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Blue Ice Ranch #1
Dawn's Desire
Amid fossils, yarrow, and cattle, two men are about to discover a love bigger than the Wyoming sky.
When Nate Pearson left heartache behind in the big city, he never looked back, he couldn’t bear to. Suffering and loss propelled him westward, but once he laid eyes on the Tetons, he knew he’d found a place where he could hide and heal. For over twenty years, the Prairie Smoke Ranch has been his refuge and his salvation. Working under the pale blue sky, he’s been able to keep the pain buried. Then one day while digging a cattle watering system, Nate and his hands unearth a mound of dinosaur bones that will change his life forever.
Once news of the discovery reaches the local university, paleontology professor Bishop Haney arrives with several undergrads to spend the summer excavating and cataloging the find. At first, Nate is unimpressed with the laid-back, surfer dude with the ocean blue eyes. But as the two opposites get to know each other, Nate discovers Bishop might be the balm his aching soul needs.
When Nate Pearson left heartache behind in the big city, he never looked back, he couldn’t bear to. Suffering and loss propelled him westward, but once he laid eyes on the Tetons, he knew he’d found a place where he could hide and heal. For over twenty years, the Prairie Smoke Ranch has been his refuge and his salvation. Working under the pale blue sky, he’s been able to keep the pain buried. Then one day while digging a cattle watering system, Nate and his hands unearth a mound of dinosaur bones that will change his life forever.
Once news of the discovery reaches the local university, paleontology professor Bishop Haney arrives with several undergrads to spend the summer excavating and cataloging the find. At first, Nate is unimpressed with the laid-back, surfer dude with the ocean blue eyes. But as the two opposites get to know each other, Nate discovers Bishop might be the balm his aching soul needs.
234 pages, Paperback
First published August 14, 2021
115 people are currently reading
384 people want to read
About the author
V.L. Locey
212 books730 followersV.L. Locey loves worn jeans, Dr. Who, Torchwood, belly laughs, yoga, reading and writing lusty tales, walking, Greek mythology, the New York Rangers, comic books, and coffee. (Not necessarily in that order.)
She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, one dog, two cats, and a flock of assorted domestic fowl.
When not writing lusty tales, she can be found enjoying her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, fresh cup of java in hand.
Sign up for my newsletter here: http://vllocey.com/Newsletter
She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, one dog, two cats, and a flock of assorted domestic fowl.
When not writing lusty tales, she can be found enjoying her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, fresh cup of java in hand.
Sign up for my newsletter here: http://vllocey.com/Newsletter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
April 9, 2022
* has changed to Blue Ice Ranch in April 2022 *
Prairie Smoke Ranch, Wyoming.
Digging up dirt for a windmill, they found unusual bones, so, now the new professor will be excavating the awesome discovery for the college.
Ranch life, though disrupted, carried on with cattle tagged, inseminations, log books kept, feeding and all of the ranch basics, cabin rentals for hunting and fishing, plus wildlife, too.
Nate, silver fox, with denim, flannel, hat,
boots, and beard, has been the foreman for twenty years. His surly cat is a fun addition.
Bishop, 28, blonde bun and blue eyed surfer,
is now a BS, MS, PhD in Paleontology. He's so happy to be excavating the dinosaur remains.
This cowboy/professor romance turns into a mystery, thefts, violence, and questions unanswered.
Our men are super hot together, with raw, powerful, erotic sex, with some light domination, but the sizzling sexiness is intensely awesome.
We get lots of characters, bad neighbors, the dig and the busy ranch. I liked both men, their back stories, and Nate's sadness revealed.
We are excited and hooked, but after we see their love professed, and more hot sex, there is more thievery, the investigation, and we are hoping for justice, when POW... the story ends, cliffhanger, where we wait for part #2 and #3 in this trilogy.
It is beautifully written with lyrical descriptions to make us see the area's gorgeousness.
Yikes, I can hardly wait for the next book !
ENJOY !
=====
Prairie Smoke Ranch, Wyoming.
Digging up dirt for a windmill, they found unusual bones, so, now the new professor will be excavating the awesome discovery for the college.
Ranch life, though disrupted, carried on with cattle tagged, inseminations, log books kept, feeding and all of the ranch basics, cabin rentals for hunting and fishing, plus wildlife, too.
Nate, silver fox, with denim, flannel, hat,
boots, and beard, has been the foreman for twenty years. His surly cat is a fun addition.
Bishop, 28, blonde bun and blue eyed surfer,
is now a BS, MS, PhD in Paleontology. He's so happy to be excavating the dinosaur remains.
This cowboy/professor romance turns into a mystery, thefts, violence, and questions unanswered.
Our men are super hot together, with raw, powerful, erotic sex, with some light domination, but the sizzling sexiness is intensely awesome.
We get lots of characters, bad neighbors, the dig and the busy ranch. I liked both men, their back stories, and Nate's sadness revealed.
We are excited and hooked, but after we see their love professed, and more hot sex, there is more thievery, the investigation, and we are hoping for justice, when POW... the story ends, cliffhanger, where we wait for part #2 and #3 in this trilogy.
It is beautifully written with lyrical descriptions to make us see the area's gorgeousness.
Yikes, I can hardly wait for the next book !
ENJOY !
=====
August 1, 2021
This isn't what I was expecting at all and it was all the more fun for reading.
When I started, I thought I'd be getting just your typical closeted cowboy falls for ranch visitor narrative but instead I'm given a bit of a suspense/mystery, a lovely romance between two utterly different people, a teeny bit of submission kink and a dinosaur.
What more could you want?!
