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Bluegrass State of Mind (Bluegrass Series #1)

by Kathleen Brooks (Goodreads Author)

3.98 of 5 stars 3.98 · rating details · 3,335 ratings · 328 reviews

McKenna Mason, a New York City attorney with a love of all things Prada, is on the run from a group of powerful, dangerous men. McKenna turns to a teenage crush, Will Ashton, for help in starting a new life in beautiful horse country. She finds that Will is now a handsome, successful race horse farm owner. As the old flame is ignited, complications are aplenty in the form...more

ebook, 237 pages

Published March 25th 2011 by Kathleen Brooks

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Mar 07, 2012 Beate rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, cowboys

This book went from promising to annoying so quickly, it still has my head spinning, days after having read this book. The premise and the general plot is good. But the execusion is below par. What this book sorely needs, is a good editor who isn't afraid to tell the author when her writing sucks, and it needs some serious and heavyhanded editing. It really does have good parts, and it starts off with a really great plot. But somehow, for 80% of the book, that plot is ignored. Instead the author...more

18 likes · like · see review

Apr 18, 2012 Erin rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, contemporary-literature

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Find the enhanced version of this and other reviews at: http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot....

I was only mildly impressed by this piece. There is some interesting material in the first installment of the Bluegrass series but I also feel there is significant room for improvement. Be warned, the following commentary contains spoilers.

To my mind, this is what you would get after combining Sweet Home Alabama, Did You Hear About the Morgans?, Legally Blonde and Secretariat. That is a whole lot of...more Find the enhanced version of this and other reviews at: http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot....

I was only mildly impressed by this piece. There is some interesting material in the first installment of the Bluegrass series but I also feel there is significant room for improvement. Be warned, the following commentary contains spoilers.

To my mind, this is what you would get after combining Sweet Home Alabama, Did You Hear About the Morgans?, Legally Blonde and Secretariat. That is a whole lot of plot. So many storylines present a hodgepodge collection of clashing components, the end result being a half-baked mess with a multitude of unanswered questions. For instance, why has Will Ashton never pursued a restraining order against his ex-wife? Why does McKenna and the entire population of Keeneston, despite being well aware of Whitney’s false claim on Will, take the ‘engagement’ at face value without so much as a phone call to her devoted lover? Why, when a license plate hit leads to a vehicle reported stolen from the D.C. area, does no one connect the dots to Senator Bruce and his demented daughter? Why is any of this relevant to McKenna’s trouble in New York? And what does Boots’ racing career offer besides the opportunity to describe Derby fashion? Plot should be simple. Anything requiring more than one or two sentences at no more than two dozen words is too complex for a single publication. Subplots are well and good but they should never detract from or compete with the central storyline.

Next item on the chopping block: characterization. Our twenty-nine year old heroine, McKenna Mason, is a successful lawyer, financially very well off, intelligent, well-liked, confident, highly attractive to the opposite sex, etc. and so forth. Her love interest, Will Ashton, is gorgeous, a former star quarterback for the NFL, a successful horse breeder with a Derby win to his name, a minor celebrity, financially secure, a volunteer football coach, fantastic in the sack and head over heels for Ms. Mason from day one. Their near perfect lives and personalities are impossible to relate to and offer absolutely no room for growth or development. In short, they’re unbelievable and boring. Real people have flaws and struggle in their efforts to overcome life’s challenges. Fictional characters should be no different. And before anyone starts in on McKenna’s flight from New York I want to remind you she did so with an M6, a trunk full of designer labels and the entirety of her bank roll at her disposal. Not exactly Novalee Nation is she?

Let’s press on. If something doesn’t introduce new material or offer insight to the nature of the characters, it doesn’t need to be in the book. Following the same train of thought, if something only serves to reiterate an established fact, it too can be filed away in the grey cylindrical receptacle under your desk otherwise known as a trash can. Take the following bit of dialogue. “’My Nana was great friends with Mrs. Ashton, Will’s Grandmother, so I thought this would be a great place to be able to make a home.’” Nothing wrong with the statement but the reader is well aware of this fact. McKenna explained her connection to the Ashton family and Keeneston to June at the bed and breakfast, to William at the horse sale and the entire episode was recounted in detail during her reunion with Will. The only people who aren’t aware of these details are the patrons of the Blossom Café. I can accept that in the real world you have to explain yourself multiple times but this is literature. You don’t waste ink, drag down the pacing and annoy your audience with needless repetition.

