Sandy M’s review of Late Last Night (River Bend, Book 1) by Lilian Darcy
Contemporary Romance published by Tule Publishing Group 9 Jan 14
Every now and again a short story is just what you need to get through a slight reading slump when other books aren’t working for you. That’s happened for me with this story from Lilian Darcy. This is a light, quick read that’s full of romance, along with tragedy to show these characters how fragile life really is and to hold on with both hands to grab what happiness and love you can.
We start with Kate and Harrison in 1996 when they first begin running into each other in Marietta, Montana. Harrison is the local sheriff, on the job for only about a year. Kate is a high school teacher who helps her brother, along with his wife and five kids, on the family ranch, but it’s time she moved on with a place of her own in town. When Harrison pulls Kate over for the third time, there’s an awareness between them that’s not happened before and can’t be quenched by his calmness that usually affects Kate. This latest run-in gets them both thinking of the other more and more, and when Kate takes a look at the property Harrison is selling due to his divorce, there’s definitely some sparks that can’t be denied.
When they finally have that first date, which is full of fun, good food, and conversation, they’re both so turned on they can hardly wait to get to Harrison’s place. Sexual tension is high, as is the frustration for both them and the reader when the unexpected happens. After resolving their individual issues and taking their time to get together, it’s a simple misunderstanding that nearly costs them everything. At first, though, I was a bit miffed at Kate for doing such assuming, but I can understand why she’d jump to such conclusions, especially because she has no idea about Harrison’s about-face in his plans.
But then it’s prom night in Marietta, and tragedy strikes, with Kate in the middle of it and Harrison once again that calming influence, despite carrying out one of the most difficult aspects of his job. I really enjoyed Kate and Harrison and their respective vulnerabilities, but then going after what they want no matter what. Though this is a spin-off of the Copper Mountain series where there’s another MacCreadie story, along with a number of other great reads, you don’t have to have read them to begin with this first book in the River Bend series. This is a good start to the series to get to know the characters and to get a feel for the town. Montana has some surprises in store for romance readers!
Grade: B
Summary:
It’s May 1996 and Marietta High School English teacher Kate MacCreadie is almost at the end of her rope, torn between the demands of her work and her heavy involvement in helping her younger brother Rob and his wife Melinda take care of their five young children on the MacCreadie family ranch.
When Marietta’s fine-looking new sheriff, Harrison Pearce, pulls Kate over for her third traffic violation in as many months, they both know it’s a sign that something has to give.
Kate finds it almost a relief to be told by this calm, strong man to get her life in order, and then she just keeps on seeing him – at school after there’s been a suspicious break-in, on the evening of the prom when he’s off duty and driving his nephew and friends to the event in one of his brother’s gorgeous vintage cars.
Late that night, after prom is over, a tragedy at River Bend Park brings Kate and Harrison together yet again, and this time, in the highly charged atmosphere, Kate discovers that she never wants to let him go. But with his divorce still fresh, is Harrison ready for someone new?
Read an excerpt.
