What do you think?
Rate this book
Circle Eight #5
Nicholas
One part rancher. One part stubborn woman. Mix together and wait for the fireworks.
Nicholas Graham is caught in the middle: of his family, of his desires, of his own unhappiness. After he meets Winnie Watson, his self-imposed curmudgeonly existence pales in comparison to spending time with her. He wants to be with her, to get to know her. She is a beacon to all the secret cravings he has controlled. Until now.
Winnie Watson endured, and survived, a horrendous childhood that would give others nightmares. She started over, a new name, a new goal in life. Then she met the Grahams and everything went sideways. She’s done the unthinkable and struggles to accept it. She wants to forget it all again, but the specter of Nicholas Graham, physical and in her dreams, won’t let her move on.
Caught between their needs, their wants, and what the world will allow them, Nick and Winnie are doomed from the moment they met. However, love will teach them that even the biggest obstacles can be overcome if you believe.
Nicholas Graham is caught in the middle: of his family, of his desires, of his own unhappiness. After he meets Winnie Watson, his self-imposed curmudgeonly existence pales in comparison to spending time with her. He wants to be with her, to get to know her. She is a beacon to all the secret cravings he has controlled. Until now.
Winnie Watson endured, and survived, a horrendous childhood that would give others nightmares. She started over, a new name, a new goal in life. Then she met the Grahams and everything went sideways. She’s done the unthinkable and struggles to accept it. She wants to forget it all again, but the specter of Nicholas Graham, physical and in her dreams, won’t let her move on.
Caught between their needs, their wants, and what the world will allow them, Nick and Winnie are doomed from the moment they met. However, love will teach them that even the biggest obstacles can be overcome if you believe.
218 pages, Paperback
First published February 12, 2014
20 people are currently reading
267 people want to read
About the author
Emma Lang
23 books133 followersEmma Lang is the pseudonym of author Beth Williamson. She is an award-winning, bestselling author of both historical and erotic romances.
Born and raised in New York, she holds a B.F.A. in writing from New York University. She lives just outside of Raleigh, North Carolina, with her husband and two sons.
Born and raised in New York, she holds a B.F.A. in writing from New York University. She lives just outside of Raleigh, North Carolina, with her husband and two sons.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 12, 2014
I am so glad that I read this ARC for Emma Lang! Long before I was a member of Goodreads, I had read a few of her other series that are written in her other pen name: Beth Williamson. I had fallen in love with them, and had always wanted to give the "Circle Eight" series a try. "Nicholas" is book five in the series about the Graham family. The family is made up of eight siblings whose parents died when they were all fairly young. The oldest sibling is Matt, and he was left to care for his brothers and sisters. Living on the Circle Eight ranch always held many challenges; but one thing that remained strong was the family and their love for one another.
Book five is about Nicholas and Winnie,in the book there is a quote that sums up these two characters perfectly:
"Two kindred souls searching the dim caverns for some sign of light, then refusing to go toward one when found."
Both Nicholas and Winnie had darkness within them that they needed to overcome. What they soon come to realize is that when they have one another, that darkness seems way brighter and easier to handle. They set out on a journey that turns into a quest to find Winnie a place where she will belong. Very quickly both Winnie and Nicholas discover that;
"Home is family, not a place."
As with any other stories written by Emma Lang/Beth Williamson, this book is full of romance,sex,action, and most importantly the love of family. The Circle Eight series is considered a Western Romance, and I will say that this isn't a genre that I read a lot of; but it was a refreshing change from the same types of books that I have been reading. I love the way Ms. Lang writes a scene. She writes with so much description, that I feel as if I am right along side the characters. This is the fifth book to the series, and I plan to go back and start with the first book. The Graham family has a hold on me, and I'm dying to read about some of the other brothers that made an appearance during Nicholas's book.
If you are a reader that is tired of the same old type of book, then I highly recommend this series that will leave you with warm fuzzies long after you are done.
I Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Book five is about Nicholas and Winnie,in the book there is a quote that sums up these two characters perfectly:
"Two kindred souls searching the dim caverns for some sign of light, then refusing to go toward one when found."
Both Nicholas and Winnie had darkness within them that they needed to overcome. What they soon come to realize is that when they have one another, that darkness seems way brighter and easier to handle. They set out on a journey that turns into a quest to find Winnie a place where she will belong. Very quickly both Winnie and Nicholas discover that;
"Home is family, not a place."
