Customer Reviews

Cherish

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Catherine Anderson writes romances that are so powerful and finely nuanced that they transcend their genre (not that I'm knocking romances!), and this book is no exception. It is the story of Rebecca Morgan, a member of devout religious sect that firmly believes in non-violence and is traveling across the wilderness to settle in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Along the way they are attacked by a band of outlaws that brutal murder and rape all of the sect except Rebecca. She is rescued by Race Spencer, a poorly educated former gunslinger. The two could not be more different. She is very educated and refined whereas Race grew up in the worst sort of circumstances and has never had an opportunity to go to school or enjoy any other civilized amenities. Nevertheless, he is obviously very wise in the ways of the world and incredibly compassionate. He is immediately attracted to Rebecca but recognizes not only that they are from completely different worlds but also that Rebecca has grown unhealthly dependent upon him after her recent trama.

In any other book Race's mangled English would have driven me crazy, but Anderson does such a fine job of portraying Race's very practical common sense and understanding that it wasn't a distraction. In fact, I could appreciate the humor in Race and Rebecca's frequent misunderstandings. Rebecca's emotional fragility and irrational fears could be frustrating, but they are so realistic that they ring true. This is an unusual story, but one that most readers will really enjoy.

I was entranced from page one and I felt the murder-rape scene was mentioned only enough to portray what happened without going into long gory details. I fell in love with Race when he was talking to Rebecca and explaining to her why she had no reason to fear him. The way he allowed her to lean on him when she needed, yet gradually taught her to stand on her own was masterfully written. Even though some of the subject matter is disturbing, Ms. Anderson uses enough humor that the book itself is far from disturbing. I cried a time or two when I was reading this, but I laughed almost constantly. Also, I will never read Keats again without thinking of Rebecca! Thank you, Ms. Anderson. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

This story is very well written and had me captivated from start to finish. Terrible things happen to good people and faiths are tested. However, out of a tragedy something good emmerges (Race and Rebbecca, who are are one of those couples you just love to cheer for). Race manages with patience and kindness to overcome some of Rebecca's fears. I especially like the scene where Race finally makes love to Rebbecca. It was handled with just the right mix of humor, passion and love.

I found Cherish to be a bit slower than the author's other books, and a bit more violent. There was always an impending sense of doom. Nevertheless, I fell in love with Race, who was a hero with sharp edges. He shows Rebecca patience when she needs it, and seems to know when to push her when she appears to be falling apart. I especially liked the love scene between them. I almost laughed out loud when the heroine talks about Keats and Race's "manly business."

Okay, so this wasn't a horrible book, but it was frustrating to read. The subject matter, including rape, murder, and beatings, was intense and created a pervasive sense of doom. Understandably, the heroine reacts to the trauma in her life with fear and crying spells, however, the extensive focus on this prevented the relationship between the hero and heroine to be developed and explored. The hero sees the heroine in the midst of the carnage of rape and murder and immediately falls in love with her waif-like beauty. She in turn falls in love with his strength and ability to protect her. While the heroine does gain some strength at the end, it would be nice to read about a woman who has experienced violence or trauma and was able to overcome it and become stronger, more competent and independent on her own, or with a man's support instead of because a man protected and took care of her. While I did finish this book, I must admit I did so with relief that it was over. I have read other books by this author which I have enjoyed, this just wasn't one of them.

This book is very well-written, believe me. The trademark Catherine Anderson stamp is there. However, reading this book is NOT an easy chore.

The book opens with a brutal murder-rape scene with the heroine witnessing the massacre of her parents and friends. The hero rescues her after a long, bloody shootout with the outlaws, and the book never stops in its unremitting feel of danger. Every quiet moment the two share seems to be on borrowed time, as the outlaws continue to haunt them. A 12 year old got senselessly murdered, people got beaten up badly, and when I reach the end, it's with a sense of relief, not satisfaction.

Catherine Anderson writes well about the healing powers of love, but for me, this book is really dark and morbid. I'll pass.

Rebecca Morgan goes into shock when her family is murdered in front of her. Race Spencer comes to her rescue and thinks she looks like an angel. He takes care of her in her while she is in need of protection and he soon falls in love with her. The story moves fast. It's funny despite all the bad things that happen. The characters are endearing and likeable. Rebecca seems is so afraid, but Race helps her to become a stronger person. They help each other to become stronger people. The ending was good. There's a nice epilogue, too.

I was hesitant initally to read this book because reviews had mentioned the violence, etc. However, I found that overall this is a very good book! The characters & story are well written. The issues of violence, religion and personal choice are well done & thought provoking.

This was a wonderful, heartwarming book. I loved the descriptions, they were so descriptive that I could see it all before me. Catherine Anderson is a great author and Cherish lives up to her clame to fame. The hero Race Spencer, despite a painful past, is so sweet you will want him for yourself. And Rebecca, while fragile in appearance, is stronger than she thinks. Read it, you won't be disapointed.

It took more than 150 pages for Catherine Anderson to live up to her other novels. I almost did not finish it because the format was so dense and descriptive. However, halfway through the dialogue and communication between the two main characters accelerated and in the end it was worth reading. I look forward to Catherine's next novel and hopefully it will be as good as Annie's Song.