Loved this book but I wasn't expecting the mini sort of cliffhanger (not relating to the relationship but to the dinosaur discovery part of the plot) which definitely put me out of sorts :D
Having said that, it didn't really spoil my enjoyment of the relationship at the heart of this book because Bishop and Nate were just gorgeous together.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
When I started, I thought I'd be getting just your typical closeted cowboy falls for ranch visitor narrative but instead I'm given a bit of a suspense/mystery, a lovely romance between two utterly different people, a teeny bit of submission kink and a dinosaur.
What more could you want?!
Loved this book but I wasn't expecting the mini sort of cliffhanger (not relating to the relationship but to the dinosaur discovery part of the plot) which definitely put me out of sorts :D
Having said that, it didn't really spoil my enjoyment of the relationship at the heart of this book because Bishop and Nate were just gorgeous together.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
July 29, 2021
A cowboy and a paleontologist sounds more like the beginning of a "walk to a bar" joke than a romantic pairing, but VL makes them work. In this first book in the series we're set in the Prairie Smoke ranch, owned by Landon and Montrell from A Brush Of Blue. You don't have to read that book to understand this one though, it stands on it's own. It does offer more context to where the ranch owners.
In a fun twist of fate, they find a dinosaur while looking for water. In comes Bishop! I really appreciate how he and Nate relate to the other. And Nate's backstory! My heart! I do hope Bishop's family visit the ranch. It'll be funny to watch.
I know we'll be getting another book (or more than one), and I'm excited over them coming. VL has been slaying the westerns lately! While I really (really really) liked this one, the Ballad of crow and sparrow is still the top western in my eyes
In a fun twist of fate, they find a dinosaur while looking for water. In comes Bishop! I really appreciate how he and Nate relate to the other. And Nate's backstory! My heart! I do hope Bishop's family visit the ranch. It'll be funny to watch.
I know we'll be getting another book (or more than one), and I'm excited over them coming. VL has been slaying the westerns lately! While I really (really really) liked this one, the Ballad of crow and sparrow is still the top western in my eyes
March 6, 2023
Voto: 4.5
RECENSIONE A CURA DI ELYXYZ
Vi capita mai di leggere la sinossi di un libro e di sentir scoccare la scintilla? Beh, a me è successo con questo volume ed è stato amore istantaneo, tanto che l’ho divorato in un solo giorno e mi è piaciuto tantissimo!
“Desiderio all’alba” è il primo volume di una trilogia che ha protagonisti diversi in ogni volume, con tre coppie che si passeranno la staffetta, ma una storia unica in cui gli eventi vengono portati avanti e i vari personaggi si intersecano fra loro, essendo tutti abitanti nella stessa area con eventi contemporanei.
Il Blue Ice Ranch è la casa di Nate Parson da oltre vent’anni.
Il suo passato drammatico e doloroso lo perseguita ancora, ma Nate ha dato un taglio alla sua vita da banchiere a Chicago ricostruendo le macerie della sua esistenza in questo sperduto ranch del Wyoming come amministratore. Nate è il responsabile di tutta la baracca, deve far filare tutto liscio e deve gestire tutti i lavoratori impiegati nella fattoria, che è stata recentemente venduta con tutto il pacchetto a un nuovo proprietario e a suo marito, Landon e Montrell, che sono protagonisti in un’altra serie dell’autrice che spero giunga anche da noi tradotta, perché stuzzicano parecchio.
Continua sul nostro blog!
RECENSIONE A CURA DI ELYXYZ
Vi capita mai di leggere la sinossi di un libro e di sentir scoccare la scintilla? Beh, a me è successo con questo volume ed è stato amore istantaneo, tanto che l’ho divorato in un solo giorno e mi è piaciuto tantissimo!
“Desiderio all’alba” è il primo volume di una trilogia che ha protagonisti diversi in ogni volume, con tre coppie che si passeranno la staffetta, ma una storia unica in cui gli eventi vengono portati avanti e i vari personaggi si intersecano fra loro, essendo tutti abitanti nella stessa area con eventi contemporanei.
Il Blue Ice Ranch è la casa di Nate Parson da oltre vent’anni.
Il suo passato drammatico e doloroso lo perseguita ancora, ma Nate ha dato un taglio alla sua vita da banchiere a Chicago ricostruendo le macerie della sua esistenza in questo sperduto ranch del Wyoming come amministratore. Nate è il responsabile di tutta la baracca, deve far filare tutto liscio e deve gestire tutti i lavoratori impiegati nella fattoria, che è stata recentemente venduta con tutto il pacchetto a un nuovo proprietario e a suo marito, Landon e Montrell, che sono protagonisti in un’altra serie dell’autrice che spero giunga anche da noi tradotta, perché stuzzicano parecchio.
Continua sul nostro blog!
August 9, 2021
* 4 Stars *
I'm always game for a story set in a ranch, especially a successful and profitable one so we get to see how everything works.
"Dawn's Desire" takes place on such a ranch somewhere in Wyoming and, of course, that means cowboys! Nate is the foreman and had been running the ranch for years while the owner was away. He's in his forties and has some heavy baggage, which made him decide to run away from his previous life.
At the beginning of the story, he's distant, keeps his past to himself and prefers to speak only when necessary.
He has a good sense of humor and I found myself chuckling many times while reading his internal dialogues, which is a good thing as he's the sole narrator of the story.
Everything starts with the discovery of a dinosaur bone on ranch property while digging for water. Not knowing what else to do, the owner called the local university, that has a paleontology department, to come and determine if their findings are really dinosaur bones.
That's how Nate found himself opening his door at four in the morning to come face to face with a "surfer dude with a bun". And believe me when I say that he had a major issue with the bun part, the surfer part he was quite fond of right from the start.
