Denali Dreams: Alaska Denali National Park
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Review: Denali Dreams
Denali Dreams, part of Barbour Publishing's Romancing America series, contains four novellas by suspense authors Kimberly Woodhouse and Ronie Kendig. This collection combines several elements: the beauty and risk of attempting to climb the Denali, people in the village of Talkeetna at the base of the mountain, park rangers, search and rescue operations.
Description:
"Mountain Dreams" by Kimberly Woodhouse - With her cancer in remission, Karon wants to live her life to the fullest and climb Denali, the highest mountain in North America. Karon meets Zach, a ranger who was driven to experience extreme mountaineering, living for the next adrenalin rush.
"Daring Heights" by Ronie Kendig - The Denali took the life of Jolie's brother and his girlfriend, Mariah. Ranger David Whiteeagle, Mariah's brother, blames Jolie's family for his sister's death. David is determined to avoid Jolie, but when she gets sick and disappears on Denali, David immediately searches for her.
"Taking Flight" by Ronie Kendig - Deline, who grew up in Talkeetna, helps out in her father's restaurant when she's not flying tourists around the Denali in her Otter. When Deline's life is in danger, rangers Logan and David try to help her and a special friendship grows between Deline and Logan.
"Denali Guardians" by Kimberley Woodhouse - Deanna, who has lived in Talkeetna for some years, has a secret she can't share with her fellow rangers. When an assassin threatens her life, Josh and the other rangers work with the FBI to protect her.
My thoughts:
Authors Kimberley Woodhouse and Ronie Kendig are popular writers of suspense fiction who know how to tell a good story, and I enjoyed this collection. Stories set in Alaska always appeal to me, and they did a good job at creating a vivid sense of place.
Denali Dreams features characters who work at the Talkeetna ranger station at the base of the Denali, the "High One." Characters overlap in each story, a feature which I liked. The authors also provide interesting information about Denali, the rangers, safety measures, and base camps on the climb - which gives this collection added depth.
Each story builds on the previous one - and while I enjoyed all four, the first one was my favorite. Rather than being suspenseful like the others, it was more about choosing how to live after successfully fighting cancer. Good story, Kimberly!
Novella collections are entertaining reads when you just want to relax with a sweet story that has that "happily-ever-after" ending. A bonus was the Alaskan setting that provided insight into the world of mountain climbing. I recommend this book to those who enjoy light inspirational romances.
This book was provided by Barbour Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
February 21, 2013
A Shot of Adrenaline!
Denali Dreams is a book containing four Christian romantic suspense novellas written by Kimberley Woodhouse and Ronie Kendig. All four stories feature characters who live in Alaska and work at the Talkeetna ranger station at the base of Mt Denali, also known as The High One.
Not being the mountaineering sort, I didn't realize how big a deal climbing Denali is--very much like Everest. The town at the base is only really alive during the short summer months when the mountain is open, and access is restricted and overseen by professionals. As such, the setting for this collection is vivid and unique.
"Mountain Dreams" by Kim Woodhouse is the first in the set. It features a woman, Karon Granger, from Louisiana, who has recently been declared cancer-free. Her dream is to climb Denali, but everyone treats her as though she's fragile. Finally her brother relents enough to accompany her, but when he falls and breaks his leg, it's up to Karon to prove she has what it takes. Though a rescue party headed up by dashing ranger Zack Taylor is not unwelcome.
In "Daring Heights" by Ronie Kendig, the heiress of an Alaskan oil company feels she must face the mountain where her brother died. Jolie Decouteau is an experienced climber (as was her brother), but she's afraid someone is out to get her when she begins to experience extreme mountain sickness. Denali base camp ranger David Whiteeagle resents Jolie and the lifestyle she represents, but it's his job to go to her rescue when needed. It doesn't take long for both Jolie and David to be running for their lives. . .and toward each other.
The third novella, "Taking Flight" by Ronie Kendig, features Deline Tsosie, a pilot who takes tourists around The High One and also flies rescue as required. She's amused by ranger Logan Knox, who keeps buying a seat on one of her flights, though he doesn't seem to enjoy flying. But when it becomes apparent her plane has been sabotaged, shy Logan steps up to save her life and to melt the ice from her heart.
The final novella, "Denali Guardians," is by Kim Woodhouse. Deanna Smith has worked at the ranger station for many years under an assumed name, hoping she's evaded the stalker who killed her sister. She's kept to herself so no one will know too much, or be hurt should her tactics not prove enough. New ranger Josh Richards has fallen hard for Deanna. When her life is suddenly in danger, Josh rallies the crew at the Talkeetna ranger station to end the stalking, once and for all. When she's free to relax and love, he hopes she'll choose him.
