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Silver Creek #3
Once Touched
For fans of Linda Lael Miller and Diana Palmer comes Laura Moore’s breathtaking final installment in her Silver Creek contemporary romance series.
The youngest of the three Knowles siblings, Quinn has in her blood the love of the land and its beautiful creatures. Raising enough money to build an animal sanctuary is a dream Quinn lives every day—while fending off her family’s well-intentioned matchmaking schemes. Though harboring secret fears about intimacy, Quinn soon realizes she cannot fight her growing attraction to a man who has suddenly entered her life.
Scarred by his months in Afghanistan and the violence he witnessed there through his camera lens, photojournalist Ethan Saunders throws himself into hard ranching work as a prescription for healing. But falling for Quinn has given him the one thing he thought he’d lost forever: hope. Ethan discovers that Quinn, like the innocent animals she rescues, is shy, and afraid of entrusting her heart to a man. Passion soon awakens Ethan’s strength, and his tender seduction may be just what Quinn needs to believe in herself—and in his love.
The youngest of the three Knowles siblings, Quinn has in her blood the love of the land and its beautiful creatures. Raising enough money to build an animal sanctuary is a dream Quinn lives every day—while fending off her family’s well-intentioned matchmaking schemes. Though harboring secret fears about intimacy, Quinn soon realizes she cannot fight her growing attraction to a man who has suddenly entered her life.
Scarred by his months in Afghanistan and the violence he witnessed there through his camera lens, photojournalist Ethan Saunders throws himself into hard ranching work as a prescription for healing. But falling for Quinn has given him the one thing he thought he’d lost forever: hope. Ethan discovers that Quinn, like the innocent animals she rescues, is shy, and afraid of entrusting her heart to a man. Passion soon awakens Ethan’s strength, and his tender seduction may be just what Quinn needs to believe in herself—and in his love.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 24, 2015
21 people are currently reading
567 people want to read
About the author
Laura Moore
32 books268 followersI was born in New York City and grew up there and in Western Massachusetts. I began writing while pursuing my master's degree. My first novel, Ride a Dark Horse, filled most of a spiral bound notebook. I soon realized I far preferred writing love stories to term papers!
I now live in Rhode Island with my husband, two children, and our black lab. Our cat Zevon keeps us all in line.
I now live in Rhode Island with my husband, two children, and our black lab. Our cat Zevon keeps us all in line.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
November 28, 2015
3.5 The Healer Being Healed Stars * * *1/2
All the cliches about war and combat I believe must be true... Cliches tend to have truth in them otherwise these blanket statements wouldn't continue to be said and understood. The idea of war being hell is very easy to understand and everyone who has been touched by it carries their own branding of that hell.
In Once Touched (Silver Creek, #3) by Laura Moore, it is not the soldier who is carrying the pain but the photojournalist who was embedded with them in Afghanistan. Ethan Saunders was there, shoulder to shoulder...was injured yet survived his injuries when those who were tasked to look out for him when covering the war through his lens were not. This is the hell which has him in the most pain... his physical injuries are the least of it.
Ethan couldn't take being in the hospital for one more minute so he was able to arrange staying at Silver Creek Ranch rather than go home to the hovering and watchful eyes of his parents. Here at the ranch, he hopes to just heal and get himself together...he knows he will never be the same...and it is just a day to day struggle to make it through the nights and memories. At least at the ranch, he hopes to mend and keep active so his mind cannot think.
Quinn Knowles is the youngest of 3...she has had to be strong, capable and competitive to hold her own with her older brothers. Her family runs this working ranch and over the years growing up, Quinn was the healer of all living things. She was always the one to take a stray in, work to fix it and then find it a home. This has been her path and now she is doing full time rescue animal work. Her goal is to have her own animal sanctuary and all of her savings is going towards it.
Ouinn is her own type of damaged, though. She sees herself this way and has built an automatic response to intimacy with guys. Somewhere over her maturing in college and beyond, she has not had the type of man to understand her... be patient with her...instead all encounters have resorted to name calling and placing blame on her because she wouldn't "close the deal". So in many ways she is as scarred and scared as the animals she rescues.
These two characters have a very interesting past together.... both were children on the ranch from time to time...with Ethan actually taking Quinn and leading her pony for her when she was little. It is with this type of memory, sort of remembering stories of Ethan, that Quinn goes to pick him up at the airport. Quinn knew he probably was going to be rough for wear and had been recovering from his injury, however, the man who got off the plane was a shell of any Ethan she knew of...This was a painfully thin, grey and clammy skinned man barely holding it together.
As Quinn greets Ethan, she picks up the feeling not to baby him and just act like everything is ok...her instincts were right and they travel back to the ranch with a code of toughness and understanding even through the stopping for Ethan to handle his weaken condition. Once at the ranch, Quinn gets him to the cabin and her folks are there to set Ethan up. As Quinn leaves... there is a lingering feeling of "don't go" in her gut...
Ethan is a determined man to muscle through all of this... he does not want pity or to be felt sorry for... hell, he came back and feels responsible for the deaths of the team who accompanied him overseas. They should be living...When told to rest and just get better, Ethan resists and states no, I will do my share...it is the only way I will stay here...Quinn's dad comes up with a plan. Ethan will help Quinn with the rescue animals... it won't be as strenuous as full ranching and it will build up his strength. Quinn wasn't thrilled with the idea but agrees to take it on.
It is during Ethan's physical recover with Quinn's animals, both have time to watch and see each other...he sees her hesitancy when being pursued by a cowboy romeo. He sees her distancing herself and trying to step away sometimes. Quinn sees Ethan's pain clearly and uses the same techniques on him that she uses on her damaged animals... using tactics of slow moments or allowing him to think he is in control of situations when she manipulated him going forward to a better outcome. All of these steps are done with her only wanting the best for him...
Finally these two connect the way we know they will... and I have to say, it was the best scene of the book...it was handled just the way it needed to be...and Ethan was a very smart man showing his care all the way.
This is a love story of two characters who needed healing and by being together... both received what each needed, purely. This story has a couple of angles going on....the guilt of those lost in combat by the survivors, the damage of words said by the uninformed when sexual experiences don't end the way the uninformed want....and the chance of making decisions for others could be considered betrayal...All of these issues were in the book.
I appreciated what was being presented; however, the flow was slow in the beginning and since I hadn't read anything by the author, I wasn't aware if this was her style or just this book. Overall it was the coming together of Quinn and Ethan which was the highlight. This is the last installment of this series. I was able to be in the moment with the book without having to have read the others.
A gifted copy was provided by Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine via NetGalley for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
All the cliches about war and combat I believe must be true... Cliches tend to have truth in them otherwise these blanket statements wouldn't continue to be said and understood. The idea of war being hell is very easy to understand and everyone who has been touched by it carries their own branding of that hell.
In Once Touched (Silver Creek, #3) by Laura Moore, it is not the soldier who is carrying the pain but the photojournalist who was embedded with them in Afghanistan. Ethan Saunders was there, shoulder to shoulder...was injured yet survived his injuries when those who were tasked to look out for him when covering the war through his lens were not. This is the hell which has him in the most pain... his physical injuries are the least of it.
Ethan couldn't take being in the hospital for one more minute so he was able to arrange staying at Silver Creek Ranch rather than go home to the hovering and watchful eyes of his parents. Here at the ranch, he hopes to just heal and get himself together...he knows he will never be the same...and it is just a day to day struggle to make it through the nights and memories. At least at the ranch, he hopes to mend and keep active so his mind cannot think.
Quinn Knowles is the youngest of 3...she has had to be strong, capable and competitive to hold her own with her older brothers. Her family runs this working ranch and over the years growing up, Quinn was the healer of all living things. She was always the one to take a stray in, work to fix it and then find it a home. This has been her path and now she is doing full time rescue animal work. Her goal is to have her own animal sanctuary and all of her savings is going towards it.
Ouinn is her own type of damaged, though. She sees herself this way and has built an automatic response to intimacy with guys. Somewhere over her maturing in college and beyond, she has not had the type of man to understand her... be patient with her...instead all encounters have resorted to name calling and placing blame on her because she wouldn't "close the deal". So in many ways she is as scarred and scared as the animals she rescues.
These two characters have a very interesting past together.... both were children on the ranch from time to time...with Ethan actually taking Quinn and leading her pony for her when she was little. It is with this type of memory, sort of remembering stories of Ethan, that Quinn goes to pick him up at the airport. Quinn knew he probably was going to be rough for wear and had been recovering from his injury, however, the man who got off the plane was a shell of any Ethan she knew of...This was a painfully thin, grey and clammy skinned man barely holding it together.
As Quinn greets Ethan, she picks up the feeling not to baby him and just act like everything is ok...her instincts were right and they travel back to the ranch with a code of toughness and understanding even through the stopping for Ethan to handle his weaken condition. Once at the ranch, Quinn gets him to the cabin and her folks are there to set Ethan up. As Quinn leaves... there is a lingering feeling of "don't go" in her gut...
