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Sudden Storms

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Rivers Brighton was a wanderer—having nothing and belonging to no one. Still, by chance, Rivers found herself harboring for a time beneath the roof of the kind-hearted Jolee Gray, and her remarkably attractive, yet ever grumbling brother, Paxton. Jolee, had taken Rivers in, and Rivers had stayed.
Helplessly drawn to Paxton’s alluring presence and unable to escape his astonishing hold over her, however, Rivers knew she was in danger of enduring great heartbreak and pain. Paxton appeared to find Rivers no more interesting than a brief cloudburst. Yet, the man’s spirit seemed to tether some great and devastating storm—a powerful tempest bridled within, waiting for the moment when it could rage full and free, perhaps destroying everything and everyone in its wake—particularly Rivers.
Could Rivers capture Paxton’s attention long enough to make his heart her own? Or would the storm brewing within him destroy her hopes and dreams of belonging to the only man she had ever loved?

152 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 20, 2007

41 people are currently reading
326 people want to read

About the author

Marcia Lynn McClure

74 books1,365 followers
Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Marcia Lynn McClure grew up influenced by the reminiscent stories of rugged, rural Colorado farm life fascinatingly recounted to her by her parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts…tales of runaway buckboards, mule-drawn plows and dust pneumonia; verbalized images of stream-flooded meadows, frozen over in winter, where a child could peer through the crystal clear ice in wonder at the small fish, snakes and mice sealed in the meadow grasses beneath; stories of hardship and tragedy, love and loss. But always the stories, and the people telling them, bore evidence of the wonder and worthiness of simpler, yet sometimes brutal, times.

These influential people and the family legends they detailed, coupled with her own life experiences and utterly romantic nature, led Marcia to begin writing novels as Christmas gifts for her closest friends…friends who long for a breath of the past and miss the romance of bygone eras; friends searching for moments of distraction from the stressful, demanding times we live in.

And so, knowing that it is the breath of the past and the "take me in you arms and kiss me" kind of moments that so many women long to relive, Marcia spins her tales of love, life and laughter…adventures woven around those compelling, romantic instances that most appeal to a woman's loving heart. Marcia feels that if her readers close one of her books with a contented sigh and a delighted smile, feeling rejuvenated, cheerful and edified, then she has achieved what she set out to do…shower refreshment and happiness on anyone having experienced the story.

Marcia lives in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. There she writes her stories surrounded by her beloved friends and family...and the beautiful desert landscape of New Mexico!

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5 stars
439 (35%)
4 stars
432 (35%)
3 stars
294 (24%)
2 stars
49 (4%)
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8 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
Profile Image for Sandy.
290 reviews190 followers
September 3, 2011
My vision of paradise includes reading Marcia books all day.

These books are so incredibly addicting (I've read something like 20 of them in the past three weeks) and Sudden Storms was another western winner for me. It has all the elements we love in our Marcia fix: from her epitome-of-masculinity cowboy to a sweet heroine with kissable berry lips to those passion-drenched kisses (clean, of course!).

Aaaaahhh, Marcia. You had me at Visions of Ransom Lake and I've never looked back.
Profile Image for Kathy * Bookworm Nation.
2,164 reviews704 followers
March 4, 2022
This is a fun, quick read. Easily finished in just a couple hours if you're looking for a fun distraction. I wouldn't have minded if it had been developed a little more, more of a backstory for Rivers for example. Her being a drifter, just wondering around was odd. But it does put her at the Gray house, where she pretends to be a boy to earn a meal and a place to stay. Paxton and his sister catch on quick to her disguise though so she doesnt have to pretend for very long. Rivers and Jolee become fast friends, while Paxton takes a little longer to warm up to her. Paxton has a rough exterior and some of his comments could be kind of harsh, but he has a kind heart. Rivers doesnt put up with too much though and the two have some fun exchanges. As usual, their romance is the main focus of the story as they both quickly develop feelings but both are hesitant to take things further. They do have good chemistry together, that scene in the storm cellar. *swoon* The conflict in the story I think could have been developed a little more, but overall it was a fun read.