As with any other stories written by Emma Lang/Beth Williamson, this book is full of romance,sex,action, and most importantly the love of family. The Circle Eight series is considered a Western Romance, and I will say that this isn't a genre that I read a lot of; but it was a refreshing change from the same types of books that I have been reading. I love the way Ms. Lang writes a scene. She writes with so much description, that I feel as if I am right along side the characters. This is the fifth book to the series, and I plan to go back and start with the first book. The Graham family has a hold on me, and I'm dying to read about some of the other brothers that made an appearance during Nicholas's book.
If you are a reader that is tired of the same old type of book, then I highly recommend this series that will leave you with warm fuzzies long after you are done.
I Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
February 24, 2014
NICHOLAS: THE CIRCLE EIGHT by Emma Lang is an exciting Western Historical Romance. #5 in "The Circle Eight" series, while it can be read as a stand alone, I would suggest reading the others in the series. One, it is an exciting,interesting and intriguing series. Two the Graham's are an exceptional group of eight siblings trying to find their youngest brother,who was stolen as a child, when their parents where killed and deal with their own life's ups and downs.
See,"Matthew", "Brody", "Caleb", and "Vaughan".
Follow Nicholas Graham, a Circle Eight sibling and Wnnie Watson on their journey of deception, lies, secrets, trust, passion, and the obstacles of love.
Nicholas and Winnie both have secrets, and things they wish to forget but they also struggle with their attraction to each other. Best laid plans often go awry. Fast paced and packed with action, passion and the power of love.
I absolutely love this series! The characters are engaging and believable. The storyline is interesting, exciting, and intriguing. Will the Graham family ever find their beloved sibling, if so will he have suffered far less or more than they had hope,wished and prayed for or far worst than they can imagine as they have struggled with their own lives and come to grips they may never find him alive?
A great story of family, struggles, sacrifice, hope, and secrets. If you enjoy family, Western Romance and a great story than NICHOLAS, is a story for you as well as the other Circle Eight series. I would suggest reading the whole series, but as I said it is not necessary to, in order to read NICHOLAS.
Ms. Lang draws the reader into her stories with her storyline, her enduring characters and her vivid descriptions of the landscapes of old and the people of the West. A must read! Well done, once again, Ms. Lang. Received for an honest review from the author and/or publicist.
RATING: 4.5
HEAT RATING: MILD
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
See,"Matthew", "Brody", "Caleb", and "Vaughan".
Follow Nicholas Graham, a Circle Eight sibling and Wnnie Watson on their journey of deception, lies, secrets, trust, passion, and the obstacles of love.
Nicholas and Winnie both have secrets, and things they wish to forget but they also struggle with their attraction to each other. Best laid plans often go awry. Fast paced and packed with action, passion and the power of love.
I absolutely love this series! The characters are engaging and believable. The storyline is interesting, exciting, and intriguing. Will the Graham family ever find their beloved sibling, if so will he have suffered far less or more than they had hope,wished and prayed for or far worst than they can imagine as they have struggled with their own lives and come to grips they may never find him alive?
A great story of family, struggles, sacrifice, hope, and secrets. If you enjoy family, Western Romance and a great story than NICHOLAS, is a story for you as well as the other Circle Eight series. I would suggest reading the whole series, but as I said it is not necessary to, in order to read NICHOLAS.
Ms. Lang draws the reader into her stories with her storyline, her enduring characters and her vivid descriptions of the landscapes of old and the people of the West. A must read! Well done, once again, Ms. Lang. Received for an honest review from the author and/or publicist.
RATING: 4.5
HEAT RATING: MILD
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
April 17, 2014
Really 4.5 Stars
FTC : This book was given to me by the author and I was asked to post this on this date. I did not let the fact I am a massive fan influence my review but I know I like this author’s writing, and this series, so I accepted this book expecting to love it. I wasn’t disappointed.
There are not many historical series I actually enjoy but this western series is one of the few that remain on my auto-buy list. The women are feisty, the men respect them as partners and the story-lines are straight out of the wild west… what’s not to love!