Ethan is a determined man to muscle through all of this... he does not want pity or to be felt sorry for... hell, he came back and feels responsible for the deaths of the team who accompanied him overseas. They should be living...When told to rest and just get better, Ethan resists and states no, I will do my share...it is the only way I will stay here...Quinn's dad comes up with a plan. Ethan will help Quinn with the rescue animals... it won't be as strenuous as full ranching and it will build up his strength. Quinn wasn't thrilled with the idea but agrees to take it on.
It is during Ethan's physical recover with Quinn's animals, both have time to watch and see each other...he sees her hesitancy when being pursued by a cowboy romeo. He sees her distancing herself and trying to step away sometimes. Quinn sees Ethan's pain clearly and uses the same techniques on him that she uses on her damaged animals... using tactics of slow moments or allowing him to think he is in control of situations when she manipulated him going forward to a better outcome. All of these steps are done with her only wanting the best for him...
Finally these two connect the way we know they will... and I have to say, it was the best scene of the book...it was handled just the way it needed to be...and Ethan was a very smart man showing his care all the way.
This is a love story of two characters who needed healing and by being together... both received what each needed, purely. This story has a couple of angles going on....the guilt of those lost in combat by the survivors, the damage of words said by the uninformed when sexual experiences don't end the way the uninformed want....and the chance of making decisions for others could be considered betrayal...All of these issues were in the book.
I appreciated what was being presented; however, the flow was slow in the beginning and since I hadn't read anything by the author, I wasn't aware if this was her style or just this book. Overall it was the coming together of Quinn and Ethan which was the highlight. This is the last installment of this series. I was able to be in the moment with the book without having to have read the others.
A gifted copy was provided by Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine via NetGalley for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
December 8, 2015
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Once Touched was my first book my Laura Moore and the third book in her Silver Creek series. Each book can be read as a standalone since each focuses on a different Knowles sibling finding love.
As the youngest Knowles sibling and the only girl, Quinn has learned to be independent and hard working on their family ranch. She has watched her two older brothers find love, and while she is happy for them, she doesn't think being in a relationship is in the cards for her right now, maybe ever. She has a less than steller track record when it comes to relationships with the opposite sex. So she gives her heart and time to rescuing abandoned and tortured animals in need.
Ethan Saunders has traveled all over the world, but he always remembered the summers he spent ar Silver Creek when he was a young teenager. After being nearly killed in Afghanistan for his job as a photojournalist, Ethan craves a view other than the military hospital he has been trying to recover in. He believes Silver Creek is just what he needs to heal physically and figure out the next step of his life. What he didn't expect was the little pig - tailed girl he used to babysit stirring up a feeling he didn't think he'd feel again: HOPE.
As their relationship turns from friendship to lovers, Quinn knows Ethan is holding back a part of himself. Quinn feels she must make Ethan face his past in order for them to have a real chance at a future together.
But will Ethan be able to move past the grief and guilt that haunts him?
Rating: 4 out of 5
** I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.**
http://alysenovak.blogspot.com
Once Touched was my first book my Laura Moore and the third book in her Silver Creek series. Each book can be read as a standalone since each focuses on a different Knowles sibling finding love.
As the youngest Knowles sibling and the only girl, Quinn has learned to be independent and hard working on their family ranch. She has watched her two older brothers find love, and while she is happy for them, she doesn't think being in a relationship is in the cards for her right now, maybe ever. She has a less than steller track record when it comes to relationships with the opposite sex. So she gives her heart and time to rescuing abandoned and tortured animals in need.
Ethan Saunders has traveled all over the world, but he always remembered the summers he spent ar Silver Creek when he was a young teenager. After being nearly killed in Afghanistan for his job as a photojournalist, Ethan craves a view other than the military hospital he has been trying to recover in. He believes Silver Creek is just what he needs to heal physically and figure out the next step of his life. What he didn't expect was the little pig - tailed girl he used to babysit stirring up a feeling he didn't think he'd feel again: HOPE.
As their relationship turns from friendship to lovers, Quinn knows Ethan is holding back a part of himself. Quinn feels she must make Ethan face his past in order for them to have a real chance at a future together.
But will Ethan be able to move past the grief and guilt that haunts him?
Rating: 4 out of 5
** I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.**
June 13, 2016
Thank you to RANDOM HOUSE and Netgalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Three stars on its own isn’t a bad rating, but when you consider the fact that I rated the other two books in the series a four and a five, it is a disappointment. I loved Once Touched at the beginning when Quinn refused to walk on eggshells around Ethan, who witnessed a bloodbath in Afghanistan and returned hardened, the carefree man he’d once been long gone. There were some great moments in this story – we get to see the Knowles clan, which is always a treat, and Quinn and Ethan were sexy together. Also, Quinn used a lot of ingenuity in trying to coax Ethan back to the land of the living. She was nothing if not patient – until she wasn’t. What really made me rate this book a three was Quinn’s approach to Ethan’s PTSD. It almost felt like she reached a point where enough was enough, and made some decisions that weren’t in Ethan’s best interest to speed his recovery along. And she thinks, again and again, about how she shouldn’t be doing this. SHE DOES IT ANYWAY! Not only did it frustrate me to know she knew better, but it was like she was pulled completely out of character to suit this one situation. Three stars because I loved the rest of this series, and like I said, there were some great parts to this book. But it wasn’t a stellar ending to the trilogy, and I would have liked to see the level-headed Quinn from the rest of Once Touched prevail.
This review was originally posted at Badass Book Reviews.
Three stars on its own isn’t a bad rating, but when you consider the fact that I rated the other two books in the series a four and a five, it is a disappointment. I loved Once Touched at the beginning when Quinn refused to walk on eggshells around Ethan, who witnessed a bloodbath in Afghanistan and returned hardened, the carefree man he’d once been long gone. There were some great moments in this story – we get to see the Knowles clan, which is always a treat, and Quinn and Ethan were sexy together. Also, Quinn used a lot of ingenuity in trying to coax Ethan back to the land of the living. She was nothing if not patient – until she wasn’t. What really made me rate this book a three was Quinn’s approach to Ethan’s PTSD. It almost felt like she reached a point where enough was enough, and made some decisions that weren’t in Ethan’s best interest to speed his recovery along. And she thinks, again and again, about how she shouldn’t be doing this. SHE DOES IT ANYWAY! Not only did it frustrate me to know she knew better, but it was like she was pulled completely out of character to suit this one situation. Three stars because I loved the rest of this series, and like I said, there were some great parts to this book. But it wasn’t a stellar ending to the trilogy, and I would have liked to see the level-headed Quinn from the rest of Once Touched prevail.
This review was originally posted at Badass Book Reviews.
November 24, 2015
OHMAHGAWD...
LOVED!
My anticipation for this book was off the charts, then I received an advanced copy and I hoarded it for a bit. Then unable to wait I dived in...and man was I sucked in. Could not put Quinn and Ethan's book down. I had to for my sons football game and as soon as I got back I stayed up until 2 am.
This story was tender, sweet and HOT! Quinn is the youngest, and for all her toughness she is naive when it comes to men. AND she has the biggest heart. She rescues and nurses every animal back to health. She has a menagerie of pets, volunteers and dreams of opening her own haven for animals. Her generosity and kindness do not over shadow her toughness.
I love her interaction with her brothers Wade and Reid. This being the last in the trilogy you get a nice glimpse of them too.
When Quinn is told to pick up an old family friend who is coming to recoup from a severe injury, the Sparks fly and not in a positive way. But little by little Quinn helps heal this scarred and damaged man. And in return he shows Quinn what a real relationship has to offer.
This story was touching and smoldering all at once. Laura Moore is one of my favorite voices in contemporary romance. Her stories leap from the pages. Her writing touches me. This is a must read! So excited to see what's next for this amazing author.
LOVED!
My anticipation for this book was off the charts, then I received an advanced copy and I hoarded it for a bit. Then unable to wait I dived in...and man was I sucked in. Could not put Quinn and Ethan's book down. I had to for my sons football game and as soon as I got back I stayed up until 2 am.
This story was tender, sweet and HOT! Quinn is the youngest, and for all her toughness she is naive when it comes to men. AND she has the biggest heart. She rescues and nurses every animal back to health. She has a menagerie of pets, volunteers and dreams of opening her own haven for animals. Her generosity and kindness do not over shadow her toughness.
I love her interaction with her brothers Wade and Reid. This being the last in the trilogy you get a nice glimpse of them too.
When Quinn is told to pick up an old family friend who is coming to recoup from a severe injury, the Sparks fly and not in a positive way. But little by little Quinn helps heal this scarred and damaged man. And in return he shows Quinn what a real relationship has to offer.
This story was touching and smoldering all at once. Laura Moore is one of my favorite voices in contemporary romance. Her stories leap from the pages. Her writing touches me. This is a must read! So excited to see what's next for this amazing author.
November 7, 2015
ARC Provided by Edelweiss-Random House for an honest review. Thank you!
3.75
Moving love story of two people who complete each other.
Quin was a women with heart of gold. Her heart was dedicatd to finding abused, neglected animals. She has a special touch in nursing and loving the animals back to health. She works on her family ranch with her brothers and parents. Quin is a very giving and loving young women but has a something she struggles with. Quinn has never been able to be intimate with a man, as she freezes up and becomes immune to their touch.
