“Finally, the water covered even the highest mountains on the earth,
rising more than twenty-two feet above the highest peaks.”
Genesis 7:19-20 nlt
I have wanted to read one of Mary
Connealy’s books for quite some time, but just never got around to it. The combination of cowboys
and humor is what peaked my interest. So when I saw “Out of Control” available
Kindle, I grabbed it. If, however, I’d read a few of the online reviews, I
might not have been so impulsive.
It’s not a bad book. It’s not a
plot-less story. But like the caves they explore looking for an illusive man,
the plot wonders about rather aimlessly at times. A few reviewers said “it
lacks rhythm and flow.” I agree. Some even said they had trouble finish reading
it. I did not.
I admit it took me a few chapters
to get hooked. But when I did, it was not because of the characters, but by the
mystery. Once I let go of my expectations of cowboys and humor, the secrecy in
the mountains and the caves drew me in. When I ignored the rocky love story and
focused on the manhunt, I couldn’t stop reading this book.
It’s not a character driven
story…in fact, they get in the way with their quirky traits. Mr. OCD meets Miss
OCD/ADD, which is why there is a control issue. He plans every detail and barks
out orders. She dreams of fossil research. He assumes. She ignores. Two minor
characters seem normal and quite patient with their quirky counter parts. Then
a couple of real lunatics are thrown into the mix. And I grew to love them all.
The men are cowboys, just not as
I expected. The peculiar personalities brought the humor—dry rather than the
ROFL kind. The mystery and intrigue held my attention.
Would I recommend it? Yes; just leave
your logic trailside.
About the author:
Mary Connealy is a Carol Award
winner and a RITA Award finalist. An author, journalist, and teacher, she lives
on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her husband, Ivan, and has four grown
daughters—Josie, married to Matt; Wendy; Shelly, married to Aaron; and Katy—and
two spectacular grandchildren, Elle and Isaac.
