One Wish [Mass Market Paperback]

Linda Lael Miller (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2000

New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller gave readers "a gift to treasure" (Romantic Times) with her acclaimed Springwater Seasons novels. Now, once again capturing the spirit of early America, she delivers a marvelous tale of love, family loyalty, and passionate desire on the Western frontier -- where fairy tales sometimes do come true.

She was the only child of a rich and powerful rancher. He was the son of a drunken ne'er-do-well. But when eleven-year-old Luke Shardlow rescued eight-year-old Charity Barnham from drowning, she promised him one wish...any wish his heart might desire.

Fifteen years later, Charity and Luke meet once more, but the gulf between them seems as wide as ever. Charity is engaged to a neighboring rancher her father has chosen for her. Luke still seems to be a Shardlow to the core -- a drifter, maybe even an outlaw, on a road to nowhere. But things are not always what they appear, for Luke has a few secrets to hide. And as a sweet, sensual passion begins to grow between them, Luke and Charity discover that the only wish either of them long to fulfill is to spend a sweet eternity in each other's arms -- no matter the cost.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Magical. Ms. Miller touches our hearts again in a very special way. Do not miss this wonderful story. -- Old Book Barn Gazette

From the Back Cover

She was the only child of a rich and powerful rancher. He was the son of a drunken ne'er-do-well. But when eleven-year-old Luke Shardlow rescued eight-year-old Charity Barnham from drowning, she promised him one wish . . . any wish his heart might desire.

Fifteen years later, Charity and Luke meet once more, but the gulf between them seems as wide as ever. Charity is engaged to a neighboring rancher her father has chosen for her. Luke still seems to be a Shardlow to the core a drifter, maybe even an outlaw, on a road to nowhere. But things are not always what they appear, for Luke has a few secrets to hide. And as a sweet, sensual passion begins to grow between them, Luke and Charity discover that the only wish either of them longs to fulfill is to spend a sweet eternity in each other's arms no matter the cost.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Books (February 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671537865
• ISBN-13: 978-0671537869
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #53,584 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #9 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Romance > Authors, A-Z > ( M ) > Miller, Linda Lael

More About the Author

In January of 2006, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Linda Lael Miller left the Arizona horse property she's called home for the past five years and listened to the call of her heart. Packing up her work-in-progress for HQN Books; her dogs, Sadie and Bernice, and her four horses, the author of more than 70 novels bid farewell to her home in the desert and returned to the place of her birth, Spokane, Washington.
The daughter of a town marshal, Linda grew up in Northport, WA, a community of 500 on the Columbia River, 120 miles north of Spokane. Her childhood remembrances include riding horses and playing cowgirl on her grandparents' nearby farm. Her grandparents' spread was so rustic that in the early days it lacked electricity and running water.

As delightful as this childhood was, Linda longed to see the world. After graduating as valedictorian of her high school class, she left to pursue her dream. Because of the success of her author career, Linda was able to live part-time in London for several years, spend time in Italy and travel to such far-off destinations as Russia, Hong Kong and Israel. Now, Linda says, the wanderlust is (mostly) out of her blood, and she's come full circle, back to the people and the places she knows and loves.

Before Linda begins her writing day, she takes her first cup of coffee while enjoying the scenic view of the wooded draw behind her new home. The first morning there, a snowfall blanketed the pine trees, something she had missed in the desert outside Scottsdale. Still enamored with the people she came to love in Arizona, she says she will still set books in that starkly beautiful area, and, of course, in other stories the action will take place in Washington.

Devoted to helping others pursue their dreams, the author will launch her sixth round of Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women in May of this year. A talented speaker, she donates all her speaking honoraria to her scholarship fund. The stipends are awarded to women who seek to better their lot in life through education.

It's no wonder the protagonists in Miller's novels are women her readers admire for their honor, courage, trustworthiness, valor and determination to succeed, despite overwhelming odds. 'These qualities make them excellent role models for young women,' Miller explains. 'The male leads possess equally noble traits that today's woman would be delighted to find in her life's mate.'

The author traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she made her first sale.

Although Linda has written successfully in other genres, she is best known for stories set in the West'stories like McKETTRICK'S CHOICE (HQN Books March 2006 paperback); THE MAN FROM STONE CREEK (HQN, June 2006 hardcover) and that very first novel, FLETCHER'S WOMAN, which is being reissued in 2006. Her stories, set in yesterday's world, and today's, are historical romances, romantic thrillers, and other contemporary tales. They consistently score on prestigious national bestseller lists.

Linda has come a long way since leaving her sheltered life in Northport at age 18 to experience the world. 'Growing up in that time and place, in a family grounded in Western values, served me well,' she allows. 'And I'm happy to be back home.'

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

63 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great romance by one of the genre's supersstars, January 26, 2000

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: One Wish (Mass Market Paperback)

In the Washington Territory of 1874, eleven year old Luke Shardlow watches in disbelief as eight-year-old Charity Barham wades into the dangerous water. He barely manages to save the younger child from drowning. Charity explains to a bewildered Luke that she was seeing a magic frog. She grants her rescuer ONE WISH, but he walks away without using it. Not too long after that, Luke's dad is hanged for killing his wife. Luke and his vile half-brother Vance are forced to leave town.

In 1889, Luke is a bounty hunter. His latest effort is to bring Vance, wanted for vicious robberies, to justice. This brings Luke home where he meets the beautiful Charity and an attraction immediately erupts between them. However, she is the daughter of the wealthiest rancher in the region and he is the son of killer. Her father rejects his bloodlines and pushes his daughter to wed her fiancé, neighbor Raoul Montego.

ONE WISH is an entertaining Americana romance that shows why Linda Lael Miller has remained one of the giantesses of industry for the past decade. The story line is crisp and filled with family conflict that ultimately boils down to Charity deciding between her love for Luke vs. her family's expectations. The characters are an interesting group as they interact with each other and the lead protagonists to propel the tale forward. This novel is another triumph for sub-genre fans.

Harriet Klausner

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars one wish is enough to find love, April 3, 2000

By 

"deltas_roses" - See all my reviews

This review is from: One Wish (Mass Market Paperback)

I picked this book up on a rainy Sunday morning and was so taken away by it. I had read it all by mid-afternoon. This is another small town where two kids meet by accident. Little Charity offers a kiss or a wish. Young Luke not very excited about a kiss says he will save his wish for another time.

15 years later, they meet again. He was a poor soul with a bad reputation... now grown up, rough, rugged and handsome. Charity is still young at heart looking for magic under every rock.

The characters are very well developed and it is wonderful to read about them falling in love. The test of faith is will they stay together. It has all the details of a western town... cattle ranchers, gunslingers, stubborn father, the saloon, and a gold shipment robbery.

I felt wonderful when I finished because I felt so taken with the idea that the WISH was hanging over them. They did not need it but it helped secure their happiness. If you like this book then you will also enjoy her Springwater series.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sooooo Sweet, February 24, 2000

By 

"destynee" - See all my reviews

This review is from: One Wish (Mass Market Paperback)

I just finished reading this book about 5 minutes ago and i loved it! i mean i laid in bed thinking i will just read a chapter and then go to bed pretty soon 10 hours had gone by and i had read the whole book. it keeps your attention. Charity is sooo stubborn and wonderful! And Luke is one of those charaters that you just fall in love with and makes you want a guy like that.. This is on my top favorite books list.