Ethan is a photographer who was badly injured when in Afghanistan doing a project/job. While finishing up the job he's in a terrible accident with a group of soldiers. He’s dealing with a lot of guilt and unable to let go of what happened.He feels responsible for the soldiers who died and what he's done to the families left behind. Ethan needs/wants some breathing space away from his well meaning family, friends who are smothering him with concern.
Ethan and Quin’s parents are longtime friends and their families use to spend vacation time together at Quin's ranch during their younger years. During that time at the ranch Quin use to follow Ethan around like a shadow while Ethan would watch over her.
Ethan and Quin haven't seen each other in years and one day Quin is asked by her parents if she could pick up Ethan at the airport. She was told that he will be staying with them and helping around the ranch for an expended period of time. The first meeting for both isn’t exactly smooth or friendly. Ethan is guilt ridden and angry. Quin is puzzled by who this angry and uphappy individual is. Quin could see he was recovering from a physical injury but had no idea what he was dealing with emotionally or mentally.
A budding romance begins between the two. I do want to give a heads up that it is a SLOW start the first couple of chapters but the romance builds to a beautiful crescendo. Quin and Ethan slowly dance around each other until they begin to trust and open up to each other. They begin to share their past hurts and inadequacies. An attraction develops that Quinn has never felt before and wants to pursue with Ethan. She is beginning to see the good in Ethan that he's in need of love and healing. Ethan sees someone in Quin who is giving, accepting and has a beautiful heart. The romance between the two characters develops at a pace that builds like a crescendo and it is a touching and emotional finish. I liked and appreciated that their relationship was one where they communicated, shared their feeling for one another and no unnecessary drama ensued. They definitely had chemistry and passion between them both. Great balance of relationship and sex scenes that came across at times as sweet and tender as well as passionate. Good secondary characters. I also thought the author did a great job in describing ranch life and immersing you into the story and setting.
3.75
Moving love story of two people who complete each other.
Quin was a women with heart of gold. Her heart was dedicatd to finding abused, neglected animals. She has a special touch in nursing and loving the animals back to health. She works on her family ranch with her brothers and parents. Quin is a very giving and loving young women but has a something she struggles with. Quinn has never been able to be intimate with a man, as she freezes up and becomes immune to their touch.
Ethan is a photographer who was badly injured when in Afghanistan doing a project/job. While finishing up the job he's in a terrible accident with a group of soldiers. He’s dealing with a lot of guilt and unable to let go of what happened.He feels responsible for the soldiers who died and what he's done to the families left behind. Ethan needs/wants some breathing space away from his well meaning family, friends who are smothering him with concern.
Ethan and Quin’s parents are longtime friends and their families use to spend vacation time together at Quin's ranch during their younger years. During that time at the ranch Quin use to follow Ethan around like a shadow while Ethan would watch over her.
Ethan and Quin haven't seen each other in years and one day Quin is asked by her parents if she could pick up Ethan at the airport. She was told that he will be staying with them and helping around the ranch for an expended period of time. The first meeting for both isn’t exactly smooth or friendly. Ethan is guilt ridden and angry. Quin is puzzled by who this angry and uphappy individual is. Quin could see he was recovering from a physical injury but had no idea what he was dealing with emotionally or mentally.
A budding romance begins between the two. I do want to give a heads up that it is a SLOW start the first couple of chapters but the romance builds to a beautiful crescendo. Quin and Ethan slowly dance around each other until they begin to trust and open up to each other. They begin to share their past hurts and inadequacies. An attraction develops that Quinn has never felt before and wants to pursue with Ethan. She is beginning to see the good in Ethan that he's in need of love and healing. Ethan sees someone in Quin who is giving, accepting and has a beautiful heart. The romance between the two characters develops at a pace that builds like a crescendo and it is a touching and emotional finish. I liked and appreciated that their relationship was one where they communicated, shared their feeling for one another and no unnecessary drama ensued. They definitely had chemistry and passion between them both. Great balance of relationship and sex scenes that came across at times as sweet and tender as well as passionate. Good secondary characters. I also thought the author did a great job in describing ranch life and immersing you into the story and setting.
November 23, 2015
Amanda's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
Once Touched is a story of first love, forgiveness, healing and hope. Quinn Knowles is the youngest and has a great love for the land and the many animals she rescues and cares for on the family ranch. She dreams of opening her own rescue sanctuary and hopes it will be one day soon. She has a big heart and wonders if her intimacy fears will ever allow her to have a loving relationship like the ones her brothers have recently found.
Ethan Saunders has come to Silver Creek ranch to recuperate from a serious injury he sustained in Afghanistan. He’s a photojournalist and was working on a project with the troops when an IED explosion ripped his truck apart and killed his 3 companions. He also suffers from survivor’s guilt and is here at the ranch to put time and distance from that job and the pictures that haunt him.
Ethan and Quinn are two characters that complete each other. When he first arrived he was nothing but gruff and surliness and she was trying hard to find ways to rehab his injuries doing jobs around the ranch. One night of honesty the both realized that there was an attraction that could be the catalyst for both of them for different reasons. What started off tentative, slowly crescendos into a smoldering steam of lust and then evolved into love. Quinn, the ranch, and all the animals played a part in Ethan’s recovery and Ethan knew he was meant to be with Quinn her on the ranch. Seeing Ethan grow stronger and face his fears, gave Quinn the strength to overcome her own fears and gain self-confidence in her mind and heart. However she knew Ethan was still hiding and had to face his guilt if he was going to move past the trauma. She took a big risk at the end but it paid off in huge dividends for the both of them.
Oh how I love a happy ending and how two hurting individuals help heal one another. This story truly combined tenderness, heartache and some sultry sex to create a beautiful love story for Ethan and Quinn. The story also combined the other characters from the previous stories and you get caught up on what is happening in their lives. Laura Moore has a true voice in contemporary western romance and Once Touched is another good story in the Silver Creek series.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
Once Touched is a story of first love, forgiveness, healing and hope. Quinn Knowles is the youngest and has a great love for the land and the many animals she rescues and cares for on the family ranch. She dreams of opening her own rescue sanctuary and hopes it will be one day soon. She has a big heart and wonders if her intimacy fears will ever allow her to have a loving relationship like the ones her brothers have recently found.
Ethan Saunders has come to Silver Creek ranch to recuperate from a serious injury he sustained in Afghanistan. He’s a photojournalist and was working on a project with the troops when an IED explosion ripped his truck apart and killed his 3 companions. He also suffers from survivor’s guilt and is here at the ranch to put time and distance from that job and the pictures that haunt him.
Ethan and Quinn are two characters that complete each other. When he first arrived he was nothing but gruff and surliness and she was trying hard to find ways to rehab his injuries doing jobs around the ranch. One night of honesty the both realized that there was an attraction that could be the catalyst for both of them for different reasons. What started off tentative, slowly crescendos into a smoldering steam of lust and then evolved into love. Quinn, the ranch, and all the animals played a part in Ethan’s recovery and Ethan knew he was meant to be with Quinn her on the ranch. Seeing Ethan grow stronger and face his fears, gave Quinn the strength to overcome her own fears and gain self-confidence in her mind and heart. However she knew Ethan was still hiding and had to face his guilt if he was going to move past the trauma. She took a big risk at the end but it paid off in huge dividends for the both of them.
Oh how I love a happy ending and how two hurting individuals help heal one another. This story truly combined tenderness, heartache and some sultry sex to create a beautiful love story for Ethan and Quinn. The story also combined the other characters from the previous stories and you get caught up on what is happening in their lives. Laura Moore has a true voice in contemporary western romance and Once Touched is another good story in the Silver Creek series.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
December 28, 2015
Once Touched book three in the Silver creek series , may be the last book, but by no means is the least!
If you have been reading the series, you already know that Quinn Knowles has a soft spot in her heart for the hard luck needy cases,,wether it is a horse, dog or goat. Quinn's passion is rehabbing animals and watching them come out of their shells . You also now that Quinn's mom is on a matchmaking roll, she is two for two so far and she has Quinn in her sites now. Quinn is aware of it. And believes the new sweet talking ranch hand from Texas is who her mom is trying to fix her up with, little does she realize her mom is about to use Quinn's passion for rehabilitation against her.
Ethan Saunders a son of family freind and former neighbor wants to come and start at silver creek as a young boy he would work the ranch with the Knowles , he loved it , he found it beautiful and soothing, something. He believes he needs now . Ethan is a prize winning photo journalist , unfortunately for him the thought of picking up his camera and taking a picture nevermind actually being able to physically do it is impossible right now. Ethan was severely injured when the Humvee he and the team of marines assigned to protection duty wash it by an IED. Ethan can not stand the look of worry on his parents face and he longs for peace and some space and he can think of no better place than Silver creek.
Quinn was very young when Ethan and his family moved away , she does not fully remember a young Ethan leading her and her pony around but she agrees to pick him up from the airport, however a long flight, and spending it in lots of pain lead to a very grumpy Ethan , getting these two off to a rough start, regardless of how rough Ethan still finds a pissy Quinn attractive, maybe more so than a pleasant Quinn.
