What do you think?
Rate this book
Cold
When a Hollywood-handsome Santa Fe art dealer pursues Shirley Loomis, an out of shape, rural Oklahoma widow, she thinks she must be leading a charmed life. Monty Aiello not only awakens a sensuality Shirley didn’t know she had, but he can’t wait to promote her unique paintings of the plains people – works she has thrown herself into since her first husband died.
But then Aiello takes her on a belated Alaskan honeymoon, three weeks in the wilds with just the two of them and a wilderness guide. Out of the blue, disaster strikes. Is it a horrible fluke of nature? Or part of a sinister plan?
Left for dead, both with horrific injuries, Shirley must keep herself and Darrell, their guide, alive. Using his military survival skills and every trick she can remember from farm life, they fight to find their way out of the wilderness.
Leaning on one another to survive, Darrell and Shirley form an unspoken bond. If they can make it back to civilization, and if they can find Aiello, their revenge will be nothing less than cold, lethal, and righteous payback.
Written by the author of Crimes of Redemption, Oklahoma’s Book of the Year in Fiction, 2013.
But then Aiello takes her on a belated Alaskan honeymoon, three weeks in the wilds with just the two of them and a wilderness guide. Out of the blue, disaster strikes. Is it a horrible fluke of nature? Or part of a sinister plan?
Left for dead, both with horrific injuries, Shirley must keep herself and Darrell, their guide, alive. Using his military survival skills and every trick she can remember from farm life, they fight to find their way out of the wilderness.
Leaning on one another to survive, Darrell and Shirley form an unspoken bond. If they can make it back to civilization, and if they can find Aiello, their revenge will be nothing less than cold, lethal, and righteous payback.
Written by the author of Crimes of Redemption, Oklahoma’s Book of the Year in Fiction, 2013.
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 3, 2015
13 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Linda McDonald
6 books15 followersLinda McDonald's first novel, CRIMES OF REDEMPTION, was awarded the 2013 Oklahoma Book of the Year in Fiction by the Center for the Book. She has also written COLD, IN THE LION'S MOUTH, HERE COMES THE NIGHT, DEATH IN COMANCHE COUNTY, and IN A WORLD OF HURT, all available as e-books on Amazon. IN A WORLD OF HURT is also available in paperback.
Linda grew up on the western plains of Oklahoma and holds Master's degrees in Theater from Kansas University and in Creative Writing from the University of Central Oklahoma, where she also taught for many years. Her plays have been produced in Oklahoma City, Dallas, Northampton, MA, and New York City. She still acts and directs with regional theaters.
She has also written over a dozen screenplays which have been honored in writing competitions by Fade In magazine, Oklahoma Film Institute, National Broadcasters Association, Austin Film Festival, Best of the West, and Lone Star.
Linda grew up on the western plains of Oklahoma and holds Master's degrees in Theater from Kansas University and in Creative Writing from the University of Central Oklahoma, where she also taught for many years. Her plays have been produced in Oklahoma City, Dallas, Northampton, MA, and New York City. She still acts and directs with regional theaters.
She has also written over a dozen screenplays which have been honored in writing competitions by Fade In magazine, Oklahoma Film Institute, National Broadcasters Association, Austin Film Festival, Best of the West, and Lone Star.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 13, 2015
Simply put....this was a good book
This was interesting from page one through to the end. The story keeps on track without digressing into complicated psychological profiles or detailed history lessons about the Alaskan wilderness. There was plenty of character development, color, action, plot and "ambiance" all intelligently expressed as the story unfolded. An excellent read. Pure, moving and to the point. I'm looking forward to reading more of Linda McDonald.
This was interesting from page one through to the end. The story keeps on track without digressing into complicated psychological profiles or detailed history lessons about the Alaskan wilderness. There was plenty of character development, color, action, plot and "ambiance" all intelligently expressed as the story unfolded. An excellent read. Pure, moving and to the point. I'm looking forward to reading more of Linda McDonald.
June 11, 2015
3.75 Stars!!!
Someone posted the cover and synopsis of Cold on a Facebook page that I follow. Loving books as I do, I checked it out. The synopsis sounded like something I would like, so I gave it a try. Am so glad I did!!
What I liked: Almost from the beginning I kind of figured out how the plot was going to go but that wasn't what kept me reading. The descriptions of what Shirley and Darrell go through trying to survive wouldn't let me put this book down. Cold is a suspense book but the characters are what make it very special.
Ms McDonald's way of describing and empowering her characters, and not just the main characters but all the characters, was beautifully executed. I felt like I was one of the characters in most cases. What she puts them through and how they deal with each situation had my stomach tied up in knots.
Her secondary characters were handled with equal aplomb. They weren't just filler for the story. They were fleshed out with feelings, viewpoints and some even had aggravating tendencies to which I could wholly connect. I mean everyone has one or two friends that other friends find a chore to be around but Shirley trusts her friends even if others find them an annoyance. I especially enjoyed Shirley's brother and his partner, who are just basically down to earth ranchers with a deep connection not only to each other but to Shirley.
Ms McDonald's setting descriptions actually painted pictures in my mind's eye. I think most everyone knows Alaska is a pretty desolate but majestic place and the descriptions in Cold made me feel like I was seeing everything the characters were.
There are some good twists and turns in the plot that caught me a bit off guard and were unique in the storyline.
What I didn't like: The narration in Cold switches between third and first person several times and it took me a good while to get used to it. Several times, I had to re-read passages because of the switch up to make sure I was understanding everything correctly. So, that was a bit distracting.
At first I found it hard to believe that Shirley might be that gullible but being brought up and living how she did made it plausible to me.
Want a book to keep you on the edge of your seat, try Cold!!
Recommended!!!!
Someone posted the cover and synopsis of Cold on a Facebook page that I follow. Loving books as I do, I checked it out. The synopsis sounded like something I would like, so I gave it a try. Am so glad I did!!
What I liked: Almost from the beginning I kind of figured out how the plot was going to go but that wasn't what kept me reading. The descriptions of what Shirley and Darrell go through trying to survive wouldn't let me put this book down. Cold is a suspense book but the characters are what make it very special.
Ms McDonald's way of describing and empowering her characters, and not just the main characters but all the characters, was beautifully executed. I felt like I was one of the characters in most cases. What she puts them through and how they deal with each situation had my stomach tied up in knots.
Her secondary characters were handled with equal aplomb. They weren't just filler for the story. They were fleshed out with feelings, viewpoints and some even had aggravating tendencies to which I could wholly connect. I mean everyone has one or two friends that other friends find a chore to be around but Shirley trusts her friends even if others find them an annoyance. I especially enjoyed Shirley's brother and his partner, who are just basically down to earth ranchers with a deep connection not only to each other but to Shirley.
Ms McDonald's setting descriptions actually painted pictures in my mind's eye. I think most everyone knows Alaska is a pretty desolate but majestic place and the descriptions in Cold made me feel like I was seeing everything the characters were.
There are some good twists and turns in the plot that caught me a bit off guard and were unique in the storyline.
What I didn't like: The narration in Cold switches between third and first person several times and it took me a good while to get used to it. Several times, I had to re-read passages because of the switch up to make sure I was understanding everything correctly. So, that was a bit distracting.
At first I found it hard to believe that Shirley might be that gullible but being brought up and living how she did made it plausible to me.
Want a book to keep you on the edge of your seat, try Cold!!
Recommended!!!!
Read
June 9, 2015Just finished reading Cold and as with Linda McDonald's previous books I found myself caught up in the intriguing plots and characters. Her books are difficult to put down, great read.
June 13, 2015
Enjoyed the mystery/survival story. Only research problem was she named antelopes roaming in the wilds of Alaska, and they are a plains and desert animal, not Alaskan. A nice fast read for a summer escape from the heat .
August 22, 2015
Really loved this one, especially after experiencing the wilds of Alaska this past summer and being very familiar with Santa Fe, Dallas, and OK. Dare I say best one yet?
January 13, 2023
Poor Shirley, she'd obviously never seen a Lifetime movie or she would have recognized all the red flags. The first half of the book was pretty exciting, I love life-or-death scenarios, and the wilderness of Alaska was a great setting. Once the story was out of Alaska, it dragged at times. The ending was a little abrupt, but seemed to tie things up pretty well.
August 30, 2017
Outstanding survival story!
I REALLY enjoyed this book of survival and deception as well as the thirst for revenge. The bear attack the author describes in the story leaves you cringing. Give this book a read! Ms. McDonald does an exceptional job describing the will to Live against all odds! WELL DONE!!
I REALLY enjoyed this book of survival and deception as well as the thirst for revenge. The bear attack the author describes in the story leaves you cringing. Give this book a read! Ms. McDonald does an exceptional job describing the will to Live against all odds! WELL DONE!!
June 17, 2016
thrilling read
great story. I was glued to my book from beginning to end. I laughed, I cried, I held my breath in anticipation. what more can you ask from a story. can't wait to read more from linda McDonald.....
great story. I was glued to my book from beginning to end. I laughed, I cried, I held my breath in anticipation. what more can you ask from a story. can't wait to read more from linda McDonald.....
April 17, 2023
Oh my goodness! This book! Ahhhhhhhh!!! Amazingly written, beautifully illustrated and the plot was to die for, literally. The author gave us plenty of plots within this book. The one of the woman who thought she was happily married, the husband who was nothing but a gold digger, and the ex-military park guide...how they survived, how they connected to keep each other safe, the unbelievable husband who plotted their deaths and his surprise when they weren't dead..the rescue, their recovery, couldn't have been better written..I could actually vision this story unfolding! Amazing!!!!
December 15, 2025
Cold
Though a bit predictable, this work had plenty of dramatic flair.
The scenes set in Alaska are vivid and realistic. The struggle to survive beyond belief.
Though a bit predictable, this work had plenty of dramatic flair.
The scenes set in Alaska are vivid and realistic. The struggle to survive beyond belief.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews