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Taken by Storm
Lives depend on two women when a train derails high in the remote Alps, but an unforgiving mountain, avalanches, crevasses, and other perils stand between them and safety.
Associated Press reporter Hudson Mead is an extreme skiing enthusiast who has covered war zones and natural disasters during her long and distinguished career, but nothing could have prepared her for the challenges she’ll face when the snow train she’s riding is decimated by a massive avalanche.
Librarian Steffi Graham, on her first trip abroad, is anxious to hone her rock-climbing skills in a new and unfamiliar terrain of ice and snow. She gets much more than she bargained for when her talents put her on the team that goes for help.
As the two strangers struggle to reach civilization, they must compromise and learn to trust each other, a task that may be nearly as difficult as the journey itself.
Associated Press reporter Hudson Mead is an extreme skiing enthusiast who has covered war zones and natural disasters during her long and distinguished career, but nothing could have prepared her for the challenges she’ll face when the snow train she’s riding is decimated by a massive avalanche.
Librarian Steffi Graham, on her first trip abroad, is anxious to hone her rock-climbing skills in a new and unfamiliar terrain of ice and snow. She gets much more than she bargained for when her talents put her on the team that goes for help.
As the two strangers struggle to reach civilization, they must compromise and learn to trust each other, a task that may be nearly as difficult as the journey itself.
264 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 2014
25 people are currently reading
360 people want to read
About the author
Kim Baldwin
35 books241 followersKim has made her living as a writer for more than three decades, working as an Emmy-winning journalist in network news for twenty years before she began penning fiction. She resides in a national forest in Michigan, with few neighbors and a long drive to get to the nearest airport, movie theater, or ethnic restaurant. She never imagined herself a novelist, her first book, Hunter’s Pursuit, was written as a way to fight off cabin fever during a long winter and was sent off to a publisher at the encouragement of friends. The positive feedback she received from readers hooked her to continue writing more romantic lesbian adventures.
Travel is a major obsession. Kim first went to Europe at age fourteen, traveling with her parents on a five week excursion through a dozen countries. Four years later, she returned as part of a singing and dancing troupe, performing in town squares and castles and staying with local families.
The decades since have been filled with many more far-flung excursions... riding a camel at the Pyramids of Giza, crossing the U.N. green line at Cyprus, dogsledding above the Arctic Circle in Alaska, watching Paris awaken from atop Notre Dame Cathedral, motorcycling the Blue Ridge parkway, watching shuttles launch from a kayak near Cape Canaveral, skiing Whistler/Blackcomb, British Columbia, climbing Diamondhead in Hawaii. Her travels and journalism background provide great fodder for her novels. And her younger years in community theater have paid off in her new passion--narrating audiobooks.
Kim is a member of PAN (Published Author’s Network), Romance Writers of America, and the Rainbow Romance Writers, Chapter #217 of the RWA. She's also a 2008 Recipient of an Alice B. Readers Appreciation Award The Alice B. Medal: This award is given annually to living writers who have careers distinguished by consistently well-written stories about lesbians. The award is given once, only, in appreciation of career achievement. (from the author's website)
Travel is a major obsession. Kim first went to Europe at age fourteen, traveling with her parents on a five week excursion through a dozen countries. Four years later, she returned as part of a singing and dancing troupe, performing in town squares and castles and staying with local families.
The decades since have been filled with many more far-flung excursions... riding a camel at the Pyramids of Giza, crossing the U.N. green line at Cyprus, dogsledding above the Arctic Circle in Alaska, watching Paris awaken from atop Notre Dame Cathedral, motorcycling the Blue Ridge parkway, watching shuttles launch from a kayak near Cape Canaveral, skiing Whistler/Blackcomb, British Columbia, climbing Diamondhead in Hawaii. Her travels and journalism background provide great fodder for her novels. And her younger years in community theater have paid off in her new passion--narrating audiobooks.
Kim is a member of PAN (Published Author’s Network), Romance Writers of America, and the Rainbow Romance Writers, Chapter #217 of the RWA. She's also a 2008 Recipient of an Alice B. Readers Appreciation Award The Alice B. Medal: This award is given annually to living writers who have careers distinguished by consistently well-written stories about lesbians. The award is given once, only, in appreciation of career achievement. (from the author's website)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
February 26, 2017
I was provided a free download of Taken by Storm by Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank Net Galley and the publisher, Bold Strokes Books, for this opportunity.