This is Nick’s story, the moody middle brother who can’t help but feel responsible for the kidnap of his baby brother and his subsequent slavery. Nick is a tortured man who can’t seem to enjoy life for the weight of his guilt and then he meets Winnie. She seems to ignite feelings within him that he didn’t expect or want; don’t you just love a reluctant hero :D I enjoyed the struggles of Nick, the way he couldn’t quite let himself believe he could be happy. Once Winnie started to show that she could accept his dark sides and share her own, he is helpless. He starts the book as a brooding, reluctant hero and then he becomes a gorgeous man who, without truly realising it, starts to become the hero trying to prove to himself that he is worthy of her. I have loved every single one of the heroes in this series but I think Nicholas may have moved to the top of my list with the way he acts during this book.
Winnie is a product of her upbringing. Her father prostituted her out at a very young age and she has suffered the consequences of that ever since. Heart-break and abuse have created a strong, independent woman who needs nobody to take care of her because no one ever has. I loved the way that she made Nicholas see what she was to him, what a real relationship could be like. Even when he started to try with her, she still refused to accept anything less than what she deserved without ever asking him to change. She was an amazing character to read about.
I am not going to spoil the storyline that brings them together, the hurt that they try to heal together as it happens after 30%. It is a truly heart-breaking look at the corruption in the wild-west and I actually got a little bit upset at the content. It made me adore these two as a couple, the pair of them using their darkness to to try to solve a mystery that not only brings them together but heals a little bit of their hurts. The ending made me sniffle …. I loved this book.
The sex, whilst on page, is quite sweet. The sex is not explicit and the language is tame whilst still being sexy. These two had quite a lot of sex, attracted to each other in such a way that they could not keep their hands off each other. It really is very sweet.
I have but one complaint about this story and it is the reason why it didn’t get 5 stars. Emma Lang usually introduces the couple from the next book as she did here. Tobias and Rebecca’s story is obviously getting started in this story but it didn’t really fit and felt like random, although enjoyable, scenes thrown into an otherwise perfectly meshed story. There weren’t many and, although they were intriguing as to how the next story will pan out, they took me completely away from the main romance. Again, it is a minor point in an otherwise amazing book because I really do enjoy the character of Tobias.
Overall, this is a fantastic edition to a fabulous series. With a damaged, sweet as sugar hero and a firecracker heroine, this is one that gave me the warm and fuzzies all the way through.
FTC : This book was given to me by the author and I was asked to post this on this date. I did not let the fact I am a massive fan influence my review but I know I like this author’s writing, and this series, so I accepted this book expecting to love it. I wasn’t disappointed.
There are not many historical series I actually enjoy but this western series is one of the few that remain on my auto-buy list. The women are feisty, the men respect them as partners and the story-lines are straight out of the wild west… what’s not to love!
This is Nick’s story, the moody middle brother who can’t help but feel responsible for the kidnap of his baby brother and his subsequent slavery. Nick is a tortured man who can’t seem to enjoy life for the weight of his guilt and then he meets Winnie. She seems to ignite feelings within him that he didn’t expect or want; don’t you just love a reluctant hero :D I enjoyed the struggles of Nick, the way he couldn’t quite let himself believe he could be happy. Once Winnie started to show that she could accept his dark sides and share her own, he is helpless. He starts the book as a brooding, reluctant hero and then he becomes a gorgeous man who, without truly realising it, starts to become the hero trying to prove to himself that he is worthy of her. I have loved every single one of the heroes in this series but I think Nicholas may have moved to the top of my list with the way he acts during this book.
Winnie is a product of her upbringing. Her father prostituted her out at a very young age and she has suffered the consequences of that ever since. Heart-break and abuse have created a strong, independent woman who needs nobody to take care of her because no one ever has. I loved the way that she made Nicholas see what she was to him, what a real relationship could be like. Even when he started to try with her, she still refused to accept anything less than what she deserved without ever asking him to change. She was an amazing character to read about.
I am not going to spoil the storyline that brings them together, the hurt that they try to heal together as it happens after 30%. It is a truly heart-breaking look at the corruption in the wild-west and I actually got a little bit upset at the content. It made me adore these two as a couple, the pair of them using their darkness to to try to solve a mystery that not only brings them together but heals a little bit of their hurts. The ending made me sniffle …. I loved this book.
The sex, whilst on page, is quite sweet. The sex is not explicit and the language is tame whilst still being sexy. These two had quite a lot of sex, attracted to each other in such a way that they could not keep their hands off each other. It really is very sweet.
