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Clouds and Rain #4
Moon and Stars
A Clouds and Rain Story
After an affair with a married DA led to scandal and disbarment, Cooper Nelson left his legal career in shambles, and found solace working as a hand at the Blue River Ranch. Eight years later, during a rare visit into town, Cooper bumps into Kelly Freed, a man he left behind fifteen years earlier when he started out as an attorney. Unfortunately, Kelly is running for sheriff and his wife is terminally ill, so Kelly can’t even consider rekindling their relationship. Cooper knows from sad experience that hiding the truth leads to lives being ruined, so for his part, he refuses to be anybody’s dirty secret.
In the meantime circumstances at neighboring Blackwater Ranch have taken a desperate turn. Gable’s friend Calley has breast cancer, and when Gable and Flynn take in Calley’s kids, they need help from their friends. Cooper and Kelly’s combined talents are put to work to ensure Gable can make a bid to become the legal father of his children, and that Calley’s affairs are in order if worse comes to worst. For Cooper, staying away from Kelly was never easy, and now with a common cause, Cooper finds he can't stop himself from seeking the man out.
After an affair with a married DA led to scandal and disbarment, Cooper Nelson left his legal career in shambles, and found solace working as a hand at the Blue River Ranch. Eight years later, during a rare visit into town, Cooper bumps into Kelly Freed, a man he left behind fifteen years earlier when he started out as an attorney. Unfortunately, Kelly is running for sheriff and his wife is terminally ill, so Kelly can’t even consider rekindling their relationship. Cooper knows from sad experience that hiding the truth leads to lives being ruined, so for his part, he refuses to be anybody’s dirty secret.
In the meantime circumstances at neighboring Blackwater Ranch have taken a desperate turn. Gable’s friend Calley has breast cancer, and when Gable and Flynn take in Calley’s kids, they need help from their friends. Cooper and Kelly’s combined talents are put to work to ensure Gable can make a bid to become the legal father of his children, and that Calley’s affairs are in order if worse comes to worst. For Cooper, staying away from Kelly was never easy, and now with a common cause, Cooper finds he can't stop himself from seeking the man out.
260 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 22, 2013
About the author
Zahra Owens
63 books186 followersZAHRA OWENS is a multi-lingual globetrotter who loves big cities, but also has a weak spot for the wide-open spaces that are so rare where she lives.
She likes her men either tough on the outside but with a huge soft center, or strong, silent and damaged. She makes it her personal goal to find them their happy-ever-after, the road there often leading via hospital beds, villas with gorgeous vistas or ranges full of horses.
Zahra is a proud member of the Rainbow Romance Writers, the Romance Writers of America, and is also a member of RWA’s Professional Author’s Network.
If Zahra had her wish, a day would have at least 36 hours, because how else would she find the time to finish all the novels still inside her head?
Visit her web site at http://www.zahraowens.com/
and on Facebook or Twitter
She likes her men either tough on the outside but with a huge soft center, or strong, silent and damaged. She makes it her personal goal to find them their happy-ever-after, the road there often leading via hospital beds, villas with gorgeous vistas or ranges full of horses.
Zahra is a proud member of the Rainbow Romance Writers, the Romance Writers of America, and is also a member of RWA’s Professional Author’s Network.
If Zahra had her wish, a day would have at least 36 hours, because how else would she find the time to finish all the novels still inside her head?
Visit her web site at http://www.zahraowens.com/
and on Facebook or Twitter
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 27, 2015
http://bianchianita1971.blogspot.it/2...
Com'è possibile che io non avessi ancora letto questa serie della Owens??? Non ho parole per questa mia mancanza, alla quale porrò rimedio il prima possibile! Per ora mi sono gustata questo quarto libro della saga e mi sono innamorata della storia e di tutti i suoi protagonisti.
Cooper ha visto la sua vita cambiare drasticamente e la sua carriera andare a rotoli dopo che il suo amante (un procuratore distrettuale) si è tolto la vita quando scoperto. Coop è stato radiato dall'ordine degli avvocati e si guadagna da vivere al Blue River Ranch, dove mantiene un basso profilo ed è solitario e scontroso. Almeno finch'è nella sua vita non rientra Kelly, il suo grande amore dei tempi dell'università. I due scoprono ben presto che il sentimento che li univa non si è mai sopito ma si è trasformato in qualcosa di diverso, diversi come sono entrambi dopo le varie vicissitudini che hanno attraversato. Il rapporto tra loro però sarà tutto in salita a causa di motivazioni molto forti che li spingeranno a mettere in gioco tutto ciò che sono.
Ho amato moltissimo questa storia, grazie ai due protagonisti meravigliosi ma anche grazie alle figure che li circondano, prima tra tutte Nina.
Ho percepito il dolore, il senso di sconfitta e i sensi di colpa di Coop e Kelly ed ho amato moltissimo la loro forza e la forza del loro legame. I due non sono perfetti, fanno degli sbagli che costano tanta infelicità, ma ciò li rende, a mio avviso, solo più umani e credibili. La Owens sa come creare personaggi speciali e come trasmettere al lettore tutto ciò che provano.