Taken by Storm, by veteran author Kim Baldwin, is a captivating read. I have always been fascinated by stories involving natural disasters, especially when snow and ice is involved. The main premise of this book relates to a passenger train that is derailed and buried by an avalanche in the Swiss Alps. The main characters are Steffi, a rock-climbing librarian, and Hudson, an Associated Press international reporter who enjoys extreme skiing. As circumstances have it, these two women end up bearing the responsibility of finding a way out for the twenty or so survivors of the wreck. The main thrust of the storyline is how these people try to make it out of a seemingly impossible situation and the treacherous, heart-stopping events that transpire in their effort.
The first 40% of the book is a bit slow (not boring), but in exchange for that, the reader is introduced to several well-developed minor characters. Just before the halfway point, the tension is cranked up considerably, and the book becomes unputdownable. An engaging additional theme emerges during this part of the book, involving the build up of a deep trust between the two main characters as their lives became totally dependent on each other.
This is the first book I have read by this author. Ms. Baldwin's prose is simple, yet highly effective in telling the story. She has researched her topics well, especially the techniques, the thrills and the travails involved in mountain climbing. Overall, I was highly entertained by Taken by Storm and will likely read more of Ms. Baldwin's novels.
Taken by Storm, by veteran author Kim Baldwin, is a captivating read. I have always been fascinated by stories involving natural disasters, especially when snow and ice is involved. The main premise of this book relates to a passenger train that is derailed and buried by an avalanche in the Swiss Alps. The main characters are Steffi, a rock-climbing librarian, and Hudson, an Associated Press international reporter who enjoys extreme skiing. As circumstances have it, these two women end up bearing the responsibility of finding a way out for the twenty or so survivors of the wreck. The main thrust of the storyline is how these people try to make it out of a seemingly impossible situation and the treacherous, heart-stopping events that transpire in their effort.
The first 40% of the book is a bit slow (not boring), but in exchange for that, the reader is introduced to several well-developed minor characters. Just before the halfway point, the tension is cranked up considerably, and the book becomes unputdownable. An engaging additional theme emerges during this part of the book, involving the build up of a deep trust between the two main characters as their lives became totally dependent on each other.
This is the first book I have read by this author. Ms. Baldwin's prose is simple, yet highly effective in telling the story. She has researched her topics well, especially the techniques, the thrills and the travails involved in mountain climbing. Overall, I was highly entertained by Taken by Storm and will likely read more of Ms. Baldwin's novels.
January 5, 2021
A neat action/adventure disaster story! With some romance toward the end. Just the right amount of tension as well as lots of connection with the people surviving together in difficult circumstances, not giving up hope, and finding their bravery.
It takes a good 25% of the book to get to the disaster portion, but it's worth it to get to know all the key players and really build a rapport with the passengers and especially our two leads. Steffi is a small town librarian but avid rock-climber, who is a ray of positivity. Hudson is a press reporter who has covered wars and disasters around the world and is a tiny bit jaded, but is still very interested in people and their stories, and is an experienced skier. They meet right before their flight to Switzerland at the airport, when both are gunning for the same peanut butter snickers bars. (This sound amazing BTW, we don't have that variety here!).
They end up in each others orbit again and again throughout their trip, constantly bantering and flirting, getting to know one another and other travel companions along the way, and find themselves in good company with other people on the train, heading up the mountains to start off their snow holiday. But multiple avalanches causes the train to derail and fall into a gorge and buries a lot of the train. There are about 20 or so survivors. But the rescue helicopter just see's the buried train and believes there are no survivors, and are needed elsewhere because of multiple avalanches happening around the area. There are lots of casualties, and injuries, and the survivors band together to assist one another and form a plan. When two more are hurt and buried after trying to get help, the only other way out is to climb. This means Steffi and Hudson are to save the day, especially in need of Steffi's climbing expertise.
Hudson is the one to make the suggestion. She is so calm, stoic and very methodical with helping the party stay strong and lead them with confidence. Steffi is terrified, but is inspired by Hudson's giving spirit and wants to help her friends. Both show strength, vulnerabilities and bravery in amidst much terror. As both learn to open up to each other, acknowledging their attraction.
