Over The Edge by Mary Connealy, Book review & Giveaway

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

ISBN-13: 978-0764209130

Synopsis:

Bestselling Author Mary Connealy Delivers Her Trademark Historical Romantic Comedy

Seth Kincaid survived a fire in a cave, but he's never been the same. He was always a reckless youth, but now he's gone over the edge. He ran off to the Civil War and came back crazier than ever.

After the war, nearly dead from his injuries, it appears Seth got married. Oh, he's got a lot of excuses, but his wife isn't happy to find out Seth doesn't remember her. Callie has searched, prayed, and worried. Now she's come to the Kincaid family's ranch in Colorado to find her lost husband.

Callie isn't a long-suffering woman. Once she knows her husband is alive, she wants to kill him. She's not even close to forgiving him for abandoning her.

Then more trouble shows up in the form of a secret Seth's pa kept for years. The Kincaid brothers might lose their ranch if they can't sort things out.

My thoughts:

I'll begin by stating the absolute truth...'Over The Edge' drove me...a tad over the edge!

I have always been eclectic in my choice of reading material: Tomes detailing exotic lands, mysterious plots, fascinating details about long ago history, intriguing characters  inspires all sorts of  imaginary visions for a dreamer.

Then again a good storyteller relies on vivid characters, intricate plots, settings, colours, the suggestion of romance and so much more. I will be the first to say that humour usually saves the day but to give credit to this author's lusterless writing skills was difficult. 

I struggled, opened and closed the book, sighed and wished I had a bigger box of chocolates (a handful always help to sweeten a story!). 

I suddenly woke up this morning wondering if women out West liked to be called a critter?!

'Over The Edge' is Book # 3 in the 'Kincaid Brides' series and I suggest you read the books in order. Perhaps then the plot might be more attractive. A few lines as recap in the front of each novel would have also helped those of us who came in the midst of this western slap comedy!

The cover should have warned me (reminiscent of the Coca Cola kid) of course but I always enjoy a good Western a la "Louis L'Amour" (which this definitively is not!) hence this review.

Not even seeing Tom Selleck or Sam Elliott on the cover would have sweeten this book!

'Callie made a sound Seth had never heard from a human being before. Sorta like a wildcat crossed with a wounded grizzly bear during a Civil War battle in a cyclone - in hell.'

'It struck Seth that if Heath (newfound brother) qualified as a wise man and Audra and Ethan (Sil and brother) as shepherds, they were about one burro and a couple of sheep away from being a Nativity scene.'

'Audra the Dandelion Fluff Woman gave Seth a look...?'

I made it to page 140...

Despite the endless revolving and often confusing characters (who are all these people?), the plot might have been interesting with a few descriptions of the breathtaking scenery out West, the hardship which always instills a healthy respect for the courageous settlers of the West and the lives they carved for themselves in the wilderness.

You cannot fail to feel a certain affinity with the lone cowboy leaving the scene to ride into the sunset. You hear the creaks of the saddle as he shifts in anticipation of the long dusty trail leading to the next water hole, leaving his sweetheart behind to care for the homestead until the next time...

I failed to enjoy this story but I suggest you grab all 3 books and judge for yourself!

After all, this is only my opinion and you know what they say: Opinions and colours are never to be argued over!

Rated at 2 stars for a couple of laughs?

About the Author:

'Mary Connealy writes fun and lively "romantic comedy with cowboys" for the inspirational market. She is the author of the successful Lassoed in Texas, Montana Marriages, and Sophie's Daughters series, and her novel Calico Canyon was nominated for a Christy Award.'

For more on this author, please visit her website (here). 

As part of a blog tour for this book, I would like to invite readers to check these reviewers (here).

            Celebrate with Mary by entering to win a Nook Color 
                                      with GlowLight!

See what folks are saying about Over the Edge!

One winner will receive:

• A Nook Color with GlowLight
• The entire set of Mary Connealy's The Kincaid Brides series

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 28th. Winner will be announced at the "Over the Edge" Author Chat Facebook Party on 8/29. Meet Mary, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at a trivia contest, and more. There will also be gift certificates, books and a Book Club Prize Pack to be won (10 copies for your book club or small group.)!

So grab your copy of Over the Edge and join Mary on the evening of the August 29th for a chance to connect with her and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 29th!

 

I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.

I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.