The paleontologist that came to dig up the newly discovered bones is a sunshine of a man that can talk a mile a minute and answers to the name Bishop. He's outgoing, assertive and confident and, at first, Nate doesn't know what to make of his new acquaintance. Soon, though, he finds himself fascinated by him.
I liked the dynamic between Nate and Bishop and I liked that they didn't have stereotypical character traits that matched them to their jobs. I'm all about defying expectations and stereotypes and I'm a big fan of characters who surprise me with their personality as the story progresses and I get to know them.
I think that maybe the owners of the ranch have a book somewhere out there, because it seems like they have a backstory. But, even if that's the case, I didn't have a problem following along without knowing who they were. The author did a great job of introducing them to us and sharing information about them and their past, so I didn't feel like I was thrown in halfway to a story.
Sadly, that can't be said about the ending as well. As it happens, this book is the first one of a trilogy and I think that that should have been mentioned in the blurb as it doesn't work as a standalone. I didn't know that until I reached the end and I was left with so many unanswered questions, not only about the general arc of the dinosaur bones, but also about the couple's future. The story ends at a point that, while not a cliffhanger for the relationship, it's not even a HFN for them either, as I see it. The next two books will be about a different couple each, so I'm guessing we'll not get more of Nate's POV. I have no idea, but I'd like to know how they'll make their relationship work in the long term and what are their plans for the future.
I wasn't expecting the suspense and action, or the investigations that took place, but thankfully it wasn't anything too outrageous and it didn't consume the entire story, so it didn't bother me too much.
I liked Nate and Bishop's getaway and I'd love to see them interact a bit more with Nate's brother, Armie, and his boyfriend, Juan. The couple didn't get nearly enough page time for my liking (I'll have to do a little digging and see if they already have a book).
Generally, "Dawn's Desire" was full of surprises and unexpected arcs, but I enjoyed most of them and, as I've already said, the characters with their stereotype-breaking traits made the story even better for me.
I think I'm going to keep reading this series for three reasons, other than enjoying the writing style of course, because that's a prerequisite for me. One, I liked the characters that the other books will be about. Two, I want to know what will happen with the bones and what's the deal with the neighboring ranch. And three, I just can't get enough of Nate and Bishop!
~ Copy provided by Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn't a requirement. ~
I'm always game for a story set in a ranch, especially a successful and profitable one so we get to see how everything works.
"Dawn's Desire" takes place on such a ranch somewhere in Wyoming and, of course, that means cowboys! Nate is the foreman and had been running the ranch for years while the owner was away. He's in his forties and has some heavy baggage, which made him decide to run away from his previous life.
At the beginning of the story, he's distant, keeps his past to himself and prefers to speak only when necessary.
He has a good sense of humor and I found myself chuckling many times while reading his internal dialogues, which is a good thing as he's the sole narrator of the story.
Everything starts with the discovery of a dinosaur bone on ranch property while digging for water. Not knowing what else to do, the owner called the local university, that has a paleontology department, to come and determine if their findings are really dinosaur bones.
That's how Nate found himself opening his door at four in the morning to come face to face with a "surfer dude with a bun". And believe me when I say that he had a major issue with the bun part, the surfer part he was quite fond of right from the start.
The paleontologist that came to dig up the newly discovered bones is a sunshine of a man that can talk a mile a minute and answers to the name Bishop. He's outgoing, assertive and confident and, at first, Nate doesn't know what to make of his new acquaintance. Soon, though, he finds himself fascinated by him.
I liked the dynamic between Nate and Bishop and I liked that they didn't have stereotypical character traits that matched them to their jobs. I'm all about defying expectations and stereotypes and I'm a big fan of characters who surprise me with their personality as the story progresses and I get to know them.
I think that maybe the owners of the ranch have a book somewhere out there, because it seems like they have a backstory. But, even if that's the case, I didn't have a problem following along without knowing who they were. The author did a great job of introducing them to us and sharing information about them and their past, so I didn't feel like I was thrown in halfway to a story.
Sadly, that can't be said about the ending as well. As it happens, this book is the first one of a trilogy and I think that that should have been mentioned in the blurb as it doesn't work as a standalone. I didn't know that until I reached the end and I was left with so many unanswered questions, not only about the general arc of the dinosaur bones, but also about the couple's future. The story ends at a point that, while not a cliffhanger for the relationship, it's not even a HFN for them either, as I see it. The next two books will be about a different couple each, so I'm guessing we'll not get more of Nate's POV. I have no idea, but I'd like to know how they'll make their relationship work in the long term and what are their plans for the future.
I wasn't expecting the suspense and action, or the investigations that took place, but thankfully it wasn't anything too outrageous and it didn't consume the entire story, so it didn't bother me too much.
I liked Nate and Bishop's getaway and I'd love to see them interact a bit more with Nate's brother, Armie, and his boyfriend, Juan. The couple didn't get nearly enough page time for my liking (I'll have to do a little digging and see if they already have a book).
Generally, "Dawn's Desire" was full of surprises and unexpected arcs, but I enjoyed most of them and, as I've already said, the characters with their stereotype-breaking traits made the story even better for me.
I think I'm going to keep reading this series for three reasons, other than enjoying the writing style of course, because that's a prerequisite for me. One, I liked the characters that the other books will be about. Two, I want to know what will happen with the bones and what's the deal with the neighboring ranch. And three, I just can't get enough of Nate and Bishop!
~ Copy provided by Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn't a requirement. ~
August 22, 2022
Happily reading along and I turn the page to "The End." It just stops. No resolution to stolen bones or where the surly cowboy and bun doctor end up.
I knocked off one star for the crappy "The End." Other than the last page of this book, I loved every second, it's that good.
I knocked off one star for the crappy "The End." Other than the last page of this book, I loved every second, it's that good.
March 9, 2023
Letto e piaciuto tantissimo 🤩
Tra fossili, centofoglie e bestiame, due uomini stanno per scoprire un amore più grande dei cieli del Wyoming.
Nate è un uomo con un dolore alle spalle ed è fuggito da quel passato. Dopo vent'anni è un cowboy e dirige il ranch Blue Ice Ranch.
Qui viene ritrovato dei resti fossili di uno scheletro di dinosauro.
Bishop è un paleontologo mandato dall'università, al ranch, per studiare questo reperto.
Tra i due uomini gay scoppia la scintilla, ma ci sono delle ombre intorno allo scavo e al ranch.
Nemici confinati al ranch di Nate sino omofobi, anche contro i proprietari del Blue Ice Ranch, anche loro gay e sposati.
È un mistero chi sono le persone che attaccano lo scavo e rubano le ossa e feriscono Bishop. Lo sceriffo indaga...
Consigliato 💖💖💖💖💖🤩
Tra fossili, centofoglie e bestiame, due uomini stanno per scoprire un amore più grande dei cieli del Wyoming.
Nate è un uomo con un dolore alle spalle ed è fuggito da quel passato. Dopo vent'anni è un cowboy e dirige il ranch Blue Ice Ranch.
Qui viene ritrovato dei resti fossili di uno scheletro di dinosauro.
Bishop è un paleontologo mandato dall'università, al ranch, per studiare questo reperto.
Tra i due uomini gay scoppia la scintilla, ma ci sono delle ombre intorno allo scavo e al ranch.
Nemici confinati al ranch di Nate sino omofobi, anche contro i proprietari del Blue Ice Ranch, anche loro gay e sposati.
È un mistero chi sono le persone che attaccano lo scavo e rubano le ossa e feriscono Bishop. Lo sceriffo indaga...
Consigliato 💖💖💖💖💖🤩
September 26, 2022
This was a beautiful read. I love the way V. L. Locey tells a story. I love a good cowboy story too. What I don’t like is to be left with unanswered questions to an important part of the plot. I guess they’ll be answered in the next book but it’s about Perry and Will so there’s no guarantee.
March 7, 2023
Andava tutto bene fino alle ultime pagine. Finale troncato troppo di netto e il lettore rischia di rimanerci male. Consiglio un quality control migliore sulla traduzione perché alcuni refusi sono scappati nella revisione italiana. Nonostante ciò un libro che ho letto con piacere.
July 17, 2023
DAWN'S DESIRE is the first book in the Prairie Smoke Ranch series and we are introduced to a whole host of characters, but we focus on Nathan and Bishop. Nathan is the foreman of the ranch and is older (although I don't think we actually ever get his age). Bishop is a twenty-eight-year-old, newly-minted professor of Palaeontology and is on the ranch due to the discovery of possible dinosaur bones.
There is a lot going on in this story - trouble with the ranch next door, bone poachers, European tours, and a possible thief working on the ranch. Because of this, I didn't feel like this was a character-led story and I didn't really feel the connection between our two MCs.
Nathan and Bishop get an HFN ending and there is definitely no conclusion to any of what's gone on during their story, so I hope more answers will be available in the next books.
This is the first book and I am looking forward to reading book two. This series has a lot to offer and I love V.L. Locey's writing. Although it didn't tick my boxes in the way her stories usually do, I still thoroughly enjoyed this beginning and have no hesitation in recommending it.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 16, 2021
There is a lot going on in this story - trouble with the ranch next door, bone poachers, European tours, and a possible thief working on the ranch. Because of this, I didn't feel like this was a character-led story and I didn't really feel the connection between our two MCs.
Nathan and Bishop get an HFN ending and there is definitely no conclusion to any of what's gone on during their story, so I hope more answers will be available in the next books.
This is the first book and I am looking forward to reading book two. This series has a lot to offer and I love V.L. Locey's writing. Although it didn't tick my boxes in the way her stories usually do, I still thoroughly enjoyed this beginning and have no hesitation in recommending it.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 16, 2021
March 6, 2023
Divorato in giornata. Argh! Dov'è il volume due? 😭
EDIT:
(Recensione su copia ARC)
Voto: 4.5 stelle
Vi capita mai di leggere la sinossi di un libro e di sentir scoccare la scintilla? Beh, a me è successo con questo volume ed è stato amore istantaneo, tanto che l’ho divorato in un solo giorno e mi è piaciuto tantissimo!
Desiderio all’alba è il primo volume di una trilogia che ha protagonisti diversi in ogni volume, con tre coppie che si passeranno la staffetta, ma una storia unica in cui gli eventi vengono portati avanti e i vari personaggi si intersecano fra loro, essendo tutti abitanti nella stessa area con eventi contemporanei.
Il Blue Ice Ranch è la casa di Nate Parson da oltre vent’anni.
Il suo passato drammatico e doloroso lo perseguita ancora, ma Nate ha dato un taglio alla sua vita da banchiere a Chicago ricostruendo le macerie della sua esistenza in questo sperduto ranch del Wyoming come amministratore. Nate è il responsabile di tutta la baracca, deve far filare tutto liscio e deve gestire tutti i lavoratori impiegati nella fattoria, che è stata recentemente venduta con tutto il pacchetto a un nuovo proprietario e a suo marito, Landon e Montrell, che sono protagonisti in un’altra serie dell’autrice che spero giunga anche da noi tradotta, perché stuzzicano parecchio.
