Black Heels to Tractor Wheels - Ree Drummond

Well, we all know The Pioneer Woman has mad skills in the kitchen.  She rocks the blogging world with her quick wit, sassy and spectacular photography and wonderfully-woven words.  And now she comes to the publishing world with a terrific novel about how she and Marlboro Man met, hooked up and handled the trials and tribulations of LIFE in the first year of their marriage.


And it's FUN!


I loved reading this book.  It was a total pleasure to read!  Just like reading her blog.  She spins a story like no other, and since her story is true, it makes it that much more interesting to read.  It's funny, heart-warming, steamy and real.  Did I mention funny?

Go through the twists, turns and detours of Ree Drummond's life as if you're her best friend and confidant.  You'll giggle when she meets Marlboro Man, cry when she is struggling over her parent's issues, laugh when she has multiple mishaps during the courtship and hold the book tightly as she adjusts to life on a cattle ranch.  I know she has more wonderful stories to share (she has four kids for goodness sake!), so I hope there is more where this book came from.  

I absolutely loved Marlboro Man's reaction to everything.  Now maybe this is a biased view coming from a woman who absolutely adores her husband (as it should be), but it's not unbelievable.  Marlboro Man (and, no, she never once called him by his real name) has the kind of spirit that we all want in our partner.  He is forgiving, understanding, warm and unconditional.  He never once falters from his "heroic" demeanor, but he isn't about bravado or conceit.  However, neither is Ree.  They seem genuine (she's awfully hard on herself, though!) and real.   


I really did want the story to continue.  I wanted to hear about all the other babies being born.  About how she really got into cooking.  I really wanted to hear about how she adjusted to the early morning hours of a cattle rancher's wife.  And I wanted to hear how Charlie (her basset hound) came into the picture.  :)  Sweet lady.  Sweet story.  BOOK TWO, please!


Until then, I'll keep readin' her blog. :)

I would recommend this book to all you gals out there that want a light-hearted romance with some true depth when it comes to matters of the heart.  It's not a complex storyline.  There isn't any deep moral to the story or contrived twist of plot.  It's simple, straight to the heart and good.  Period.

****
(4 stars) 

Pulled - Amy Lichtenhan

I read this book in two days.

{I probably could have read it in less, but I didn't want it to end!}

There are two reasons....no, three reasons why I read this book so fast.

One being:  IT.  WAS.  GOOD.

Second being:  I know the author!  Yes - it's true.  I went to high school with her.  :)

The last reason being:  I was just so compelled to see what happened to the main characters in this book that I needed to read just the beginning of the next chapter for a bit of resolution.  Well, I couldn't read JUST the beginning.....  COMPELLED

I guess that last reason is much like the first.  So?

Pulled was a wonderfully woven story about two young lovers who's lives are torn apart at the seams when they lose their baby girl, neither one of them understanding what or who is tearing them apart.  Nine years passes them by and suddenly they are thrown back together at a chance encounter.  What happened nine years ago that separated them?  What will happen now?  So much time has passed.  So much has happened.  Daniel and Melanie seem worlds apart, but their hearts are still in tune.

I love how Amy was able to flip back and forth seamlessly not only between the past and the present, but also between characters.  It was nice to be able to share the view of both protagonists.  The story was crisp, clear and left no holes or questions.  I suppose it was a bit predictable, but I find that reassuring and "natural" in a romance novel.  It wasn't a contrived storyline, but flowed through the details with ease.

I did find myself with tears on occassion, but not in the parts you would assume.  Yes, there are some tear-jerker moments, but I tend to cry with joy at the happy parts more often.  I rejoiced with the good times and pouted during the bad.  But I could tell that the book would have a positive ending.  I LOVE THAT.  I read so many books that may or may not end the way I want them to.  I'll still read them, but - like I said - I pout.

I'm all about the happy ending these days.

For a novice writer, Amy took me on a vacation for a couple of days.  When a book holds me to it even when I'm not reading it, it's a darn good book in my mind.  I can't tell if it's because I know the author and was just so stinkin' excited to read something she wrote or if she just wrote a good story.  Aw heck.  Who am I kidding?!  I thought it was a wonderful story and would have read it REGARDLESS of my familiarity with the person who penned it.

But I do know this book isn't for everyone.  I stated to my hubby when I finished it that every husband should read a romance novel.  Hee!  But - he won't.  Most guys won't, I suppose.  But it would be good for them.  Get some romance flowin' in their relationship.  And I know that some women don't even like a good romance novel.  That's okay.  This isn't for you, either.  But those of you that dig chick lit or some schmoopiness (yes, that's a word) in your life, grab this book.  SWEET, sweet book.

*****
(5 stars, OF COURSE!)

And CONGRATULATIONS Amy!!!