Plum Creek Bride (Harlequin Historical) [Paperback]

Lynna Banning (Author)

Book Description

Series: Harlequin Historical | Publication Date: July 1, 1999

PLUM CREEK BRIDE

Erika Scharf Had Always Followed Her Heart

Now it had led her to America, and a tortured man with a motherless infant. But would the widowed Dr. Jonathan Callender ever recover from his grief?

Whatever drove him had died with his young wife—or so it seemed to Jonathan Callender. He knew only that nothing mattered anymore—until the day a German whirlwind disguised as the very determined Erika Scharf charged into his life—and made his heart live again.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

German immigrant Erika Scharf arrives in Plum Creek to be a mother's helper for the Callender's baby but upon her arrival she learns that the mother has died. Doctor Jonathan Callender allows Erika to stay and she immediately realizes that he has no interest in his infant daughter. At first Jonathan has more on his mind than Erika, like cleaning up the town's polluted water system. Erika does a few minor things that capture Jonathan's attention, but it is more irksome to him especially when she begins to play his deceased wife's harp. Town gossip is the main reason Jonathan marries Erika but one night when he loses a young patient to cholera, Jonathan goes home and tells her he does not want to be alone. Their life as husband and wife truly begins that night but later, when Erika comes down with the deadly cholera, how many more nights will they have? Jonathan does all he can to save her life, but is it enough? Erika is an endearing character but Jonathan is not as clearly drawn. I questioned whether he truly loved Tess, his first wife. I sensed that he did and that it was his deep grief that caused him to resent her for having a baby and dying. Erika angered him when she ruined Tess's garden and played her harp yet later on it seemed that he resented Tess for caring more about her possessions. Did he conclude that Tess was shallow? In addition, when it comes to Erika he seems to resent her for having other interests besides him. It is not until the end of the book that Jonathan redeems himself, but by then it was a little too late. Gloria Miller -- Copyright © 1999 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From Literary Times

Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin (July 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373290748
• ISBN-13: 978-0373290741
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,158,981 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I was born in Oregon, raised in northern California (Watsonville) and attended Scripps College. Married; worked as an editor; divorced; worked as a high school English and journalism teacher; re-married; worked as an editor for aerospace firm.
Took early retirement and started writing historical romance fiction;
widowed 1999. Still writing.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An inspiring tale of courage, patience and love, August 27, 1999

By 

Sharon Galligar Chance (Wichita Falls, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Plum Creek Bride (Harlequin Historical) (Paperback)

After the death of her parents, young, beautiful, and headstrong Erika Scharf travels alone from Germany to Plum Creek, Oregon, to take a position as a Mother's Helper. Upon her arrival, Erika discovers a house full of grief, as the woman who hired her has just passed away during childbirth, leaving a distraught husband and a fussy baby girl. Erika has her work cut out for her as she convinces the young Dr. Callender that he and his child need her.

Jonathan Callender's life is in turmoil. The death of his wife left him with a tiny baby he doesn't quite know what to do with. Distracted by his own grief and a wailing child, Jonathan all but decided the best thing to do would be to send the child to his mother in Scotland. Then help arrives in the form of a beautiful, determined German whirlwind named Erika. Little did Jonathan realize that Erika would not only care for and love his child, but she would also restore his own heart. It will take Erika's unselfish acts of love and sacrifice to make Jonathan understand that she is the soulmate he's been searching for.

"Plum Creek Bride" is an inspiring tale of courage, patience and love. Lynna Banning has taken two totally opposite characters in the form of Erika and Jonathan, and brought them together through a fascinating journey. Overcoming grief, prejudice and ignorance, these two people find a joy and love that will last throughout their lives. Fans of Banning's previous historical romances will not be disappointed with this touching new novel.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful blending of pathos and humor, August 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Plum Creek Bride (Harlequin Historical) (Paperback)

The well-told tale of German immigrant Erika Scharf and Oregon doctor Jonathan Callendar combines witty dialogue, drama, heartwrenching emotional struggle, and Ms. Banning's customary strong writing. Readers will cheer for the plucky heroine as she tames an embittered hero.

Superbly plotted. Outstanding writing. Ms. Banning is a master of the evocative phrase.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars VERY GOOD STORY!, January 12, 2002

By 

M. Hartmann "abayyan" (Milan, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Plum Creek Bride (Harlequin Historical) (Paperback)

Although not as emotionaly intense as I would have liked --
Jonathan seemed to be on a verge of an exhaustion breakdown which is certainly understandable when he has to fight the prejudice of a townspeople who didn't want change. Not even to save their own lives.

And Ericka, a loving, steady young woman who wanted to be a good mama and whatever else to bring about family unity. But why do women worry about losing their identities? It certainly shows a lack of self confidence -- all they have to do is make their own identy within their realm of life. And always add love. Ericka's greatest strength.
I really loved her solution to the baby's problem with cows milk.

Altogether a perfectly satisfying story with great characters - would have like to hear of more interaction with the "forbidden" indians -- and somebody should have slapped the Mayor's wife a time or two but her character was so life like.