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Mystic Creek #5
Strawberry Hill
The New York Times bestselling author of Spring Forward returns to Mystic Creek, Oregon, where an estranged pair are given a second chance.
As a camp cook, Vickie Brown loves feeding any size crowd in the great outdoors--with one notable exception. She never would have predicted she'd join the crew led by gruff cowboy Slade Wilder, the man who broke her heart just days before their wedding.
Life has gone on since Vickie left him, but Slade can admit his attraction to the one woman he's ever loved remains stronger than ever. If he wasn't in such desperate need of an experienced cook for his paying guests, he would send Vickie packing. He knows better than to seek out the company of the woman who broke off their engagement so many years ago.
Except there's no escaping each other in the confines of the wilderness area, especially once their anger begins to soften in the shared close quarters. But after Vickie finds the courage to confront Slade, it will take a leap of faith for them to put their past behind him, even if it's the only way to recapture their once-in-a-lifetime love.
As a camp cook, Vickie Brown loves feeding any size crowd in the great outdoors--with one notable exception. She never would have predicted she'd join the crew led by gruff cowboy Slade Wilder, the man who broke her heart just days before their wedding.
Life has gone on since Vickie left him, but Slade can admit his attraction to the one woman he's ever loved remains stronger than ever. If he wasn't in such desperate need of an experienced cook for his paying guests, he would send Vickie packing. He knows better than to seek out the company of the woman who broke off their engagement so many years ago.
Except there's no escaping each other in the confines of the wilderness area, especially once their anger begins to soften in the shared close quarters. But after Vickie finds the courage to confront Slade, it will take a leap of faith for them to put their past behind him, even if it's the only way to recapture their once-in-a-lifetime love.
496 pages, ebook
First published December 31, 2018
About the author
Catherine Anderson
94 books2,878 followersLibrarian 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.
(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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
January 8, 2019
I'm a huge fan of this authors. I love the way she can weave a tale and turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. I loved the story but wanted more with the ending. I'm hoping there will be a couple of spinoffs as the opportunities were there.
December 27, 2018
I don't even know where to begin with. Rarely have I read a book that made me think of every cliche about romance and made me feel like I'm stuck in a long episode of The Bold and the Beautiful.
Let me start by mentioning how antiquated and wooden this author's writing style is. The dialogues don't feel natural, the characters use weird sayings and phrases every couple of pages. It's like watching actors overacting.
If nothing else, I’ll have a one-on-one talk with her and tell her how the cow ate the cabbage.
“Excuse me for a couple of minutes. I need to see a man about a dog.”
"I think it's time to get people in town behind us and become a squeaky wheel"
"I would have welcomed that boy with opened arms and slaughtered that fatted calf"
Who talks like that???
This book is about rancher Slade and the "love of his life" Vickie who never believed him when he told her he never cheated on her. The heroine chose to believe the woman who told her she had sex with her fiance. And when the hero said "I DID NOT HAVE SEX WITH THAT WOMAN" I had a flashback to the 90s when Bill Clinton said these exact words.
The old hero and heroine keep on saying how well they know each other but I just couldn't see it. Vickie didn't believe a word Slade said. Why did she want to marry him if she knew him so well and could actually believe that the man would cheat on her? It was infuriating.
In between we get some petty revenge pranks, the worst being the hero faking a heart attack. Seriously? It felt more like two kids in the sandbox throwing dirt at one another. And they are supposed to be the mature ones.
This book is written in four different POVs, the other two being about the rancher's deaf foreman and his niece. Unfortunately there seems to have been an error with the blurb because currently there are two up on Goodreads for this book, one of them being about those two. We are being teased with their blooming friendship but no HEA.
My guess is that it's the synopsis for the next book. This is the correct blurb.
Then there are the really stupid lines which I couldn't help but laugh at, and I don't mean that in a haha-it's-so-funny way. It was downright ridiculous.
He’s your son, and if you try to deny that any longer, I’ll steal some of your DNA to prove it.”
The characters weren't exactly likable and Vickie was the worst of the bunch. Ignorant, aggressive, childish, annoying and self-righteous. She kept insisting how Slade was a bastard for not acknowledging his son although he said numerous times that HE DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT HIM. It was the same thing she did to him not believing that he hadn't cheated on her. And the ending? Oh, right, you didn't cheat, sorry, all good, you gonna marry me now or what?
This is one of the weirdest and worst books I've read in recent years (and those who know me know that I don't say something like this lightly) and I didn't even mention everything that was bothering me - it was almost 500 pages of inane prose and I have no idea why I didn't DNF. I don't care enough to continue with the deaf guy and his love interest. Unfortunately this author did nothing to encourage me to read another book by her.
December 21, 2018
3.5 Stars
Going in to Strawberry Hill I thought this was a romance between Erin, the new Mystic Creek Deputy and Wyatt, a ranch foreman who is deaf, because there are two book descriptions out there and the one originally read was about Erin and Wyatt. I didn’t realize this until I got to the epilogue and Erin and Wyatt hadn’t exchange as much as a kiss through the story, and I went onto Goodreads to investigate. I think I would’ve enjoyed this story more if I’d known this was Vicky and Slade’s romance going in. I wouldn’t have had expectations for Erin and Wyatt only to be disappointed.
This is mainly a romance between Vicky and Slade, a couple torn apart right before their wedding day some forty-years earlier. Now, in their 60’s Vicky feels it’s time to confront Slade about the past and she intends to make him own up to responsibilities she thinks he’s knowingly ignored all these years.
I had fun with all the characters, Vicky and Slade were very likable and hilarious at times, and I loved all of Erin and Wyatt’s interactions. Erin kind of made a fool of herself as a Deputy Sheriff when she doesn’t realize Wyatt is deaf. They’re both very much attracted, but Wyatt is hesitant for reasons I’m not yet sure of at this point. I was totally enamored with Wyatt and in awe of his abilities with horses and people even with his disability. It was almost uncanny. Erin and Wyatt had a lot of page time and I kept thinking they’d transition into more.
But I think the biggest hang-up for me here was the forty-years Vicky and Slade wasted being apart, mainly Vicky’s fault, in my opinion. Instead of hashing out an accusation, Vicky broke off their engagement and took off. Also, Vicky seemed to think the world of Slade but still wouldn’t take his word even when never wavered about his innocence all these years later. I was baffled by Vicky’s stubborn refusal to believe Slade when she supposedly had such a high opinion of him. It bothers me that they could’ve been happy together all those years, especially because neither healed or moved on after the breakup. When I finished, I just kept thinking about all that wasted time and it just made me sad.
Still, while I was reading, I wasn’t as stuck on these things, I was more in the moment, so I did enjoy the story as I was reading it. Vicky’s lack of confidence in Slade’s word was annoying, but they just seemed so meant-to-be every time they were together. They had an easy rapport, and their chemistry was impossible to ignore.
I really liked the little town of Mystic Creek Catherine Anderson created. It’s beautifully described, and the characters were both quirky and charming. The idea of a camp vacation with horses sounds like a lot of fun. The pine, moss, and starry nights came to life with Ms. Anderson’s writing.
While I think Vicky and Slade’s romance was bittersweet, even with the wonderful ending, I am totally looking forward to Erin and Wyatt’s romance which I hope is next!
A copy was kindly provided by Berkley in exchange for an honest review.
Going in to Strawberry Hill I thought this was a romance between Erin, the new Mystic Creek Deputy and Wyatt, a ranch foreman who is deaf, because there are two book descriptions out there and the one originally read was about Erin and Wyatt. I didn’t realize this until I got to the epilogue and Erin and Wyatt hadn’t exchange as much as a kiss through the story, and I went onto Goodreads to investigate. I think I would’ve enjoyed this story more if I’d known this was Vicky and Slade’s romance going in. I wouldn’t have had expectations for Erin and Wyatt only to be disappointed.
This is mainly a romance between Vicky and Slade, a couple torn apart right before their wedding day some forty-years earlier. Now, in their 60’s Vicky feels it’s time to confront Slade about the past and she intends to make him own up to responsibilities she thinks he’s knowingly ignored all these years.
I had fun with all the characters, Vicky and Slade were very likable and hilarious at times, and I loved all of Erin and Wyatt’s interactions. Erin kind of made a fool of herself as a Deputy Sheriff when she doesn’t realize Wyatt is deaf. They’re both very much attracted, but Wyatt is hesitant for reasons I’m not yet sure of at this point. I was totally enamored with Wyatt and in awe of his abilities with horses and people even with his disability. It was almost uncanny. Erin and Wyatt had a lot of page time and I kept thinking they’d transition into more.
But I think the biggest hang-up for me here was the forty-years Vicky and Slade wasted being apart, mainly Vicky’s fault, in my opinion. Instead of hashing out an accusation, Vicky broke off their engagement and took off. Also, Vicky seemed to think the world of Slade but still wouldn’t take his word even when never wavered about his innocence all these years later. I was baffled by Vicky’s stubborn refusal to believe Slade when she supposedly had such a high opinion of him. It bothers me that they could’ve been happy together all those years, especially because neither healed or moved on after the breakup. When I finished, I just kept thinking about all that wasted time and it just made me sad.
Still, while I was reading, I wasn’t as stuck on these things, I was more in the moment, so I did enjoy the story as I was reading it. Vicky’s lack of confidence in Slade’s word was annoying, but they just seemed so meant-to-be every time they were together. They had an easy rapport, and their chemistry was impossible to ignore.
I really liked the little town of Mystic Creek Catherine Anderson created. It’s beautifully described, and the characters were both quirky and charming. The idea of a camp vacation with horses sounds like a lot of fun. The pine, moss, and starry nights came to life with Ms. Anderson’s writing.
While I think Vicky and Slade’s romance was bittersweet, even with the wonderful ending, I am totally looking forward to Erin and Wyatt’s romance which I hope is next!
A copy was kindly provided by Berkley in exchange for an honest review.
December 28, 2018
Strawberry Hill was a really cute and endearing story about a couple that reunites in their sixties and a blonde black bear that just won't quit.
