Sun Kissed

Kendrick/Coulter/Harrigan #7

by Catherine Anderson

New York Times bestselling author Catherine Anderson, known for "blending sweetness and sensuality in a poignantly written story"(Booklist), delivers a contemporary-set romance that joins the Coulter and Harrigan families...

When Samantha Harrigan attends the local rodeo, she doesn't expect to wind up in jail. But that's precisely what happens when she tries to stop a drunkard from abusing his horse. At least she isn't alone. Tucker Coulter, a handsome local veterinarian, comes to her defense--and is arrested too.

The charges are dropped, but Sam's troubles have only started. Her champion quarter horses are falling ill and the culprit is poison. As the insurance beneficiary, Sam is the prime suspect. Unswayed by the rumors floating around town, Tucker offers to help prove her innocence. Sam, though, is uneasy about accepting his assistance--and about the way he makes her feel. If only she could believe in him the way he seems to believe in her...

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Westerns, Fiction, Western Romance, Romantic Suspense

432 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
(1)romance author:
Adeline Catherine was born and raised in Grants Pass, Oregon, USA. She always yearned to be a writer like her mother. The morning that one of her professors asked if she could use samples of Catherine’s creative writing on an overhead projector to teach was a dream come true. In 1988, she sold her first book to Harlequin Intrigue and went on to write three more before she tried her hand at a single-title historical romance. Nine books later, she did her first single-title contemporary.

Catherine married Sidney D. Anderson, an industrial electrician and entrepreneur. They had two sons, Sidney D. Jr. and John G. In 2001 she and her husband purchased a central Oregon home located on a ridge with incredible mountain views and surrounded by forestland honeycombed with trails. It was her dream home, a wonderland in the winter and beyond beautiful in the summer. She named it Cinnamon Ridge after the huge ponderosa pines on the property, which sport bark the color of cinnamon.

Sadly, Catherine lost her husband to a long-term illness in 2014. She has kept Cinnamon Ridge as her primary residence but divides her time between there and her son John's farm, where she has the support of her loved ones and can enjoy his horses, cows, and raise her own chickens.

Catherine loves animals and birds, both wild and domestic. She presently has two Australian shepherds, six cats, and a very old canary. She is very family oriented as well. Her older son has lived in Japan, Australia, and now resides in New Zealand. Catherine and her stateside family will celebrate Christmas on the north island with Sidney, his wife Mary, and their two sons, Liam and Jonas.

Reviews

[Danielle The Book Huntress · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this isn't near my favorite book by Catherine Anderson, it was a very good. I loved Tucker and Samantha. Even though I felt that the balance was a bit off between the mystery/suspense element and the romance development, I did feel their connection and the love between them. Tucker, like most of Catherine Anderson's heroes, is just wonderful. He falls pretty hard for Samantha and does a great job of showing it, although he does something that momentarily feeds into Samantha's residual insecurities from her divorce and bad marriage. Otherwise, a girl couldn't ask for a better hero. Samantha felt true to life, and was a woman that I would admire in real life and possibly become friends with, if we traveled in the same circles. I liked that although she came from money, she was very grounded and a kind, warm person. She loved her horses very much, and it was abundantly clear.

I also loved how Ms. Anderson showed family interactions. That's always a good part of a book to see characters with loving families, although things are not always 100% perfect. Although Samantha's father and brothers were controlling and meddling in Samantha's eyes, you could clearly see that they cared about her and were trying to watch out for her. I could see how Samantha felt stifled and wanted to make her own decisions. I am the youngest daughter and I have family who think loving is telling people what decisions they can make and how to live their lives. It can be frustrating, but this book reminded me to consider that these people are showing love, perhaps in ways that may bother, but love all the same. I was actually pretty envious of Samantha having all those protective older brothers. I always wanted that. Another enjoyable aspect for me, seeing Tucker with this close-knit family. It was nice to catch up with Jake and Molly from Sweet Nothings.

I think that some readers will have issues with the significant degree of the narrative that was focused on the horse aspects. I actually enjoyed that. Although I am a surburban girl who was never around livestock until I went to college, I have become horse-mad later on in life. I think they are beautiful, fascinating animals. It broke my heart to see Samantha's horses poisoned and how they suffered from that. I can't imagine doing something like that to animals for any reason. I cried when she had to bury her horses that died. I loved the medicine aspects, finding it very interesting. With my background in animal medicine, it was sort of a no-brainer that I'd like that, but I could see the descriptions of the medical care that Tucker administered possibly being dry for some readers who are not interested in horses or medicine. I think he was an exceptional vet, really caring and devoted to doing a good job for his patients.

