I know i have found a great book when i can feel the tension between the characters as if I am going through it myself. hunter develops her main characters, Annie and Dylan, as well as her supporting characters, Sierra, Ryder, Aunt Lucy, etc. so well that it is easy to put yourself in their shoes and know why they are making the decisions they are making- good or bad.

Another aspect of Hunter's writing is that i feel that these characters could be my neighbors. Take them out of Montana and put them in Minnesota, and they would be! There is no piety, no overly perfect people. I like that. It is always best when the author presents her characters as "real" people. Annie's and Dylan's flaws actually endear them more to the reader than if they did not have hang-ups that hinder a relationship. You get the feeling that, even with happily ever after, there will still be fireworks and challenges that they will overcome together, knowing God is on their side.

Hunter, as an author, does a fantastic job of presenting the Gospel without making it preachy. As a reader, i like that. I don't need to be reminded with overtness that this is a story, essentially, about God working his healing in people's hearts by having it shoved down my throat.

I can't wait to read the first two books in the series now, and I don't feel like anything has been spoiled for me!

I really enjoyed this book! I have read all three books in the series and think it's the best one yet!

What I liked: Annie and Dylan where likeable from the start and watching these two write a love column was quite funny given they really had no real experience to base answers off of. Annie also came across very real to me. She was dealing with a lot and was trying to hold her family together but the more she tried the more it seemed to fall apart. Dylan came across being a bad boy but as you get to know him you find he as a lot more depth. The tension between Annie and Dylan kept the pages turning at a fast rate!

What I did not like: I wish we could read the story between Annie's sister and Dylan's brother. That side storyline could have been a whole book on its own. It fit well enough into the main storyline but at the end I felt a little disappointed not to have know them a little better.

Over all I loved this book. Yes it will come across as a typical romance novel to a lot of people but I love storylines like this and it was well written and unique enough to stand out to me. I highly recommend this book!

I had forgotten how much I loved Denise Hunter's writing until I read this book. When I finish a book that was written by her, I always close it and think how much fun that books was to read and there's no way she'll top this particular book. So it's definitely not a shock to me that I closed this book thinking there's no way in the world that her new series will be better than this one. However, I'm sure she'll once again prove me wrong!

Hunter's books are written so well and are light, fun reads. She incorporates romance into this story, but adds her own touch of humor. I was a little frustrated when Annie wouldn't let her guard down for what seemed like forever, but it resolved itself in a perfect way. I could see myself in Annie because I think firstborns tend to think they need to "help" their sibling make choices. It was a good reminder for me to let go and trust and pray. Dylan has always been perfect in my eyes and am so glad he finally found the perfect girl for himself.

Sprinkled throughout, you get a little update of some of the characters in the previous two books, as well as you get to learn a little bit more about Luke and Sierra. If this was the first book in the series that you would have read by her, you wouldn't have felt lost at all when the characters were mentioned. It was just quick little mentions with the main focus on Annie and Dylan and a side focus on Sierra and Luke.

I saw that her new series comes out in 2013....I'm thinking they need to bump that date up a bit! Perhaps I'll have to hunt down some of her older books to read because I'm going to miss her stories.

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I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group and Thomas Nelson Publishing in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

The Trouble with Cowboys by Denise Hunter

Book 3 of the Big Sky Romance series by Denise Hunter is finally available! Thomas Nelson sent me a free copy of The Trouble with Cowboys to review. And Denise Hunter didn't disappoint! This novel continues with life in Moose Creek, Montana. It centers around horse trainer Annie Wilkerson. She is the guardian for her younger sister Sierra, who is trying to go through college and raise her young son at the same time. Both girls remember what kind of cowboys their mother married, and are positive that all cowboys are alike. When Annie's horse training column for a local magazine is cancelled, she is offered a chance at writing a lovelorn column. Annie needs the money so she agrees even though she has never been in love. Dylan Taylor is a confident cowboy that seems to flirt with all the girls. He has a horse that needs special attention and he feels Annie is the only person who can help. In exchange, he will help Annie with her advice column on love. Neither knows what to think when chemistry sizzles every time they are together. Annie has always tried to be in control of her life and her sister's. She is quick to judge and forgets to trust God with the future. Dylan is vulnerable and unsure if he should show the real "Dylan" to Annie. Again, what a wonderful story! Denise Hunter has a way of making you think you are right in town with all these characters. I love the interaction between characters...it is so real! This is an excellent novel. I couldn't put it down!

With The Trouble with Cowboys, Denise Hunter once again delivers a heartfelt feel good story about a girl determined to avoid the handsome cowboy at all costs. On the surface, Dylan appears to be the typical cowboy she has built up in her mind from years of cowboys coming and going in her mother's life. Dylan is determined to prove Annie how wrong she is about him.

This is another wonderful addition to Hunter's Big Sky series. You always feel like you know her characters personally when you read one of her books. Her books are full of heartfelt stories with characters that you can relate to. She presents positive messages in a feel good story. Luckily, I was provided with an opportunity to receive an advanced copy of The Trouble with Cowboys and don't have to wait until October. Her books are always worth the wait and as always, I can't wait until the next one!