Lindsey Bolivar Bolivar itibaren Texas itibaren Texas

This story had an interesting premise. I liked that the story was written following lineage of the authors family history. However, for a story taking place in 1660 the language it was written in was a little too modern. It made the story less believable for me.

I was given this little book as a birthday gift by a friend who knows me well - I love dogs, dachshunds in particular. This book is a photo essay of the relationship between Picasso and a dachshund called Lump. The dog belonged to an Italian photographer who was always on the road, and one day when he was visiting Picasso in the South of France, Lump, who was with him, decided he preferred Picasso's house and stayed! The photographer took the photos himself, and they capture Picasso's obvious affection for this glorious little creature, and provide you with some insight into the artist's life. All the pictures are captioned and there are bits of text.

In this wonderful book we are taken to Last Chance, Texas, where Ben and his daughter, Alexi live. I was impressed that Last Chance, Texas, is a real town, although the story is fiction. Ben and his daughter are horse ranchers. Ben has taught Alexi everything he knows about ranching and horses. As the story goes, Ben finds goal on their property and while telling a friend he sees that someone has overheard their conversation, but he doesn't know who. Ben knew that the knowledge of the discovery of gold would bring trouble so he contacts his friend, a friend that unbeknown to him had died. Ben had helped this friend and he knew that he would return the favor. His friend had a son, Justin, who also had a three-year old son. Justin comes to Last Chance to repay the favor to Ben but before he gets there Ben dies. Now to add a little spice to the read, Justin thinks Ben has a son named, Alex, not a daughter named, Alexia. However, he is pleased to meet such a strong and beautiful girl and Justin accepts a job from Alexia and stays on the ranch. Justin and Alexia begin to form a relationship of trust one with another, but there is another fellow in the mix, the man who owns the ranch next door, Carter. This man is well-off and perhaps the best catch in the area for any single woman, and his sights are on Alexia. However, there is evil underfoot and the lives of Alexia, Justin and his son are in danger, but who is the one who will stop at nothing to obtain the goal, and what really happened to Ben that killed him and who truly is responsible? This is an excellent read. The author takes you right into the heart and soul of her characters and their lives. She layers mysteries that play upon mysteries, intertwined with the characters in the story and weaves their emotional responses well into the read, and that becomes an important part of the entire picture. I believe what I like about this story, and this author's writing in general, is that she writes with her heart, not just her head. Anyone who writes with their heart adds the realism of life into their story and that makes such a difference in the impact of enjoyment that the story brings to the reader. This book is truly rich in realism and you quickly become one with the characters, their lives, and the challenges they are facing. I have to say this is an exceptional read, one that I am proud to give my highest recommendation. Watch this author, she is definitely going places.