Although I think this could rub a non-religious person the wrong way, I actually liked that Samantha was a person of faith, and you could see evidence of that in her daily life. I think it's important to show a person of faith who does walk the walk, instead of professing something that is not evident through her behavior. I don't feel that Ms. Anderson was too heavy-handed in this book with it. I haven't read many books were the characters were devout Catholics, so that was interesting for me.

I wouldn't rate this book as a five star because of the intrigue plot being a little too much of a focus. I would have liked to see a little more romantic moments between Tucker and Samantha, although I enjoyed what was there. Also I had a little pet peeve with a small part of the story. I am hugely against declawing cats, which is the removal of the last digit of their toes. I find it cruel and unnecessary. It can be done painlessly, but it does cause residual soreness and effects on animals when it's not a crucial surgery. I think it was a little jarring for a major message of this story to be against cruelty to animals, but mention Tucker performing a procedure that I feel is not beneficial and necessary to most cats. I am not saying that a caring, conscientious veterinarian cannot perform this procedure, but my personal beliefs against declawing made it hard to swallow in a story that seemed to speak so strongly against animal cruelty. Most likely, this would not bother most readers. But, it did bother me. I mean no offense against Ms. Anderson, but it's food for thought that I felt necessary to add to this review. Most laypersons do not really understand the mechanics of this procedure, and that it's not necessary, and that was one of my things I tried to educate clients on. I learned to do this procedure, but made a decision not to do it in practice, based on my personal beliefs against it. Sorry for the PSA! This is a subject close to my heart, so I couldn't leave that out of my review.

Another issue I had was how they kept referring to one of Samantha's employee's Carrie, as mannish and homely. Her attempts to pretty herself up were made to seem clownish. That just felt mean to me. I realize this was tied in heavily to the overall story, but it seemed shallow. Not all women are going to be small, delicate, and drop-dead gorgeous. Beauty comes in all shape and sizes. It's hard for me to see people treated badly because they don't fit the popular modes of beauty. Carrie did something truly awful, and I don't let her off the hook for it. But the judgment of her shouldn't hinge on her looks or lack thereof. I wasn't quite comfortable with how that was handled, to be honest.

Despite my issues, and all in all, this was a very pleasant read, and one I will be adding to my keeper shelf with her other books. I love Catherine Anderson's stories because they are full of heart. I was glad to be able to reconnect with the Coulters and to meet the Harrigans. I look forward to reading more of the stories in this series.

[Jessi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love every book I have ever read by Catherine Anderson. She is one of my favorite authors. She never disappoints - her love stories will keep you on the edge of your seat til the very end.

Everyone should check out her books!

[Lori Tremain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of sexy cowboys. This story takes place on a horse ranch run by Samantha. She is the baby of the family with 4 older brothers and a protective father. Sammy just got out of an abusive marriage where her ex promises revenge after the divorce. Her horses are getting poisoned. She brings in Tucker, a veteranarian who Sammy does not want due to a strange attraction. But her babies are screaming, losing their bowl contents and kicking their stalls. Big horses with thousands. She treats each like her child. She will do anything for her horse. Tucker is the only vet available and he IS his at what he does. They spend days together treating the 2 horses. Then another 2 horse are poisoned. Her family surrounds her. Tucker constantly assesses the horses through hours of sickness. The cops are pointing fingers at her due to insurance payouts. Her family knows it is the Ex. Love the horses, the family, the mystery.

[Miss Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though I really like this series, I was disappointed in Tucker's story. There was very little romance in this one, as it was all about the horses. Horse this, and horse that. Horses horses horses. I did like the mystery, but there was just not enough 'fun stuff' in the book. In Isaiah's book, we get to meet Tucker the first time. He is portrayed as a playboy, with a taste for the finer things in life. He's never planning to settle down. Now, in his book, he's totally opposite. Suddenly he dislikes his fancy home, and wants to get rid of it, then suddenly has a change of heart about bachelorhood and falls instantly for a woman who has major baggage. It felt like he was a different person. That said, I'm still interested in reading the next in the series.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What fun! Great series!