Ethan wants to work for his stay at silver creek, to say the know else are concerned seeing the shape he is in is saying the least , so the task of getting him geared up and up to par falls to Quinn , Ethan will help her with her goats, milking, cleaning etc until,he is in better physical shape. These two are occasionally at odds , but more because they are fighting their mutual a attraction for one another!
Ethan may be interested , but as far as he an see Travis and Quinn are involved, what he does not realize is that Quinn has been trying to avoid Travis.
Ethan has taken to watching Quinn especially when she is working with her rehab horses , so when he notices one minor behaving right in the wee hours of the morning ,not being able to sleep himself ; he wakes Quinn up. His alertness helps Quinn save her horse and sets these two on a bonding path.
Quinn wants Ethan to get better and go back to the things he loves , traveling, taking pictures and completing. The photo book he went to Saudie for to start with.
However she may just have to push him away to spite how much she has come to love him to get back the man he was!
A bit of a if you love something set it free , if it returns it is yours to keep! As a result Our huge hearted Quinn, with her own previous relationship issues finds herself suffering a few lonely , heartbreaking months.
Never fear, you Get your Hea, it is just a bit of a winding road!
Arc graciously provided by Ballantine books via Netgalley. For an honest review.
If you have been reading the series, you already know that Quinn Knowles has a soft spot in her heart for the hard luck needy cases,,wether it is a horse, dog or goat. Quinn's passion is rehabbing animals and watching them come out of their shells . You also now that Quinn's mom is on a matchmaking roll, she is two for two so far and she has Quinn in her sites now. Quinn is aware of it. And believes the new sweet talking ranch hand from Texas is who her mom is trying to fix her up with, little does she realize her mom is about to use Quinn's passion for rehabilitation against her.
Ethan Saunders a son of family freind and former neighbor wants to come and start at silver creek as a young boy he would work the ranch with the Knowles , he loved it , he found it beautiful and soothing, something. He believes he needs now . Ethan is a prize winning photo journalist , unfortunately for him the thought of picking up his camera and taking a picture nevermind actually being able to physically do it is impossible right now. Ethan was severely injured when the Humvee he and the team of marines assigned to protection duty wash it by an IED. Ethan can not stand the look of worry on his parents face and he longs for peace and some space and he can think of no better place than Silver creek.
Quinn was very young when Ethan and his family moved away , she does not fully remember a young Ethan leading her and her pony around but she agrees to pick him up from the airport, however a long flight, and spending it in lots of pain lead to a very grumpy Ethan , getting these two off to a rough start, regardless of how rough Ethan still finds a pissy Quinn attractive, maybe more so than a pleasant Quinn.
Ethan wants to work for his stay at silver creek, to say the know else are concerned seeing the shape he is in is saying the least , so the task of getting him geared up and up to par falls to Quinn , Ethan will help her with her goats, milking, cleaning etc until,he is in better physical shape. These two are occasionally at odds , but more because they are fighting their mutual a attraction for one another!
Ethan may be interested , but as far as he an see Travis and Quinn are involved, what he does not realize is that Quinn has been trying to avoid Travis.
Ethan has taken to watching Quinn especially when she is working with her rehab horses , so when he notices one minor behaving right in the wee hours of the morning ,not being able to sleep himself ; he wakes Quinn up. His alertness helps Quinn save her horse and sets these two on a bonding path.
Quinn wants Ethan to get better and go back to the things he loves , traveling, taking pictures and completing. The photo book he went to Saudie for to start with.
However she may just have to push him away to spite how much she has come to love him to get back the man he was!
A bit of a if you love something set it free , if it returns it is yours to keep! As a result Our huge hearted Quinn, with her own previous relationship issues finds herself suffering a few lonely , heartbreaking months.
Never fear, you Get your Hea, it is just a bit of a winding road!
Arc graciously provided by Ballantine books via Netgalley. For an honest review.
November 11, 2015
FULL REVIEW NOW POSTED
Laura Moore has written the perfect ending for this outstanding 3-book series. I LOVED IT - from start to finish. And already I’m anxiously looking forward to whatever she sends our way next. Once again, this author proves that the difference in a good story and a really outstanding one is the attention to details.
Once Touched is a meaningful blend of love on different levels intertwined throughout a family’s legacy. Within the pages you’ll not only find great relationships and romance beautifully portrayed, but you’ll experience the day-to-day life with the closely-knit Knowles family as they live and work together on their ranch and spa resort. In addition, the setting adds an extra layer of beauty in its naturalistic and vivid presentation of a working ranch where daughter Quinn’s beloved animal sanctuary also resides. The Knowles, alongside those who live on and work the land each and every day, all play an integral and important part in the Silver Springs family and their stories.
From the first book in this series, I settled into the idea that Quinn Knowles would one day find herself a cowboy and ride off into the sunset for her happily-ever-after. I believed that Josh Yates was going to be that cowboy! This author always seems to have a little trick up her sleeve, and that’s exactly what happened here when the rug was pulled out from underneath me with the arrival of a special surprise guest on the doorsteps of Silver Springs Ranch. It was evident from the minute that Ethan Saunders arrived that Josh was about to meet some stiff competition. I very much enjoyed the standoffs and the "territorial" dialogue exchanged between these guys. Lots of witty banter and funny interactions ensued. In the end, I only hoped that it all would work out and that everyone would find their own brand of happiness. Nobody would be marked as the bad guy. And I wanted that quirky secondary character named Maebeth, who certainly deserved a "Leo," to find hers as well. (Read this book and you’ll know what I mean!)
Quinn, with her spunky attitude and heart of gold, stole my heart from the very beginning. She is such a multi-layered young woman. Both Josh and Ethan kept me hooked with their individual qualities and special blend of maleness as well. Which one would win the heart of the sweet (but sometimes stubborn) and lovable Quinn? I think the defining moment for me was when a certain someone barfed in the potted plant! My admiration and respect for him grew more and more as I read on.
The relationship between Quinn and Ethan was wrapped in heart and soul. His understanding and acceptance of Quinn's fur family shined brightly. The way he found his place interacting among her beloved animal friends (especially those little goats) was such a special treat to read. And, of course, Quinn most certainly was the one to soothe and mend the broken man Ethan was when he arrived at Silver Creek. Though somewhat battered and weary, but with a strong will and passion, knowing exactly how to proceed slowly and gently, Ethan proved he was the best man to love and tenderly guide an inexperienced Quinn through unchartered territory. These two were the perfectly written Ying and Yang!
Quinn got her happily-ever-after with exactly the right guy for her. And together they make up my favorite couple among the Silver Creek gang -- and I've loved each and every one of the other characters. But there's just something a little extra special about these two that pulls at the heartstrings. They seem so real and passionate about life and what it means to give back - pay it forward so to speak. As I mentioned above -- just the whole “heart and soul” feel.
The tribute to the military running through this story is a wonderful addition. Whenever stories of a soldier being reunited with his BFF (in this case “Best Furry Friend”) are shown in the news, I'm an emotional mess. Bowie's story was no different. He was very much a star character. Animal rescue of any type earns my admiration and certainly holds a special place in my heart.
Once Touched is a genuine "feel good" love story. I was totally captivated. Suffice to say that my eyes watered and a few tears rolled down my cheeks. I'm sad to say good-bye to the Knowles family, their beloved Silver Creek Ranch and the entire cast of wonderful characters -- both human and the furry variety.
Every reader has their list of favorite authors. It has been close to ten years now since I stumbled upon a book titled “In Her Eyes” by an unknown to me author. After that one book, I was hooked and searching for other books by Laura Moore. I simply fell in love with all her characters and stories. I’ve happily and greedily read each and every one to date. Her writing is always flawless and the words flow beautifully. I love that her vocabulary knows no boundaries. There is never a web of repetitiveness, which happens to be one of my biggest pet peeves when I read. Her stories always touch every one of my requirements for the "feels" as a reader in every way. In addition, I always feel that I get a little learning experience on some new and interesting subject with each one. Quite simply, this author has that special and unique talent for bringing a book to life.
If you've never read a book by Laura Moore, I recommend trying one soon.
Laura Moore has written the perfect ending for this outstanding 3-book series. I LOVED IT - from start to finish. And already I’m anxiously looking forward to whatever she sends our way next. Once again, this author proves that the difference in a good story and a really outstanding one is the attention to details.
Once Touched is a meaningful blend of love on different levels intertwined throughout a family’s legacy. Within the pages you’ll not only find great relationships and romance beautifully portrayed, but you’ll experience the day-to-day life with the closely-knit Knowles family as they live and work together on their ranch and spa resort. In addition, the setting adds an extra layer of beauty in its naturalistic and vivid presentation of a working ranch where daughter Quinn’s beloved animal sanctuary also resides. The Knowles, alongside those who live on and work the land each and every day, all play an integral and important part in the Silver Springs family and their stories.