Bluegrass State of Mind is readable, which is more than I can say about a lot of kindle freebies, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t rough around the edges. I know the cost undercuts profits but still, I encourage utilizing the services of an experienced editor. Case and point I give you the following. “’Number two, Marshall, thought it was a good idea and bought some property to the south. He and number three and four, Cade and Cy, live there. Even though they both bought property connected to either my parent’s farm or one of the brothers. But Max’s place is the ultimate bachelor pad with the three of them there.’” Let’s ignore the improper punctuation and poor sentence structure. I’m really more concerned with who Max is and what exactly is his connection to Marshall, Cade and Cy?

As usual I’ll give credit where due. I did like the Mayberry like feel of Keeneston and the descriptions of the local inhabitants. In fact I felt the setting was the strongest aspect of the entire book. Unfortunately Bluegrass State of Mind is not about a small town so I don’t see that my appreciation makes much difference either way. I also admit that despite the flawed execution, I found the ideas behind each subplot fairly entertaining.(less)

10 likes · like · see review

Feb 24, 2013 Julie Anderson rated it 2 of 5 stars

This book is an example of why people shouldn't get impatient and rush to publish their own books.

The writer and the story have potential, but...the problems really were unfortunate and would have been dealt with by a professional editor or perhaps the author herself if she set it aside for an extended period.

The problems: 1. Too many glaring grammar and spelling errors and 2. Contrived conflicts and resolutions that were too convenient.

Perhaps someone in a new relationship would be insecure...more

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Mar 27, 2013 Tammy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: crime, ebooks, mystery, romance, thriller

I loved this book and I also loved the fact that the first in the series is free! That's definitely the way to get this girl hooked on a series: first one free and the ones after it cheap!

There was:
1. Romance... this book was brimming with romance, not only from the main characters but from the supporting characters as well.
2. Conflict...there were many points of conflict, which I love because it helps to carry the story and it helps to explain the characters and their motives for certain action...more

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Mar 17, 2013 Leise Chadwick rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Bluegrass State of Mind by Kathleen Brooks is an exceptional suspense and romance novel.

McKenna Mason, an attorney in a prestigious NY law firm, and paralegal, Danielle DeLuca, witness a crime perpetrated by McKenna's pseudo boyfriend, Chad, corrupt lawyers, and politicians. McKenna barely escapes the scene with Danielle in tow and Chad in hot pursuit. Knowing the backlash could be deadly, McKenna quickly packs her belongings and leaves town, encouraging Danielle to do the same. Initially, McK...more

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Mar 08, 2013 Don rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

As a romance, this book is a dud! More like a Crime Thriller without the thriller part. There was little to no suspense, except for when Chad would find her, which was pretty definite with all the clues she left all over. Why would you take such a high-profile job if you wanted to disappear? My only attraction to this was the Lawyer aspect, because I have a daughter that is a partner in a Law Firm and another daughter that is a Paralegal Supervisor for the State Attorney. That part of the story...more

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Dec 30, 2012 Missy Jane rated it 2 of 5 stars

Here's another book I discovered on my Nook from most likely a free download. I was a bit daunted when I opened it to see over 600 pages listed but decided that would be okay if the story was good. While the story line was definitely intriguing there were quite a few things about the book that turned me off.
First, the typos. It's sad that I've gotten to the point of cringing every time I open a book and see it was published through Smashwords, but unfortunately there's a reason for that. Unneces...more

3 likes · like · see review

Oct 05, 2012 Lyndi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Kindle freebie from Amazon.

Ok, where to start?

