Monday, February 9, 2015

Summer Chaparral by Genevieve Turner

Title:  Summer Chaparral
Series:  Las Morenas #1
Author:  Genevieve Turner
Published:  October 23/14 by Penny Bright Publishing, LLC
Length:  467pgs
Format:  ecopy
Genre:  historical romance
Shelf:  review
Rating: ★★★★★

Back Cover Blurb:

As far as her illustrious old California family is concerned, no man is good enough for beautiful Catarina Moreno. She’s been obedient through all the years of waiting, but now she wants a little excitement before her inevitable spinsterhood. When a handsome American cowboy rides onto her father’s rancho, Catarina sees her chance—as long as she doesn’t get caught and dishonor her family.

Jace Merrill’s worked thirteen years to earn a ranch of his own and prove his all-too-respectable father wrong. He only needs to work a little longer on Señor Moreno’s ranch for his hard work to pay off—as long as the Señor never learns his real name, or just how hard it is for Jace to resist his alluring daughter.

When Catarina and Jace finally give in to temptation, her father catches them, and they’re marched to the altar for a shotgun wedding. But ancient vendettas run deep in old California. There’s unfinished business between the two families, business neither Jace nor Catarina know anything about until it’s too late. Now they’re battling against a blood feud, and each other, to save a marriage neither of them wanted.

My Review:

I absolutely love the style in which Turner wrote this novel. This author’s writing is the kind that allows you to connect with the story. It’s mellow and inviting, allowing the story itself to really pack a punch. I found it to be endlessly enjoyable. Turner transported me back in time, allowing me to experience life on a Californian ranch. The complexity of life in a simpler time really shone through. This story absolutely broke my heart at times, yet it also gave me hope.

The characters in this novel as well as their relationships with one another were fantastic. Not only do readers get to know the main characters and their families quite well, as if they were your neighbours, but they are also the type of individuals that you really want to get to know. The main couple definitely takes centre stage, but everyone plays an important role in the story. The trials that they have faced combine with the joys in their future. I also love the illusion to future novels in the series. I loved these characters and can’t wait to see what befalls them in the future.
This novel may not have the intensity of a suspense or pack the shocking punch like erotica, but it was mesmerizing. By the end of the first chapter I couldn’t put it down and I still can’t stop thinking about it now. This is definitely a series I’ll be following closely and I’d highly recommend it to those who enjoy well written historical romances.


No comments:

Post a Comment