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Months Trilogy #3
July Thunder
A searing tale of love and redemption . . .
Deputy Sheriff Sam Canfield is a man shouldering too many burdens. He defied his demanding father to become a cop and marry the woman he loved, never for an instant regretting his choice. Then his wife's tragic death left him a shell of the man he once had been.
Schoolteacher Mary McKinney knows about the pain and regret that haunt Sam. The death of her son seven years ago destroyed her marriage and left her with her own sorrow and guilt. Now she wants -- she needs -- to free Sam from his demons . . . to help heal the rift between father and son. But in doing so, she'll put her own vulnerable heart in jeopardy.
It's July in Whisper Creek. And as a blazing wildfire sears the land, the heat of emotion rages through its residents. But when the flames die down, will there be a place left to rebuild lost hopes and dreams?
Deputy Sheriff Sam Canfield is a man shouldering too many burdens. He defied his demanding father to become a cop and marry the woman he loved, never for an instant regretting his choice. Then his wife's tragic death left him a shell of the man he once had been.
Schoolteacher Mary McKinney knows about the pain and regret that haunt Sam. The death of her son seven years ago destroyed her marriage and left her with her own sorrow and guilt. Now she wants -- she needs -- to free Sam from his demons . . . to help heal the rift between father and son. But in doing so, she'll put her own vulnerable heart in jeopardy.
It's July in Whisper Creek. And as a blazing wildfire sears the land, the heat of emotion rages through its residents. But when the flames die down, will there be a place left to rebuild lost hopes and dreams?
379 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 2002
8 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Lee
372 books140 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Rachel Lee is a New York Times best-selling author and the winner of Six Romantic Times magazine Reviewers' Choice Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, and is a five-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America's RITA® Award. She has penned a wide variety of novels in several genres including fantasy, romantic suspense, and romantic comedy. She resides in Tampa, Florida.
Rachel Lee is a New York Times best-selling author and the winner of Six Romantic Times magazine Reviewers' Choice Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, and is a five-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America's RITA® Award. She has penned a wide variety of novels in several genres including fantasy, romantic suspense, and romantic comedy. She resides in Tampa, Florida.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 26, 2010
This was a pretty good read, but quite easy to put down. I finished without a lot of trouble, but it wasn't a story that tempted me to keep reading past my bedtime.
I felt that the author was trying to deal with too much in too little space. Because of that, the romance suffered a bit. More time was given to developing other story threads, like the hero's hang-ups over his father, or his father learning to communicate and be more flexible. At times, so much attention was given to the forest fire that I felt this was more a story about fighting forest fires than it was a romance. While I'm glad the author did her research for the backdrop to her story, I often felt that it stole centre stage. I like the books I read to be well researched, but I read romance primarily for the relationship between hero and heroine. The characters were well developed, but I just didn't get to see enough interaction between the hero and heroine to satisfy my desire to watch a relationship grow and flower into true love. There were some sparks, but not as much chemistry as I'd like to see between the leads.
One other thought--the hero's rigid father is a preacher. So God gets discussed a lot in this story. While I have no problem with God being mentioned (I'm an actively practicing Roman Catholic), it felt out of place for a mainstream romance novel. A couple of times I found myself checking to see if this was an inspirational romance, because it often read like one. It wasn't preachy, but I don't think that discussing different ways to view God really belongs in this kind of book. Some readers might find this off-putting.
Not a keeper, but okay for a one-time read.
I felt that the author was trying to deal with too much in too little space. Because of that, the romance suffered a bit. More time was given to developing other story threads, like the hero's hang-ups over his father, or his father learning to communicate and be more flexible. At times, so much attention was given to the forest fire that I felt this was more a story about fighting forest fires than it was a romance. While I'm glad the author did her research for the backdrop to her story, I often felt that it stole centre stage. I like the books I read to be well researched, but I read romance primarily for the relationship between hero and heroine. The characters were well developed, but I just didn't get to see enough interaction between the hero and heroine to satisfy my desire to watch a relationship grow and flower into true love. There were some sparks, but not as much chemistry as I'd like to see between the leads.
One other thought--the hero's rigid father is a preacher. So God gets discussed a lot in this story. While I have no problem with God being mentioned (I'm an actively practicing Roman Catholic), it felt out of place for a mainstream romance novel. A couple of times I found myself checking to see if this was an inspirational romance, because it often read like one. It wasn't preachy, but I don't think that discussing different ways to view God really belongs in this kind of book. Some readers might find this off-putting.
Not a keeper, but okay for a one-time read.
August 7, 2020
Sam Canfield was felt like he was holding the whole world on his shoulders. He felt like he deserved everything that was happening to him. He did the total opposite with his life as what his father had in mind for him. Becoming a cop lead him on a strange path. In the line of duty he met Mary McKinney she seemed to be just as haunted as he was carrying the whole world with her.
When wild fires threaten there town and things get out of hand not just on a physical level, but emotionally as well. Putting out personal fires change things around them making them think twice about everything in their lives and what matters most.
It's a great read and draws your right in till you cannot put the book down.
When wild fires threaten there town and things get out of hand not just on a physical level, but emotionally as well. Putting out personal fires change things around them making them think twice about everything in their lives and what matters most.
It's a great read and draws your right in till you cannot put the book down.
