"Linda Lael Miller, the queen of western romance, kicks off a fine trilogy about the newest generation of the McKettrick men. This one pits Cheyenne Bridges against Jesse McKettrick, "the original trust fund bad boy." Cheyenne, fiercely proud, grew up poor in Indian Rock, Arizona, and returns in her designer suit and heels to do the impossible: persuade Jesse McKettrick to sell a breathtakingly beautiful piece of land inherited from his ancestors (McKettrick's Choice) so it can be developed. Still, she is highly motivated -- not by her Trump-style boss (who's always saying things like "failure is not an option") but by medical expenses for her wheelchair-bound younger brother."

This was a good, light read. 

I don't normally read anything remotely Western, so this was a little new to me. But when you strip away some horses, poker, a ranch etc you're left with your average romance. The bedroom scenes were steamy without being trashy. The characters had depth and personality which you don't always get  in a romance.

Water for Elephants

"As a young man, Jacob Jankowski was tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. It was the early part of the great Depression, and for Jacob, now ninety, the circus world he remembers was both his salvation and a living hell. A veterinary student just shy of a degree, he was put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It was there that he met Marlena, the beautiful equestrian star married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. And he met Rosie, an untrainable elephant who was the great gray hope for this third-rate traveling show. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and, ultimately, it was their only hope for survival."

I just couldn't put this book down. I stayed up until almost 2 am finishing Water for Elephants. 


Gruen has an amazing talent for painting a picture in my mind. I felt as though I was in the book and watching everything take place. To be able to clearly see in my mind a circus act performed was incredible. Each and every step was viewed in my mind rather than just the general idea that a performance was taking place.


I finished the book torn between wanting to go to a circus (I've never been) and wanting to boycott them for past offenses, though I'm sure things are much better these days. 


Great book, must read!

I'm Dreaming of a Black Christmas

I downloaded I'm Dreaming of a Black Christmas expecting a humorous, cynical read about Christmas. Bah hum bug.

What you get instead of constant humor is a lesson in humanity. Black doesn't claim to be perfect, he admits many faults throughout this book. Black walks us through a typical holiday season from his perspective from Thanksgiving through Christmas. While his view of the commercial Christmas is negative, he celebrates Christmas day with friends and by donating to various charities. Black sets a good example even though he admits that he could never possibly do or give enough.

With the stage and microphone stripped away, we are left with a man who has fought to get where he is today. A man who is not without regrets. When you take away the humor, we're left with a man who had a brush with marriage and fatherhood.

I did get a chuckle or two from this book but I felt more sobered by Black's book than tickled. I didn't walk away from this book hating Christmas but rather inspired to do more for others.