From the blurb, I thought this was Wyatt, deaf rancher, and Erin, newly appointed county patrol officer, story. Even though it starts with Wyatt and Erin, they become the back story and Vickie, a single mother of three now adults, and Slade, the ranch owner, who never Knew he had a son, reuniting.
I liked the characters and found the story quite enjoyable but was a bit thrown on who I should become invested in reading about which kept me from loving it.
I received this ARC copy of Strawberry Hill from Berkley Publishing Group. This is my honest and voluntary review. Strawberry Hill is set for publication December 31, 2018.
My Rating: 4 stars
Written by: Catherine Anderson
Print Length: 496 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: December 31, 2018
Sold by: Penguin Group (USA) LLC
Genre: Romance | Women's Lit
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Strawberry-Hil...
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stra...
Want more check us out on Tome Tender Book Blog or on Facebook
From the blurb, I thought this was Wyatt, deaf rancher, and Erin, newly appointed county patrol officer, story. Even though it starts with Wyatt and Erin, they become the back story and Vickie, a single mother of three now adults, and Slade, the ranch owner, who never Knew he had a son, reuniting.
I liked the characters and found the story quite enjoyable but was a bit thrown on who I should become invested in reading about which kept me from loving it.
I received this ARC copy of Strawberry Hill from Berkley Publishing Group. This is my honest and voluntary review. Strawberry Hill is set for publication December 31, 2018.
My Rating: 4 stars
Written by: Catherine Anderson
Print Length: 496 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: December 31, 2018
Sold by: Penguin Group (USA) LLC
Genre: Romance | Women's Lit
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Strawberry-Hil...
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stra...
Want more check us out on Tome Tender Book Blog or on Facebook
December 31, 2018
Overall, I enjoyed the book. It's not to often you get a love story about a couple in their 60's. There was the back story to how Slade and Vickie began when they were younger, what caused them to split up and then what brought them back together. I also enjoyed the part a bear cub played in the book. He had a starring role as one of the side characters. I do tend to enjoy books with animals as part of the story. As a side bonus, there was a start to a new relationship with Erin and Wyatt. It sounds like they will get to finish their journey in the next book maybe?
January 27, 2019
ARC received for review
What is it lately with my favorite authors? This is the third one in a month. Y'all need to quit writing less than amazing books.
I thought this was Vickie and Slade's HEA which it is, but she keep going back to another couple and writing their story. Then it was Vickie and Slade. Then the other couple. It got to be dizzying after a while. I felt like Vickie and Slade's story could have been so much more. I would have loved more flashbacks to when they were younger. Plus the other couple didn't get an ending and not really even much of a start. There was almost no kissing and only vaguely mentioned sex scenes from younger days.
Overall, not one of Ms. Anderson's finest.
What is it lately with my favorite authors? This is the third one in a month. Y'all need to quit writing less than amazing books.
I thought this was Vickie and Slade's HEA which it is, but she keep going back to another couple and writing their story. Then it was Vickie and Slade. Then the other couple. It got to be dizzying after a while. I felt like Vickie and Slade's story could have been so much more. I would have loved more flashbacks to when they were younger. Plus the other couple didn't get an ending and not really even much of a start. There was almost no kissing and only vaguely mentioned sex scenes from younger days.
Overall, not one of Ms. Anderson's finest.
January 2, 2019
A small-town second chance…
Slade gets his story! I was thrilled to start this story where Slade’s first, and only, love comes back into his life. He has been in the background throughout the Mystic Creek series and I wanted/needed him to be less lonely. He lived his whole life respectful of the animals that were his life, and friend to his neighbours and those who worked for him. Family was scarce though and he had a mysterious lost love…
A horrible misunderstanding/decision separated Slade and Vickie decades earlier and both had never fully recovered. Vickie had an opportunity to face their past, to face answers that were long overdue. Scared about the secrets she kept and the secrets Slade denied, they were going to figure it out one snarky, sassy, heart-wrenching scene at a time…
This author knows how to write family and drama in a balance that never feels overdone. While a bit quiet and drawn out at times, that didn’t take away from the intersecting plotlines and long-awaited revelations. And as always, family, friendship (of the two and four legged kind!) and found love made this a must read small-town romance. ~Diane, 4 stars
Slade gets his story! I was thrilled to start this story where Slade’s first, and only, love comes back into his life. He has been in the background throughout the Mystic Creek series and I wanted/needed him to be less lonely. He lived his whole life respectful of the animals that were his life, and friend to his neighbours and those who worked for him. Family was scarce though and he had a mysterious lost love…
A horrible misunderstanding/decision separated Slade and Vickie decades earlier and both had never fully recovered. Vickie had an opportunity to face their past, to face answers that were long overdue. Scared about the secrets she kept and the secrets Slade denied, they were going to figure it out one snarky, sassy, heart-wrenching scene at a time…
This author knows how to write family and drama in a balance that never feels overdone. While a bit quiet and drawn out at times, that didn’t take away from the intersecting plotlines and long-awaited revelations. And as always, family, friendship (of the two and four legged kind!) and found love made this a must read small-town romance. ~Diane, 4 stars
January 4, 2019
The story suffered because it wasn't mainly about the older couple on the back of the book. They are in their 60s and have let 41 years pass for one misunderstanding. I would have liked this better had the story stayed focused on them and their issues. We really should have got to see the meeting of Slade and Brody, it would have made the story more richer. Instead we got a lot of page time of Erin and Wyatt, a different couple, thinking that their romance was going to go somewhere and in the end it didn't. I hope they get a book now. I understand for the story line letting some time pass for young lovers, but 41 years worth? Then you have all this anger and play stupid jokes instead of talking about it. There was really no romance to speak of, there was a kiss or two at the end and that was about it. There really wasn't time to put it in because we spent so much time page time with other things that didn't have anything to do with our couple.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2018
This was a DNF for me. When I originally saw this book, the synopsis was completely different from what's on the back of the book, and it talked about a new female sheriff (Erin) who gets stationed to a small town and a ranch foremen (Wyatt) who is deaf. However, this story is more so geared towards Erin's uncle Slade and the woman who got away from him over 40 years ago, Vicky. Even with that being said, the book bounces around between these four characters, and it was tough connecting with them and latching onto their story. Not to mention the fact that I was not a fan of Vicky's character. She left Slade right before their wedding because a woman who'd been lusting after Slade claimed they slept together and instead of talking it over with her fiance, she turned tail and ran... pregnant with his kid... that he didn't know about. She also doesn't even tell her son that the abusive man that raised him wasn't actually his father. The whole thing was pretty messed up and I just couldn't get on board with Vicky.
If I'm being honest, I felt a bit duped by this book. I thought I was getting one story and instead got something else, with snippets of the story I had signed up for. I suppose I could have gotten over it if the other story held my interest, but it didn't. I found Vicky unlikable, the switching of POV's unbalancing, and the dialogue a bit stilted.
If I'm being honest, I felt a bit duped by this book. I thought I was getting one story and instead got something else, with snippets of the story I had signed up for. I suppose I could have gotten over it if the other story held my interest, but it didn't. I found Vicky unlikable, the switching of POV's unbalancing, and the dialogue a bit stilted.
June 17, 2019
Each year I’ve enjoyed a new visit to Mystic Creek, Oregon. This small-town series has introduced us to the townsfolk and ranchers in the area. Strawberry Hill shares the second chance romance of rancher Slade Wilder, and Vickie Brown, his high school sweetheart. The two were engaged when miscommunication and interference drove them apart.
Over two decades later when Slade needs a camp cook and Vickie’s son needs help she applies for the job. Sparks, pranks, and revelations occur as these two sort out the past and plan the future.
I felt bad for both Slade and Vickie but was happy to see them get their second chance at happy. While the pranks and teenage behavior were a turnoff for me, it helped drive the story.
We also get to enjoy the beginnings of a romance. Deaf foreman Wyatt finds himself almost arrested by Slade’s niece. She is a county deputy whom he unknowingly ignores. Through them we get to see a horse whisper in action, interact with other townsfolk whose stories I hope will be forthcoming. For me, I would have preferred the romance focus on this couple and I was sad to see we didn’t see the romance develop further.
The bear on the cover ties into the story, and I enjoyed both the lessons and antics. I am hoping we learn more about him. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Over two decades later when Slade needs a camp cook and Vickie’s son needs help she applies for the job. Sparks, pranks, and revelations occur as these two sort out the past and plan the future.
I felt bad for both Slade and Vickie but was happy to see them get their second chance at happy. While the pranks and teenage behavior were a turnoff for me, it helped drive the story.
We also get to enjoy the beginnings of a romance. Deaf foreman Wyatt finds himself almost arrested by Slade’s niece. She is a county deputy whom he unknowingly ignores. Through them we get to see a horse whisper in action, interact with other townsfolk whose stories I hope will be forthcoming. For me, I would have preferred the romance focus on this couple and I was sad to see we didn’t see the romance develop further.
The bear on the cover ties into the story, and I enjoyed both the lessons and antics. I am hoping we learn more about him. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
January 27, 2019
What I liked :
-The blond bear
-Erin was an interesting character. Not your typical heroine, she tried all her life "to be the boy" her father wanted and she's working as a law officer, not sure she really like her job, but it was cool to see her want to reclaim her femininity and play with the idea of doing something else with her life.
-Wyatt's quiet presence (it's no pun about him being deaf but because he's got a steady calmness and strong composure that is attractive, and he's got the whole horse whisperer thing factor too.
-Erin and Wyatt had an amusing and fascinating first meeting where they both didn't make a good first impression but it quickly changed into a smooth and natural attraction and I really enjoyed their kind of chemistry.
What I didn't like :
-That we were left high and dry about Erin and Wyatt situation. Will they end up together in an other book or was their story just some filling of pages?
-That I didn't realize sooner that this book is not romance, but women's fiction.
-Slade and Vicky had no chemistry in my opinion and I lost interest for the book when they were reunited, and their reunion was frustrating because even after 40 years, they're still wasting time not talking to each other about the important things.
-I didn't understand lots of things about Vickie's mindset and behavior.