This book is no show and all tell. I'm going to quote a bit of dialogue for you that should be a pretty good example of the issue:

"Really? She broke you? I don't mind you telling her, as I figured the subject was going to come up. But, I was hoping I could seduce her before we got to serious conversation. But, my curiosity is piqued now. How did one little woman get you to talk about a confidential matter? After all, I know when you were a commander...more

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Sep 29, 2012 Kristy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: suspence-romance

I found this book on Barnes and Nobles website as a free read. I am so glad that I downloaded it. It is lighthearted, fun, but also a mix of the danger.

This book revolves around Attorney McKenna Mason who has just witnessed a major crime and is now on the run. Leaving everything she knows. She winds up in Keeneston looking for a job and an old friend from her childhood. Throughout the book we find out little by little what drove her to the small town.

The book is from only one person's point of...more

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Sep 24, 2012 Erica Glass rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was first drawn to this book because (1) it was a Kindle freebie and (2) I was raised in Kentucky (no longer living there though). I admit it sat in my book list for a long time before I finally decided to read it. I am not normally into romances, but this turned out to be a great mystery and suspense as well as an interesting romance. I really liked all the characters and found myself genuinely concerned for them.

As someone who was raised Kentucky (West Liberty...in the Eastern side) and now...more

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Sep 18, 2012 Rhonda rated it 5 of 5 stars

If you are looking for a book that will make you laugh and have you biting your fingernails anticipating what happens next, Bluegrass State of Mind is for you. Kathleen Brooks starts of the Bluegrass Series with a heartwarming tale of a good old boy town in Kentucky.

Kenna, a lawyer on the run for her life after seeing something she shouldn’t have comes into the small Kentucky town hoping to stay hidden and get the Assistant DA job. I love how the town rallies behind her and adopts her as one of...more

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Sep 17, 2012 Guilty Pleasures added it

Shelves: guiltypleasures-slick

Slick's review posted on Guilty Pleasures

4 Stars

I’ll admit that I love free books, who doesn’t? Free books are a gamble, a lot of times you miss but sometimes you hit and boy did I hit with Bluegrass State of Mind by Kathleen Brooks. I enjoyed this one so much that I immediately went to Amazon and downloaded the next two and I’m so glad I did! These are three books you will want to read back to back because the stories are very connected and you’ll want to see how everything all works out.

McKenn...more Slick's review posted on Guilty Pleasures

4 Stars

I’ll admit that I love free books, who doesn’t? Free books are a gamble, a lot of times you miss but sometimes you hit and boy did I hit with Bluegrass State of Mind by Kathleen Brooks. I enjoyed this one so much that I immediately went to Amazon and downloaded the next two and I’m so glad I did! These are three books you will want to read back to back because the stories are very connected and you’ll want to see how everything all works out.

McKenna (Kenna) Mason is a tough New York attorney. She witnessed a horrific crime perpetrated by her ex-boyfriend and her bosses and she’s fled the city. After laying low for a few weeks she find herself in Keeneston, Kentucky hoping to land a job as an assistant district attorney with the help of her childhood friend, Will Ashton.

Will Ashton is a former pro football player and currently running his family’s horse breeding farm. He has an ex-wife from hell and has been dealing with all sorts of vandalism and problems at the farm. When Kenna re-enters it, he decides like is looking up.

Let me state right off that these books are romance books at their finest, yes the hero/heroine have sex but it’s more implied than shown but the build up and heat are definitely there and it’s very gratifying to watch. I love that these books take place in Kentucky with horse breeding being big business and the Kentucky derby is always on everyone’s mind. I also love that this is a series that surrounds a small town filled with interesting and somewhat nutty characters that you just can’t help but fall in love with. I’m not going to say too much more; but the Rose sisters are beyond hilarious, John Wolfe is intriguing, Pam Gilbert is annoyingly perfect, and Henry Rooney is the smarmy comic relief. We won’t even get into Red, Noodle and Dinky….yes; it’s quite the strange little town.