[L' Te · Rating 3 out of 5]

There really is only one word, Wholesome ... Vitamin and mineral fortified with just the right amount of sweetness to make it palatable. If you are already aquatinted with Ms. Anderson’s brand of storytelling, than Sun Kissed will be a treasure trove overflowing with good old fashioned family values. Nevertheless, this was my first C. Anderson novel, and I must admit, the heavy, unremitting dose of Anderson’s brand of “morality” was slightly overwhelming.

Okay ... Before you start branding me an amoral fiend, allow me to redress and unashamedly admit that I am a great proponent of old fashioned values, offering a solid foundation as any to govern ones life pursuits. Indeed, it is lamentable that today’s society no longer looks upon honesty and integrity as valuable attributes of ones character. Indeed ... Quite the opposite could be argued. I have noted that a certain moral ambiguity appears the norm; and demonstrating an artful talent for delivering verbal fabrications with gentile ease and believability, is all the rage. However, I digress ̵my apologies.

Notwithstanding my objections toward being lectured from a pulpit, I did find the overall story very enjoyable. The primary characters were well drawn, believable and accountable; and their growing affection of one another was engaging and sweet. Even though this was my first venture into the Kendrick / Coulter montage, I did not feel lost, or muddled by the endless members of both families that populated this series. All the secondary characters were comfortably embraced, effortlessly becoming an integral part of the story line. Actually, the numerous population of family members ̵ all contributing their unconditional love, support, and protection was ... Dare I confess, quite covetous.

Periodically, the author imbued her audience with her knowledge concerning the law and animal abuse, as it stands in the Pacific NorthWest of the US. Being a lover of animals myself, I found the not so subtle interjections, to be enlightening instead of hindering the plot. Finally, and sadly, it had been the last note, more precisely the Epilogue, that I could have done without. I found the authors closing as irritating as a hair-shirt, altering what would have generously been labelled a 4 star story, a 3 star review.

Is it not always the case that how something ends is unfortunately how the whole of it is defined? Mournfully, once the author took hold of the pulpit, it became unrelenting. Hence, as my edition came with a second helping of the author’s continued counsel on her particular brand of morality; I confess I found it necessary to refrain for fear of overindulgence. After all ... I had already succumbed toward jealousy, I thought it best to abstain from gluttony too.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m going to check my list of Books I’ve Read, but this may be my first by this author. It certainly won’t be my last. Excellent story, great characters, and it made me cry.

[Sara · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the first of Catherine's books I've felt warranted the lowest possible rating. Not because it was vile and horrendous, but because there wasn't even enough good to balance out the bad.

I actually had fairly high hopes for this one. Samantha seemed like she'd be a fun heroine, I'd already seen glimpses of her in her brother Clint's story and she seemed cute. I was looking forward to seeing Tucker as a romantic lead instead of just Isaiah's naysaying brother. And the plot seemed like harmless typical Anderson fare I could shrug off if there was enough to like about it.

But of course, Samantha's ex-husband had to be another Rodney Wells, only this time with physical abuse instead of gaslighting. The scene where he showed up to try to kill Samantha was dripping with stupid "damsel in distress captured by evil bastard" cliche to the point where I nearly threw the book down. Oh no, he's strangling her and she's so helpless-no, wait, she's fighting back! Oops, he grabbed her leg and she starts screaming for help and her true love has to rush in and rescue her while she cries in his arms. To give the similar scene in "Sweet Nothings" some credit, at least Molly plucked up the nerve to tell Rodney off and nearly let the horse stomp him into the ground.

(Not that I'm playing the "how dare a woman not kick ass!" card, mind you. I've no problem with a lady being helpless and needing a hand now and then. But it was just done so badly in this book. It didn't help that Steve made me want to drop something large and heavy on him, either.)

The romance between Samantha and Tucker was nothing that special, barring their cute pizza picnic date at the lake. Just another "poor abused heroine has trust issues with men and needs the hero to make it all better with his penis" story. At least Tucker gave us some originality by already coming into the story wanting to find a special someone, rather than the usual "hi, I'm a rough and tough cowboy who never wants to get married-oh look, a hurt and wounded beauty! I'm instantly in love!" hero.

