Customer Reviews

Where the Wind Blows (Leisure Historical Romance)

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This was a heartwarming romance between a loving, caring young woman who's had more than her share of heartache and a handsome hero who thinks that the last thing he wants is to be tied down. There were so many great things about this book that it's hard to believe it was a debut. I loved the subplot with the children...they were sweet and sincere and needed a family so much that I just couldn't help but cheer them along every step of the way. I loved that Jessie didn't expect a man to take care of her problems, or even want him to if it would cost him, yet she longed for the promise of love and life with Chase. I loved that Chase wanted to do the right thing--but without letting his heart get involved (too bad for him:-). I loved the supporting characters, who were brought to life by the author: the busybody Mrs. Hollyhock who always had Jessie's best interests at heart, Chase's surrogate father Frank Lloyd, that nasty Beth (I wanted to slap her face!), and the villains, who got what they deserved. There were "extras" that I didn't expect but which made the book even more satisfying, such as the incorporation of Jake, the fact that the hero didn't really believe in God but turned to God for help when he needed it most, and a couple of plot things that happened at the end (which I won't spoil by telling you!). If you're looking for a sweet romance, a western historical, or a new uplifting voice, buy Where The Wind Blows. You'll love it!

You can tell right from the first page that you're reading a book by an award-winning author. The pages keep turning and before you know it, you are half way done with the book! The pacing is great, there is always something new unraveling in the lives of Jessie and Chase, and as you learn more about them, you can't help but hope they'll get past all their problems and find their happy ending. But the problems keep mounting, and you keep reading to find out what will happen next. The story always stays fresh, the secondary characters add flavor to the book, and the descriptions make you really feel like you are back in Wyoming in the 1800s. I thoroughly enjoyed Where the Wind Blows and look forward to the next book by this author. I hope I won't have to wait long!

This is a sweet, original, wonderful-to-read story. I've heard it described as Lonesome Dove meets Little House on the Prairie, and that's dead-on-the-money. The characters are fresh and real, and their struggles out-of-the-ordinary yet easy to identify with. Best of all, the book is a page-turner without relying on sensationalism or icky stuff to keep you wondering--and craving--what comes next. It's just a terrific read that leaves you feeling absolutely fabulous. Trust me! Looking for something to lift your spirits? READ THIS BOOK. I just hope it's the beginning of a series, as this author is an outstanding writer and truly gifted storyteller.

Delivering the sad news of Nathan's death to his new widow Jesse, goes from worst to the best experience of this cowboy's life.

Wow! Reading this book was more like watching a very satisfying old fashioned western movie. Our Hero, Chase Logan(wandering lonesome cowboy-the kind we like.....yum) just happens to be in the middle of delivering some bad news to Jesse -when some visitors arrive. The visitors are in fact from the orphanage where Jesse grew up. She and her (now deceased)husband had written and requested the adoption of a 3 year old girl named Sarah. IN a wild moment, Jesse introduces Chase as Nathan. Whoops! The orphanage manager, Mr Hobbs brought along a 13 year old boy named Gage, hoping they would take him as well. Of course "Nathan" says yes(this way he can leave without worrying about the two girls being alone)"Ahhh, the nice guy guilt starts........" He heads out in a blizzard then quickly realizes he forgot to give Jesse Nathan's pay (over $600!) and a locket. When he returns he turns into a bit of a sly-dog thinking he might Really, Really enjoy playing house for the guests a bit..............maybe there will be some benefits involved?...

I really liked the plot, somthing always happening-it never dragged-the characters (secondary ones too) ---Holyhock is a kickin old lady...hahaha-and Gabe is such a mature boy-just like they had to be then. Sarah(cutie-and latching onto Chase-calling him "Da") Even Jake all contribute to this heart warming tale. When Chase and Jesse Marry, the relationship between the two heat up and get complicated. The intimate scenes are never overbearing and actually more on the Romantic, soft sensual side. "nice" The suspense and romance have good little plot twists.

Have a little kleenex handy(every good romance requires it!)

Thanks Caroline-I thoroughly enjoyed this story and will recommend it to all my friends!(and my mom too!)

