Silver Creek Fire (Silver Creek, #1) by Lindsay McKenna

Silver Creek Fire (Silver Creek, #1) Reviews

• 
  PamG

  SILVER CREEK FIRE by Lindsay McKenna is the first book in the Silver Creek contemporary romance series. The protagonists are Leanna (Lea) Ryan and Logan Anderson. Lea experienced a traumatic event when she was a teenager and went from being an extrovert to seeking a safe harbor. She concentrated on following in her father’s footsteps and became a master carpenter and wood sculptor. At age 29, she finally decides to take a commission in Wyoming to do some remodeling work on Logan’s Wild Goose Ranch. But all is not calm at the ranch. Will Lea come out of her shell? Who is causing the disturbing events that are happening at the ranch?
  
  Both Lea and Ryan are likeable characters. They have similar values but have approached life very differently. Their flaws and virtues came through and they were definitely individuals you could root for. They seemed to balance each other. Both had clear goals that influenced the plot and had believable motivations. The secondary characters were not quite as well developed, but they did enhance the story rather than overwhelming it. The world-building was good and this book also served as an introduction to the community and its traditions. The story line does emphasize taking care of the environment and the negatives associated with fracking. There is one steamy scene at about 90% in the book.
  
  Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It was an entertaining book that was emotionally intense. It also had a few idiosyncrasies and surprises and just enough suspense to balance things out. Additionally, the author did a good job of meshing the romance and the suspense without either suffering. If you are a fan of contemporary romances with a bit of suspense and without instant love, then you may want to check this one out. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
  
  Kensington Books – Zebra and Lindsay McKenna provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
  ---------------------------------------------------------------
  Review to come around Sept. 27th, 2020 (one month prior to publication).
• 
  LoveYourShelf (LAB☺)

  (ARC provided by NetGalley)
  
  I love books about "small town" life and romances and was delighted to get this ARC and read a new author. In the beginning, with Lea and her father discussing her past trauma and her upcoming move, the dialog felt forced. Like the reader was being told what to think and instantly relate to Lea, although she was not a very relatable character because the reader has not yet seen her do anything except wallow in a vague event that happened around 15 years ago. Now, I'm not saying a person would not justly feel trauma after what I assume was a horrible event, but I have to assume it because there were no details that made me feel angry or sad on her behalf. It was just this "event" that changed her life.
  
  Then, when she arrives in Wyoming, we got not one, but two lectures about how bad fracking is. OK, I respect someone standing by their beliefs and there is certainly merit in the cons (as well as the pros) to fracking. However, maybe it would've been a better idea not to describe the wood shop's heating system in the next few pages as being a gas heat system right after we were lectured on how horrible fracking is, which supplies natural gas. Seems a bit hypocritical.
  
  Moving on, aside from the car crash in the beginning....nothing happens for 25% of the book. A lot of talk about types of wood, which was interesting in the beginning, but went on for way too long. I finally decided to give up when Logan had the thought of cupping Lea's elbow as they walked and then he suddenly remembers the whole #metoo movement and we get a lecture on how men "were taking unconscious, unthinking advantage" of women and gosh darn it Logan was not going to be one of those guys. Yeah, that's when I decided to DNF.
  
  I don't care for stories that have politics in it. I read to get away from the real world, not be lectured on the author's POV. Now, authors are certainly welcome to have their opinions and their books are their art and they can do anything they want when writing them. I wish them all the success in the world. But I will not be reading those books.
  
  I thank the publisher for providing me an ARC of this book and I do recommend other readers try this book if it sounds like something you would like. This review is my opinion.
• 
  Owl._.

  I gave up! 25% of the way in, after starting and stopping several times, I just coudn't do it. The writing was choppy. There was no flow. The dialogue read as if a child wrote it - simple and repetitive. The dialogue felt forced and stilted - there was no connection betweent the characters. They were very one-dimensional, even though I know that was not the authors purpose.
  
  The main character, Lea, was totally unlikeable. She's supposed to be, according to her own words, a strong-willed feminist who stands up for herself and her beliefs. Instead she comes across as sniveling and weak, needy, and completely insecure in herself and her decisions.
  