The "heroine is accused of the crime being committed" is nothing new, but you'd think Tucker would finally realize how it felt when a woman he loved was a suspect and apologize to Isaiah for his bullshit in "My Sunshine".

And overall, it barely brought anything new to the table. It's basically "Sweet Nothings" meets "Bright Eyes" only this time with a vet instead of a cowboy.

...boy, I'm sure sounding like a cynic in this review, aren't I? I guess it wasn't THAT terrible a book, it definitely kept me reading until the end and it had some cute moments. And Samantha...well, she did say she didn't feel the need to kick Steve's ass this time because she knew there was help available, so that at least makes sense even if the shrieking damsel shtick annoyed me. Sam's stablehands were interesting side characters, especially Kyle and Nan. And of course, I loved the references to "My Sunshine" sprinkled throughout.

So yeah. This is my least favorite Catherine Anderson book, but it wasn't the worst thing I've ever read in my life.

[Ana (O Mundo Encantado dos Livros) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Esta foi uma leitura excepcional! Se antes tinha adorado o livro “O Sol da Minha Vida”, agora fiquei completamente rendida.
Catherine Anderson é uma autora que se mostra muito cuidadosa acerca dos temas que escreve. Em cada livro nota-se uma atenção particular ao meio envolvente e aos problemas que englobam a trama fazendo-me lembrar o cuidado com que uma simples teia de aranha é construída, sendo cada fio ligado com extremo cuidado sem haver um único descuido. Claro que para mim este livro teve uma importância especial, devido ao ambiente equestre onde se desenvolve toda a acção e também por “falar” de um problema que acredito que exista em grande número. Esta é uma autora que nos trás sempre uma mensagem importante, as suas personagens têm sempre algo de muito importante para nos contar, sendo que elas nunca são perfeitas e que normalmente se fazem acompanhar de algum problema de saúde real e que muitos de nós ficamos com a sensação que aquela personagem podia muita bem ser a nossa vizinha do lado ou até mesmo um retracto da nossa própria vida. Por acaso neste livro não aparece nenhum problema de saúde, mas ao mesmo tempo traz-nos um problema real e ensina-nos variadas coisas acerca de cavalos e em como estes se tornam próximos dos seus criadores.
Desde o livro anterior que tinha ficado curiosa acerca do irmão gémeo de Isaiah, havia algo em Tucker que me fazia ansiar por ler a sua história e fiquei contente por não ter ficado desiludida. Acabei ainda por me surpreender pela narrativa apresentada e gostei bastante da continuidade que a autora mostra quando nos apresenta os personagens de livros anteriores. Claro que a série continua e no final podemos adivinhar que o próximo livro irá contar a história de Clint Harrigan, que também promete ser fantástica. Espero que não demore muito a chegar até nós.

http://viv-omundoencantadodoslivros.b...

[Mafi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gostei bastante mais uma vez personagens reais e credíveis, uma história boa com suspense apesar de ter sido previsível. Mas como sempre um romance muito bom :)

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice romance book without all the steamy scenes which I appreciate. Easy and light read, predictable but enjoyable. I would recommend this to others

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll admit that I put off reading this one for 2 years based on the reviews. So it simply sat on my bookshelf until I decided to ignore all the reviews and give it a try. I've enjoyed the two books by the author I've read prior to this (well, one was a 5 star read, one 3 star), so I figured this was worthy of a chance.

Much like the 3 star read I last had by the author, my complaint is the same with this one, we don't get much romance at all. I mean they spend a lot of time together, but that time is all about horses (more than I'd ever want to know) and finding who is poisoning them. I appreciate the author providing so much detailed info about horses, breeding, behavior, etc. but it was a bit overkill for the average reader of a romance novel. Where were the dates? Where was the deep conversations about life in general and their future? I mean Samantha never even visits Tucker's house! And they somehow fall madly in love? I wasn't buying it. They were a cute couple, sure. I could find it believable they'd be together months down the road and planning a marriage, absolutely. But I needed to see those building blocks of a long-term relationship, not be told them in the epilogue, or hear their professions of love after a short time together without much interactions outside of vet/horse owner. This was a very long book, surely more time could be dedicated to the romance.