The "I think I'm falling in love with you" does come a little quick in terms of actual days spent - however with everything that happened in the book and the ramping up of emotions, it makes sense. I did appreciate their conversations and attitude about the relationship and being realistic, while still embracing the romance. It felt satisfying without being over the top.
I would have honestly liked more time with Steffi and Hudson, but them's the breaks. The romance is secondary to the action and disaster/survival plot. There is a douche-guy who is a villainous right-wing cliche that works for fox news, and I had to roll my eyes quite a bit at that character and a few pointed Hilary remarks which made me groan. Those were my only complaints.
It takes a good 25% of the book to get to the disaster portion, but it's worth it to get to know all the key players and really build a rapport with the passengers and especially our two leads. Steffi is a small town librarian but avid rock-climber, who is a ray of positivity. Hudson is a press reporter who has covered wars and disasters around the world and is a tiny bit jaded, but is still very interested in people and their stories, and is an experienced skier. They meet right before their flight to Switzerland at the airport, when both are gunning for the same peanut butter snickers bars. (This sound amazing BTW, we don't have that variety here!).
They end up in each others orbit again and again throughout their trip, constantly bantering and flirting, getting to know one another and other travel companions along the way, and find themselves in good company with other people on the train, heading up the mountains to start off their snow holiday. But multiple avalanches causes the train to derail and fall into a gorge and buries a lot of the train. There are about 20 or so survivors. But the rescue helicopter just see's the buried train and believes there are no survivors, and are needed elsewhere because of multiple avalanches happening around the area. There are lots of casualties, and injuries, and the survivors band together to assist one another and form a plan. When two more are hurt and buried after trying to get help, the only other way out is to climb. This means Steffi and Hudson are to save the day, especially in need of Steffi's climbing expertise.
Hudson is the one to make the suggestion. She is so calm, stoic and very methodical with helping the party stay strong and lead them with confidence. Steffi is terrified, but is inspired by Hudson's giving spirit and wants to help her friends. Both show strength, vulnerabilities and bravery in amidst much terror. As both learn to open up to each other, acknowledging their attraction.
The "I think I'm falling in love with you" does come a little quick in terms of actual days spent - however with everything that happened in the book and the ramping up of emotions, it makes sense. I did appreciate their conversations and attitude about the relationship and being realistic, while still embracing the romance. It felt satisfying without being over the top.
I would have honestly liked more time with Steffi and Hudson, but them's the breaks. The romance is secondary to the action and disaster/survival plot. There is a douche-guy who is a villainous right-wing cliche that works for fox news, and I had to roll my eyes quite a bit at that character and a few pointed Hilary remarks which made me groan. Those were my only complaints.
July 22, 2022
4 maybe 4,5 stars if I'm in the right mood.
It's very well written, makes sense (a lot of disaster stories don't make sense and it always annoys me) and I liked both main characters.
It's very well written, makes sense (a lot of disaster stories don't make sense and it always annoys me) and I liked both main characters.
July 4, 2022
A riveting survival story when a train is buried by an avalanche high in the Swiss Alps. I was completely emotionally invested and rooting for Hudson and Steffie the whole way!
August 4, 2014
Wow, what a thrilling ride (literally). I don't want to give away too much, experience it yourself. I love the setting (the Swiss Alps) and Kim Baldwin did an awesome job with creating two wonderful main characters (and lots of supporting ones) who take you by storm and make you fall in love with them. I had to finish the story in one go because I wanted to know how it all will end. It's not a dabbling romance, it's a struggle for survival, a battle against time and nature. Take your seat, buckle up and hold on!
October 14, 2014
All aboard... Taken by Storm is a gripping adventure story with a dash of romance that tells the story of Hudson and Steffi (along with a handful of other characters) who fight for survival after an avalanche hits and buries the train car they were traveling in on the Bernina Express.
The author paints a wonderful, yet terrifying, picture of the Swiss Alps
and the drastic measures needed to survive the elements with limited resources after such a catastrophic natural disaster.
PS - love the book cover!☺
The author paints a wonderful, yet terrifying, picture of the Swiss Alps
and the drastic measures needed to survive the elements with limited resources after such a catastrophic natural disaster.
