From the Bookshelf of Q&A with Josh Lanyon…

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Harper Fox

Start date: April 1, 2012

Finish date: April 30, 2012

Discussion: Book of the Month Club

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Book of the Month Club

* Candidates for Next Month's Read
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What Members Thought

Sep 08, 2012 Emanuela ~plastic duck~ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romance, glbt, rainbow-gay, contemporary

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. There was something in this book that touched and moved my every emotional string. The writing made me cry for its beauty. Harper Fox is always able to convey a terrific sense of place, and here, more than in other books by her I've read, it's perfectly woven with the characters and what's happening to them and with the words. I'm so sorry for myself because I can't read Gaelic, it was something that made me almost suffer. I wanted to pack my bags and fly somewhere to learn it or make somebody r There was something in this book that touched and moved my every emotional string. The writing made me cry for its beauty. Harper Fox is always able to convey a terrific sense of place, and here, more than in other books by her I've read, it's perfectly woven with the characters and what's happening to them and with the words. I'm so sorry for myself because I can't read Gaelic, it was something that made me almost suffer. I wanted to pack my bags and fly somewhere to learn it or make somebody read it to me.

You can read Kate's excellent review for a more balanced opinion of the book. It is true, the writing and the setting are so majestic that they dwarf the characters, but it worked for me. Nichol might have tried to live a different kind of life, but the land is in his blood and it called him back. His talent for languages looks like a gift given to him to preserve the memory of the one language which risks of being lost. He is probably more a passenger than an agent in his life, but there's that one decision he makes - giving Cameron shelter - and dealing with all the consequences of it. I don't know if it's an act of defiance or rebellion spurred by compassion, but I liked how he delivered his own destiny into the hands of Cameron. I don't usually like passive characters, but it was beautiful in this book.

Cameron doesn't really stand out, it's as if he comes alive when he's in the spotlight of Nichol's attention. He is also so enveloped in grief and fear that it's as if he's paralized. He takes the chance given to him and he tries to make it right, to atone for what he feels is a terrible crime. He's lovely.

I think Harry, Nichol's grandfather, is more than a secondary character. I like to imagine the way this hardened man was shaped by the poetic language he speaks. Both Harry and Nichol are grieving in their own personal and maybe secret way, but I feel as if Harry was even lonelier than Nichol and even less equipped to deal with loss and mourning.

The beauty of the book though is that it's not drenched in gloom, there is often a spark of humor. Sometimes it's in the deadpan remark of an event, or in the supressed laughter in front of a misadventure, or in the meddling of secondary characters.

I've always been impressed by this author, but often complained that the plots became too big and implausible for my taste. In this book the external source of problems wasn't so overwhelming and I really appreciated. It made me stay on the island, for which I'm very grateful.

I don't know if this book is for everyone, but it surely was for ME. Sometimes I feel blessed and privileged of reading a book. I'll be opening it at random kindle locations and know I'll be back on Arran. ...more

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Apr 19, 2012 Manda rated it it was amazing

This is such a beautifully written story. If you were a farmers kid, or still live in the farming community you will really relate to this story. Harper does wonderful descriptions bringing the reader right into the characters world. It's an easy, sweet read with character that are easy to fall in love with. ...more

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Apr 07, 2012 Anne Barwell marked it as to-read

Apr 11, 2012 Anvesha marked it as to-read

Apr 11, 2012 Mark marked it as to-read

Apr 18, 2012 Meri rated it it was amazing

Apr 21, 2012 Sylvia rated it it was amazing

Apr 27, 2012 Cally73 rated it really liked it

May 07, 2012 Pender rated it it was amazing

May 12, 2012 Kyle Hart rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mm-romance-read, favorites

Jun 11, 2012 Venecia rated it really liked it

Shelves: already-lent-out, y-artist, y-hidden-identity, y-island, reads-4-25-stars, y-location-scotland, romance, mm-romance, contemporary, y-location-uk