Green Snake Ceremony

by Sherrin Watkins, Kim Doner (Illustrator)

As a young girl and her grandfather try to find the right kind of snake for a special Shawnee ceremony, illustrations show what a nearby green snake thinks about everything

Genres: Native American, Childrens

408 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1995

Reviews

[Jocelynereadsromance · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really lovely book. I found the writing to be easily accessible and well paced. This novel is a fairly character based one with familial relationships and understandings at the heart. It is filled with mild tropes of instalove, widowed heroine, single-parent, reformed rake with an undertone of a Cinderella-esqe retelling.

Alexa Aston slowly builds up the hero and heroine's backgrounds in the first thirty percent of the novel through different time jumps and insights into their pasts. After the couple meets, in a carriage accident which leads to some forced proximity, the pace picks up as we watch the hero and heroine fall into instant attraction. (There are some trigger warning around incest, loss of a child, loss of a loved one, and miscarriage.)

Our heroine-Elise is a single mother to her daughter Claire. Elise grew up in a household in which she and her mother were estranged (and remain so). After Elise's husband died she was forced into the genteel servitude of governess to her nephew's in order to make sure she and her daughter would be taken care of. Elise has a very mild strength about her that guides her actions in order to protect her child. Elise also has a beautiful and kind heart that make her such a wonderful mother and aunt-this is what I think our hero becomes really attracted to. I loved that Elise's understanding of love was not tainted by her relationship with her mother.

The hero-Weston is a man who has been labeled a rake and his reputation has been fueled quite a bit by rumors from his past. The Weston that we spend most of the novel with is such a kind and sweet man who recognizes Elisa as a woman that he wants to build a life with. I loved that Weston was ready to start a family and embraces Elisa and her daughter with open arms from the first moment of meeting them.

The heart of this novel, to me, really came down to family. About chosen family and about fighting for familial relationships that are fruitful to the people involved. Weston's relationship with Claire (and Claire's cousins) is absolutely beautiful, and it is what really endeared me to him as the hero. I really enjoyed that this novel was mainly just a story of two people who have pasts, come together to start their own family with love and kindness. There is a little bit of action wedged into third act, that to me felt unneeded, but luckily was not too cumbersome or long.

I would highly recommend this novel if you are looking for a gentle and sweet story (that is light on the steam), in which two people find love and excitement in the prospects of their future and the family they can have together.

[Danielle Lamoureaux · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the twelfth book in the Never The Bride series. All the books can be read as a stand alone, but they usually have a connection to one other hero or heroine from the series.

Olivia and Isabella Lymington could not be more different, despite the fact that they are identical twins. Isabella, the outgoing and vivacious (even if a little spoiled) twin, is engaged to the handsome Duke of Larnwick, Colin Vaughn, and has repeatedly postponed their wedding over a two year time period. The sweet and kind twin, Olivia, always feels like an afterthought. When Isabella disappears on her wedding day, Colin is outraged and determined to find her. But the journey is full of surprises, especially when he's traveling alone with her twin and discovering that maybe he .picked the wrong sister.

Tropes: Road Trip, Twins, Forced Proximity. This is a quick light, low on steam romantic read. I enjoyed how the hero came to terms with what he wanted for his future and the plot twists and turns.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Identical twins usually have a closeness that others can't seem to intervene. However, Olivia & Isabella do not and that could be because it was fostered by the parents. Isabella as the oldest by minutes was always given the new clothes and Olivia had to wear the old ones again. When it was time for the come out Isabella was the one who got the queen bee treatment and Olivia was not even noticed.
Then once again Isabella got the perfect man, a Duke. Colin Vaughn was the one that Olivia dreamed about and knew she would never be able to let on that she had feelings.
Then just before her wedding, Isabella disappeared and all eyes to Olivia and expected her to help fix it by finding her sister. The Duke wanted her to assist him by traveling with him and then things erupted.
This is a entertaining book if you are looking for a lighthearted read for an evening or afternoon!

I received a free advanced copy from Netgalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book 12 in the Never the Bride series.

Olivia Lymington is the twin sister to Isabella...who she does not like, even though everyone expects them to be close. Her sister is engaged to marry Colin Vaughn, Duke of Larnwick. Olivia has been forced to be their chaperone until the big day, but then Isabella goes missing and the entire family thinks it is Olivia's job to find her sister.

Colin is miffed to say the least. He has been waiting for Isabella and now she has disappeared. His plan is to track her down and make her marry him (though I personally, have no idea why, he would want to. I am will Olivia...not a fan of Isabella.) As they travel together they encounter many entertaining and unexpected surprises.

This was an interesting and entertaining read but not an overwhelmingly good book. I am not sure it ever really lived up to the premise.

I was provided a copy by NetGalley for a honest review.

[Cari Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colin, the Duke of Larnwick has decided to marry Isabella Lymington, eventually. After putting of the wedding for a couple of years the day has come for his wedding only to fin his bride missing. With his pride hurt he goes on a hunt for his delinquent bride. On the journey with him is his bride-to-be's twin sister Olivia. While together they discover more about each other and what exactly they want.

This was a quick sweet read. If your looking for an entertaining light read, you have found a good one.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rekha O'Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher, Netgalley and the author for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Looks like they saved the best story for last with this story of a twin who is trying to avoid marrying a duke and her twin falling in love with him. Olivia knows that she is always the second choice but when it comes to letting her selfish sister deny the man she loves for the sixth time, she is determined to ensure he gets his first choice. But does he still want it - or does he truly love Olivia?

Well, we all know the answer to that question but it’s fun getting there anyway. A great conclusion to a fun series..

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great addition to the Never the Bride series. I am so happy that the book turned out the way that I hoped it would for Olivia. If anyone deserved a HEA, it was her.
I definitely recommend this as well as the others in the series. Although each book can be read as a
stand-alone, the reading experience is more enjoyable if read in order. Favorite characters from previous books make appearances in the subsequent books. It helps to know their stories.
Thank you Emily E K Murdoch, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olivia is in love with her identical twin sister’s fiancée, Colin. Colin doesn’t notice her, but instead is intent to marry her sister Isabella. After pushing back the wedding for over two years, Isabella runs away the day of the wedding. Colin and Olivia go off together to find her. After spending a few days together, Colin realizes that he should be marrying Olivia instead of Isabella. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.

[K Kne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading all of the series by Alexa Aston. This is the third book in the series and it doesn't disappoint. I have all ready pre-ordered #4 and #5. I also would like to recommend her series Hollywood Name game. There are some really good books in that series! While I did receive an advance copy from NetGalley, I actually purchased a copy before I even read it and I don't regret the purchase at ALL! 4.75 stars!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book an adventure romance along the way , they fell in love while searching for her twin. Great characters dialogue the story was fun to read.

[Cws]

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