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Please use this topic to discuss your overall opinion of the January 2016 book of the month, For the Love of Suzanne by Kristi Hudecek-Ashwill.

If you have not already, please add your rating on the Bookshelves page For the Love of Suzanne.

Then hit reply in this topic to post your comments.

Would you recommend the book to others? Why or why not? What do you like most about the book? What do you like least about the book?

I loved the book! I wrote a brief review about it here.

I loved the writing, and enjoyed the story immensely. I highly recommend it.

From the cover I was expecting a Renaissance era novel rather than a 19th century American western. It read like a typical romance with the exception of:
1) time travel, of course
2) being a little more realistic in the death of other characters. Normally a feel-good romance would have not introduced them at all or would have provided a way out for the character)
3) the villains are pictured as truly evil even when it didn't even make sense, and there are no reasons offered for why they are the way that they are.

I thought it was ok, but I wouldn't add it to my "re-read" pile.

I read this book a while ago, so some of the details aren't still fresh in my mind. My opinion of the book is somewhat mixed, although I basically enjoyed it. The subject matter is out of my comfort zone since I am not a big romance reader and the ones I do read tend to be contemporary and even humorous - neither is the case here. I don't know if I am the best person to give an opinion because I don't care for westerns, time travel, or romances that are too romantic, if that makes any sense.

That being said, I loved the beginning, thought the middle dragged a bit, and liked the ending a lot. I thought the author did a great job in giving Suzanne a detailed backstory instead of just having the story immediately start off with driving and going back in time. I thought the time travel angle was written well and was believable, at least as much as it could be (it is time travel, you know); it wasn't over the top. Once the story progressed from the poor treatment of women to very violent and dangerous scenes, I was looking for a light at the end of the tunnel. I thought it dragged a little at times, although this may have been partly due to my personal preferences. The last sections of the story were very good and I thought the author wrapped up the book nicely. I don't want to give spoilers since it's early in the BOTM month, but I particularly liked the parts of the ending that related to Cody's character.

The highlights of the story were the development of Suzanne's character and the growing romantic feelings between Suzanne and Cody. The descriptions were a little excessive at times, but I still felt such heat coming off the pages and that genuine feeling of two people falling in love, even if they hadn't acknowledged it or even kissed yet. I loved watching Suzanne transform from a battered wife with zero self-esteem to a strong woman from Cody's respect and positive attention.

Of course, life isn't all hearts and roses when there is danger everywhere you turn. The Native American historical angle was detailed well, with jarring violence. Even though it wasn’t really my taste in reading, I appreciated it as a fine piece of writing. Through it all, the romance element and Suzanne's blossoming shined.

bookowlie wrote:I read this book a while ago, so some of the details aren't still fresh in my mind. My opinion of the book is somewhat mixed, although I basically enjoyed it. The subject matter is out of my comfort zone since I am not a big romance reader and the ones I do read tend to be contemporary and even humorous - neither is the case here. I don't know if I am the best person to give an opinion because I don't care for westerns, time travel, or romances that are too romantic, if that makes any sense.

That being said, I loved the beginning, thought the middle dragged a bit, and liked the ending a lot. I thought the author did a great job in giving Suzanne a detailed backstory instead of just having the story immediately start off with driving and going back in time. I thought the time travel angle was written well and was believable, at least as much as it could be (it is time travel, you know); it wasn't over the top. Once the story progressed from the poor treatment of women to very violent and dangerous scenes, I was looking for a light at the end of the tunnel. I thought it dragged a little at times, although this may have been partly due to my personal preferences. The last sections of the story were very good and I thought the author wrapped up the book nicely. I don't want to give spoilers since it's early in the BOTM month, but I particularly liked the parts of the ending that related to Cody's character.

The highlights of the story were the development of Suzanne's character and the growing romantic feelings between Suzanne and Cody. The descriptions were a little excessive at times, but I still felt such heat coming off the pages and that genuine feeling of two people falling in love, even if they hadn't acknowledged it or even kissed yet. I loved watching Suzanne transform from a battered wife with zero self-esteem to a strong woman from Cody's respect and positive attention.

Of course, life isn't all hearts and roses when there is danger everywhere you turn. The Native American historical angle was detailed well, with jarring violence. Even though it wasn’t really my taste in reading, I appreciated it as a fine piece of writing. Through it all, the romance element and Suzanne's blossoming shined.

I love westerns, time travel, and good romances.

Great review! It is a fine piece of writing!

I forgot to add Cody was also a well developed character. He was also a bit emotionally damaged like Suzanne, although for different reasons. He felt like he didn't belong. I didn't like the fact that he seriously considered turning her over to the chief, knowing she would likely be abused and even killed. However, I think he was an interesting, layered character. The characterizations of the main characters are what lifted this story above a standard romance novel.

I love the story. I love the main characters, Cody Black Fox especially. I wish I meet someone like him in my lifetime (as a friend because I'm married ) I mean someone that selfless. However, some scenes were too gruesome for my taste but I believe that was the way it was during that time. I tried to skip my least like scenes but that would be unfaithful so I read everything. I love the ending, though I suspected it would be like that I still love it Congratulations to Kristi Hudecek-Ashwill for a wonderful book!

Thank you for taking the time to read it. I appreciate your opinions and comments.

So, normally I would post something here after I finish a book (makes sense), however, I just read the first chapter and I'm absolutely hooked! That is quite the intro and I cannot not wait to continue reading it!

I hope you enjoy it.

Thank you, khudecek! I have a feeling that I will!

I'm looking forward to reading this! I just purchased a physical copy of it.

TrishaAnn92 wrote:I'm looking forward to reading this! I just purchased a physical copy of it.

Thank you. I hope you like it.

@khudecec first off congratulations!! I can't imagine the work it takes to pour out your ideas and make them reality! I actually thought the book was great overall, and that says a lot as I am not averse to, but don't generally seek out a story like this. I do like westerns, having grown up on them, and I think you did an awesome job on that front. I liked the characters and wanted them to succeed, and respect the fact that you didn't make life too easy on them. That aspect was very realistic. Merely as feedback, the only problem I had was in how they both consistently thought about their problems (him wishing he hadn't pulled her from the car, and her doubting his intentions). It seemed a little too often. However, that being said, I think some of us may be overly critical of that. They are two broken people and therefore have every reason for doubt. Maybe it made those passages stand out too much, but it was critical to the story. And it made their victory that much sweeter. I think you did a great job and you should be proud!

Don't hate me because I have commented on this book yet! You know I read it as soon as it came out, and I've already talked to Kristi personally with my thoughts on the story.

It's definitely not a book I would have chosen to read for myself (given that I don't like westerns or romances or pretty much any other genre that this book covers), but I was surprisingly interested in it.