Everyone’s last year in high school is always chaotic. This is especially true for Astrid at White Wood School. As if having a bully, an absentee father, and a best friend with a big problem weren't enough – she also has to deal with having a secret power. Anytime she sees someone, Astrid also sees a kaleidoscope of colors surrounding them. Each individual’s emotions swirl in a changing pattern, allowing her to know what they’re feeling. This sixth sense complicates her life further, especially when she meets the one person who’s colors she can't read - Victor Berenger, a tall handsome cowboy with smoldering eyes. Every time Astrid is around him, she thinks her heart will beat out of her chest. When she finds out he is equally drawn to her, she’s thrilled. The man certainly knows his way around the bedroom. Life seems just about perfect…until the day Astrid’s vision takes a new twist. A set of colors appear on the school grounds–only this time they aren’t attached to a human! A mystery unfolds that threatens Astrid and her friends. To her surprise, Victor holds a piece of the puzzle. Join these two as they learn one another’s secrets, as well as the hidden, magical history of White Wood School. *Content Contains explicit scenes and language. Intended for 18+ Audience
An interesting story with lots of mystery, intrigue, and loads of fabulous characters which will undoubtedly be the subject of future stories to come.
With a generous serving of paranormal events, people with unique powers and a whole lotta ghosts lurking in the shadows, the story had plenty going on.
I was also impressed with the authors writing and world building which provided a wealth of entertainment and ensured that I’ll be looking for book two.
I enjoyed this book immensely. It gripped me from the very start and held my attention, due to the storyline just being so different to what I'd read recently. I'm not sure of the age of the writer, or the age of the target audience. Some aspects of it made me think it might have been written by someone very young. This didn't however deter me from enjoying the smooth running story line. There's a sound blend of paranormal, mystery, plus some aspect of romance although this tended to be more explicitly sexual rather than romantic. If you don't like coarse language and the usual explicit language for body bits, the sex scenes in this might not be nice to read, but if you think nothing of that, there's nothing about the sexual aspect of the story to offend or shock. The only interesting thing was the constant 'wham bam' type of sex in it - no real romance in this story, I tell you! In every sexual instance, it really is just 'pull down your pants, I need you now'. For me I just let myself read over and beyond these short paragraphs because although sometimes sex scenes add to a story, in this one they seemed rather unrequired. The actual story line was so strong that really, if these teens weren't going hard at it like they were, the story would have seemed even stronger. But, I digress. It is a great story of paranormal mystery and I think anyone could enjoy it. I certainly wasn't put off from reading a follow on story.
“She felt like her body had known him all her life. It called to him…”
In Lana K. Dempsey’s “A Cowboy’s True Colors”, she weaves a tale of mystery with supernatural elements sure to keep you turning the pages.
Astrid has a gift of seeing people’s auras…she can see their emotions and determine their character based on the colors surrounding them. Victor has visions of meeting his soulmate and is determined to do everything in his power to make his vision come true. But there is an evil entity draping a darkness over Astrid and Victor and those they love. An evil that may cause all their dreams of a future after high school come crashing down around them.
I enjoyed this new adult/coming of age story. My only problem was at the beginning trying to connect with the main characters. This in no way reflects on the author’s writing. It was just difficult for this 40 something mother to be reading about 18 year olds. But once I stopped trying to “put myself in their shoes” and just enjoy the story, I was hooked.
Would recommend to those who enjoy new adult/paranormal stories! Look forward to reading more from the author.
This book was nothing like I expected, it was much better. At first I thought Young adults this is not what I expected. I don't want to give too much away , but we have a definite supernatural and mystic element. Astrid has the power to see peoples bubbles, and can tell what people are feeling. Meeting a handsome cowboy Victor in her last year at school changes her life in a big way. I loved Victor, he had dreams of his future. When he met Astrid he new she was his future. We have a big conspiracies, a kidnap, attempted murder which brings all the friends and families together to help save Scarlett and Reggie. I loved this book, I loved it so much I read in one go. I just hope Lana Dempsey is busy writing number two, I can't wait. This book is definitely 5 stars, which I rarely give.
This is a story full of twists and turns with ups and downs. If you love reading stories that makes you feel like you are on a rollercoaster than this is the story for you. Astrid and Victor Secretly love each other neither can see what is in front of their face. It is going to take a lot of people even a ghost to bring these two together.
I thought this was a delightful read full of ghost, people with unique paranormal. I thought this was a good read with wonderful characters. I am not much of a young adult reader but I really enjoyed this. You will enjoy the characters along with the sexy cowboys. It was well worth my time. I hope if you are into this type of story you will pick it up. I feel sure you will enjoy the read it will be worth your time. *********************
3.5 stars for this paranormal/western new adult/coming of age story. The writing is rather poetic, and the author takes us into the characters' emotions, while including a story of hard-to-explain gifts, ghosts, and family histories. Victor and Astrid are high school seniors, but that doesn't stop them, both of legal age, from having a good time in the bedroom (and out of it). I wanted a bit more western/cowboy; most of the story was centered on the more urban setting of the MCs high school, and very little cowboying went on in this book- although the characters were very much interested in the land, and ranching/dairy farming. I felt like the middle dragged just a tad, and there were a couple of minor consistency errors. This is the beginning of a series, with interconnected characters.
This book was a roller coaster of emotions. Each time I read a chapter, I had to take a break and breath, not realizing I was keeping my breath most of the time. The story was full of crazy twists and turns, but in the end they all made perfect sense and the story ended up being one of the rare treats that I was not expecting to find. Lana K. Dempsey really did a great job is constructing a perfect web of suspense, romance, action and mystery, all into one awesome story. I can't wait to see what book 2 will offer, I think it will be just as good, if not better, than what this book offered. Truly, this book was a perfect web of events that will reel you in and keep you wanting for more.
This is the first book I have read by this author and it won't be the last. Her writing kept me very interested. This book has it all: young love, friendship, mystery, paranormal, and cowboys.
Astrid and Victor are young adults who are secretly in love with each other. Unfortunately, it takes a friend, a bully and ghosts to bring these two crazy kids together. As if young new love isn't hard enough they are forced to save people they care about. Who do you trust and figuring out their powers and how to use them to their advantage is talked about a lot during the book.
I was asked to give an honest review and I'm gonna try to convey my thoughts here. I had a hard time identifying with the characters, and even harder time keeping myself from skipping through the book.
The writing was good but I felt the leading characters needed more development and the story was missing certain elements. The premise of the story was a good idea just needs some tweaks to make it great.
I look forward to the next book to see how the story continues. Astrid, Victor, Nate, Luke, Rick, Cha-Cha, Scarlett and the others find their places .
Being the first book for the author, she did an an awesome job, she's got me hooked. It's a stand alone book, but I am looking forward to the next book so I can find out what's going to happen with the rest of the characters.
The mystical/paranormal elements were not overdone and were done just right. They added to they intrigue of the story and didn't overwhelm the plot.
The characters themselves are well written, showing both love and compassion for each other, while the "true" antagonist is such a bad guy you love the ending.
"A Cowboy's True Colors" ( The Mystical Traditions of Buckshaw Ranch Book One) by Lana K. Dempsey is a great read. This is the first book I've read from this author and I'm looking forward to reading more. I enjoyed getting to know Astrid, Victor, Charlotte 'Cha-Cha', Scarlette, Nate, Reggie, and the rest of their families. This is a great start to this series. Recommend to all fans of romance, with some paranormal mixed in.
This was quite an interesting story with a lot going on. An ancient sacred land, ghosts and people with intuitive powers, I wondered where it would all end up. It was like a tapestry with loose threads and I kept thinking will all those loose bits come together in the end? You'll be pleased to know it all made sense by the finish. This was certainly different from your usual love story, or pn or even cowboy book.
This is a new author for me. A friend wanted me to read this book and give an honest review. I loved the book. I am not a big young adult fan but this one was a good read. I encourage everyone who likes young adult books to get this one. This one is worth your time and effort. I will be keeping an eye on this author I think she is an up and comer. Go now and get this book I think you will love it!!!!!
First book I've read by Lana Dempsey. It was Awesome Definitely a 5 star read. Part of a series , but a standalone read. I loved the psychic parts,ghosts et drama oh my. Victor et Astrid need a book about the rest of there lives. The other characters I can see books for Rick, Nate et Reggie. It kept me not wanting to put it down. Then I finished. Now I don't know what I'm going to read next.
A great read, something a little different from the usual love story. I enjoyed the story, few twists and turns, surprises along the way. Fun, sweet, spooky, good read - my reason for four stars, a little long for me, but not drawn out, all in context so personal taste. I'd recommend as a good summer escape read!
This is a great book. It has so many twists and turns that it will leave you sitting at the edge of your seat. It has complex characters and storyline. Can't wait to read more
Interesting read, would not be my first read for the day but it is because this is not my typical read. It was very tough for me to get through. It was not Lana's writing it was just because it didn't catch me and pull me in. Astrid and Victor were the main characters and they had an immediate connection, first date she sleep with him. It was mainly about ghost taking over people and going to kill the person who owned the property. Friendship and tight bonds were throughout the book. I wish this would be a book I could have gotten into this.