Limecello’s review of Heart of Stone by Diana Palmer
Contemporary romance published by Silhouette on 1 Sep 08

The newest installment in the seemingly endless Long, Tall, Texan series, Heart of Stone doesn’t really stand out from the rest. If you’ve never read one of Diana Palmer’s books before, I’d encourage reading one of her other books first.

Keely Walsh is a nineteen-year-old veterinarian technician, but she’s very old for her age. Too nice for her own good, she lets everyone walk all over her. Still, she has some good friends, and Keely enjoys her relatively simply life. Keely has had a very difficult past, and a bad current home life. While her personality is a stronger than one might expect, her actions take what ground that would have given her away.

Boone Sinclair is a thirty two year old businessman cum rancher. He intimidates everyone, but is well respected in the community. Boone isn’t particularly close to anyone but his siblings, and his old German shepherd Bailey. He’s something of a jerk throughout the book, especially when he’s interacting with Keely. Portrayed as overbearing, the reader understands that it is concern that makes him meddle in people’s lives.

I understand the sentiment where a lot of people say “if you’ve read one Diana Palmer book, you’ve read them all.” I’ve always felt that each book has subtle differences and nuances, until I read this book. Yes, a few characteristics were different, but I feel anything in this book was that distinctive. The heroine has been in love with the hero for years. She’s had an extremely traumatic childhood, and is stuck in a terrible home situation. The hero has always been in love with the heroine, but feels that she is too young, and takes out his frustration and repressed love/lust out on her. Tragedy strikes, forcing the characters to admit their feelings and depend on each other.

I found myself thinking “when will Ms. Palmer write characters with normal lives?” Or at least, without an overabundance of dreadful life experiences. I understand the “trial by fire” making characters stronger and more interesting, but hers have become ashes they’ve been burnt so many times. I also didn’t think the excuse given for Boone trotting his girlfriend/ex-fiancée in front of Keely’s face all that plausible either.

Much of the book was repetitive. For example, I got sick of hearing how sick the characters were of the Presidential race. I generally enjoy, and am vaguely amused by how the characters in Ms. Palmer’s characters act. They’re cheeky, like practical jokes, are generally repressed and somewhat awkward when it comes to sex and relationships. They’re also rather static, and don’t act how you’d expect normal humans, or characters to. However, in Heart of Stone the characters simply fell flat. The characters were gullible in the extreme, and not very sympathetic. I didn’t feel much empathy for any of their situations, and felt that each event and situation had already been used in a previous book.

I did like the cameo appearances from a number of characters – some who already have their own books. I’d love to read the stories of all the secondary characters, and do plan on reading more of Ms. Palmer’s books. This one, however, was something of a disappointment. I wouldn’t really recommend this book unless you’re a die-hard Ms. Palmer fan, or will suffer from burning curiosity until you do. I will, however, read any and all of Ms. Palmer’s forthcoming stories.

Grade: D+

Summary:

A businessman and a rancher, Boone Sinclair has it all – except for Keely Walsh. The lovely beauty has always beguiled him… yet he was too experienced for her innocent charm.

But when Keely’s life is endangered by forces beyond her control, he has to protect her. Once Keely is under his roof, Boone is the ultimate Long, Tall Texan – reticent, noble, loyal and blessed with a Texas-size stubbornness! It’s up to Keely to convince him that she’s no longer a girl; she’s a woman out to win his heart!

Read an excerpt here.