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Rocky Mountain #1

Rocky Mountain Match

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When blindness strikes carpenter Joseph Drake, the prospect of a lifetime of darkness fills him with despair. But then his brother hires Katie Ellickson. The strong-willed, confident teacher knows what it's like to be outcast, alone—and she won't give up on Joseph, even when he's ready to give up on himself. He thinks blindness is his most difficult obstacle, until he finds a bigger challenge—trying to reach Katie's heart. Will she let him? Katie has secrets that she's carried with her to the Rocky Mountains. And there's a darkness of her own in her past, which she can't escape for long….

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

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248 people want to read

About the author

Pamela Nissen

10 books9 followers

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5 stars
83 (40%)
4 stars
68 (33%)
3 stars
42 (20%)
2 stars
8 (3%)
1 star
4 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Dorcas.
677 reviews231 followers
November 23, 2014
I think all men should read a Love Inspired romance. You know, just so they know what they're up against. 6'4", rippling muscles, strong, broad shoulders, dreamy golden brown eyes and wavy hair that curls oh so playfully around ones fingers and lays Adonis-like on a sculpted neck. Are you sighing, yet? Well get a grip! This is love INSPIRED and we're not here to focus on the 'outer man' so shake it off. Real women need to understand that our heroes are not only gorgeous lumps of mortal clay but also protectors of feminine virtue, intuitive, caring, kind and reassuring, all things and everything, and just what a slim-waisted woman needs them to be... "You look tired, Sunshine. Let me rub your shoulders. And by the way, I've fixed us a picnic. Lets go mosey down by the river and eat some chicken wings under the stars..."

AHHHHAHAHAHA!! :D

But kidding aside, I'm really not poking fun. I did enjoy this in my own way. I had just finished a rather serious, dark book and wanted a light palate cleanser and these little romances always do it for me. Clean, sweet, not too demanding, perfect for in-between chunksters.

I wont go into the plot (you can see that on the blurb) but I did find it interesting that our hero here is blind. Something like that grabs my attention, the "I'm standing by the underdog" gene, I guess. I want our hero to mount up with wings and conquer all. Blind. With both arms tied around his back, hornets circling and one leg in quicksand. Catherine Cookson, where are you?


CONTENT: PG
SEX: None shown but rape is mentioned
VIOLENCE: A couple of fights, a near rape and shooting. One or two instances of traumatic death.
PROFANITY: None
PREACHINESS LEVEL: Pretty mild. Characters pray and you'll hear things like "Oh God why did this happen to me?" but doctrinely there is nothing. No sermonizing as such.
Profile Image for Honeybee.
52 reviews3 followers
December 25, 2018
One of the best Christian romances I have read in a long time. A blind man and a broken soul woman come together to see God's gifts for each other. I really felt like I knew deep inside these two characters. I feel this was very well written. The characters were developed completely and they were brought to life before my eyes... I can't wait to read more books by ms. Nissen.
Profile Image for Rebecca Embry.
Author 1 book10 followers
June 17, 2019
Wow, just wow! This book was spectacular! The emotion that was written and the emotion that I felt was incredible. An amazing story of God’s promise to care for us, even when we think He’s not. And His incredible power of redeeming love.
Profile Image for Judy.
3,299 reviews
March 11, 2011
Joseph Drake has been struck blind and is not dealing well with it. He is sure he will get his sight back.

His brother, also a Doctor, has hired Katie Ellickson to teach him to deal with his blindness. She had experience with it. Katie was also looking for a reason to leave Iowa behind her. A trusted church member had done her wrong and threatened to hurt those she loves if she spoke about it.

Joseph cannot see Katie but starts caring for her from what he can "see" of her character. He decides if he gets his sight back he will follow his feelings. If he cannot be a whole man again he won't follow his heart.

This is such a touching story. I had many moments of tear filled eyes.
Profile Image for Carolyn F..
3,491 reviews51 followers
May 25, 2015
3-1/2 stars.

The book kind of drew me in the beginning and then lost me and then drew me back. I loved that even though this is a Christian romance, there wasn't the big miracle at the end. Just two people finding love. Sweet book.
Profile Image for Roxanne Rustand.
Author 86 books668 followers
February 18, 2010
I had a chance to read a pre-publication copy of this book, and it is absolutely wonderful. Pamela Nissen is a fresh new voice in historical romance, and really an author to watch!
Profile Image for Anna Marie.
1,405 reviews2 followers
September 4, 2022
This was one of the worst Love Inspired Historicals I've read, yet. Which is a disappointment, because the historicals are usually better than the contemporaries.

The book starts out with Joseph Drake, who's had an 'accident' in his workshop, involving a fall. It SOUNDS like he hit his head and went blind, but then there's really no point to covering his eyes... unless he hit the ground with his face? Except we're not talking any wounds or punctures, so it makes NO sense.

It's all very trite and dramatic, from moment one. "Muh eyes! Muh sight! Muh independence!" And immediately his brother (who conveniently is a doctor) sends to Iowa for a 'teacher' to come help his brother adjust.

And as with ALL books written shoddily and the same, he resists, doesn't want anything to do with her, is spilling and falling and knocking over and angry. And as with ALL books with this regurgitated plot-line, there's the shallow but beautiful girlfriend who's SHOUTING AT HIM BECAUSE HE'S BLIND, while being utterly insensitive and twittering nervously and... GAH!!

And of course the teacher is gentle and patient and quietly assisting and bearing the brunt of his attitude/anger... it's all so stereotypical and cliche, I just. Couldn't. Do it.