Com'è possibile che io non avessi ancora letto questa serie della Owens??? Non ho parole per questa mia mancanza, alla quale porrò rimedio il prima possibile! Per ora mi sono gustata questo quarto libro della saga e mi sono innamorata della storia e di tutti i suoi protagonisti.
Cooper ha visto la sua vita cambiare drasticamente e la sua carriera andare a rotoli dopo che il suo amante (un procuratore distrettuale) si è tolto la vita quando scoperto. Coop è stato radiato dall'ordine degli avvocati e si guadagna da vivere al Blue River Ranch, dove mantiene un basso profilo ed è solitario e scontroso. Almeno finch'è nella sua vita non rientra Kelly, il suo grande amore dei tempi dell'università. I due scoprono ben presto che il sentimento che li univa non si è mai sopito ma si è trasformato in qualcosa di diverso, diversi come sono entrambi dopo le varie vicissitudini che hanno attraversato. Il rapporto tra loro però sarà tutto in salita a causa di motivazioni molto forti che li spingeranno a mettere in gioco tutto ciò che sono.
Ho amato moltissimo questa storia, grazie ai due protagonisti meravigliosi ma anche grazie alle figure che li circondano, prima tra tutte Nina.
Ho percepito il dolore, il senso di sconfitta e i sensi di colpa di Coop e Kelly ed ho amato moltissimo la loro forza e la forza del loro legame. I due non sono perfetti, fanno degli sbagli che costano tanta infelicità, ma ciò li rende, a mio avviso, solo più umani e credibili. La Owens sa come creare personaggi speciali e come trasmettere al lettore tutto ciò che provano.
April 7, 2016
Coopers Geschichte hat mich schon interessiert, als er zum ersten Mal in der Reihe auftauchte und jetzt war es endlich soweit, denn die Übersetzung ist da und hat mich nicht enttäuscht. Im Gegenteil. Cooper und Kelly sind ein tolles Paar, wenn auch eines, bei dem man sich lange Zeit fragt, wie das funktionieren soll, denn die Voraussetzungen für eine Beziehung zwischen beiden sind mehr als ... schlecht will ich es nicht nennen, eher kompliziert.
Es gibt eine todkranke Ehefrau, jede Menge unausgesprochene Dinge aus der Vergangenheit, einen drohenden Skandal (schon wieder), Schuldgefühle und und und.
Daher ist die Geschichte lang und sie ist ruhig. Zahra Owens nimmt sich viel Zeit für ihre Jungs und spinnt ihre junge Liebe langsam, aber stetig, denn dass beide Männer noch immer viele Gefühle füreinander hegen, ist praktisch von Anfang an klar. Sie müssen nur sichere Wege finden, um über die Gräben und Mauern hinwegzukommen, die sich in den vergangenen Jahren zwischen ihnen aufgebaut haben.
Sehr gut gefallen hat mir in dem Buch übrigens die Rolle der Ehefrau, aber mehr verrate ich jetzt nicht. Selbst lesen. Eine Empfehlung gibt's definitiv von mir.
Es gibt eine todkranke Ehefrau, jede Menge unausgesprochene Dinge aus der Vergangenheit, einen drohenden Skandal (schon wieder), Schuldgefühle und und und.
Daher ist die Geschichte lang und sie ist ruhig. Zahra Owens nimmt sich viel Zeit für ihre Jungs und spinnt ihre junge Liebe langsam, aber stetig, denn dass beide Männer noch immer viele Gefühle füreinander hegen, ist praktisch von Anfang an klar. Sie müssen nur sichere Wege finden, um über die Gräben und Mauern hinwegzukommen, die sich in den vergangenen Jahren zwischen ihnen aufgebaut haben.
Sehr gut gefallen hat mir in dem Buch übrigens die Rolle der Ehefrau, aber mehr verrate ich jetzt nicht. Selbst lesen. Eine Empfehlung gibt's definitiv von mir.
October 4, 2013
3.5 stars rounded up
really wish I'd re-read the others in this series first as a lot of the characrers are involved in Cooper and Kelly's story.
really wish I'd re-read the others in this series first as a lot of the characrers are involved in Cooper and Kelly's story.
October 16, 2013
This was a decent story. My biggest complaint was there was too big of a cast of characters and small side plots that distracted from the relationship and plot of the two MCs.
September 23, 2013
3 1/2 Hearts
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
After a scandal ruins his career Cooper found solace at the Blue River Ranch as a ranch hand, preferring to keep to himself with very few close friends. When he bumps into Kelly for the first time in fifteen years his attraction to the younger man flares to life and he finds it very hard to keep his emotions on track. Kelly came to Fremont County for two reasons; for the opportunity to become sheriff and because his ex-lover lives there, but things are far from easy as Kelly's wife is terminally ill and Cooper refuses to be a dirty secret again. Cooper finds it difficult to resist the attraction between the two of them as they are thrown together in a bid to aid Gable.
You know this is one of those series that really pulls you in all directions, some characters I love and some I despise and this time the main characters were in the middle of the spectrum with a fine balancing act. Cooper lost everything when he and his closeted married lover were outed, his lover killed himself and Cooper was disbarred and disgraced, now eight years later he keeps his head down and keeps to himself but with the appearance of his college lover his foundations are rocked. Kelly has had a life long dream of becoming sheriff and the goal is now within his grasp, but after bumping into Cooper he finds it hard to wait to see if he can rekindle the love they once shared. Kelly's wife, Nina, encourages Kelly and Cooper to reunite and become lovers, but Kelly has much to lose if he is found out and Cooper can't face being a dirty secret.
This story is really well written, with characters who juggle their lives and loves with difficulty. While Cooper is a great character who once had his life ripped apart, Kelly is a character who confused me with his actions. Kelly had a year long relationship with Cooper but when Cooper left he married their mutual friend Nina, now he says one of the reasons they moved to Fremont County was because of Cooper but never tried to speak to him until Cooper bumped into him after he had lived there for nearly a year. Their relationship is far from easy as Cooper tries his best to resist Kelly because the man is married, but his love for Kelly never really died. Kelly wants to stay in the closet keeping everything about Cooper hidden but circumstance force him to take a stand.
While Cooper's and Kelly's relationship is playing out we see previous characters trying to make plans for the future when Calley falls ill, Gable and Flynn ask both Cooper and Kelly for help as they try to secure the future for Gable's children. This part of the storyline was blown out of proportion with Bill (Calley's ex-husband) being thrown into the role of the baddie for no reason, Calley should have just asked instead of making a big deal out of it. I have noticed that throughout this series that Calley has been treated like the victim with all the gay men rallying round the poor helpless female when in actual fact she has only ever reaped what she sowed, poor Bill is still treated like the bad guy.
I recommend this to those who love cowboys and deputies getting it on, difficult decisions, rekindling love, hot sex, an interesting storyline and a very happy conclusion for two hot men.
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
After a scandal ruins his career Cooper found solace at the Blue River Ranch as a ranch hand, preferring to keep to himself with very few close friends. When he bumps into Kelly for the first time in fifteen years his attraction to the younger man flares to life and he finds it very hard to keep his emotions on track. Kelly came to Fremont County for two reasons; for the opportunity to become sheriff and because his ex-lover lives there, but things are far from easy as Kelly's wife is terminally ill and Cooper refuses to be a dirty secret again. Cooper finds it difficult to resist the attraction between the two of them as they are thrown together in a bid to aid Gable.
You know this is one of those series that really pulls you in all directions, some characters I love and some I despise and this time the main characters were in the middle of the spectrum with a fine balancing act. Cooper lost everything when he and his closeted married lover were outed, his lover killed himself and Cooper was disbarred and disgraced, now eight years later he keeps his head down and keeps to himself but with the appearance of his college lover his foundations are rocked. Kelly has had a life long dream of becoming sheriff and the goal is now within his grasp, but after bumping into Cooper he finds it hard to wait to see if he can rekindle the love they once shared. Kelly's wife, Nina, encourages Kelly and Cooper to reunite and become lovers, but Kelly has much to lose if he is found out and Cooper can't face being a dirty secret.
This story is really well written, with characters who juggle their lives and loves with difficulty. While Cooper is a great character who once had his life ripped apart, Kelly is a character who confused me with his actions. Kelly had a year long relationship with Cooper but when Cooper left he married their mutual friend Nina, now he says one of the reasons they moved to Fremont County was because of Cooper but never tried to speak to him until Cooper bumped into him after he had lived there for nearly a year. Their relationship is far from easy as Cooper tries his best to resist Kelly because the man is married, but his love for Kelly never really died. Kelly wants to stay in the closet keeping everything about Cooper hidden but circumstance force him to take a stand.
While Cooper's and Kelly's relationship is playing out we see previous characters trying to make plans for the future when Calley falls ill, Gable and Flynn ask both Cooper and Kelly for help as they try to secure the future for Gable's children. This part of the storyline was blown out of proportion with Bill (Calley's ex-husband) being thrown into the role of the baddie for no reason, Calley should have just asked instead of making a big deal out of it. I have noticed that throughout this series that Calley has been treated like the victim with all the gay men rallying round the poor helpless female when in actual fact she has only ever reaped what she sowed, poor Bill is still treated like the bad guy.
I recommend this to those who love cowboys and deputies getting it on, difficult decisions, rekindling love, hot sex, an interesting storyline and a very happy conclusion for two hot men.
May 8, 2018
Due amici universitari molto uniti, Cooper e Nina, conoscono una matricola, Kelly, e in poco tempo diventano tutti amici intimi. Kelly piace a entrambi, ma sarà Cooper a sedurlo, e passeranno mesi focosi mentre studiano (ci dobbiamo credere? XD) legge.
Cooper è all’ultimo anno mentre Kelly al primo, sanno che la loro storia ha una data di scadenza, infatti, appena laureato Coop viene assunto in uno studio legale dall’altra parte del paese e lascia Kelly e Nina.
