Saturday, January 31, 2009

The ReRead Challenge

Cool Shade by Theresa Weir

Why This One: I can’t really say what made me pick this book up for the reread challenge – maybe it’s the sense of loneliness and isolation it had in it and that appealed to me considering current circumstances, but whatever it is – I’m glad I reread it. I think this is the third time for this book.


Steam Level: Nice and steamy!

Amazon Blurb: Maddie Smith has never been one to hang around any place too long. After losing her job as a late-night disc jockey, she has little reason to stay in Tucson. When she receives a message that her estranged sister has disappeared, she figures she might as well go to Nebraska and see what's up with her unreliable sibling. There she learns that her sister is linked to the mysterious Eddie Berlin, a recluse and a very sexy guy. Maddie takes a personal interest in Eddie as she searches for clues about the disappearance of her sister.

Meanwhile, Eddie is shouldering problems of his own. The former manager of a pop star killed by a crazed fan, Eddie feels responsible for the singer's death, and as a result, he hasn't wandered off his own property in more than four years. Still, he is attracted to Maddie, experiencing feelings he thought he would never know again. A stolen tape of a recording made by the late rock star and other clues bind the couple together. It soon becomes clear that these two deserve each other, and when they finally feel comfortable with the fit, they find they are greater as a pair than they could ever have been as individuals.

The encounters between Maddie and Eddie are anything but typical. Both are insecure, yet somehow they manage to muddle through. Author Theresa Weir has created them to be very human, characters the readers feel connected to as they witness their lives unfold.

My Thoughts: The blurb describes the storyline quite well and rather than repeat it, I’d rather focus on the author. For a lot of new romance readers, she is probably not as well known since she hasn’t had a romance in quite some time now. In fact I think her last published romance was way back in I know Theresa Weir is now writing mysteries as Anne Frasier but dang I miss her romances. They are different then the normal – she writes outside the romance box. Her stories haunt you long after you’ve finished then. Her characters are more flawed then usual. Eddie, the hero suffers from agoraphobia, something I’ve never seen in a hero. There is one scene where he makes it off his property and somehow manages to get to Maddie’s place and is stuck there due to his fears. It is so vivid and well written you can actually feel what he’s feeling.

She has a way of writing flawed and damaged heroes and heroines that are slowly healed by the love they find with each other. At the end of her books you know that they are exactly who they need in order to heal. If you’ve never tried Theresa Weir, I can’t recommend her highly enough. In fact, while I have a number of her books, I just ordered some that I didn’t have.

Thanks Nath!!! – I loved my first Reread book

Grade: 5 out of 5

14 comments:

nath said...

I've never heard of Theresa Weir, but I know Anne Frasier. It's too bad that she moved away from romance :(

This book sounds really interesting! I'm really intrigued on Eddie's agoraphobia! Hmmm, I might try to see if the UBS still have this book or not.

The pleasure is mine, Kristie! I get to read plenty of reviews of books I've never read! LOL :)

Amy C said...

I have two Anne Frasier books. I read one of them, Pale Immortal back in November I think. I still have Garden of Darkness, the sequel. Not sure if I'll read it though. Not ussually what I like to read, but I did really like Pale Immortal.

I also LOVED my reread book I chose for January. I hope my February is just as good the second time around :).

Anonymous said...

Whenever I read the name Theresa Weir, this book is mentioned. Too bad that it's out of print. *sigh* I really want to read it.

~ames~ said...

Kristie!! This is the book you made me -willingly!- buy in Toronto. Now I definitely need to read it soon. LOL

Lea said...

Hey Kristie:

You've been on a roll lately with some good reads at least!

I've not heard of this book but it sounds wonderful.

I picked up the Blaze you reviewed last weekend ("Under the Influence", by Nancy Warren) and I'm looking forward to the read.

Thank you for sharing!

L

Leslie said...

I've never heard of either Weir or Fraiser but I'll put this one on my spreadsheet for the UBS. Thanks Kristie!

ReneeW said...

We are on the same page with this book (an A- for me). I remember it well. Eddie and Maddie are two flawed complex characters. I loved them. I think my favorite of hers is Last Summer with a flawed damaged hero. Wow, what a book. I really miss Weir's romances too.

Lori said...

Kristie - this sounds so interesting! I may have to look for it. Maybe on PBS...

Kristie (J) said...

Nath: I have a couple of Anne Frasier books and I'm pretty sure that's one of Keishon's categories for the TBR challenge.

Amy: I can't speak about her writing as Anne Frasier - yet - but her writing as Theresa Weir really is wonderful - and haunting - and it stays with you.

Taja: I got quite a few of mine in the UBS's. You could always keep you eye out for them there - and if you ever see one you could think "hmmmm, Kristie said these are good, I think I might just pick it up and give it a try!" :-)

Ames: I remember that!!! I didn't remember which book it was, but I remember telling you it was very good. And now I can say it's still very good - you should read it *chuckle*

Lea: well - there was one in there I didn't get very far into before putting it down - one I was hoping I'd like too :-( I have a number on the go right now so I'll have a number to write about soon. I hope you enjoy UTI. I was really quite impressed with it. I'll be checking for your thoughts.

Leslie: She really does write a good romance - and since it's been such a long time since she wrote one, I'm not surprised a number of new converts to the genre haven't heard of her. But she is well worth looking for.

Renee: Wouldn't it be wonderful if she would write one once in a while. *sigh* I loved Last Summer too but I've only read it the one time. Now I think a trip to the "library" is in order so I can read it again. I feel a real Theresa Weir reread coming on. And if I can get more readers to try her out - well they too can get to read some most unusual romances. Another one I really enjoyed was Bad Karma. And the 4 I just ordered:
One Fine Day
Loving Jenny
Iguana Bay
Forever
Have you read any of those ones?

Lori: They are a different kind of romance - that's for sure. But ones well worth looking for.

Jenn said...

This one sounds very good indeed I hope I can find a copy of this book.

Rosie said...

You know the great thing about the TBR and Re-Read challenges are seeing books like this one pop up on someone's blog. You see the bookcover and you get a little jolt and shot of adrenalin as you remember reading the book. Okay...maybe it's just me.

Loved Teresa Weir. Loved her. Did you ever read AMAZON LILY?

Mame Burkett said...

Hi Kristie,

I have been following your blog for a few months now and I have to say I really enjoy your reviews and your ramblings. I haven't read Ms. Weir but after your reveiw I will definitely be looking for her at the library. Being a lover of books and sufferer of depressions past I can tell you keeping the writing going is excellent therapy! I wish you all the best this year and look forward to more great reviews.
Take Care
:)
Mame
www.besottedbookworm.com

Heather Massey said...

Wow, your description made me want to cheat on science fiction romance! I like stories with flawed heroes/heroines, and this one seems like it has depth.

If I ever run across it, I'll be sure to check it out.

Kristie (J) said...

Jenn: It is unusual :) All her books are different from the norm with either or both the hero/heroine having unusual yet real life issues. One of them the heroine had an eating disorder - something I've never seen since. They are well trying to track down!

Rosie: I know!!! I visited a number of blogs that had books I wanted to reread again! And yes - I've read (and have) Amazon Lily. It's another great book by her isn't it. And now you have me wanting to read it again now too!

Memejain: Thanks for your words of encouragement. I'm working on it - not making the progress as quick as I'd like - but I'm workin'. And There's probably a lot of romance readers who haven't tried her since it's been so long since she left the genre. I suppose our loss was the mystery fans' gain - but I'd love it if she had a few more in her for us.

Heather: Depth it has :) - as do all her books. Hopefully some of them can be found in UBS's.