Customer Reviews

Prairie Moon (Beeler Large Print Series)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Though she has lived a rough and scandalous life, Della Ward has been drilled in the ways of proper society. Despite this, she is drawn to gunslinger Cameron, who appears on her doorstep one day with a last message from her late husband.

The beautiful, young widow has been haunted by her husband's death for years, and by the mistake of giving up her child to her in laws to raise. When Cameron convinces her to go and just see her daughter, even if only from a distance, they set out on a perilous cross country journey that will bring them closer to giving in to the temptation of one another, even though a terrible secret and haunting grief stand between them.

***** A memorable and unique story is told in this novel. Two scarred and troubled individuals find exactly what they need in one another's arms, only to be almost wrenched apart by the truth. The pain they share will touch your heart, and their passion will ignite your blood. *****

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore.

This story of two hurt and broken souls, James Cameron and Della, is an interesting and poignant read. It is hard to actually write a review for this story without giving away too much of the story. James Cameron is a lawman/bounty hunter in the West following the American Civil War in the 1870's. He's running from his past and more importantly, himself. War changes people and after a close up killing during a battle, James is determined not to kill any more and fix things as best as he can by being a lawman and upholding the code of what is right. Unfortunately, this means that he has a lonely existence and really does not care whether he lives or dies (and ironically ends up killing more people because he has such a quick draw and is a legend).

Della lives in Texas and has also had a hard time of things. A Northerner trapped in the South during the War, she marries a young Southern gentleman. His family/mother never accepted her and was abusive towards her. She is young, lost and scared when she writes her husband that she needs him and that she hates him. He dies with that as his last communication from Della and she is racked with guilt about this last correspondence.

James carries around Della's picture for ten years before coming to talk to her. Thus basically STARTS the story. The books centers around their growing feeling for each other and a "quest" for Della to face her in-laws and regain custody of her daughter. James is quiet and does not talk much, but what he does have to say is incredible. My only criticism with the story is that it is a bit slow paced until the end. I like the idea that these two get to spend time together and have their relationship grow slowly, but to me, at points, the story dragged. But, with its wonderful character building and excellent writing, I thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Osbourne's newest release.

It had a different story line to it - and I liked it. Della had struggled for years with the death of her husband, Clarence (a rebel soldier during the CW). She never was able to tell him her true feelings before his death to apologize for the tone in her last letter to him. Not knowing if he even got it. Then James Cameron, a gun-drawin' lawman, show up bringing up memories all over again. James, who was with her husband when he died, brings Clarence's last letter to Della along with all of the letters that Della had written Clarence and their wedding picture found on his body, forcing her to resolve her feelings. Only there is some misconception here because Della is thinking James was a friend of Clarence's when actually he was the yankee soldier that killed Clarence and has lived with the guilt of it all these years. And with all of this going on - James is staying with Della on her farm, sleeping in the barn, seeing how poorly she is living. He starts helping out and they get close spending time together. It is the sweetest story. For me it was an intense story with a twist at the end. I enjoyed it and hope you give it a try.

I'm a fan of Maggie Osborne's novels. But I found Prairie Moon to be tiresome. Mostly because I just didn't like either Della Ward (the heroine), or James Cameron (the hero.) Della was too self-pitying. Cameron also suffered from his share of overblown angst, but was also a bit cold. The whole 'quest' to find Claire (the daughter Della was forced to give up at 17) was very unsatisfying.

I like Osborne best when she sticks to Americana, but also when the subject matter is a little more upbeat. This novel dwelled a bit too much on the past (the fate of Della's late husband Clarence), and the fate of her child (Claire), and not on the relationship or current situation of either of the main two characters. Because Claire and James' pasts were not that upbeat, I found it a trifle maudlin and not very romantic. My advice? Skip Prairie Moon, unless you simply MUST read an author's entire backlist.

I loved this book. As others noted in their reviews, it is a bit slow. However, I did not mind this. The majority of the book describes the travels of the main characters. During their journey they learn to overcome the hurdles of their past and fall in love. It is a beautiful love story between two people who were never likely to fall in love. I also like the fact that the main characters are mature and discuss their issues (with the exception of one secret which I understood). If you like your stories poignant and mature, then I recommend this book.

I love this author. Her books don't come out as often as I would like, but that is probably why they are so well written. This story had me engrossed from the beginning. You feel as if you are right there with Della experiencing her torn emotions, feelings of guilt, and bitter loneliness. This one is a keeper and I will look forward to anything by Maggie Osborne in the futute.

Ten years has passed since the Civil War ended yet Della Ward lives one day at a time filled with guilt and remorse. A child bride Della regrets her last hateful letter she sent her spouse Clarence just before he died in battle. Della has no friends in the Two Creeks, Texas area and for the most part never speaks with or has anyone talk to her.

It only took him a decade to work up the courage, but Lawman James Cameron comes to see Della. James is the bravest person in the west as he does not fear death ever since the Civil War, but is frightened of telling Della his secret about her husband's last moments alive. As he remains on her property helping her, they begin to fall in love. However, Della carries so much shame and James is loaded with his own culpability so that unless a miracle healing occurs, he will eventually head off into the sunset.

Known for her award winning humorous romance novels, Maggie Osborne takes a serious turn with her powerful Reconstruction Era romance, PRAIRIE MOON. The story line is totally angst as two severely wounded people share a tenuous thread through Clarence. Readers will shed tears as a mature Della looks back at her spoiled behavior with deep sorrow for leaving her husband to conclude that she just did not care beyond her own selfish needs. James feels almost as bad though he knows he can justify his actions. This is another triumph for the magnificent Maggie.

Harriet Klausner

....and don't judge the author by this book. Maggie Osborne is one of the best writers I've ever read, but this is definitely not her best. It's pretty slow and had such potential for a great story, but she never hit her mark. Ms. Osborne just went off in too many directions and never really hit home with a story line. I gave it 2 stars because I was able to finish the book, but I really regretted the purchase. I know I won't pick it up a second time. Try her early stuff, like The Best Man, The Bride of Willow Creek and The Stranger's Wife. Her newer work just isn't cutting it for me.

I'm new to Maggie Osborne, having read (and loved!) two other novels of hers last week, but I expected "Prairie Moon" to get better, and it never did. After reading about 1/3 of it, I remembered my tried and true rule: give the book a good chance and if it doesn't get better, don't assume it will. I just read the end to satisfy my curiosity (Yes, I know this is forbidden by the "rules," but get real! Reading is supposed to be fun and there are too many great books to wade through a dud). Bottom line: if you MUST read it, get it from the library!

This was my first Maggie Osborne book and will be my last. I liked the premise, and the first few pages drew me in but after reading further, I just don't care whether Della finds her daughter or not. The story did drag on and on. The dialogue was terrible and the hero was weak. He finds her in Texas 10 years after the Civil War and desides to take her to find her daughter who's in Atlanta, Georgia by way of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Now if I know my geography, that's WEST from Texas and Georgia is EAST! 300+ mi. west on horseback to go to Atlanta? All because 1 person MIGHT recognize her? Uh-uh. That's when I decided this book wasn't doing it for me. Romantic Times gave it 4 1/2G stars? Not in my book. I give it 2 because I liked the premise and I give her credit for drawing me in.