Helpful Score: 2
I liked this book but it seemed really hard to read for the first half of the book. I am glad I stuck with it because it ended really good but it was by no means a quick read, it took me days to finish this.
Helpful Score: 1
Tall, Dark, and Determined is the second book in Kelly's Husbands for Hire series. I didn't like this story as much as I enjoyed the first one. The first 4 chapters were a recap from the first book. I don't mind recaps if it's only a few pages, but 4 chapters was a bit much. Lacey and Chase went from hating each other through a majority of the book, tolerating each other for a couple scenes, and then in-love suddenly at the end. The in-love part wasn't believable, just kind of sprung on the reader at the end of the book. I loved Lacey's determination to do things that most would consider manly, like hunting. I want to see how things will turn out for Naomi and Cora, so I'll read the final book.
With thanks to Barbour Publishers via NetGalley for my review copy.
With thanks to Barbour Publishers via NetGalley for my review copy.
Diane P. (KentuckyReader) -
Helpful Score: 1
Tall, Dark and Determined is book two in the Husbands for Hire series. Building on the plot and characters from the first novel, Rugged and Relentless.
Chase Dunstan, has tracked Robert Kane, to a jail cell to learn about his own brothers death in a mine collapse in Hope Falls that left his sister, Laura, a widow. He has questions about the mining incident, the reasons behind the collapse, and the way it was handled afterwards. What current plans is causing one of the mine owners, Braden, to stay in Hope Falls and what did any of this have to do with the incredible newspaper ad, Husbands For Hire ??
Chase and Lacey lock horns right at the start and harsh words are exchanged. I must say I was confused by Laceys character. She really seemed childish, spoiled and a hot head that demands everything her way, no matter if her way made sense or not! I had a hard time seeing any romance between the two. The ending was rushed, almost incomplete, as if she rushed to finish the book and just plain ran out of time!
Chase Dunstan, has tracked Robert Kane, to a jail cell to learn about his own brothers death in a mine collapse in Hope Falls that left his sister, Laura, a widow. He has questions about the mining incident, the reasons behind the collapse, and the way it was handled afterwards. What current plans is causing one of the mine owners, Braden, to stay in Hope Falls and what did any of this have to do with the incredible newspaper ad, Husbands For Hire ??
Chase and Lacey lock horns right at the start and harsh words are exchanged. I must say I was confused by Laceys character. She really seemed childish, spoiled and a hot head that demands everything her way, no matter if her way made sense or not! I had a hard time seeing any romance between the two. The ending was rushed, almost incomplete, as if she rushed to finish the book and just plain ran out of time!
Mary N. (maggysue) reviewed Tall, Dark, and Determined (Husbands for Hire, Bk 2) on + 811 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Enjoyable book. Would recommend this series by Kelly Eileen Hake.
Shelley A. (shell6834) reviewed Tall, Dark, and Determined (Husbands for Hire, Bk 2) on + 95 more book reviews
I have always enjoyed this author and was not disappointed with this book. However, it is a bit confusing the first few chapters and I had even read the first book. It just seemed that it took too long for the author to find her rhythm resulting in a lack of cohesiveness. Eventually, all is well and the book ends up entertaining until the end. I look forward to the others in the series.
Judy D. -
Tall, Dark, and Determined by Kelly Eileen Hake
Husbands for Hire Series Book 2
If you enjoy series books I would highly recommend that you start with book 1 in this series, Rugged and Relentless. The books are stand alone but there are many details from the first book to add to the enjoyment of the second one. The series is based on four women who have bought up land in Hope Falls. Lacy Lyman's brother, Braden, owned a mine there, when it collapsed it left many dead and Braden injured. The women, led by Lacey are building a sawmill and a town. Since women can not own land at this time they put an advertisement out for three husbands. Cora, is already engaged to Braden.
This story is focused on Lacey Lyman and Chase Dunstan. Chase is wanting to find what was behind the mine collapse. He don't believe it to be an accident and he is sure the advertisement for husbands is some type of code for some other nefarious deed. His brother-in-law was killed in the accident and his sister was left destitute. He is determined to get to the bottom of this for his sister Laura's sake. When he gets to town he finds an old friend there, Jake Granger. Jake is engaged to one of the women already. Chase gets a job as a hunter, to keep fresh meat coming into the camp for the meals. He will snoop around when he can to find his answers. He believes the spoiled socialite, Lacey, has it in her to get whatever she wants, even to the point of destroying the mind so she could buy the town.
Lacey is pretty stubborn, as the reader I wanted to wallop her a few times myself! She wants to hold onto her prim and proper ways and yet she wants the freedom to do more things that men are allowed to do. She is afraid of failure and that fear causes her to be a bit sharp with Chase, and it starts their relationship off on poor footing. She wants Chase gone but is outvoted by the other women. Cora, Evie & Naomi see a man who may help Lacey. And so goes the story as these two battle each others stubborn wills.
Decoy is a unique character. Chase's well trained Irish Wolfhound stands a good 4 foot high and 6 foot long. He was able to get into Lacey's good graces even though his master could not. I also enjoy the way Kelly lets other characters put their views into the stories. We see things through several different eyes not just the two main characters.
