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Aspen in Moonlight

Kelly Wacker

3.89 · Rating details · 79 ratings · 31 reviews

When art historian Melissa Warren inherits three of her grandmother’s paintings that have captivated her since childhood, she sets out to discover more about the little known artist and the locations of the mysterious landscapes. Her search takes her to the Colorado Bear Conservancy and the artist’s great-granddaughter, Sula Johansen.
Sula is reluctant to help Melissa, but ...more

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Paperback, 314 pages

Published November 12th 2019 by Bold Strokes Books

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Oct 31, 2019 Lex Kent rated it really liked it

Shelves: f-f-bsb-romance, f-f-paranormal, music-or-art

3.75 Stars. I enjoyed this romance more than I expected to. I wanted to read/review this book because I thought this was a paranormal-romance which is one of my favorite genres. After reading some of the early reviews, I realized this wasn’t a paranormal-romance but instead a romance with a light paranormal twist. Since it wasn’t what I was hoping for, I could feel that my expectations where lowering quickly. I was hoping for something more paranormal-ish to read on Halloween. I’m happy to repor 3.75 Stars. I enjoyed this romance more than I expected to. I wanted to read/review this book because I thought this was a paranormal-romance which is one of my favorite genres. After reading some of the early reviews, I realized this wasn’t a paranormal-romance but instead a romance with a light paranormal twist. Since it wasn’t what I was hoping for, I could feel that my expectations where lowering quickly. I was hoping for something more paranormal-ish to read on Halloween. I’m happy to report I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this. Once I knew I was getting paranormal light, I was able to enjoy this really sweet romance.

This is the story about an art historian professor Melissa, who is spending her summertime in Colorado hoping to find out about the history of the artist of some paintings that has been in her family for generations. Melissa meets Sula, the director of a bear conservancy that might just have the answers she needs. The more time they spend together the more an attraction builds. Do they have a chance at a relationship when one of them is keeping a life changing secret?

Wacker’s name wasn’t familiar to me so I wasn’t surprised to see that this was her full-length book debut. I was however pleasantly surprised how nicely written it was. This doesn’t feel like a debut and that makes me excited to want to read future books by Wacker. She has a nice smooth writing style and while this is more of a slower-paced book, I was hooked into the story instantly. I can sometimes get a little bored by more traditional romances, but this story had me from beginning to end.

As I mentioned before the romance is more on the feel good side. There is some relationship angst but not a lot, the book’s conflict is mostly drive by the paranormal twist which was enough to keep things interesting. Both main characters are extremely likeable so it’s easily to root for them and hope for a HEA.

If you are interested in a feel good romance, this book would be a good choice. The setting in Colorado also shined so if you are a nature/wildlife fan especially for bears, I would also recommend this. The paranormal part is very small and only gives the book some added conflict and a teeny bit of excitement. I’m intrigued now by Wacker and I will definitely be reading her next book.

An ARC was given to me for a honest review. ...more

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Nov 24, 2019 Rosi rated it liked it

This has been a strange story and really difficult to value for me, because I didn't known beforehand that it was fantasy type. And that somehow has taken me by surprise. And as fantasy is not a subject that I especially like, I do not know how to rate it. In addition to my surprise on the subject, the author's narration is very dense and too detailed, which has made me lose the central thread on many occasions and this has bothered me more than anything.

I do not deny that the story is interesti ...more

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Oct 26, 2019 Bethany rated it liked it

Shelves: bold-strokes-books, fantasy-paranormal-dystopian, netgalley

Hmmmm… to be perfectly honest, this is a hard book for me to rate and describe. On the one hand, it's a very enjoyable, light romance, but the problem is, that's not really what I expected to read with this story!

Coming up on Halloween, I was looking forward to a book that was a bit more edgy with a paranormal twist. This one has that paranormal twist, but it's very much on the light side. I'm not sure if it was my expectation or the reality, but the pace of this one felt slow to me. Descriptio ...more

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Jan 08, 2020 Joc rated it really liked it

Shelves: artist-musician, explicit-content, lesbian, paranormal, educator, shifters, romance, wildlife-conservationist

There is so much about this story that I enjoyed but I also found it a little slow at times. Professor and art historian, Melissa, takes a trip to Colorado to find out more about three paintings she inherited. She loved them as a child and wants to know about the artist who created them. She meets the artist’s great-granddaughter, Sula, and the connection is one of the strongest she’s ever felt. But she’s in for a surprise.