Un giorno come tanti, durante una ricerca per la trivellazione di un pozzo per il bestiame, Nate si imbatte in resti fossili di un animale antico e per senso civico si decide di avvisare l’università locale e Nate si aspetta un pomposo vecchio professore in visita per verificare l’autenticità della scoperta, non il ventottenne logorroico e affascinante che bussa alla sua porta pieno di eccitazione.
Bishop ha appena fatto il passaggio da studente a insegnante, ma sprizza entusiasmo e concetti preistorici da tutti i pori e questo ritrovamento lo manda in estasi, costringendo Nate a ospitarlo, ad aiutarlo e a proteggerlo dai guai… mentre accade di tutto.
Quello che sembra un tranquillo age-gap, con scene di vita quotidiana fra mucche e scavi, si trasforma presto in giallo. Quando dei ladri di reperti assaltano il sito archeologico e strani fatti accadono alla fattoria, le cose potrebbero farsi pericolose… ma non vi dirò di più, perché dovete gustarvelo!
Ho seriamente amato il rapporto fra Nate e Bishop, che mi ha riservato più di una sorpresa mentre sono fra le lenzuola e devo dire che l’aspetto romantico mixato al dirty talk e alla dominazione rendono le scene davvero hot.
Ci sono diversi personaggi secondari interessanti che accrescono la trama; come avevo detto all’inizio, il libro ha una sorta di conclusione positiva per Nate e Bishop, ma continua l’arco narrativo generale, quindi sono curiosa di vedere come proseguirà il giallo dei furti e chi saranno i colpevoli, ma anche a livello romantico sono in attesa di vedere cosa combinerà la prossima coppia che qui già intravediamo.
Desiderio all’alba è davvero un’ottima storia, completa sotto ogni aspetto: ha una trama avvincente, dei buoni colpi di scena, c’è persino qualche spruzzata di umorismo e buone caratterizzazioni per tutti i personaggi, anche la parte romance è ben sviluppata. La traduzione è piacevole; anche se è sfuggito qualcosa alla revisione italiana, si può gustare benissimo e vi consiglio di leggerla, con la speranza che il secondo volume arrivi presto!
EDIT:
(Recensione su copia ARC)
Voto: 4.5 stelle
Vi capita mai di leggere la sinossi di un libro e di sentir scoccare la scintilla? Beh, a me è successo con questo volume ed è stato amore istantaneo, tanto che l’ho divorato in un solo giorno e mi è piaciuto tantissimo!
Desiderio all’alba è il primo volume di una trilogia che ha protagonisti diversi in ogni volume, con tre coppie che si passeranno la staffetta, ma una storia unica in cui gli eventi vengono portati avanti e i vari personaggi si intersecano fra loro, essendo tutti abitanti nella stessa area con eventi contemporanei.
Il Blue Ice Ranch è la casa di Nate Parson da oltre vent’anni.
Il suo passato drammatico e doloroso lo perseguita ancora, ma Nate ha dato un taglio alla sua vita da banchiere a Chicago ricostruendo le macerie della sua esistenza in questo sperduto ranch del Wyoming come amministratore. Nate è il responsabile di tutta la baracca, deve far filare tutto liscio e deve gestire tutti i lavoratori impiegati nella fattoria, che è stata recentemente venduta con tutto il pacchetto a un nuovo proprietario e a suo marito, Landon e Montrell, che sono protagonisti in un’altra serie dell’autrice che spero giunga anche da noi tradotta, perché stuzzicano parecchio.
Un giorno come tanti, durante una ricerca per la trivellazione di un pozzo per il bestiame, Nate si imbatte in resti fossili di un animale antico e per senso civico si decide di avvisare l’università locale e Nate si aspetta un pomposo vecchio professore in visita per verificare l’autenticità della scoperta, non il ventottenne logorroico e affascinante che bussa alla sua porta pieno di eccitazione.
Bishop ha appena fatto il passaggio da studente a insegnante, ma sprizza entusiasmo e concetti preistorici da tutti i pori e questo ritrovamento lo manda in estasi, costringendo Nate a ospitarlo, ad aiutarlo e a proteggerlo dai guai… mentre accade di tutto.
Quello che sembra un tranquillo age-gap, con scene di vita quotidiana fra mucche e scavi, si trasforma presto in giallo. Quando dei ladri di reperti assaltano il sito archeologico e strani fatti accadono alla fattoria, le cose potrebbero farsi pericolose… ma non vi dirò di più, perché dovete gustarvelo!
Ho seriamente amato il rapporto fra Nate e Bishop, che mi ha riservato più di una sorpresa mentre sono fra le lenzuola e devo dire che l’aspetto romantico mixato al dirty talk e alla dominazione rendono le scene davvero hot.
Ci sono diversi personaggi secondari interessanti che accrescono la trama; come avevo detto all’inizio, il libro ha una sorta di conclusione positiva per Nate e Bishop, ma continua l’arco narrativo generale, quindi sono curiosa di vedere come proseguirà il giallo dei furti e chi saranno i colpevoli, ma anche a livello romantico sono in attesa di vedere cosa combinerà la prossima coppia che qui già intravediamo.
Desiderio all’alba è davvero un’ottima storia, completa sotto ogni aspetto: ha una trama avvincente, dei buoni colpi di scena, c’è persino qualche spruzzata di umorismo e buone caratterizzazioni per tutti i personaggi, anche la parte romance è ben sviluppata. La traduzione è piacevole; anche se è sfuggito qualcosa alla revisione italiana, si può gustare benissimo e vi consiglio di leggerla, con la speranza che il secondo volume arrivi presto!
