Book Review: Indelible (A Novel)

Trevor McDaniel, a former Olympian and local celebrity, spends his days leading adventure-seekers in a small Colorado town. But in his spare time, he and his business partner join local officials in extreme search and rescue cases. And when he rescues a small two year old boy from the jaws of a mountain lion, his world collides with the boys aunt and local artist, Natalie.

Trevor is accustomed to being rescuer and savior, and Natalie and her nephew Cody afford many opportunities to be just that. Indelible, by Kristen Heitzmann, is a story about gifts and curses, strengths and weakness. And they are hidden and found in surprising places as Trevor and Natalie form a strong bond entwined with chemistry.

Heitzmann creates characters and a story line that draw and compel the reader. Trevor and Natalie are complex people, who both have experienced personal tragedy and trials in their pasts; because of this, they they are drawn to each other and provide the healing and help that the other has been searching for.

That being said, I thought her writing style taxing and confusing at times; and I found myself re-reading sections because I didn't follow her train of thought. And I admit that after reading the first paragraph (below), I was set on my guard for a not-so-great read (and it reminded me of the website How to Write Badly Well).

A veined bolt of lightning sliced the ozone-scented sky as Trevor plunged down the craggy slope, dodging evergreen spires like slalom poles. Rocks and gravel spewed from his boots and caromed off the vertical pitch.

While I appreciate an extensive vocabulary, I also appreciate the words of Winston Churchill when he said, "Short words are the best, and old words when short are best of all."

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.