I love art and bears so when much of the dialogue centred on those two su ...more

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Nov 24, 2019 Tere rated it really liked it

Art history professor Melissa Warren inherits three paintings from her grandmother that have captivated her since childhood. Her research oriented mind takes her from Georgia to her native Colorado, looking to write a paper about the elusive artist. Sula Johansen is the Director of the Colorado Bear Conservancy and the great great-granddaughter of the artist. They connect and the chemistry is undeniable, making usually reserved Sula, open to love for the first time in her life. As the summer pas Art history professor Melissa Warren inherits three paintings from her grandmother that have captivated her since childhood. Her research oriented mind takes her from Georgia to her native Colorado, looking to write a paper about the elusive artist. Sula Johansen is the Director of the Colorado Bear Conservancy and the great great-granddaughter of the artist. They connect and the chemistry is undeniable, making usually reserved Sula, open to love for the first time in her life. As the summer passes, the two women discover a few things about their past and for Melissa, the one thing that makes Sula who she is.

This one picked my interest from the little of the blurb that I read, and I’m glad I picked it up. It was well written with amazing descriptions of the beautiful Colorado mountains. The setting was no doubt a great character in this story and definitely fun to read about. The author is an art historian who also teaches environmental studies, and it showed in this book. Melissa in professor mode was interesting, and the passion for conservation came through strongly through Sula. The rest of the characters were endearing and great support to the story. The parents shined in this one!

Sula is a shape shifter, but that was almost not the point of the story. This will appeal to light paranormal fans that do not want to get entangled in fantasy, and it was exactly what I was looking for. I enjoyed the little bits of foreshadowing thrown by the author about who Sula was.

On the down side, I was hoping for more of a resolution to the long distance relationship conflict and did not get it. Also, some descriptions/explanations, although interesting and elegantly put, seemed a little long. I think some of that is due to my current state of mind and I will definitely look for this author’s next book.

In a public safety service, raccoon and rabies. Yes! Exactly! Thank you Ms Wacker!

Overall a good romance with a sprinkle of fantasy. 4 stars.

ARC generously provided to me by BSB via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Oct 19, 2019 CLo rated it liked it

Shelves: netgalley, f-f-romance, f-f-shapeshifter, f-f-vacation-romance

This is the first book I have read from this author and I am honestly on the fence on if she and I are a reading match. While the book was edited well for grammatical issues and such, I felt it was a bit wordy. The prologue itself seemed unnecessary to me and actually set the pace of a good amount of the book. Maybe it was my fault for reading this one after reading an action/adventure romance. The pace of this one seemed too slow for me. I enjoy description but I found it too much and a lot of ...more

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Jan 21, 2020 Elske rated it really liked it

I enjoyed this book. From other reviews I understood that this is the first book this winter has published. I really love her writing style. It flows and is very descriptive. I made me able to see the landscape and pictures she described in my mind. That said, I think the book would have been even better if there were a little less descriptions of the landscape and surroundings. Now the book was a touch too slow sometimes for me. I am still very pleased that I bought and read this book and will ...more

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Oct 25, 2019 Mildred Digby rated it it was amazing

Shelves: shifter, ff, magic-is-real, pets-involved, slowburn

If you’re looking for a typical shifter book with lots of action, pack hierarchy, and forbidden love, this isn’t the book for you. Instead, this book delivers a slow, sensitive journey from wariness to trust set against the beautiful wilderness of Colorado.

The one thing that stood out for me at first is how real the setting is. Ms. Wacker really knows the area, down to the smallest detail from the scent of the forest after rain to the species of native plants and animals. This attention to detai If you’re looking for a typical shifter book with lots of action, pack hierarchy, and forbidden love, this isn’t the book for you. Instead, this book delivers a slow, sensitive journey from wariness to trust set against the beautiful wilderness of Colorado.

The one thing that stood out for me at first is how real the setting is. Ms. Wacker really knows the area, down to the smallest detail from the scent of the forest after rain to the species of native plants and animals. This attention to detail really lent the story an authentic, truly real feeling which ironically made the leap to having a bear-shifter in the mix actually very easy to believe. The entire book is filled with accurately described passages, it is obvious Ms. Wacker is very well-researched about everything she writes about.

The chemistry between Melissa and Sula is sweet and unconventional for a lot of lesfic couples. Neither of them fit into a neat role and that makes their interplay and ultimate joining more fitting and meaningful. I really like how understanding and mature Melissa is (at first anyway) and how Sula is both fearless in the face of danger and as shy as a newborn fawn when she’s out of her comfort zone. This isn’t a fast-paced story, but the lingering details lend depth and warmth to the story.

The story is told from both of their POV, so the big reveal isn’t a surprise, but how Melissa reacts to it is the turning point.