Bluegrass State of Mind is an action packed romance filled with great characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this story from start to finish, Kenna and Will manage to carve out some time together. Kenna mediates between Will and his neighbor Sheik Mohtadi Ali Rahman (Mo) and she continues to try and convince her friend who helped her escape New York to come to Kentucky. In addition, someone from Kenna’s past arrives in town with plans to harm her and the FBI is on the case. There’s a lot going on in this book yet I never felt overwhelmed. In fact, I found myself enthralled with each and every story line. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys action, suspense and of course some romance to boot!(less)

1 like · like · see review

Aug 03, 2012 Germaine rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: bad, badly-written, boring, don-t-buy-it, i-couldn-t-finish-it, truly-awful

I made it through 10% of this book and couldn't take any more.

My first turn-off was when the heroine almost runs into a horse in the middle of the road. That I can live with, but when the next person who comes by asks her to hold the horse by its bridle... Horses aren't put in pastures wearing bridles, they are turned out wearing halters. Oh yeah, that horse was a stallion. That's one of the biggest cliches in the romance genre, to say nothing of the fact that almost all male horses are neutere...more

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May 22, 2012 Lisa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Don't you love that feeling when a book just clicks? Bluegrass State of Mind was that kind of book for me. It was fun, cute, sexy and had just enough mystery and suspense to keep you hooked.

McKenna Mason is the perfect type of main character. She was a little feisty, but completely genuine. She really wanted to do what was right even if it meant putting her life in danger. I love characters who are willing to stand up for a cause because that is how I like my friends. Her and Will have insta-ch...more

1 like · like · see review

May 10, 2012 Ana♥ Beach Bum Reads rated it 3 of 5 stars

Twenty-Nine year old McKenna Mason finds herself in a sticky situation when she and her best friend Danielle witnesses a crime in action at their work place, which happens to be a big time law firm, and decide to make a plan and split up. Kenna ditches her New York life for a nice glass of sweet iced tea in Keeneston, Kentucky. Or should I say a nice tall glass of smokin’ hot Will Ashton, her first kiss and first love? Kenna seeks out Will for help getting a job as DA, but soon seeks for more wh...more

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Apr 26, 2012 Amanda rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: free-from-amazon, on-my-kindle, writing-style-drove-me-nuts, too-corny-cheesy-and-or-crap, got-a-little-too-cheesy-at-the-end, didn-t-do-it-for-me

So, I like the story okay. But a few things are driving me nuts. First, The reason she left NYC was a little over the top for me.

Second-- More than that, though, is that the romance between the h/h feels so forced. They see each other for 5 minutes a few times and have one dinner together and all of a sudden it's serious?!?!? Please.

Third-- Mostly though, the writing drives me nuts. It's too formal to read. I feel like I can't relax with the characters. Plus she does one of my pet peeves, she...more

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Mar 01, 2012 Radella rated it 2 of 5 stars

McKenna Mason is on the run from powerful people with even more powerful friends. Although it's been more than half a lifetime ago, she decides to seek out Will Ashton, someone she knew for a week when she was only 13. She finds him in a small town, that just so happens to be looking for an assistant DA, a position she is ready to jump into. While she is slow to trust Will, and there are plenty of misunderstandings (mostly centering on Will's ex-wife) she finds herself drawn into his life. Will...more McKenna Mason is on the run from powerful people with even more powerful friends. Although it's been more than half a lifetime ago, she decides to seek out Will Ashton, someone she knew for a week when she was only 13. She finds him in a small town, that just so happens to be looking for an assistant DA, a position she is ready to jump into. While she is slow to trust Will, and there are plenty of misunderstandings (mostly centering on Will's ex-wife) she finds herself drawn into his life. Will is busy trying to protect his farm from some not-so-accidental accidents in the weeks before the Kentucky Derby.

This is a bit of a personal pet peeve, but I was completely annoyed with the portrayal of the "small southern town". Everyone knows everyone and is forever up in everyone's business (which is true to some extent) but everyone instantly takes to Kenna. From the mothering she receives from the geriatric Rose Sisters to her insta-best-friend, Paige, Kenna is the town belle from the moment she arrives. Dyed-in-the-wool southern small towns don't take well to strangers, especially those from the Yankee stronghold of New York. As a Yankee living in a small southern town, I have a hard time letting this sort of thing go, which really prevented me from getting more into the story.