March 18, 2024
I am so incredibly disappointed with this read. It started off great and was absolutely a solid four-star read the entire way through until that absolutely horrible ending! I’m shocked and just don’t understand why the book ended this way. I expected this to be a standalone since the next books in the series are about other characters. But really this cannot be read as a standalone.
There’s very big plot points that happened in this story that were not solved in the slightest! I didn’t really have a huge interest in the other characters so now I don’t get to find out what happened! Also this is just barely a HFN. Nothing really was figured out about their relationship.
Now if you like this author and want to go on to the next books and enjoy single POV stories with mystery and not a whole bunch of romance then I still recommend. I really enjoyed the story until the last page!
There’s very big plot points that happened in this story that were not solved in the slightest! I didn’t really have a huge interest in the other characters so now I don’t get to find out what happened! Also this is just barely a HFN. Nothing really was figured out about their relationship.
Now if you like this author and want to go on to the next books and enjoy single POV stories with mystery and not a whole bunch of romance then I still recommend. I really enjoyed the story until the last page!
November 15, 2023
Un cowboy e un paleontologo.
Non pensavo che questo libro mi sarebbe piaciuto cosí tanto. Non sono un amante delle storie sui cowboy, ma in questo caso mi sono dovuta ricredere.
La trama è molto carina. La scoperta di ossa di un dinosauro porterà Bishop al Blu Ice Ranch dove incontrerà Nate, il caposquadra del ranch. Due persone che non potevano essere più diverse: Bishop è un incrocio tra un nerd e un serfista californiano, logorroico e molto affettuoso, e Nate è il cowboy sexy di mezza età, riservato e quasi sempre imbronciato.
Faranno da sfondo a questa storia d’amore i monti Teton, con i loro colori e la loro atmosfera catartita.
Inoltre ci sarà anche un mistero da risolvere che continuerà nei prossimi libri. Consigliato!
Voto 4
Non pensavo che questo libro mi sarebbe piaciuto cosí tanto. Non sono un amante delle storie sui cowboy, ma in questo caso mi sono dovuta ricredere.
La trama è molto carina. La scoperta di ossa di un dinosauro porterà Bishop al Blu Ice Ranch dove incontrerà Nate, il caposquadra del ranch. Due persone che non potevano essere più diverse: Bishop è un incrocio tra un nerd e un serfista californiano, logorroico e molto affettuoso, e Nate è il cowboy sexy di mezza età, riservato e quasi sempre imbronciato.
Faranno da sfondo a questa storia d’amore i monti Teton, con i loro colori e la loro atmosfera catartita.
Inoltre ci sarà anche un mistero da risolvere che continuerà nei prossimi libri. Consigliato!
Voto 4
March 20, 2023
Premesso che non mi aspettavo il finale semi-aperto e che, quindi, mi devo ancora riprendere dalla delusione, ho trovato questo romanzo godibilissimo, romantico e coinvolgente, con due protagonisti che mi hanno fatto sorridere spesso e che sono stati delineati con cura.
La storia scorre fluida e accattivante, resa ancor più appassionante da una vena mistery che mi ha intrigata parecchio.
I sentimenti di Nate e Bishop sono raccontati con intensità mentre le descrizioni dei paesaggi sono davvero suggestive.
Ci sono alcuni refusi ma, nell'insieme, non disturbano.
Ora non mi resta che aspettare il seguito. Spero che arrivi presto!
4 stelle e mezzo
Hugs&kisses
La storia scorre fluida e accattivante, resa ancor più appassionante da una vena mistery che mi ha intrigata parecchio.
I sentimenti di Nate e Bishop sono raccontati con intensità mentre le descrizioni dei paesaggi sono davvero suggestive.
Ci sono alcuni refusi ma, nell'insieme, non disturbano.
Ora non mi resta che aspettare il seguito. Spero che arrivi presto!
4 stelle e mezzo
Hugs&kisses
April 30, 2022
3.5 Stars rounded up to 4...
I liked the story. Nate was a cowboy with a past. Bishop is a professor sent to take a look at a skeleton found while cozying up with Nate. It has hot & sultry sexy times with a shoe string plot to tie it together.
Not a bad read of your have the time...but a warning...the ending is abrupt & the plot leads into the book.
I liked the story. Nate was a cowboy with a past. Bishop is a professor sent to take a look at a skeleton found while cozying up with Nate. It has hot & sultry sexy times with a shoe string plot to tie it together.
Not a bad read of your have the time...but a warning...the ending is abrupt & the plot leads into the book.
July 2, 2023
4,5 stelline
August 17, 2021
Dawn's Desire is the first book in the Prairie Smoke Ranch series by VL Locey. It has cowboys, a ranch, and a mystery.
It also has a cliffhanger as far as that mystery is concerned. It appears that the mystery will still be a big part of the story when we get to explore our next couple in the series. If that type of cliffhanger isn't your thing, you might want to wait before starting this series.
This is one of my go-to authors, so I was excited to start this new series. And I certainly wasn't disappointed. I would have loved more of the romance and less of the mystery, but that's just my preference in general.
There's a major opposites attract aspect to this story. I enjoy how extremely different these men are. A cowboy and a paleontologist. So fun! As you'd expect with these two, they don't get along right away. Hell, Nate is just annoyed that the handsome Bishop is ever there.
But damn these two are fun together. They definitely have a strong connection and a ton of chemistry. I love their sexcapades!
Dawn's Desire has plenty about it to enjoy. The mystery is good, the romance is sweet and hot, and the secondary characters are certainly lovable. VL Locey does a fabulous job with this cowboy romance that includes a mystery, as well as dinosaur bones.