  The story was boring and again, repetitive. I felt as if I was reading the same paragraphs and conversations over and over.
  
  I am by no means an author and I give lots of credit to those that do write. I have read books by this author in the past and enjoyed them. Unfortunately, as an avid reader who reads across several genres and a multitude of authors, I can honestly say that this one just doesn't cut it.
  
  Thank you #netgalley and #kensingtonbooks #zebra for the eARC.
• 
  Clare O'Beara

  A lady woodworker drives from coastal Oregon to a ranch in the midwest, to work on refurnishing the house. This is a positive thinking story, but suspenseful in that a fracking giant wants to buy up land or mineral rights in the area. The ranchers don't want this to happen but are subject to stealthy intimidation. We see a lot of helpful people and good attitudes, tree planting and wood crafting, sustainable farming and community effort. I thought the tale could do with some balance as ranching is not profitable for many farm families, and some need to sell land or mineral rights to keep the rest of their spread. However, it's a romance fiction. As this is modern America, by the end we are involved in gunfights using rather large weapons. Just so you know.
  
  The main reason I am giving just four stars is that the writing style needs work, especially in the early part where we get an infodump, consisting of two characters sitting telling each other the events of fifteen years previously which they already know. A better solution would be a brief allusion, a flashback memory, or the main character explaining to someone new, which she does later in the story.
  
  I read an ARC from Fresh Fiction. This is an unbiased review.
• 
  Monica Mac

  I read the synopsis of this book and sounded like something I would like to read. Well, I promised to read it all the way through, and I did, but it was one heck of an effort.
  
  Lea is a woman in her late 20's who is still traumatised by something that happened to her in her teens. She doesn't trust men but Logan is different. Logan is kind and patient and there is something he sees in her that makes his heart go pitter-patter - just after he met her. That was the first slightly odd thing. Oh well, I thought, quirky but let's move on.
  
  The whole book was repetitive and so many scenarios seemed forced. It was as if this book had been sitting in the author's drawer since the 80's and then she decided to add Afghanistan and fracking as well as #metoo and voila, the book was now brand new. It just didn't work. Lea came across as spoilt and truculent (oh yes, just tell the man that you supposedly love just after he breaks his ankle that you are "not a housewife", when he clearly needs some help and support) and how independent and fierce you are, when you are clearly not. I liked Logan a little more but he seemed to be confused by Lea - she ran hot and cold all the time. And just when I thought that the two of them had been honest with each other about their feelings, and things were moving forward, they took a step back for no particular reason. And started talking about fairy folk, as you do. Even the suspense part wasn't particularly suspenseful. It was all very frustrating.
  
  The only reason this book gets 2 stars instead of 1, is that the romantic scene was quite good and it didn't have a lot of grammatical errors. That is about it though, that is time spent reading this book that I won't get back.
  
  Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books.
  
  
• 
  Veda

  I was lucky enough to be chosen to read this ARC. I know that anything written by Lindsay McKenna is going to be good, and this was no different. What made it even better, is it is set in Northern Wyoming, where I grew up. Now I have never been to the valley described in the book, but just knowing it is there, makes me go explore.
  Lindsay Mckenna has a way of drawing you into the story. You can see, taste, hear what she is describing, you feel like you are there.
  Lea Ryan, master carpenter and wood sculptor, trapped by her past, moves away from her familiar surroundings in Oregon to Wyoming for a possible job. Wyoming, where she had dreamed of going someday.
  Logan Anderson, good guy, former military has his own past to deal with, is running a ranch that has been in the family for several generations.
  Lindsay Mckenna has woven a story with so many quirks, surprises, and takes you on a journey that makes you keep reading so you know what happens next. The good, bad, ugly, and the love. You are left wanting more, more of this couple, more of the town and surrounding ranches.
• 
  Shirley Frances

  DNF 25%
  
  Idk, the blurb made it seem like this would be a story I would enjoy. You know—a small town romance with a bit of suspense. What I was not expecting, however, were the lengthy, full-on descriptions. From valley, hills and mountains to rooftops, grazing cattle and every hardwood floor, door, cabinet and anything and everything Lea came upon. I understand that this was Lea’s first time out of what was familiar to her and that she is a master wood worker, but some times little bits of details here and there are better than paragraphs that add nothing to the story.
  
