Release Day Review ~ Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch by L.A. Merrill (Giveaway)
Title: Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch
Author: L.A. Merrill
Release Date: May 31, 2017
Category: Mystery/Suspense, States of Love
Pages: 74
David Marks is looking for the perfect place to film his new web series and recover from his latest failed relationship. When reclusive writer Michael Sharp opens his Montana ranch to paying guests, David knows he’s found the right place—but he doesn’t expect to find Mr. Right too.
Forty years ago Michael Sharp’s father was murdered in front of him. No one believed a six-year-old boy’s testimony against the powerful Carver brothers. For years Michael has lived in self-imposed exile, the only living witness who can bring down the Carver criminal empire. But now the money is running out, and he’s forced to play host to a troupe of temperamental web actors and their energetically attractive director in order to stay alive.
The Carvers aren’t about to stand for rebellion. Michael has outlived his usefulness. Now Michael and David have to find a way to end this fight once and for all, finding justice for Michael’s father and meeting David’s funding deadline—all before one or both of them ends up dead.
States of Love: Stories of romance that span every corner of the United States.
Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch is a novella in Dreamspinner Press’ States of Love. The States of Love stories offer love in every state. This novella is set in Montana.
David films a web series and the latest series is set in Montana in the middle of nowhere. He books a stay for everyone working on the series, but the setting is not what was promised online. When they arrive at their location they meet the reclusive owner who has offered his home to strangers as a way to earn money. Michael is standoffish, mysterious and isn’t happy to have his space invaded. Before long, he gets pulled into working with David on his web series and instalove is the result.
I’ve said many times I think novellas have to be difficult to write. There’s a limited amount of pages to introduce MC’s, have them fall in love, and allow a conflict to be solved. There is a lot going on in only 74 pages of this novella. I didn’t feel like I had a good sense for who these characters are, but we did get to know a bit of their history, especially Michael’s because his mystery is revealed and resolved.
This novella offers a relationship with an age gap, instalove, and a mystery. It’s a story that flows nicely and makes for quick reading.
Rating: 4 Stars
I am a slow burn fan all the way so I tend to dislike instalove. Unless it is done very well, like in romantic suspense where every emotion seems to be on high level...
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed insta-love stories when there is a believable reason for the insta-love. Generally, I prefer slow burn.
ReplyDeleteI have read some great stories with Instalove but I much prefer the getting to know you and then despite all falling in love.
ReplyDeleteit depends on the whole story if the instalove fits or not
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the mood I'm in. Sometimes I'm more receptive and sometimes not so much.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of insta-love in books.
ReplyDeleteCongrats and thanks for the post. I like instalove, b/c I know it happens (as I was lucky enough to find out). But even if you find a soul mate, it still takes a lot of work to establish that love, so that's what I like to see in the story. - Purple Reader,
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