From the first book in this series, I settled into the idea that Quinn Knowles would one day find herself a cowboy and ride off into the sunset for her happily-ever-after. I believed that Josh Yates was going to be that cowboy! This author always seems to have a little trick up her sleeve, and that’s exactly what happened here when the rug was pulled out from underneath me with the arrival of a special surprise guest on the doorsteps of Silver Springs Ranch. It was evident from the minute that Ethan Saunders arrived that Josh was about to meet some stiff competition. I very much enjoyed the standoffs and the "territorial" dialogue exchanged between these guys. Lots of witty banter and funny interactions ensued. In the end, I only hoped that it all would work out and that everyone would find their own brand of happiness. Nobody would be marked as the bad guy. And I wanted that quirky secondary character named Maebeth, who certainly deserved a "Leo," to find hers as well. (Read this book and you’ll know what I mean!)
Quinn, with her spunky attitude and heart of gold, stole my heart from the very beginning. She is such a multi-layered young woman. Both Josh and Ethan kept me hooked with their individual qualities and special blend of maleness as well. Which one would win the heart of the sweet (but sometimes stubborn) and lovable Quinn? I think the defining moment for me was when a certain someone barfed in the potted plant! My admiration and respect for him grew more and more as I read on.
The relationship between Quinn and Ethan was wrapped in heart and soul. His understanding and acceptance of Quinn's fur family shined brightly. The way he found his place interacting among her beloved animal friends (especially those little goats) was such a special treat to read. And, of course, Quinn most certainly was the one to soothe and mend the broken man Ethan was when he arrived at Silver Creek. Though somewhat battered and weary, but with a strong will and passion, knowing exactly how to proceed slowly and gently, Ethan proved he was the best man to love and tenderly guide an inexperienced Quinn through unchartered territory. These two were the perfectly written Ying and Yang!
Quinn got her happily-ever-after with exactly the right guy for her. And together they make up my favorite couple among the Silver Creek gang -- and I've loved each and every one of the other characters. But there's just something a little extra special about these two that pulls at the heartstrings. They seem so real and passionate about life and what it means to give back - pay it forward so to speak. As I mentioned above -- just the whole “heart and soul” feel.
The tribute to the military running through this story is a wonderful addition. Whenever stories of a soldier being reunited with his BFF (in this case “Best Furry Friend”) are shown in the news, I'm an emotional mess. Bowie's story was no different. He was very much a star character. Animal rescue of any type earns my admiration and certainly holds a special place in my heart.
Once Touched is a genuine "feel good" love story. I was totally captivated. Suffice to say that my eyes watered and a few tears rolled down my cheeks. I'm sad to say good-bye to the Knowles family, their beloved Silver Creek Ranch and the entire cast of wonderful characters -- both human and the furry variety.
Every reader has their list of favorite authors. It has been close to ten years now since I stumbled upon a book titled “In Her Eyes” by an unknown to me author. After that one book, I was hooked and searching for other books by Laura Moore. I simply fell in love with all her characters and stories. I’ve happily and greedily read each and every one to date. Her writing is always flawless and the words flow beautifully. I love that her vocabulary knows no boundaries. There is never a web of repetitiveness, which happens to be one of my biggest pet peeves when I read. Her stories always touch every one of my requirements for the "feels" as a reader in every way. In addition, I always feel that I get a little learning experience on some new and interesting subject with each one. Quite simply, this author has that special and unique talent for bringing a book to life.
If you've never read a book by Laura Moore, I recommend trying one soon.
December 2, 2015
4.5 Stars
Once Touched is my first book by Laura Moore and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I quickly fell in love with the Knowles family and Silver Creek. While this is the third book in the series, it can easily be read as a standalone, though I now want to go back and read the first two books in the series as well. Quinn Knowles is the youngest of the Knowles siblings and the only girl, though she works just as hard if not harder than the men on the ranch. She loves animals and can't resist taking in an injured or orphaned animal in need. The only thing she has a problem with is all the "couples in love" that are around her. She's convinced that this just isn't meant for her, especially with her less than successful track record.
Ethan Saunders is a photographer/photo journalist who used to spend his summers at Silver Creek when he was younger. After an extended assignment in Afghanistan, Ethan has returned to the States after being severely injured in an IED explosion. He has requested to come to Silver Creek while he recovers. Being 10 years older than Quinn, he still remembers her as a little girl with pigtails, which he soon discovers she so is not anymore. Ethan is not in the best of moods and is still harboring a lot of anger and bitterness as a result of what happened, but Quinn doesn't allow him to get away with his attitude, and gives it right back to him.
As they spend more time together, their relationship progresses as does their romance. What starts off as something casual soon becomes something so much more. Ethan's physical wounds have healed, but his emotional wounds are still very present and very raw. Quinn faces the tough choice of doing what's best for Ethan, even if it means losing him in the process.
I loved both Quinn and Ethan's characters, as well as all the secondary characters as well. Laura Moore is a very talented and gifted writer who just made the characters, the setting, and the animals come to life. The story was touching, romantic, sexy, heartbreaking, heartwarming, and just an overall good read.
Once Touched is my first book by Laura Moore and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I quickly fell in love with the Knowles family and Silver Creek. While this is the third book in the series, it can easily be read as a standalone, though I now want to go back and read the first two books in the series as well. Quinn Knowles is the youngest of the Knowles siblings and the only girl, though she works just as hard if not harder than the men on the ranch. She loves animals and can't resist taking in an injured or orphaned animal in need. The only thing she has a problem with is all the "couples in love" that are around her. She's convinced that this just isn't meant for her, especially with her less than successful track record.
Ethan Saunders is a photographer/photo journalist who used to spend his summers at Silver Creek when he was younger. After an extended assignment in Afghanistan, Ethan has returned to the States after being severely injured in an IED explosion. He has requested to come to Silver Creek while he recovers. Being 10 years older than Quinn, he still remembers her as a little girl with pigtails, which he soon discovers she so is not anymore. Ethan is not in the best of moods and is still harboring a lot of anger and bitterness as a result of what happened, but Quinn doesn't allow him to get away with his attitude, and gives it right back to him.
As they spend more time together, their relationship progresses as does their romance. What starts off as something casual soon becomes something so much more. Ethan's physical wounds have healed, but his emotional wounds are still very present and very raw. Quinn faces the tough choice of doing what's best for Ethan, even if it means losing him in the process.
I loved both Quinn and Ethan's characters, as well as all the secondary characters as well. Laura Moore is a very talented and gifted writer who just made the characters, the setting, and the animals come to life. The story was touching, romantic, sexy, heartbreaking, heartwarming, and just an overall good read.
November 30, 2015
3.75
This is the first book I have read in this series and honestly I thought it started out a little slow for me. I got to about 50% before I took a couple days off then finished it. About 56% it started to pick up but not the way I was really expecting.
Ethan survived a ied and is helping out on Quinn's family ranch to find out what will be next for him. It's been years since he has seen Quinn and he is immediately attracted to her but doesn't want to be. After all he used to babysit her.
At 24 Quinn is still a virgin. She gets to the point of being ready to have sex but it causes her to have panic attacks. Quinn never thought Ethan would be the one but the more time they spend together the closer they get.
Honestly I was expecting some kinds of suspense to be added to this story but there wasn't. I enjoyed the characters and how close Ethan and Quinn got during the book.
There wasn't much romance that leads up to Ethan and Quinn having sex. They have sex then pretty much become inseparable. I did like that their relationship took place over thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.
I thought Quinn was brave in wanting to help Ethan find peace in what he went through and in order for him to do that he had to finish the project he started then they could finally be together all the way.
The ending was sweet with Ethan coming back and wanting to spend forever with Quinn.
After reading this I'm curious how the other stories went and how Quinn's brothers fell in love. Hopefully I will get a chance to start at the beginning and get to know them better.
November 30, 2015
Well, I was right. Laura Moore is a winner for me. I loved her when I read the previous book in this series, and I love her even more now. This had just enough brooding hero and angsty-is she really going to do that knowing it may blow up in her face- that I thoroughly enjoyed it :)
Quinn and Ethan were great together. She had such a caring soul, needing to help and heal everyone and everything she came across. So, you know when a photographer from the war zone comes to stay at the ranch, he needs some healing and Quinn was bound to jump on that whether he wanted it or not.
I'm not sure if it was me, or the content of the book, but I cried in several places reading this. The first time Ethan and Quinn made love had me shedding tears because it was so sweet, and when she got him to the art gallery, and when he brought her to some land he bought, equally tear enducing.
This is third and final book in this series, but can easily be read as a stand alone. So, go find this book, or the previous ones, and read it. You'll be glad you did :)
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley
Quinn and Ethan were great together. She had such a caring soul, needing to help and heal everyone and everything she came across. So, you know when a photographer from the war zone comes to stay at the ranch, he needs some healing and Quinn was bound to jump on that whether he wanted it or not.
I'm not sure if it was me, or the content of the book, but I cried in several places reading this. The first time Ethan and Quinn made love had me shedding tears because it was so sweet, and when she got him to the art gallery, and when he brought her to some land he bought, equally tear enducing.