PS - love the book cover!☺
May 21, 2017
Well written action packed story, with full of twists and turns, and a bit of romance mixed in as well .... it was very hard to put the book down, until I reached the very last page.
August 8, 2023
Very good disaster/survival story. Kept me hooked throughout.
July 7, 2016
Although the ending seemed rushed, I enjoyed this read and learned quite a bit about survival, climbing and how various people respond in a crisis. Hudson Meade and Steffi Graham are likable because they have purpose, drive and want to do good. Secondary characters were varied which provided an interesting back drop. Hummm... Romance? or Adventure? Read and decide.
October 23, 2017
This is such a great jouney! Its incredible how the story goes. It was thrilling and hardly to put it down, because you want to know what happened next. I think it’s a bit slow at the start. But yeah such a great experiences. I love everyone is working together to survive and willing to help each other. There are part have a touching moment that made me to tear as well.
December 18, 2016
3.5 rounded to 4. Another good book by Baldwin. She tends to write many books about the outdoors and I seem to gravitate to that type (Beautiful, outdoorsy lesbians anyone? Yes!) This one has a good story and I found the climbing sequences interesting and suspenseful. Thumbs up, Kim
October 17, 2014
Everyone hates Fox News right?
Kim Baldwin always writes good adventures and this one is no different. Nice plot, interesting characters and a tidy resolution.
Kim Baldwin always writes good adventures and this one is no different. Nice plot, interesting characters and a tidy resolution.
August 13, 2014
*I was provided a free download of Taken by Storm by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Bold Strokes Books for affording me this opportunity.*
Lives depend on two women when a train derails high in the remote Alps, but an unforgiving mountain, avalanches, crevasses, and other perils stand between them and safety.
Associated Press reporter Hudson Mead is an extreme skiing enthusiast who has covered war zones and natural disasters during her long and distinguished career, but nothing could have prepared her for the challenges she’ll face when the snow train she’s riding is decimated by a massive avalanche.
Librarian Steffi Graham, on her first trip abroad, is anxious to hone her rock-climbing skills in a new and unfamiliar terrain of ice and snow. She gets much more than she bargained for when her talents put her on the team that goes for help.
As the two strangers struggle to reach civilization, they must compromise and learn to trust each other, a task that may be nearly as difficult as the journey itself.
This is not the first time I've read a novel by Kim Baldwin. I've mentioned numerous times - verbally and in print - that Force of Nature is one of my "go-to" books when I want to read something good. It's on my list of "comfort books." I've read it so many times that I don't really have to think hard about what I'm reading - I can just sit back, enjoy, and let myself get lost in that world. While I haven't read all of the Elite Operatives books (co-written by Xenia Alexiou), I've read enough of them to know that they are good reading.
So, for me, it's usually a good bet to read Baldwin's next book. The chances are...it's going to be good. But even "good" has varying levels. What distinguishes the higher levels of "good" is whether or not I remember specifics - characters' names, major events, particular plot points - and whether or not I'm chomping at the bit to re-read the book. Until now, Force of Nature and High Impact have been the two Baldwin novels that are on that level.
Taken by Storm (coming Sept 2014) is the third Baldwin novel I'm adding to that list.
There are a few things I particularly appreciate about Taken by Storm: the characters are nicely developed and fully three dimensional; the writing style is simple and well thought out; it's a nice romance and more; and Baldwin's use of location in her storytelling.
If you've ready any of my previous reviews, you know I'm a sucker for great characters. Not just characters who have interesting traits or quirks, but characters that are truly fleshed out and have depth. Baldwin shows her expertise at creating great characters by really taking her time to introduce the reader to everyone involved in the story. Of course the main characters - in this case, Hudson and Steffi - are given lots of attention. The reader gets to know Hudson and Steffi pretty well from Baldwin's descriptions. But, even more than that, the reader learns about these two women through their own actions and interactions with others in the story. And what I really like is that this doesn't all happen within the first 2 chapters of the book. Baldwin takes her time and leads up to the main action of the story. She gives the readers - and the characters - time to know each other. So, when the adventure truly begins and lives are in danger, the reader is invested in the characters. More importantly, the characters are invested in each other. And it's not just the main characters that get the attention. Secondary and even tertiary characters are nicely developed and absolutely essential to the story. So often, a protagonist's best friend or co-worker are forgettable, "throw-away" characters. But Baldwin excels here at truly weaving them throughout the novel.
