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November's read.

I have to say both books (Split by Mel Bossa and the one linked to above in Josh's post) were very easy/quick reads. I just finished End of the Trail last night. I did write a review for it, but I can't wait to discuss it later on this month!

Just tell me when to start, Jordan! ;)

I think the usual date we start talking is the 21st, just to give everyone enough time to read the book.

Okey-dokey. See you then. :)

Okay. I started this last night. If this isn't fan fiction with the serial numbers filed off, I'll eat my cowboy hat. :-D

Hmmm... Fanfiction from what, might I ask? I know Clouds and Rain was published nearly a year after this one, so it can't be that. lol. Unless Clouds was the fanfic from this story.

Jordan wrote: "Hmmm... Fanfiction from what, might I ask? I know Clouds and Rain was published nearly a year after this one, so it can't be that. lol. Unless Clouds was the fanfic from this story."

I've no idea. There are some western show fandoms though, right? I doubt that it's fan fic for another author's story.

I could be wrong of course!

Well, when I think back on it, it could be fanfic, just in the way it's written. Meaning, maybe not based on anything, but the fact that there aren't many things that get in the way of their relationship. Everything they want to happen, happens so easily. But, I'll shut up now. I don't want to ruin it for you. lol.

... and some things one expects to happen, won't happen at all...

Jordan wrote: "Well, when I think back on it, it could be fanfic, just in the way it's written. Meaning, maybe not based on anything, but the fact that there aren't many things that get in the way of their relati..."

No worries there. I'm 68% through. But yes, the style and story is typical of not-so-terrific fan fiction.

I don't want to dampen anyone's enthusiasm, though! I can see there would be lots to enjoy here.

Johanna wrote: "... and some things one expects to happen, won't happen at all..."

Oh jeez.

Sorry Josh... I think she's right. But when you're done we can compare notes, and see if what we thought would happen, did. Maybe you're thinking one thing will happen and I'm thinking something else. lol, that could be an interesteing convo.

I hear you, Jordan! And I'm struggling pretty hard to stop typing RIGHT NOW! Otherwise I won't be able to avoid spoilers... really looking forward to later discussion though. ;)

lol, ignore this thread until the 21st. Probably the best policy, though I doubt I'll be able to obey that one.

Jordan wrote: "lol, ignore this thread until the 21st. Probably the best policy, though I doubt I'll be able to obey that one."

Sure - good advice. I'm ignoring this thread as we speak... see?! *grin*

I must admit that I ducked out on finishing the book last night. I already had a headache so I opted for Publisher's Weekly. ;-P

Sooner or later you won't avoid to explain why you think this is ''the style and story is typical of not-so-terrific fan fiction'' though ;-).

Antonella wrote: "Sooner or later you won't avoid to explain why you think this is ''the style and story is typical of not-so-terrific fan fiction'' though ;-)."

Well, the most obvious giveaway is the episodic and exposition-laden format. It feels like someone relying heavily on the fact that we already know and love the characters.

Which of course is not the case here.

Josh wrote: "Well, the most obvious giveaway is the episodic and exposition-laden format. It feels like someone relying heavily on the fact that we already know and love the characters.

Which of course is not the case here."

I didn't get that feeling at all and I must admit I really liked both of the MC's. :P

Ummm... I can't remember off hand how it started out and whether or not I had that feeling. I might have to go back and reread a page or two. I did like the characters, but they didn't feel very deep to me. The blurb said something about the one guy being embittered, but I didn't see that at all. It took almost nothing for another guy to win him over when he's been straight his entire life. Hmmm, I guess that is very fanficy like, right there. lol. I liked them, but not as much as I would have liked. Already, I've forgotten their names and I just read it last week!

As for episodic, yeah, it did have that feeling.

But I did feel this was a relatively easy read. It wasn't anything like Clouds and Rain where I had to force myself to finish it, and half way through went WTF?!?! Otherwise, they're a lot alike... cept for one major WTF plot point in C&R. If this book had that same plot point, I would have had a heart attack. Major. lol.

Sagajo wrote: "I didn't get that feeling at all and I must admit I really liked both of the MC's. :P"

Me too. Josh is just raining on our parade ;-).

I suspect it is also a collateral effect of having read several books I really didn't like. So spotting something decent, I was overjoyed.



