Harriet Klausner's Review Archive
“Whispering by Moonlight” by Teresa Bodwell. In 1862 Isabelle Milton finds herself broke working part-time in a saloon that does not need her help in Hell Gate, Washington Territory. Lucas Warring enters the saloon looking for his wastrel brother Matt, but learns his sibling has run off with miners. The saloonkeeper and his wife, the Havermans, persuade Lucas to take Isabelle to his ranch as a cook. As the northwest suffers from a frozen winter, they fall in love while learning how to stay warm.
“The Reluctant Hero” by Lorraine Heath. In 1884 Gallant, Texas, dime novelist Andrea Jackson chooses Sheriff Matthew Knight as her next hero. However, he refuses to talk about his escapades to The Lone Star Lily author. Desperate, Andrea decides to seduce the scowl off his face, and the words from his brain, but he persists in saying he is no hero as he has a debt to pay off.
These are three great western romances starring brave somewhat desperate females and strong men who melt when their ladies turn up the heat.
All Things Hidden Kathy Herman Multnomah, Mar 2006, $12.99 ISBN: 1590524896
From Ocala, Florida Sybil Armstrong calls Ellen Jones to tell her that she is worried about the latter’s eighty-seven years old father Lawrence Madison whose mind is slipping. Ellen tells her spouse Guy who thinks his dad Roland and her father should move in together at Seaport assisted living community. Roland’s mind is sharp, but he suffers from arthritis while Lawrence struggles with memory loss, but physically he is fine. Ellen thinks her dad has forgotten everything except the grudge he has held against her for four decades because she chose to attend college and work while he demanded she select marriage and raise a family. Her adult sons and her husband think she did both admirably.
Lawrence wanders out of Seaport place by himself and is found at a murder scene that he may be the only witness to. Ellen worries that the killer will come after her helpless dad who in spite of his harsh condemnation of her, she loves with all her heart. Whereas she used to pray for the patience of Job, Ellen realizes her pride and her inability to forgive cost her as she reaps what she sowed for it is too late to tell her dad, suffering from Alzheimer’s, that she loves him.
The third Seaport inspirational tale (see A SHRED OF EVIDENCE and EYE OF THE BEHOLDER) is a superb story that warns readers to show those they love how they feel while they still can. Ellen is a terrific protagonist learns through her granddaughter to turn the other cheek and show her love, but too late for her dad to understand.. The support cast, mostly her extended family, augment a deep relational novel.