My opinion of a good writer does not include having a lofty vocabulary or a highly complex writing style. No. For me, a good writer is a clear writer. Someone who is able to simply apply the basics - good sentence structure, good paragraph structure, etc. A good writer is someone who writes with her audience in mind. Baldwin is excellent at this. Her prose is simple and straight forward. She uses words wisely, not pretentiously. She uses words intentionally - if a word is on the page, it has a purpose. What I was especially appreciative of in Taken by Storm was Baldwin's ability to tell a story that involved some extreme sports that I know absolutely nothing about, but not lose me in the process. I got to learn about the equipment and terminology used in rock/ice climbing right along with Hudson...but Baldwin didn't take up pages and pages going through the definitions and details. Instead, we learned through the story itself. Baldwin shows us, rather than telling us, simply through Hudson's and Steffi's actions and conversation. Am I ready to tackle a rock wall now? No. But at least I know enough to not be confused as Hudson and Steffi tackle the Alps.
I love a good romance. And this is a good romance. The development and interactions of the characters - and the time Baldwin takes to let the reader get to know the characters - offers a nice "slow build" to the romance. It's a nice twist on the "girl meets girl, girls have a conflict, girls live happily ever after" formula. (And there is NOTHING wrong with that formula, by the way.) But what becomes particularly interesting is that the conflict isn't about getting together then breaking up then getting together again. Instead, Baldwin brings in an adventure! It's a believable adventure. It's "girl against nature," life-and-death adventure. So the conflict here is not about the girls breaking up and then finding their way back together. It's about the girls finding a way to keep nature from tearing them apart. It's really quite nicely done. The romance builds throughout the novel - sometimes in the background, sometimes right in front of us. It makes the payoff that much nicer.
In some ways, the location in Taken by Storm is really the main character. The whole story depends on the fact that this takes place in the Alps. This would be a completely different story if it were set in Hawaii or Arkansas. The characters and their development, the romance, the tensions could not be easily transplanted to a different setting or location. Just as Baldwin gives us time to get to know all of the characters in the story, she also gives us time to get to know the location. It is just as three-dimensional as any other character. Again, Baldwin shows her skill at "show, don't tell" when it comes to location. Rather than detailed descriptions of the train, the track, the tunnels, the viaducts, the mountains, etc., Baldwin offers us just enough to formulate the idea in our heads, but then taps into the emotions evoked by these settings through the actions of nature and the other characters in the novel. Again, we learn so much about the setting just by how the characters respond and react. It really is very well done.
Overall, this is a book that I would recommend to others. Though I had the privilege of reading a free download in advance of the release date, this is definitely a book that I will purchase to have on my bookshelf.
July 2, 2022
A fascinating, detail-littered tale of adventure, chance encounters, coming together to survive when an unprecedented climate disaster strikes and finding connection/love when you least expect. I love the anxiety-fuelling build-up, Steffi and Hudson's back story, adorable meet cute AND the trust built between them in order to survive the unforgiving, though visually spectacular, climate of the Swiss Alps...I do wish the ending wasn't quite so rushed, that it didn't feel as though the story dragged on (before they came to realise they'd have to go for help), that Hudson was a more likeable/relatable character (I can't quite put my finger on what about her put me off) and that editing had been prioritised.
July 4, 2017
Loved the setting in the Alps.
October 5, 2017
Easy fast read -- a little mary sue
October 8, 2014
Hudson Mead is a badass AP reporter who has seen more than most, and survived it. In her recreation time she goes extreme skiing with her buddy and cameraman. This year it’s the Alps, and they are taking the scenic route. Librarian Steffi Graham seems like a bit of a wallflower. First time abroad, new to extreme climbing, lacking self-confidence and way beyond her comfort zones. But when a train wreck forces them to work together to try and save the survivors it is their complimentary skills and resources that keeps them going.