Quindici anni dopo Cooper lavora in un ranch, non fa più l’avvocato perché è stato radiato per conflitto d’interesse, e sono sette anni che è single. Un giorno, in paese, vede il nuovo vice-sceriffo e rimane scioccato… Kelly. Coincidenza?
Si riallacciano i rapporti, l’amicizia si rinsalda e Coop scopre che Kelly e Nina si sono sposati e che Nina è gravemente ammalata; e sarà proprio Nina a spingere Kelly tra le braccia di Coop.
Intorno alla storia di Coop e Kelly ruotano anche le vite di Tim e Rory, Calley con i figli, Gable e Flynn, Calley, che aspetta il terzo bimbo da Gable e che un giorno si sente male e fanno una sconcertante scoperta, quindi tutti aiuteranno Calley, Gable e Flynn con i bimbi e tutto il resto. Ricordo che con Calley ci sono anche due ragazzini in affido, Noah e Ryan…
Un libro dolce, che tocca argomenti importanti come la decisione di non essere rianimati, l’affido dei piccoli, l’amore immenso verso una persona che sai non ti ricambierà mai al 100% perché ama un altro, l’amicizia profonda, il convivere con una tragedia che coinvolgerà diverse persone, ma più di tutto che, se c’è amore e amicizia vera tutte le avversità si possono superare, anche se alcune lasceranno un segno indelebile per sempre.
Cooper è all’ultimo anno mentre Kelly al primo, sanno che la loro storia ha una data di scadenza, infatti, appena laureato Coop viene assunto in uno studio legale dall’altra parte del paese e lascia Kelly e Nina.
Quindici anni dopo Cooper lavora in un ranch, non fa più l’avvocato perché è stato radiato per conflitto d’interesse, e sono sette anni che è single. Un giorno, in paese, vede il nuovo vice-sceriffo e rimane scioccato… Kelly. Coincidenza?
Si riallacciano i rapporti, l’amicizia si rinsalda e Coop scopre che Kelly e Nina si sono sposati e che Nina è gravemente ammalata; e sarà proprio Nina a spingere Kelly tra le braccia di Coop.
Intorno alla storia di Coop e Kelly ruotano anche le vite di Tim e Rory, Calley con i figli, Gable e Flynn, Calley, che aspetta il terzo bimbo da Gable e che un giorno si sente male e fanno una sconcertante scoperta, quindi tutti aiuteranno Calley, Gable e Flynn con i bimbi e tutto il resto. Ricordo che con Calley ci sono anche due ragazzini in affido, Noah e Ryan…
Un libro dolce, che tocca argomenti importanti come la decisione di non essere rianimati, l’affido dei piccoli, l’amore immenso verso una persona che sai non ti ricambierà mai al 100% perché ama un altro, l’amicizia profonda, il convivere con una tragedia che coinvolgerà diverse persone, ma più di tutto che, se c’è amore e amicizia vera tutte le avversità si possono superare, anche se alcune lasceranno un segno indelebile per sempre.
May 15, 2017
Alors alors... alors pas de grosse surprise sur ce roman si ce n'est que j'ai vraiment beaucoup aimé. C'était doux, c'était tendre et c'était plein de bons sentiments. On sent qu'à ce quatrieme tome, la ville qui sert de fond et les personnages sont bien maitrisés et on retrouve (ou pour ma part découvre) les personages des tomes précédents avec plaisir. J'avoue que ça m'a vachement donné envie de lire les autres tomes qui dorment bien sagement dans ma liseuse...
L'histoire de Cooper et Kelly était vraiment mignonne, meme si on sent beaucoup de souffrance dans la façon dont leur histoire s'est terminée auparavant et dans les évènements qui ont marqués la vie de Cooper mais les retrouvailles et le rapprochement entre les deux hommes sont tout simplement top.
Il s'agit là du premier roman de Zahra Owens que je lis et j'ai beaucoup aimé sa plume.C'est clair, frais sans fioriture inutiles et on tourne les pages de ce roman sans vraiment s'en rendre compte tellement on est prit dans l'histoire.
De plus cette série se passe dans l'univers dex cowboys et je dois avouer que c'est un univers que j'aime beaucoup. Et les huit cowboys que nous découvrons au fil des tomes sont vraiment à croquer.
Petit bémol cependant, le roman est relativement court ce qui fait que certains points auraient pu être un peu plus développé mais le roman est quand meme un vrai régal du début à la fin.
L'histoire de Cooper et Kelly était vraiment mignonne, meme si on sent beaucoup de souffrance dans la façon dont leur histoire s'est terminée auparavant et dans les évènements qui ont marqués la vie de Cooper mais les retrouvailles et le rapprochement entre les deux hommes sont tout simplement top.
Il s'agit là du premier roman de Zahra Owens que je lis et j'ai beaucoup aimé sa plume.C'est clair, frais sans fioriture inutiles et on tourne les pages de ce roman sans vraiment s'en rendre compte tellement on est prit dans l'histoire.
