Untethered

When I first found this author I liked her books but after awhile I felt that they were too sensual. The characters usually have an instant physical attraction and when they were kissing or even just thinking about kissing you read about how their mouth is filling with moisture. I came to wonder how they could go out in public without drooling all over the place and I just felt that there was too much kissing and description for my taste. I also felt that the plots were really weak.Anyway if I rate the book based just on the plot (minus the kissing) it would get a three. Of all the plots I thought that it was one of her stronger ones.I think that MCM must have had some other complaints about the physical descriptions because in the afterword she writes that she doesn't want to be miserable because she is writing for others but to continue to enjoy writing what she likes, which are descriptions of passionate kisses. So if you don't feel comfortable with the details in the story either learn to skip over it or not read her books.I recently downloaded a free book by Annette Anthony and it reminded me a lot of a MCM book but without too much physical detail so maybe look into her titles if you are or have been a MCM fan.

"4.5You'll never be disappointed in a Marcia McClure book, IMO. I didn't know what to expect when I got this one, I just knew that Marcia had written a new book and I had to have it. I love Marcia's westerns, I love the slang, setting and characters. Magnolia (Cricket), was of course a lovable character. I like that she is a fighter and doesn't give up. She is a strength to those around her. Heath was of course an awesome leading man, a true hero. I was surprised by the adventure in the story, while serious, Marcia was still able to keep things on the lighter side (which I appreciate), and still have some romantic moments between Cricket and Heath. The overall story was a lot of fun, I really enjoyed reading it and had a hard time putting it down, in fact I read it in one sitting! I also liked the side stories, Crickets friends were all likable and I was happy they got their own HEA.I liked that Marie, Vilma, Ann and Cricket did good deeds for their community. It was so nice, especially when Cricket decides her next good deed should be properly welcoming Heath to town. I was hoping when they returned that the town would have surprised them with something, but I guess the town maybe didn't realize all the nice things they did. Just a random thought. Overall, another fantastic McClure book, I can't wait for her next book and I hope she never stops writing!Content: Clean, lots of great kissing!!"

Cricket and her three friends met every Friday to plan who they would do acts of kindness for that night and then to swim in the deserted section of the river. They shared their secrets and dreams. Cricket dreamed of Heathro Thibodaux, the Texas Ranger who was new to town, but she didn't think her dreams would ever come true. The man was burdened by eight girls who were killed when he tried to save them from slavers, and he had little to do with any woman. In fact, he kept mainly to himself. When Cricket and her friends are taken by another gang, she both hopes and fears that Heath will come after them.The story was interesting and I liked the main characters, but there was a crude, earthy tone to the book I didn't expect. It was passionate, but still clean. However it did have more than a few curse words peppered throughout. "H*ll" was the main one with "d*mn" second, but there was also the name for a son born out of wedlock. I could see the criminals using some of these, but Heath and the men of the town used them to the ladies, and some of the ladies even used them. This would have not been the case during this time period. Cricket and the girls also seemed extremely immature. I don't know how old they were, but Cricket mentions remembering a time when she was sixteen. She acts no older than fourteen, however. I don't think three young women during this time period would leave their friend kissing her boyfriend at night the way they did Marie and Hudson either. The comparison of "apples and onions" was overused in the first part of the novel, and Heath called Cricket "Blossom Bottom" way too much in the last part. I don't think an Old West town would likely have a wigmaker. Neither could someone tell the horse is a thoroughbred just by looking at the hoof prints. Some other mistakes was "plum" for "plumb" and "between she and Heath."

I enjoy romance, and McClure's, "Weathered to Young" was sensitive and true to human nature. I truly enjoyed her work. However, "Untethered" was one big cliché'. I kept looking back to the cover to see if I was reading the same author! I believe the book would be reduced by a third if the repetition were removed. I kept thinking, "McClure needs to fire her editor!" Then I felt badly for this author when I read the epilog about her dislike of editor suggestions and her desire to "write her way". Many things I would have commented on her on, she readily admitted knowing she was making these novice errors. She took a stand to NOT change her writing to appease anyone. She said she likes exclamation points and long winded descriptions. I felt badly because I have a writer in my family, and I know how devastating a bad review can be. I also know that great writers get back up, dust themselves off and use the review to critique their own work. Perhaps the editors know what they are talking about when they say, "Leave this out," or "Add this here". This was a disappointment.