Michael Armstrong, the second of six brothers from Montana, is hell bent on stopping his father from acquiring another ranch. Leaving his comfy job in Illinois, he moves to Texas to help a woman, he knows nothing about. 
 
Rachael Mason is the sole owner of the R & R Ranch in Cedar Creek, Texas. Living her life in the moment, Rachael is reckless and dangerous. When the land next to hers is sold, she soon finds her new neighbor might just be the next distraction she is looking for. 

When unforeseen circumstances begin to threaten her livelihood, Rachael is forced to make a decision which could affect her whole way of life. With breath taking scenery, an old fashioned cattle drive, and the arrival of the rest of Armstrong Brothers, Michael and Rachael embark on a whirlwind of lies, deception, discovery and love.

A story of betrayal and greed. When the world is brought to its knees by a series of environmental disasters, simple commodities become valuable currency. Amidst the chaos, Alfie and Porter are forced to reevaluate their relationship as they are forced to choose between their friendship and the natural resources which are left. 

Title:  If Only They Knew
Author: Alex McCarthy
Genre: Fiction Thriller
Publisher: GerriCon Books
Novel
Reviewed by Bemiown


 


IF ONLY THEY KNEW by Alex McCarthy is a realistic view of the way we are headed. It
is a story of greed. It tells of the disasters in our environment and the fact
that the majority of it is caused by us. Yes, us. Humans. We are a greedy bunch.
When the disasters happen the world comes tumbling down and simple necessities
become very valuable. It's a story of two people and their relationship. How
they are put to the test between necessities and their
friendship.

The author ALEX McCARTHY, does a good job of making this book, IF ONLY THEY KNEW, a
rather dark sided important read. It makes us stop and think about what dangers
the human race is bringing upon life. The story goes on about friendships, the
ruination of life, and what our responsibilities may be. We don't stop and
think, we just do. There needs to be more consideration of our environment and
that includes people.

The book moves a little slow in places and it does need some editing. There are
spelling and grammar errors, but taking just the storyline, it is a thought
provoking tale. It makes you wonder if Global warming is actually taking over.
We have two ways, as the book shows, that can be taken. Naturally or man-made.
You wonder where YOUR responsibility lies. The book has a rather different
ending that what you would expect. No, I'm not going to tell, so go find
yourself a comfy, quiet place to read and reflect.

I'd give the book 2 stars, it had potential but it didn't really appeal to me.

The mid-40's are that time in a gay man's life when his major paradigm shifts from sexy to Sansabelts. But when Barry Grooms's partner of twenty years is killed on Barry's forty-fifth birthday, his world doesn't so much evolve as it does explode.

After navigating through the surreal conveyor belt of friends and family, he can't eat another casserole or swallow much more advice, and so, still numb, he escapes to Key West, then New York. He embraces a new mantra: Why the hell not?
 
First, he gets a thankless new job working for a crazy lady in a poncho, then has too many drinks with a narcissistic Broadway actor. Next, it's a nude exercise class that redefines flop sweat, and from there he's on to a relationship with a man twenty years his junior, so youthfully oblivious he thinks Karen Carpenter is a lesbian woodworker.
 
Yet no matter how great the retreat from the man he used to be, life's gravity spins Barry back to the town where he grew up for one more ironic twist that teaches him how to say goodbye with grace.

Cadence Bennett is a talented flutist who dreams of a  performance career.
Her father's rigid discipline has helped her to develop prodigious technique, but
her music lacks the emotion needed to make her truly great. She has always
avoided anything that might distract her from her studies, including men. When
the opportunity to audition for a woodwind trio comes up, she decides to
take a chance.

Chris Clements and Ryan Matias are handsome and talented. They
are the cofounders of the group Windswept who are searching for the right person
to complete their trio. Recognizing Cadence's potential, they ask her to join
them. Together they help Cadence unlock the passion in her music and in her
heart.

But just when her romance and her career are heating up,
Cadence's father steps in and threatens to bring it all to an end.