Customer Reviews

Song of the Road

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For some time now I have seen Dorothy Garlock's romance books with pretty covers of American scenes at the library and bookstores. But for some reason I didn't pick any of them up until I recently saw the audiotape. While I began by listening to the audio, I did finish by reading over half the book and enjoyed both experiences.

Route 66 is a rather new highway which winds around the country and the year is 1935. The United States is gripped by the Depression and thousands from Oklahoma and other cities effected by the Dust Bowl are on the road seeking a better life in California. But for one woman pregnant and a widow, Route 66 takes her back to her home near Santa Fe, New Mexico and the motor court her father owned. Now Mary Lee's father is gone and her mother an alcoholic has allowed gentlemen callers to rent cabins and takes the rent money and buys liquor instead of fixing up the cabins. But Mary Lee realizes this may be the only way she can earn some money and take care of her child who will be born in a few months. Complicating her life are her mothers friends and her deceased husband's father who wants to raise the child.

Although this was a rather predictable romance, it did intrigue me and while the ending was obvious it was a good journey till I reached the last page. Dorothy Garlock is well known for writing Americana romances and slices of American life, primarily during the 30's and 40's. This was a good read with endearing characters and I do look forward to reading more books by her in the future.

Dorothy knows how to keep a reader on her seat. I have read all of her books and I love how she sets the people, plots and era's. She makes you feel like you are there in the time. I love how she brings in people from her other books into the current book. It is good to know what happend to them. The ending of this book was a real surprise. It sure made everything that happend to Jake make since. My only regret is that the 3 books ended. I hope they will start to put Dorothy's books on CD's/MP's so we can listen over and over. I can not wait for the next series.

It has been years since I read romance fiction. I came across Dorothy Garlocks 3 novels that take place along route 66in the depression era. I think they are wonderful books. I just finished the 3rd one"Song of the Road" and could hardly put it down.Now I am buying more of Ms.Garlocks books and hope they are all as good as this one.

I liked this book very much because it was full of mystery, romance and action. Mary Lee returned to the Motor Court her father left her to take care of her drunk mother and run the motor court after her husband died. She was pregnant and went through a lot. Befriended a boy named Eli to help her out and fell in love with Jake who was framed and served time for cattle rustling. Lon was out to kill her baby so he would inherit the ranch her father-in-law ran.

Karen Arlettaz Zemek, author of "My Funny Dad, Harry"

I have been an advid fan of Dorothy Garlock for years, and she never fails to take me back to a time when people come together as a community bringing out the best in almost everyone. There are those shady characters that brings us into the reality of yesterday and today, but they never overshadow the love her heroine and hero have for one another.

Song of the Road brings together Mary Lee Clawson, a pregnant widow, and Jake Ramero, a wrongly accused ex-convict. and a host of other lovable and shady characters to bring you a story of a love that was unknowingly started years ago.

I know once you read this book, you will have no choice than to seek out more of Ms. Garlock's books. Enjoy!

In 1935, two months after her husband's death, a poor pregnant Mary Lee Clawson rides the bus on Route 66 to Cross Roads, New Mexico where her late father owned the Cross Roads Motor Court. When she finally arrives at the motor court she sees her alcoholic mother having a jolly good time with people that are mooching off her. Mary Lee is delighted to discover that her father left her the business with the provision that she looks after her mother.

Two cabins are rented to people she would like to get rid of especially Frank Pierce who her mother says paid her for one year's rent; Mary Lee has no way to disprove it. The other long term renter is Jake Romero, an ex-con who was in prison for two years for cattle rustling. He came back to town to clear his name. He falls in love with her but he doesn't think she could ever love an ex-con. She loves Jake but doesn't think he would ever want to father another man's child. A dire situation makes them realize what is in the other's heart.

SONG OF THE ROAD is a poignant angst laden romance. Hearts will go out to the heroine who has to worry about operating the business, paying off the mortgage, caring for her mother and worrying if her father-in-law will try to take custody of her unborn. Someone wants Jake and Mary Lee dead so they can gain the property, but though danger lurks this lead couple has doubts about the desires of their beloved other. Dorothy Garlock has written a memorable and serious book that will grab and keep reader interested.

Harriet Klausner

Although the book itself is an excellent example of the genre and the author's work, the first CD was damaged enough to make me regret having given it as a gift.