  In addition to those detailed descriptions, the author decided to take on fracking. Used as a part of the plot was actually interesting, it made for an established villain of sorts. However, having the HERO and HEROINE discussing this at length on the page when they first meet really disappointed me. Add to that the fact that Logan spent an unbelievable amount of time talking about the whole history of how the ranch came to be, and I was done. And what is most disturbing is the fact that all this transpired in a day! A DAY! There were no sparks, no internal acknowledgement of attraction. Nothing! Just history, politics and trees.
  
  ARC provided in exchange of an honest review.
• 
  Moshi

  It was a simple, quiet romance between Lea and Logan with a lot of getting to know each other throughout the book. Fairly realistic. What I liked about the book is the environmental messages about sustainability and the need for good communication in a lasting relationship. I also liked the ranch lifestyle and the premise of fairy folklore from Scotland wrapped with just a little excitement at the beginning and end of the story.
  
  Not to mention, I really love woodwork and craft, I think this requires lots of artistry and patience.
• 
  Judy Ferrell

  Love at first sight, perhaps.
  
  Both have felt pain of loss but together they find a true happiness. They will also fight a battle against the enemy. Lindsay McKenna is the queen of the romantic drama. You can feel the tension build from page to page. You can also see the main characters grow together from chapter to chapter.
• 
  Patrizia

  Mi è piaciuto che in questo libro si affrontino temi importanti come la violenza contro le donne e la protezione dell'ambiente, ma ho trovato che alla storia ogni tanto mancasse un po' di verve, per così dire.
• 
  1-Click Addict Support Group

  Great promise…
  
  I picked up this read with great promise – an author I’ve read and loved before as well as a blurb that tempted great characters with a troubled route to love. This story had so many good elements that I was disappointed that it didn’t hit the mark for me. Was it the characters themselves or the execution that felt stilted for some reason. Either way I found myself looking forward to the happily ever after, which kept me reading even as I was tempted to stop.
  
  I will file away this read under ‘great synopsis, not for me execution’ even as I know I won’t resist future stories from this author in the future. If there is more in the series I will definitely try again, knowing this is an author who can deliver… ~Diane, 3 stars
• 
  Jenn the Readaholic

  This author didn’t shy away from current events, even with a small town, rancher setting. Instead, she used some very important ones to create strong female characters. From Lea to Maddy to Poppy, these women are not doormats, and the men of this story really aren’t cavemen either. Logan’s been through terrible loss, but he understands that progress is necessary and both he and his neighbor, Chase, are already thinking about the future and what legacy they’ll leave behind. Of course, that legacy doesn’t mesh with what one person wants. And that person will stop at nothing to get ahead. As Lea and Logan learn more about each other, soothe their past hurts, and become more than friends, someone is plotting against them. That someone needs to be stopped before it’s too late, and these men and women seem to be up to the challenge.
  
  This isn’t a typical rancher read and it’s got a little something for everyone: some romance, suspense, and danger tossed into the perfect mix that will keep you hungry for more. Everyone feels realistic, strong, and willing to fight for their homes and lives. I found myself on quite the ride here, and I’m interested to see where we go next.
• 
  The Book Worm

  From the synopsis and the good reviews on Amazon I honestly expected something differnt from Silver Creek Fire and I found myself disappointed.
  
  Right from the start the writing is weird, with terribly long dialogues that are describing past events in a totally unnatural way. This excessive description of everything continues throughout the book and frankly some of the details are quite irrelevant. The story becomes boring instead of engrossing. As a character, Logan is not so bad, but Lea is inconsistent and in some ways behaves more like a teenager than an adult. Why the author feels the need to insist so much that Lea is 29 and Logan is 30 is beyond me. Their romance is strange too, they almost seem to be setting an appointment to have their first kiss instead of just letting it happen...
  
  Overall I think the plot had potential, but the writing is not compelling and even with some suspense thrown in, this is a book that is hard to read until the end.
• 
  Jennifer

  First book in new series
  Very good story about leanna she works carving wood same as her father
  Her father gets hired by logan who was ex military to redo his cabinets on his family ranch but father wants her to do work she is not a people person after being hurt when she was younger logan is a widower and not sure how well it will work with them both working around each other
  She didn’t like men he didn’t like women
  Took place in Oregon
  Frocking was going on around the local farms trying to push people off their land made for an interesting story as they had to deal with different problems throughout and a nice romance intwined couldn’t put down until I finished it
  Would definitely read more in this series
• 
  Tracey Cramer-Kelly

  This is a sweet romance that moved a little slowly for my taste. It contained long descriptions (of the town, of the fair, of the trees...) and there were some scenes that didn't seem to have anything to do with the plot. We would learn something about the character or their backstory, and then it was repeated in the next chapter, as if all the scenes were written separately or randomly and then put together with no developmental edit (doesn't Kensington edit??). There were some valuable environment issues addressed, but it felt preachy because it was all talk/telling rather than action.
  
  Logan had enough drama in his backstory; there wasn't really a need to have him be ex-military. That part of his background felt incomplete and never rang true for me; like it was contrived for the purpose of allowing him to have and fire an M4 machine gun in the climactic scene. Likewise, the threat to Logan’s ranch was not fully developed. Also, I wanted to see a flaw in Logan. I wanted him to lose his temper, just once, so I'd know he was human! (Lea, too, needed a bigger range of emotion.)
  
  I'm all for love before sex, but these two talked about it for so long that by the time they got around to sex there just wasn't any 'fire' in it for me. There were a few good parts, but the story just didn't hang together well. The plot was dragged down by extended scenes that didn't move the relationship forward, and the characters didn't grip my heart like I want a romance to.
  
• 
  Marti

  Silver Creek Fire by Lindsay McKenna is the first book in a new series called Silver Creek. Silver Creek is in Wyoming and where this next series is set. Each novel in the series focuses on a different couple. This novel is about Lea (Leanna Ryan) and Logan Anderson.
  
  Leanna Ryan is a master woodworker. She is looking to start again in a new place and has always been drawn to Wyoming. The opportunity to work at Wild Goose Ranch for Logan Anderson is too good to miss up.
  
  Logan Anderson meets Lea after a truck rammed into her truck as she was turning into the Wild Goose Ranch. She is the person he hired to rehab the kitchen in his home. Despite the accident, Logan is excited for her to begin. He has set up a workshop for her and there is plenty of wood for her to work with. Only some interesting things keep happening, which suggests that there is another nefarious force at work. Logan and Lea face some events that just draw them closer together, but there is more yet to come.
  
  I did enjoy these characters and the novel. Lindsay McKenna does often use her novels as a way to teach about taking care of the land, people and sustainable living. In this novel they were woven in carefully without becoming overbearing. I enjoyed the novel and found the story line interesting. Silver Creek Fire by Lindsay McKenna was a good read.
  
• 
  Suzy Baba (readaholicmom)

  I was super excited to be gifted this book by Kensington books, TLC Book Tours and Lindsay McKenna in exchange for an honest review. This feel good romance story has a little suspense but with a calm effect to it when reading it.
  
  Leanna's traumatic early teen experience has left her outgoing personality to curl up and hid for many years. At 29, still living with her amazingly supportive parents, Leanna needed a change in order to try and live again. Her master carpentry work leads her to Wild Goose Ranch in Montana to remodel wood cabinets for Logan Anderson who is an extreme gentleman.
  