-The blond bear
-Erin was an interesting character. Not your typical heroine, she tried all her life "to be the boy" her father wanted and she's working as a law officer, not sure she really like her job, but it was cool to see her want to reclaim her femininity and play with the idea of doing something else with her life.
-Wyatt's quiet presence (it's no pun about him being deaf but because he's got a steady calmness and strong composure that is attractive, and he's got the whole horse whisperer thing factor too.
-Erin and Wyatt had an amusing and fascinating first meeting where they both didn't make a good first impression but it quickly changed into a smooth and natural attraction and I really enjoyed their kind of chemistry.
What I didn't like :
-That we were left high and dry about Erin and Wyatt situation. Will they end up together in an other book or was their story just some filling of pages?
-That I didn't realize sooner that this book is not romance, but women's fiction.
-Slade and Vicky had no chemistry in my opinion and I lost interest for the book when they were reunited, and their reunion was frustrating because even after 40 years, they're still wasting time not talking to each other about the important things.
-I didn't understand lots of things about Vickie's mindset and behavior.
February 10, 2019
Good book, but I found the blurb to be a bit misleading. Erin and Wyatt are part of this story, but not, in my opinion, the main story. Much more time is spent with Erin's Uncle Slade and Vickie Brown, the woman who broke his heart forty-one years earlier. I thought both stories were well done, with believable and relatable characters.
The story opened with a prologue about Slade and a bear cub. It was a good illustration of the type of men both Slade and Wyatt are. I loved their obvious concern for the bear cub and his future. There was also a brief mention of Slade's past relationship with Vickie, where he remembered a similar situation with her and a bear cub. Wyatt's disability is also explained. The prologue finished with the feeling that the bear cub, Four Toes, will be heard from again.
The next one we meet is Erin De Laney, Slade's niece and relative newcomer to the sheriff's department. She was a city cop, following in her father's footsteps until she burned out on the misery she had to deal with. She took the job with the sheriff's department as a way of staying in law enforcement but with a slower lifestyle. She also hoped to get to know her uncle better, but as the newbie in the department, she had little free time. She was frequently called in to deal with after-hours emergencies. She was currently assigned to a wilderness patrol, something she felt unprepared for but stepped up to the challenge. Her first encounter didn't go well, as she confronted a cowboy who appeared to blow off her attempts to stop him. It was a prime example of two stubborn people butting heads and not wanting to back down. Erin wanted to look like she knew what she was doing, and Wyatt didn't like to use his disability as an excuse. There were sharp words between them, especially when Wyatt found out who she was. But underneath the antagonism, there were also sparks of attraction.
Next up was the introduction to Vickie, Slade's former fiancée. After forty-one years, she never forgot Slade and her feelings for him. Her life hasn't been an easy one since she broke their engagement and left Mystic Creek. She discovered she was pregnant, tried multiple times to contact Slade and was ignored, and ended up marrying another man who promised to raise her child as his own. She had two more children with him, but he turned out to be an abusive drunk who she eventually left. She has continued to resent Slade's refusal to acknowledge their son all these years, especially now when Brody could really use the help a father could give. When she comes across the opportunity to be the camp cook for Slade's wilderness trips, she grabs it, planning to use the chance to confront him. There were things I liked about Vickie, but there were also things that irritated me. I loved the way that she had pulled herself up and found a way to provide for her son, and then her other children. She had the strength and courage to stand up to her husband, and then to make a new life without him when she had to. She was a hard worker, and I loved watching her at the camp as she brought order out of chaos. However, for a woman who had claimed to be so in love with Slade, and knows him so well, I could not understand how she could take the word of a jealous rival over Slade's. I also felt that the pranks she pulled on him at the camp were more suited to a ten-year-old boy than a sixty+-year-old woman.
That being said, I enjoyed the rekindling of the relationship between Vickie and Slade. It was clear from the start that their feelings for each other had never died. The biggest obstacle to their love was their unresolved past. Slade's shock at seeing Vickie as his new camp cook was real and he had mixed emotions. Initially, he was happy to see her, but her attitude toward him still hurt and angered him. I wasn't surprised that he wanted to protect himself by sending her away, but he was also realistic in that he needed her as a cook. Vickie also questioned herself but was determined to confront Slade about Brody. It was interesting to see the two of them dance around each other, reconnecting in some ways, yet just as far apart in others. Vickie persisted in holding onto her belief of Slade's wrongdoing all those years ago, which made me madder the longer it went on. I liked Slade's determination to find out exactly what happened. What he did with that information was terrific. I liked how he knew Vickie well enough that he understood how she needed to hear that information. I liked that they finally got past all of their issues and moved ahead together. The only disappointment I had was that, after all the buildup of Brody being Slade's son, we didn't get to see them meet.
In spite of the blurb giving the impression that this was Erin and Wyatt's story, there wasn't a whole lot about their relationship. After the antagonism of their first meeting, I liked seeing them move past it. Watching Wyatt in action gave Erin a better idea of the challenges he'd overcome. Wyatt began to see that Erin wasn't as uncaring of her uncle as he had thought. Both of them also have a bit of trouble with pride getting in the way of a relationship. Wyatt hates being pitied because of his deafness and has worked hard to make himself seem as "normal" as possible. Erin has had trouble with some previous relationships and is wary of risking herself again. She also has some pretty deep daddy issues, having spent her life trying to be the son that her father had wanted. I liked seeing Erin and Wyatt spend time together and get to know each other. But other than a brief mention in the epilogue, their relationship is left hanging. Hopefully, it will be continued in a later book.
The storyline about the bear, Four Toes, was both funny and heartbreaking. I ached for the poor little cub, injured and alone at the beginning. I also hurt for the soft-hearted ranchers who knew what they should do. Three years later, Four Toes' appearance at the camp was a disaster waiting to happen. His antics were amusing to me as a reader, but I would not have wanted to be there myself. I could fully understand the fear that both Vickie and Erin felt the first time they encountered him. Slade also knew that the sword hanging over his head was about to come down, and I ached for him because of it. I wondered what solution would be found, and liked its inclusion in the epilogue.
The story opened with a prologue about Slade and a bear cub. It was a good illustration of the type of men both Slade and Wyatt are. I loved their obvious concern for the bear cub and his future. There was also a brief mention of Slade's past relationship with Vickie, where he remembered a similar situation with her and a bear cub. Wyatt's disability is also explained. The prologue finished with the feeling that the bear cub, Four Toes, will be heard from again.
The next one we meet is Erin De Laney, Slade's niece and relative newcomer to the sheriff's department. She was a city cop, following in her father's footsteps until she burned out on the misery she had to deal with. She took the job with the sheriff's department as a way of staying in law enforcement but with a slower lifestyle. She also hoped to get to know her uncle better, but as the newbie in the department, she had little free time. She was frequently called in to deal with after-hours emergencies. She was currently assigned to a wilderness patrol, something she felt unprepared for but stepped up to the challenge. Her first encounter didn't go well, as she confronted a cowboy who appeared to blow off her attempts to stop him. It was a prime example of two stubborn people butting heads and not wanting to back down. Erin wanted to look like she knew what she was doing, and Wyatt didn't like to use his disability as an excuse. There were sharp words between them, especially when Wyatt found out who she was. But underneath the antagonism, there were also sparks of attraction.
Next up was the introduction to Vickie, Slade's former fiancée. After forty-one years, she never forgot Slade and her feelings for him. Her life hasn't been an easy one since she broke their engagement and left Mystic Creek. She discovered she was pregnant, tried multiple times to contact Slade and was ignored, and ended up marrying another man who promised to raise her child as his own. She had two more children with him, but he turned out to be an abusive drunk who she eventually left. She has continued to resent Slade's refusal to acknowledge their son all these years, especially now when Brody could really use the help a father could give. When she comes across the opportunity to be the camp cook for Slade's wilderness trips, she grabs it, planning to use the chance to confront him. There were things I liked about Vickie, but there were also things that irritated me. I loved the way that she had pulled herself up and found a way to provide for her son, and then her other children. She had the strength and courage to stand up to her husband, and then to make a new life without him when she had to. She was a hard worker, and I loved watching her at the camp as she brought order out of chaos. However, for a woman who had claimed to be so in love with Slade, and knows him so well, I could not understand how she could take the word of a jealous rival over Slade's. I also felt that the pranks she pulled on him at the camp were more suited to a ten-year-old boy than a sixty+-year-old woman.
That being said, I enjoyed the rekindling of the relationship between Vickie and Slade. It was clear from the start that their feelings for each other had never died. The biggest obstacle to their love was their unresolved past. Slade's shock at seeing Vickie as his new camp cook was real and he had mixed emotions. Initially, he was happy to see her, but her attitude toward him still hurt and angered him. I wasn't surprised that he wanted to protect himself by sending her away, but he was also realistic in that he needed her as a cook. Vickie also questioned herself but was determined to confront Slade about Brody. It was interesting to see the two of them dance around each other, reconnecting in some ways, yet just as far apart in others. Vickie persisted in holding onto her belief of Slade's wrongdoing all those years ago, which made me madder the longer it went on. I liked Slade's determination to find out exactly what happened. What he did with that information was terrific. I liked how he knew Vickie well enough that he understood how she needed to hear that information. I liked that they finally got past all of their issues and moved ahead together. The only disappointment I had was that, after all the buildup of Brody being Slade's son, we didn't get to see them meet.
In spite of the blurb giving the impression that this was Erin and Wyatt's story, there wasn't a whole lot about their relationship. After the antagonism of their first meeting, I liked seeing them move past it. Watching Wyatt in action gave Erin a better idea of the challenges he'd overcome. Wyatt began to see that Erin wasn't as uncaring of her uncle as he had thought. Both of them also have a bit of trouble with pride getting in the way of a relationship. Wyatt hates being pitied because of his deafness and has worked hard to make himself seem as "normal" as possible. Erin has had trouble with some previous relationships and is wary of risking herself again. She also has some pretty deep daddy issues, having spent her life trying to be the son that her father had wanted. I liked seeing Erin and Wyatt spend time together and get to know each other. But other than a brief mention in the epilogue, their relationship is left hanging. Hopefully, it will be continued in a later book.