@ Jordan: the major WTF plot point in Clouds and Rain...

I suspect it is the same plot point I disliked. It was really WTF!

lol, there could be only one in that novel. It's definintely not a novel I would recommend to others.

Sagajo wrote: "I didn't get that feeling at all and I must admit I really liked both of the MC's. :P"
..."

That's great! Because you can explain who these people are to me. :-D

No, seriously, how boring would it be if we all came up with the same conclusions every time we did a group read?

Totally boring. But sometimes it's nice to know you're not alone in your thoughts. Depending on what they are.

It's like Siskel and Ebert. Two informed and yet often totally opposing opinions.

There you go.

So I'm assuming you're not going to pick up the book again. You got to a point and you decided your time was better spent on a different novel, right?

It seems like everyone else here has read it already? Granted, I'm usually a slow reader and it took me no time at all to finish it, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

Jordan wrote: "There you go.

So I'm assuming you're not going to pick up the book again. You got to a point and you decided your time was better spent on a different novel, right?

It seems like everyone else h..."

I'll try to finish -- just so I can discuss more intelligently. Also, I'm curious as to whether the whole book has been a lead up to the one single episode the author wanted to write.

Although I confess I chose Publisher's Weekly again last night. ;-P

Josh wrote: "I'll try to finish -- just so I can discuss more intelligently. Also, I'm curious as to whether the whole book has been a lead up to the one single episode the author wanted to write."

That's the spirit! And like Jordan said, the book was very fast to read. ;)

Sometimes you just have to give yourself a morning and plow through it. And while you're reading, make yourself something nice to eat or drink, something sweet to keep you warm and happy. That's my vote... or maybe I'm just hungry for lunch right now... lol.

Josh wrote: "No worries there. I'm 68% through. But yes, the style and story is typical of not-so-terrific fan fiction. "

I'm glad I'm not the only one who's thinking like this. :)

It's a quick easy read though.

Y'all have made me curious about this book. Any redeeming qualities that could account for its high GR rating?

K.Z. wrote: "Y'all have made me curious about this book. Any redeeming qualities that could account for its high GR rating?"

It's gay cowboys, that's always good :) Actually, I enjoyed it. It's not a personal all-time favorite, but I liked it fine. But from a writer's standpoint (not that I am one), I think Josh is right. It's a pretty good story, but not the most well-crafted one by a long shot.

Ah, cowboys. Enough said. (This is the part I don't understand. Does nobody realize what they smell like? And what a lot of time in the saddle does to one's butt?)

K.Z. wrote: "Ah, cowboys. Enough said. (This is the part I don't understand. Does nobody realize what they smell like? And what a lot of time in the saddle does to one's butt?)"

GFY cowboys. Even better. :)

Ha! lol. It's cowboys, but it's also a sweet romance that's easy. Nothing to get in the way, and it's a fast read. So you're sure of a HEA and you don't really have to worry about the characters.

Though, personally, I like to worry about them, it gives the story a little more depth, and interest. Keeps me on the edge of my seat and turning pages.

Jordan wrote: "Ha! lol. It's cowboys, but it's also a sweet romance that's easy. Nothing to get in the way, and it's a fast read. So you're sure of a HEA and you don't really have to worry about the characters.

Though, personally, I like to worry about them, it gives the story a little more depth, and interest. Keeps me on the edge of my seat and turning pages."

I second that!

K.Z. wrote: "Ah, cowboys. Enough said. (This is the part I don't understand. Does nobody realize what they smell like? And what a lot of time in the saddle does to one's butt?)"

I don't know, but I'd like to check for myself :)

Emanuela ~plastic duck~ wrote: "K.Z. wrote: "Ah, cowboys. Enough said. (This is the part I don't understand. Does nobody realize what they smell like? And what a lot of time in the saddle does to one's butt?)"

I don't know, bu..."

LOL. Yup, can't make a decision before thorough physical check. :D

Emanuela ~plastic duck~ wrote: "K.Z. wrote: "Ah, cowboys. Enough said. (This is the part I don't understand. Does nobody realize what they smell like? And what a lot of time in the saddle does to one's butt?)"

I don't know, bu..."