NO. Stories should be fresh and interesting, drawing the reader in. Not the same as EVERY. OTHER. BLIND PIONEER story that's ever been written.

DNF.
Profile Image for Val.
1,385 reviews7 followers
April 13, 2021
Bring on the tissues 😢. Joseph and Katie are perfect for each other and unfortunately tragedy had to bring them together. I read late into the night hoping to finish the story (I didn't make it😴) but if I had started earlier in the day I would have read it in a day. The message of redemption was weaved into every sentence but the inspirational part was very subtle. 😊 I really liked this author and I am hoping the remaining books in the series are as enjoyable.
Profile Image for Charline Bonham.
637 reviews
November 15, 2017
Joseph does not want to work on handling his blindness because he is so sure he will not stay that way. Katie has come to help him but he resist her help. Very good characters in the story but a lot of sadness and trouble. Can they each learn to trust God to take care of them and their troubles?
Profile Image for Vicki.
1,709 reviews
November 18, 2020
She came to teach him after the accident blinded him. He just knew when the bandages came off he would be able to see again. He didn't. Pride and anger. She offered him peace and ability to move on.
Great romanc
Profile Image for ANNETTE.
1,134 reviews6 followers
March 18, 2022
Excellent book. Loved it ! hard to put down.
420 reviews13 followers
January 21, 2018
I picked this book out to read as a quick-read, feel-good, fun book. While it was certainly all those things, it had a surprising amount of depth, structure and a lovely writing style. Pamela Nissen is an excellent writer who is not inclined to go with the expected. In her forward, she mentions that she likes to have her characters go through the best and worst of life, just like normal people do. She follows through with this in Rocky Mountain Match.
The characters are honest and genuine, endearing and irritating, in the way only characters that are REAL can be. The plot, while not incredibly imaginative, is dealt with in an original and pleasing way. This brought more tears than I thought it would, a feel-good but realistic ending, and ultimately... I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Michelle.
446 reviews10 followers
November 6, 2016
Rocky Mountains
Book 1 of 4

This series is about four brothers who find love. They each have their own unique story and tragedies. Trying to make a life after their parents' death, we watch each one grow in character and love.

This book is about Joseph Drake. He recently had an accident which caused him to go blind. Though he's hoping that it's only temporary, his doctor brother believes it's not. His three brothers send for a teacher who can teach him to live without his sight, but Joseph is very against it. He's very bitter and doesn't want to deal with anyone. But Katie has a special way about her. She's able to penetrate the rough exterior of Joseph's heart and get inside, but she has her own secret tragedy that she carries.

There were some very sad moments in this book. About half-way through, it seems several things happen at once that brings an interesting event to the life of Joseph and Katie. There's some pretty sensitive material that may not be suitable for young readers. The violence isn't bad, but there is mention of rapes happening to a close character that may be a bit hard for some readers to take. The events made me cry, but made me smile at the sweetness that came out of it all. The way the author wrote the final scene was very, very well done. I know many Christian authors probably wouldn't have included it, but it really helped to show us how Joseph helped Katie come to terms with her old hurts and replace them with something wonderful.

Enjoy!
Profile Image for Miss Pippi the Librarian.
2,752 reviews60 followers
November 23, 2011
Rocky Mountain Match is Pamela Nissen's first Love Inspired Historical book. I applaud her for tackling difficult issues head-on. I look forward to reading more about Drake brothers.

Having the eyes of your burden enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints. ~ Ephesians 3:18

Time Period: Western, 1890's
Location: Colorado, USA
30 reviews2 followers
December 18, 2010
I don't ever remember crying as much as I did when I read this book! However, it still was one of the best books I have read! It really was amazing, when your reading you don't feel as though you're reading it you feel like you're living it! It was so clear! It may be sad, but it is purely amazing and I would recomend it to almost every one I know!
515 reviews
July 24, 2011
Excellent book. I loved all the characters, and can't wait to read about the other brothers in future books. It was so well-written, and the story of these two broken and wounded souls touched my heart.
Profile Image for Susan.
93 reviews7 followers
June 8, 2014
The main male character was strongly written and his angst was so believable. The main female character's insecurities were palatable. Their chemistry was great. Very enjoyable romance with a nice amount of focus on prayer and the battle of keeping faith in times of heartbreak.
Profile Image for Lila.
593 reviews4 followers
September 13, 2016
Pamela is a new and really good author. I can't wait for her next book. I read these before I started entering books in Goodreads so am not sure when I actually read them, but they would be fun to reread this year.
Profile Image for SheLove2Read.
3,111 reviews204 followers
October 5, 2011
I cannot fathom being suddenly rendered blind. I'm glad the author didn't take the easy route and give the hero a miraculous recovery, but dealt with his disability realistically.
Profile Image for Sandy.
236 reviews13 followers
May 22, 2011
I really really enjoyed this book. I can't wait to read the rest of the series. It was a fast read but very enjoyable.
Profile Image for Melissa Stoltz.
33 reviews1 follower
July 10, 2012
Loved this book through&through. It is for me one of those rare books that is hard to put down once you get started reading it.
Profile Image for Shawn.
3,173 reviews
June 26, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. Liked the characters and how they handled each of their own struggles and still kept their faith in God.
Profile Image for Sydnee Walsh.
1,290 reviews31 followers
August 18, 2018
This was an interesting read. It had ups and downs that kept you in the telling.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews

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