Review: Her Dakota Man

Title: Her Dakota Man
Series: Dakota Hearts
Author: Lisa Mondello
Publisher: CreateSpace
Release Date: October 28, 2013
Pages: 188
Buy Links: Amazon (Kindle) | Amazon (Paperback)

Blurb:

Everyone knows that the Dakotas didn’t get the name Badlands for nothing.  Harsh weather and rough living are a way of life.  But single dad, Logan McKinnon, had seen more than his share of bad times after the death of his wife a year ago.  The last thing he needs is Poppy Erickson, an old flame and his late wife’s best friend, showing up unannounced to help after devastating floods nearly washed away their hometown.  With no place to stay in town, he has no choice but to offer her a bed at his house.  But can he live under the same roof with a woman he’d once loved passionately without feeling he’s betraying his late wife?

Poppy Erickson had spent the year wondering how all their lives might have been different after hearing the death bed confession of her childhood friend.  She’d left South Dakota years ago because she couldn’t bear to watch the man she loved loving another woman.  But now she knows the truth.  She’ll keep the promise she made to a friend, but will Logan understand when he learns the truth?  More important, can they again recapture the passion that had been between them all those years ago?

Review

An enjoyable story of truths and lies, love and duty, and a little boy who was just too sweet.

Poppy arrived in South Dakota after being gone for many years, dressed in designer clothes. Logan wasn't happy to see her, but really, his unhappiness was more because of his reaction. I enjoyed the tension between the two. Most importantly, I loved Keith. He was Logan's son and he's the sweetest little thing. If a book could be written for him, I'd totally read it, all things considering.

The secret that Poppy learned was now a burden on her to make sure that Logan knew the truth. Was it worth it? Since this was a short book, there wasn't much conflict besides the already existing tension between Poppy and Logan. When they found out the truth about their best friend, they were naturally heartbroken. I did, however, admired that Logan finally learned his lesson, even if it was still after his mother pointed it out to him ;)

Constructive criticism inside the "Beware" button. Don't read if you're faint of heart.

I asked the tour manager just to be sure which copy I received. It was confirmed that I did receive a finished copy. That being said, the book was far from perfect, editing wise. It's like it was published without proofreading it. There was a time when a sentence just didn't make any sense. It was a good draft at best, but not yet ready for publishing. Hopefully it will be edited once or twice more and re-publish it.