Customer Reviews

The Long Hot Summer (Silhouette Desire)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Hired as the new teacher for Blackstone Farms Day School, the last thing on Kelly Andrews mind is falling in love. When she meets handsome veterinarian Ryan Blackstone, her resolve to remain faithful to her deceased husband's memory is severely tested.

Ryan, leery of love thanks to his ex-wife, who left him with a newborn son, prescribes to the theory of "once bitten, twice shy." Kelly's quiet beauty and instant rapport with his son soon pulls at Ryan's heart strings. Slowly but surely he finds himself falling in love with Kelly, but will her fears of sullying her husband's memory ruin any chance the couple has at a second chance at love?

THE LONG HOT SUMMER was a short, but delightful read. True to form, Rochelle Alers has created strong, memorable characters who will forever remain etched in your memory. Fans of Alers are sure to give this wonderful story of love a place of prominence on their bookshelves. I know I have.

Reviewed by Renee Williams
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Long Hot Summer was a short but a sweet read. Mrs. Alers continues to use her magic to create wonderful characters. I loved the whole concept of combining African-Americans,ranching and horse racing.The dedication to the first African-American jockeys in the Kentucky Derby was very special. I am looking forward to the rest of the series.

I enjoyed Ryan's and Kelly's story, it was a good read on healing from past loves and moving on. The first in the Blackstone series gives a nice introduction to the rest of the family therefore it would be better, not required though, to read them in order. Jeremy's story is up next and is better than Ryan's with Sheldon's story so far being the best.

Rochelle Alers introduces The Blackstone's of Virginia with Ryan Blackstone and Kelly Andrews. The two main characters each have lost someone important and dear to them and each has their reasons for holding back their love until time is made to get to know one another.

Kelly Andrews has taken on the task of teaching the children of The Blackstone Farm but never did she realize she had also taken on the job of winning over the eldest Blackstone son but when love claims her heart she will do anything to win Ryan's heart.

Ryan Blackstone learn how to love and let love when his wife and mother of his child walked out of his life to return to the city. He held the one gift she gave to him dear to his heart. His son became his life but when he meets Kelly Andrews he knows there is something special about her and while he is determined to figure out what it could be he also starts the game of playing for keeps.

Rochelle Alers introduces you to a few other members of the family and leaves you waiting for more to come with the next installment of The Blackstone's of Virginia.

I just finished reading it. It was a fun, sexy, romantic story. The chemistry between Ryan Blackstone and Kelly Andrews is fantastic. We are also introduced to Ryan's father, his brother, and his son. I believe this will become a series and there will be stories for his family, certainly for Ryan's brother Jeremy. Rochelle Alers rarely has a misstep, and this is no exception. I would say this is a must read for fans of Ms. Alers and a great read for someone looking to try out a new author.

I recommend any of her other books...

Hired as the new teacher for Blackstone Farms Day School Kelly Andrews Literally falls into Ryan's arms. Handsome veterinarian Ryan Blackstone is a single father who has love and lost but wants to give love another try with Kelly. Ryan is a strong man and won't take no for an answer since Kelly has lost her husband she doesn't know about getting into another relationship.A great story you will love.

The Long Hot Summer is Dr. Ryan Blackstone and Kelly Andrews story. Ryan is a veterinarian and Kelly is a teacher. Kelly comes to Blackstone Farm to teach. She not only teaches the children, but soon finds out that Dr Ryan has a lot to learn also and Ryan finds out that he enjoys learning and especially, the teacher, who does the teaching.

Ryan's and Kelly's relationship gets off to a bad start with Kelly actually falling head over into Ryan's open arms. This is only the beginning. Soon, their relationship grows into much much more -- A love that not only starts during the long hot Summer, but turns into a love that lasts a lifetime.

The book was mediocre IMO. It seemed as if Ms Alers rushed to complete this book in a few of hours. I like to become one with the characters and I didn't feel it here. Maybe if more time was spent 'getting to know' the ins and outs of the characters, the reader can bond and become better attached. Although this was my first time reading one of Aler's books, I will definitely give her a second chance based only on fond reviews of her followers.

I love Ms. Alers books anyway and this one was just as great as her other stories. It is a very romantic and realistic story of a couple who fall in love when they were not even looking for love. I can hardly wait to read the next saga for the 'The Blackstones of Virginia'. Thank you again Ms. Alers for all your great books.

If you're looking for some great books with fantastic story lines, buy Ms. Alers books. You won't be disappointed!

As a high school English teacher, I spend my summers catching up on my pleasure reading, looking for new author's works to explore, reading some adult literature, and simply relaxing and getting lost in a good book.

I had never read a book by this author before, and after reading this story, I have no desire to read any others. This book was predictable in every since of the word. Before reading a passage, I could acurately predict what the characters would say/do. I could skip pages and still not miss out on any of the action. Every literary facet of the novel left a lot to be desired. For example, Characters were shallow and not well developed. The langauge was trite, and in many instances, quite ridiculous. (Would my 60 year old father - or any other 60 yr. old man I now - really use "Boo Yaw" as his catch phrase? I think not!) The descriptions of the intimate acts that took place between Ryan and Kelly bordered on hilarious, and some were even quite gross.

Because I hate to start a novel and not finish, I plowed on to the end. The time it took for me to read the book (3 days) was because of a lack of interest in the book instead of the complexity of characters/storyline and the riveting nature of the action.