Title: After the Music
Author: Diana Palmer
First published March 25, 1998
157 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781551664521 (ISBN10: 1551664526)
Rating: 3.91
Overview
La Ultima Cancion by Diana Palmer is a heart-wrenching tale of love and loss. When country music superstar Casey Elder returns to her hometown, she never expects to run into her former flame, rancher Walker McKnight.
But as they reconnect, they both realize that their past is still very much present. With secrets and misunderstandings threatening to tear them apart, Casey and Walker must decide if their love is worth fighting for.
Set against the backdrop of small-town Texas, La Ultima Cancion will have you rooting for these two lost souls as they navigate the bittersweet melody of their past and present. Available now for purchase.
About the Author
Diana Palmer is actually the pen name of Susan Kyle, a talented romance author. Born on December 11, 1946 in Cuthbert, Georgia, USA, Susan was raised by her mother, Maggie Eloise Cliatt, a nurse and journalist, and her father, William Olin Spaeth, a college professor.
Susan’s mother was part of the women’s liberation movement before it was popular. Her sister, Dannis Spaeth (Cole), is her best friend and lives in Utah with her two daughters, Amanda Belle Hofstetter and Maggie.
Susan’s passion for cowboys began when she fell in love with Zane Grey’s books as a child. Before becoming a writer, Susan worked as a newspaper reporter for 16 years, writing for both daily and weekly newspapers.
She married James Kyle in 1972 and they have a son, Blayne Edward, who was born in 1980.
Susan began her writing career in 1979 under the pseudonym Diana Palmer. She also used the names Diana Blayne and Katy Currie, as well as her married name, Susan Kyle.
To date, her books have sold over 40 million copies worldwide and have been translated into various languages. She has been recognized in several publications, including Contemporary Authors by Gale Research, Inc., Twentieth Century Romance and Historical Writers by St. James Press, and The Writers Directory by St. James Press, among others.
Her impressive list of accolades includes seven Waldenbooks national sales awards, four B. Dalton national sales awards, two Bookrak national sales awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award for series storytelling from Romantic Times, as well as several Affaire de Coeur awards and two regional RWA awards.
Susan went back to college at the age of 45, inspired by her husband who quit his blue-collar manufacturing job to pursue computer programming. In 1995, she graduated summa cum laude from Piedmont College, Demorest, GA, majoring in history with a double minor in archaeology and Spanish.
She was named to the Torch Club and Alpha Chi honor societies and was recognized on the National Dean’s List. Currently, she is working on her master’s degree in history at California State University, with a focus on Native American studies.
She is a member of several organizations, including the Native American Rights Fund, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Archaeological Institute of Amenca, among others. Susan enjoys several hobbies, such as gardening, archaeology, anthropology, iguanas, astronomy, and music.
Susan’s husband retired from his computer business in 1998 and now competes in skeet shooting. They enjoy driving around and admiring the countryside, watching sci-fi movies and TV shows, talking, and dining out.
Editoral Review
After the Music by Diana Palmer is a riveting romance novel that was first published on March 25, 1998. Diana Palmer is a prolific American author who has become a household name in the romance genre.
Her books have been translated into several languages and sold all around the world, making her a best-selling author. After the Music tells the story of Amanda Callaway, a successful journalist who has just inherited a cattle ranch from her late grandfather.
When Amanda arrives at the ranch, she is met with hostility from the ranch’s foreman, Rick Rourke, who believes that Amanda is not fit to manage the ranch. However, as Amanda gets to know Rick better, she realizes that he is a complex and wounded man who is struggling to come to terms with his past.
As their relationship develops, Amanda and Rick must confront their own demons and overcome the obstacles that threaten to tear them apart. The novel is set in the modern-day United States, and it deals with issues of love, loss, family, and self-discovery.
The plot develops gradually, allowing the reader to get to know the characters and their motivations. Palmer’s writing is clear and concise, making it easy for the reader to follow the story without getting lost in overly complicated plot twists.
One of the strengths of the novel is the character development. Palmer does an excellent job of creating realistic and relatable characters who embody the complexities of human nature.
Amanda and Rick are well-rounded characters with distinct personalities, and their interactions are full of the tension and chemistry that make for a compelling romance. The supporting characters, such as Amanda’s mother and Rick’s sister, are also well-developed and add depth to the story.
Another strength of the novel is the pacing. The plot moves at a steady pace, building up to a satisfying climax without rushing the reader or dragging out the story unnecessarily.
Palmer’s writing style is engaging and descriptive, creating a vivid and immersive setting that transports the reader to the rugged beauty of the ranch and the small town nearby. Despite its strengths, After the Music does have some weaknesses.
The plot is somewhat predictable, and some aspects of the story feel clichd or formulaic. Additionally, the novel lacks some of the complexity and nuance that you might find in other romance novels.
Despite its flaws, After the Music is a romantic and enjoyable read that will appeal to fans of the genre. Palmer’s writing is polished and engaging, and her characters are memorable and relatable.
Overall, I would give After the Music a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars. If you enjoy romance novels with strong character development and a satisfying ending, you should definitely give this book a try.