It also has a cliffhanger as far as that mystery is concerned. It appears that the mystery will still be a big part of the story when we get to explore our next couple in the series. If that type of cliffhanger isn't your thing, you might want to wait before starting this series.
This is one of my go-to authors, so I was excited to start this new series. And I certainly wasn't disappointed. I would have loved more of the romance and less of the mystery, but that's just my preference in general.
There's a major opposites attract aspect to this story. I enjoy how extremely different these men are. A cowboy and a paleontologist. So fun! As you'd expect with these two, they don't get along right away. Hell, Nate is just annoyed that the handsome Bishop is ever there.
But damn these two are fun together. They definitely have a strong connection and a ton of chemistry. I love their sexcapades!
Dawn's Desire has plenty about it to enjoy. The mystery is good, the romance is sweet and hot, and the secondary characters are certainly lovable. VL Locey does a fabulous job with this cowboy romance that includes a mystery, as well as dinosaur bones.
September 27, 2021
I just love how Vicki can bring the unlikeliest of couples together, and somehow make it work. I 'm a huge fan of this lady's books, be they Supernatural themed books, or hockey romance. I'd go as far as to say that she's one of my favourite authors.
Recently, she's dipped her toe into Western romance (I adored Crow and Sparrow), so I was keen to give this one a try. She creates great chemistry between her characters, and she has done it again here, and not just between the main characters.
The web of relationships in this book is intriguing and so natural. The story is lovely, and just made me smile a lot. I loved how Bishop literally swept away surly, resigned Nate. They're so different, but they work beautifully together. Can't wait for the next two books. Like, Cadiva, wasn't a fan of the mini cliff hanger 😫
Recently, she's dipped her toe into Western romance (I adored Crow and Sparrow), so I was keen to give this one a try. She creates great chemistry between her characters, and she has done it again here, and not just between the main characters.
The web of relationships in this book is intriguing and so natural. The story is lovely, and just made me smile a lot. I loved how Bishop literally swept away surly, resigned Nate. They're so different, but they work beautifully together. Can't wait for the next two books. Like, Cadiva, wasn't a fan of the mini cliff hanger 😫
August 13, 2021
Ranch manager Nate meets younger professor of paleontology Bishop when dinosaur bones are discovered on the cattle ranch where he has worked for twenty years. From the first there’s a spark, and no one is surprised more than Nate. This was a beautiful tale of long buried pain and self-preservation having rendered a heart solitary and skittish as a wild mustang, and then along comes a horse whisperer… I particularly enjoy age gap stories with characters as complex and interesting as Nate and Bishop. It’s a bit of opposites attracting and a whole lot of heat, but the foundation for something real and deep is there and makes for a compelling read. As the first in a series, there will be more stories from Prairie Smoke Ranch, and I am looking forward to them all!
November 7, 2021
WTF kind of ending is that?!
Pretty good story, enjoyable suspense. I can’t say I like Bishop much, only because I don’t personally care much for the hippie/surfer dude persona. It’s a rather heavy-handed opposites attract device. It’s also like half a story. Abrupt ending, no resolution to anything and barely an HFN. I can understand a story arc for the suspense but can’t understand leaving so much of the romance hanging. Maybe there’s a future book for them? The next two are other couples, so idk.
Pretty good story, enjoyable suspense. I can’t say I like Bishop much, only because I don’t personally care much for the hippie/surfer dude persona. It’s a rather heavy-handed opposites attract device. It’s also like half a story. Abrupt ending, no resolution to anything and barely an HFN. I can understand a story arc for the suspense but can’t understand leaving so much of the romance hanging. Maybe there’s a future book for them? The next two are other couples, so idk.
January 27, 2022
It ended just like that?
The writing was good and the story was good. What got me was the story was just one-sided. Where was Bishop's side of the story? The author saw fit to drop a bunch of Dino language and facts and figures but where was the character behind it? And I wasn't a real big fan of the way the story ended. I get that it's continued in the next book but I want to know what happened between Nate and Bishop. I need more!
The writing was good and the story was good. What got me was the story was just one-sided. Where was Bishop's side of the story? The author saw fit to drop a bunch of Dino language and facts and figures but where was the character behind it? And I wasn't a real big fan of the way the story ended. I get that it's continued in the next book but I want to know what happened between Nate and Bishop. I need more!
August 14, 2021
I loved the characters in this one so much! The MCs are so different and yet ”work” together perfectly!
Plenty of witty dialogs and narration, a dinosaur and a great ranch as the backdrop.
I will surely be following this series!
Plenty of witty dialogs and narration, a dinosaur and a great ranch as the backdrop.
I will surely be following this series!
August 23, 2021
Awesome!
I love western themes with cowboys. Love the scenery
Love the talk of horses & farm animals. Thereby of nature.
I love western themes with cowboys. Love the scenery
Love the talk of horses & farm animals. Thereby of nature.
January 25, 2024
Cute start to what I think will be a cute series. Love the dino mystery!
February 10, 2022
Good one!
Ignoring the cover (ironically, I dislike real people on the cover, which is unfortunate, considering it's par for the course in this genre and I especially dislike those that look. Right. At. Ya. *shudder*) I must admit I was pleasantly surprised to find a solid plot with great characters with a style that just flowed off the pages!
I didn't even stress over the age difference (which I also dislike =D because it makes me imagine the couple... what, twenty years from now on, when one of them will be OLD and the other one... not that much, which just makes me sad...) and that's quite a feat.
Recommend.
Ignoring the cover (ironically, I dislike real people on the cover, which is unfortunate, considering it's par for the course in this genre and I especially dislike those that look. Right. At. Ya. *shudder*) I must admit I was pleasantly surprised to find a solid plot with great characters with a style that just flowed off the pages!