I have but one complaint about this story and it is the reason why it didn’t get 5 stars. Emma Lang usually introduces the couple from the next book as she did here. Tobias and Rebecca’s story is obviously getting started in this story but it didn’t really fit and felt like random, although enjoyable, scenes thrown into an otherwise perfectly meshed story. There weren’t many and, although they were intriguing as to how the next story will pan out, they took me completely away from the main romance. Again, it is a minor point in an otherwise amazing book because I really do enjoy the character of Tobias.
Overall, this is a fantastic edition to a fabulous series. With a damaged, sweet as sugar hero and a firecracker heroine, this is one that gave me the warm and fuzzies all the way through.
October 5, 2014
Nice read!
September 25, 2017
Nicholas Graham & Winnie Watson
February 28, 2019
Good read. Better written than the last one of the series.
library
July 30, 20210
August 17, 2014
Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2014/02/20/...
Publisher: Self
Publish Date: Feb 25
How I got this book: ARC from the author
Even in the darkest of shadows, love can light the way.
Nicholas Graham is caught in the middle: of his family, of his desires, of his own unhappiness. After he meets Winnie Watson, his self-imposed curmudgeonly existence pales in comparison to spending time with her. He wants to be with her, to get to know her. She is a beacon to all the secret cravings he has controlled. Until now.
Winnie Watson endured, and survived, a horrendous childhood that would give others nightmares. She started over, a new name, a new goal in life. Then she met the Grahams and everything went sideways. She’s done the unthinkable and struggles to accept it. She wants to forget it all again, but the specter of Nicholas Graham, physical and in her dreams, won’t let her move on.
Caught between their needs, their wants, and what the world will allow them, Nick and Winnie are doomed from the moment they met. However, love will teach them that even the biggest obstacles can be overcome if you believe in love .
This blurb came from the author’s website.
Last year I reviewed Vaughn, book 4 in the Circle Eight series and enjoyed it as I did the previous installments. Nicholas met Winnie during some rather tense times in Vaugh and had a chance to see who they could be as they worked to help their family succeed. Yet the two of them parted, each thinking they were not good enough for the other while knowing they had glimpsed something wonderful. When I found out Nick and Winnie were getting their own story I couldn’t resist. This review is going to be shorter than my usual reviews because it is going up several days before its official release.
Initially I struggled immersing myself in this story because the conflict was all self inflicted but then things changed. Lang added external conflict to the mix and suddenly I could understand where their mutual angst originated and I began cheering them on. Nicholas needed someone who wouldn’t let him wallow in the inner workings of his thoughts. Winnie needed to be loved for who she was regardless of the choices and circumstance of her childhood. One of the things Lang appears to have specialized in with this series is heroines with unusual pastimes or pasts who refuse to be regulated by what society has said they should be. I thought it was great to see Winnie own her past and refuse to be dragged down by it but try to make things better for others. And Nicholas supported her as he understood the pain of her past. Their slow progression from physical attraction to self-realization to open love was extremely moving.
Nick and Winnie’s romance was set against the mystery of an event in her past. They had to work their way through emotional highs and lows, hopes and fears, anger and sadness along the way and realized having a partner made things much more bearable. I enjoyed watching each take turns encouraging and supporting the other. Even if sometimes it appeared as if they were provoking anger instead of providing comfort. I loved how it took both Nick and Winnie to piece together the entire story and a willingness to accept help when it was offered to succeed.
In addition to the primary romance and mystery, Nicholas included the start of a secondary romance. I am hoping to see that romance play out as the focus of an upcoming installment because the drama and potential angst should be very entertaining. Once I got past the set-up for this story I found it very engrossing. Lang has continued to find ways to keep Circle Eight feeling fresh even though the problem that started this series was solved a couple of installments ago. As I said earlier I am looking forward what comes next.
I give Nicholas a B
Publisher: Self
Publish Date: Feb 25
How I got this book: ARC from the author
Even in the darkest of shadows, love can light the way.
Nicholas Graham is caught in the middle: of his family, of his desires, of his own unhappiness. After he meets Winnie Watson, his self-imposed curmudgeonly existence pales in comparison to spending time with her. He wants to be with her, to get to know her. She is a beacon to all the secret cravings he has controlled. Until now.
Winnie Watson endured, and survived, a horrendous childhood that would give others nightmares. She started over, a new name, a new goal in life. Then she met the Grahams and everything went sideways. She’s done the unthinkable and struggles to accept it. She wants to forget it all again, but the specter of Nicholas Graham, physical and in her dreams, won’t let her move on.
