For the Love of Suzanne by Kristi Hudecek-Ashwill

gali · Post by **gali** » 01 Nov 2015, 10:14

Sometimes you're lucky enough to find a book that keeps you turning the pages late into the night because you just have to finish it. This is such a book! I loved this sweet, poignant love story! But then, I’m a big fan of a time-travel tales.

For the Love of Suzanne by Kristi Hudecek-Ashwill is a spellbinding western time-traveler romance with a paranormal twist. The book sweeps you into Arizona Territory for an emotional and suspenseful ride. The story unfolds naturally with great attention to details, portraying a heart-breaking time in Native American history. While an enthralling love story, this book also focuses on the plight of Native Americans, namely the Chiricahua Apache, during the late 1800s. It touches briefly on their struggles to live freely on a land that was systematically stolen from them.

The plot in a couple of sentences: This is the story of Suzanne Dillon, an abused wife who is being transported into an earlier period while taking a drive through the desert. Cody Black FOX, a half Indian, recues her from her exploding car and finds out that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. The two soon embark on a quest to get Suzanne back to her time, facing many trials along the way.

The book was a page-turner and I found myself drawn in by both the plot and the characters. The author has sketched some solid, flesh-and-blood characters, which are quite believable and likeable, albeit too naïve. The author incorporates a number of issues into this tale: love, fate, friendship, loyalty, trust, abuse, interrelationship, prejudice and some adult themes. I was never bored while reading this romance novel, always a good sign of a great book.

There were some repetitions of musings and thoughts, and the book requires suspension of disbelief which I admit at times I found difficult to sustain. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the story immensely and found it a riveting read from first page to last. The book was well-written and thought out, the characters come to life on the page, and readers will be hooked until the very end. I was worried for the two protagonists throughout the story, they felt real to me, and when I reached the end I was smiling from ear to ear!

This novel was a very sweet romance in every sense of the word and I highly recommend it!

4 out of 4 stars!

Gravy · Post by **Gravy** » 01 Nov 2015, 20:35

Not quite what I'm interested in at the moment but it sounds promising

gali · Post by **gali** » 01 Nov 2015, 22:51

Graverobber wrote:Not quite what I'm interested in at the moment but it sounds promising

It is and much more.

Post by **bookowlie** » 05 Nov 2015, 10:08

I enjoyed reading your review. The book sounds unique and interesting. I am not a big fan of paranormal romance, but I do like historical fiction. Time travelling back to the 1800's and learning about Native American history?....sounds great!

gali · Post by **gali** » 05 Nov 2015, 10:12

bookowlie wrote:I enjoyed reading your review. The book sounds unique and interesting. I am not a big fan of paranormal romance, but I do like historical fiction. Time travelling back to the 1800's and learning about Native American history?....sounds great!

Thank you and the book is that.

khudecek · Post by **khudecek** » 05 Nov 2015, 12:03

Thank you for the great review, gali. I appreciate it!

I want to share a bit of a story here. Back in the early 1900s, my grandfather's mother fell ill in the middle of the night. The two of them lived on a ranch at O'Neill Pass in the Black Hills of South Dakota and she needed a doctor. Trust me when I say, the Black Hills are definitely black in the middle of the night. My grandfather got on a horse and rode to Deadwood to get the doctor and all the way, there was a light that guided his way.

gali · Post by **gali** » 05 Nov 2015, 12:09

khudecek wrote:Thank you for the great review, gali. I appreciate it!

I want to share a bit of a story here. Back in the early 1900s, my grandfather's mother fell ill in the middle of the night. The two of them lived on a ranch at O'Neill Pass in the Black Hills of South Dakota and she needed a doctor. Trust me when I say, the Black Hills are definitely black in the middle of the night. My grandfather got on a horse and rode to Deadwood to get the doctor and all the way, there was a light that guided his way.

Thank you for your kind words.

Really?! Cool. Now I understand better the scene in the book. Thank you for sharing that intriguing story.

Post by **bookowlie** » 05 Nov 2015, 12:09

khudecek wrote:Thank you for the great review, gali. I appreciate it!

I want to share a bit of a story here. Back in the early 1900s, my grandfather's mother fell ill in the middle of the night. The two of them lived on a ranch at O'Neill Pass in the Black Hills of South Dakota and she needed a doctor. Trust me when I say, the Black Hills are definitely black in the middle of the night. My grandfather got on a horse and rode to Deadwood to get the doctor and all the way, there was a light that guided his way.

What an interesting story! I always enjoy hearing about the inspiration behind a book.

khudecek · Post by **khudecek** » 05 Nov 2015, 12:22

Thanks, bookowlie.

I maintain there's always some truth in fiction.

Post by **bookowlie** » 05 Nov 2015, 12:24

khudecek wrote:Thanks, bookowlie.

I maintain there's always some truth in fiction.

Sometimes there's also a little fiction in non-fiction books.

khudecek · Post by **khudecek** » 05 Nov 2015, 12:25

bookowlie wrote:
khudecek wrote:Thanks, bookowlie.

I maintain there's always some truth in fiction.
Sometimes there's also a little fiction in non-fiction books.

Good point!

PashaRu · Post by **PashaRu** » 05 Nov 2015, 12:37

Thanks for the review, gali. I like your brief synopsis of the story. Most of the story should be left for readers to discover for themselves. Glad you enjoyed the book!

gali · Post by **gali** » 05 Nov 2015, 13:01

PashaRu wrote:Thanks for the review, gali. I like your brief synopsis of the story. Most of the story should be left for readers to discover for themselves. Glad you enjoyed the book!

Thank you and I agree with you.

Ramona · Post by **Ramona** » 08 Dec 2015, 17:36

bookowlie wrote:I enjoyed reading your review. The book sounds unique and interesting. I am not a big fan of paranormal romance, but I do like historical fiction. Time travelling back to the 1800's and learning about Native American history?....sounds great!

Ditto (to the above quote)!!!
I enjoyed your review, Gali. It does sound like a well-written, well-crafted story!!

gali · Post by **gali** » 08 Dec 2015, 23:10

Ramona wrote:
bookowlie wrote:I enjoyed reading your review. The book sounds unique and interesting. I am not a big fan of paranormal romance, but I do like historical fiction. Time travelling back to the 1800's and learning about Native American history?....sounds great!
Ditto (to the above quote)!!!
I enjoyed your review, Gali. It does sound like a well-written, well-crafted story!!

Thank you and it is.