Which is where this read lost points with me. When she is faced with the truth, which is arguably extremely difficult to accept, Melissa runs off and ignores all attempts at communication for several weeks like the typical 80% breakup trope demands. I do understand the news, especially the traumatic way it was delivered to her, is something that can’t be easily accepted, but I hoped she would display the maturity she has for the rest of the book until that point and not do the disappearing/ignore the phone act until a dramatic event brings the silent treatment to an end and communication happens.

However, this is a HEA and love proves itself stronger than adversity. The end, while sudden, left me with a sense of wonder and peace. Recommended to anyone who wants to connect with nature in a slow, respectful, and ultimately satisfying read.

Rating: four point five stars

ARC provided by NetGalley and publisher in return for
an honest review. ...more

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Oct 22, 2019 Karen rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2019-published, arc

This was a way cute romance and I enjoyed reading it. Melissa Warren is a art history Professor who has inherited 3 painting from her grandmother. She knows the name of the artist, but no details about her. During her summer break, she decides to travel to Colorado (her native state) to research the author. Sula Johansen is the director of the Colorado Bear Conservancy. Their paths cross because Sula's grandmother is the painter of the 3 paintings.

I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about Aspe ...more

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Oct 25, 2019 Ameliah Faith rated it it was amazing

Bear-y Good (Yeah Groan)

Melissa is an art historian/professor who is researching the painter of some pictures of her grandmother’s that have fascinated her since childhood. She goes to Colorado in her quest for answers and meets Sula who is the great granddaughter of the painter. Sula is a unique woman who runs the Colorado Bear Conservancy and, like most of the members of her family, has a great affinity for and a special kinship with the creatures…

What a great book! This clever tale is so we ...more

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Oct 17, 2019 Aleana Harris rated it it was amazing

Melissa has inherited paintings from her grandmother that belong to her great-grandmother she has always been mesmerized by them since she was a child. She decide to found out more about the paintings and it leads her to Colorado Bear Conservancy.

With the help of Betty the owner of the cabin where she staying at she meets Sula the Director of Colorado Bear Conservancy and when they meet they are instantly drawn to each other. When Melissa learned that Sula is the great-granddaughter of the woma ...more

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Mar 15, 2020 Grendaycita Segovia rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2019

3,7

Fue curioso, en especial el ambiente de la montaña, igual me hubiera gustado saber más de los cambiantes.

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Nov 05, 2019 Megan rated it liked it

Shelves: 2019-reads, c-spot-reviews, mc-academic, uf-and-pnr

I'm a big fan of paranormal romances and I'm also pretty hard on them if they disappoint. When I saw this book on the upcoming releases I was totally stoked. A shifter/paranormal romance without wolves? Yes please. I love a good wolf shifter book, but it's nice to switch stuff up and a bear shifter sounded like a great twist. Once I started reading, I began to realize that this is more of romance than paranormal so I had to reset my expectations and read the book on its own merits rather t I'm a big fan of paranormal romances and I'm also pretty hard on them if they disappoint. When I saw this book on the upcoming releases I was totally stoked. A shifter/paranormal romance without wolves? Yes please. I love a good wolf shifter book, but it's nice to switch stuff up and a bear shifter sounded like a great twist. Once I started reading, I began to realize that this is more of romance than paranormal so I had to reset my expectations and read the book on its own merits rather than what my pre-conceptions.

Aspen in Moonlight is a well written novel that is more romance than paranormal. That's not a bad thing. Professor Melissa Warren travels to Colorado to research a three paintings she has inherited - paintings that have fascinated her since she was a child and are largely responsible for her pursuing a career in art history. As part of her research she reaches out to Sula Johansen, the Executive Director of the Colorado Bear Conservancy who turns out to be the great-granddaughter of the artist. The romance is a nice slow burn as the relationship builds - both characters are obviously intelligent, passionate about heir careers and mature in their actions and reactions. Their own personal passions about conservancy and art are woven into the story as is the absolutely beautiful setting in Colorado. The paranormal aspects are hinted at and pretty much in the background for the majority of the book with the big reveal (and after-effects) as part of the climax and denouement.

There's no question that Ms. Wacker writes well; but, at times the book was a bit too heavy on the narrative - lengthy descriptions and explanations tended to bog down the pacing and made the book seem to be longer than it actually was. You can tell that Wacker herself is passionate about art and conservation - she conveys this through a narrative that is well researched and obviously important but sometimes it verges into the professorial realm (which she seems to recognize when one character teases the other about being in professor mode). I don't mind a book that provides insight and makes me think - but sometimes the information was a bit clunky.

