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32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful Story - Lively and Endearing Characters, July 30, 2006
This review is from: Letter Perfect (California Historical Series #1) (Paperback)
LETTER PERFECT was for this reviewer an introduction to a new author who impressed me with her lovely story of faith, love and filled with characters that will warm your heart.
Ruth Caldwell is a young woman of uncommon beauty and kindness who unfortunately has a penchant for creating chaos --- but only with the best intentions. As a result, she has been sent home from her latest `finishing school'. Home once again, Ruth is dismayed to discover that her beloved mother is ailing and has been for some time. It doesn't take Ruth long to realize that her ailing mother is in fact dying, and she extracts from Ruth a promise that upon her death, Ruth will travel to meet the father she's never seen.
After an arduous three week stage coach ride Ruth, who attracts smudges and dirt like a magnet, gets off the stagecoach and is met by Josh McCain who is at first dismayed that she has shown up bedraggled and all. Knowing that her very existence threatens his family's claim to the ranch he has brought back from near ruin, he urges her to claim her inheritance. When Ruth, the accident-prone misfit starts to have more serious accidents than can be explained, Josh begins to uncover a sinister plot that will have serious repercussions for all concerned and realizes at the same time that he's fallen in love with Ruth.
This was a lively and endearing tale that had me both laughing and crying throughout. It was well-written with witty dialog, a sustainable intrigue and positively brilliant characterizations of the leading players and secondary ones as well. Ruth was a gal after my own heart. I fully empathized with her bumbling through life with only the best of intentions and somewhat disastrous results. She may have been a bumblebroth in many things but in her self-effacing loving support and kindness towards Josh's sister Laney and towards all she meets, she was heaven sent. Josh, while not depicted as a warrior hero, was a hero nonetheless in my mind as he wore his honor in being a true Christian in his clear support of Ruth's claim to the detriment of his own family's interest. This was a beautiful story of faith and love and one that I could consider as a keeper to read again.
Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization
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18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
So good!, July 20, 2006
This review is from: Letter Perfect (California Historical Series #1) (Paperback)
How do I begin to tell you about this charming, engaging book? Ruth Caldwell does not have a letter-perfect life. Ruth has been sent home from yet another finishing school; at least it is home with Mama who loves her just as she is. Home is full of love, laughter, and acceptance--no worries about social graces, poetry readings, or hairpins.
Mama never seems to see Ruth's flaws. In her presence, Ruth doesn't mind being tall, clumsy, and free-thinking. Unfortunately, Mama is very ill. The only other person to care for 17-year-old Ruth is her father, Alan Caldwell. Alan sent Mama back to Jefferson City shortly after their marriage and he is unaware of Ruth's existence. On her deathbed, Mama makes Ruth promise to find her father in California.
Ruth fulfills her promise, and sets out to the Broken P Ranch near Sacramento. The year is 1859. In California, that means small, dusty towns, stagecoaches, and the Pony Express. But what does it mean for a woman, especially a woman like Ruth? It means, "'Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.' Ruth, there's a whole symphony out there--but the players only care about themselves and making impressions on others. Your open-hearted honesty is precious to God...Never apologize for staying true to who God created you to be."
Ruth's missteps, miscues, and mistakes make this book a hoot to read. If that's not enough, there's also adventure, romance, and mystery. Christian readers will more than appreciate the strong faith that characterizes Ruth and her friends. It is clear that Christ makes all the difference, whatever the circumstances--to Him be the glory!
Armchair Interviews says: Highly recommend Letter Perfect, a very fun to read book!
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining Historical Fiction, February 23, 2007
This review is from: Letter Perfect (California Historical Series #1) (Paperback)
Seeing as this book has gotten mixed reviews I wasn't sure what I would think. I'm not a huge fan of Christian fiction, but I picked up this book initially because the back cover sounded interesting.
I did enjoy the story, Ruth a bumbling imperfect lady who is sent to California and could claim part of the ranch the McCain family has come to own, and I thought the characters and setting were wonderfully rich. I liked that the author included a lot of historical facts to make here setting rich and colorful-such as the building of the railroad, an upcoming election, the Pony Express. I also thought the twist in the plot was a great one-although it did become a little forced and too crazy in the end and I felt it took awhile to get there. I didn't mind the extra subplot about the O'Sullivan's as they are main characters for the authors next book.
As far as what I didn't like, I found the book to be overly preachy at times. The characters acted and spoke in ways that the perfect Christian characters would which at times I found a little annoying. I also thought the story dragged a bit and that the characters talked in circles a lot-will Ruth claim the ranch, yes, no, yes no-I didn't understand why it was taking so long for that part to develop!
All in all, the story is a good one and worth reading. The characters are beautiful-even if they are sometimes too perfect-and the twist in the story makes it worthwhile. I fail to call it a romance as the romance is very subtle and seems to come on suddenly, but it is rich historical fiction. I am looking forward to reading the author's next novel, Bittersweet, as it revolves around Laney and Galen. If you are looking for a wholesome, fun read, than Letter Perfect is something you will enjoy.
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