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Windswept Hearts
Anna Sanchez, a recent college graduate, has recently inherited the family cattle ranch, having promised her mother she would take care of it, she now faces a tough choice. Being a city girl, and running a cattle business isn't in the plans. Many repairs are needed, so Anna hires Steve Johnson, a local handyman. Their first encounter leaves them both at a disadvantage. Through the summer's adventures, including a wildlife encounter that turns deadly, and a shadow from her past, Anna will learn that things don't always go according to even the most organized aspirations.
303 pages, Paperback
First published June 7, 2012
6 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Robynn Gabel
7 books35 followersWhen I was a child my mother said I had such a habit of creating imaginative untruths, that I should be a writer when I grew up. Not wishing to disappoint my wise mother, I decided to take her advice!
After raising our children and having a go at several interesting careers, I decided I finally had time to write. I enrolled in several writing courses and found a little site called BookRix. I spread my writing wings there. Two years later Windswept Hearts, a romance based on the contemporary west, was written, edited and published.
I have always loved books, reading all the classics as a child. Then I discovered fantasy, sci fi, mysteries and finally romances. In this day and age of the Internet I've found it easier than ever to get my 'fix' on reading material.
I live in Wyoming now, and write about the life and characters I've met through the years. You can find a sampling of some of my work for free at http://www.bookrix.com/-rgabel.
Currently I have a blog on Wordpress called 'Common Sense' where I cover a variety of daily happenings that could use a dose of common sense.
I invite you to join me in my writing journey, where you can determine whether or not my mother was correct about my story telling abilities!
http://www.bookrix.com/_title-en-roby...
After raising our children and having a go at several interesting careers, I decided I finally had time to write. I enrolled in several writing courses and found a little site called BookRix. I spread my writing wings there. Two years later Windswept Hearts, a romance based on the contemporary west, was written, edited and published.
I have always loved books, reading all the classics as a child. Then I discovered fantasy, sci fi, mysteries and finally romances. In this day and age of the Internet I've found it easier than ever to get my 'fix' on reading material.
I live in Wyoming now, and write about the life and characters I've met through the years. You can find a sampling of some of my work for free at http://www.bookrix.com/-rgabel.
Currently I have a blog on Wordpress called 'Common Sense' where I cover a variety of daily happenings that could use a dose of common sense.
I invite you to join me in my writing journey, where you can determine whether or not my mother was correct about my story telling abilities!
http://www.bookrix.com/_title-en-roby...
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 12, 2013
The good: Windswept Hearts does follow the typical romance formula of woman meets man, man and woman clash at first, but the humor the author includes in her character's meetings moves you beyond the introductions and straight into the story swiftly and without effort.
The characters themselves are an interesting bunch with diversity and flaws that make them seem more real. I had no trouble identifying with the main character. The things she thought, said and did many times were things I find myself doing.
I liked that the author didn't choose to make her main female character perfect. I hate perfect characters and never feel close to them. Both the male and female lead characters in this book have things that hold them back from one another and make it exciting to read. You just aren't ever sure exactly if things are going to turn out as you expect them to.
The even better:
The descriptions Robynn Gabel uses throughout her book give you a real sense of being there. You can see the town, the house she is in and even the expressions on the character's faces. I never felt while reading this like I had to guess where the activity was taking place.
This author has an excellent way with showing emotion through the actions and reactions of her characters without having to return to the basic 'and then she cried' or 'she smiled' a million times. This is something that I see overused in a lot of books, and I was impressed that Robynn found ways around that type of redundant word usage.
The Best: This plot is not as simple as it first seems. There are other things going on besides just the romance angle between the two main characters. There is a bit of mystery, some suspense and well written and believable side stories that tie together to form an enjoyable reading experience.
The hmmm:
Thankfully, there isn't much in this book that I didn't love, but if I was pressed to choose something that could be improved, I would say it would be that the dialogue between Anna and the secondary characters other than Steve felt a bit labored. I do understand that the two main characters require the most spotlight and development, but the other conversations in the book felt a little lacking in some places.
Overall, this is a book I would recommend to any romance lover. There is a nice amount of love, romance, bonding, friendship and spice in this novel. I look forward to seeing what this author comes up with after this. A very good debut.
The characters themselves are an interesting bunch with diversity and flaws that make them seem more real. I had no trouble identifying with the main character. The things she thought, said and did many times were things I find myself doing.
I liked that the author didn't choose to make her main female character perfect. I hate perfect characters and never feel close to them. Both the male and female lead characters in this book have things that hold them back from one another and make it exciting to read. You just aren't ever sure exactly if things are going to turn out as you expect them to.
The even better:
The descriptions Robynn Gabel uses throughout her book give you a real sense of being there. You can see the town, the house she is in and even the expressions on the character's faces. I never felt while reading this like I had to guess where the activity was taking place.
This author has an excellent way with showing emotion through the actions and reactions of her characters without having to return to the basic 'and then she cried' or 'she smiled' a million times. This is something that I see overused in a lot of books, and I was impressed that Robynn found ways around that type of redundant word usage.
The Best: This plot is not as simple as it first seems. There are other things going on besides just the romance angle between the two main characters. There is a bit of mystery, some suspense and well written and believable side stories that tie together to form an enjoyable reading experience.
The hmmm:
Thankfully, there isn't much in this book that I didn't love, but if I was pressed to choose something that could be improved, I would say it would be that the dialogue between Anna and the secondary characters other than Steve felt a bit labored. I do understand that the two main characters require the most spotlight and development, but the other conversations in the book felt a little lacking in some places.
Overall, this is a book I would recommend to any romance lover. There is a nice amount of love, romance, bonding, friendship and spice in this novel. I look forward to seeing what this author comes up with after this. A very good debut.
April 3, 2014
Can one believe this is a first novel of an author? It is very hard to believe but it is true!
In Windswept Hearts, Anna Sanchez has experienced a bittersweet year. She left the city to go to
"settle things" in the country Where her maternal grandparents had lived and raised her mother. Now
it was up to her to set things in order before she began her new job in the city. While deciding what she
should do,a couple of men ca,e into the scene but not really a love triangle, just competition.
Although the story was somewhat predictable, it was written very well and had enough twists and
adventure to captivate the reader's attention...Each chapter left one eager to leap into the next!
This was a good example of life - with its dangers, grief, heartaches, schemes, adventure, trials, joys,
fears, and changes.
The title reinforcement is made clear a couple of times in the tale so is a good fit. The book cover
emphasizes the key points and is eye-catching as well. It is safe for parents to allow their YA to read.
My review of this novel gives it a Five Stars rating.
This book was sent to me for an honest review, of which I have given.
In Windswept Hearts, Anna Sanchez has experienced a bittersweet year. She left the city to go to
"settle things" in the country Where her maternal grandparents had lived and raised her mother. Now
it was up to her to set things in order before she began her new job in the city. While deciding what she
should do,a couple of men ca,e into the scene but not really a love triangle, just competition.
Although the story was somewhat predictable, it was written very well and had enough twists and
adventure to captivate the reader's attention...Each chapter left one eager to leap into the next!
This was a good example of life - with its dangers, grief, heartaches, schemes, adventure, trials, joys,
fears, and changes.
The title reinforcement is made clear a couple of times in the tale so is a good fit. The book cover
emphasizes the key points and is eye-catching as well. It is safe for parents to allow their YA to read.
My review of this novel gives it a Five Stars rating.
This book was sent to me for an honest review, of which I have given.
February 4, 2017
Anna is the lady who now owns her family cattle ranch and has no idea what to do with it. Steve is a handyman who needs work and knows what to do. What follows is a book that deals with love, loss, adventure, and a dangerous brush with mother nature. Through all of that the author finds a way to be able to make this an interesting book. Everything is written at a good pace and keeps you interested. I do like the characters in the book. I thought this was going to be a typical stereotype book but what they say about not judging a book by its cover is true. I highly enjoyed this book and I am glad I read it instead of judging it without looking.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews