Visiting Cattle Valley is addictive... really! I finally sat myself down and read all twelve, to date, books in this enthralling, often titillating and extremely heartwarming series. Carol Lynne sure does have a way of bringing to vibrant, full life a cast of characters that are not ever going to be forgotten.
I have my favourites, of course I do... you can't get to know all these sexy men and not fall a little, or even a lot, in love with them.
At the top of my list, I must confess, is Nate Gill. I loved him from the get-go when he showed up in the Good brothers' stories. There's something very attractive about Nate... but then anyone who's spent time with him can attest to that. His personality is larger than life but at the same time he knows, and cares, about people. His partners Rio and Ryan are sexier than hell... uh, all get out and watching as the three start their life together is fun and fascinating. The dynamics between the three of them are superb ~ very likely not something that would work in the 'real' world ~ but Carol, once again, knows her men and these three are determined to be together.
While each book is tied to the rest, it has its own character, it's own individuality. And this is due, in no small part, to the uniqueness of the men into whose lives we are invited. We get to know why they're in Cattle Valley, what brought them here and what they want, or need, to do. We get to follow and watch as they fall in love and learn to make lives for themselves as well as learn to be part of a community. And we continue to meet new people and watch as they, too, learn to fit in and, hopefully, find what they're looking for.
Of the twelve books out so far, the ones at the top of my list are:
# 1 All Play, No Work
# 5 Physical Therapy
#11 Eye of the Beholder
#12 Cattle Valley Days
but don't for a minute think that I was totally absorbed by the rest of them. It's just that there is something about the men, the relationships, the pasts in these four stories to which I really responded... and often very strongly. Tears and laughter made their appearance while spending time with Nate, Rio and Ryan in All Play, No Work; with Sam, Isaac and Matt in Physical Therapy; and with Rance and Bo (from Campus Cravings' A Biker's Vow) in Eye of the Beholder. In Cattle Valley Days there is a lot more community activity, and the Good brothers and their partners all show up for a visit ~ YES! This really is an amazing story.
Now just to wait for the next two to come out: Bent--Not Broken and Arm Candy; these are going to be a real treat!
If you haven't been to Cattle Valley yet, or gotten to know the Good-time Boys or the guys from Campus Cravings, do yourself a favour and find out just why Carol Lynne's stories are so very popular... and Hey, if you don't read e-books, most, if not all, are now out in TPB... I'm going to have to wait for Christmas or my birthday to indulge to that extent... but I will!
The reason for this post is that I have, finally, read the rest of Carol Lynne's Cattle Valley stories... at least the ones that have been released so far. Most of the books have been sitting in my TBR queue; I really wanted to read them altogether, hence the delay. And oh MY!
I knew that I'd like it ~ I read Carol's Campus Cravings last year and have also devoured quite a few of her other stories... and really liked them all ~ but I didn't expect to fall in love with the town! But I did... and visiting Cattle Valley, Wyoming is like visiting dear friends and feeling at home there. Of course I have my favourites, but Cattle Valley is far more than the characters, it's all about finding home, a place to belong and to feel safe, be accepted for who you are... and love, it's about finding love.
The Cattle Valley series is all about romance... it's also about men (and women) who, while searching for love, learn more about themselves and are able to come to terms with the scars that they carry ~ some external but most internal. Not easy being part of a society where you can be shunned, disowned, attacked even killed all because of who you love.
Each story is a wonderful combination of elements unique to the characters. There is no formula ~ patterns, yes, but formula, no. Each story brings to life not only the featured characters, but many other people from around the town. One thing that I had forgotten is that while Carol Lynne writes about the men of Cattle Valley, Jenna Byrnes has written to date, two stories (Truth or Dare and Fool's Gold) about some of the women who have moved here, looking for a haven and a chance to begin a life away from prejudices relating to whom they love.
Over the next few days I will be posting my reviews for the stories of which there are 12 so far.
The more that I get to know the people, and the town, of Cattle Valley, the more that I wish that there really were places like this... A utopian dream? Sure... but that's what dreams are for.