I used to date a cowboy back in Montana (where I was as an exchange student a hundred years ago). He smelled lovely :) but I hated his habit to use snuff tobacco. That made kissing mission impossible sometimes... yuck.

Finally -- at about 75% mark -- we reach the part of the story I think Elliot was hurrying to get to.

Initially I was thinking she was imitating that bare bones western style of Luke Short or Louis L'amour -- and maybe she was -- but given the focus of interest, I can't help think fandom.

But the research seems solid. It seems like she took a lot of time to get the historical details right. That's a big positive.

Kate Mc. wrote: "K.Z. wrote: "Ah, cowboys. Enough said. (This is the part I don't understand. Does nobody realize what they smell like? And what a lot of time in the saddle does to one's butt?)"

GFY cowboys. Even..."

:-D Not nice to make me choke on my coffee. But very true.

Emanuela ~plastic duck~ wrote: "I don't know, but I'd like to check for myself :)"

Believe me, darlin', in most cases you wouldn't. :-/

K.Z. wrote: "Emanuela ~plastic duck~ wrote: "I don't know, but I'd like to check for myself :)"

Believe me, darlin', in most cases you wouldn't. :-/"

Ok, I get it, you want to keep the cowboys for yourself ;-P

So is everyone planning to have this finished by tomorrow so we can start discussing?

I just have a little bit more to read. I don't know if it's my imagination or I just got used to the style, but it seems to have picked up a little in the final third. Of course I'm assuming that SOMETHING is going to happen shortly.

Really, anything at this point would be welcome.

Awww, poor Josh. I'm not sure what you're expecting to happen... but I'd be interested to see how disappointed you are come tonight/tomorrow. lol, I'm terrible, I know.

So, I went back last night and reread parts of the beginning and compared it to your story "The French Have A Word For It" just to see how much fanfic like it actually is, and I can see what you're talking about. It seems subtle though, but I can see where it's like we're expected to already know and love the characters. Very interesting indeed. I didn't pick up on that the first time, but then, I've been reading fanfic for years, so I'm probably immune to it or something, unless you specifically point it out.

Might have mentioned it, but I'm already done with the book, a few weeks ago. Amazing, considering how slow I normally read, I know. And the fact that I read Split first.

Josh wrote: "So is everyone planning to have this finished by tomorrow so we can start discussing?

I just have a little bit more to read. I don't know if it's my imagination or I just got used to the style, but it seems to have picked up a little in the final third. Of course I'm assuming that SOMETHING is going to happen shortly.

Really, anything at this point would be welcome."

Well, you'll better prepare yourself not to be too disappointed, if nothing major will happen at all. There were at least two certain things I expected to happen at some point, but they never did... but we can discuss more about that tomorrow, if everybody will finish the book by then. :)

I think the thing that most puzzles me is the opening chapter that has absolutely NOTHING to do with the rest of the book. I'm wondering why it's even there. Why do we meet Molly and Tommy when they have nothing to do with the subsequent events?

I mean, maybe Tommy will show up in the final chapters, but even so there was no need for the original introduction becasue it all goes nowhere.

Will could just as easily meet John as an already widowed man living alone, dealing with his bitterness and loneliness.

It's as though the book started out to be an entirely different story. And that could have been quite a powerful tale. A married man in the middle of nowhere who stumbles across this wild, wounded character who stirs up uncomfortable and then undeniable feelings. And then what? What do they do?

As it is, Molly is conveniently removed as an obstacle. There seems no point to her existence. She's not around long enough to grieve for her death, she's pretty much a cipher who was created merely to be knocked off.

I do really dislike it when female characters merely exist to conveniently die so that the hero has something to feel mildly gloomy about until he falls for his REAL love.

Molly and Tommy feel like acoutrements rather than developed characters central to the plot. Much like Will's injured leg which again, seems to merely exist as a stage trapping. What is the point of that injured leg?

Maybe they point will become clear in the final chapters. But I'm getting increasingly suspicious...

Josh wrote: "...I do really dislike it when female characters merely exist to conveniently die so that the hero has something to feel mildly gloomy about until he falls for his REAL love..."

LOL! And you definitely do have a point about things happening/ being introduced without further purpose or reason. It is kind of frustrating. And I too was a little bit lost with Molly and Tommy, because they somehow didn't seem to completely fit in the story.