This is a good solid cross between a trad romance and an action adventure. The plot keeps moving along, from the slow build to the wreck and the multiple and various attempts to survive and get rescued. While the scenario is extreme the action is well thought through and planned, and the individuals and their actions are realistic and true to their natures. I never really doubted their survival, but that doesn’t detract from the enjoyment.
The characters are well drawn and three dimensional, even the baddies have validity and the wide ranging cast before and after the wreck make an interesting read. The main players are well developed and hold together with realism and veracity. Hudson and Steffi are great. Strong, independent, recognizable women who are in some ways complete opposites but in others have an resonance in their strength.
The romance is slow and sweet, nothing more than growing feelings and a promise, but it adds to the tale and gives force to their determination. The development of the characters under duress, both individually in their own right and as a couple, gives a huge emotional backdrop to the main action plot.
Well written, well researched – well done. My first Kim Baldwin and wont be my last.. thoroughly enjoyed this – now going to have to go and read Force of Nature.
This is a good solid cross between a trad romance and an action adventure. The plot keeps moving along, from the slow build to the wreck and the multiple and various attempts to survive and get rescued. While the scenario is extreme the action is well thought through and planned, and the individuals and their actions are realistic and true to their natures. I never really doubted their survival, but that doesn’t detract from the enjoyment.
The characters are well drawn and three dimensional, even the baddies have validity and the wide ranging cast before and after the wreck make an interesting read. The main players are well developed and hold together with realism and veracity. Hudson and Steffi are great. Strong, independent, recognizable women who are in some ways complete opposites but in others have an resonance in their strength.
The romance is slow and sweet, nothing more than growing feelings and a promise, but it adds to the tale and gives force to their determination. The development of the characters under duress, both individually in their own right and as a couple, gives a huge emotional backdrop to the main action plot.
Well written, well researched – well done. My first Kim Baldwin and wont be my last.. thoroughly enjoyed this – now going to have to go and read Force of Nature.
September 20, 2014
I just finished reading Taken by Storm last night. Curse you, Kim Baldwin, I couldn't put the damn book down. I had to stay up until 12:30 because I just had to finish it.
I love stories about people thrown into extreme survival situations, in extreme conditions, in far off places. I'm fascinated in both books and movies by how characters react when faced with life and death... it's a great pressure cooker for character flaws to reveal themselves. Those individuals who horde water and food vs those individuals who selflessly put themselves in harm's way for the sake of others. (By the way, if I'm ever in one of those situations I pray I'm the latter.) This book had all of those things with a dash of romance thrown in.
I recommend this book to anyone who's looking for a well conceived, well researched and compelling adventure tale.
(Oh, and I loved one of the main characters, Hudson Mead, an international correspondent for the Associated Press. She made me miss the days I worked in newspapers.)
I love stories about people thrown into extreme survival situations, in extreme conditions, in far off places. I'm fascinated in both books and movies by how characters react when faced with life and death... it's a great pressure cooker for character flaws to reveal themselves. Those individuals who horde water and food vs those individuals who selflessly put themselves in harm's way for the sake of others. (By the way, if I'm ever in one of those situations I pray I'm the latter.) This book had all of those things with a dash of romance thrown in.
I recommend this book to anyone who's looking for a well conceived, well researched and compelling adventure tale.
(Oh, and I loved one of the main characters, Hudson Mead, an international correspondent for the Associated Press. She made me miss the days I worked in newspapers.)
November 15, 2014
Adventure and angst in the Alps. This novel by Kim Baldwin is definitely more about the train wreck in the Alps, how the characters handle the situation and how they get out of it more than the budding romance. Actually I didn't quite feel the romantic connection but the adventure and suspense make up for that. I'm a sucker for survival stories and this is a good one. There are characters that die and it's done in a way real to life with no preamble. There aren't any meaningful last conversations because if one was enjoying a vacation train ride, they wouldn't expect to be in a life and death situation five minutes after finishing lunch. I really appreciated that aspect of the story and it made it feel more real. Anyone into mountaineering, hiking, extreme skiing, or traveling through Europe by train would probably enjoy this one.
January 18, 2024
Didn't want to put it down, but didn't want it to end!
