Customer Reviews

Shadows from the Past

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

years ago i loved mckenna's books. but over the years, she has churned out so many and they are all the same. they are sloppy and poorly written, just like danielle steel's books. when steel began writing, she had many good ideas. but her writing became a huge run-on sentence: "and she said hi and he said hi back what are you doing tonight want to ride a horse...." Mckenna's books have the same tone, the same unbelievability as Steel's.

we have known the Trayherns for years. we remember when Kam was found and adopted by the Trayherns. and now Kam wants to find her birth family. that is fine. but Kam chews her fingernails to the bone: "Will Dad (Morgan) kick me out on my butt? will i never see them again?"

come on!!! we all know that will never happen! but anyway, kam trots off to see if Rudd is her birth father. suddenly after 28 years she thinks this guy in an old photo might be her birth father. in short order, the internet gives them the info on the man in the photo. like -- why hadn't they done this before?

when we meet Rudd, we learn on p. 28 that he is 48 years old. that means he fathered Kam when he was 19 or 20. but on p. 223 it says he is 55. how old IS he?

and Kam. she bonds so quickly with Rudd that all of a sudden Morgan (her father for 28 years) has become her "adoptive" father, and seems to have completely faded into the woodwork. we hear virtually no reference to her siblings (oh, yeah, her "adoptive" siblings).

for someone who had a Trayhern upbringing -- that warm, nurturing family -- Kam has forgotten them in a heartbeat, moving them completely into the background. if they'd been abusive or mean or distant, that would be one thing. but the Trayherns have BEEN family to her.

and that is why this book is another unrealistic book by Lindsay McKenna. I'm glad i saw it in a bookstore and then borrowed it from the library. do not buy this book or even waste your time reading it.

this book is from the Morgan Merc's" series. this story involved his adoptive daughter. the book gave great detail of her history. to really enjoy this story, you need to read each of the stories about Morgan's family (who is her father.)
Ms. McKenna writes amazing stories with strong female characters. i love the strong woman.

Following the death of her mom in a Los Angeles earthquake, the baby Kamaria found alive in apartment rubble was adopted by Morgan and Laura Trayhern, who raised her as theirs with love in Montana. Everything was terrific, but the photojournalist always wanted to know more about her roots especially her patriarchal side. She has one clue as to who her biological father might be; three men in a photo with Morgan insisting Rudd Mason, owner of the Elkhorn Ranch in Wyoming, is her sire.

Kam learns Rudd is advertising for a caregiver to help his octogenarian mother, Iris. She applies and is hired. She easily becomes friends with the rancher and his mom, but his wife, Allison, and her younger half-siblings Zach and Regan loathe her. Worse she is attracted to ranch hand Wes Sheridan even as someone wants to insure the family estate remains as is and murder is a viable option.

This is an exciting ranch romantic suspense starring a likable heroine. The story line is fast-paced from the moment Kam decides to uncover the identity of her biological dad with the help of her wonderful adopted father. Although the villain is too easily discarded, fans will enjoy the last Trayhern next generation tale (see Dangerous Prey and heart of the Storm) and hopefully persuade Lindsay McKenna to provide a futuristic follow up involving Zach and Regan.

Harriet Klausner

I enjoyed reading Shadows from the Past as I have never read any of Lindsay McKenna's books before. The way it started out I wasn't sure where it was going and got much better as it went along. Reading about the "Wild West" is fun and thinking about the beautiful scenery makes the story even more fun to read. The characters are very believable and it makes you feel like you are there with them. Family life is such "fun" sometimes. We can't pick our family that is for sure....

i don't think that i've miss many of lindsay mckenna's bookes. and
this one is a winner too.