If you are looking for a collection of short reads which give you a glimpse of an exotic setting and an extra shot of adrenaline, pick up Denali Dreams!
January 3, 2013
A Lovely Read
Denali Dreams: Denali National Park
by Kimberley Woodhouse & Ronie Kendig
4ý stars
Mountain Wishes by Kimberley Woodhouse
Karon Granger is a 32 year old cancer survivor. God gave her a second chance to live and now sheâÂÂs planning to really live her life. It is her wish to climb the highest mountain in North AmericaâÂÂthe Denali in Alaska. Her other wish is to fall in love, get married and have children.
After a year of preparation, she is leaving for Alaska to climb the Denali, together with her brother. While she is in Alaska she meets a handsome mountaineering ranger named Zack. She is attracted to him and he also shows interest in her. But Karon is afraid that he will turn her down when he finds out that she had cancer.
While climbing the mountain they get into a dangerous situation and Zack and his crew must go out to their rescue. Will they get to them in time? Is Karon strong enough to stay on her feet while waiting for the rescue team?
I love adventurous stories and I love mountains, so this story was right up my alley. I really liked KimberleyâÂÂs writing style. The only regret I have is that the story was so short.
Daring Heights â Ronie Kendig
Jolie Decouteau is a rich heiress and someone wants her dead. SheâÂÂs going on a trip to climb the Denali with some friends to be away from the assassin, but will she be safe? The Denali took her brotherâÂÂs and his girlfriend MariahâÂÂs life.
David WhiteeagleâÂÂone of the rangers at DenaliâÂÂwas MariahâÂÂs brother. David blames the Decouteau family for his sisterâÂÂs death. When Jolie and David see each other again old hurts rise. David is determined to avoid Jolie as long as sheâÂÂs around Denali. But when Jolie gets sick and disappears on Denali David has no other choice than to go after her. Soon they discover that the assassin must have followed Jolie, but who is he? When spending time together they speak about their feelings. Can David ever forgive Jolie for being a Decouteau? And is there a chance to find love for them?
Taking Flight â Ronie Kendig
Deline grew up in Talkeetna. Her father has a restaurant where sheâÂÂs helping when sheâÂÂs not flying tourists around the Denali in her Otter.
Logan started working with the Denali rangers two years ago. He has liked Deline from the start, but Deline is a tough girl who doesnâÂÂt need anybodyâ¦so she thinks, so Logan never had the nerve to ask her out. When accidents start to happen and DelineâÂÂs life is in danger, Logan and David are trying to help her and a special friendship grows between Deline and Logan. Who is after Deline? Why is her life in danger?
Denali Guardians â Kimberley Woodhouse
Josh is one of the newest rangers. He has set his sights on DeannaâÂÂa fellow ranger. Deanna has lived in Talkeetna for some years now. She is friendly and has a smile for everyone, but she has a secret she canâÂÂt share with any of her fellow rangersâÂÂshe has been hiding in Talkeetna from an assassin who murdered her sister and parents. After years of hiding in Talkeetna she receives a letter from the assassin that he has found her. Deanna calls the FBI for help and they ask DeannaâÂÂs fellow rangers to guard her. Josh is also one of the guardians. They get to know each other better and are falling in love. Can Josh and the other rangers keep Deanna safe? Will they catch the assassin before he can hurt or kill DeannaâÂÂs guardians/rangers?
Four love stories in one volumeâÂÂwhat a feast! IâÂÂve been a fan of Ronie KendigâÂÂs writing since her debut novel. This is the first work by Kimberley Woodhouse I have read and I love it!
*Thanks to the publisher for providing me a review copy through NetGalley.*
December 22, 2012
Four Good Romances with a Twist of Danger
Set in gorgeous Alaska in and near Denali National Park, four women find strength and love. Each of the women has challenges in their lives from Karon who beat cancer to Jolie an heir trying to escape a killer. Each story is separate, but the stories connect through the small community and the ranger station. Life in Alaska, especially on Denali, is rough and sometimes difficult, and these men and women have interesting stories.
Four good romances build around the same community as each woman finds her future husband. Their faith plays a strong roll and creates an enjoyable atmosphere to wile away a few hours with a cup of cocoa during the winter. I love to hear about Alaska, and the descriptions of climbing and working in the ranger station add to the fun and interest for me. If you like your romances built around Christian faith with a twist of danger, you will definitely enjoy these four stories.
December 9, 2012
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