Rattlesnake

By: Kim Fielding

Narrated by: K.C. Kelly

Length: 8 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's Summary

A drifter since his teens, Jimmy Dorsett has no home and no hope. What he does have is a duffel bag, a lot of stories, and a junker car. Then one cold desert night, he picks up a hitchhiker and ends up with something more: a letter from a dying man to the son he hasn't seen in years.

On a quest to deliver the letter, Jimmy travels to Rattlesnake, a small town nestled in the foothills of the California Sierras. The centerpiece of the town is the Rattlesnake Inn, where the bartender is handsome former cowboy Shane Little. Sparks fly, and when Jimmy's car gives up the ghost, Shane gets him a job as handyman at the inn.

Both within the community of Rattlesnake and in Shane's arms, Jimmy finds an unaccustomed peace. But it can't be a lasting thing. The open road continues to call, and surely Shane - a strong, proud man with a painful past and a difficult present - deserves better than a lying vagabond who can't stay put for long.

©2015 Kim Fielding (P)2015 Dreamspinner Press

Wonderful story and performance

Ah Kim Fielding, just when I think I've got you pigeonholed you break out something like this. I have primarily pegged this author as a "fantasy" writer and I love her for it. Then she writes this and all bet are off; she is just a great writer and storyteller. There is not a drop of paranormal or fairy dust in this story, although there is lots of other dust as it takes place in a desert town. This is a story of a man finding himself in a most unique and unlikely way, through a dead man. And another man proving to himself and his family that he is a fully functioning human being despite his disability. Jimmy is a great character and the emotional depth the author gives him is wonderful. It is a slow drag to learn about Jimmy's life and struggles, but so worth the effort. Shane has had a very different life; surrounded by love and support. His demons are different but no less harrowing. This is the type of story that makes you smile through tears. K.C. Kelly's slow drawl is the perfect voice for these men. He gives a wonderful performance and really conveys the depth of emotion the story demands.

Worth the Wait!!!

I heart Kim Fielding and I adore KC Kelly. I waited months for this book to make it to audible and I was not disappointed.

1) I loved the character-rich storyline. Jimmy and Shane are two men who seem to have very little in common. Dig a little though - or better yet - let the story unfold through the eyes of Jimmy and Shane...it's a slow but satisfying burn.

2) KC Kelly is a natural storyteller. He has such warmth in whatever character he voices. KC is an autobuy for me because anything he reads is going to be good.

A Deadman Riding Shotgun

D@mn how I loved this low key romance.

Just a d@mn good story of a wanderer in need of a home he didn't realize he needed and man in need of his own forgiveness. How romance should be created!

4.5 stars for this gem!

Any additional comments?

This is beautifully written and even more beautifully narrated. I cannot think of another narrator I would have preferred to listen to this by other than K.C. Kelly. Kelly takes this tale of a drifter finding a home he didn't even know he was looking for and gives it a depth that elevates the story. The characters are beautifully molded and described and in the end it's a heart-wrenching story about the hope and the chances we keep or give away.

The story itself is not about flash and speed, it more moseys than rockets, and K.C.'s perfect drawl draws the listener along. I loved the narration for the story.

I'll admit if it hadn't been for the whole not-telling-about-the-real-reason-he-came-to-town storyline this would have been a five star read for me. Other than that though, I thought it was really wonderfully done and can easily recommend it.

Recommended!

Live to read

I live to read this woman's books and hear this man's voice when I do. Like whiskey in a cool glass, it stirs the fire in the bones. You will never be disappointed with this combination.

Heartwarming

This book takes the time for the listener to get to know the two main characters and to root for their HEA. It is extremely well written, the performance is good and the story is plausible. It is a reminder that too many people lead lives of despair and hopelessness. It is a book of hope.

touching

soft and sensitive in a suprising and unexpected way. excellent narration. believable characters who were real rather than model makeovers.

Excellent story. Excellent narration.

Finding this story, felt like finding a gold nugget in a pile of iron pyrite. This book was a beautiful surprise. Other stories might look shiny, but this one has real value. p

I rarely offer up five stars to a book. My literary standards are high. Rattlesnake was decidedly worthy.

The characters were so incredibly real and identifying with their life challenges was easy to do. The setting was perfect. I grew up next to small towns like Rattlesnake. I could almost smell the alfalfa and horses. I could hear the wind racing through the tall weeds. The plot was masterfully constructed. The story felt like a parable. The resolution ... was lovely.

The narration was also well done. a few spots had a long gap between chapters, but a few seconds feels long when you are listening to this book.

I only had one complaint. Not all of South Dakota is plains. I know some people consider it a plains state, but SD has the Black Hills National Forest! I used to race mountain bikes there. The mountains are old and worn down, but you can still reach an altitude change of well over a mile! Anyway..

Read/listen to this book. There might be a few tears, but the experience is worth any moments of sorrow.

Very satisfying listen. Hurt/comfort that's sort o

A quaint and peaceful little town where people get along mostly,and where the protagonists learn about forgiveness for themselves and others. The narrator has a great voice for this. I haven't heard anything else he's narrated tho.

Sweet story. Good narration.

New author for me. I liked the story of Jimmy and Shane. And the town of Rattlesnake.
It’s a soothing story of love and healing. Jimmy learning to hope again after a hopeless loveless youth. Shane learns to move on after a terrible accident and unbelievable loss.
I can recommend it.

Just OK

A small town story with lots of kind side characters and people telling story's. The romance is a bit boring. Narrator is good.

Amazing story, beautifully told 🥰🥰🥰🥰

All the stars for this one. Read the story back in 2015, and I think it's Kim Fielding's best work to date, although The Tin Box really does run it a pretty close second. This audio was buried in my audio library, and as per usual of course, KC Kelly tells a superlative tale. My book review from 2015 read...

Deserves all the plaudits it's received. Simply superb, I ADORED this story of Jimmy and Shane. 5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟, but worth so many more and you WILL need tissues unless you've got a heart made of stone. Completely and utterly fabulous.

Beautiful story with beautiful narration

This story is so lovely, the characters are really warm and the narration is superb.

Slow relaxing listen

Gentle story of two men slowly opening up to each other and bonding.
Learning to trust, starting to live, no longer drifting through.
Risks getting lost among more demanding books but it makes a lovely breather. Characters to care about without 'must read' urgency.

Audio adds to the experience, laid-back and suiting the setting it brings the warmth of the story alive.