Customer Reviews

Touched By Love

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

 

 

I definitely enjoyed this book, despite the fact that the story was not at all original. The heroine, Isabel Bennett, is a wealthy hot- tempered woman who spends most of the book repeating "This is my ranch. I make the decisions..." The hero, Jaret Walker, is a tortured soul who has never known familial love, and doesn't believe he deserves that kind of happiness.

While many stories have been written about this typical type of couple, Tracy Garrett did a better job than many authors before her. Rather than just stating the hero's harsh past and using it as reason for his self- loathing, she actually allows the reader inside his soul. In one scene, a little boy convinces Jaret to enter the ranch chapel to join in prayers. Here is a bit of Jaret (he is an adult as this scene unfolds):

"He hadn't been in a church since the last time Mr. and Mrs. Harrison [foster parents] had insisted he go with them. They were the last folks who'd given him a home, a place to belong. He never understood why they'd bothered. He was an orphan, not their real son. What made them want to give him the family he was missing? Questions he'd avoided for years crowded in as he sat in the quiet room.

Why did he never feel a part of anything, that he didn't have the right to be happy? Why did the Harrisons, and the Wilkins before them, care what happened to him, the son of a gambler, a boy who lies and stole, just like his father? Why did strangers care more about him than his own parents?

...Another woman entered and Marta [elderly ranch hand] rose to leave. As she passed, Marta patted his shoulder. "It is good you are here."

Was it? Unexpected tears burned behind his eyes. He wanted to follow Marta, ask her how she knew. Instead, he bowed his head and, for the first time since a rebellious boy had struck out on his own, he prayed."

I'm always impressed when an author can bring a character to life this way. Again, the story was not very unique, but I didn't care. It was so worth the read.

I found this read to be just so-so. It wasn't great, it wasn't terrible - it was just there.

It's set in the late 1840's in Texas. I won't be giving anything away here in telling you that someone's bent on taking over the heroine's ranch and the hero is there to save the day (isn't that how these stories always go?) What happens in between you'll have to read for yourself. I can see a sequel possible for the brother in the book (whether I'll read it or not will depend on my mood - if I'm desperate for a western, which I usually am, I'll read it).

Like I said, this isn't a bad book, but it wasn't anything spectacular either. So if you're looking for something to while away the hours or a diversion from real life this book is okay to do that with. You won't be coming away from it wishing you hadn't spent the money on it or wasted your time reading it.

As a side note, I had previously read Ms. Garrett's 1st novel Touch of Texas so knew what I was getting into when I bought this book.

I love a historical western romance and found Touched by Love to fit the bill. Ms. Garrett held my interest from cover to cover. I found the character development of Jaret and Isabel both quite compelling. I also read and enjoyed Touch of Texas and look forward to Tracy's next book.

This was an easy read... and like another reviewer said.. I'm just desperate for a good western. They are SO hard to find. SO hard!!! But this one was cute. I enjoyed the antics between the heroine Isabel and her promise-driven protector Jaret. Jaret walker is, of course, sexy and strong and respectful... I had to ignore the fact that he had a mustache. ;) Isabel is your typical "independent, strong" heroine. "This is MY ranch!" she says over and over, stomping her foot, and running around in frustrated tears. LOL. I gave it only three stars because the plot was really typical. I read a very similar novel just last week... "Dark Torment" by Karen Robard. However, though typical, this romantic book was very well-written. Great job!