Kristy McCaffrey

Cold Horizon took me by complete surprise! While I had been expecting an emotionally-packed story from the premise, this book delivered that along with so much more. It had enough drama to keep me entertained and yet still toed the line of realism that kept me completely invested in the story until its end.

Lindsey's internal strength as a character was awe inspiring. The difficult loss of her sister Alison, in combination with scaling a mountain, K2, is not something for the faint of heart. show more What I truly enjoyed about Cold Horizon was that McCaffrey not only embraced Lindsey's sombre emotional outlook but built upon it with the romantic tension concerning Tyler. This created a believable character development arc for Lindsey's character and highlighted her inner strength in a way that was inspiring to read.

The inclusion of specific terminology and jargon concerning the expedition made this book seem incredibly well researched. I not only enjoyed the story but also learnt a thing or two about the processes involved in an expedition of this kind. I'm also pretty sure I'd never like to go on one personally - it seemed strenuous but to the characters ultimately rewarding.

If you're a fan of believable and emotionally gripping romance novels then this is one for you! show less

STORY LINE:

Texas: May, 1877

Molly Hart was dead. She died along with her parents in an attack on the family's ranch 10 years ago. The only thing wrong with that statement: Molly wasn't dead and she wasn't buried alongside her parents. She was alive and standing in front of Matthew Ryan on her run down family ranch.

Matthew had worked for Molly's father and had carried guilt that shadowed all aspects of his life because he did not protect her. He had been nine-year old Molly's friend and show more protector until that night. Now, in front of him, stood a beautiful young woman dressed as a boy claiming to be Molly.

What a beginning to an addictive novel. Kristy McCaffrey knows how to hook the reader. Who wouldn't be intrigued with this story line. Matthew became a hard man who sought vengeance on all, Indian or white, who thought to prey on the Innocent. His life took a 360 degree turn after Molly's death. Molly just tried to endure and stay alive through all the terror. She clung on to hope. Now her mission is to make the murdered pay for his evil deeds.

Would these two people overcome the guilt and abuse to live life to its fullest? Would their childhood friendship become something deeper in adulthood? Who murdered Molly's parent and why? Was it greed, revenge, what was it? I had to keep reading to find the answers.

Molly thinks she knows the why and who; she is back to make sure they pay. She and Matt join forces along with her friend Claire Waters to find the answers. Claire, as a secondary character, was a great addition to the story as well as Matthew's brother Logan. I can almost see book 2 or 3 in the making.

CHARACTERS, PLOTTING, AND DEVELOPMENT:

Ms. McCaffrey created two characters that are wounded spiritually and physically. Molly has endured a life of abuse, both physically and mentally in her living situations. She waited endlessly for rescue that never came.

Matthew is riddled by guilt because he did not save Molly, the war, the vengeance he sought for the innocent, and then he is brutally tortured by a bandito while working as a Ranger; all have ruled his life up to this point. His life is about to make a turn for the better. Ms. McCaffrey keeps you on tether hooks of anticipation in this novel as we watch Molly and Matthew become who they were meant to be. They had survived and life was waiting.

Ms.McCaffrey development of the characters and the story showcases her talent in story telling. I found the plotting well done; from the murders, the suspected murderer, Claire Waters and her life mystery, Matthew's hope for life, and the journey of Matthew and Molly to find all the answers and find love, as they fight the attraction each feels.

Ms. McCaffrey created strong characters that do not disappoint and a story line that you will not want to put down. Murder, lives changed forever, a young woman finally feeling the emotions of a woman, a man beginning to feel again; what more could you want in a novel? It was fun to watch Molly and Matthew dance around each other, each wanting the same thing.

Ms McCaffrey also added a huge surprise reveal in the story, well actually two. My mouth fell open I am sure. I was so surprised at the revelation. What a kicker! I am sure you will be as surprised as I was.

The novel moved along well and the pacing was good. I never lost interest nor did the novel lag. I had to know the answers to all the questions I had. This was an intriguing story line and Ms. McCaffrey included all the elements this story needed to keep me reading. The story behind the title was so sweet.

RECOMMENDATION:

I recommend this novel to anyone that likes western romance with mystery and emotion. I loved this novel! I look forward to the continuation of this series.

I received this book from Reading Alley in return for an honest book review.

Books reviews of any novel are dependent on the book review author’s opinion; book reviews on line under my name and on my blog www.verasbookreviewsandstuff,com are my opinion. show less

REVIEW: “They were so free and majestic, and it was so obvious what a clear intelligence they possessed. They saw me. I never doubted that.” Grace passionately speaks for the sharks she studies. Filmmaker Alec is there to document her encounters with the great white sharks. While facing danger, innate fears and betrayals, they build a passionate relationship. The book draws you into a respect for these creatures of the depths. Do I want to free dive with the sharks? Oh, no! Do I see a show more need to protect them? Yes. Thank you to the author for this thrilling story that lets us see another side of these predators. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.

DESCRIPTION, NOT REVIEW: In the deep blue ocean lives an ancient predator…

Dr. Grace Mann knows great white sharks. As the daughter of an obsessed shark researcher based at the Farallon Islands, Grace spent her childhood in the company of these elegant and massive creatures. When a photo of her freediving with a great white goes viral, the institute where she works seeks to capitalize on her new-found fame by producing a documentary about her work.

Underwater filmmaker Alec Galloway admires Dr. Mann and jumps at the opportunity to create a film showcasing the pretty biologist. As he heads to Guadalupe Island in Baja California Sur for a three-week expedition, it’s clear that his fan-boy crush on Grace is turning into something more serious. But even more pressing—Grace’s passionate focus on the sharks just might get her killed. show less

I have mixed feelings about this book. It was a good story, with the relationship given time to develop. Quite uncomfortable with the native american talk, in that even those that weren't racist, still felt it was OK to move them off their land to make way for the settlers.

Don't read the bonus scene if you don't want to find out in what happens in the rest of the books in the series, as all the pairings are revealed.