Lasso the Stars - TLC Book Tours

Rating: Good Read

Synopsis:  If you’ve ever wondered if angels exist, Lasso the Stars is about to convince you that they do. Or at the very least, make you hope they do. In gentle, softly written language a powerful story emerges:

Dina’s doctor has delivered the most difficult diagnosis of all: her cancer is terminal. She is calm in the face of this devastating news and begins to evaluate her life while taking contemplative walks each day in the autumn sunshine.

Things are definitely winding down for her until, one day, she meets an intriguing stranger. “The man had an easy-going smile. A pair of aviator sunglasses rested on his nose. His dusty Levi’s covered long legs that ended in well-worn cowboy boots . . . He stepped down off the gate and held his hand out. “Gil,” he said, with a grin.

Dina is immediately attracted to the lean and weathered cowboy, who treats her with such respectful compassion. As for Gil, he finds himself not only admiring her courage but enjoying her company. Gil introduces Dina to a delightful world of horseback rides and picnics. Despite her illness, she begins to feel new energy surge through her as she responds to Gil, who is so attentive in her time of need.

At home, Dina and her sister, Rachel, share stories of growing up. Dina’s goal is to leave her family with happy memories. The reader will laugh with them, then at them, and even tap their deepest sorrow, all while the love story between Dina and Gil continues to develop on many levels.

The tenderness Dina feels for her family blends softly with the new love she feels for the man in her life. But instinctively she knows Gil must be her secret. Who would believe a woman in her condition could meet such a man?

Dina and Gil enter a relationship where sexuality between them simmers, then boils over, all underpinned by exquisite tenderness and caring. When Dina finally tells Rachel of her relationship, her sister thinks that, due to the cancer medications, Dina is hallucinating and attempts to restrict Dina’s daily wanderings.

Dina’s health continues to deteriorate, even as she finds ways to see Gil. What a blessing that, at the end of her life, she has met a man who’s such an angel! But as fall turns to winter, the promise of love begins to unravel, and questions arise that require answers. Soon Dina and Gil are faced with all the ways in which their new love is forbidden. Will they be able to lasso a future together? The answer will surprise you.

Lasso the Stars is a tender, sensual and hopeful book, leaving the reader with ideas to ponder long after the last page is turned.

My Review:  This seems to be a difficult review for me to write.  The synopsis pretty much sums it up. Given I am struggling with this review, I will start with the positives.  I thought the overall storyline  was a very sweet/romantic different view of death.  I lost my mother to leukemia in 2006 and I hope that she found her angel and it was a man who loved her as much as we all loved her.  I have never read a book like Lasso the Stars and I liked the concept of it.  I did think I would cry a lot through Lasso the Stars, but actually only cried at the very end.  It is sad, because Dina is dying, but it is not a gut wrenching book.  Also, you know going into it that Dina is dying.

So what is bothering me about Lasso the Stars?  You know I hate this, but I have to be honest.  I couldn't figure out what time period the book took place in.  I think it is current time, based on the sister, Jill.  Her busy career, life, on the go, mother of young kids, etc. lead me to be think it was current time.  Also, the use of the cell phones.  However, when I think of Dina and Rachel, I think it was maybe 1940's?  It seems Dina never has experienced love, Rachel still living at home in a very naive way, her relationship/dating of the doctor, Dina's "relationship" with Gil, Gil and the doctor seemed very "old fashion." However, they had cell phones.  I just couldn't reconcile this silly little detail in my mind.  Usually things like this don't bother me.

Gil....I didn't care for him...wow, I can't believe I said that about an angel.  He was very hard for me to follow and understand.  I couldn't stand that he started out most his sentences with Y'all.  It confused me every time.  English/writing/grammar are not my strengths at all, but I believe "Y'all"  is not used properly through out the book.  For some reason, it "interrupted" my reading and didn't flow for me.

Overall, it is a good book and if you liked the synopsis....you will enjoy Lasso the Stars.

Meet the Author:  Linda Nielsen (L.L. Nielsen) lives in an old gold mining town in the Sierra Foothills.  She has been published in magazines and newspapers.  Her ideas are often developed while walking in the mountains close to her home.  her writing companion is a reformed feral cat named Tank.  This book was inspired by the insightful and eccentric stories told by friends she has known who have battled against cancer.

Purchase it:  You can purchase Lasso the Stars at Amazon for $14.99 ($7.99 Kindle version).

TLC Book Tours:  Please visit the other blogs below for additional reviews.  From what I have read so far, most highly recommend Lasso the Stars.


Monday, September 17th: Maureen’s Musings
Tuesday, September 18th: Never Too Fond of Books
Wednesday, September 19th: Life in Review
Monday, September 24th: Seaside Book Nook
Wednesday, September 26th: WV Stitcher
Monday, November 19th: StephTheBookworm
Tuesday, November 20th: she treads softly
Wednesday, November 21st: Sharon’s Garden of Book Reviews
Monday, November 26th: Lesa’s Book Critiques
Tuesday, November 27th: The Book Bag
Wednesday, November 28th: Knitting and Sundries
Thursday, November 29th: Paperback Princess
Friday, November 30th: But Doctor I hate Pink
Monday, December 3rd: Tina’s Book Reviews
Tuesday, December 4th: Mary’s Cup of Tea
Wednesday, December 5th: Sidewalk Shoes
Thursday, December 6th: Luxury Reading