De plus cette série se passe dans l'univers dex cowboys et je dois avouer que c'est un univers que j'aime beaucoup. Et les huit cowboys que nous découvrons au fil des tomes sont vraiment à croquer.
Petit bémol cependant, le roman est relativement court ce qui fait que certains points auraient pu être un peu plus développé mais le roman est quand meme un vrai régal du début à la fin.
September 14, 2026
Cooper lost his career as a lawyer following a scandal involving a married DA and has been working as a ranch hand ever since. Kelly was in law school with Cooper and their friend Nina. Nina is now Kelly's terminally ill wife. Kelly wants to rekindle his relationship with Cooper, but Cooper is reluctant because of Nina. That, Kelly is running for sheriff, complicates everything. Gable and Flynn have their hands full when they discover Calley has breast cancer and is pregnant with Gable’s child from his sperm donation. When Calley is hospitalized, they have not only the first two twins but also two foster children to house. The compilations of found family take many forms, but strength and determination prevail even in rural communities.
April 27, 2022
Smth between 3.5 to 4 stars.
I Confused a little why no book anout Ry. Well thats dissapointing. Right there could be a great story.
I Confused a little why no book anout Ry. Well thats dissapointing. Right there could be a great story.
September 27, 2013
First let me start off with saying how overjoyed I was to see a new story in this series. I have been a big fan from the start of the first ‘Clouds and Rain’ story. Going through life together with the characters of the Blue River and Blackwater ranches has been an incredible journey.
If you haven’t read the first stories I don’t think this one will make much sense to you and are well worth the read.
While I love the weaving together of the characters of the first three stories, it could be problematic for a new reader. But I love the fact that Miss Owens just went with that concept trusting on a solid fanbase and giving them a series that involves all the characters from the first three parts and not going for a story that could be easily read as a one shot. I would like to applaud her for that!
In ‘Moon and Stars’ we find Kelly who wants to be the town sheriff and ranch hand Cooper. As you read the story, you find that these guys go back a long time. We also get introduced to Kelley’s wife, and Cooper’s friend, Nina.
On top of that, we get treated to a story within a story as we also follow Gable and Flynn (from Clouds and Rain) as they help out the mother of Gable’s children, Cally. They must find a way to adapt their lives to a new situation that is out of their control. I don’t want to go in detail too much as it is so worth reading it yourself, feeling the emotions of the story and the blurb is already pretty clear on what to expect.
That is what got to me the most with this part of the series, the many different ways of handling, managing and experiencing emotions. There is denial, struggle, open grieving, insecurity but also love, family bonding and togetherness.
Where you follow the love story of Cooper and Kelly, the main characters of this story, you feel their struggle. Their denial and insecurity, their love, grief and want. There is also the story of the side characters that pulls you in.
For me, it felt so good to get reacquainted with the familiar characters from the first three stories.
There is, of course, also the critic you can have as a new reader if I have to name something.
Reading both Kelly’s and Cooper’s backstory, you find out that they both have had to struggle in life. Kelly with his best friend and wife Nina becoming terminally ill and Cooper with having to deal with the scandal that cost him his lover and his lawcareer. Getting pushed by Nina, they cautiously take baby steps towards each other.
As a reader, you get thrown in a totally unexpected angle when you find out more about Cally’s helpers in her shop and the kids she has taken underwing, as we are introduced to Sadie, Ryan and young Noah.
I cannot wait to see more of them hopefully in the next part. The story is really well-written – it reads so easily and with all the storylines there, you never feel confused and you can easily follow it all at a nice and comfortable pace.
The one thing that baffled me a little at the end was the treatment of Bill, Cally’s ex-husband. Yes. he was not a terrific guy and their marriage wasn’t great but where and when did he turn out to be the bad guy? The author used him in a way to get Kelly and Cooper working together on something and the idea is there but for me, it felt a bit like ‘ok, we need a bad guy to work against’ and that in my opinion wasn’t necessary.
I hope that Miss Owens won’t wait too long with the next book in this series. There is so much more to tell and so many characters searching for a happy ending, that I am sure she is more than capable of providing.
Summing it up, I would say I come to a good 4 star rating. A nicely written story with great characters and because of the fact that I think the author really stuck out her head to give her fans more of the life of her former characters instead of going for a more standalone story, I will add a 0.25 star to the review – in total, coming up with 4.25 as a final rating.
Review posted at :
http://sidlove.wordpress.com/2013/09/...
If you haven’t read the first stories I don’t think this one will make much sense to you and are well worth the read.
While I love the weaving together of the characters of the first three stories, it could be problematic for a new reader. But I love the fact that Miss Owens just went with that concept trusting on a solid fanbase and giving them a series that involves all the characters from the first three parts and not going for a story that could be easily read as a one shot. I would like to applaud her for that!
In ‘Moon and Stars’ we find Kelly who wants to be the town sheriff and ranch hand Cooper. As you read the story, you find that these guys go back a long time. We also get introduced to Kelley’s wife, and Cooper’s friend, Nina.