  While at the ranch, Leanna and Logan's friendship blossoms through their love of family history and their love for the outdoors. But what really connected them more is the drama that takes place at the ranch.
• 
  Jane

  I borrowed Silver Creek Fire ~ Silver Creek ~ Book 1 from the Kindle Unlimited Program,
  
  In Silver Creek FireLea a master wood carver and furniture designer comes to Logan's ranch in central Wyoming to make new cabinet doors for his hundred old ranch house that has been in his family for generations. When a truck hits her from behind as she enters his ranch to the fire that finally brings them together the romance is sweet, caring and considerate in this wonderful love story.
  
  I can't wait to start the next book in the series...
• 
  Nancy

  Good one
• 
  Christine

  This is the first book in the Silver Creek series. I have never read anything by this author and read this purely off of the description. Lea is a master carpenter and has come to Silver Creek to do carpentry work for ranch owner, Logan Anderson. Logan offers her a room at his ranch while she is doing her work. But accidents keep happening around town including a car accident when Lea first arrives.
  I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I liked the characters. Lea is very shy and cautious and I liked that about her. Logan is the perfect gentleman and I loved how he treated his employees at the ranch as if they were family. The side characters of Maddy and Jody were great strong characters that could stand on their own. My one criticism is that at times it felt liked the story stalled. I felt like I should have further along with the book from where I was with the amount of story we were given. Overall I enjoyed this book and will definitely looking for more by this author. I received an ARC copy of this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Janine

  I couldn't finish it. I'm on chapter 10 and I can't go any further. Not only did the author go on and on about the ecology and saving the planet (so to speak) but also about #MeToo about abused women.
  
  I'm ok with reading a story about these things, but it was drilled in almost every paragraph. Also, the way Lea and Logan talked back and forth - it wasn't a typical conversation - it was like they were both having monologue. I could not feel the relationship between the two characters. The dialogue was stiff and way too much information that didn't seem relative to what they were discussing. That type of description should not have been in dialogue - but the author should have found another way to express those thoughts.
  
  There is nothing yet (again on Chapter 10) regarding the "disturbing events around the ranch" (taken from the book's cover leaf) or any mention of past events other than Lea's truck being hit.
  
  Ms. McKenna should have hinted at those in the first several chapters. It might have kept my interest.
• 
  Jan Locke

  If you enjoy lectures on the metoo  movement, fracking and listening to humbly perfect people tell of their wealth and how they use it (humbly of course) this is the book for you.   I'm 34% in to this book and trying to decide if I can finish.   I've read other books by this author and enjoyed the characters and stories but I'm struggling with this one.  BTW I, too, care about the environment but when I pick up a book that claims romantic suspense lectures are not what I'm looking for.   The metoo ideal appears to have been hijacked to use as a political weapon.   Not only do taxpayers still fund a slush fund for "indiscretions" but sitting political figures are guilty of shameful acts against women.    (Well, I finished but didn't change my rating.   There is a little excitement at the end but it goes back in to unbelievably dull dialogue as pillow talk.)
• 
  D Floyd

  I got to chapter 12 and I just could not finish it. 90% of the book thus far has been nothing more than the author's political views. Not to say that there is or isn't anything wrong with her views, but I wanted to read a story. I made myself keep reading because I thought maybe once she got her political opinions out of the way, she would move on to an actual story line. I'm three quarters into the book and still no real story line, just repeated politics. When the author tries to offer descriptions of the characters they're not even believable. This is the first book I have ever read that I had no desire to finish.
• 
  Carol

  How many times can you say the same thing by changing the words slightly? Unfortunately, way too many. I kept reading hoping that something would happen, but no, it didn’t, not until the last 2 or three chapters and then it was all over in about 20 pages. The writing felt very young, like a high interest/low vocabulary, but without the high interest and I never really connected with the characters- their dialogue always felt stilted and forced.
  
  Definitely not my type of story, but I’m sure there are many out there who’ll love it.
• 
  Meri

  I don't need a lecture!
  
  I don't ever remember reading a book that has lectured me on what is good and bad in today's society. What a waste of time. Who does she think she is to condemn or laude every thing in the world. Good grief. What a pompous ass! I don't need "Ms
  Lindsay McKenna" to tell me what to think or believe. I want a refund!