2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Courting Claire is a touching story set along the Ohio River, October 14, 1999
This review is from: Courting Claire (Mass Market Paperback)
Courting Claire is Linda O'Brien's second book under this name, although she had two other titles under her own name of Linda Eberhardt. Courting Claire is an American historical, set in late-nineteenth century Indiana, along the banks of the Ohio River. This story flows as smoothly as the river that is central to its plot and is a thoroughly enjoyable read that I can highly recommend.
Claire Cavanaugh is about to graduate from college when she learns her step-father has died. She quickly retrieves her sister Emily from the special school for the blind that she attends and they book passage on a river boat known as the Lady Luck to take them back home to Fortune. That boat happens to be owned by Tyler McCane who, after saving Emily's life and seeing the sisters safely home, goes into partnership with Claire's archenemy in an attempt to steal her home out from under her and turn it into an inn catering to the river boat business they plan to build.
Of course, Tyler is intrigued by Claire from the beginning. She has the strength and intelligence to beat the bank trying to foreclose on her home and starts taking in boarders to pay the bills. An interesting cast of secondary characters, including Emily, Tyler's friend Jonas, and the new housekeeper Lulu, add great dimension and depth to the plot. These are likable people that I grew to care about and, for whom Linda was able to create interesting and believable twists and turns.
The evil-doer, Reginald Boothe, has enough history with Claire and her family to make his drive for revenge believable. I am never entirely sure why he has such overwhelming and far-reaching power in this town, other than the fact that it was a small town, he was the president of the bank, and a really conniving, bad dude. But, he is certainly bad and does it well.
The internal struggles that cause Claire and Tyler to doubt each other and the love that develops between them adds to the external struggles they face to save her home. The similarity of their wounded souls gives them a base for understanding, but also allows each to teach the other to trust and love. This is a strong story with good characters that I believe you will find enchanting - don't miss it!
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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another winner!, November 19, 2000
This review is from: Courting Claire (Mass Market Paperback)
I have read (and kept) all Ms. O'Brien's books (including those written as Linda Eberhardt) and find each is totally enchanting. She sets scenes with such finesse, you feel as if you are right there. She is a master at dialogue and characterization. Absolutely first rate. And her dashes of humor are the icing on the cake of a great love story. While I'd pick "Courting Claire" as my favorite so far, I have never been disappointed in any of her books, so it's difficult to pick one over the other. Linda O'Brien is a rising star due to her talent and I'm confident that readers who loves romance will love her books.
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