Kyle Thompson enjoys a life of solitude on his cattle ranch in Hamilton County, Texas. But when he asks a pretty girl to shoot a game of pool at a local beer joint, he seemingly has no idea that he’s crossed paths with one of the most famous actresses on the planet. Katie Crockett, who’s wrapping up a film shoot in her home state, is intrigued by the stranger’s blue eyes and cool demeanor. Suddenly, Katie finds herself falling for a man that is more interested in who she really is, rather than her fame. Will the couple be able to navigate both the complicated life of Katie’s celebrity and the slow-moving world of Kyle’s ranch? To make their relationship work, they’re going to have to find a way to merge their lives into a place called Hollywood, Texas.
The first time I read this novella, I read it quickly because it is a quick read. It flows nicely and doesn't waste words but I was disgusted. What? What? Did this writer totally miss the mark? I wanted to like Kyle. He was a hero but then... I had so many questions. As a retired English teacher, I couldn't just leave these questions unanswered. A couple of days later, I read it again. This time I read it slower like a writer. I found my answers. There is one climactic event that makes readers think that the story is over. But the true climax of the story happens as things are just going along, unexpectedly. I thought I knew, but I didn't know what was to come. So, after reading it the second time, I realized that this author took us on the exact journey he intended. Bravo! Even though this story is a quick read, it doesn't mean that it is without depth. I recommend that you read this book and get to know the characters. Then buy one for your friend.
In Hollywood, Texas, Bill Flanigin hooked me on the characters from the first chapter. I loved getting to know Katie and Kyle. Around 10 p.m., I thought I’d stop to go to sleep, but I couldn’t. I had to keep reading until the end.
This reads in many ways like a traditional love story, with the addition of a charming setting that almost serves as a third main character.
In the end, however, the book surprised me, and I respect the author’s willingness to veer off the traditional genre path. You may or may not like some of the plot points—but they will certainly make you think, and you’ll have a lot of fun along the way.
This is a love story that will grab you from the beginning. As a short story I never expect the characters to be well developed but Bill Flanigan did a great job with Katie and Kyle.The storyline keeps moving at a quick pace, even when you are convinced that the author is going to need several pages to explain the situation. Flanigan is able to keep you guessing and wrap situations up quickly to stay within the parameters of the novella. Looking forward to more from Flanigan.
A very enjoyable read. Flanigin knows the world he's writing in and he uses it to craft an interesting conflict between a local rancher and the Hollywood star who comes back home to shoot a movie and falls for him. Can this love affair between two people from opposite worlds work? That's the underlying question as we see how much the two belong together. But there are also some clues that not all is what it seems. I loved the ending, and it made me go back and re-read some of the early chapters to see how it was set up. Well-crafted and a strong recommend for a relaxing, quick read.