Thank you to Netgalley and BSB for providing an advance copy for review ...more

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Dec 10, 2019 Velvet Lounger rated it really liked it

Shelves: paranormal, romance

4.5

Excellent and unusual story weaving a traditional romance with a paranormal twist.. but without it feeling like a paranormal tale.. hopefully will appeal to romance readers who don’t ‘do’ paranormal.

Excellent story and wonderful characters set against the glorious backdrop of the Rockies.. the baddie is nasty, the wider cast are well drawn and the whole is an excellent read.

Have to admit I was left worrying that a trap had been left out or Notch would get in trouble from something Kerry had ...more

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Dec 16, 2019 Danielle rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Oct 23, 2020 The Lesbian Book Blog rated it really liked it

I was very surprised to learn that this was Wacker’s first full length novel. This book doesn’t read like it was written by someone with a short list of published fiction. It reads like it it was penned by an author with a well cultivated resume. The storytelling is imaginative and engaging. The descriptions are splendid. The language is fluid and magnificent. Wacker is impressive; she knows how to bring the words to life in 3D technicolor.

The story involves something I typically don’t gravitate I was very surprised to learn that this was Wacker’s first full length novel. This book doesn’t read like it was written by someone with a short list of published fiction. It reads like it it was penned by an author with a well cultivated resume. The storytelling is imaginative and engaging. The descriptions are splendid. The language is fluid and magnificent. Wacker is impressive; she knows how to bring the words to life in 3D technicolor.

The story involves something I typically don’t gravitate toward or read—shapeshifting. The concept seems, for lack of a better word, strange. It’s a subject and sub-genre that’s never really caught my attention or held my interest. This book, however, despite talk of hamask and she-bears, engaged me from the start. I wasn’t familiar with any of it and it didn’t matter. Wacker pulled me in and held me there with her lovely storytelling; I was captivated. She writes with such grace and intelligence. Her word building is finessed marvelously, giving the story depth and dimension. It truly highlights her talent as an imaginative and descriptive writer.

Both of the leading ladies are compelling, interesting and completely likable. They stand on their own, yet compliment each other quite nicely. The romance between them is tender, sweet, and yes, believable. My favorite scene underscores Wacker’s ability to sell this love story and make it not only believable, but charming. It’s when Sula realizes she can trust Melissa and their love for one another. She shapeshifts into her bear form and Melissa embraces who she is without judgement. She sees her and accepts her with complete love and tenderness. She is in awe of her beauty and magnificence as a she-bear. It is really a very lovely and touching scene.

This book was a wonderful surprise for me. I would absolutely encourage readers to pick this book up and indulge in its well written and imaginative prose. Wacker is a talented writer and I look forward to reading more from her.

Strengths…

Well written
Imaginative
Compelling
Descriptive
Beautiful use of language ...more

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Jan 09, 2021 Phoebe rated it really liked it

Shelves: f-f-romance, lgbt-fiction, lgbt-sidekicks, paranormal, shapeshifter, 2021sapphicrc, lgbt-romance, teacher-professor

Aspen in Moonlight is an explicitly detailed paranormal romance. Kelly Wacker gives you history from everything from the type of cameras used to take the photos that the characters are looking at to the different types of paints used on a canvas. I could probably look at the same maps that Sula and Melissa had and tell you their hiking route (smile).

Beyond the details is a romance that might have been fated to be as the characters walk a similar path as an ancestor has before. There are some sec ...more

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Mar 24, 2020 Kay rated it it was amazing

There have always been werewolves, werecats...now there’s a werebear, and she’s living in Colorado.
If you’re the outdoorsy type you’ll enjoy hitching a ride with Dr. Melissa Warren, an art history professor, as she drives from Georgia to the Rocky Mountains to investigate a little-known female artist whose paintings have been in her family for three generations. The Buckhorn Ranch in Aspen becomes the backdrop for this adventurous shape-shifter romance as Melissa settles into her summer residen ...more

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Nov 12, 2019 Sophie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: awesome-characters, fantasy, lgbt, otp, representation-matters, romance, sapphic

I really enjoyed this story, the chemistry between Sula and Melissa was the best of the book, but other aspects such as lots of nature (flora and fauna), interesting characters (art historian Melissa who was kind and fascinated by everything which make me like her very much since the beginning, and Sula (aka mountain woman) who can shift into a bear), and all the research about the paintings and their history behind made me feel like I was into the story myself.

Like I said, Melissa and Sula's r ...more

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May 24, 2020 Karen rated it liked it

This was cute. The romance was pleasant. Both women were mature, responsible and intelligent. I liked the resolution, but then I prefer a happy ending to the alternative. I also liked that Melissa used her skills and intellect to resolve her issues with Sula’s dual nature. It’s about time education played a role in accepting the unusual, instead of it being used to deny inexplicable events.

The book was a pleasant story with various scenes that developed the women’s characters from dealing with c ...more

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Dec 24, 2019 Laure rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc

🏳️‍🌈👩‍❤‍👩📚⚢👩‍🏫🎨🖼⛰🐻🍯🍓🏔👩‍❤‍💋‍👩📖👭🏳️‍🌈

That’s in exchange of an honest review that I received an ARC of « Aspen in Moonlight » by Kelly Wacker from BSB (via NetGalley).
So, here it is !!!

It’s actually the first time I’m able to read one of Kelly Wacker’s books (this one being, as a matter of fact, her first full-length novel) and even if everything is not perfect, it’s a good discovery !! I really appreciated the trip in the beautiful Rocky Mountains.

My rating : 4 ⭐️

The story mainly sets in Buckhorn ...more

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Nov 26, 2019 Gail rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Detailed descriptions of Colorado wilderness are woven into a slow burn shape shifter mystery romance. Melissa and Sula interact beautifully and slow dance (with some hiccups) to happy ending dragging you along for the ride. An easy, slow read worthy of 4 stars.
I rec'd a ARC from NetGalley/Bold Strokes Books for review. ...more

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Jan 26, 2020 monica.b.czuba rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Aspen in Moonlight

This was a story you cannot put down. Two different women women on a professor of artt. history whose always been fascinated by some pictures her grandmother leaves her after her death. She wants to know more about the artist and she decided to innvesytigate

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Jan 14, 2020 Melissa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Awesome read!

Well written, awesome story! Super cute, fun, and oddly informative. There were a couple spot where the author was a little over descriptive, for me, but definitely painted a vivid picture of the characters and environments.

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Feb 29, 2020 Alex Lfr rated it really liked it

Beautiful, sweet story that took me the marvelous scenery described within its pages. I loved the twist about the paintings and if I have to find a “but” it would be the lack of an epilogue

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Apr 13, 2020 Elizabeth GlamShazam marked it as couldn-t-quite-finish

Argh. I wanted to love this book. I was so excited for it. But it was unreadable to me with all. the. minutia. I would've liked so many details and words and paragraphs cut out. Bummer. ...more

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Oct 26, 2019 Gayle rated it it was amazing

Cast of Characters:

Melissa Warren, a Professor at Dreighton College in Buck Springs, Georgia;
Sula Johansen; biologist and Executive Director of the Colorado Bear Conservancy in Buckhorn, Colorado;
Ursula Bergen, artist and painter of landscapes (mostly) and Sula's great-grandmother;
Betty Andersen, owner/operator of the Buckhorn Creek Ranch.

**************************************

Oh, what a fascinating and intelligent book! I confess, I neglected household things to finish this story, and I suggest ...more

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Dec 31, 2019 Cynthia rated it did not like it

Shelves: qr

Overly descriptive with stilted (and overly descriptive) dialogues. Curiously for a story about human shifting into animals in North America, zero respect for Native American cultures which are present for literally 2 seconds and only in order to be used as a prop in the formulaic post-breakup reconciliation at the end (not to mention that Inuit culture is far from Colorado and local native peoples probably have their own beliefs and myths about such phenomena). Literally more time is passed on ...more

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Nov 15, 2019 Mel rated it liked it

Melissa Warren is out to discover the history behind her grandmother's paintings that she's loved so much since she was a child. Her research takes her across the country to Colarado into bear territory and discovers the great granddaughter of the artist, Sula Johanson and her fascination for bears at the Colorado Bear Conservancy. The more time they spend together the more their mutual admiration for each other grows.
I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. I'm not really into p ...more

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Dec 05, 2019 Kristian Walls rated it it was amazing

This is a story of love and fate. Wacker delivers a fun, sweet, and very genuine feeling romance.
This story is very well written. The descriptions are so in depth and provide a clear and beautiful picture of the settings and the characters. I found myself picturing everything with crystal clarity. Wacker is also marvelous with the level of information she put in. I learned a lot about art and wild life from this story. The dialogue was especially amazing as it felt organic and smooth at every tu ...more

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About Kelly Wacker

Kelly Wacker

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Kelly Wacker is a Western native currently residing in the Deep South where she teaches art history and environmental studies at a liberal arts university. Stories have been quietly spinning around in her head for years and she recently decided to craft one into a proper narrative. The resulting novella is a historical romance set in France during the First World War. Deeply connected to the natur ...more