a family that loved and supported her all her life and her childhood was normal and full of hugs and smiles. Nick didn't have the same luck, but Alix kind of took him under her wing despite him being older. While they grew up, their feelings for each other change at the same time but despite they kept faithful to each other, things around them changed as well and other's choices helped shape their future in the end...

Overall, I enjoyed this story. It was interesting yes, and full of addictive details, mainly about living in the south, where things follow a certain pattern, a certain rityual related to a way of life.
I was really happy to read this and I admit it didn't take so long because I wanted to turn page after page just to know what would happen. The overall feeling about this book is positive, I don't know if it's a detail here and there or the main style of the story, the author's writing that compelled me to read more or something else, but when I think about the book as a whole, I really enjoyed reading it.

However, I also can't put aside my annoyance about two or three things in there...
If you haven't read the book and want to, please, bear in mind I'll approach spoiler areas....

The story follows Alix mostly because she's the narrator of the story. She is an amazing child, cute, funny, loyal, the epitome of innocence and friendship. I liked her a lot while she was a child, but since she grew up and adult themes were getting more focus, some things started to be a bit annoying, like the relationships among everyone. I thought Alix would become too angry and a little bit spoiled like at some times, especially when she knew about her father and how he and her mother separated. I mean, I don't think that she dealt with it in the most adult way. This wouldn't mean as much, I think, if she hadn't been described as adult for her years... then later her attitude towards her ex and her friend Jenna...I think the situation wasn't dealt the best way, even if one considers southern tradition and all that. I mean, sometimes Alix would act adult and serious and then she would say or do things really unlikely for the situation she was in...it was weird.

The author's style isn't new to me, but in the other novel I've read by her, I didn't have this same feeling...one thing would be really on my nerves, like usually int he end of each chapter we would have Alix say she thought something but then she didn't anticipate a determined outcome. Tis happened with almost all chapters, meaning we would always have the notion something bad would happen but then during the story we would realize, in perspective, it wasn't as bad or as disturbing as that. A few things were indeed serious, but most times I'd have the feeling I was being set up for a huge drama and after all it wasn't that bad. After a while this can be annoying...

Apart from these little things (only added up they can be perceived as a lot), I had a good time like I said and I didn't want to stop reading.
Still, despite the good things I can't help but feeling the hype around this story at GR for instance is a bit overacted in my opinion, it was good, but not perfectly polish to work out like it happens with other author who did the same, say Deborah Smith who wrote good southern dramas as well.
Nevertheless, I don't give on the author and will read her other works.
Grade: 7/10

Katherine Allred - What Price Paradise

All his life Tate McCullom has been taught to be responsible, and he is the very model of what a respectable man should be. Until the night he gets drunk and sleeps with a woman he barely knows. Now, six weeks later, she's pregnant, alone, and broke. Once again, Tate must take responsibility for his actions, and makes plans to marry his child's mother. There's only one problem...he has to tell his fianc e. Abby Grayson hasn't had an easy life. As the daughter of the town whore, people either avoid her or think she's like her mother. For Abby, it's a struggle just to fill her belly and keep a roof over her head. Loneliness and a secret yearning for this man she thought she'd never have led her to spend the night with Tate. But the last thing she needs is a baby when she can barely take care of herself. Desperate, but too proud to ask for help, she finally agrees to accept a job from Tate the job of being his wife. Now she has almost everything she's ever dreamed of. Unfortunately, only one thing will gain her Tate's love - his realization that the night he spent with her was no drunken accident. It was a last-ditch attempt to win the woman he really wanted.

Comment: I picked this book because last year I remember seeing some comments somewhere about how good the story was and how the heroine was poor but had her pride and I just can't help but trying these kind of stories, I'm always looking for winners with this sort of blurb. I have to say this one paid off because I really liked it a lot.

Tate is a responsible man taking take of the family ranch, his younger brother and he has a fiancée that doesn't seem to appreciate his value but since they've been together since ever, everyone expects them to marry some day. But Tate has spend one night with Abby and can't seem to get her out of his mind.
Abby is the daughter of the town whore. She has been labeled since birth, no one wants anything to do with her her, she has a lousy job and cant' barely keep a roof over her head.
These two get together and Abby got pregnant. Now Tate wants to do his duty and they agree on it as Abby really doesn't have any other solution to take care of her child. But with struggles comes happiness as well...

I loved this story, it has many of the elements I love to read about in a romance.
Abby is poor, she has a part time job, difficulty to pay the bills, she has a undeserved reputation and she spend the night with Tate because she loves him and only wanted to offer some comfort. She tries hard to make ends meet and she is a kind person, she has her pride but she's not stupid to the point to say no to Tate when he offers marriage because she knows she doesn't have any way to help her own baby at that point. 
Tate seemed a honest man...my only issue with him was how long it took him to make a decision about his relationship with Diana, the fiancée. I think he could have worked things out sooner but it wasn't something to ruin the story for me, after all it was part of the conflict.
While trying to work things out, Abby and Tate get to know each other better, they are attracted to each other but they get to slowly know each other before anything really happens more seriously between them.
Both their character's were strong but with the usual doubts people have in real life. I think their characterization was well done and how they acted was pretty believable too. I liked how they dealt with things and how their relationship developed after they talked about it.

I liked how the author dealt with the conflicts in this book. Nothing was weird or rushed or there just because. I think it's an emotional story with strong shows of friendship, help from the community, how you should trust yourself, those kind of good things you want to see in a sweet romance. Because this book is sweet and beautiful and I had a great time reading it even in the parts where I'd change a little thing here and there. In the end it was a winner for me.

I liked the style of the author's writing. I read the blurbs from her other books and all the contemporaries seem intriguing, I'll try another one in the near future just to see if my liking remains. If so, I'll certainly read the rest of her other books.