Title: A Rocky
Mountain Christmas
Author: William W. Johnstone & J. A. Johnstone
Pages: 336
Year: 2012
Publisher: Kensington
A Rocky Mountain Christmas
is the latest in Johnstone’s writing repertoire, taking place during the
Christmas holidays. Some of the
characters from the previous book, A
Lone Star Christmas, continue to
develop in this story. Here, the story
enlarges to include a corrupt judge and a rancher accused of murder being taken
on a train to go to jail along with another convict.
Rebecca
is now an older woman, but was 6 years old at the time of a train accident that
would change her life forever. She was
the daughter of a senator and his wife.
Her parents were going to a speaking engagement when an avalanche
changed every passenger’s plans. Rebecca
is now being approached for an interview before her flight leaves. The only reason she agrees to participate in
the interview is due to a delay in her flight. Her only condition for the interview is that
she be allowed to tell her story without interruption. She begins by telling how she came to be on
the train.
Luke
had been a sailor until an inheritance changed all that. Matt is going to spend Christmas with people
who have been like family to him. Jenny
used to be a hostess on the Mississippi River when her life changed in more
ways than she ever saw coming. Luke,
Matt, and Jenny are on the same train that is stranded at the top of a mountain
pass due to an avalanche begun by a single gunshot. Who made the mistake of not thinking before
firing their weapon during a heavy snowstorm?
The use of flashback makes the novel really
intriguing. I was so absorbed in the
adventure I forgot about the flashback until the very end of the book! There are many stories going on at the same
time, but not where it would make things too hard to follow for a reader. In fact, the more strands added, the deeper
the plot.
There
are a few curse words sprinkled over the course of the story, but not so much
as to distract the reader or become the focus of the story. Sometimes when I read books, it seems like
the author writes it with the intent to shock the reader by using foul
language. One thing I appreciate about
Johnstone’s novels is that isn’t the case at all. I believe storytellers can hone their art to
such a fine point that they would actually be able to tell an excellent tale
and not use any foul language.
The
Seeking with all Yur Heart blog exists for two main reasons: First, it exists to help readers locate
excellent novels that truly entertain without the “extra” stuff added. Second, it exists to encourage authors in
writing tales that entertain readers without the use of negative modern day verbiage
or sexual content in the book.
My
rating is 5 stars.
Note: I received a
complimentary copy for an honest review of this book. The opinions shared in this review are solely
my responsibility. Other reviews can be
read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/. Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988,
FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457
