LOVE THIS REVIEW OF SIERRA!

This review of Sierra posted today on an awesome book review blog called, FUNDINMENTAL.

A giveaway of Sierra is also being offered now through March 20th. So, GO ENTER TO WIN!

A special thank you to Sherry for taking the time to read and review Sierra. And thank you for a FABULOUS review. I gotta tell you, good reviews like this make me cry. Every. Time. I'm such a wimp. But, as I've said before, Sierra is my personal favorite of all of my books. It's my baby, my first book, and while writing it I fell in love with writing. Naturally, a good review makes me emotional! I feel as though I have lived this story right along with Alyssa. And I'm in love with Alex . . . even though he doesn't exist. (But don't tell my hubby, it'll be our little secret!)

Sierra sat in Sherry's 'currently reading' shelf on Goodreads for sooooo long that I was absolutely positive she hated it! I thought she couldn't get through it and it was going to be a DNF. (did not finish)

Boy, was I wrong. Thank goodness!

Check out Sherry's book review blog, FUNDINMENTAL, as well as Laura's (her sister) blog, FUONLYKNEW. They are both active bloggers, and write detailed book reviews. I've learned of many new books I'd like to read through them! Book review bloggers provide a HUGE service to authors and I greatly appreciate both of them.

Here's Sherry's review:

   5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

I look at the cover and it conveys a feeling of peacefulness. I can picture myself in the warm, snug cabin, sitting in front of a cozy fire burning in the fireplace, with my feet up and a cup of hot chocolate (or a hot toddy) in one hand and a book in the other. A deep quiet settles over the cabin as the snow floats softly to the ground. Well, if you think that is what this book is going to be like, you better brace yourself.

This was a hard review to write. By the time I got to page 20, I wanted to stop giving any clues as to what was to come. It was a kidnapping, but the cruelty went way beyond that. It was very intense and I feel you need to read it for yourself to get the full effect of the events.

Riveting from beginning to end. Be prepared to read straight through. I couldn’t put it down. It was hard to keep from skimming ahead. I just had to know what was coming. It was killing me waiting for it.

I thought Alyssa was an idiot, when she took off from Alex on her own. I hate when women are depicted as being so stupid. But then, Alex said, “sometimes you have to see and know for yourself how impossible something really is.” It made sense to me. The scene helped to develop the personalities of the characters.

A man and a woman alone in the woods, of course sex is going to be an issue. A knight in shining armor? Well, the armor might be a little tarnished, but a knight nonetheless. A woman with a family to go back to. A man who had felt such loss, he had isolated himself in the mountains, with human contact only once a year, when supplies were brought in.

I watch a lot of the Alaskan reality shows on TV. Some of those people are pretty far off the grid. If it wasn’t for friends checking on them and helping them out, who knows how long they could be dead before anyone found out. Some of them live in places that are almost inaccessible. Because of this, who knows if a story like this could be real or not.

But, it is a fantasy, a book. Just like in the movies, some things are put in to make it work the way the writer wants, or to make the reader (or watcher) become more involved in the story and up the level of intensity. And why not? It is fiction, not a true story. I want the story to take me to a place I would not otherwise go. To me, books are an escape. I want to be so engrossed in them, that the world around me is nonexistent. taylor dean seems to do that exceptionally well for me.

I received this book from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.

My Favorite Quotes

“Everything that happens to us in life becomes a part of us and makes us who we are.”

“Cold pizza is the best breakfast food ever” I can relate to that. My mother and I both think cold pizza is the breakfast of champions.

“It’s like I’ve tasted the bitter, and now the sweet’s so overwhelmingly good, I just want to bask in it.”

“…there’s one thing I’ve learned from all of this and that is, life is short, life is tender. It can be taken away in the blink of an eye. When you find love you grasp it, never let it go and enjoy each day you’ve been given to the fullest.”

Sierra Reviews

So far, the reviews for Sierra have been amazing. I am surprised, yet very pleased. As a matter of fact, I'm thrilled!

I love to post all of my reviews and point you to the wonderful blogs that have so kindly featured my books.

Warning: I LOVE both of these reviews, but, in my mind, they both contain spoilers!  At least, I don't want you to know these things before you read the book. So, if you haven't read it, and would like the story to unfold before your eyes, don't read them!

This first review is from Up All Night Reviews.

Jen's Review:

This book was pretty good. The story line, the adventures, the couple, just great.

In the beginning, we see Alyssa and her husband Sam, and their 2 year old little boy heading home from their family vacation in Tahoe. While driving through the Sierra Mountains (a trip I have taken many times in my youth as well) they were getting antsy. Sam was getting tired, Clay was fast asleep. Alyssa knew she'd be driving a little ways, soon. When Sam pulled into the rest stop to stretch their legs a little, Alyssa couldn't have dreamed her life was about to change forever.

When she met her guys back in the car, she noticed first the man in the backseat with the gun to Sam's head. Then the knife at her throat, and a stern voice telling her to drive.

Alyssa was scared, she was afraid for Sam and Clay, and herself. She thought once they got these guys where they wanted to go, it would be ok.

But that wasn't the case at all. When Adam told her to pull over, and get out, they thought this would be the last they saw of them.
But it just got worse.
All of a sudden she was in a truck, and images of Adam and Clay falling to the ground haunted her.

When Adam and Pa reached their destination, they got out of the truck and started to walk towards the woods. They hiked until they couldn't walk anymore. With a concussion, sore feet and only a few pieces of jerky (with pocket lent on them) and a small amount of water, Alyssa was struggling to keep up. But Adam wouldn't let her fall behind either.
Days went by, after a couple of times of trying to escape, and their beatings, she gave in. She felt numb.

After about 5 days, they were about out of food, and still not where they were supposed to be going. That's when Pa saw the cabin.

Alex lived alone in the middle of the mountains. it was a good 6 day hike to any amount of civilization. and that's how he liked it. He didn't want to be bothered. After 3 years of living in the mountains, with helicopter delivery once a year with his supplies, he was happy.
At least he thought he was happy. Until that one night when the front door burst open, and 2 men with shot guns pointed at him entered his life.

Once he got a look at those big doe eyes begging for his help, he knew then and there the battered, badly beaten woman was about to change his life forever.

Like I said, i really enjoyed the storyline to this book. It was a bit tame from what I usually read. But it was still pretty good. It had more than a few places where I cried. And I'm not talking about those silent tears that come when reading something emotional. I actually had to take a break to get myself under control -

I think the ending was a little rushed, though, as well as a few places in the story where they skipped through time. They spent so much time preparing for those 4 months of being snowed in, but we only got a page or two or what happened during those 4 months :( 

My next review is from Kaisy Daisy's Reviews:

Kaisy's Review:

I loved this book, it was one I hated to put down. I also went through many emotions through out the book.

Alyssa and her family Sam her husband and Clay her two year old son were returning from a wonderful vacation at Lake Tahoe when something unthinkable happened. Two mountain men kidnapped them and made them drive into the mountains. When they finally stopped the two man killed her husband and son, and then forced Alyssa to go with them. This part of the story was so brutal and showed what strong spirit that Alyssa had she continued on to push on escaping a couple times only to be caught again by Pa and Adam. They kept her roped up at night and dragged her by a lease during the day. She was so tired. When trying to find their home they stumbled upon a cabin and a man living out in the wilderness by himself. Alex is a kind man and wants to help Alyssa, he will not let her leave with Pa and Adam.

I do not want to spoil the story so will go into no more detail, but this is a wonderful story about love and second chances. Its about continuing when you thing there is no hope and nothing to live for. It is about finding happiness even through the bleakest moments. I can't wait to read more books by Taylor Dean, she is a great story teller.

A special thank you to Jen and Kaisy for their stellar reviews!

Reviews of Sierra

If you've been following my blog, you know how nervous I was about upcoming reviews of Sierra during my blog tour. Sierra is my personal favorite. It's my baby and I wanted to protect it and shelter it.

However, so far I've received two AMAZING reviews and I'm thrilled, overjoyed, and jumping-up-and-down! I blubber like a baby when a review is good. Seriously. It's a wonderful feeling though.

One review is at Jersey Girl Book Reviews. I was downright giddy after reading it. I couldn't stop half-laughing/half-crying because I was so happy. When you put so much effort into writing a book, a wonderful review is the most rewarding thing in the world! Thanks, Kathleen!

My Book Review:

Sierra is an unforgettable story of loss, hope, survival, love and second chances.

On the way home from a family outing, Alyssa Fontaine's world is turned upside down when her husband and son are brutally taken from her and she is abducted by two mountain men, who take her forcefully into the Sierra Nevada Mountains to start a new life with a new name, Eve.

Alex Kendrick has had a lot of tragedy in his life, and in order to get rid of the ghosts from his past, for the past three years he has called his mountain cabin retreat home. In the mountains he is at peace, he loves the simple solitary life that he has made for himself away from everyone.

Just when Alyssa thinks her life is over, an unlikely twist of fate brings a chance to escape from her abductors, and be saved by an unlikely savior, Alex. For Alyssa and Alex, it is a journey that will forever change their lives.

Every now and then you come across a novel that profoundly takes your breath away, and Sierra is that novel. Masterfully written and told in the third person narrative, Sierra is a story of two people who have known tragedy in their life, who are brought together under very unlikely circumstances to have a second chance at love and happiness. It is an amazingly compelling story of the power of the human spirit to survive tragic life circumstances, it will captivate you and take you on an emotional roller coaster ride while pulling at your heartstrings. Rich in details and vivid descriptions, the author masterfully weaves a tale that engages the reader and draws them into the characters' lives. The reader will feel the palpable suspense, drama, loss, hope and love in this riveting tale that is both heart-wrenching and redemptive.

Sierra is so much more than a romantic suspense story, it is an amazing testament to the resilience and power of the human spirit to survive, have hope and gain a second chance when they are dealt with unexpected life circumstances. This is a story that will resonate with you long after the last words have been read.


RATING: 5 STARS ***** 

Another review is at Little Book Star. Leigh, the reviewer, is only 16 and I love that she loved my book. I figured Sierra would appeal to an older audience.

What intrigued me to read Sierra was the plot; I’ve never read a book about two men captivating a woman for a different purpose. These two men did not want any of her fancy stuff, money, or car. They wanted something else, something you wouldn’t think of, and that is why I love this book! I got hooked on to it and I couldn’t predict what would happen next. I usually see movies with men kidnapping a woman or a family, but this time I get to read it! The beginning of the book would have to be my favorite part. I caught myself gasping and surprised because there was so much stuff going on and like Alyssa, the main character, I was shocked with the events that were taking place. I was literally like :O “NOOO WAAAY!” “OH SHOOT!” “OMG ” yeuup. Her family was shot right in front of her guys.

I loved all the characters, well except for the two psychopaths and Alyssa’s father. They were so real and Alyssa is such a great heroine. Man, if I was in her situation I would be shaking like crazy and freak out. She was so headstrong and fought her best to get away from those two retards. For our leading man- Alex – he’s awesome as well! He was very mysterious in the book and that added a little more suspense to the story. You’ll be like “Who is he? How does he even live there? Why is he living there?” I kept asking those questions to myself while reading it and was finally answered towards the end of the book.

The romance part was good! I thought it was cute but sometimes it got just a little bit cheesy. Also I think Alyssa says ‘I love you’ too much and I’m like “girl I get it and your husband just past away…”. Only thing I didn’t understand though was how come Alex couldn’t contact his helicopter to pick Alyssa up? I know there’s no signal when you’re on the mountains but I’m pretty sure Alex and Alyssa can travel and find a signal somewhere, even if it’s 5 miles away, that is, if Alyssa really wanted to go home. It looked like she didn’t though, and I know she was recovering from that leg injury but if I were her and after I recover, I would’ve walked back to my family even though it was far away. She didn’t though.

Sierra is one of those books that gives you something to think about with a lot of romance and sweet stuff thrown in it which I liked! Being trapped for months with the boy you love, that was good stuff for her lol. I recommend this to everyone especially if you like a novel with romance and suspense.

In an author interview, Leigh asked me:

Q: Was there a time that you dreamt about one of your characters?
Alex. Always Alex. To this day, he’s still my favorite of my leading men.
After reading Sierra, my sister said to me, “I can’t stop dreaming of being stuck in a snowbound cabin with a handsome hero!”

Q: If you could spend a day with one of your characters, who would it be and why?
Well, Alex, of course. But don’t tell my hubby I said that!

In response, Leigh commented:

I’d spend time with Alex too… but a younger version of Alex cause I’m only 16 x)

Too funny! That made me laugh!