Caught between their needs, their wants, and what the world will allow them, Nick and Winnie are doomed from the moment they met. However, love will teach them that even the biggest obstacles can be overcome if you believe in love .
This blurb came from the author’s website.
Last year I reviewed Vaughn, book 4 in the Circle Eight series and enjoyed it as I did the previous installments. Nicholas met Winnie during some rather tense times in Vaugh and had a chance to see who they could be as they worked to help their family succeed. Yet the two of them parted, each thinking they were not good enough for the other while knowing they had glimpsed something wonderful. When I found out Nick and Winnie were getting their own story I couldn’t resist. This review is going to be shorter than my usual reviews because it is going up several days before its official release.
Initially I struggled immersing myself in this story because the conflict was all self inflicted but then things changed. Lang added external conflict to the mix and suddenly I could understand where their mutual angst originated and I began cheering them on. Nicholas needed someone who wouldn’t let him wallow in the inner workings of his thoughts. Winnie needed to be loved for who she was regardless of the choices and circumstance of her childhood. One of the things Lang appears to have specialized in with this series is heroines with unusual pastimes or pasts who refuse to be regulated by what society has said they should be. I thought it was great to see Winnie own her past and refuse to be dragged down by it but try to make things better for others. And Nicholas supported her as he understood the pain of her past. Their slow progression from physical attraction to self-realization to open love was extremely moving.
Nick and Winnie’s romance was set against the mystery of an event in her past. They had to work their way through emotional highs and lows, hopes and fears, anger and sadness along the way and realized having a partner made things much more bearable. I enjoyed watching each take turns encouraging and supporting the other. Even if sometimes it appeared as if they were provoking anger instead of providing comfort. I loved how it took both Nick and Winnie to piece together the entire story and a willingness to accept help when it was offered to succeed.
In addition to the primary romance and mystery, Nicholas included the start of a secondary romance. I am hoping to see that romance play out as the focus of an upcoming installment because the drama and potential angst should be very entertaining. Once I got past the set-up for this story I found it very engrossing. Lang has continued to find ways to keep Circle Eight feeling fresh even though the problem that started this series was solved a couple of installments ago. As I said earlier I am looking forward what comes next.
I give Nicholas a B
February 19, 2014
This is the fifth in a Western series about siblings on a ranch in Texas. I haven’t read any of the previous books, but I jumped in at the promise of a brooding cowboy. This book picked up right after the events of the previous book. I wasn’t exactly lost, because the author inserted summaries of past actions, but I definitely felt like I would have understood the main characters and their relationship better had I read the last book.
Nicholas is one of eight siblings on the Circle Eight ranch. He’s a middle child, and he broods. No, he whines. The book opens with the wedding of one of his sisters, and he is off at his thinking spot, feeling like his large family doesn’t understand him. He has a dark secret, and on page eleven he actually says, “nobody wants to be my friend.” He doesn’t say it like he’s a tough, dangerous loner warning someone, no, he says it like he’s the saddest boy in the world and he’ll just be over in his thinking spot eating worms. Even his younger brother, who had been kidnapped and abused for five years before being rescued, tells him to lighten up.
I don’t know how Nicholas was portrayed in the other books, but he was probably in the background being silent, or going off to do ranch work on his own. I don’t know if his dark secret was revealed earlier. Maybe if I had read the other books, I would have been anxious to learn more about this unhappy cowboy.
Nicholas met Winnie in the last book, when he comforted her after she’d been shot. Apparently, those moments that they spent together were life-changing, lightning-sparking, lust-inspiring moments. At the beginning of this book, they have feelings for each other based upon that experience, but they are nervous to see each other outside of those extreme circumstances. Again, I would have benefitted from reading that other book, because I missed out on their initial attraction and was dumped right into their dance of distant politeness.
Nicholas and Winnie take a road trip together back to Houston, during which they share some secrets. After hearing Winnie’s secret, Nicholas decides to go on a quest that will make her happy, telling himself that success will give his life meaning. It felt like a rushed decision to me, but it gave a plot to the remainder of the book. The quest itself was reasonably interesting, although its resolution required the help of three or four brothers so it was crowded and denied Nick a spotlight for heroism.
Now, forgive me for a little whimsy here. Just before I read this book, I’d read some joking on Twitter about retired Navy SEALs operating a cupcake store, where they would sell Red Velvet Steel cupcakes, because, you know, the manliness is often described as velvet-covered steel. This book mentioned velvet steel not once but twice! So I giggled.
Furthermore, Nicholas was endowed with “an impressive pair of testicles.” Winnie, for her part, “had a clean scent, along with the unmistakeable fragrance of grief,” proving that Nick’s olfactory senses were surprisingly astute. Also, the characters thought about throwing up at least seven times. Most of the time it was Winnie, although Nick seemed to have a lot of anxiety-induced nausea.
The quest-driven plot was interesting and moved along fairly well. The romance didn’t exactly work for me, though, but I’ll give the author the benefit of the doubt and say that prior books might have laid the groundwork that I was missing in this book. Their journey from attraction to sex to love was quick, and mostly driven by circumstance.
I would suggest that, if you like Westerns, pick up the first book in this series. Then, by the time you get to Nicholas, you’ll be more accepting of him. As a standalone romance, for me, it was just kind of meh.
Rating: C+
This review was originally posted on Red Hot Books at: http://redhotbooks.com/2014/02/review...
Nicholas is one of eight siblings on the Circle Eight ranch. He’s a middle child, and he broods. No, he whines. The book opens with the wedding of one of his sisters, and he is off at his thinking spot, feeling like his large family doesn’t understand him. He has a dark secret, and on page eleven he actually says, “nobody wants to be my friend.” He doesn’t say it like he’s a tough, dangerous loner warning someone, no, he says it like he’s the saddest boy in the world and he’ll just be over in his thinking spot eating worms. Even his younger brother, who had been kidnapped and abused for five years before being rescued, tells him to lighten up.
I don’t know how Nicholas was portrayed in the other books, but he was probably in the background being silent, or going off to do ranch work on his own. I don’t know if his dark secret was revealed earlier. Maybe if I had read the other books, I would have been anxious to learn more about this unhappy cowboy.
Nicholas met Winnie in the last book, when he comforted her after she’d been shot. Apparently, those moments that they spent together were life-changing, lightning-sparking, lust-inspiring moments. At the beginning of this book, they have feelings for each other based upon that experience, but they are nervous to see each other outside of those extreme circumstances. Again, I would have benefitted from reading that other book, because I missed out on their initial attraction and was dumped right into their dance of distant politeness.
Nicholas and Winnie take a road trip together back to Houston, during which they share some secrets. After hearing Winnie’s secret, Nicholas decides to go on a quest that will make her happy, telling himself that success will give his life meaning. It felt like a rushed decision to me, but it gave a plot to the remainder of the book. The quest itself was reasonably interesting, although its resolution required the help of three or four brothers so it was crowded and denied Nick a spotlight for heroism.
Now, forgive me for a little whimsy here. Just before I read this book, I’d read some joking on Twitter about retired Navy SEALs operating a cupcake store, where they would sell Red Velvet Steel cupcakes, because, you know, the manliness is often described as velvet-covered steel. This book mentioned velvet steel not once but twice! So I giggled.
Furthermore, Nicholas was endowed with “an impressive pair of testicles.” Winnie, for her part, “had a clean scent, along with the unmistakeable fragrance of grief,” proving that Nick’s olfactory senses were surprisingly astute. Also, the characters thought about throwing up at least seven times. Most of the time it was Winnie, although Nick seemed to have a lot of anxiety-induced nausea.
The quest-driven plot was interesting and moved along fairly well. The romance didn’t exactly work for me, though, but I’ll give the author the benefit of the doubt and say that prior books might have laid the groundwork that I was missing in this book. Their journey from attraction to sex to love was quick, and mostly driven by circumstance.
I would suggest that, if you like Westerns, pick up the first book in this series. Then, by the time you get to Nicholas, you’ll be more accepting of him. As a standalone romance, for me, it was just kind of meh.
Rating: C+
This review was originally posted on Red Hot Books at: http://redhotbooks.com/2014/02/review...
June 8, 2015
Reviewed by Jen
Book provided by the author
Originally posted at Romancing the Book
I’ve enjoyed the prior four books in this series. Ms Lang has created such memorable characters and situations that I can’t wait to see what’s coming next. However, this book was just a little darker than the prior ones and I’m not sure that it worked for me.
