Customer Reviews

Speak to Me of Love (Heart Quest)

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

 

 

First off, those planning on buying this book should be aware that SPEAK TO ME OF LOVE is in fact a reissue of sorts. Originally, Harper Paperbacks released CHANCES ARE in 1996 for the secular romance world, but Ms. Hatcher was never quite happy with the editing that removed the Christian values from her earlier books. She is now returning to her favorite earlier stories and changing them to encompass her Christian ideals and values.

After learning that if she doesn't settle down and stop moving her young daughter from one town to the next, Faith Butler has no option but to give up her acting job and settle down in the quiet, lifeless town called Dead Horse, Wyoming. Divorced with no family or friends in the area, Faith is desperate for a job and agrees to work for a local ranch owner as his housekeeper and cook. The measure is only temporary. She'll stay long enough for her daughter's recovery. Getting to know Drake is a challenge, but as she spends more time in his world, she begins to dream of the possibility of a new life.

Drake Rutledge, owner of the Jagged R Ranch, does not want or need a housekeeper or cook. But something about Faith has him saying yes instead of turning her away. An injury keeps Drake away from people, especially women. But as he gets to know Faith and her children, he finds himself losing the one thing he swore he'd never give willingly to another - his heart.

CHANCES ARE has been one of my favorite historical romances for years. So I must say, I was hesitant to see it rewritten under a new title. I know a lot of readers feel that renaming books is deceptive, especially if it is not made clear on the cover that the book has been previously released. At this time, I cannot say if there are plans to make it clear that this is a rewrite or not. The cover art I have in hand does not show any statement to that effect.

With this in mind, I found SPEAK TO ME OF LOVE to be just as charming. There is more emphasis placed on Christian ideals and values, but they really do not distract the reader from the story at hand. If you haven't read this story, it is one of Ms. Hatcher's finest. If you have, you may want to reread it just for the sheer beauty of the story.

Tracy Farnsworth - former TRRC Reviewer

This book is wonderfully written and will hold your attention completely. You will become lost in the characters and the surroundings.

Faith Butler, an actress traveling with a acting troupe, finds herself in a situation that seems hopeless. She is stuck in an almost deserted town called "Dead Horse" because her daughter has taken ill. The doctor advises that her daughter would more than likely die if she continues traveling with the child. Faith puts her faith in God and stays in Dead Horse. She takes a job as a cook and housekeeper at a ranch owned by Drake Rutledge. Although Mr. Rutledge is extremely wealthy, he is also a very extremely unhappy man. The faith and hope that Faith and her two children bring to his ranch turns him around and love begins to bloom.

Do yourself a favor - get a cup of hot tea and a pillow and enjoy until the end.

There is something very special about this historical romance. It's a cut above many of the others I've read. Drake is a wonderful hero and Faith, with her Shakespearean thoughts running through her head, is a charming heroine. I fell in love with them both. This book also has a wonderful secondary story line.

First off, those planning on buying this book should be aware that SPEAK TO ME OF LOVE is in fact a reissue of sorts. Originally, Harper Paperbacks released CHANCES ARE in 1996 for the secular romance world, but Ms. Hatcher was never quite happy with the editing that removed the Christian values from her earlier books. She is now returning to her favorite earlier stories and changing them to encompass her Christian ideals and values.

After learning that if she doesn't settle down and stop moving her young daughter from one town to the next, Faith Butler has no option but to give up her acting job and settle down in the quiet, lifeless town called Dead Horse, Wyoming. Divorced with no family or friends in the area, Faith is desperate for a job and agrees to work for a local ranch owner as his housekeeper and cook. The measure is only temporary. She'll stay long enough for her daughter's recovery. Getting to know Drake is a challenge, but as she spends more time in his world, she begins to dream of the possibility of a new life.

Drake Rutledge, owner of the Jagged R Ranch, does not want or need a housekeeper or cook. But something about Faith has him saying yes instead of turning her away. An injury keeps Drake away from people, especially women. But as he gets to know Faith and her children, he finds himself losing the one thing he swore he'd never give willingly to another - his heart.

CHANCES ARE has been one of my favorite historical romances for years. So I must say, I was hesitant to see it rewritten under a new title. I know a lot of readers feel that renaming books is deceptive, especially if it is not made clear on the cover that the book has been previously released. At this time, I cannot say if there are plans to make it clear that this is a rewrite or not. The cover art I have in hand does not show any statement to that effect.

With this in mind, I found SPEAK TO ME OF LOVE to be just as charming. There is more emphasis placed on Christian ideals and values, but they really do not distract the reader from the story at hand. If you haven't read this story, it is one of Ms. Hatcher's finest. If you have, you may want to reread it just for the sheer beauty of the story.

Tracy Farnsworth - former TRRC Reviewer

While I usually read a book and find myself sympathizing with the main character, I found myself saying "Wow the author actually understands how I feel somethimes." I found myself in the book and experiencing the emotions of the characters. Drake has lived in the dark for far to long. His self imposed isolation is the result of an accident that has left him with a scar and the loss of an eye. Like Drake I also suffer with this depression and feel as if sometimes I am shunned by society because of my physical appearance. I laughed outloud when the little boy bumped into things and complained of being dizzy while wearing the eye patch. (Oh it is soooo true) I cried when drake spoke of bumping into door jams and being spooked from a person standing on his blind side. Oh if only others could understand. But in this book our heroin looks past the scars and sees the person inside. She brought light into the dark. There are many lessons to be gleaned from this book.

I enjoyed this book. Robin is a good author and I do enjoy many of her books. I highly recommend her books.

This is a sweet story about a newly reformed actress, trying to live her life in accordance with God's will. When acting is no longer an option for Faith Butler, she moves her two children into the Broken P Ranch where she becomes the house keeper, and where Drake Rutledge is the brooding and mysterious owner. While the children are sweet, I felt that the romance (both the main and side story) were forced, and that anyone hardly had the time or the subtance to truly be in love. But like I said, it was a sweet story, and an average christian romance.

Haven't read this reissue but I can tell you that the original was wonderful. See my review at "Chances are" site. enjoy

Wow. I loved Dead Horse, the Jagged R Ranch and the whole cast. I'd like to call them characters, but they're people to me. Wounded, wonderful people. I loved that she shared the rich histories of the characters and that we were allowed to see the story from so many different and wonderful points of view. There aren't many straight romances that can hold my attention, but this is definitely one of them. I look forward to catching up on this author's many recent titles.

This book didn't live up to my standards for Ms. Hatcher. The story was old and over done. The characters were boring and one dimensional. Sorry.