I didn't even stress over the age difference (which I also dislike =D because it makes me imagine the couple... what, twenty years from now on, when one of them will be OLD and the other one... not that much, which just makes me sad...) and that's quite a feat.
Recommend.
January 13, 2023
I really liked this book. I liked Bishop's personality, I didn't shy away from what he wanted and I like that. Nate was surly and big and all but around Bishop he just melted, it was very funny to watch. They really complemented each other, it was really good to see. I can't wait to read the rest of the series
September 28, 2022
This was a fun read! A lot better than I thought it would be. Loved the MC'S and their sweet developing relationship. The man bun jokes were fun lol. Good story can't wait to read the next book in the series. Need to know what happened!
August 15, 2021
The blurb for Dawn's Desire doesn't even begin to convey what a brilliant combination of funny, sweet, saddening, intriguing and hot the story really is.
Nate was such a wonderful surprise, because I'd expected a bitter, irascible cowboy and instead I found an utter sweetheart...yes, set in his ways and surly, but with the warmest soul. The book is told from his point of view and his voice was incredibly humorous, especially when recounting his initial reaction to Bishop. The attraction to the surfer boy, long haired paleontologist took Nate completely by surprise, but, despite the countless reasons he'd thought he should have stayed away, it wasn't long before he accepted his feelings, especially when Bishop made it more than obvious that he wanted Nate just as much.
I absolutely loved Nate and, seen through his eyes, I adored Bishop, too. They were complete opposites that simply clicked together, with a unique sexual dynamic and a special emotional connection.
Their story was delightful. The mystery woven into the romance kept me captivating, more so thanks to the way the author made the setting come to live. There were plenty of vivid descriptions of the surroundings, the ranch and its people, and the university guys, and I was fascinated by each of them. I only wish that the ending hadn't left me with so many questions, because the mystery wasn't elucidated and Nate and Bishop's future as a couple wasn't exactly clear. Even with those niggles, the story was an absolute pleasure to read and I can't wait for the next books in this series.
Nate was such a wonderful surprise, because I'd expected a bitter, irascible cowboy and instead I found an utter sweetheart...yes, set in his ways and surly, but with the warmest soul. The book is told from his point of view and his voice was incredibly humorous, especially when recounting his initial reaction to Bishop. The attraction to the surfer boy, long haired paleontologist took Nate completely by surprise, but, despite the countless reasons he'd thought he should have stayed away, it wasn't long before he accepted his feelings, especially when Bishop made it more than obvious that he wanted Nate just as much.
I absolutely loved Nate and, seen through his eyes, I adored Bishop, too. They were complete opposites that simply clicked together, with a unique sexual dynamic and a special emotional connection.
Their story was delightful. The mystery woven into the romance kept me captivating, more so thanks to the way the author made the setting come to live. There were plenty of vivid descriptions of the surroundings, the ranch and its people, and the university guys, and I was fascinated by each of them. I only wish that the ending hadn't left me with so many questions, because the mystery wasn't elucidated and Nate and Bishop's future as a couple wasn't exactly clear. Even with those niggles, the story was an absolute pleasure to read and I can't wait for the next books in this series.
February 13, 2024
Nate et Bishop avec un Culomètre à 🍑
Un rancher grognon et un paléontologue surexcité, couplé avec la plume de V.L. Locey, c'était sûr que j'allais aimer !
Nate doit être contremaître au ranch des Glaces Bleues depuis au moins 30 ans quand lui et son équipe vont tomber sur des os de dino. Ils vont demander à l'université d'à côté de constater et il va voir débarquer à 4h du mat le pimpant Bishop, surexcitée de sa première fouille en tant que diplômé ! Autant vous dire que ça fera drôle à Nate !
Ahlala on ne peut pas faire plus opposés que les deux zouaves ! Et franchement, c'est ça qui m'a de suite plu ! Alors il y a de la différence d'âge, d'au moins 2 décennies mais on ne sait pas vraiment l'âge de Nate, on sait juste que Bishop à 27 ans. Comment vous dire qu'ils sont adorables, pas le coup de foudre direct mais de la draguouille assez prononcée, comme on aime bien-sûr !
Une romance sans drama mais qui réserve quand même son lot de surprises, des évènements qui teasent le deuxième tome et une romance qui s'annonce !
Un rancher grognon et un paléontologue surexcité, couplé avec la plume de V.L. Locey, c'était sûr que j'allais aimer !
Nate doit être contremaître au ranch des Glaces Bleues depuis au moins 30 ans quand lui et son équipe vont tomber sur des os de dino. Ils vont demander à l'université d'à côté de constater et il va voir débarquer à 4h du mat le pimpant Bishop, surexcitée de sa première fouille en tant que diplômé ! Autant vous dire que ça fera drôle à Nate !
Ahlala on ne peut pas faire plus opposés que les deux zouaves ! Et franchement, c'est ça qui m'a de suite plu ! Alors il y a de la différence d'âge, d'au moins 2 décennies mais on ne sait pas vraiment l'âge de Nate, on sait juste que Bishop à 27 ans. Comment vous dire qu'ils sont adorables, pas le coup de foudre direct mais de la draguouille assez prononcée, comme on aime bien-sûr !
Une romance sans drama mais qui réserve quand même son lot de surprises, des évènements qui teasent le deuxième tome et une romance qui s'annonce !
did-not-finish-abandoned
January 13, 2022No stars, DNF (skipped most of the second half.) Felt like the first quarter of the book was okay. The character of Nate had promise for me... then about the 30% mark, the story just flatlined for me and I struggled to stay interested. Gave up and skimmed. Not sure why, but neither character really fit together for me.
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