This book is sort of a not-sequel to Forests of the Heart. It takes place in the desert, and Bettina makes a brief appearance. It's not necessary to read the first to enjoy this one but they're somewhat similar.
However, this book slightly disappointed me. I was expecting that same presence to the desert, the same sense of it being it's own character that I found in Forests of the Heart, and the same sense of character that I get from the Newford setting. But... what I got was scenery. Beautiful scenery, to be true.
Maybe it's because 2 of the 4 main characters aren't from the desert, so it's not as important to them. Maybe it needs more legends? More calling the cacti Aunts and Uncles? I'm not sure what exactly was missing here, but it definitely felt like SOMETHING was just a little bit off.
Other than that, it was a sweet little light-hearted romance. Well written, but it lacked some of the profoundness, the sense of connectedness that I've found in his other Newford stories. It's almost YA in nature.
However, this book slightly disappointed me. I was expecting that same presence to the desert, the same sense of it being it's own character that I found in Forests of the Heart, and the same sense of character that I get from the Newford setting. But... what I got was scenery. Beautiful scenery, to be true.
Maybe it's because 2 of the 4 main characters aren't from the desert, so it's not as important to them. Maybe it needs more legends? More calling the cacti Aunts and Uncles? I'm not sure what exactly was missing here, but it definitely felt like SOMETHING was just a little bit off.
Other than that, it was a sweet little light-hearted romance. Well written, but it lacked some of the profoundness, the sense of connectedness that I've found in his other Newford stories. It's almost YA in nature.
