Rattlesnake

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.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

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.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

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!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

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!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

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.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A love that is achingly beautiful

This book was a total surprise for me, My first Kim Fielding book, recommended by a friend. I am so glad to have read it!
The setting of the book prepares you for high drama but in actuality it is a very gentle book, about self love and moving on. I love the actual plot, both Jimmy and Shane are very unique interesting characters and their lives are anything but simple I felt that at times the book was very poetic, and every emotion was very palpable to me.
Jimmy is a sort of lone wolf and he is surprised by the kindness the people of Rattlesnake show him. The more he stays there the harder it is to move on, but the more time he spends with Shane and working in the inn he finds he doesn't want to.
Jimmy is such a kind soul, so very loyal and genuine, a hard worker honest man. Shane is also a character you can't help but loving, despite the harshness of his past he is remarkably lighthearted.
I love that the story is not centered around their outside appearances but more about the attraction and personalities of both men. It makes to romance and physical relationship between them that much sweeter.
there were some amazing, tear inducing moments but they just add to the wonderful journey they share together.
The narration by K.C.Kelly was superb! I happened to listed to Ethan, Who Lover Carter before I started this book, which is also narrated by him. He just fist these kinds of characters and stories so well! I loved the emotion he put into words, accents and each distinct voice he created. He made reading this book a delight.

Heart warming and Sweet

This story warms you like a cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter's day. The way they have such poor self images but love the other is so sweet. You fall in love with these two gents and love the fact that they love so much,

Master Storyteller

Reading Fielding's books are the cure for whatever ails me. Always. The woman can spin a yarn.

A real beauty!

“Don’t wait. You got stuff in your life needs fixin’, you gotta fix it now, while you can.”

Rattlesnake by Kim Fielding is a realistically probable love story because of its depth and complexity of the main characters. This is not a story of love with electricity or fire and definitely not with cover-magazine types guys.
There are lots of people like Jimmy Dorsett,drifters, but nobody sees them. They lived in crap motels, under bridges and in empty buildings and when they die, nobody misses them. They're always running away from place to place.
Shane Little is former cowboy with a traumatic brain injury by a tragic accident in his past. He has a amazing huge family who stay behind him as a solid foundation.

“It began with a man alone in the wide, empty desert driving a decrepit old Ford with a dead man riding shotgun. But the tale progressed to two men together, alive and dancing and ready to establish their very own home. Jimmy was confident the ending was a long, long time away. “

Well, this is exactly what I want every romance to be like. It is a brilliant example how the simplicity could be a real beauty. This is one of the best books I've read this year. It was my first book by this author and definitely will not be my last

Wonderful

A truly lovely story made better with spot on narration. I felt like I was transported to Rattlesnake and I really want French toast.

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.