Content Rated PG
Romance: Kissing, some a little steamy
Language: Mild
Violence: Mild - one crazy lady
Profile Image for Kathy.
2,741 reviews5,976 followers
July 21, 2010
For the record I love clean romances that make me smile and this fits the bill perfectly. A really quick, fun read - I started this book when my kid's friends came over for a late night and by the time everyone had headed home and settled down I had finished the book. A perfect book to read in one sitting. Marcia Lynn McClure's books make me laugh out loud, and leave me grinning and Sudden Storms was no exception.

July 20, 2010 - Just read this one again. Instead of watching a movie or a TV show curl up with this book for the perfect escape.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21...
Profile Image for Kristen.
1,711 reviews47 followers
October 17, 2014
10/15/16 - I forgot how good this one was...definitely in my top 5.

7/10/12-
Wow, I can understand why Marcia McClure is called the queen of kissing. I had to fan my face after a couple of knee buckling kisses. :o)

Love, love, love her books. Can't wait to read more. My sister says I am obsessed.

Moral Note: One "heck", and some passionate kissing. Recommended for older readers. Mild violence.
Profile Image for Tori (Book Chick).
844 reviews51 followers
November 16, 2014
I really wish this book was longer. It was a short, easy read, but I would have liked to hang out with Paxton and Rivers more!! But as usual, Marcia Lynn McClure rocked it... Kissing in the rain...HOT

Reread 10/1/2014: I had forgotten how much I liked this book!!! It has humor, romance, a crazy lady... Loved it. Again. I love getting lost in Marcia's books!
Profile Image for Anne OK.
4,110 reviews554 followers
February 13, 2012
A freebie on Kindle. A western romance. A quick sweet read for those who enjoy this type storyline. Didn't care for the writing style in this one, along with the fact that the book contained multiple editing errors. Probably won't be reading another from this author.
Profile Image for Cortney.
163 reviews
September 23, 2009
I LOVE this author! She write beautiful CLEAN romances that are uplifting and sweet! I read this book in 4 hours it was so good!
Profile Image for Shash.
473 reviews
January 11, 2018
I always enjoy Marcia Lynn McClure’s books! She definitely knows how to write romance! And this was another great one!! I also enjoyed the elements of suspense and danger in the story. I was captivated by it all!

There sure was chemistry between Rivers and Paxton! Wow! I really liked Rivers! She’s a unique character. She’s strong and independent, yet has a real vulnerability about her. It was wonderful to see her find a place that she belonged! Paxton is a good man with a kind heart, but really annoyed me sometimes. He took the brooding hero thing a bit far for me, but redeemed himself when he called himself a fool. Um, yeah! I would agree. And then he definitely made up for it! What an ending!!
Profile Image for Kathy Jo.
776 reviews142 followers
October 10, 2014
3.5 Stars

Rivers has been jumping the rails and traveling trains for sometime. She was in need of food and a place to stay for a couple of days when she stumbled upon Jolee and Paxton Gray. Jolee takes her in and the two become good friends. Grumpy ol' Paxton isn't happy about it at first but slowly starts warming to the idea... especially when he finds out what a spitfire Rivers can be! ;)

Paxton has been duped in the past by women and he refuses to let it happen again. Even though his heart is softening towards Rivers, he won't allow himself to act on his feelings. But when he realizes his sister won't move forward with her life unless he moves on with his, he asks Rivers to "play along" with him and act as if something was going on between the two of them. He informs her that once his sister is married, he will let her go.

My thoughts on that whole situation?! Grrrrr. Really?! He just ticked me off! I really wanted to knock him upside the head! Poor Rivers already has a self esteem complex when it comes to the gorgeous Paxton and for him to string her along?! Not cool! I felt so bad for her! She spent the entire book hoping that she could be the one he would fall in love and spend the rest of his life with but then he would turn around and squash that hope as quickly as it arose! He just didn't get what he was doing to her. *sigh* And let's talk about those kisses... holy wow! *dreamy sigh* No wonder she had hope!

And can I just say that the villain in this book is extremely demented and disturbing. Marcia did a great job of getting the crazy through.. I totally bought it!

So why only the 3.5 stars?! There was just something missing for me... I wanted more! There was an epilogue but I can't really consider it an epilogue because it was one day after the horrible incident. There were still some unanswered questions and thoughts of how everyone handled what happened. It was still a good book but I just didn't love it. I know I am in the minority here because the majority of my reading buddies absolutely loved it! If your looking for a quick, cute read with lots of swoon worthy kisses then I say read it! :)
1 review1 follower
November 29, 2012
WARNING!!!!! Contains spoilers.

"Sudden Storms" by Marcia Lynn McClure is the story of a woman named Rivers Brighton. She's a drifter who is dressed as a boy to avoid any unwanted attention. She stumbles upon a farm owned by Jolee Gray and her brother, Paxton. Rivers feels drawn to Paxton, but won't admit it. And it isn't long at all in he story until he finds out she's a girl. The two of them share a few moments over skipping rocks, going into town and hiding in cellars from sudden twisters, they even share a few kisses along the way. It isn't until Mariana, Ruby Dupree's mother, (Ruby was once betrothed to Paxton, until he decided he couldn't marry her)came back and was still crazy and in love with Paxton, (she thought that Paxton called off his marriage because he was in love with her, she's a very complicated woman with an infatuation with spiders)She nearly kills Rivers, until Paxton comes to her rescue and tells her he loves her and wants to marry her. But in between all this,Mariana is run over by the passing rain she was going to use to kill Rivers. All ends well and they all live happily ever after.

The thing I like about this author is that she writes amazing love stories that don't sacrifice the woman's virtue. I don't know why, but I love some of her books where in the end the antagonist turns out to be insane. I think maybe that I like it because I like to hope that if they weren't insane, that they wouldn't do the things they did.

The only thing I didn't like about this book was that it was TOO SHORT!!!! Marcia Lynn McClure is above all my favorite author ever. If you're looking for a good romance book that's mostly clean (There can be some 'impassioned kissing' in these novles) then Marcia Lynn McClure is the author for you.
Profile Image for LorettaLynn.
296 reviews
August 31, 2011
Ok when i frist picked up this book i thought it was potary.
But that it is not.Marcia Lynn McClure did a wonderful job writing this book.
I enjoyed it so much i was really sorry it ended.
It's got love, lust and some romance all wriped up in one.
I really enjoyed it and if you havent had the chance to read it,pick it up and give it a try!

Happy Reading
Profile Image for Tiffany.
991 reviews
January 18, 2012
I love Marcia Lynn McClure books!!!!!!!!!!

I love that when picking up her book I know a few things will happen to me. I will smile almost entirely, laugh, receive goose bumps and some toe curling moments.

Sudden Storms did not disappoint! It was fun, cute and hot! Through in a mad woman in a white gown and how can you not go wrong??
Profile Image for Amy.
16 reviews2 followers
November 13, 2016
Great read!

Loved this book! Easy and fast read. I highly recommend reading it. Clean love story. A little cheesy but overall really good.
Profile Image for Bonnie Ludlum.
100 reviews1 follower
August 30, 2025
Nice story. Rivers, a girl disguised as a boy who had been traveling with her father till his death, shows up at the Gray farm where Jolee and her brother, Paxton live. Jolee takes in this waif knowing immediately the “he” is a she. It takes Paxton just a little longer to figure this out. Jolee and Rivers become friends and the story goes from there. It is a nice easy read with a good ending.
3 reviews
July 24, 2021
Impossible to put down

I've reread this book several times and still find myself at the edge of my seat with anticipation at what'll happen next. As you read the pages you get throw into the story, and i find it impossible to put down.
Profile Image for Mckenzie Olsen.
14 reviews
March 2, 2024
It was quite the exciting and enticing romance, and I didn’t even see the ending come! I just wish there were more conversational romance instead of just the physical (although the physical was very well said).
669 reviews
June 5, 2024
2* Paxton was awful to Rivers. And too much crazy.
Profile Image for Emma Smith.
11 reviews1 follower
March 26, 2025
After all, I am just a girl who loves cheesy romance, what more can I say?
Profile Image for Annalisa.
386 reviews
January 31, 2011
This is another one of MLM short reads. It is a smaller sized book consisting of only 175 pages so it can be read in a few hours. I liked the spunk of Rivers and how that draws her to Paxton.

Amazon Product Description
RUNNING FROM NOWHERE TO NOTHING.SHE HAD NO ONE. HE HAD EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE.BUT WOULD HE HAVE HER? Rivers Brighton was a wanderer-having nothing and belonging to no one. Still, by chance, Rivers found herself harboring for a time beneath the roof of the kind-hearted Jolee Gray, and her remarkably attractive, yet ever grumbling brother, Paxton. Jolee, had taken Rivers in, and Rivers had stayed. Helplessly drawn to Paxton's alluring presence and unable to escape his astonishing hold over her, however, Rivers knew she was in danger of enduring great heartbreak and pain. Paxton appeared to find Rivers no more interesting than a brief cloudburst. Yet, the man's spirit seemed to tether some great and devastating storm-a powerful tempest bridled within, waiting for the moment when it could rage full and free, perhaps destroying everything and everyone in its wake-particularly Rivers. Could Rivers capture Paxton's attention long enough to make his heart her own? Or would the storm brewing within him destroy her hopes and dreams of belonging to the only man she had ever loved?
1,247 reviews23 followers
February 17, 2010
An easy, quick read! A true romance it gets steamy with kisses as a girl,River's poses as a boy for the purpose of drifting on the train in more safety. She disembarks at a farm and meet Jolie and her brother, Paxton. Her real identity is discovered and she decides to stay because she really likes Jolie and wants to help her capture the interest of Weston a neighboring farmer and friend. She finds herself growing more and more attracted to Paxton even though his attitude would want to scare anyone away his actions are quite confusing. He is trying to steal himself against the affect that River's has on him, but finds himself breaking. He forms a deal with her to pretend affections so his sister will accept Weston's marriage proposal and then he says he'll let Rivers go, but he finds that his inability to to say how he feels may cause him to loose her. A madwoman takes matters into her own hands and tries to kill Paxton for rejecting her and the attraction she feels Paxton shows rivers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Tressa (Wishful Endings).
1,831 reviews195 followers
January 13, 2011
Rivers has been a wanderer the most recent half of her life. The only family she has left are some granparents that she hasn't seen in some time. After riding the train, she decides to stop and try to get some work to earn some food and a place to rest. Dressed as a boy she knocks at a house Jolee Gray and her brother, Paxton live. She is hired by a compassionate Jolee who knows she is a girl despite her outfit. Thus Rivers friendship with Jolee begins and also an attraction to her handsome brother.

There are some pretty funny parts in this one and it is definintely a chick-lit (as you would expect from the author). The ending was a tad bit unrealistic, but still good. It was a fun and enjoyable read for me and one I would read again.
Profile Image for  Mummy Cat Claire.
836 reviews15 followers
June 11, 2012
I got this free from Amazon.

If it wasn't for free downloads to Kindle, I never would have known this book existed. That would have been a huge shame. This was a great historical western novel from McClure.

All the characters were very likable. Paxton was just the right of moody and loveable. The mystery to the book was a great change. I liked the creativity.

This book is fairly short but it doesn't read like it. I really enjoyed the emotion in this novel. I really felt for Rivers. This book could even be continued with a sequel someday.
I felt the story line to the grandparents could have been explored more, but I understand why it was only mentioned and not expanded on.

Overall, this is a great read and I will definitely be reading this again and again.
Profile Image for Teya Teya.
Author 9 books103 followers
December 26, 2023
It's that time again to pull out my Marcia Books and devour them. I did start a little early this year but why not?

11/25/23
I love this crazy sweet love story. It's swift, intense, and short. I always fall in love with the heroes in Marcia's books.

8/11/22 I love this for the quick read it is and that it always tells me that someone else's mother is worse than mine. I know I will get flack for that and I love my mom, she's my mom, however, she gives serious negative vibes that bring even the most joyous person down. So it helps me see that my mom isn't so bad in comparison.

Sudden storms is short, sweet, and nuts. HOt fast love and cold knives. Should have read this one at Halloween.
Profile Image for LadyCalico.
2,313 reviews47 followers
April 22, 2012
Although I am a big fan of Marcia McClure books, I found this one falling short. The characters were neither as appealing nor well-developed as in her other novels--in fact the hero was a bit of a pill--and that fight at the railroad track really didn't work (Advice: strong, young hard working woman, put both hands on the wrist of the one arm of crazy middle-aged woman holding knife to your throat and push outward--problem solved instantly.) Also how come Rivers kept changing clothes during the battle, and who wears a corset with boys clothes, anyway? Oh well, this one really needs a re-write.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews

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