This story picks up shortly after Vaughn left off. Winnie was introduced in that book as she is a good friend of Vaughn’s and Nicholas is kid number five in the Graham clan. When the two of them met in Vaughn, there were sparks but neither of them felt anything would come of it. But when they meet up again at Vaughn and Elizabeth’s wedding… well, their lives will never be the same.
So, the big theme in this story is depression. Both Winnie and Nicholas suffer from various degrees of depression. Winnie’s was brought on from life. She was abused by her father and had to give up something very precious to her, which she never completely got over. Nicholas’ depression is just something he’s always had and in return, never felt completely whole. But the two of them together seem to make each other happy.
The adventure that Winnie and Nicholas go on to retrieve her that precious item was well written. I enjoyed that aspect of the story. The romance between them was also well done. But for me, the darkness of the depression and in particular Nicholas’s inner turmoil just ended up overshadowing the good.
All in all, I liked this story. Was it my favorite in the series? No. Would I recommend it… well, kinda. If you’re reading the series, you’ll definitely want to read this one as well. But it’s my opinion that this wouldn’t be the book to start with.
Book provided by the author
Originally posted at Romancing the Book
I’ve enjoyed the prior four books in this series. Ms Lang has created such memorable characters and situations that I can’t wait to see what’s coming next. However, this book was just a little darker than the prior ones and I’m not sure that it worked for me.
This story picks up shortly after Vaughn left off. Winnie was introduced in that book as she is a good friend of Vaughn’s and Nicholas is kid number five in the Graham clan. When the two of them met in Vaughn, there were sparks but neither of them felt anything would come of it. But when they meet up again at Vaughn and Elizabeth’s wedding… well, their lives will never be the same.
So, the big theme in this story is depression. Both Winnie and Nicholas suffer from various degrees of depression. Winnie’s was brought on from life. She was abused by her father and had to give up something very precious to her, which she never completely got over. Nicholas’ depression is just something he’s always had and in return, never felt completely whole. But the two of them together seem to make each other happy.
The adventure that Winnie and Nicholas go on to retrieve her that precious item was well written. I enjoyed that aspect of the story. The romance between them was also well done. But for me, the darkness of the depression and in particular Nicholas’s inner turmoil just ended up overshadowing the good.
All in all, I liked this story. Was it my favorite in the series? No. Would I recommend it… well, kinda. If you’re reading the series, you’ll definitely want to read this one as well. But it’s my opinion that this wouldn’t be the book to start with.
February 23, 2014
I always look forward to reading a book from the Circle Eight series and I am never disappointed.I was captivated from the beginning of Nicholas Circle Eight #5, I couldn't stop reading.
Nicholas will do anything for his family but he is still unhappy and in a dark mood. Until Winnie, who brings light to his life.
Winnie Watson had a horrendous childhood, that she endured and survived. And she does something she regrets since she was 16 but has no hopes of fixing it. That is until Nicholas gives her that little push and gives her hope.
With Nicholas by her side, they find the piece of her that she wants back. Along the way their feelings for each other fall deeper each day.
Nicholas and Winnie finally find the peace, happiness, and love they were looking for. And Winnie finally has her family.
I really enjoyed reading Nicholas. And I am really forward to reading Tobias and Rebecca's book. Can't wait.
Nicholas will do anything for his family but he is still unhappy and in a dark mood. Until Winnie, who brings light to his life.
Winnie Watson had a horrendous childhood, that she endured and survived. And she does something she regrets since she was 16 but has no hopes of fixing it. That is until Nicholas gives her that little push and gives her hope.
With Nicholas by her side, they find the piece of her that she wants back. Along the way their feelings for each other fall deeper each day.
Nicholas and Winnie finally find the peace, happiness, and love they were looking for. And Winnie finally has her family.
I really enjoyed reading Nicholas. And I am really forward to reading Tobias and Rebecca's book. Can't wait.
February 25, 2014
Nicholas Graham couldn't keep Winnie Watson out of his thoughts. After helping her recover from a gunshot wound he had to leave Houston and return to his family at the Circle Eight Ranch to help them rebuild after a fire. When his sister Elizabeth and her fiancé Vaughn are getting married Winnie rides back into his life. The feelings are mutual with Winnie having the same feelings as Nicholas. After the wedding Nicholas has to escort Winnie back to Houston. He tries to fight the feelings but can't. Winnie has a daughter that she gave up nine years ago and Nicholas vows to help her find the little girl. If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would. This is my favorite book of The Circle Eight series. These two characters have secrets that they have told no one about and by telling each other about them ,they fall in love with each other. Wonderful book to be added to this series. Can't wait to read the next one.