August 7, 2017
een boek van harlequin, dus dan weet je meestal wel in welke richting het boek gaat
en toch is dit geen gewone roman.
het boek bestaat eigenlijk uit 2 grote verhalen
het verhaal van 2 geketste mensen die elkaar vinden én het verhaal van een allesverwoestende brand
Dat laatste zorgt ervoor dat het verhaal een extra dimensie krijgt én dat was dus voor mij een meerwaarde.
en toch is dit geen gewone roman.
het boek bestaat eigenlijk uit 2 grote verhalen
het verhaal van 2 geketste mensen die elkaar vinden én het verhaal van een allesverwoestende brand
Dat laatste zorgt ervoor dat het verhaal een extra dimensie krijgt én dat was dus voor mij een meerwaarde.
February 12, 2020
The characters are flawed and layered. There was character growth throughout. The background conflict was suspenseful and the resolutions along the way were moving.
January 13, 2025
Always like her stories even though it has been a while since I read one. Solid people doing the best they can.
June 22, 2015
For the most part, this novel did its job. It delivered a long-format romance between two generally likeable people, with a believable setting and secondary characters, with a bit of emotion and conflict.
There was a lot going on in this, with a major forest fire lasting throughout the book, as well as issues of religion and faith and tolerance, forgiveness, loss, grief, family, sin, etc. (There was even some sort of demon stalking the heroine at one point, which might have been symbolic, but I'm not sure.) I'm inclined to think some of the relationship issues were too easily solved, but the characters also seem to backtrack on how steep the problems were to begin with, and some of the resolutions a bit too fortunate.
Minor irritations: The heroine was, at times, wonderful, but at other points she was just too perfect, and this put me off a little, I admit. Ditto for the knight in shining armor hero.
A bigger problem for me was the unsubtle spirituality/religion. There was a lot more religion in this one than I was prepared for. I skimmed or skipped a lot of spiritual conversations (and there were a good number of them) between the main characters and others; they were rather windy and simplistic, and simply weren't what I was looking for in a romance novel. There was also a semi-explicit sex scene, right after a central religious discussion, which left me slightly confused as to what audience this book was meant for.
Nevertheless, the main romantic relationship at least seemed genuine and the conflict was emotional and significant. Overall, I'd say this is a fine, easy read, even if it was a bit padded with conversation. I wandered away a couple times, but the fire fighting action and arguing helped bring me back. I'm not sure it's overly memorable, but it wiled away a long weekend, and I generally liked it.
This is a good read if you like more developed ecosystem (as opposed to just the two main characters and nothing more) romances with a little meat on their bones.
Somewhere from 2.5 to 3 stars out of 5.
There was a lot going on in this, with a major forest fire lasting throughout the book, as well as issues of religion and faith and tolerance, forgiveness, loss, grief, family, sin, etc. (There was even some sort of demon stalking the heroine at one point, which might have been symbolic, but I'm not sure.) I'm inclined to think some of the relationship issues were too easily solved, but the characters also seem to backtrack on how steep the problems were to begin with, and some of the resolutions a bit too fortunate.
Minor irritations: The heroine was, at times, wonderful, but at other points she was just too perfect, and this put me off a little, I admit. Ditto for the knight in shining armor hero.
A bigger problem for me was the unsubtle spirituality/religion. There was a lot more religion in this one than I was prepared for. I skimmed or skipped a lot of spiritual conversations (and there were a good number of them) between the main characters and others; they were rather windy and simplistic, and simply weren't what I was looking for in a romance novel. There was also a semi-explicit sex scene, right after a central religious discussion, which left me slightly confused as to what audience this book was meant for.
Nevertheless, the main romantic relationship at least seemed genuine and the conflict was emotional and significant. Overall, I'd say this is a fine, easy read, even if it was a bit padded with conversation. I wandered away a couple times, but the fire fighting action and arguing helped bring me back. I'm not sure it's overly memorable, but it wiled away a long weekend, and I generally liked it.
This is a good read if you like more developed ecosystem (as opposed to just the two main characters and nothing more) romances with a little meat on their bones.
Somewhere from 2.5 to 3 stars out of 5.
September 24, 2011
This was one of the best romances I have ever read! The characters were very real because there was a huge amount of character development. I absolutely loved the deep conversations that the two main characters had about life. Although I personally am unorthodox in my religious beliefs, I thoroughly enjoyed the religious conversations that Mary had with Sam and his father. These conversations were done in such a way that this book didn't stray into the "inspirational" genre.
January 9, 2009
This book was from a three part series that takes place in a small town in Colorado. Unfortunately, I read the first & second book out of order, but you could just read one of the books and it would still be a good story.
September 1, 2013
I really liked this story. While the story flowed well and held my interest, the writting style was a little too formal for the romance genre. I hadn't read anything by this author before but I would pick up a book by her again.
September 20, 2007
July Thunder - Ok
Rachael Lee
Teacher whose son was killed by a car; cop who is the son of a strict minister; forest fire.
Preachy.
Rachael Lee
Teacher whose son was killed by a car; cop who is the son of a strict minister; forest fire.
Preachy.
Read
September 2, 2008July Thunder by Rachel Lee (2002)
July 10, 2010
Learned about high mountain fires, firefighters, a rigid minister and his alienated son. Nice read.
July 20, 2014
loved it
August 18, 2014
Don't know what I was thinking, not my cup of tea at all.
November 15, 2015
It was okay. A bit dated though in terms of outlook and mannerism. Easy read.
November 25, 2016
Great book!!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews