Crooked Rock Braves

Crooked Rock #4

by Pamela Sanderson

Linda and Arnie are the should have been that never happened.

Linda Bird has poured her heart into building a community for Indians in the city, but the setbacks keep coming and her supporters are losing faith. In college, Arnie Jackson was a sexy-but-aggravating rival. Now she needs his help if Crooked Rock is going to succeed. Turns out he’s still sexy, he’s still aggravating, and she’s never gotten over him.

Arnie has dealt with every challenge Indian Country has thrown at him, but nothing could have prepared him for the accusations that bring his leadership into question. Linda has been his most loyal friend—equal parts stubborn and dazzling—and she’s the only one he trusts to help him through this crisis.

They have always been right for each other, but it's never been the right time—until now.

This is book 4 in the Crooked Rock Urban Indian Center Series.

*Not a stand alone. Readers will enjoy more if they read at least one other in the series.*

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Indigenous, Fiction, Contemporary Romance

250 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 15, 2019

About the author

Support a Native Author!

Crooked Rock Book #4

Urban Indian romance continues.

Book 4 is the story of Linda running out of options as the Crooked Rock Urban Indian Center struggles to keep going. Arnie is distracted by his own troubles when his leadership is questioned. These two have never been able to figure out whether they're friends, colleagues, or something more and now they need each other more than ever before.

There's a sample first chapter from Book 1 Heartbeat Braves available at www.pamelasanderson.com.

Visit my website for links to a free teaser story about Arnie and Linda.

Book #1 was a Recommended Read from Dear Author - "...one of the best overall books I’ve read this year." - Jayne, Dear Author.

Book #3 was a Recommended Read from Dear Author - "What I’ve really loved about these books is that they are rooted in Native/Indian/Ind’n culture and traditions." Jayne, Dear Author.

About the Author

I'm a citizen of the Karuk Tribe. I've been a legal assistant specializing in tribal affairs for over twenty years. I live in the Pacific Northwest with my husband, Bob. I am a Major League Soccer fan. My favorite food is freshly baked apple pie.

Reviews

[Katy O. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This final book in the Crooked Rock series was just as wonderful as the first three and I can't wait to read more by Sanderson! One of my reading goals is to read more romance and "happy" contemporary fiction by Native authors and this romance-centric series set around the staff at an urban Indian center sets the bar extremely high. Definitely read the series in order and start with Heartbeat Braves.

Source: purchased Kindle copy

[Megan]

A beautiful culmination to the series. The emotional/romantic/sexual tension was so intense through the first half of this book, and I liked how the two of them eventually worked out their relationship. I enjoyed Sanderson's writing in general, but I especially liked the light and playful humor that balanced out the stressful aspects of the work the characters do. The big group scenes were also super-enjoyable; I'm going to miss these characters a lot!

I wouldn't recommend this as a standalone; Linda and Arnie have been POV characters in the previous books, and their emotional journeys are developed deeply from that. All three of the previous books are very good, though, and I can wholeheartedly recommend this entire series.

[Monika · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book continues the overarching plot of the series, with Linda and Arnie as MCs. If you liked the previous installments, you will like this one because it continues with the same themes and issues and the romance is cute.

The only drawback for me was that I'm not usually a fan of romances where the MCs are with other people for the majority of the book. For the first 40 % of the book both Linda and Arnie are in serious relationships - and there's no hint of them going towards anything together until then.

[Lora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darn, this was the last book of the series unless Sanderson adds an installment about Audra. Please?

I was filled with dread for part of this installment, worried about Arnie's health. But my worry just shows how much I care about these characters, and it was rewarding to see so many positive things come together for them as individuals and as a group.

It was perfect light - but meaningful - reading for when I was recovering from a cold. My thanks to the author for a great series.

[huncka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book and this series! The author wrapped up long-standing questions really well, and in a believable way, and the characters made intentional steps to pursue their ambitions. Highly recommend the whole series!!

[Brandann Hill-Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final chapter of Crooked Rock! It was everything I wanted, with all the ends tied up, sweet and bittersweet alike. I loved every story about Crooked Rock, but Linda and Arnie’s story held a certain weight. It’s fitting to end with them.

I hope to see more from Sanderson!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well done conclusion to this interesting series. These characters, especially Linda and Arnie, are so involved in their lives of public service that just reading about it makes a person tired. Yet somehow they manage to pursue a relationship with some fairly rocky moments

[RK · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finally finished this series. Linda and Arnie's story has to be the longest slow burn I've ever read in romance. This was a great way to end the series and tied up everything nicely.

I loved this series, it was such comfort reading for me. I'm sad to be done.

[Sarah McCauley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I spent most of the last book wishing we were focusing on Linda and Arnie, so I was happy to get to this one. A fine end to a fun series.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did not disappoint! Hooray for the Crooked Rock folks! Hooray for Linda and Arnie who finally got it together :D

[ColleenIsBooked · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good ending to the series. We finally get Arnie and Linda’s story and a conclusion to the Crooked Rock Center problems. I really loved this series!

[Abbey · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A great conclusion to the series. Arnie’s workaholism stressed me out, but I still enjoyed finally seeing these two come together.

[Letícia Anadias · Rating 3 out of 5]

was really excited for this one but i felt like it was too short and the relationship development took ages

[Bookishbrookeish · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last book of the Crooked Rock series focuses on Linda and Arnie. Linda is still struggling to make the Crooked Rock Urban Indian Center a reality. Arnie is pulled in too many directions to focus on any one project. They have a history dating back to college of mutual attraction, but have always remained friends and colleagues. Will working together on the Center push their relationship into romantic territory? Can they find a way to make their busy schedules fit into a life together?

This was the final book in a series of 4, so definitely start with book 1, as there are plot lines running through the entire series, even if each book focuses primarily on a different couple. All of these books are sweet, but also include heavy, real-world issues. I really like how the couples work through fights and misunderstandings in a way that feels true to life, and I was rooting for all of the couples as well as the Center. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this series (so much so that I got my library to buy #4 because they only had 1-3). Some books are steamier than others, but all are pretty open door.

Recommended For: Romance lovers, People who enjoy reading about relationships, anyone looking for #ownvoices books by Indigenous authors

[Monica Yeavello · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was probably my favorite of the series and I was very happy that they and the center received their happy ending.