The 'who did it' was completely predictable. In fact, I predicted it as soon as the character(s) was introduced really. It was so blatantly obvious. Given how much of a focus the suspense was in the book, I expected it to at least be some surprise reveal in the end that left me wondering how I missed it. But sadly, I solved the case way before the halfway point of the book.

As others have noted, the author is heavy on the Catholic practices and references in the book. I'm not Catholic, am only vaguely familiar with the practices having been raised in a Protestant church. But this was a little 'in your face' for me. I respect the author's choice to make it such a big focal point of Tucker and Samantha's relationship. But it was a bit of a buzzkill towards the end, especially in the epilogue where that was the main focus of the chapter. I'd expect that from a religious romance, but not one from an author like Catherine Anderson who has even written books with some mystical aspects. I respected Samantha's old-fashioned beliefs, after all, I was raised that way as well and respect those beliefs, I could have just done without the whole Catholic push.

I could tell this book was written a while back, but it was honestly written as if it took place prior to 2000 a lot of times and then other times, you'd have thought they were in present day high tech times. I mean Tucker still looked in the phone book for Samantha's number...that completely threw me off and I immediately had to go back to the front of the book to check when this was published. Because I was out of college by then and I know we weren't using phone books past about 2003. We had ways to connect to people online and do searches. Then you get the P.I. who was using his internet sleuthing to track down people's activities as if it were 2022. Things weren't that sophisticated in 2007, so again, wasn't buying that level of high tech expertise given they still used phone books around there. But maybe that's just me.

I will note that I didn't read any of the other books in the series or prior series, so all of the secondary characters were foreign. But the author did a great job at keeping them off to the side and not confusing us with a laundry list of names and people and making us feel like we missed something important by not reading the previous books.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Tucker & Samantha’s banter. Their relationship was easy and fun. It was heartbreaking to read about Samantha’s houses being poisoned. I truly thought the drunk from the beginning of the book had something to do with it.

[Paraphrodite · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars.

The heroine Sam is just too old-fashioned to be real... she feels like someone from the 1950s instead of 2000s. Also, the culprit was too easily spotted.

[Tita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vejam a minha opinião mais detalhada em vídeo, AQUI.

[jenjn79 · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with every single Catherine Anderson book I've read, this one was excellently written and very engaging. I've not yet read a book of hers that didn't capture me and that I didn't thoroughly enjoy. She's a very vibrant and talented writer in the general romance genre.

Even though I enjoyed Sun Kissed a lot, I'll be honest and say that there was just something missing in it. I'm not quite sure what. The book was a quick read for me; it kept my attention and I couldn't wait to finish it, but it was lacking a certain spark that's existed in most of her other books. I think it had something to do with the balance between the characters & romance, and the plot of the story. Anderson usually has a very nice balance in her books. Sometimes they are more purely character and romance dramas, and other times, they're characters & romance with a mildly suspenseful plot added in. Either way, they're just nicely balanced, but in Sun Kissed, the suspense plot seemed to overwhelm the story.

I wouldn't go so far as to call the book a romantic suspense...it didn't have the frenetic pace of a suspense book, but the storyline of what was happening with Sam's horses was the purveying theme throughout the book. Pretty much every scene related to the horse situation and to me it just seemed to take away something from the book. It kept the characters and the romance from standing out like they do in most of Anderson's books. I would have liked a better balance there. I think it would have given the book more of the poignant sentimentality that you find in her other stories. Most of Anderson's books have been known to suck me in, chew me up and spit me out on the emotional-angst level, but Sun Kissed didn't. The potential was there, but the horse storyline just sucked up all the book's energy.

My only other gripe with the book is one I've had with Anderson before: that she doesn't utilize her past characters and storylines enough. Sun Kissed had guest appearances from a few of the past characters, but most of them were given only passing mentions, and that's just disappointing in such a family oriented series. I wanted more cameos from them and wanted to know more about how they were doing and what's been going on with them. Anderson created such special characters in her past books that they deserve a little more in her latter books.

Overall, it was sill a good/great book. I wasn't really disappointed in it, just found it lacking a bit of the magic I loved in her other stories. But I did like it. Tucker and Sam make a good couple. There wasn't a lot of physicality between them because the plot took up so much time and there was the religion issue, but oh well. I also enjoyed how, as she does in most books, Anderson drops in unexpected humor every so often. Some of the lines just crack me up. So if you're a reader of Anderson's books, especially the Coulter series, you'll probably like Sun Kissed.