This is third and final book in this series, but can easily be read as a stand alone. So, go find this book, or the previous ones, and read it. You'll be glad you did :)
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley
November 24, 2015
This is a sweetly written story, the third in the Silver Creek series, about the youngest sibling, Quinn Knowles, a young woman who has adored being around animals ever since she was a little girl. Her dream is to create an animal sanctuary on land she can purchase near her parents' ranch. She has a rescue horse that she knows won't be able to live away from her, dogs and even a parrot. After spending the weekend at a wolf sanctuary where she sponsors an abused and recovering wolf, her parents ask her to stop at the airport and pick up the son of old family friends who is coming to stay with the Knowles' family.
Ethan is a photojournalist who has spent decades traveling the world documenting injustice and atrocities. His latest assignment was to be embedded with a military unit in Afghanistan. And when the group of soldiers he is photographing and travelling with are all killed in an attack, he is the only survivor, though he suffers grievous life-changing injuries. After being hospitalized in Germany and then at Walter Reed Hospital in Bethesda, he knows he needs to get away from his parents' worry and fear for him, because it's only making him more anxious about facing his future. And the only place he can think of that he'd like to go is the Knowles' ranch in California, which he lived near growing up and spent a lot of time at learning to ride and care for some of the animals.
And, yes, it's not surprising that Quinn would discover the wounded spirit behind Ethan's cold and unfriendly manner as she gets to know him. He's adamant about not working in photography any longer and she's not entirely sure what happened at the time of his injuries, but since she's in charge of finding him a job on the ranch, she has him start working with her goats. She eventually decides a rescue dog for him to work with just might rescue Ethan, too. He claims not to be interested, but before long, the dog and Quinn's other animals are allowing them to spend plenty of time together and he finds he's enjoying himself.
There's also a young, handsome cowboy named Josh who asks Quinn out and she's sure her mother was instrumental in setting her up. Because, at age 24, she's not really had even a serious relationship and is beginning to feel that there's something lacking in her basic makeup that keeps her from being attracted to and comfortable with anyone. Being such a lovely young woman, Quinn has never lacked for male attention, but whenever dating would progress to intimacy, she just never wanted to take things any further and had been called frigid or, even worse, a tease.
So when Quinn starts to feel that Ethan might be more like her than he realizes, she's intrigued but also a little afraid to pursue her feelings. And when Ethan finds himself feeling jealous of Josh, he tells himself that he's too old and too damaged physically and emotionally for Quinn, but he's angry nonetheless that the young cowboy would pursue her.
As their relationship progresses slowly and tenderly, it becomes clear that Ethan is exactly the man who Quinn needs in her life. But when he tells her that he had been contracted to put together a showing of his photographs in New York and he flat-out refuses to look at the photographs, Quinn feels that Ethan has to face his fears head on if he's ever to get past them. It seems as though the perfect opportunity arises when Ethan finally agrees to go with her and her family to her brother's upcoming wedding in New York, but Quinn wonders if her interference will help or ruin things between them.
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley.
Ethan is a photojournalist who has spent decades traveling the world documenting injustice and atrocities. His latest assignment was to be embedded with a military unit in Afghanistan. And when the group of soldiers he is photographing and travelling with are all killed in an attack, he is the only survivor, though he suffers grievous life-changing injuries. After being hospitalized in Germany and then at Walter Reed Hospital in Bethesda, he knows he needs to get away from his parents' worry and fear for him, because it's only making him more anxious about facing his future. And the only place he can think of that he'd like to go is the Knowles' ranch in California, which he lived near growing up and spent a lot of time at learning to ride and care for some of the animals.
And, yes, it's not surprising that Quinn would discover the wounded spirit behind Ethan's cold and unfriendly manner as she gets to know him. He's adamant about not working in photography any longer and she's not entirely sure what happened at the time of his injuries, but since she's in charge of finding him a job on the ranch, she has him start working with her goats. She eventually decides a rescue dog for him to work with just might rescue Ethan, too. He claims not to be interested, but before long, the dog and Quinn's other animals are allowing them to spend plenty of time together and he finds he's enjoying himself.
There's also a young, handsome cowboy named Josh who asks Quinn out and she's sure her mother was instrumental in setting her up. Because, at age 24, she's not really had even a serious relationship and is beginning to feel that there's something lacking in her basic makeup that keeps her from being attracted to and comfortable with anyone. Being such a lovely young woman, Quinn has never lacked for male attention, but whenever dating would progress to intimacy, she just never wanted to take things any further and had been called frigid or, even worse, a tease.
So when Quinn starts to feel that Ethan might be more like her than he realizes, she's intrigued but also a little afraid to pursue her feelings. And when Ethan finds himself feeling jealous of Josh, he tells himself that he's too old and too damaged physically and emotionally for Quinn, but he's angry nonetheless that the young cowboy would pursue her.
As their relationship progresses slowly and tenderly, it becomes clear that Ethan is exactly the man who Quinn needs in her life. But when he tells her that he had been contracted to put together a showing of his photographs in New York and he flat-out refuses to look at the photographs, Quinn feels that Ethan has to face his fears head on if he's ever to get past them. It seems as though the perfect opportunity arises when Ethan finally agrees to go with her and her family to her brother's upcoming wedding in New York, but Quinn wonders if her interference will help or ruin things between them.
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley.
July 22, 2016
Once Touched is the 3rd book in the Silver Creek trilogy by Laura Moore. I have read all three books in this series and I was really excited to read Quinn’s story. She has been a favorite of mine since the beginning and it was finally time for her happy ending. This book can be read as a stand alone, but I HIGHLY recommend that you read the first two books in the series so that you can immerse yourself in the Knowles family and see how important little sister Quinn is to that dynamic.
Quinn is and has always been a tough cookie, but she somehow managed to remain sweet and a little naïve. She has the biggest heart and her generous nature extends to both animals and people. She works on the family ranch but her dream is to open a sanctuary to nurse abused and neglected animals back to health. She never expects to end up nursing Ethan Saunders, as well.
Ethan is a photo journalist who was injured while working on a story in Afghanistan. Due to the circumstances of his injury, he is dealing with a lot of guilt and grief. He needs to get away and finds himself at the Silver Creek Ranch where he is happily surprised to see that Quinn is no longer the little girl who used to follow around after him and her brothers.
There are immediate sparks between Quinn and Ethan, but it’s definitely not an insta-love kind of romance. These two take their time, mainly because Ethan has some emotional and physical healing to do. It was fun to watch Ethan find his place in the midst of Quinn’s furry friends as he worked his way into her heart. Quinn’s feelings for Ethan were new for her and he was definitely the right man to help her navigate them. In return, her gentle and giving heart touched something inside Ethan that he never expected. But Ethan wasn’t the only guy who realized what a gem the youngest Knowles is and the competition between Ethan and Josh for Quinn’s heart provided some truly laugh out loud exchanges. I think Quinn and Ethan ended up being my favorite couple of the series, and that is saying something because I am a big fan of all three couples. But there was something about these two and their story that just kept me turning pages long after I should have gone to sleep.
Besides the romance, I really enjoyed the family dynamic between the Knowles siblings and the ladies the older brother’s have come to love. This is a family I have been rooting for since the first book because the reader becomes instantly connected with these characters. It’s great to see the part Reid and Wade play in Quinn’s love story.
Ms. Moore is great at not only character description, but her description of the ranch and spa too. Her imagery makes Silver Creek a place you want to visit and I was able to understand each of these character’s dedication to this amazing place. But it wasn’t a fantasy place…the details were very realistic of life on a working ranch
Once Touched is a really great love story. The only criticism I have of this book is that it’s the last in the series and I'm sad to say good-bye to Silver Creek Ranch and everyone who lived there. I highly recommend this book and this entire series to anyone who loves a good cowboy romance.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Quinn is and has always been a tough cookie, but she somehow managed to remain sweet and a little naïve. She has the biggest heart and her generous nature extends to both animals and people. She works on the family ranch but her dream is to open a sanctuary to nurse abused and neglected animals back to health. She never expects to end up nursing Ethan Saunders, as well.
Ethan is a photo journalist who was injured while working on a story in Afghanistan. Due to the circumstances of his injury, he is dealing with a lot of guilt and grief. He needs to get away and finds himself at the Silver Creek Ranch where he is happily surprised to see that Quinn is no longer the little girl who used to follow around after him and her brothers.
There are immediate sparks between Quinn and Ethan, but it’s definitely not an insta-love kind of romance. These two take their time, mainly because Ethan has some emotional and physical healing to do. It was fun to watch Ethan find his place in the midst of Quinn’s furry friends as he worked his way into her heart. Quinn’s feelings for Ethan were new for her and he was definitely the right man to help her navigate them. In return, her gentle and giving heart touched something inside Ethan that he never expected. But Ethan wasn’t the only guy who realized what a gem the youngest Knowles is and the competition between Ethan and Josh for Quinn’s heart provided some truly laugh out loud exchanges. I think Quinn and Ethan ended up being my favorite couple of the series, and that is saying something because I am a big fan of all three couples. But there was something about these two and their story that just kept me turning pages long after I should have gone to sleep.