Kim Baldwin novels always grab you from the first page & this wss no exception. You're immediately caught up in the compelling story filled with wonderfully developed characters including the two main heroines. Hudson is a seasoned reporter on vacation to enjoy some extreme skiing. Steffi is a quiet librarian, part of a climbing club and set to tackle her first ice climb. Record snow falls lead to devastating avalanches, including one that hits the scenic train ride they're both on. They decide their only chance for survival is to attempt to go for help, involving a dangerous trek across the perilous mountains. The story is riveting and you're sucked right in from page one to the point you don't want to put it down - nor will you want it to end!
Kim Baldwin novels always grab you from the first page & this wss no exception. You're immediately caught up in the compelling story filled with wonderfully developed characters including the two main heroines. Hudson is a seasoned reporter on vacation to enjoy some extreme skiing. Steffi is a quiet librarian, part of a climbing club and set to tackle her first ice climb. Record snow falls lead to devastating avalanches, including one that hits the scenic train ride they're both on. They decide their only chance for survival is to attempt to go for help, involving a dangerous trek across the perilous mountains. The story is riveting and you're sucked right in from page one to the point you don't want to put it down - nor will you want it to end!
September 20, 2023
I give this novel five stars because it has everything I want in a lesbian romance: far-off places, deadly peril, multiple avalanches, mountain climbing, and people dying. The two protagonists were realistic and sympathetic, and there was nothing contrived standing in the way of their relationship, just that fact that they were in mortal danger trapped on a train in an avalanche. I need to read more of this sort of adventure story and less of the ones where a woman moves back to her hometown, etc.
My one complaint is that all the survivors on the train had some sort of description (and most of them had names) except for “the two Japanese couples.”
My one complaint is that all the survivors on the train had some sort of description (and most of them had names) except for “the two Japanese couples.”
April 30, 2015
This was possibly more of an adventure book than a romance book, although there is a nice romance thread between the two main characters. I really enjoy stories where a group of characters are thrown together in a survival situation. I love to see how characters evolve and reveal themselves when faced with life threatening scenarios.
November 17, 2014
Scary good. Even if the first half is a little slow, I couldn't put it down. Not bad at all if you're into adventure and extreme survival situations.
July 26, 2018
This was a really high-energy book! It paralleled your basic mid 90's-to-early aughts disaster movie (think Dante's Peak/Volcano, Armageddon/Deep Impact, The Day After Tomorrow, Twister, etc.) so well that I'd call it cinematic in tone and scope. It's not just a matter of following the formula, although she does:
Ragtag group of folks some of whom just happen to have relevant skills? Check.
Lead-character romance? Check.
That one asshole in the group that has to make everyone's lives and survival odds a little worse? Check.
Not everyone survives? Check.
Plucky secondary characters who generally function as comic relief? Check.
And, of course, you have your requisite set of death-traps and close confines and dire straits. But the thing that makes it cinematic is just how well Kim Baldwin paints the scenes, describes the action. In fact, the only reason I give it 4 stars (besides 'it's hard to get that fifth star out of me') is that she does a far better job with the action than the romance in this one. It's almost - but not quite - an afterthought. The meet-cute is great, their initial interactions are all titillating and reflect the buildup of tension, but once disaster strikes, things felt a little more forced. I think there was probably a chapter's worth of buildup to the 'I'm falling in love with you' moment missing.
It's worth noting that a) I felt the same way about all of the Alaska books, which I loved, and b) that this was the 'worst offender' of the group - exempting Pasha and Emery, because of the semi-supernatural aspect changing the dynamic.
Ultimately, that missing chapter doesn't take much away from a delightful tale. I like a good, thick premise in my lesfic - there's only so much workplace/second-chance/written-in-the-stars/cops-n-docs you can read before it starts to feel a little bland. I'll continue to look to Kim Baldwin when I want my premise to be high-octane!
Ragtag group of folks some of whom just happen to have relevant skills? Check.
Lead-character romance? Check.
That one asshole in the group that has to make everyone's lives and survival odds a little worse? Check.
Not everyone survives? Check.
Plucky secondary characters who generally function as comic relief? Check.