September 12, 2014
After reading Vaughn and not enjoying it as much as the first 3 books in the series, I'm glad Winnie and Nicholas's story came next! From the first chapter I knew I was going to like this book. Winnie was like a Phoenix. She rose from the ashes of a nightmare childhood to flourish and become stronger than ever. Nicholas was just as wounded due to choices he also made as a young person. Guilt can eat away at a person, and I'm so glad these two souls found each other. They understood each other like no one else could, and because of this they were able to heal each other. Forgiving oneself is often the hardest thing to do. I loved both of these wounded people and was so glad they got their HEA.
December 27, 2014
Circle Eight, book 5
Nicholas Graham and Winifred Watson's story.
Home is family.
Nick has a darkness trapped inside him, consuming him. He goes through the motions of life, but does not feel alive. The only time he'd ever felt anything remotely resembling a spark of life was when he sat vigil over Winnie, in Houston, after her father had shot her (see "Vaughn", book 4).
A heart-wrenching decision made at just 16 years old had left a gaping, festering hole in Winnie's soul & it recognizes a kindred spirit in Nick. Over the last 9 years, she's learned to compartmentalize and display a bright facade.
She is his light.
He is her hope.
Together they discover that Home is Family.
Nicholas Graham and Winifred Watson's story.
Home is family.
Nick has a darkness trapped inside him, consuming him. He goes through the motions of life, but does not feel alive. The only time he'd ever felt anything remotely resembling a spark of life was when he sat vigil over Winnie, in Houston, after her father had shot her (see "Vaughn", book 4).
A heart-wrenching decision made at just 16 years old had left a gaping, festering hole in Winnie's soul & it recognizes a kindred spirit in Nick. Over the last 9 years, she's learned to compartmentalize and display a bright facade.
She is his light.
He is her hope.
Together they discover that Home is Family.
July 14, 2017
The story of Nicholas Graham. Nicholas and Winnie briefly met and had a connection in Vaughn. Now they come together on a journey from the Circle 8 ranch to Houston. Along the trail they discover they both have secrets, demons and desires in common. Winnie gives Nicolas something to prove his existence is worthy and he gives Winnie proof that she is a strong worthy woman. They set out to save one another from their tragic pasts. Not the best in the series but definitely worth the read. It has a good mystery, suspense, and a passionate romance. Plus, in the beginning it was great to catch up on the Grahams previously featured in their own books and how their lives have progressed.
August 25, 2014
I liked this one, I didn't love it. Nicholas and Winnie meet up again at Elizabeth and Vaughn's wedding. Then she ends up telling him her deepest secret and he decides he wants to help her find part of that secret. While doing so they uncover something bigger and have to try to make a go and figuring out that issue too.
March 14, 2014
Wonderful, just wonderful
I love the Graham family and thoroughly enjoy every visit. Emma Lang/Beth Williamson is my go to author when I want a great historical romance, I just love her writing style and have devoured everything she has ever written. If you haven't checked her out, you are missing out!
I love the Graham family and thoroughly enjoy every visit. Emma Lang/Beth Williamson is my go to author when I want a great historical romance, I just love her writing style and have devoured everything she has ever written. If you haven't checked her out, you are missing out!
April 1, 2014
Nicholas is a tough nut to crack! I love Winnie and a heroine! She is tough and direct and doesn't let anyone drag her down and she gives Nicholas the kick in the pants that he needs to get his head out of his ass.
September 26, 2016
I wasn't going to read Nicholas's book. It didn't sound very interesting but I decided that I since I was going to read most of the Circle Eight novels I would read them in order.
It's a good story, some action, but nothing special.
It's a good story, some action, but nothing special.
September 5, 2015
3.5 stars
February 14, 2014
Loved this sweet story of Nicholas & Winnie. The Circle Eight clan is really entertaining - never a dull moment! Full review to come on 3chickaafterdark.com.
September 10, 2016
review to follow - my new favorite in the series
February 25, 2014
love it! great read
March 29, 2021
Read my review at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
October 18, 2015
Wow! This was a great book. Just have to have faith and believe. Now bring on the other 2 books in the series, Tobias and James.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews