Debbie Macomber is one cheesy author. This is the second book I've read from her, and when you encounter that much cheese twice, you have to accept it as an established pattern. She's not a terrible writer, it's just that her plots come across as both weak and entirely ludicrous. I mean, we've got a single mom whose ex husband is in prison for fraud, an ex rodeo champ ex-con love interest, a hooker with a heart of gold, and a secret militia hell bent on acquiring massive amounts of land for a training ground. At any cost. This is like a Lifetime Movie of the Week. On the one hand, it's giggle-inducing and entertaining as all hell, but on the other, it comes across as quite dull. The heroine is the classic stereotypical mom, too, which never fails to irritate the hell out of me. She's the mom who gets all indignant when her son gets in a fight and gives her husband the stink eye when she feels he's not behaving properly. Heaven save us from insufferable women. I can't stand it. She hates violence? Give me something different! For the love of sanity, show me one original character! She doesn't trust men, and she's "independent" (i.e. stubborn to the point of being a completely impractical, irrational moron), jumps to conclusions, wusses out any time something might be difficult to talk about... Where have I read all this before? Oh, right, from nearly every other chick lit author out there. The most confusing aspect of this book, however, has to be the ages of Molly's sons. They're supposed to be 14 and 11, but the way they're written, they come across as much younger. If ages hadn't been made clear, I would have guessed them to be 12 and 8. I have three brothers and a fourteen year old son, I know what behaviors and mannerisms are appropriate for such ages... I can't help but wonder if Macomber can say the same. For anyone who likes Macomber's work, this would probably be a much more enjoyable read. I don't mind a little corny dialogue here and there, but I'm tired of reading about love shining in people's eyes and hearts near to bursting.
I read this a few weeks ago, and, to be honest, I recall very little about it - not sure this is a good sign, though I recall finding it a relaxing read, so I think it did its job. The main characters were likeable enough, though their actions were occasionally nonsensical. There was a subplot involving militia guys, which I largely breezed through. (view spoiler)[Sadly, a lot of the sparkle left this book when the grandpa died. (hide spoiler)]
What do You think about Montana (2003)?
Montana by Debbie MacomberMolly is not only going through a divorce but her husband had dragged her name through the court trials when he took money from others.Now that she's moved back home to her father's ranch in Montana she has a lot on her plate. No job but taking care of everything on the ranch.Sam Dakota is the hand that has not only taken care of the ranch but her father's ailing health. She finds out other tidbits about how desperate things really are.There are so questions as to why things are breaking and other incidents that don't sit right with her. The lawyer wants her to sell everything when her father Walt dies. As she has no outside income she has to keep the ranch for her and the boys. The fences are now down and the cattle is moving. What next..She thought Sam was different than other men but he had asked another ranch for a job - after her father was dead...The story also follows the woman next door, Pearl. She has many hardships and others are threatening her..Walt has an idea for Sam and Molly to get married-that will secure the ranch.Cattle rustling, fires, killings and then being shot at, lots of action in this book.I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
—Julie Barrett
This was another good read by Ms. Macomber. Good story with great characters. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------SpoilerNote to Self:Sweetgrass, MontanaMolly Cogan(divorced,granddaughter,translator,pal,new ranch owner)&Tom C.(her son,14yo,Thomas,older bro) and Clay C.(her son,bro,11yo)+Sam Dakota(ex-con,36yo,ranch foreman,ex-rodeo star)=Cassie Marie(their girl,half sis),Walt Wheaton(grandfather,widower, ranch owner,67yo,died),Ginny Dougherty(rancher,widow,neighbor,pal), Russell Letson(attorney)+Pearl Mitchell(prostitute,witness protection).
—Marina
Molly, a divorced mother of two boys inherits her grandfather’s ranch but only if she marries the ranch hand to whom her grandather has promised the land and cattle. After they do marry, the loyalist militia men who want the ranch for a base and a training camp create all kinds of problems so that the two will abandon it. The local attorney, falls in love with the town hooker Pearl, a revenue source for the militia men and the town Sherriff is also involved with them. Of course the two newlyweds
—Paula Dembeck