I also felt the characters were typecast. Kenna's wardrobe gets more attention than anything else about her, which makes her seem shallow. Will's the all-around sexy hero (even if it seems like he's barely in the book) with perfect good looks, retired from a NFL career, and currently running a multimillion dollar horse farm that breeds Kentucky Derby winners.

And then there's all the coincidences. Kenna just happens to have a tenuous connection to the town that just so happens to be more than willing to take her in. She just happens to befriend Mo, a middle eastern Sheik, also living in town. Who just so happens to become such instantaneous friends with Kenna he is more than willing to offer his personal head of security (who just so happens to be renowned for his interrogation techniques)to protect her from the powerful people after her... after all, his people are more powerfully connected. And they fight for good. I could go on, with all the improbable coincidences that made me want to chuck the book in the fireplace... except that I was reading it on my Kindle. (less)

3 likes · like · see review

Nov 27, 2011 Tammy ~NovelOpinion rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, romantic-suspense

This was such an enjoyable break from some of the heavier stuff I have been reading. I love all that crazy, heavy reading but sometimes it's good to settle into light-hearted romance.

Kathleen Brooks' Bluegrass State of Mind was just the book I needed. It is full of endearing characters in a 'Mayberry' type small town who seem to embrace you as they embrace the main character, McKenna.

McKenna and her friend Danielle witness a crime perpetrated by McKenna's boyfriend and the law partners from her...more This was such an enjoyable break from some of the heavier stuff I have been reading. I love all that crazy, heavy reading but sometimes it's good to settle into light-hearted romance.

Kathleen Brooks' Bluegrass State of Mind was just the book I needed. It is full of endearing characters in a 'Mayberry' type small town who seem to embrace you as they embrace the main character, McKenna.

McKenna and her friend Danielle witness a crime perpetrated by McKenna's boyfriend and the law partners from her prestigious firm in New York. The group also contained a high-powered Senator and McKenna knew their only hope of survival was to split up and disappear.

McKenna ends up applying for the Assistant DA position in the small town of Keeneston hoping to use an old friend from her childhood as a way in.

The important things about this story are how it made me feel. I loved the town and it's citizens. I felt the author truly knew these people and they were not one-dimensional characters. The romance between McKenna and Will are secondary for me but still well written and important to the story. The added suspense of McKenna's past gave the over all plotline flavor.

I am not a huge Romance reader these days but I am thankful Kathleen Brooks asked for the review. I am happily adding the rest of the series to my TBR shelf and will continue to follow Ms. Brooks future works.
I recommend this book highly to all lovers of Romance and those that need to change it up from their typical reading preferences.

Here is the book summary: McKenna Mason, a New York City attorney with a love of all things Prada, is on the run from a group of powerful, dangerous men. McKenna turns to a teenage crush, Will Ashton, for help in starting a new life in beautiful horse country. She finds that Will is now a handsome, successful race horse farm owner. As the old flame is ignited, complications are aplenty in the form of a nasty ex-wife, an ex-boyfriend intent on killing her, and a feisty race horse who refuses to race without a kiss. Can Will and McKenna cross the finish line together, and more importantly, alive?

This is the first book in the Bluegrass Series by Kathleen Brooks. The second book, Risky Shot, is due out by the end of July. The third book, Dead Heat, is due out mid-Fall.(less)

7 likes · like · see review

May 13, 2013 Crystal Yawn rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review is from: Bluegrass State of Mind (Bluegrass Series) (Kindle Edition)
If you live in NY, have senators, lawyers, cops etc. Looking for you, you do NOT take a public job, that requires you to be licensed locally and federally and expect to remain hidden. The book is somewhat enjoyable, but reminded me of a bad movie that is just too unbelievable. Whats the chances of randomly choosing a state and town with a job available that just happens to contain your prepubescent crush? And whats t...more

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Jan 07, 2013 Lara rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2013, romance

1.5 star

While I didn't dislike this book I found it quite annoying to read!
Once I finished it I snooped around other readers' reviews to find out if it was just me and, well, it turns out I'm not the crazy one!