On top of that, we get treated to a story within a story as we also follow Gable and Flynn (from Clouds and Rain) as they help out the mother of Gable’s children, Cally. They must find a way to adapt their lives to a new situation that is out of their control. I don’t want to go in detail too much as it is so worth reading it yourself, feeling the emotions of the story and the blurb is already pretty clear on what to expect.
That is what got to me the most with this part of the series, the many different ways of handling, managing and experiencing emotions. There is denial, struggle, open grieving, insecurity but also love, family bonding and togetherness.
Where you follow the love story of Cooper and Kelly, the main characters of this story, you feel their struggle. Their denial and insecurity, their love, grief and want. There is also the story of the side characters that pulls you in.
For me, it felt so good to get reacquainted with the familiar characters from the first three stories.
There is, of course, also the critic you can have as a new reader if I have to name something.
Reading both Kelly’s and Cooper’s backstory, you find out that they both have had to struggle in life. Kelly with his best friend and wife Nina becoming terminally ill and Cooper with having to deal with the scandal that cost him his lover and his lawcareer. Getting pushed by Nina, they cautiously take baby steps towards each other.
As a reader, you get thrown in a totally unexpected angle when you find out more about Cally’s helpers in her shop and the kids she has taken underwing, as we are introduced to Sadie, Ryan and young Noah.
I cannot wait to see more of them hopefully in the next part. The story is really well-written – it reads so easily and with all the storylines there, you never feel confused and you can easily follow it all at a nice and comfortable pace.
The one thing that baffled me a little at the end was the treatment of Bill, Cally’s ex-husband. Yes. he was not a terrific guy and their marriage wasn’t great but where and when did he turn out to be the bad guy? The author used him in a way to get Kelly and Cooper working together on something and the idea is there but for me, it felt a bit like ‘ok, we need a bad guy to work against’ and that in my opinion wasn’t necessary.
I hope that Miss Owens won’t wait too long with the next book in this series. There is so much more to tell and so many characters searching for a happy ending, that I am sure she is more than capable of providing.
Summing it up, I would say I come to a good 4 star rating. A nicely written story with great characters and because of the fact that I think the author really stuck out her head to give her fans more of the life of her former characters instead of going for a more standalone story, I will add a 0.25 star to the review – in total, coming up with 4.25 as a final rating.
Review posted at :
http://sidlove.wordpress.com/2013/09/...
December 23, 2015
My complete review on Babette Brown website:
I romanzi MM abbondano ormai di cowboy in crisi di identità sessuale o già consapevoli della propria omosessualità. È un po’ come se dopo Brokeback Mountain, il film di Ang Lee, ma soprattutto dopo il bellissimo racconto Gente del Wyoming della Proulx da cui il film è tratto, orde di uomini in sella a cavalli indomiti con indosso la “divisa” composta da camicie di flanella a quadrettoni, Levis 501 aderenti e sdruciti, Stetson e stivalacci scrostati di cuoio, si siano decisi a fare coming out tutti insieme e in una volta sola. Ecco così apparire al galoppo all’orizzonte infuocato del Far West americano i cowboy di Amy Lane, o i bullfighters di T.A. Chase o quelli delle lande desolate e infestate da fantasmi di Oestende di Marie Sexton. La narrativa Male/Male americana è un fiorire di cavalcate al chiaro di luna, un profluvio di odore di cuoio, sudore e fieno, di scazzottate davanti a un falò o dopo un’abbondante bevuta e ovviamente un rotolarsi e abbrancarsi non molto delicato tra balle di fieno e staccionate sconnesse.
Non è da meno questo Luna e Stelle di Zahra Owens, tradotto in italiano da KillerQueen per la Dreamspinner Press.
Cooper, ex avvocato di successo e ambizioso, si ritrova quindici anni dopo la laurea a lavorare come bracciante in un ranch. È stato radiato anni prima dall’albo per uno scandalo che lo ha visto coinvolto in una storia amorosa con un procuratore distrettuale finita tragicamente. Kelly, suo antico amante, oggi sposato con quella che un tempo era la sua migliore amica e confidente, invece è arrivato in città da qualche tempo e sta per concorrere alle elezioni per diventare il prossimo sceriffo. La donna è invalida e malata in fase terminale.
read the whole review (not positive) here:
https://t.co/GyS3G1CNng
I romanzi MM abbondano ormai di cowboy in crisi di identità sessuale o già consapevoli della propria omosessualità. È un po’ come se dopo Brokeback Mountain, il film di Ang Lee, ma soprattutto dopo il bellissimo racconto Gente del Wyoming della Proulx da cui il film è tratto, orde di uomini in sella a cavalli indomiti con indosso la “divisa” composta da camicie di flanella a quadrettoni, Levis 501 aderenti e sdruciti, Stetson e stivalacci scrostati di cuoio, si siano decisi a fare coming out tutti insieme e in una volta sola. Ecco così apparire al galoppo all’orizzonte infuocato del Far West americano i cowboy di Amy Lane, o i bullfighters di T.A. Chase o quelli delle lande desolate e infestate da fantasmi di Oestende di Marie Sexton. La narrativa Male/Male americana è un fiorire di cavalcate al chiaro di luna, un profluvio di odore di cuoio, sudore e fieno, di scazzottate davanti a un falò o dopo un’abbondante bevuta e ovviamente un rotolarsi e abbrancarsi non molto delicato tra balle di fieno e staccionate sconnesse.