**Book received through NetGalley for review
Husbands for Hire Series Book 2
If you enjoy series books I would highly recommend that you start with book 1 in this series, Rugged and Relentless. The books are stand alone but there are many details from the first book to add to the enjoyment of the second one. The series is based on four women who have bought up land in Hope Falls. Lacy Lyman's brother, Braden, owned a mine there, when it collapsed it left many dead and Braden injured. The women, led by Lacey are building a sawmill and a town. Since women can not own land at this time they put an advertisement out for three husbands. Cora, is already engaged to Braden.
This story is focused on Lacey Lyman and Chase Dunstan. Chase is wanting to find what was behind the mine collapse. He don't believe it to be an accident and he is sure the advertisement for husbands is some type of code for some other nefarious deed. His brother-in-law was killed in the accident and his sister was left destitute. He is determined to get to the bottom of this for his sister Laura's sake. When he gets to town he finds an old friend there, Jake Granger. Jake is engaged to one of the women already. Chase gets a job as a hunter, to keep fresh meat coming into the camp for the meals. He will snoop around when he can to find his answers. He believes the spoiled socialite, Lacey, has it in her to get whatever she wants, even to the point of destroying the mind so she could buy the town.
Lacey is pretty stubborn, as the reader I wanted to wallop her a few times myself! She wants to hold onto her prim and proper ways and yet she wants the freedom to do more things that men are allowed to do. She is afraid of failure and that fear causes her to be a bit sharp with Chase, and it starts their relationship off on poor footing. She wants Chase gone but is outvoted by the other women. Cora, Evie & Naomi see a man who may help Lacey. And so goes the story as these two battle each others stubborn wills.
Decoy is a unique character. Chase's well trained Irish Wolfhound stands a good 4 foot high and 6 foot long. He was able to get into Lacey's good graces even though his master could not. I also enjoy the way Kelly lets other characters put their views into the stories. We see things through several different eyes not just the two main characters.
**Book received through NetGalley for review
Charity L. (kingsdaughter1611) -
I had to bring you a review of a new book I read recently. It is written by Kelly Hake, daughter of one of my favorite authors, Cathy Hake:) Tall, Dark, and Determined is the second book in the Husbands for Hire series. Talk about an entertaining read!
I really like a good historical book. Whether it is from a Victorian era or the later western time period. I enjoy them all! And this one fell right in the historical genre! I also enjoy Cathy Hake's writing so I figured I would like her daughters as well. This book is the second in the series but I had read the first one so I didn't have a problem with the characters and all.
The series is about 4 women who have placed an ad looking for husbands. But this isn't just your normal mail-order bride! This is a town that they are running and are looking for men to help with the logging, etc. So they now want husbands! This is a hysterical series and I am loving the humor:) If you have never read a Hake book, you need to pick one up. They are entertaining and funny.
Starting out the book is a little confusing. Kelly goes back a little bit to get the premise for the story in this one and even though I had read the first one, I was still a little out of order when I started. If you haven't read the first one, you might just have some trouble at first. Once I figured out what was going on, I had no problem getting into the book.
This book opens with action and literally never stops! Between kidnapping, cougars, huge wolf dogs and men who don't have the right name, the action is all the way. Lacey is a funny character who feels responsible for the others but yet finds herself falling for a man. I liked how the girls made a pact where they all had to vote on husbands. Sounds funny but it really comes in handy. I enjoyed this book but didn't like it as much as the first one. The characters were good and the plot was interesting but the "click" just wasn't there. I am sure you know what I mean about a book that you read and just love, and the book you read that is good but you just don't like it as much as another.
I will be putting the third one on my wish list as I want to finish the story and hopefully it clicks with me:) Gotta love the Hake humor! I would urge you to pick up this book if you like a historical. Maybe it was just me and you will totally love the book! It has happened before where someone urges me to read a book and I just couldn't get into it.
I received a copy of this book for review purposes. I did not receive any monetary compensation. All thoughts are 100% mine.
I really like a good historical book. Whether it is from a Victorian era or the later western time period. I enjoy them all! And this one fell right in the historical genre! I also enjoy Cathy Hake's writing so I figured I would like her daughters as well. This book is the second in the series but I had read the first one so I didn't have a problem with the characters and all.
The series is about 4 women who have placed an ad looking for husbands. But this isn't just your normal mail-order bride! This is a town that they are running and are looking for men to help with the logging, etc. So they now want husbands! This is a hysterical series and I am loving the humor:) If you have never read a Hake book, you need to pick one up. They are entertaining and funny.
Starting out the book is a little confusing. Kelly goes back a little bit to get the premise for the story in this one and even though I had read the first one, I was still a little out of order when I started. If you haven't read the first one, you might just have some trouble at first. Once I figured out what was going on, I had no problem getting into the book.
This book opens with action and literally never stops! Between kidnapping, cougars, huge wolf dogs and men who don't have the right name, the action is all the way. Lacey is a funny character who feels responsible for the others but yet finds herself falling for a man. I liked how the girls made a pact where they all had to vote on husbands. Sounds funny but it really comes in handy. I enjoyed this book but didn't like it as much as the first one. The characters were good and the plot was interesting but the "click" just wasn't there. I am sure you know what I mean about a book that you read and just love, and the book you read that is good but you just don't like it as much as another.
I will be putting the third one on my wish list as I want to finish the story and hopefully it clicks with me:) Gotta love the Hake humor! I would urge you to pick up this book if you like a historical. Maybe it was just me and you will totally love the book! It has happened before where someone urges me to read a book and I just couldn't get into it.
I received a copy of this book for review purposes. I did not receive any monetary compensation. All thoughts are 100% mine.
