Always Dakota (Dakota Series #3) (Mass Market Paperback)

by Debbie Macomber (Author)
Key Phrases: buffalo man, Always Dakota, Debbie Macomber, Buffalo Valley (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
A multifaceted tale of romance and deceit, the final installment of Macomber's Dakota trilogy (Dakota Born, Dakota Home) oozes with country charm and a strong sense of community spirit. Thanks to the arrival of enterprising newcomers, the once struggling farming town of Buffalo Valley, N.Dak., is now enjoying a revival. The marriage between Margaret Clemens, the only daughter of a longtime rancher, and outsider Matt Eilers symbolizes the town's metamorphosis. For any cowboy, Margaret would appear to be the catch of the town with her forthright demeanor and her recent inheritance of her father's prosperous ranch. What Matt has to offer besides his good looks is harder to discern, however. Smothering the weak flame of Matt and Margaret's attraction, Matt's scheming ex-girlfriend, Sheryl, announces that she is pregnant with his child. As Margaret and Matt grapple with issues of trust, other members of the community (familiar to those who have read the trilogy's earlier volumes) attempt to cope with a rebellious teenager, a fragile pregnancy and a kidnapping. Although Macomber excels at depicting believable characters, the romantic tension between Margaret and Matt is less than compelling. The real virtue of this narrative lies in Macomber's earnest portrayal of the people who inhabit this delightful town.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Description
Local rancher Margaret Clemens is taking a chance on happiness, and going after what she wants for a change. And what she wants is marriage to cowboy, Matt Eilers. Regardless of what her friends and family say, and despite all the rumors, Margaret wants Matt anyway. Oh . . . and she plans on having his baby, too.

Please join me for my third -- and final -- visit to Buffalo Valley, North Dakota. This town exists only in my imagination, but its spirit and sense of community are definitely real. Buffalo Valley resenbles many places in my family's history, and perhaps in yours. If you've been to Buffalo Valley before, I invite you to come and visit the friends you've met their; if not, prepare to make some new ones.

Buffalo Valley, North Dakota, has become a good place to live -- the way it used to be, thirty or fourty years ago. People here are feeling confident about the future again.

Stalled lives are moving forward. People are taking risks -- on new ventures and on lifelong dreams. On Happiness. And one of those people is local rancher Margaret Clemens, who's finally getting what she wants most. Marriage to cowboy Matt Eilers. Her friends dont think Matt's such a bargain; neither did her father. But Margaret's aware of Matt's reputation and his flaws. She wants him anyway. And she wants his baby . . .

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Mira (May 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1551668009
• ISBN-13: 978-1551668000
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #452,045 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This is item 3 in The Dakota Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Poignant, moving, compelling -- Very highly recommended, May 17, 2001

By	C. Penn "WordWeaving" (Greenville, SC) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

From the back of the book, a reader might expect just a simple love story between a man and a woman. So for those of us who didn't read the first two installments of this series, discovering this finely woven tapestry consisting of the multiple threads that bring together the townspeople of Buffalo Valley, North Dakota, creates a pleasant surprise.

The main characters, Margaret Clemens and Matt Eilers aren't exactly a love match. Margaret fell for him five years ago when Matt first came to town, but her lack of feminine grace prevents even a second glance. Raised by her widowed father and his six brothers, Margaret knows cattle as well as any ranch hand, but doesn't know her way around a kitchen or pantyhose.

The townsfolk of Buffalo Valley haven't take much to Matt, viewing him as shallow and conceited, despite his good looks. Margaret doesn't blind herself to his faults even when she proposes marriage, and knows that he accepts for the ranch they will share. Margaret knows there've been other women, but she underestimates the depths of deceit previous girlfriends might represent.

Matt's former girlfriend Sheryl proposes he marry Margaret just long enough to secure their financial future before he divorces her and they marry. Although Matt declines the plan, neither he nor Margaret realize the manipulations they are about to meet.

In addition to these terrific characters, other secondary characters create a wonderful depth. Axel, the little boy rescued from an abusive situation who will be torn from his rescuers and thrust into the foster system. Axel's parents who have their own secrets and flaws. Calla, the senior in high school, who plays one parent against another, not understanding what love really is. Calla's mother, who is pregnant and torn between the man she loves and the daughter who won't share. As characters emerge with their own story, the tapestry becomes rich, imaginative, and a marvelous reflection of life, in its most joyous aspects, as well as most painful.

ALWAYS DAKOTA is a deftly woven tapestry that is at once delicate with subtle nuances and bold with harsh realities. Like life, the resolutions aren't always what we want, but the realities and consequences of our choices are resolved with compassion, at times bringing tears to the eyes. Author Debbie Macomber threads are brilliant, beautiful, tawdry, and ugly, representing the beauty of life, as well as its baser counterpoint. Poignant, moving, compelling, ALWAYS DAKOTA comes very highly recommended.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read...., August 28, 2001

By A Customer

I have been reading Debbie Macomber for years and I enjoyed the Dakota series very much. Even though this book can stand alone I would recommend also reading the first two to get to know the secondary characters, the other members of the town. This was the best book in the series, even though I loved all three. I recently read all three in a row and I have to say that I am going to miss the characters of Buffalo Valley. I can't wait until next month when Buffalo Valley is released so that I can continue reading about these characters. I commend Ms. Macomber for creating a town and characters that you feel you know after reading about them. I highly recommend this series.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I dont want to leave Buffalo Valley!, November 10, 2001

By	"24heineck" (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This third novel was no exception to the rest of the trilogy. The novel was great, I can't even say I have a favorite, I love them all! I must say I will miss Buffalo Valley.

The excerpt says this novel is about Mat Eilers and Margaret Clemens, and it is although it would be more justifiably said that it was about the people of Buffalo Valley. Matt and Margaret were a great addition to the town and their story was well written.
Buffalo Bob, Merrily and Axel come back with a conclusion to the custody battle.
Sarah, Dennis and Calla return with their family feud.
Maddy and Jeb reflect on how good their family is turning out. Not to forget to mention Heath and Rachel, Joanie and Brandon, Hassie Knight, Joshua McKenna and plenty of others.
I will miss them all
A must read.