And, of course, you have your requisite set of death-traps and close confines and dire straits. But the thing that makes it cinematic is just how well Kim Baldwin paints the scenes, describes the action. In fact, the only reason I give it 4 stars (besides 'it's hard to get that fifth star out of me') is that she does a far better job with the action than the romance in this one. It's almost - but not quite - an afterthought. The meet-cute is great, their initial interactions are all titillating and reflect the buildup of tension, but once disaster strikes, things felt a little more forced. I think there was probably a chapter's worth of buildup to the 'I'm falling in love with you' moment missing.
It's worth noting that a) I felt the same way about all of the Alaska books, which I loved, and b) that this was the 'worst offender' of the group - exempting Pasha and Emery, because of the semi-supernatural aspect changing the dynamic.
Ultimately, that missing chapter doesn't take much away from a delightful tale. I like a good, thick premise in my lesfic - there's only so much workplace/second-chance/written-in-the-stars/cops-n-docs you can read before it starts to feel a little bland. I'll continue to look to Kim Baldwin when I want my premise to be high-octane!
June 8, 2020
Nonstop excitement
“In that horrific split second, she’d realized the depth of her feelings for this brave, incredible woman.”
“Sort of comes down to what’s more important to leave behind: your name on a plaque somewhere and a byline on old news stories? Or the people you loved, who will think about you, and miss you, and never forget you?”
+ • + • + • +
This book may start a lil slow, but once it gets going, its a whole lotta adventure, angst, action, anticipation & just a hint of attraction type of awesomeness!! If you're looking for a everybody makes it out in the end happy ending —this ain't the one, & its all the more perfect for that realism. By the time I was done, I felt like I had gone thru this myself along with the characters.
But—this just begs for a sequel… pick up right where the story left off (cause I soooo need to know how everyone is doing!!) & it'll be a continuation of character arcs yet a totally different narrative almost a stand-alone book with a series cast. (hint hint)
“In that horrific split second, she’d realized the depth of her feelings for this brave, incredible woman.”
“Sort of comes down to what’s more important to leave behind: your name on a plaque somewhere and a byline on old news stories? Or the people you loved, who will think about you, and miss you, and never forget you?”
+ • + • + • +
This book may start a lil slow, but once it gets going, its a whole lotta adventure, angst, action, anticipation & just a hint of attraction type of awesomeness!! If you're looking for a everybody makes it out in the end happy ending —this ain't the one, & its all the more perfect for that realism. By the time I was done, I felt like I had gone thru this myself along with the characters.
But—this just begs for a sequel… pick up right where the story left off (cause I soooo need to know how everyone is doing!!) & it'll be a continuation of character arcs yet a totally different narrative almost a stand-alone book with a series cast. (hint hint)
August 17, 2018
Oh my god,I love this story!
I can't believe that I read this story for hours at a time without stopping! I have never been more excited, anxious and captivated before. Hudson and Steffi so amazing and so resilient and I fretted about what would happen to them throughout this entire story. I love all of Kim Baldwin's books because they are fast paced and I can always count on her to bring the characters to life for me. I look forward to reading more books from this author.
I can't believe that I read this story for hours at a time without stopping! I have never been more excited, anxious and captivated before. Hudson and Steffi so amazing and so resilient and I fretted about what would happen to them throughout this entire story. I love all of Kim Baldwin's books because they are fast paced and I can always count on her to bring the characters to life for me. I look forward to reading more books from this author.
July 12, 2020
Very exciting and dramatic read!
This book is a great book to read, you will get caught up with the characters and then when you get to the avalanche, you won't want to stop reading until you get to the awesome end! It touches your heart and renews your faith in the tenacity of people to survive a disaster.
This book is a great book to read, you will get caught up with the characters and then when you get to the avalanche, you won't want to stop reading until you get to the awesome end! It touches your heart and renews your faith in the tenacity of people to survive a disaster.
November 20, 2017
Great action packed story starring Hudson and Steffi as main characters also has a strong likeable back cast too. from start to finish Taken by storm keeps you wanting to read more. if you love action you will love this. another Kim Baldwin great 5⭐
December 22, 2018
Fantastic read! I had to put the book down several times as the intensity was so over the top that I couldn't handle the next few sentences without taking a breather. And then I'd pick it back up seriously looking forward to what happened next. Hell of an author!
December 20, 2018
Swiss Alps, avalanches, freezing and wilderness survival.
Hard core, winter action fun!!
Hard core, winter action fun!!
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