[J.B. Stockings · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my third Catherine Anderson book, and I've decided that she is an okay writer, but just okay. I think she has a talent for creating interesting and believable characters, as well as interesting storylines, but I'm often knocked out of the world she creates by the sudden unrealistic dialogue or stilted turn of phrase.

This particular book had an interesting story, but a very predictable ending to the conflict. I saw it coming a mile away. And the romance side of the book simply had no spark whatsoever. Even her love scene fell flat in my estimation. We just weren't given enough electricity between her two main characters along the way. Yes, we know he's interested, but we only hear that she's interested a few moments before he confesses his love and has her naked on the sofa.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Samantha Harrigan is a breeder of champion horses. When one of her horses becomes distressed she calls Tucker Coulter a vet specializing in large animals. He discovers the horse has been drugged with a stimulant and another of Samantha's horses has been poisoned with arsenic. Samantha suspects her violent ex-husband but the police have their eyes firmly fixed on her.

Sun Kissed is by the numbers romantic suspense. The only real surprise in this book is that it had me on tenterhooks in parts. It's well written and entertaining but doesn't blaze any new trails. There are sex scenes in this book but the are quite sedate when compared to a lot of books in this genre. It's a book I would probably feel OK giving to my mother to read.

[Filipa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another sucess by Catherine Anderson. She just can't help it. I love her books, they're my special treasures.
As Debbie Macomber says in her review: "Her stories make you believe in the power of love". I wouldn't have said it better than this because this is exactly how CA makes me feel.
I've loved Tucker and Samantha and their romance. It was truly inspiring.

I'll keep Harrigan's books close at hand so if I miss this series I can always pick one book up and enter my dreamland.

[Cátia Santos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mais outra história amorosa e comovente de Catherine Anderson. Como sempre gostei ha história criada pela autora e dos persoangens, é impossível não nos afeiçoarmos aos mesmos e torcermos pelo seu final feliz.
Para mim, esta autora tem o talento único de criar histórias que aquecem o nosso coração e nos deixam mais felizes com a vida.
Tenho pena que as histórias sobre os irmãos Coulter tenham acabado, mas tenho a certea que a dos Harrigan também serão boas.

[KimKirt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good read by Catherine Anderson. I'm loving this series, though in being true to myself I am reading them out of order. I honestly didn't think I'd like Tucker, because I thought he was a butthole in book #6. Took me a while to get that out of my head, but I did end up really enjoying this book.

[~Megan~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished the audiobook...not my favorite in the Coulter series, but it was a nice closer. I'm assuming Anderson moves on to the Harrigan family next, and I'm cool with that. I just wanna know where this town is because they grown some fine hunk of man meat there. I mean seriously.....can this many awesome men exist in one town? I'd like a one way ticket, please!

[Dawn ♥ romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story with lots of fast-paced exciting action. Although I guessed who the bad guy was early on, the situations and events still kept my interest. The hero was so reputable and the old-fashioned aspects of romance were kind of nice. Samantha tries to stop a man from beating his horse and veterinarian Tucker jumps in to help her.

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Basically the same story line as the other Anderson books. But I love reading about hte Kendrick/Coulter family so I will definately keep reading her books. They are always a fast read for me so I get through the series quickly. Nice books to read on a lazy afternoon

[Slip! · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not NEARLY as good as Star Bright. A bit predictable, but loved seeing more of my favorite Harrigan family.

[Lucy · Rating 1 out of 5]

meh... hard to get into a book about a very spoiled rich girl from a very rich family whine about a tough life

[Jessica Coombs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read. Modern western type.

[Hopelessly seeking Happily Ever Afters · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tucker and Samantha

*****SPOILER ALERT*****

'Sun Kissed' by Catherine Anderson, book 7 in the Kendrick/Coulter/Harrigan series. Audible Premium Plus borrow. Dual POV. The ebook sample includes a family tree. It's listed as 12 hours 22 minutes. I listened for 4 hours 57 minutes at speed 2.50. Narrator Suzanne Toren is easy to understand and has a nice pace, but her voice for most of these characters is too mature. This one held my attention, but it was sadly predictable. Content warnings: horse abuse, po¡son¡ng, and murder; h was a DV victim; Bethany's racing incident left her a paraplegic; and h ex-husband attempts to k¡ll her.

