Reviews: Falling Star and Gold Mountain

Adam Nash has the whole world at his feet, but because of his reputation as a party hard country and western rock star, the tabloids have a field day with him. Some days he wishes he could just be Adam Herlihey and walk around without the fear of being attacked by fans or the paparazzi. It’s bad enough he forgets important dates, and because of that, he now has to rush and buy birthday flowers for his much beloved assistant, who keeps him in line. He finds a quaint little flower shop and expects the employees to fall all over him as soon as he enters.

Adam is in for a surprise because the woman behind the counter has no clue who he is. Jade Graham runs Earth Scents along with her best friend and roommate Dean. Jade and Dean both studied plant science at Berkley and spent the last six years in Columbia studying and collecting rare plants to develop in the states. Adam is somewhat relieved that Jade is clueless. He quickly becomes smitten with the florist and asks her out to dinner, which she accepts but with caution.

Because Adam can have whatever he wants, when he wants it, he’s able to romance Jade without the press breathing down his neck. He wants to keep his identity a secret from Jade as long as he can because with Jade he can relax and feel normal. Soon their short romance becomes intense, and Adam invites Jade away for a weekend on his boat, with the sole purpose of seducing her. But the guilt and fear eats away at him because he’s certain that when Jade finds his true identity, she’ll feel betrayed and treat him like all the other women who fall at his feet because of his fame and fortune.

Falling Star is a sweet and sexy romance with a very down-to-earth woman, who falls for the man behind the spotlight. Adam loves his life and everything he’s worked for, but he longs for a few moments of peace a time when he can forget all the gossip and rumors about him that the public loves. He’s stunned when he meets Jade because she isn’t one of his adoring fans and he can be anybody with her because she has no expectations.

Jade is wary of Adam at first, but soon their passions collide and they can’t keep from loving one another. Their love scenes are very hot, heavy and occur very quickly and suddenly. This quick pace of their relationship and how fast they act on their attraction did jolt me out of the story. I found everything happening too fast and would have preferred a bit more courtship on Adam’s part and more wariness from Jade, especially when she decides to go off on a whirlwind long weekend on Adam’s boat, regardless of the fact that she knows he’s keeping secrets and not being truthful about his identity.

Olivia Brynn does handle Adam’s internal conflicts pretty well and Jade’s reaction is one you would expect when she finds out the truth about Adam. Even with my issues about the sudden explosion of passion between Jade and Adam, Falling Star is an adorable, fairy tale like romance. (You can purchase at Liquid Silver Press)

Final Grade: B-

Another of Falling Star:
Dear Author

I must give a big thank you to Karen at Karen Knows Best for posting about this latest from Sharon Cullars. This is proof right here that blogs are successful at promoting authors and books. If I never read Karen's post, I would have missed out on reading a great book.

Quiang has left his homeland of China to travel to America and the place known as “Gold Mountain” in Sacramento, California. Like many other Chinese emigrants, Quiang works for very little money on the railroad the white men have constructed. Part of Quiang’s wages is sent back to his family so they can have a better life. But Quiang is frustrated by the lack of respect given to him, as well as his fellow countrymen around him who live in the worst possible conditions. Quiang wants a better life for himself. But because of what he is and his lack of speaking English, he is stuck and may have to give up and return home.

Leah and Clara are two colored women who have traveled from New York to Sacramento for better opportunities. Things are less than ideal for them even though they are getting by with their restaurant and laundry business. But because of their race and gender, they must still deal with racism and bigotry. Clara is in love with the Pastor Caldwell, who in turn seems more interested in Leah. Leah isn’t interested in marriage and enjoys being independent. One day a Chinaman comes into her establishment and wants his shirt laundered. Even with the lack of communication between them, Clara is more than happy to clean his shirt and even gives him some spare clothes. Clara is uncomfortable by the way this strange man stares at her, but she ignores it. Quiang finds Clara to be very pretty and can’t wait to see her again.

When Quiang goes back for his shirt, Clara makes him a meal and although they can barely understand one another, they both feel something special between them. Both know they can’t act on it because of their stations in life, and this is proved even more when two rough looking white men destroy Clara’s business. Quiang wants revenge against these men who stole everything from Clara and begins working for a very dangerous and powerful man. Quiang thinks this is his way of escaping his less than appealing life. Once he has enough money, he wants to marry Clara and make a family with her. Clara has fallen for Quiang and would love nothing more to be with him, but first they must overcome so much in order to have a future together.

Sharon Cullars’ Gold Mountain is a well written and deep historical romance where many issues are raised, especially in regards to race. Ms. Cullars doesn’t back away from the social issues that were so very strong during the mid 19th century. She gives a very realistic view of what both Clara and Quiang had to give up, as well as trying to make their way through life in a very cruel world.

Even with the cultural and language barriers between Clara and Quiang, their attraction for one another is a beautiful thing. The respect and love they have is strong and these two will do whatever they can to be together. Their loves scenes simmer, are very emotional and what the reader is expecting. One love scene does border a bit on purple prose and I couldn’t help but laugh when Clara is in awe of Quiang’s “tumescence” but did enjoy reading the final outcome. There is also a great deal of tension with an exciting and suspense-filled ending

I didn’t want Gold Mountain to end and wished it was longer. I applaud Ms. Cullars for writing a wonderful and rich cultural romance about crossing barriers and embracing someone who is different. (You can purchase at Loose-Id)

Final Grade: B+