Monday, July 11, 2016

Bookish Thoughts: Under an Adirondack Sky by Karen Rock



Every Tuesday Diane from Bibliophile By the Sea First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where participants share the first paragraph (or a few) of a book they are reading or thinking about reading soon. It is also where I share my first impressions about the book I am sharing.

Rebecca Day shrugged on her raincoat and eyed the rain tapping against the Koffee Kat's storefront window. It turned SoHo's block-paved streets into an impressionistic blur, the sidewalks uncharacteristically empty of tourists, the iron-trimmed buildings seeming to slide down like melting wax. A cab lurched along the road, sending up fans of dark spray.

Every Tuesday, Jenn from Books And A Beat hosts Teaser Tuesdays at which time participants grab their current read, open to a random page, and share two (2) "teaser" sentences from that page while avoiding any spoilers.



Teaser from 49%:
Time did fly. In fact, in his life, it simply disappeared. Great chunks of it, gone without him noticing . . . only now, he couldn't stop wanting it back. Or at least a way to slow it down.
What do you think? Would you keep reading?


Under an Adirondack Sky by Karen Rock
Harlequin Heartwarming, 2016
Romance; 384 pgs

In this sweet contemporary romance, our hero and heroine couldn't be more different--at least on the surface. Rebecca has a big heart she wears on her sleeve. Aiden keeps everything inside. Aiden is struggling to keep his father's business afloat and raise his siblings. He has little time on his hands for much of anything else. Rebecca is worried about her job as a school psychologist. Not all of her workmates accept her methods, feeling she's way too soft, and she has yet to gain tenure, which she desperately needs. Aiden's teenage brother Conner, is in serious trouble, facing being expelled from school. Rebecca is Conner's last chance--and maybe Aiden's last chance to save his relationship with his brother.

Rebecca has two weeks in the Adirondack Mountains to prove to the school board she has what it takes to help troubled teens. Aiden can't afford two weeks away from the tavern, but he has no choice if he wants to help his brother.

Both Rebecca and Aiden have their hearts in the right place. Orphaned at a young age, Rebecca was raised by a workaholic aunt. She knows what Conner is going through, vying for attention from his brother who won't give him the time of day. Aiden loves his family fiercely and keeping a roof over their head and food on the table is the one sure way he can do it, even if it means sacrificing social time for himself or with them. Aiden doesn't have time for love. And Rebecca won't settle for someone who doesn't have time for her. Yet neither can resist their attraction to each other.

The attraction between the two main characters is obvious from the moment they meet, and both struggle with it. Every time they give in, something comes up to make them regret it. The obstacles seem insurmountable.

While the romance is the main focus of the novel, it was impossible not to get attached to the kids Rebecca is trying to help. The wilderness program she and other child psychologists have put together to help troubled kids gets off to a rough start, but that was expected. The hope is giving the kids new experiences outside of their home environments will help them with their various issues. Conner in particular proves to be a challenge. All of the kids are basically good kids who have made crappy decisions. Whether it be from their past or family lives.

Is everything a little too perfect? Probably. It's a Heartwarming Romance after all. I found Under An Adirondack Sky entertaining and enjoyable. The characters were relatable and good together. I like that things didn't come easily for Aiden and Rebecca, especially where Conner was concerned. Under An Adirondack Sky was a nice escape.


To learn more about Karen Rock and her work, please visit the author's websiteShe can also be found on Goodreads, Facebook and Twitter.


I hope you will check out what others had to say about Under the Adirondack Sky on the TLC Book Tours route!


Many thanks to the TLC Book Tours for the opportunity to be a part of this book tour.  Review copy provided by publisher for an honest review.




© 2016, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

40 comments:

  1. I think the older you grow, the faster time flies. I didn't even notice that half the year had gone by...

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    1. Eustacia - My daughter often complains time is going too slow for her, and all I want to do is tell time to slow down.

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  2. Sometimes a sweet book like this is just what the doctor ordered.

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    1. Kathy - Yes, and this was perfect after what I'd been reading right before it. :-)

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  3. Sounds interesting. I would definitely continue reading.
    My teaser this week: https://collinesblog.com/2016/07/12/teaser-tuesday-they-may-not-mean-to-but-they-do/

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    1. Colline - I hope you enjoy this one if you decide to read it!