Date: August 12
Location: Crystal Falls, OR

Samantha Jane Harrigan (29; aka Tinker Bell/Sam/Sammy) is the youngest of five children, is petite, has long black curly hair, and has brown eyes. She is a devout Catholic but is now a divorced DV survivor. She and her four older brothers inherited 200 acres of the Harrigan ranch and enough capital to start their own businesses when they turned 21. She is the owner of Sage Creek Quarter Horse Ranch and breeds and trains quarter horse. Dr Tucker Coulter DVM (35) has brown hair and blue eyes, is 6'4" tall, a veterinarian, has a photograph memory, was an award winning wrestler in high school and college, and wanted to be a cop when he was little. He loves fine things, including his two-story, professionally decorated Victorian home and his English garden. He has a pet rottweiler named Max. The two meet at the rodeo after Samantha confronts a man abusing his horse. Later, Tucker is called to her ranch to help her sick stallion. Tucker is able to quickly assess the situation and treat the horse. Sadly, Samantha's horses aren't all saved. Her ex-husband seduced one of her stable hands and convinced her to do his dirty work. In the end, they're both in jail. The epilogue finds Tucker and Samantha on their wedding day, Frank plans to marry DeeDee, Mary is on a mission to convert her family to Catholicism, and Clint caught Samantha's bouquet.

Other characters: ●Steve Fisher (Samantha's abusive ex-husband; rodeo cowboy; cheater; alcoholic; the villain); Frank Harrigan (61; Samantha's dad; self-made millionaire; raises quarter horses; wiry; dark hair; overprotective; widower); Clinton (36; aka Clint; Samantha's oldest brother; wavy black hair; brown eyes; taught Samantha self-defense); Quincy (34; Samantha's brother; health nut; 2 Australian Shepherds); Parker (33; Samantha's brother); Zachary (31; aka Zach; Samantha's brother; recent birthday August 9th); Emily (Samantha's mom; died giving birth to Samantha); Grandpa Harrigan (Samantha's grandfather); Hugh (Frank's younger brother; Oregon State Policeman); DeeDee (the ranch cleaning lady; daughter just had her 1st child; Frank is dating her); Father Mike O'Flannery; Mr Matlock (stout; middle aged; violent horse abuser; fought Samantha and Tucker); ? (42, police officer, divorced with 3 kids, wife cheated on him); Detective Galloway and Detective James (investigating the poisonings at the Sage Creek Ranch); Ray Ballentine (rotund; short; private investigator). ●Samantha and her family's employees: Jerome Hudson (54; Samantha's ranch foreman of 8 years; graying brown hair; brown eyes; knowledgeable horseman; one broken heart turned him into a forever bachelor); Dr Washburn DVM (veterinarian at Loyal Companion Veterinarian Clinic); Dr Darren Black DVM (veterinarian at Loyal Companion Veterinarian Clinic; tall; skinny; freckled; red hair; receding chin); Cary (31; female; new hire, Samantha's stable hand; temp for a nursing agency; dating Steve; people pleasure; hazel eyes; golden brown hair; masculine; lives with her mom; "dieting;" betrayed Samantha and po¡soned/k¡lled Samantha's horses); Kyle George (34; Samantha's stable hand; talented horse trainer; flirty; shallow; wavy black hair; blue eyes); Nan Branson (26; slender; shoulder length blonde hair; working for Samantha for just under a year); Mac (Samantha's horse trainer); Roni Post (Samantha's stable hand; short redhead with dimples); Hooter (Clint's foreman); Toby (Parker's foreman); Pauline (Quincy's foreman); Cookie (Zachary's foreman). ●Harv and Mary (Tucker's parents; mom is Irish Catholic); Isaiah (Tucker's identical twin brother/partner; veterinarian; wife: Laura); Jake Coulter (Tucker's brother; horse whisperer/equine behavioral analyst; blue eyes; bump on his nose from Tucker breaking it when they were young; 6'4"; Lazy J owner; plump brunette financial advisor wife: Molly; 15 month old daughter Cheyenne Lee; had her 1st marriage annulled); Bethany Kendrick (Tucker's sister; injured in a barrel racing accident several years ago; husband: Ryan Kendrick; 2 kids); Hank (Tucker's youngest brother; owns the Lazy J with Jake; blind wife: Carly, had her 2nd cataract surgery; pregnant with baby #2); Zeke (Tucker and Isaiah's older brother: singer/club owner wife: Natalie, tattoo of Zeke inside a heart on her left butt cheek; 2 children); Ann Kendrick (former nurse; Rafe and Ryan's mom; Bethany's mother-in-law); Valerie (Natalie's sister); McBride (Tucker's grandpa); Rafe Kendrick (Ryan's brother); Keith Kendrick (Ryan and Rafe's dad; wealthy); Sly (Tucker's nephew); Amelia (Rafe Kendrick's daughter). ●Marsha Latimer (Tucker's assistant); Noreen (vet tech); Abigail Spence (Tucker's answering service rep); Riley (vet tech). ●Hawkeye Security: Nonna Redcliff (security team senior officer; slender; Naive American ancestry); Chuck (blonde). ●Animals: Samantha's horses: Blue Blazes (salt and pepper colored stallion; po¡soned), Oregano (4; grayish-brown coat, black face, main, and tail), Nutmeg (bay mare), Cherry Cream (3; sorrel filly); Cilantro (11; blue roan mare; Blue Blazes dame; murdered); Hickory Smoke (5 months old; colt; Cilantro's newest foal; murdered); Tobasco (4; sorrel stallion; poisoned). ●Tucker's patients: Daisy (the Potter's St Bernard); Old Doc (John Sorenson's old gelding; John's wife May is deceased); Jim Rolston (Frank's friend; Tucker's clinic client).