The storyline about the bear, Four Toes, was both funny and heartbreaking. I ached for the poor little cub, injured and alone at the beginning. I also hurt for the soft-hearted ranchers who knew what they should do. Three years later, Four Toes' appearance at the camp was a disaster waiting to happen. His antics were amusing to me as a reader, but I would not have wanted to be there myself. I could fully understand the fear that both Vickie and Erin felt the first time they encountered him. Slade also knew that the sword hanging over his head was about to come down, and I ached for him because of it. I wondered what solution would be found, and liked its inclusion in the epilogue.
February 3, 2019
I enjoyed my return to Mystic Creek and the life out on a ranch feel. There was an older romance that was good to see finally have a resolution, although some aspects of the mix up did not appeal to me. Nor the pranks - quite odd. I liked the romance of the younger couple and wanted more of them. Enjoyed the bear part of the story and the horse whisperer.
September 15, 2019
Likable characters but terribly unfocused plot
Spoilers
I liked this story, I found it both tragic and heartwarming, but it had some big problems narratively.
At the center was Slade and Vickie, two sixty-something has-been sweethearts who were to be married until distrust broke them apart forty years ago. I didn’t relate to them all that much, but I liked Slade quite a bit. Vickie was meh. My biggest problem with them as a couple was how flimsy the reason for their parting was. I just couldn’t buy that this couple, who were supposedly best friends and super close, broke up at the first, merest hint of trouble. She’d trusted him since they were six years old, and the week before the wedding, all of a sudden she’s jealous and distrustful?
Anderson worked so hard to justify the fact that neither Vickie nor Slade could have done more than they did to get a hold of/find each other—and I didn’t buy that, either. Slade had no idea where she’d gone and her family stonewalled him; there wasn’t much else he could do other than nag them and nag them and nag them until perhaps they gave him a break. But Vickie knew exactly where he was and how to get in touch with him; she could have figured something out. Maybe she didn’t have any spare coins to make a long distance phone call, but you can’t tell me there wasn’t anyone who would loan her enough to call Slade and make sure he knew he had a child on the way. Maybe her boss could have and taken the amount out of her pay? There was no one who could give her a ride home, either out of the goodness of their hearts or on the promise that Vickie’s parents would compensate for gas and whatnot?
And didn’t her parents check on her? I mean, she’d just suffered a major emotional trauma and run away with almost no way to support herself. Didn’t they worry? Wouldn’t they have given her money to call them when she got where she was going, or money to keep her afloat while she found a job and started getting paid? I don’t recall it being mentioned that they were apathetic toward her, so why didn���t they try harder to help her? And after knowing Slade since he was a kid, after knowing how close and in love he and their daughter were, did they not question his supposed infidelity? They just took Vickie’s word for it, didn’t ask questions, and held a grudge against Slade forevermore? Also, regarding Slade, what reason did she have to believe he wouldn’t want his child? Why wouldn’t she think that was odd? It was never mentioned that he’d indicated to her he didn’t want children. So yeah, Anderson tried to cover all her bases, but her reasoning was still flimsy as a cardboard cut-out.
Furthermore, she wanted to have her cake and eat it, too, regarding Vickie’s character. She wanted Vickie to be this strong, resilient, independent, little spitfire of a woman, yet she had her act immaturely. A strong, independent, don’t-take-no-shit woman wouldn’t play petty, passive-aggressive pranks like a fourteen-year-old forty years after the fact; and she wouldn’t have written a letter and hoped for the best. (Wait, she could afford stamps, but not a phone call?) No; she’d have laughed in April’s face, or failing that, would have found a way to come home and face Slade about the baby and make him do his part. She’d have found a way.
In addition to their unfinished business plot, there were two sub-threads: Four Toes the bear, and Erin and Wyatt. As they are, both should have been cut or significantly revised. Four Toes had no impact on Slade and Vickie’s plot. He was a token, just there to be there. Anderson wanted to put black bears in her story so she could raise awareness for them. Don’t get me wrong, I liked Four Toes and the impossible dilemma he presented—but he still had no business being part of the plot. Now, if Vickie had been a forestry agent or wildlife specialist or whatever and was sent to investigate rumors of a domesticated bear, then he would have been relevant. Anderson, if you’re going to put a PSA in your books, I have no problem with that—just make sure it pertains to the plot, okay?
The Erin and Wyatt thread was similarly unnecessary. I can’t think what it added to the central plot. And it was pretty misleading; we saw quite a bit of them at the beginning, then they almost completely fell away in the second half as Vickie and Slade’s plot ramped up. It’s clear they’re going to have a romantic relationship at some point, but don’t be fooled, it’s not in this book. Here they simply meet, dislike each other, then make an effort to become friends. Erin is Slade’s niece and Wyatt his foreman, but they have no impact on Slade and Vickie. This is probably the issue that most annoyed me, because I really liked the both of them! I wanted to see them get together more than I wanted to see Slade and Vickie poke at each other with sticks.
Like Four Toes, Erin and Wyatt should have been almost completely removed from this book. Perhaps we could have heard mention of them or seen glimpses of them here or there, but everything else that happened between them—their meet-cute, their budding friendship and reluctant attraction—could have begun their own book. Although, thinking on it, their meet-cute probably wouldn’t have made sense later, because they would have undoubtedly been introduced at Vickie and Slade’s wedding. Speaking of—I still find it hard to believe Erin hadn’t at least heard of her uncle’s deaf foreman in the year she’d been living in Mystic Creek. I can buy that they hadn’t been able to meet face-to-face, but surely she’d have heard about him somehow.
If Erin, Wyatt, and Four Toes had been removed, there would have been ample opportunity to add scenes relevant to Slade and Vicki. Their history, which was very important, was delivered via exposition and narrative summary, and it would have been so much more effective if Anderson had just depicted those scenes. There’s nothing wrong with jumping around in time—provided the reader can follow. We could have seen them young, carefree, and madly in love, then watched their relationship splinter. We could have run away with Vickie and sympathized with her struggle; could have seen Slade try desperately to find her and fail. Maybe if all of that had been written in scenes, the hopelessness and helplessness of the situation would have been more believable. They as characters could have been far more developed, and the story overall could have had a deeper impact.
Lastly, and relevant to the last paragraph, there was too much exposition, narrative summary, and inner monologue all trying to explain things and provide backstory, some of it completely unnecessary. The overall pace wasn’t too bad—I just became impatient for more Erin and Wyatt until it became clear they weren’t going to be fulfilled in this book—but at the scene level, sometimes momentum and tension would be disrupted by exposition. For instance, when Erin was called to take care of Espresso, something I thought was a time-sensitive problem, we had to endure descriptions of her truck, the traffic, the town, and an explanation of why she wasn’t racing to the scene before we actually arrived at the dangerous situation. Another instance: When Erin went to confront Noreen, we were treated to learning the name of Erin’s car’s nav system, why she named it that, the fact that she was having trouble finding Noreen’s house, and her finding out that was because the county had dug new culverts or some such crap we didn’t need to know at-freaking-all. We already knew what had been going on between them, we already knew Erin was planning to confront her soon—all that needed to happen was Erin knocking on Noreen’s door and the ensuing heated discussion.
Overall, there was a lot of potential here, but in my opinion, none of the stories were well told or satisfactorily resolved. Anderson just needed to cool her jets and tell one at a time.
Oh, wait! How could I have almost forgotten? I take back the tease of Erin and Wyatt being what annoyed me most; there was a bigger, much more relevant tease that was never paid off. We never got to see Slade and Brody meet! Brody lay at the heart of so much of the conflict; Slade wished he had a child to pass the ranch onto, Vickie’s motivation for confronting Slade after forty years was to ask him to help Brody’s financial straits. There was so much build up of Slade not-so-secretly wishing he’d had children, of Vickie waiting for the opportune moment to bring it up, of Brody being the spitting image of Slade and having always loved horses but was never able to have one until he was an adult. All of the conflicts and motivations revolved around a character that never made an appearance! And no, the epilogue doesn’t fucking count. We were cheated, plain and simple. The end did feel rather abrupt, and I can’t help but wonder if Anderson thought the book was getting too long and decided to cut the scene of their meeting. But if she’d cut Four Toes, Erin, and Wyatt, she would have had plenty of room!
Grr.
I hope Erin and Wyatt's story is more focused. And next in line.
noapologybookreviews.com
keeneyeediting.com
Spoilers
I liked this story, I found it both tragic and heartwarming, but it had some big problems narratively.
At the center was Slade and Vickie, two sixty-something has-been sweethearts who were to be married until distrust broke them apart forty years ago. I didn’t relate to them all that much, but I liked Slade quite a bit. Vickie was meh. My biggest problem with them as a couple was how flimsy the reason for their parting was. I just couldn’t buy that this couple, who were supposedly best friends and super close, broke up at the first, merest hint of trouble. She’d trusted him since they were six years old, and the week before the wedding, all of a sudden she’s jealous and distrustful?
Anderson worked so hard to justify the fact that neither Vickie nor Slade could have done more than they did to get a hold of/find each other—and I didn’t buy that, either. Slade had no idea where she’d gone and her family stonewalled him; there wasn’t much else he could do other than nag them and nag them and nag them until perhaps they gave him a break. But Vickie knew exactly where he was and how to get in touch with him; she could have figured something out. Maybe she didn’t have any spare coins to make a long distance phone call, but you can’t tell me there wasn’t anyone who would loan her enough to call Slade and make sure he knew he had a child on the way. Maybe her boss could have and taken the amount out of her pay? There was no one who could give her a ride home, either out of the goodness of their hearts or on the promise that Vickie’s parents would compensate for gas and whatnot?