Besides the romance, I really enjoyed the family dynamic between the Knowles siblings and the ladies the older brother’s have come to love. This is a family I have been rooting for since the first book because the reader becomes instantly connected with these characters. It’s great to see the part Reid and Wade play in Quinn’s love story.
Ms. Moore is great at not only character description, but her description of the ranch and spa too. Her imagery makes Silver Creek a place you want to visit and I was able to understand each of these character’s dedication to this amazing place. But it wasn’t a fantasy place…the details were very realistic of life on a working ranch
Once Touched is a really great love story. The only criticism I have of this book is that it’s the last in the series and I'm sad to say good-bye to Silver Creek Ranch and everyone who lived there. I highly recommend this book and this entire series to anyone who loves a good cowboy romance.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 24, 2015
Quinn is the youngest of the three Knowles siblings. She spends most of her time working her families ranch and the rest of the time saving her money to build an animal sanctuary. Every thing except her love life is going as planned until.... in walks Ethan Saunders
Ethan Saunders is scarred by his months in Afghanistan and the violence he witnessed there through his camera lens. After months of trying to heal the way his family wants him to, he has decided it is time for a change....and the best place for that change to happen is on the Knowles family ranch.
Fortunately for Ethan, Quinn is not afraid to tell him just what she thinks and knows that being babied is that last thing he needs. Can Quinn help Ethan feel whole again or will they both end their relationship with broken hearts? Read and find out!
I received this book as an ARC from Net Galley for my honest review
This is the first book that I have read in the Silver Creek series and I found it to be very good. My hat really goes off to Laura Moore, this book wasn't good because it had a million hot steamy scenes but because it was well written, and well developed, with great characters that you grow to love with every page you turned.
Quinn to me came off as a woman who had a big heart. Whether it was a human or an animal she gave her all to make sure that they felt loved and well taken care of. I loved the inner battles she had within herself because it made her more human and more loveable.
I loved the transition that Ethan had as the book developed. You could see how his past affected him and how it changed him and how Quinn and her antics opened him up to want to try and be a better man; who was more involved in the world around him again.
Overall a really good read to sit back and enjoy on a cold night. Great job Laura Moore very well done, I recommend this book and this author.
Ethan Saunders is scarred by his months in Afghanistan and the violence he witnessed there through his camera lens. After months of trying to heal the way his family wants him to, he has decided it is time for a change....and the best place for that change to happen is on the Knowles family ranch.
Fortunately for Ethan, Quinn is not afraid to tell him just what she thinks and knows that being babied is that last thing he needs. Can Quinn help Ethan feel whole again or will they both end their relationship with broken hearts? Read and find out!
I received this book as an ARC from Net Galley for my honest review
This is the first book that I have read in the Silver Creek series and I found it to be very good. My hat really goes off to Laura Moore, this book wasn't good because it had a million hot steamy scenes but because it was well written, and well developed, with great characters that you grow to love with every page you turned.
Quinn to me came off as a woman who had a big heart. Whether it was a human or an animal she gave her all to make sure that they felt loved and well taken care of. I loved the inner battles she had within herself because it made her more human and more loveable.
I loved the transition that Ethan had as the book developed. You could see how his past affected him and how it changed him and how Quinn and her antics opened him up to want to try and be a better man; who was more involved in the world around him again.
Overall a really good read to sit back and enjoy on a cold night. Great job Laura Moore very well done, I recommend this book and this author.
September 8, 2016
Photojournalist and Knowles family friend, Ethan Saunders, is having a very rough transition stateside after being the sole survivor of an IED blast in Afghanistan. To keep his family from hovering he goes to Silver Creek to recover. The Knowles family remembers Ethan's patience with Quinn around the ranch. But war has taken a toll and Ethan is suffering physically and emotionally.
Though Quinn's really happy for her brothers and loves her soon to be sister in laws, the plain and simple truth is Quinn's allergic to weddings or anything that has to do with weddings. Especially when her mother is looking to match her up with that handsome, charming, devil in chaps ranch hand, Josh Yates. She's just not interested.
Her parents assign Ethan to work with Quinn to help with his rehabilitation. Josh takes every opportunity to let Ethan know he's making progress on getting a date with Quinn. Certain he's too old and too broken for Quinn, Ethan helps her when one of her rescue animals has a problem and they begin to look at each other as viable potential mates. If they were looking for mates that is.
This outing is a favorite. Independent, funny and smart, Quinn was a delight as a twenty-something that wasn't in a hurry to make life changes. Ethan was a reminder that more than soldiers suffer PTSD, his character also had quite a bit of silent strength and resilience. Josh was plain ole adorable and his bold sexiness leapt off the page. Quinn's vivid rescued menagerie deserves a mention as well.
Rating: 4.75stars
Though Quinn's really happy for her brothers and loves her soon to be sister in laws, the plain and simple truth is Quinn's allergic to weddings or anything that has to do with weddings. Especially when her mother is looking to match her up with that handsome, charming, devil in chaps ranch hand, Josh Yates. She's just not interested.
Her parents assign Ethan to work with Quinn to help with his rehabilitation. Josh takes every opportunity to let Ethan know he's making progress on getting a date with Quinn. Certain he's too old and too broken for Quinn, Ethan helps her when one of her rescue animals has a problem and they begin to look at each other as viable potential mates. If they were looking for mates that is.
This outing is a favorite. Independent, funny and smart, Quinn was a delight as a twenty-something that wasn't in a hurry to make life changes. Ethan was a reminder that more than soldiers suffer PTSD, his character also had quite a bit of silent strength and resilience. Josh was plain ole adorable and his bold sexiness leapt off the page. Quinn's vivid rescued menagerie deserves a mention as well.
Rating: 4.75stars
November 25, 2015
Review will be posted at www.books-n-kisses.com .
NUMBER OF HEARTS: 4 1/2
I am sad to say goodbye to the Silver Creek series. I loved the first two books and was really excited when I found out that Quinn was getting her own book. Quinn is the youngest of the Knowles family. I knew Quinn’s story was going to be good.
Quinn is a smart, witty, animal loving, and rescuer of all things. But poor Quinn has been having to deal with both of her brothers falling in love. Quinn doesn’t think that love will ever be for her. She is just not good at it or maybe she has not found the right person yet.
Ethan Saunders just wants to be left alone and needs to recover without having to deal with a lot of questions. But what Ethan finds on the ranch is so much more than just recovery and hard work.
This was a great story and I thought that Ms. Moore did an excellent job or bring this trilogy to a close. While I truly hope that this is not our last visit to Silver Creek, if it was I am glad to see that everything has been wrapped up.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
NUMBER OF HEARTS: 4 1/2
I am sad to say goodbye to the Silver Creek series. I loved the first two books and was really excited when I found out that Quinn was getting her own book. Quinn is the youngest of the Knowles family. I knew Quinn’s story was going to be good.
Quinn is a smart, witty, animal loving, and rescuer of all things. But poor Quinn has been having to deal with both of her brothers falling in love. Quinn doesn’t think that love will ever be for her. She is just not good at it or maybe she has not found the right person yet.
Ethan Saunders just wants to be left alone and needs to recover without having to deal with a lot of questions. But what Ethan finds on the ranch is so much more than just recovery and hard work.
This was a great story and I thought that Ms. Moore did an excellent job or bring this trilogy to a close. While I truly hope that this is not our last visit to Silver Creek, if it was I am glad to see that everything has been wrapped up.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
December 2, 2015
I have received a copy of this book from NetGalley/Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for an honest review. "Once Touched" by Laura Moore is book three in "A Silver Creek" series. This can also be read as a standalone. I enjoyed the book so much I'm going to go back and read books one and two. This is Quinn Knowles and Than Saunders' story.
Quinn loves animals and is always rescuing the ones in trouble. Quinn wants to find that special someone like her brothers have. The problem with that for Quinn is she has secret fears about intimacy.
Ethan is a photojournalist and was injured in Afghanistan. He has gone to Silver Creek to do ranch work to recover from his physical injuries. Ethan may be on the road to recovering physically, but he is not facing the emotional scars from the violence that he witnessed in Afghanistan.
Ethan and Quinn's story is a sweet and sensual story. I thought Quinn's character was so strong and courageous. The author did a wonderful job of including the awareness of the struggles that veterans face and of abandoned/injured animals that need rescuing.
A great romance with lots of chemistry and great supporting characters. I have added Laura Moore to my list of favorite authors. FYI, contains mature content.
https://booksnuggle.wordpress.com
Quinn loves animals and is always rescuing the ones in trouble. Quinn wants to find that special someone like her brothers have. The problem with that for Quinn is she has secret fears about intimacy.
Ethan is a photojournalist and was injured in Afghanistan. He has gone to Silver Creek to do ranch work to recover from his physical injuries. Ethan may be on the road to recovering physically, but he is not facing the emotional scars from the violence that he witnessed in Afghanistan.
Ethan and Quinn's story is a sweet and sensual story. I thought Quinn's character was so strong and courageous. The author did a wonderful job of including the awareness of the struggles that veterans face and of abandoned/injured animals that need rescuing.
A great romance with lots of chemistry and great supporting characters. I have added Laura Moore to my list of favorite authors. FYI, contains mature content.
https://booksnuggle.wordpress.com
November 30, 2015
Well, I was right. Laura Moore is a winner for me. I loved her when I read the previous book in this series, and I love her even more now. This had just enough brooding hero and angsty-is she really going to do that knowing it may blow up in her face- that I thoroughly enjoyed it :)
Quinn and Ethan were great together. She had such a caring soul, needing to help and heal everyone and everything she came across. So, you know when a photographer from the war zone comes to stay at the ranch, he needs some healing and Quinn was bound to jump on that whether he wanted it or not.
I'm not sure if it was me, or the content of the book, but I cried in several places reading this. The first time Ethan and Quinn made love had me shedding tears because it was so sweet, and when she got him to the art gallery, and when he brought her to some land he bought, equally tear enducing.
This is third and final book in this series, but can easily be read as a stand alone. So, go find this book, or the previous ones, and read it. You'll be glad you did :)
Quinn and Ethan were great together. She had such a caring soul, needing to help and heal everyone and everything she came across. So, you know when a photographer from the war zone comes to stay at the ranch, he needs some healing and Quinn was bound to jump on that whether he wanted it or not.
I'm not sure if it was me, or the content of the book, but I cried in several places reading this. The first time Ethan and Quinn made love had me shedding tears because it was so sweet, and when she got him to the art gallery, and when he brought her to some land he bought, equally tear enducing.
This is third and final book in this series, but can easily be read as a stand alone. So, go find this book, or the previous ones, and read it. You'll be glad you did :)
November 17, 2015
Once Touched by author Laura More is the third and final installment to her A Silver Creek Series.
This was a lovely and heart-warming story. I had not read a "Western" type of book in years but couldn't wait to read this one. Quinn has a heart of pure gold and her character is one to be admired. She has this wonderful gift for caring for abused and neglected animals and it will really touch your heart. But, Quinn has yet to me Mr. Right.
Then we meet Ethan. Sigh...I absolutely loved this character from the minute he was introduced. He has been through so much. When Quinn is asked to pick him up and to care for him, oh my goodness, the chemistry is steamy, but both of them seem oblivious! LOL!
Once Touched was the first book that I have read by author Laura Moore but, will certainly not be the last.
This is a "feel good" type of love story that I promise you will love.
*I received a PB ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This was a lovely and heart-warming story. I had not read a "Western" type of book in years but couldn't wait to read this one. Quinn has a heart of pure gold and her character is one to be admired. She has this wonderful gift for caring for abused and neglected animals and it will really touch your heart. But, Quinn has yet to me Mr. Right.
Then we meet Ethan. Sigh...I absolutely loved this character from the minute he was introduced. He has been through so much. When Quinn is asked to pick him up and to care for him, oh my goodness, the chemistry is steamy, but both of them seem oblivious! LOL!
Once Touched was the first book that I have read by author Laura Moore but, will certainly not be the last.
This is a "feel good" type of love story that I promise you will love.
*I received a PB ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2015
Quinn gets her story and it is a good one. She sees love all around her but she fears it won't find her considering her sexual history so far has been dismal. She's been asked to help out when a family friend comes to the ranch to rehabilitate after an injury. Ethan is surly in the beginning but Quinn eventually cracks the hard veneer and gets him involved on the ranch.
What started out as friends with benefits turns into love soon for both Quinn and Ethan. definitely some heat is created for these two individuals. Quinn is more perceptive when it comes to Ethan and his rehab and his hiding his true calling as a photojournalist. She pushes him risking their future but it works out eventually.
I like the interaction of her brothers and their love interests in this story to make it a good overall story. Loved this series of books.
What started out as friends with benefits turns into love soon for both Quinn and Ethan. definitely some heat is created for these two individuals. Quinn is more perceptive when it comes to Ethan and his rehab and his hiding his true calling as a photojournalist. She pushes him risking their future but it works out eventually.
I like the interaction of her brothers and their love interests in this story to make it a good overall story. Loved this series of books.
January 10, 2016
Once Touched is the 3rd book in the Silver Creek series and in this book we meet Ethan and the youngest of the Knowles family, Quinn.
Quinn, with her heart of gold, does everything that she can to rescue and save neglected and abused animals. Quinn stole my heart from the beginning of this book - heck from the beginning of this series. She doesn't think that a relationship is in the cards for her, especially when she has never been intimated with a man.
Ethan was injured on a job in Afghanistan and he is returning to Silver Creek to recuperate from his injuries. Ethan remembers Quinn as the little girl with pigtails, but when she picks him up from the airport, he discovers that she has grown up and nicely at that.
I loved Ethan and Quinn and glad they both got their happy ever after.
ARC received by NetGalley for an honest review.
Quinn, with her heart of gold, does everything that she can to rescue and save neglected and abused animals. Quinn stole my heart from the beginning of this book - heck from the beginning of this series. She doesn't think that a relationship is in the cards for her, especially when she has never been intimated with a man.
Ethan was injured on a job in Afghanistan and he is returning to Silver Creek to recuperate from his injuries. Ethan remembers Quinn as the little girl with pigtails, but when she picks him up from the airport, he discovers that she has grown up and nicely at that.
I loved Ethan and Quinn and glad they both got their happy ever after.
ARC received by NetGalley for an honest review.
March 9, 2016
I rather enjoyed this book. It took me a little bit to get into, a lot of character building in the beginning and felt a little slow to me. Once things got going, I really got into it. The characters were likable, even when Ethan was being his gruff self. :) If you've read the previous books about Quinn's older brothers (I haven't), you get a bit more about what happens after their stories, but if you haven't read them, things still make perfect sense. I always appreciate that in a book that's part of a series! I liked that the epilogue gave you enough extra after the story to tie up loose ends so you weren't left with too many questions. Overall, it is an enjoyable book and I would love to read more by this author, especially in the Silver Creek series.
I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.
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February 23, 2016"Once Touched" is the first Silver Creek novel I've read. Written by Laura Moore, it is the story of the Knowles family of Northern CA, who own Silver Creek Ranch. They are a close-knit family, working the ranch, which, due to the dry weather, is now opened to paying guests. Daughter Quinn, has been assigned a project--Ethan Saunders--who has come to the ranch to recover, after being injured while taking photographs in Afghanistan. Working together on the ranch, these two people end up changing each other's lives. I enjoyed this book, and the location for the setting (I am a Northern CA girl!), and the way the characters changed and grew throughout the story. It was a fun read and I definitely want to read other books in the series.
November 22, 2015
Sadly this is the last book in the Silver Creek Series but what a fantastic way to end it.
With Quinn being the last unattached sibling, her family is in full matchmaking mode. All she has time for though are her animals, and maybe the new ranch hand Ethan Saunders. While their relationship grows, Quinn becomes more and more concerned about why Ethan has decided to hide out on a ranch rather than going back to his photojournalist career he is so good at.
I loved reading all the books in this series and this one is no exception. It's definitely one that should go on everyone's must read list. I highly recommend it.
With Quinn being the last unattached sibling, her family is in full matchmaking mode. All she has time for though are her animals, and maybe the new ranch hand Ethan Saunders. While their relationship grows, Quinn becomes more and more concerned about why Ethan has decided to hide out on a ranch rather than going back to his photojournalist career he is so good at.
I loved reading all the books in this series and this one is no exception. It's definitely one that should go on everyone's must read list. I highly recommend it.
December 26, 2015
I didn't want this story to end...not even at 421 am when I closed the back cover. Loved Quinn's story. Laura Moore made me laugh and cry. Such great character, main and secondary, human and non-human. This entire series was fantastic and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes contemporary romance. Laura writes compelling characters that you instantly connect and fall in love with, amazing settings, and some very wonderful love scenes al woven throughout a page-turning story. She's a must buy for me.
November 24, 2015
I received an ARC of this book free from NetGalley an i can highly recemmed it.
I loved both characters, Quinn and Ethan.Quinn being loving, carring woman with healing touch, which can cure her animals and maybe wounded, scarred Ethan who is wounded on the inside as well as on the outside.He just wanted to be left alone and heal alone in peace.
Author did great work with dialogs, development of characters. Im very thankfull for ARC.
I loved both characters, Quinn and Ethan.Quinn being loving, carring woman with healing touch, which can cure her animals and maybe wounded, scarred Ethan who is wounded on the inside as well as on the outside.He just wanted to be left alone and heal alone in peace.
Author did great work with dialogs, development of characters. Im very thankfull for ARC.
November 6, 2015
Ethan sometimes has to do a double take of what his woman says, "his ears were ringing. He shook his head, hoping for clarity. “Did you just tell me you’re a virgin?” I loved Ethan his reactions made this an entertaining book.
November 8, 2015
I loved this heartwarming story of a young woman who spent everyday caring for animals and rescues but couldn't seem to rescue herself. The war photographer who lived trough a tragedy and wanted to hide from the world. They rescued each other.....full review to follow.
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November 7, 2015I might come back to this one. For now, it's a DNF.
February 21, 2016
This was a "blind date" from the library. And I loved it. Even though it was #3 in a triology, I'm looking forward to reading more books by Laura Moore. Even the first 2 in the triology.
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