Beautiful Dreamer

Rating:
Summary: Western dreams
Review: (...)
I like western romance novels, and nothing comes close to Beautiful Dreamer. The plot line is refreshingly original, the characters are believable and have won a place in my heart. Elizabeth Lowell paints the west so vividly. I've read several other of Lowell's books, and this is undoubtably my favorite. I really wish there were more books like this. Thanks!

Rating:
Summary: Amazing!
Review: I absolutely loved this book. It was my first Elizabeth Lowell book, but it definitely won't be my last. Hope is the strong heroine fighting for her dream, and Rio is the mysterious and sexy as hell hero who helps her achieve it. You can tell they're attracted to each other the first time they meet, but neither of them wants to accept it because Hope can never leave the Valley of the Sun and Rio can't stay there. My only problem with this book was all that "brother to the wind" crap with Rio. What sane person lets the freakin' WIND dictate their life? "I'm sorry, Hope...I love you, but I have to leave now because the WIND is blowing, and it sounds like it's saying my name...you should have known you'd never be able to replace the WIND in my life...see ya..." That part kind of had me wishing Hope would walk out on his sorry behind in the end, but of course, the romance got the best of me. Anyway, if you're looking for a good love story, this one is a must read.

Rating:
Summary: Sweet - but predictable
Review: I chose this book because it had Elizabeth Lowell's name on it, and ordered it before there were any reviews. I expected the usual gripping suspense, twisting plots, and exciting romance. I didn't know it was an expanded version of a release from some 16 years ago. Well, there wasn't the gripping suspense, the plot had no unexpected twists, and you knew from the start that eventually Hope's beloved Valley of the Sun would be saved, and the couple would live happily ever after.

What held me enthralled and gave this book the 4 stars it deserved was Lowell's ability to strongly develop her characters. You couldn't help but get involved in Hope's dream - you felt the physical exhaustion as she struggled to do the work what had to be done to bring water to her cattle. You saw the world through Rio's heart and soul as he was determined to help her find the water to save the ranch, as he struggled not let a romance develop between them as he would have to move on and didn't want to hurt her. You felt Rio's pain that no white woman would ever want to have a child his mixed breed bloodline. You couldn't help but get caught up in the passion of the love between Hope and Rio.

It was enough. Lowell's creative magic made for a very enjoyable evening's entertainment.