And didn’t her parents check on her? I mean, she’d just suffered a major emotional trauma and run away with almost no way to support herself. Didn’t they worry? Wouldn’t they have given her money to call them when she got where she was going, or money to keep her afloat while she found a job and started getting paid? I don’t recall it being mentioned that they were apathetic toward her, so why didn���t they try harder to help her? And after knowing Slade since he was a kid, after knowing how close and in love he and their daughter were, did they not question his supposed infidelity? They just took Vickie’s word for it, didn’t ask questions, and held a grudge against Slade forevermore? Also, regarding Slade, what reason did she have to believe he wouldn’t want his child? Why wouldn’t she think that was odd? It was never mentioned that he’d indicated to her he didn’t want children. So yeah, Anderson tried to cover all her bases, but her reasoning was still flimsy as a cardboard cut-out.
Furthermore, she wanted to have her cake and eat it, too, regarding Vickie’s character. She wanted Vickie to be this strong, resilient, independent, little spitfire of a woman, yet she had her act immaturely. A strong, independent, don’t-take-no-shit woman wouldn’t play petty, passive-aggressive pranks like a fourteen-year-old forty years after the fact; and she wouldn’t have written a letter and hoped for the best. (Wait, she could afford stamps, but not a phone call?) No; she’d have laughed in April’s face, or failing that, would have found a way to come home and face Slade about the baby and make him do his part. She’d have found a way.
In addition to their unfinished business plot, there were two sub-threads: Four Toes the bear, and Erin and Wyatt. As they are, both should have been cut or significantly revised. Four Toes had no impact on Slade and Vickie’s plot. He was a token, just there to be there. Anderson wanted to put black bears in her story so she could raise awareness for them. Don’t get me wrong, I liked Four Toes and the impossible dilemma he presented—but he still had no business being part of the plot. Now, if Vickie had been a forestry agent or wildlife specialist or whatever and was sent to investigate rumors of a domesticated bear, then he would have been relevant. Anderson, if you’re going to put a PSA in your books, I have no problem with that—just make sure it pertains to the plot, okay?
The Erin and Wyatt thread was similarly unnecessary. I can’t think what it added to the central plot. And it was pretty misleading; we saw quite a bit of them at the beginning, then they almost completely fell away in the second half as Vickie and Slade’s plot ramped up. It’s clear they’re going to have a romantic relationship at some point, but don’t be fooled, it’s not in this book. Here they simply meet, dislike each other, then make an effort to become friends. Erin is Slade’s niece and Wyatt his foreman, but they have no impact on Slade and Vickie. This is probably the issue that most annoyed me, because I really liked the both of them! I wanted to see them get together more than I wanted to see Slade and Vickie poke at each other with sticks.
Like Four Toes, Erin and Wyatt should have been almost completely removed from this book. Perhaps we could have heard mention of them or seen glimpses of them here or there, but everything else that happened between them—their meet-cute, their budding friendship and reluctant attraction—could have begun their own book. Although, thinking on it, their meet-cute probably wouldn’t have made sense later, because they would have undoubtedly been introduced at Vickie and Slade’s wedding. Speaking of—I still find it hard to believe Erin hadn’t at least heard of her uncle’s deaf foreman in the year she’d been living in Mystic Creek. I can buy that they hadn’t been able to meet face-to-face, but surely she’d have heard about him somehow.
If Erin, Wyatt, and Four Toes had been removed, there would have been ample opportunity to add scenes relevant to Slade and Vicki. Their history, which was very important, was delivered via exposition and narrative summary, and it would have been so much more effective if Anderson had just depicted those scenes. There’s nothing wrong with jumping around in time—provided the reader can follow. We could have seen them young, carefree, and madly in love, then watched their relationship splinter. We could have run away with Vickie and sympathized with her struggle; could have seen Slade try desperately to find her and fail. Maybe if all of that had been written in scenes, the hopelessness and helplessness of the situation would have been more believable. They as characters could have been far more developed, and the story overall could have had a deeper impact.
Lastly, and relevant to the last paragraph, there was too much exposition, narrative summary, and inner monologue all trying to explain things and provide backstory, some of it completely unnecessary. The overall pace wasn’t too bad—I just became impatient for more Erin and Wyatt until it became clear they weren’t going to be fulfilled in this book—but at the scene level, sometimes momentum and tension would be disrupted by exposition. For instance, when Erin was called to take care of Espresso, something I thought was a time-sensitive problem, we had to endure descriptions of her truck, the traffic, the town, and an explanation of why she wasn’t racing to the scene before we actually arrived at the dangerous situation. Another instance: When Erin went to confront Noreen, we were treated to learning the name of Erin’s car’s nav system, why she named it that, the fact that she was having trouble finding Noreen’s house, and her finding out that was because the county had dug new culverts or some such crap we didn’t need to know at-freaking-all. We already knew what had been going on between them, we already knew Erin was planning to confront her soon—all that needed to happen was Erin knocking on Noreen’s door and the ensuing heated discussion.
Overall, there was a lot of potential here, but in my opinion, none of the stories were well told or satisfactorily resolved. Anderson just needed to cool her jets and tell one at a time.
Oh, wait! How could I have almost forgotten? I take back the tease of Erin and Wyatt being what annoyed me most; there was a bigger, much more relevant tease that was never paid off. We never got to see Slade and Brody meet! Brody lay at the heart of so much of the conflict; Slade wished he had a child to pass the ranch onto, Vickie’s motivation for confronting Slade after forty years was to ask him to help Brody’s financial straits. There was so much build up of Slade not-so-secretly wishing he’d had children, of Vickie waiting for the opportune moment to bring it up, of Brody being the spitting image of Slade and having always loved horses but was never able to have one until he was an adult. All of the conflicts and motivations revolved around a character that never made an appearance! And no, the epilogue doesn’t fucking count. We were cheated, plain and simple. The end did feel rather abrupt, and I can’t help but wonder if Anderson thought the book was getting too long and decided to cut the scene of their meeting. But if she’d cut Four Toes, Erin, and Wyatt, she would have had plenty of room!
Grr.
I hope Erin and Wyatt's story is more focused. And next in line.
noapologybookreviews.com
keeneyeediting.com
December 12, 2018
An orphaned cub, a second chance for two people in their winter years, camp pranks, and a spanking new romance in a small Oregon mountain town had me settling in for a comfy read.
Strawberry Hill is book five in the Mystic Creek series, but it will work fine standalone or out of order since it introduces a new situation and mostly new players.
The story opens with a prologue about Slade Wilder finding a dead black bear buried under a recent rock slide and then shortly after coming across an orphaned baby blonde black bear cub. He knows the right thing is to leave it in the wild to fend for itself and tries, but then the little one follows him and him home to the ranch. It reminds him of the spirited young girl who would have adopted that cub and championed it in a heartbeat. She had his heart and they were getting married until she believed a lie and left his life forever. He remained alone after that and now looks at the years remaining of his life with no close family and no one to leave his beloved ranch.
Erin, Slade's niece figured out she wasn't cut out to be a big city cop in Seattle or the big city like her svelte stuffy mother and took a job as a county sheriff's deputy near her Uncle Slade's ranch. She wants to spend time with him and get to know him better. Only trouble is, she's the low person at the office and keeps getting called in off duty and handed assignments she has no idea what she's doing. She tries to bluff her way through an encounter with a man who turns out to be her uncle's foreman, Wyatt, and alienates him before sticking her boot firmly in her mouth striving to be the tough cop and the son her absent dad never had. It's only in the middle of another crisis she has no clue what to do that she realizes that her trying to prove herself all these years is a empty use of her life. Another encounter with Wyatt sets her feet firmly on the right path for the first time.
After 42 years, Vickie Brown is about to encounter the man who broke her heart when she accepts a job to be the camp cook for his Wilderness Adventures business. He swore he never cheated on her and now, face to face, he swore he never got her letters. But, Slade Wilder is a liar, right?
So, this book. I enjoyed parts of it, but other parts frustrated me or needed more development. The pace was good and the descriptions of world and characters was well-drawn. I love the world of the stories. The variety of personalities and situations are always welcome. The opening when Slade and his ranch are introduced with that rascally bear cub and the ranch hands all trying to help was fabulous. The opening scene where Erin really messes up with Wyatt in one big misunderstanding was a hoot. What a meet-cute! I found the dramatic first scene with Vickie compelling, too. I was very curious about what really happened between her and Slade since they both felt the other wronged them.
And, then I hit a snag when the truth came out.
Let me get into what stuck in my craw about this one.
For once, its not because of the baby the dad never knew about because Vickie wrote Slade four letters. She was destitute and far from home at the time. She's in the clear on that one.
But, here's the thing, she's out there pregnant and destitute because she believed the word of a conniving girl who Vicky knew wanted Slade rather than trusting him. He's never given her reason not to trust him and they have known each other all their lives, but inexplicably, she can't trust him nor did she try to see if others would back up his story. She just ran and stayed gone. And, hid her son Brody's paternity from Brody for over forty years because- and here we get into one of the things that drives me nuts about secret baby tropes- she made the decision that Slade shouldn't get the chance to meet Brody in case he rejected him to his face. At least it wasn't for a selfish reason, but still, she gave her son zero chances to know his dad.
Now, here they are again and Slade is still telling her over forty years later that he never cheated and he never got the letters. She's already established that he's an upstanding man and well respected and he's even shared his loneliness for family and wished he'd had a son. But no... she's still convinced he's a liar.
And, then when she starts pulling pranks at the campsite all with things that are aimed at Slade because she knows his fears and what will make him uncomfortable and annoy him as 'payback for rejecting Brody all those years ago', I just shook my head and shouted at my Kindle, "How old are you? Five?"
The final scene when she learns the truth from someone other than Slade, because yeah, can't trust him right? Again, I was asking myself how old was she because that scene degenerated into farce and never really cleared the air. Call me bloodthirsty, but I really wanted a big apology from her about calling him a liar, but especially after all the pranking and stubbornness.
Whew, sorry, had to purge that. I do know people act irrationally particularly if their heart and emotions are on the line and there is a point where they acknowledge that mistakes were made. I thought she had a tough row to hoe after she ran off and felt bad for all that happened, but I couldn't shut off that other side of my brain that felt that huge conflict didn't work based on their history and personalities.
