Review: Great book give it a shot.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 10, 2012
Just want to say up front I received a copy of Preston's Mill from the author for an honest review.To start off with the beginning of the book, it was excellent. I wish some of the other independent/self-published authors (maybe even some better known ones too) I've read would read Ms. Rhoades work, they are a great example of how to start a story. Lots of drama in that first chapter to pull you in, just enough back story to give you an idea what is happening without dragging the story down. I really felt angry for Meg and what was happening to her, the injustice of it all. No one deserves to be treated the way Meg was or should have to face that sort of humiliation. I would go into hiding too.Up next, the setting. I live in a rural community, where you have to drive 40 minutes to reach civilization, 25 to the nearest farm supply store where, yes, I have been known to clothes shop. My surrounding isn't a mountain community, but I felt like I could have fit right in, Preston's Mill felt like home. I know what it's like to know most everyone in town and they are all related somehow. Main Street is far past its former glory and many buildings sit empty. The characters in this book felt like the ones I know in my daily life. I could appreciate the people's self-reliant nature. The characters in this book come off as very real, full of funny quirks, flaws and each has their own secrets some of them we discovered, but I have a feeling there is more to be learned about the people of Preston's Mill. It was amusing to watch Meg as she learned the ropes of her new community and rural life.Some of the supporting cast that I loved: There was Annie of course, Meg's Aunt. She is one tough cookie, a little rough around the edges but you can tell she loves her family, both blood and adopted, and just wants what is best for them. I totally agree with her philosophy of hard work and fresh air being able to heal one's damaged soul. I wasn't sure of what to make of Lorelei to begin with. She has set up so many walls and comes off prickly to keep people out and herself safe, my heart hurts for her. She too has been dealt a difficult hand and doesn't really know how to escape her circumstance. I would love to read more of her story and see her get a happily ever after.Now for Meg and JT, the hero and heroine of this book. Annie was right all along they are a good match for each other. Meg needed to find herself and learn to assert her wants and needs to others. She has been told much of her life how to live and what to think she needs to learn what she really wants out of life. JT comes from a troubled youth with a difficult home life and is freighted to really love anyone for fear of hurting them. He is afraid he can't break the cycle and be in a healthy relationship. He needs to learn to trust himself and that he is not guilty of the mistakes of others. Unlike many of the other stories I have read their romance was slow to grow, both denying that they wanted anything too serious. You could tell where they were headed, but it was nice to read a story where the lead couple takes things at a more natural pace. We got to see all the foreplay in their relationship and watch them drive each other crazy, it was kind of fun.Finally the end, which was as well written as the beginning. It had a nice feeling of closure for the main couple, and left me feeling happy for them and gave me hope for the future of the town as well. I would like to return to Preston's Mill to see some of the other character's get a happily ever after and see what comes of Meg and JT's plans. Don't want to give it away, but I loved the last few paragraphs about Annie.I would recommend this book to most any lover of romance stories. As a librarian I can think of several patrons that I will/would recommend Preston's Mill to. I will have to see if a print version is available, if not I hope one becomes available because I would add this book to our collection. It is a good story with plenty of action and a bit of humor mixed in and some steamy love scenes and well. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.