Non è da meno questo Luna e Stelle di Zahra Owens, tradotto in italiano da KillerQueen per la Dreamspinner Press.
Cooper, ex avvocato di successo e ambizioso, si ritrova quindici anni dopo la laurea a lavorare come bracciante in un ranch. È stato radiato anni prima dall’albo per uno scandalo che lo ha visto coinvolto in una storia amorosa con un procuratore distrettuale finita tragicamente. Kelly, suo antico amante, oggi sposato con quella che un tempo era la sua migliore amica e confidente, invece è arrivato in città da qualche tempo e sta per concorrere alle elezioni per diventare il prossimo sceriffo. La donna è invalida e malata in fase terminale.
read the whole review (not positive) here:
https://t.co/GyS3G1CNng
December 17, 2015
Romance and Fantasy for Cosmopolitan Girls
L’autrice ci riporta nel bel mezzo dell’Idaho dove ormai i ranch di Hunter e Gable sono conosciuti come queer ranch e dove, nonostante tutto, la gente bigotta abbonda e un uomo come Cooper si ritrova a vivere da eremita dopo essersi trovato ad amare la persona sbagliata per cinque anni e Kelly sposa la sua migliore amica per conformarsi a ciò che la società si aspetta da un aspirante sceriffo.
La storia tra i due affonda le radici nel passato, un passato dove, giovani e pieni di sperante, alla facoltà di legge credevano di avere il mondo ai loro piedi e di potersi amare per sempre.
La realtà, però si sa, non è mai tutta rose e fiori e servono quindi anni e parecchie scelte sbagliate a portare Coop e Kells a ritrovarsi e a dar loro una seconda possibilità.
Nina, moglie di Kelly e carissima amica di Cooper, con il suo ruolo ed il suo atteggiamento positivo nonostante la malattia l’hanno resa davvero un personaggio riuscitissimo e commovente.
Quello che mi piace dei libri di questa serie è che i personaggi conosciuti in precedenza li si ritrova, non solo come cammei, ma a partecipare nuovamente alla storia con le loro vicende personali.
Qui rivediamo Gable e Flynn alle prese con i bambini “regalati” a Calley il cui matrimonio con Bill è ormai naufragato.
Insomma una storia emozionante, ricca d’amore, ma anche di tristezza come solo la vita vera sa essere.
L’autrice ci riporta nel bel mezzo dell’Idaho dove ormai i ranch di Hunter e Gable sono conosciuti come queer ranch e dove, nonostante tutto, la gente bigotta abbonda e un uomo come Cooper si ritrova a vivere da eremita dopo essersi trovato ad amare la persona sbagliata per cinque anni e Kelly sposa la sua migliore amica per conformarsi a ciò che la società si aspetta da un aspirante sceriffo.
La storia tra i due affonda le radici nel passato, un passato dove, giovani e pieni di sperante, alla facoltà di legge credevano di avere il mondo ai loro piedi e di potersi amare per sempre.
La realtà, però si sa, non è mai tutta rose e fiori e servono quindi anni e parecchie scelte sbagliate a portare Coop e Kells a ritrovarsi e a dar loro una seconda possibilità.
Nina, moglie di Kelly e carissima amica di Cooper, con il suo ruolo ed il suo atteggiamento positivo nonostante la malattia l’hanno resa davvero un personaggio riuscitissimo e commovente.
Quello che mi piace dei libri di questa serie è che i personaggi conosciuti in precedenza li si ritrova, non solo come cammei, ma a partecipare nuovamente alla storia con le loro vicende personali.
Qui rivediamo Gable e Flynn alle prese con i bambini “regalati” a Calley il cui matrimonio con Bill è ormai naufragato.
Insomma una storia emozionante, ricca d’amore, ma anche di tristezza come solo la vita vera sa essere.
October 21, 2013
synopsis:
cooper was disbarred when an affair with a married da became public. his lover killed himself and cooper started working on a ranch and rarely makes the trip to town. on one such trip, he runs into kyle, his lover from law school, and the guy who got away. kyle is married to a woman, cooper's best friend from college, and one of the deputy sheriffs. kyle's wife is dying, and it turns out that she is the one who suggested that she and kyle come to the town, so that kyle and cooper can be together again. cooper doesn't want to be involved with another married lover, and kyle doesn't want to out himself to the township, especially since he is running for sheriff. circumstances draw them together, as kyle needs legal guidance with a couple of issues. when kyle's wife dies the night that they actually hook up, kyle feels guilt and pressure, since the election is days away.
what i liked: that kyle and cooper had never really gotten over each other. i liked that they were both honorable men, as well as kind.