Now, it was more than my frustration with Vickie. I did enjoy Erin and Wyatt's introduction and early days of their romance, but would rather their page time to have been devoted to a better detailed denouement for Slade and Vickie. So much was left glossed over or waved away with a few sentences in an epilogue. I really needed more after Vickie finally accepted the truth. She gets the truth, gets angry at the right person finally, and then it shifted to the epilogue in a blink. Things were brought up that I felt were never addressed and were either glossed over or left hanging.
So, bet you think I hated this one. I didn't. Actually, I liked it and was glad to have read it in spite of stuff I had issue with. I really hope she completes Wyatt and Erin's story now. The series is one I mostly enjoy and can recommend it to contemporary romance fans who enjoy small town settings and gently paced romance.
My thanks to Penguin Random House for providing this book to be read in exchange for an honest review.
Strawberry Hill is book five in the Mystic Creek series, but it will work fine standalone or out of order since it introduces a new situation and mostly new players.
The story opens with a prologue about Slade Wilder finding a dead black bear buried under a recent rock slide and then shortly after coming across an orphaned baby blonde black bear cub. He knows the right thing is to leave it in the wild to fend for itself and tries, but then the little one follows him and him home to the ranch. It reminds him of the spirited young girl who would have adopted that cub and championed it in a heartbeat. She had his heart and they were getting married until she believed a lie and left his life forever. He remained alone after that and now looks at the years remaining of his life with no close family and no one to leave his beloved ranch.
Erin, Slade's niece figured out she wasn't cut out to be a big city cop in Seattle or the big city like her svelte stuffy mother and took a job as a county sheriff's deputy near her Uncle Slade's ranch. She wants to spend time with him and get to know him better. Only trouble is, she's the low person at the office and keeps getting called in off duty and handed assignments she has no idea what she's doing. She tries to bluff her way through an encounter with a man who turns out to be her uncle's foreman, Wyatt, and alienates him before sticking her boot firmly in her mouth striving to be the tough cop and the son her absent dad never had. It's only in the middle of another crisis she has no clue what to do that she realizes that her trying to prove herself all these years is a empty use of her life. Another encounter with Wyatt sets her feet firmly on the right path for the first time.
After 42 years, Vickie Brown is about to encounter the man who broke her heart when she accepts a job to be the camp cook for his Wilderness Adventures business. He swore he never cheated on her and now, face to face, he swore he never got her letters. But, Slade Wilder is a liar, right?
So, this book. I enjoyed parts of it, but other parts frustrated me or needed more development. The pace was good and the descriptions of world and characters was well-drawn. I love the world of the stories. The variety of personalities and situations are always welcome. The opening when Slade and his ranch are introduced with that rascally bear cub and the ranch hands all trying to help was fabulous. The opening scene where Erin really messes up with Wyatt in one big misunderstanding was a hoot. What a meet-cute! I found the dramatic first scene with Vickie compelling, too. I was very curious about what really happened between her and Slade since they both felt the other wronged them.
And, then I hit a snag when the truth came out.
Let me get into what stuck in my craw about this one.
For once, its not because of the baby the dad never knew about because Vickie wrote Slade four letters. She was destitute and far from home at the time. She's in the clear on that one.
But, here's the thing, she's out there pregnant and destitute because she believed the word of a conniving girl who Vicky knew wanted Slade rather than trusting him. He's never given her reason not to trust him and they have known each other all their lives, but inexplicably, she can't trust him nor did she try to see if others would back up his story. She just ran and stayed gone. And, hid her son Brody's paternity from Brody for over forty years because- and here we get into one of the things that drives me nuts about secret baby tropes- she made the decision that Slade shouldn't get the chance to meet Brody in case he rejected him to his face. At least it wasn't for a selfish reason, but still, she gave her son zero chances to know his dad.
Now, here they are again and Slade is still telling her over forty years later that he never cheated and he never got the letters. She's already established that he's an upstanding man and well respected and he's even shared his loneliness for family and wished he'd had a son. But no... she's still convinced he's a liar.
And, then when she starts pulling pranks at the campsite all with things that are aimed at Slade because she knows his fears and what will make him uncomfortable and annoy him as 'payback for rejecting Brody all those years ago', I just shook my head and shouted at my Kindle, "How old are you? Five?"
The final scene when she learns the truth from someone other than Slade, because yeah, can't trust him right? Again, I was asking myself how old was she because that scene degenerated into farce and never really cleared the air. Call me bloodthirsty, but I really wanted a big apology from her about calling him a liar, but especially after all the pranking and stubbornness.
Whew, sorry, had to purge that. I do know people act irrationally particularly if their heart and emotions are on the line and there is a point where they acknowledge that mistakes were made. I thought she had a tough row to hoe after she ran off and felt bad for all that happened, but I couldn't shut off that other side of my brain that felt that huge conflict didn't work based on their history and personalities.
Now, it was more than my frustration with Vickie. I did enjoy Erin and Wyatt's introduction and early days of their romance, but would rather their page time to have been devoted to a better detailed denouement for Slade and Vickie. So much was left glossed over or waved away with a few sentences in an epilogue. I really needed more after Vickie finally accepted the truth. She gets the truth, gets angry at the right person finally, and then it shifted to the epilogue in a blink. Things were brought up that I felt were never addressed and were either glossed over or left hanging.
So, bet you think I hated this one. I didn't. Actually, I liked it and was glad to have read it in spite of stuff I had issue with. I really hope she completes Wyatt and Erin's story now. The series is one I mostly enjoy and can recommend it to contemporary romance fans who enjoy small town settings and gently paced romance.
My thanks to Penguin Random House for providing this book to be read in exchange for an honest review.
January 31, 2019
I don't think this book really has a sound plot.
Considering the amount of pages (462 in my edition) and the time dedicated to actual plot development, this wasn't her best.
I think the couple reunited in their 60s could have had a novella - especially because the book is about their complaining (mostly the heroine's) and the epilogue is rushed with accomplished tasks/decisions/situations we never get to see after more than said 400 pages of stalling.
The secondary storyline of the younger couple was cute but, again, a novella could have told us that. I suppose a new book for them is going to happen?
I understand what the author wanted to do with this novel... but when I compare this most recent work of hers to some older books I really loved, I can't help but thinking the "magic" or the engaging aspects aren't as obvious anymore.
Considering the amount of pages (462 in my edition) and the time dedicated to actual plot development, this wasn't her best.
I think the couple reunited in their 60s could have had a novella - especially because the book is about their complaining (mostly the heroine's) and the epilogue is rushed with accomplished tasks/decisions/situations we never get to see after more than said 400 pages of stalling.
The secondary storyline of the younger couple was cute but, again, a novella could have told us that. I suppose a new book for them is going to happen?
I understand what the author wanted to do with this novel... but when I compare this most recent work of hers to some older books I really loved, I can't help but thinking the "magic" or the engaging aspects aren't as obvious anymore.
January 16, 2022
Igazán kellemes, szórakoztató történet volt, az írónőtől megszokott, tökéletlenségükben, esendőségükben is szerethető karakterekkel. Kissé talán szokatlan volt egy ilyen második esély történetet olvasni, ahol a főszereplők inkább már nyugdíjas korúak, de ez nem vont le a történet értékéből. Az egyetlen problémám, hogy bár azonnal beleszerettem Wyattbe és jó volt olvasni a jóképű birtokvezetőről, mintha kicsit nagyobb hangsúlyt kapott volna az ő (és Erin) története. Jobb lett volna, ha kicsit több oldalt szentel helyettük CA Vickie és Slade életének.
March 29, 2019
I just love the cover of the book! A heartwarming story of misunderstandings, love, forgiveness and second chances. A very well written story with a great cast of characters that draw you into the story. I loved every minute of the story and really hated to see it end.
April 24, 2019
Catherine Anderson has a gift with romances in the West...whether it be the Old West (her older novels in this era are truly poignant and entertaining) or the modern-day setting. The Mystic Creek series has been spotty, but never so messy as with "Strawberry Hill". Personally, I love the idea of two people separated by time and circumstances, and then finding each other again in their sixties. Unfortunately, their reunion is wracked with a lot of yelling, juvenile practical jokes, and bad tempers. Even more confusing to the reader, Anderson spends equal time with another couple- Mystic Creek's newest deputy meeting with a rancher who has a special gift with horses, and who is also deaf. (She ends the novel with no clear resolution between the two...maybe their story will conclude in the next installment?) Four Toes, the black bear who is rescued as a cub, and is now grown, has a more interesting story than the two couples in this novel.
January 26, 2019
Strawberry Hill a part of the Mystic Creek Series by Catherine Anderson is a +60 Second chance romance with a stunning outcome, that had me researching for the next book in this amazing series.
Slade a lone rancher had his share of heartbreak and trouble throughout his years, but he survived even if at times his heart missed the one who walked away. Slade is a sweet hero hero with a incredible heart and sense for animals, even a cantankerous bear. Needing a cook for his trail tour Slade hired Vickie Brown, imagine his surprise when Vickie Brown was the same woman who left him years ago was his new camp cook.
Vickie is a feisty heroine that keep me smiling from page to page. I could feel that things have not changed between her feelings for Slade in her heart completely. Vickie herself has went through a battle after leaving Mystic Creek, from a abusive ex to trying to help her adult children heal, to keeping her family thriving. When all her secrets come out will Vickie have the healing she desperately needed for her and her family?
Slade and Vickie’s story is a marvelously written. Catherine Anderson gave us a hero and heroine who are in their 60’s romance that proves everything gets better with age. *smile* Slade and Vickie still have the passion, but if that were enough they would not have parted ways, no that comes from not trusting in the one you love. Now that their paths crossed again can they learn from past mistakes? There are secrets that come to head and I was on the edge of my seat to see how they all played out.
The supporting characters were a huge part of Strawberry Hill . Ms. Anderson kept them all in the moment, but gave Slade and Vickie space to find one another again. There is a new romance blooming in between the pages, I do hope we get their story. Erin, Wyatt,The Ranching crew,Brody, Nancy, Randall and Four Toes were quite enjoyable. April is Vickie’s past and present nemesis she is nasty with a capital N, you will get to know what part she played in Slade and Vickie’s past.