1.5 out of 5 on my spice scale.

1st listen 11-05-23

[Daily Book Blog · Rating 3 out of 5]

Catherine Anderson is an excellent writer and very engaging. She's a vibrant and talented writer in the genre that is my favorite - romance!

However, this book wasn't one of my favorites. I found the Heroine, Samantha, astonishingly naïve and excruciatingly frustrating. Being a horse owner myself, I wanted to throw her behind bars and lock away the key for her gross negligence which led to the severe illnesses and deaths of several "prized" animals. She is supposed to be a religious person, yet her pride and stubbornness caused harm to come to innocent lives - a thing that could have been avoided if she was willing to listen to wise council instead of arrogantly going her own way.

I loved Tucker, but if I had been him, I would have called the authorities and walked away from Samantha. He was smitten with her. He wanted to save her animals and save her - I get it, I really do, but Sam's character left so much to be desired. She was a heroine I disliked, and that's never any fun. I want to root for the hero and heroine, but instead I found myself falling more in love with Tucker and more frustrated with Samantha.

After saying all that, I'll say that this story is a good conclusion to the Coulter Family Series, tying it up neatly and leading into the Harrigan Family Series. It ends happily (other than the horses that lost their lives), but it's not one I would say "yes! read this book." Anderson has done better.

If you want to know how one series ends and the next begins, this read will get you there, but in all honesty, you could probably skip it and go straight into the next book of the Harrigan family and have a decent idea of what's going on.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

In an altercation over cruelty to a horse brings breeder Samantha Harrigan and vet Tucker Coulter together then arrested, they feel an attraction, but Samantha is more than gun shy from a very bad marriage. When some of her prize horses are poisoned, she calls Tucker for help in trying to save them.

Their relationship grows as they work day and night to save the horses, then try to save Samantha from charges that she’s murdering her horses for insurance money. There is a large cast of empathetic characters, and the poisoner is telegraphed fairly early even though the motivating force is held ‘til the end. Enjoyable for those who like western romances, horses, and good guys and gals. Samantha’s Catholic faith is upfront fairly often and would, I think, make this story appealing to Christian fiction readers as well.

Readalikes:
Jill Shalvis’ Lucky Harbor series; Robyn Carr’s Virgin River novels; Nora Roberts’ Chesapeake Bay saga; Linda Howard – Mr. Perfect; Barbara Delinsky – A Woman Betrayed; Janet Dailey – Calder Pride; Elizabeth Lowell – This Time Love; Susan Wiggs’s Lakeshore Chronicles;

Pace: Fast
Characters: Likable;
Story: Character-driven
Writing style: Compelling
Tone: High-drama; Moving; heartwarming
Frame: Crystal Falls OR; contemporary