The main problem for me was the fact that the characters often lost themselves in pointless information -no, I'm not really interested in a detailed account of how football is played and, while I could understand that being from New York pretty much means an unusual attention in fashion's...more

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Oct 25, 2012 Goldingurl rated it 3 of 5 stars

Kenna finds her way to kentucky and learns what it means to live in a small town having been born and raised in NYC it's a big change for her.
She moves there for a job and a old crush! what she doesn't want anyone to know about is the drama she left behind or would that be run from?! There's bad men after her, men who will stop at nothing to silence her forever!

i liked the characters, though my one critique about the main character is that she is too trusting it's as if she instantly trusts thes...more

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Apr 06, 2012 Claire rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2012, series, kindle-books

I got this free from Amazon.
Kenna is a lawyer who finds herself in the middle of several hidden crimes with powerful people in NY. She leaves NY in a rush and hopes to start new somewhere else. She books it to Kentucky to look up an old flame, hoping that he will help her out.
The cover of the book and the title really have nothing to do with the plot and do not fit the book at all, IMO.
There were several characters in the novel. They were all likable enough but the book ended up being just oka...more

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Mar 06, 2013 Dorothy rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Imagine a strong, lovely character standing on top of a hill, bathed in sunlight, an intriguing plot blossoming from beautiful descriptive words all around her. When I opened my Kindle to the first page of Kathleen Brooks' Bluegrass State of Mind, I thought I might have finally found a Contemporary Romance to hold my attention. A thrilling prologue leads into a vision of our protagonist, McKenna Mason, running from and for her life on the open roads of Kentucky. She's searching for a childhood l...more Imagine a strong, lovely character standing on top of a hill, bathed in sunlight, an intriguing plot blossoming from beautiful descriptive words all around her. When I opened my Kindle to the first page of Kathleen Brooks' Bluegrass State of Mind, I thought I might have finally found a Contemporary Romance to hold my attention. A thrilling prologue leads into a vision of our protagonist, McKenna Mason, running from and for her life on the open roads of Kentucky. She's searching for a childhood love, a Mr. Will Ashton, sexy owner of Ashton Farm and Boots, his prized race horse.

Upon meeting Will, I was smitten. He was charming, sweet, and arrogant in all the right places, with just a touch of insecurity mixed in. We also meet Will's wonderful parents, Paige Davies, a sheik named Mo, and a host of other townsfolk, including the hysterical Rose sisters, who try in equal parts to wheedle romantic gossip out of Kenna and prevent her from having any at all to tell. We then meet Whitney, as she pushes Kenna and that promising plot down a slippery slope into mediocrity.

There were several moments where I thought the story could have been saved, but Kenna continued to trip over meddling characters and her own obtuse deductions. For something that started out thrilling and mysterious, I soon became frustrated I had figured out what was going to happen before the characters ever suspected. I couldn't even fall back on the adorable country romance—Will, who I hoped would ride in on his Ford truck and save the day, was stashed away for safekeeping, only to be brought out again when Brooks was ready for for the misunderstandings to be resolved. And then BAM, relationship. There was no getting to know him past his introduction; readers are expected to fall in love with him through quick sentences and time lapses.

I wish I could say the lackluster romance and predictable plot were the only areas in which Bluegrass State of Mind fell short, but as the story evolved, the writing did the opposite. I could hardly believe a slapstick scene of fake crying and bursts of laughter came from the same author that wrote porch-sweeping old women and a cute, cocky reunion. Multiple typos and Brooks' incessant need to explain the most obvious or unrealistic scenarios made for a grimace-filled finish. Or as much of a finish as cliffhangers will allow.

I won't say this book is completely terrible, though. Southern charm is abundant through it's pages, and Kenna is for the most part a strong leading lady. She's feminine but tough, and fits right in with Kentucky society. The preaching that good manners weren't sexist got tiresome, but I adored the fact Kenna wasn't offended by good Southern hospitality. It was a nice change from so many books preaching independence against men opening doors.