I really hated to see Strawberry Hill end because it was a beautiful story with strong wonderful characters that Catherine Anderson is known for, but also because I was left feeling a bit cheated as there were events that occurred that I would have liked to see played out. I will not say which as I don’t want to spoil it. One I feel was needed, but setting that aside I can’t wait to read the next book in the Mystic Creek Series.
Rated 5 Stilettos and a Recommended Read by Deb !
Slade a lone rancher had his share of heartbreak and trouble throughout his years, but he survived even if at times his heart missed the one who walked away. Slade is a sweet hero hero with a incredible heart and sense for animals, even a cantankerous bear. Needing a cook for his trail tour Slade hired Vickie Brown, imagine his surprise when Vickie Brown was the same woman who left him years ago was his new camp cook.
Vickie is a feisty heroine that keep me smiling from page to page. I could feel that things have not changed between her feelings for Slade in her heart completely. Vickie herself has went through a battle after leaving Mystic Creek, from a abusive ex to trying to help her adult children heal, to keeping her family thriving. When all her secrets come out will Vickie have the healing she desperately needed for her and her family?
Slade and Vickie’s story is a marvelously written. Catherine Anderson gave us a hero and heroine who are in their 60’s romance that proves everything gets better with age. *smile* Slade and Vickie still have the passion, but if that were enough they would not have parted ways, no that comes from not trusting in the one you love. Now that their paths crossed again can they learn from past mistakes? There are secrets that come to head and I was on the edge of my seat to see how they all played out.
The supporting characters were a huge part of Strawberry Hill . Ms. Anderson kept them all in the moment, but gave Slade and Vickie space to find one another again. There is a new romance blooming in between the pages, I do hope we get their story. Erin, Wyatt,The Ranching crew,Brody, Nancy, Randall and Four Toes were quite enjoyable. April is Vickie’s past and present nemesis she is nasty with a capital N, you will get to know what part she played in Slade and Vickie’s past.
I really hated to see Strawberry Hill end because it was a beautiful story with strong wonderful characters that Catherine Anderson is known for, but also because I was left feeling a bit cheated as there were events that occurred that I would have liked to see played out. I will not say which as I don’t want to spoil it. One I feel was needed, but setting that aside I can’t wait to read the next book in the Mystic Creek Series.
Rated 5 Stilettos and a Recommended Read by Deb !
February 12, 2024
Strawberry Hill by Catherine Anderson
Mystic Creek #5
485-page Paperback story ends on 465
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Featuring: Praise, Author's Bibliography, Small-Town Oregon, Rancher, Bear Cub, Deafness, Female Deputy, Horses, Seattle, Long Chapters, Incompetence, Uncle, Secret Baby Trope, Abuse, Started on the Wrong Foot Trope, Second Chance Trope, Enemies-to-Lovers Trope, Multiple POVs,
Sex, Excerpt from Spring Forward
Rating as a movie: R for adult content
Songs for the soundtrack: "Check Yes or No" by George Strait, Someone Else’s Dream by Faith Hill, "Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🍓🐻
My thoughts: 📖 Page 66 of 465/485 Chapter Two - This isn't going to be my favorite. I think it just needs a few chapters to warm up.
📖 170 Chapter Five - I hate SB tropes. It's too late for all this drama.
This story was pretty good but I felt like some things were glossed over and unfinished.
Recommend to others: Yes. This one had some rarities in its storyline.
Mystic Creek
1. Silver Thaw (2015)
2. New Leaf (2016)
3. Mulberry Moon (2017)
4. Spring Forward (2018)
5. Strawberry Hill (2018)
6. Huckleberry Lake (2019)
7. Maple Leaf Harvest (2021)
Mystic Creek #5
485-page Paperback story ends on 465
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Featuring: Praise, Author's Bibliography, Small-Town Oregon, Rancher, Bear Cub, Deafness, Female Deputy, Horses, Seattle, Long Chapters, Incompetence, Uncle, Secret Baby Trope, Abuse, Started on the Wrong Foot Trope, Second Chance Trope, Enemies-to-Lovers Trope, Multiple POVs,
Sex, Excerpt from Spring Forward
Rating as a movie: R for adult content
Songs for the soundtrack: "Check Yes or No" by George Strait, Someone Else’s Dream by Faith Hill, "Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🍓🐻
My thoughts: 📖 Page 66 of 465/485 Chapter Two - This isn't going to be my favorite. I think it just needs a few chapters to warm up.
📖 170 Chapter Five - I hate SB tropes. It's too late for all this drama.
This story was pretty good but I felt like some things were glossed over and unfinished.
Recommend to others: Yes. This one had some rarities in its storyline.
Mystic Creek
1. Silver Thaw (2015)
2. New Leaf (2016)
3. Mulberry Moon (2017)
4. Spring Forward (2018)
5. Strawberry Hill (2018)
6. Huckleberry Lake (2019)
7. Maple Leaf Harvest (2021)
August 18, 2019
3.5 stars. I think this was probably the weakest in this series thus far. There were a lot of characters that I loved; Slade, Wyatt, Erin, hell, even Nancy. But there was one character that I didn’t like, Vickie. Being that Vickie was the second main character it’s not great for the reader to not like her.
Here’s the thing, I think I would have loved Vickie’s younger self. We didn’t get Vickie’s younger self though. We got a middle aged woman who thinks she’s been wronged by the love of her life and she’s stewed over this perceived wrong for forty some years. Yes, she thinks she was wronged. Yes, she was pregnant and basically homeless before she married a mean drunk. Yes, she tried to contact Slade through 4 letters. She knew Slade, more than once they’re referred to as soulmates, and yet she refused to believe him when he said he didn’t sleep with April, didn’t get her letters and knew nothing about their son.
Like some others, I expected this book to be more about Erin & Wyatt since the first chapter started with them. I expected there to be more about Four Toes. I expected there to be more about Slade meeting Brody. Sadly, we didn’t get those things.
Here’s the thing, I think I would have loved Vickie’s younger self. We didn’t get Vickie’s younger self though. We got a middle aged woman who thinks she’s been wronged by the love of her life and she’s stewed over this perceived wrong for forty some years. Yes, she thinks she was wronged. Yes, she was pregnant and basically homeless before she married a mean drunk. Yes, she tried to contact Slade through 4 letters. She knew Slade, more than once they’re referred to as soulmates, and yet she refused to believe him when he said he didn’t sleep with April, didn’t get her letters and knew nothing about their son.
Like some others, I expected this book to be more about Erin & Wyatt since the first chapter started with them. I expected there to be more about Four Toes. I expected there to be more about Slade meeting Brody. Sadly, we didn’t get those things.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2022
When I started this book, I thought the story was going to be about Wyatt and Erin, both in their early thirties, but the book soon took a right turn and ended up being about Slade and Vicky, thirty years older. I literally could not put this book down. I bled for both of them and knew I was not going to sleep until I found out how it was going to end, so I didn't even try. What a way to usher in the New Year, which along with everyone else, I sincerely hope will be better than 2020 and 2021. Thank you, Ms. Anderson, for a really wonderful story that points out that it is never too late for love.
January 3, 2019
Another great book by this author. The description was a bit miss leading because it sounded like it was going to be the story of the ranch forman and slades neece. However that turned out not quite to be the case and ended up being the story of slade and vicky with wyat and aren being more of a back story. Leads me to wonder whether there story will be told next or come out in a future book. I am really enjoying this series and love this author's books. Can't wait for her next novel whatever that will be next.
July 11, 2019
Oh, thank goodness for romance novels! Best escapism ever. lol
Catherine Anderson usually has some social issue she addresses in her books but she doesn't beat you over the head with it. I thought it was going to be something about deaf people or dyslexia and she did touch on those, but it was the endangerment of American black bears in the wild this time. So, when you find an injured or orphaned baby bear and are tempted to take care of it because it's so cute and it's probably going to die otherwise, don't! Or any wild animal.
Catherine Anderson usually has some social issue she addresses in her books but she doesn't beat you over the head with it. I thought it was going to be something about deaf people or dyslexia and she did touch on those, but it was the endangerment of American black bears in the wild this time. So, when you find an injured or orphaned baby bear and are tempted to take care of it because it's so cute and it's probably going to die otherwise, don't! Or any wild animal.
January 4, 2019
Another winner by one of my favorite authors. Scenes between Slade and Vickie had me laughing out loud. Hope we read more on Wyatt and Erin in the next book as I thought this book would have been their story too. If you are looking for a light funny read, give this one a try. You won't be disappointed.
August 16, 2021
I'm so glad I came back to this one. 2 sweet romances in one. I wish there had been more for Erin though.
August 12, 2019
I almost liked this, and I might be being a bit harsh, but the truth is that the story ultimately failed for me on several different levels.
First, there were two intertwined romances, one between Erin and Wyatt, and one between Vicky and Slade. Neither of them was given quite enough attention, and they both suffered as a result.
Going one at a time: Wyatt and Erin's relationship was simply not resolved or even well developed. I'm not even sure why it was in there, as it didn't mesh well with the other storyline and the two were not particularly connected. Erin is Slade's niece and Wyatt is his foreman. But why spend large chunks of the book having us get to know them and then...nothing? If the aim was to give us a glimpse of the stars of the next book in the series, their role should have been a LOT smaller in this book.
As for Vicky and Slade...they were in love 40 years ago and claim to still be in love now. She thinks he cheated on her right before their wedding and she broke up with him, then she thinks he failed to respond to four different letters telling him she was pregnant.
I tried to believe this. I really did. I sat there and willed myself to suspend disbelief for this "surprise you're a baby daddy" story BUT I couldn't. First of all, these two didn't have some passing fling 40 years ago. They were best friends from like the first grade! After that kind of history, she took the word of one woman that he cheated on her because the woman had managed to get a look at his naked butt once? I don't buy it. She claimed to KNOW him, really KNOW him in a way no one else did. Then how did she believe that? And then, after she ran, there was some hokey nonsense about how she was alone and pregnant and had to marry some abusive man....why? It wasn't as if she were all alone in the world. She had parents. As for the letters...puh-lease. Pick up the phone and call him. Or better yet, go see him in person. Her reasons for not doing so were flimsy and made little sense. And even if, somehow, her situation were true in the immediate aftermath of their breakup how did it manage to persist for FOUR DECADES? And what changed now? The idea that her grown son suddenly "deserved" things only his bio father could give him after all this time was also thin.
