On Tour and a Giveaway: Lasso the Stars by L.L. Nielsen

“As life seems to be fading, the hope you need to survive may be all in your head. Lasso the Stars is a novel following weakening cancer patient Dina, who has little hope for survival. When Gil enters her life, a literal angel turned cowboy, Dina finds love and hope once more, a relationship that no one around her believes is real. A spiritual romance with a thoughtful message, Lasso the Stars is a choice read for anyone seeking romance with a divine twist, much recommended.” – Midwest Book Review, Book Watch, March 2012, Reviewer: Michael Dunford

Dina’s life is nearing its end. But for Dina, the end is really just the beginning. For months, she’s been fighting terminal cancer. She’s finally resigned herself to preparing for the final stages. Her last few weeks are going to be with her sisters, sharing the happy memories of a life well spent.

Men are the last thing on her mind. That is, until an afternoon walk along a dusty, country road brings her face to face with an angel. Only this angel is nothing like Dina ever pictured angels would be. ‘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.”

Preferring boots and spurs to harps and wings, Gil takes Dina horseback riding. She begins to feel new energy surge through her. And before she realizes it, Dina falls head over heels for Gil. Gil is falling for her too, but his secret identity may get in the way of his feelings.

Gil knows he can’t hide who he is for much longer. But how can he tell her? Are angels even allowed to fall in love with humans? When Gil leaves to find answers, Dina is devastated. She confides in her sisters, but they think her cancer meds made her dream up the whole relationship. Even though Dina knows the truth, she’s growing weaker every day, and the only one who can help her has disappeared.

Will tonight’s sky be the last one she looks upon? Or will Gil Lasso the Stars for Dina? ~~ synopsis from author's website

My thoughts about Lasso the Stars ~~

Once again, a cover captured my attention, but oh my, there is such a beautiful story inside this cover as well. Lasso the Stars is a wonderful, spiritual story about a woman dying of cancer. Dina has an angel who has been watching over her, her entire life. He is there for her now during her final days. This story of her last days and what she experiences is one of hope and serenity.

I don't consider myself a real spiritual person but this book gave me peace about what comes after this life and about our transition from one place to the next. Lasso the Stars is not a religious, preachy book but a beautiful love story. There is the love of Dina and Will, her angel, but also the love of Dina and her sisters.

Normally as I read books, I tab passages in the book that speak to me or that I wonder about. Seriously, I marked more spots in this book than any other book I have ever read. There are just so many beautiful lines in this book. Here are just a few that I enjoyed ~~.

'Life can be a tangle of emotions or sweet as honey, but usually Miss Dina, it's everythin' in between.'

'Halos are for children. They're a starting place. As you grow, the light comes inside, and you shine from within.'

'When you have time to appreciate the small things is when you're dying. That's when you become keenly aware of the world around you because you know it's all going away. There's a message in what I just said. There is also an injustice.'

'It's hard to live in this world and be so close to the next world at the same time. A person can only truly be in one place.'

Lasso the Stars is such a beautiful, peaceful story, about life, love, death and angels. And I do believe in angels!

About the author

Lasso the Stars was born in the Pastures of Heaven, a small peaceful valley between Monterey and Salinas, California, made famous by John Steinbeck. But the book actually began much earlier, when two dear friends passed away from cancer. They often said they could either give in or fight. Both chose to wage a courageous battle; they became more spiritual; saw what others couldn't see. The thoughts they shared stayed with me.

I took up walking along the curving, dusty road that ran the length of the valley in the Pastures of Heaven. I discovered a run-down corral, a horse named Destiny and an old gate that led nowhere. Words and feelings continued to surface in my mind and an idea formed. Armed with memories of my friends and charged with a new responsibility to honor my friends’ lives and perceptions, I began the journey of writing my first novel.

Eventually, I filed the manuscript and pursued other endeavors, until I moved to the Sierra Foothills. There, daily walking the old mountain roads, memories of my friends once again joined me and Lasso the Stars came out of seclusion, took flight and comes to you, now, on angel’s wings.

Connect with Linda

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I received a copy of this book for the TLC Book Tour in exchange for my honest opinion.