After predicting everything that would happen in Book One, I can't imagine the next two telling me anything I don't already know, so I'm unlikely to pick them up. However, I can't regret reading Bluegrass State of Mind. It did not live up to my expectations and it disappointed more than it entertained, but a majority of the characters were rich and the relationships they formed were true. If nothing else, they were well worth my time.(less)

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Apr 06, 2012 Jules rated it 2 of 5 stars

I struggled over giving this book a 1 or 2. I decided to be generous with the 2. Several times, I was tempted to leave the story unfinished, but I'm odd that way. A book has to really stink for me not to finish it. This one almost made it.

First of all, where did the editor go? Surely this book didn't have one. It doesn't normally bother me to come across a few glaring mistakes, but this book was full of them. So distracting!

Secondly, there was way too much description and repeating of informatio...more

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Apr 27, 2013 Kristin rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary-romance, mystery-thriller

I enjoyed this story about a small town and it's gossip chain. This was a light romance with a bigger mystery storyline wrapped around it. Will and Kenna were great together and all the minor characters added interest to the story. The relationship was well resolved but the overall mystery of crime and corruption was left hanging for the rest of the series to resolve.

There were a few points when I felt like real people would have been better at communicating and there would have been fewer misun...more

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Jan 03, 2013 Debra Chapoton rated it 2 of 5 stars

Bluegrass State of Mind could be 3 or 4 stars if the author had employed an editor or at the very least a couple of good proofreaders. The characters are vivid and distinctive; the setting is well described; and the plot is all right though there are a few things that needed to be fixed. That said, Bluegrass State of Mind is about a young lawyer who sees something criminal happening in her firm. She barely escapes, running for her life, and settles in Kentucky where she looks up a guy she knew w...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 12, 2012 Laura rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: light-hearted

This book pleasantly surprised me, considering it was a free kindle book! Do yourself a favor and download it now while it's still free! Be warned though, that you will be buying the sequels, so "free" is relative!

The author has an elegant writing style that you almost never see in "freshman" novels and her character development is equally wonderful. Her sense of humor is also a perfect match for my own. The small country town is a perfect backdrop for the cast of zany secondary characters whic...more

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Jul 14, 2012 Lodyangel rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is a first in a series of 3 books. As a Kentucky girl, I loved this tale of life and love in a small central Kentucky town. McKenna is a strong, level-headed woman who despite facing the loss of her job, and threats to her life, decides to fight the institution that has wronged her. She flees New York City to a Southern town where her first love Will Ashton lives. In this small southern town, McKenna meets a group of people who adopt her as their own and help protect her and keep her safe....more

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Feb 13, 2013 Marky rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I kept seeing this series come up had good reviews from a number of readers. I stocked up on the first two books because of a big snow storm hitting.

The story had all the makings...good characters, plot, storyline to carry to another book. But I just didn't feel it, I can't even tell you why. It was like someone talking in a monotone voice telling a story...that is how it read for me. I just didn't "feel" it....it was so PG my mother would like it. Example after finally getting to some "action"...more

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Aug 04, 2012 Nikki Hensley rated it 5 of 5 stars

I got this book for free on Kindle, and it is by far one of the best free books I've read. Kenna is a charming character who escapes a scary situation in the big city and brings her strong, 'I can play with the big boys' personality to the South. Her confidence and intelligence in both the legal realm and her every day life quickly win over her new hometown in Kentucky. The family like atmosphere and Southern charm that the author conveys through the characters of Keeneston, make you smile. Alth...more

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Romance

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Contemporary

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Suspense

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Romance > Romantic Suspense

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Womens Fiction > Chick Lit

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About Kathleen Brooks

Kathleen Brooks has garnered attention for her debut novel, Bluegrass State of Mind, as a new voice in romance with a warm southern feel. Her books feature quirky small town characters you'll feel like you've known forever, romance, humor, and mystery all mixed into one perfect glass of sweet tea.Rising Storm, her fifth book is now a USA Today Bestseller (8/30/12)along with her sixth full length b...more

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“A sex lecture from two senior citizens... it was worth it to get that kiss from you.” — 6 people liked it

“A sex lecture from two citizens... it was worth it to get that kiss from you.” — 0 people liked it

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Bluegrass State of Mind (Bluegrass Series #1)

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