First, there were two intertwined romances, one between Erin and Wyatt, and one between Vicky and Slade. Neither of them was given quite enough attention, and they both suffered as a result.
Going one at a time: Wyatt and Erin's relationship was simply not resolved or even well developed. I'm not even sure why it was in there, as it didn't mesh well with the other storyline and the two were not particularly connected. Erin is Slade's niece and Wyatt is his foreman. But why spend large chunks of the book having us get to know them and then...nothing? If the aim was to give us a glimpse of the stars of the next book in the series, their role should have been a LOT smaller in this book.
As for Vicky and Slade...they were in love 40 years ago and claim to still be in love now. She thinks he cheated on her right before their wedding and she broke up with him, then she thinks he failed to respond to four different letters telling him she was pregnant.
I tried to believe this. I really did. I sat there and willed myself to suspend disbelief for this "surprise you're a baby daddy" story BUT I couldn't. First of all, these two didn't have some passing fling 40 years ago. They were best friends from like the first grade! After that kind of history, she took the word of one woman that he cheated on her because the woman had managed to get a look at his naked butt once? I don't buy it. She claimed to KNOW him, really KNOW him in a way no one else did. Then how did she believe that? And then, after she ran, there was some hokey nonsense about how she was alone and pregnant and had to marry some abusive man....why? It wasn't as if she were all alone in the world. She had parents. As for the letters...puh-lease. Pick up the phone and call him. Or better yet, go see him in person. Her reasons for not doing so were flimsy and made little sense. And even if, somehow, her situation were true in the immediate aftermath of their breakup how did it manage to persist for FOUR DECADES? And what changed now? The idea that her grown son suddenly "deserved" things only his bio father could give him after all this time was also thin.
October 10, 2019
Slade Wilder is a 64 years old rancher and he's loved only one woman his entire life.
That woman, 63 years old Vickie Granger, broke his heart leaving him a few days before their wedding and he hasn't set eyes on her in 41 years.
He doesn't know that Vickie still loves him too and that she believes he's the one that did the unforgivable.
When Vickie decides to finally confront him, a whole life has passed and looking each other in the eyes brings everything back:
Misunderstandings, old wounds and faded dreams but also love and hope for a future they'd never thought possible.
Vickie and Slade get a second chance 41 years after their separation that could have been avoided if both characters (mostly Vickie) had confronted each other honestly instead of letting pride and fear of judgment in the way of their happiness.
A woman tells Vickie that Slade has slept with her and Vickie believes her because she describes a birthmark on his behind.
Vickie accuses Slade but doesn't mention the birthmark “proof”😞.
It bothered me that she immediately believes a woman that has always had a crush on him instead of the man she loves and that had NEVER let her down or betrayed her trust before.
She remembers even 41 years later how good of a man he was and how fiercely he defended her and protected her since they were children!!
How can she believe so easily a stranger that might have discovered the birthmark on his ass in other ways?
It just didn't make sense to me.
Same goes for the decision to tell him by letters that she's pregnant because she's afraid of her family's judgment and doesn't want to risk them knowing about it, by asking for money to travel back or call him.
She doesn't receive replies and she convinces herself he doesn't want anything to do with her or their baby.
How does it make sense in Vickie's mind that he never replied?
Obviously he never received those letters nor had he ever cheated on her. -_-
I hated the whole plot around the MC.
Why would a good and honorable man that had always treated her right, refuse to take care of his child?
Even the author knows it doesn't make sense because Slade asks Vickie exactly that:
I never got any damned letters! I never saw a picture of him when he was a baby! Even if you believed that I’d screwed every girl in Mystic Creek that night, did that obliterate everything you knew I stood for? Everything you knew I believed in? Did it alter your feelings so damned much that you couldn’t trouble yourself to climb in your damned car and drive home to make sure I knew you were pregnant?
41 years. 41 YEARS!!! And knowing he would have been an awesome father makes this plot even more stupid!!!
It just makes me mad thinking about it.
This kind of misunderstanding/drama bothers me more and more every time I come across it😒
I kept on reading past the 48% mark only because I wanted to read about Erin and Wyatt ( the secondary love story, which I enjoyed.)
Wyatt Fitzgerald is Slade's 32 years old foreman and he's deaf while Slade's niece, Erin De Laney, is a 31 years old County deputy.
Their story has almost as much time on page as the "primary romance" so, for those who do not enjoy secondary couples "stealing the show"...you should be warned that's definitely the case here.
Erin is sent in the wilderness as a temporary hay inspector.
She's supposed to look for noxious weeds but she has no knowledge whatsoever on the matter.
She's completely out of her depth in the country but she's fun and resourceful.
Her first inspection doesn't happen the way she had planned, she's actually forced to run behind the first rider because he passes her by without noticing her screaming at him to stop…
Little does she know, the man wasn't trying to ignore her, he's just deaf.
A remarkable and handsome cowboy she can't get out of her head.
Erin and Wyatt do not explicitly come together, the author will probably explore their story in the following book....a thing that disappointed me because I kept on reading just for them.
I enjoyed the Mystic Creek setting and Erin and Wyatt's “beginning” but I had too many issues with Vickie to enjoy the second chance love story.
Also I wasn't a fan of the writing.
The author often offers too much details and takes her time to get to the point, some expressions used are absurd such as:
He’s your son, and if you try to deny that any longer, I’ll steal some of your DNA to prove it.”
I was often tempted to skip the dialogues and move on with the plot.
I enjoyed the random humor, lots of lines made me laugh in the middle of a scene...
“Can I give you a well-intended critique of your camouflage glasses?”
Erin angled her a look through the large tinted lenses. “Let me guess. They don’t flatter the shape of my face.”
“Worse. They make you look like a bug-eyed grasshopper wearing a hat.
... and Erin was a truly enjoyable character to read about!
“Ouch!” she said loudly. Then to the horse, she added, “You are sworn to secrecy. If the guys at the department hear about this, they’ll razz me again about staying home where I belong and making cookies.” Her hat lay about four feet away. It looked undamaged, and for that she was grateful. She’d have to replace it herself if it got ruined. She sighed and decided to wait for the numbness in her legs to go away before she tried to stand. “The last time they made cracks like that, I almost made the jerks laxative cookies when I got home that night. Chocolate chip, my specialty.”
I'm still curious about her storyline but, given this is not my first bad experience with this author, I don't know if I'll ever pick up the next book in the series.
⭐ 2 Stars ⭐
* Strawberry Hill is book 5 in the Mystic Creek series by Catherine Anderson. Can be read as a standalone BUT Erin and Wyatt's story is left unresolved.
~ My Ratings ~
Writing: 2 /5
Plot: 2 /5
Hero: 3 /5 (Slade) - 3.5 /5 (Wyatt)
Heroine: 1 /5 (Vickie) - 3.5 /5 (Erin)
Secondary Characters: 3 /5 The best secondary characters? Pets! Erin talking with her horse Butterscotch was hilarious. Pilot the dog is adorable and Julie (Erin’s human friend LoL) a fun bff. Slade takes care of a cute rescued Bear... sweet but complicated as he grows, also illegal (it's acknowledged).
MC's chemistry: 2 /5
Steam: 1 /5
Triggers:
▪Vickie doesn't confront the father of her child in person to tell him she's pregnant (she just sent 4 letters but she never made sure he had received them!)
▪OW fixated with hero lies causing the separation because heroine easily believes her over hero
▪Secondary Romance "steals the show".
▪No explicit sex scenes,
Are you looking for a specific mix of ingredients for your next read?
September 11, 2019
I think Vickie Brown is the most unlikeable Anderson heroine I've ever read. There, I said it. The weird thing is I thought I was going to dislike ERIN more, because she was a neurotic mess of Daddy Issues who used it as an excuse to be rude, but she had better character development than Vickie. Who was supposed to be the heroine of this story.
Vickie was just so self-centered and whiny. Being a single mother who had to escape an abusive marriage sucks, yeah, but she put herself in that position by believing a conniving bitch over her own childhood best friend and the man who loved her, then spent 40 years feeling sorry for herself and blaming Slade.
Slade Wilder did nothing wrong. Literally. April lied to Vickie, April hid the letters, and Slade was awesome when he strong-armed April into telling the truth. That said, April was a typical romance novel bitchy vamp, mean to the heroine, tried to escape karma, etc. Honestly Slade giving her hell was awesome enough, I didn't need to see Vickie triumphantly beat her up. I don't care that she got hit and Slade had to save her in the end.
I just hope Erin and Wyatt's story is better. Erin ended up getting some great character development, especially her scene with Noreen. I hope Noreen's life improves in the next book, too.
The bear was cute, though, not gonna lie. Even if keeping a baby bear as a pet is the worst idea ever and I'm glad the book at least acknowledged that it's illegal and unethical. Not surprised Slade got to keep the bear in the end, though, oh well.
Vickie was just so self-centered and whiny. Being a single mother who had to escape an abusive marriage sucks, yeah, but she put herself in that position by believing a conniving bitch over her own childhood best friend and the man who loved her, then spent 40 years feeling sorry for herself and blaming Slade.
Slade Wilder did nothing wrong. Literally. April lied to Vickie, April hid the letters, and Slade was awesome when he strong-armed April into telling the truth. That said, April was a typical romance novel bitchy vamp, mean to the heroine, tried to escape karma, etc. Honestly Slade giving her hell was awesome enough, I didn't need to see Vickie triumphantly beat her up. I don't care that she got hit and Slade had to save her in the end.
I just hope Erin and Wyatt's story is better. Erin ended up getting some great character development, especially her scene with Noreen. I hope Noreen's life improves in the next book, too.
The bear was cute, though, not gonna lie. Even if keeping a baby bear as a pet is the worst idea ever and I'm glad the book at least acknowledged that it's illegal and unethical. Not surprised Slade got to keep the bear in the end, though, oh well.
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