what i didn't like: the view from so many other couples; they had their stories.
cooper was disbarred when an affair with a married da became public. his lover killed himself and cooper started working on a ranch and rarely makes the trip to town. on one such trip, he runs into kyle, his lover from law school, and the guy who got away. kyle is married to a woman, cooper's best friend from college, and one of the deputy sheriffs. kyle's wife is dying, and it turns out that she is the one who suggested that she and kyle come to the town, so that kyle and cooper can be together again. cooper doesn't want to be involved with another married lover, and kyle doesn't want to out himself to the township, especially since he is running for sheriff. circumstances draw them together, as kyle needs legal guidance with a couple of issues. when kyle's wife dies the night that they actually hook up, kyle feels guilt and pressure, since the election is days away.
what i liked: that kyle and cooper had never really gotten over each other. i liked that they were both honorable men, as well as kind.
what i didn't like: the view from so many other couples; they had their stories.
September 23, 2013
Wow! What a fantastic read. This book had it all. This is the fourth book in Zahra Owens series Clouds and Rain and I loved it. Kelly & Cooper met in law school and for a year they shared a passion for each other that never died even though Cooper walked away thnking it was the right thing to do. Finally they are reunited because of Nina, Kelly's wife and this is a whole other part of the story.
There's a lot going on in this book but the story was so well put together and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Parts of it were absolutely heartbreaking and yes, I shed a few tears along the way. The ending was good it was sweet, not really perfect but right for this story and believable.
I've enjoyed all the books in this series and sincerely hope this is not the end of the line for Clouds and Rain. The characters are wonderful and each book is like taking a visit to some place familiar and loved.
There's a lot going on in this book but the story was so well put together and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Parts of it were absolutely heartbreaking and yes, I shed a few tears along the way. The ending was good it was sweet, not really perfect but right for this story and believable.
I've enjoyed all the books in this series and sincerely hope this is not the end of the line for Clouds and Rain. The characters are wonderful and each book is like taking a visit to some place familiar and loved.
October 4, 2013
This book has plenty going on. There is a teenage crush, reunited lovers, friends gained and love lost. There are cowboys, lawmen and some very sweet babies making appearances also. I was glad to see visits from all of my favorite characters in the previous books, and an introduction to some new characters that may make future appearances. If you haven’t read the previous books in the series you won’t have to, but I believe it will only enhance the experience if you do. I believe Zahra Owens has hit this one out of the park and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
You can read Jackie's full review at The Novel Approach
You can read Jackie's full review at The Novel Approach
October 1, 2013
Cooper and Kelly's story. I like Cooper , He is intelligent, compassionate and proud. Kelly, He is a man of conviction, sacrifice and good over all. Each one had suffered in silence and love each other for 15 years, but separated from each other. Their reconnection is not easy, brings ending to many stages of their lives. But also , finally pulls them to accept their own love. Looking forward to more of the series.
October 18, 2016
J'adore retrouver ce Ranch pas comme les autres et Zahra réussit toujours à m'entraîner pour quelques heures de détente avec ses cowboys modernes. Ce nouveau couple est aussi sympathique que les précédents qui d'ailleurs participent pleinement à cette nouvelle aventure. Une juste dose de "drama", une sensualité soft, du rire et des larmes, c'est tout simple, mais qu'est-ce que cela fait du bien de temps en temps!
July 17, 2014
Great Read..
I just wish I started this series with book one. What a great set of characters!! I really loved them all. Each character was created with a solid foundation, which gave great background and depth that you are instantly intrigued. I love the way the men all come together to help the people of this small town. I can promise you that you will love Cooper and Kelly!!
I just wish I started this series with book one. What a great set of characters!! I really loved them all. Each character was created with a solid foundation, which gave great background and depth that you are instantly intrigued. I love the way the men all come together to help the people of this small town. I can promise you that you will love Cooper and Kelly!!
December 31, 2015
sono libri come questi che ti fanno desiderare più stelle o più sfumature di voto,5 stelle forse sono troppe ma 4 mi sembrano poche.
bel romanzo di una serie che amo tantissimo,i personaggi sono molto buoni forse non ai livelli di quelli principali ma validi, la trama mi è piaciuta molto e spero non sia l'ultimo.
bel romanzo di una serie che amo tantissimo,i personaggi sono molto buoni forse non ai livelli di quelli principali ma validi, la trama mi è piaciuta molto e spero non sia l'ultimo.
April 9, 2014
Cooper was a lawyer who was disbarred for sleeping with a married DA. Kelly was Coopers long lost love. One day Cooper and Kelly met again and realized they still loved each other. Good story but kind of bland.
September 24, 2013
I always look forward to another book in this series.
October 5, 2013
Nothing negative to say about the book, I just didn't like the story.
October 9, 2013
Loved everything about it, particularly the writing style and character development.
April 6, 2014
3,5 stars
April 20, 2014
won this in a contest and agreed to do a review. This was a really touching read. Kelly and Cooper were so aggravating, but came through in the end. Loved how some things came full circle.
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