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  4. This would be the perfect summer read. I've already fallen for the cover too! LOL

    My TT from Over Easy

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    1. Laura - It was perfect for the summer season. And I agree about the cover!

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  5. The cover sure is appealing, and I love spending time in the Adirondacks!

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    1. JoAnn - I would love to spend time in the Adirondacks too! Sounds so beautiful there. And peaceful.

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  6. I would definitely keep on reading. I hope you enjoy your books!

    Here's my teaser.

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    1. Majanka - It'd be worth it to keep reading too. :-)

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  7. Rebecca's job as a school psychologist drew me in first...and then the idea of time spent in the Adirondacks really appealed to me. The troubled kids were another draw.

    Thanks for sharing...and here's mine: “THE MELODY LINGERS ON”

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    1. Laurel-Rain - There was a time I wanted to be a school psychologist. :-) I went in a different direction, but similar in some ways.

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  8. Thank you so much for your wonderful review and for having me on Bookish Musing!! As a former teacher, it was fun to return to the education world and the kinds of kids I found most rewarding to work with- at risk youth. I drew on my own experiences, as well as my sister's who is a school psychologist up here in the Adirondacks. We are very lucky to live in this beautiful, rugged wilderness that helps kids get away from their every day lives and imagine how they can make their futures extraordinary :)

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    1. Karen - Thank you for your thoughtful comment! I do envy you your beautiful wilderness. I have my Sierras here in California, but it's been too long since my last visit. I can see how a program like the one you wrote about would be good for at risk youth. Putting them in a new environment, giving them a chance to learn and shine, adding a sense of accomplishment.

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  9. I like the premise of a school psychologist, as I was good friends with one when I worked in the school system. Her job was fascinating and difficult and neverending. Also I've been to the Adirondacks often as a person who's lived in both NYC and upstate NY in the past.

    Sometimes I need to clear my head of the dark reads and have a lighter, sweeter one. I should pick this one up-- thanks.

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    1. Rita - It is a difficult job. I considered going into that field for a while, but ended up choosing a different path. I've never been to NYC, but I have been to upstate New York. Such a beautiful place. If it wasn't for the snow, I often tell my husband I'd consider moving there. :-)

      I'm like you. Having a lighter, sweeter read is a nice change of pace after my more darker reads.

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  10. I like the atmosphere in the first paragraph and would like to keep reading.

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    1. Iliana - I wish I could have joined them in the mountains. :-)

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  12. Sounds like a good read. I would keep reading it. Have a great day.

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    1. Stacey - It was a fun book. I hope you have a great day too!

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  13. This sounds like a sweet fast read that I would like. The excerpts were great.

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    1. Heather - It did go by quick. It came at the right time. :-)

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  14. Lovely cover and sounds like a nice summer choice.

    I love your bright and cheery blog design.

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    1. Diane - Thank you! Yes, this was a good one for summer reading.

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  15. All Karen Rock novels are enchanting, but this one is right up there with "League of her Own". I adored every sentence and her education background which I share, came through like a laser. Karen has more insight and compassion for troubled teens than anyone I know. Kudos all around. I highly recommend this engaging story.

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    1. Catherine - This is my first by Karen Rock, but definitely won't be my last. I'll have to check out League of Her Own. That one sounds good too. And I like minor league baseball. Thanks for visiting!

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  16. haven't read a harlequin romance in a while. Glad you had fun with it.

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    1. Harvee Lau - I've read a handful in the last few years and enjoyed them. They are a nice break from my darker reading choices. :-)

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    1. Beth - It was. The kind you want to read while sitting on the back porch with a glass of lemonade. I enjoyed it.

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  18. This definitely sounds like a great summer read! I'll keep this in mind should I need a cozy read. :)

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    1. Melody - I enjoyed it. As I re-enter the romance reading world, I find myself enjoying the sweeter romances to the more erotic ones. And this was right up my alley.

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  19. I would read a bit more to decide. Hope you had a nice anniversary!

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    1. 'Nise - We had a very nice anniversary. Thank you. :-)

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