I'm always on the hunt for good books. I ran across Where the Wind Blows and saw all the great reviews. In several of the reviews it mentioned that this was a clean and sweet read so I decided to try it. I must say it was great story! Chase Logan is heading for a new job and on his way he must deliver the news to Jessie Strong that her husband, Nathan, is dead. He sure didn't expect to find such a young wife though. She allows him to stay in the barn and explains that she is expecting a very special delivery. The morning he's to leave, the delivery shows up. Three-year-old Sarah whom they were to adopt. The one escorting Sarah assumes Chase is Nathan. Jessie knew it was only pretend and only for a little while but Sarah was already calling him da. She was fooling herself to think she could have such a life with such a good man. Besides they weren't even married. But the longer they were around each other the harder it was to think of not begin together.

This was such a great romantic western. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. I loved the watching Chase & Jessie together. Chase was an excellent hero. I appreciated the way he respected Jessie and took great care with her. Jessie was a feisty gal but not unreasonable or selfish. The romantic tension between Chase & Jessie was tangible. I enjoyed the secondary characters as well. Sarah was a cute little girl. It's no wonder she melted Chase's heart. Gabe was a teen who would probably be a lot like Chase when he grew up. The characters fit so naturally into the story. There were some very tender moments that melted my heart, some moments that made me smile, and a few places where I was biting my nails. The author allows you to hear the main characters' thoughts and I think it enhances the story, at least for me, when you know why they are behaving a certain way. I must say that other than a few 'words' this could make it into the edgy Christian Fiction category.

Chase Logan has one stop to make on his way to Cheyenne. He's agreed to tell Nathan Strong's widow of her husband's death and hand over Nathan's pay. One small task and then the free-spirited cowboy can be on his way to his next job. But one look at Jessie Strong and Chase isn't quite so anxious to hit the road...

Jessie isn't devastated to hear of Nathan's death, but it couldn't have come at a worse time. Jessie has made arrangements to adopt a young girl and the adoption can't go through unless Jessie has a husband. Would it harm anything to pretend that Chase was her husband just long enough for the adoption to be official? And just what kind of "rights" is a pretend husband entitled to?

The part of the story dealing with Chase's growing attraction to Jessie and her adopted family was sweet and engaging. I would have liked to see that develop a little more slowly, as it is Chase goes from cowboy loner to family man in a span of about 3 days. I did like the way domesticity just sort of snuck up on Chase and some of his awkward moments around Jessie were quite funny. The writing is smooth and the author does a nice job describing her characters and drawing you into the story.

Two things that made me hesitant to pick this book up were (1) I usually don't care for kids in my romance reading as they tend to overwhelm the story, and (2) I'm always a little leery that a book tagged as `Inspirational' might be too preachy. I'm happy to say that I was wrong on both counts. The children add to this story and the romance; they don't detract in the least and the story has no overt religious overtones. That said, I did have one big issue with Jessie's character, but I can't explain it without including SPOILERS. So here goes...

WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS. Toward the end of the story the author is sprinkling fairy dust left and right and Jessie's life is picture perfect. Then little Sarah is kidnapped and at the same time Jessie discovers something about Chase that makes her think/feel that he has stayed with her out of obligation rather than love. So what does Jessie do? Well, while Chase is out searching for Sarah, Jessie literally packs up her wagon and prepares to make the harrowing two-week journey back to her little cabin. By herself. In the middle of a Wyoming winter. Without telling Chase that she's pregnant with his child. And keep in mind that at this point she doesn't even know if Sarah is dead or alive or if Chase will even find her. A hissy fit that illogical is just plain hard to swallow. END SPOILER.

Overall I did enjoy this story and chose to overlook the little hiccups in the plot. This is a `feel good' read of the first order, and there's nothing wrong with that!

No strong language. There is one love scene and while it's not "closed door", let's just say that the curtains are drawn! Definitely well within the PG range.

In 1888 Wyoming recluse Chase Logan informs Jessie Strong that her husband died. He feels for her, but plans to leave. People assume he is her spouse so he remains a little longer until she can adopt a three years old waif Sarah.

He delays his plan to leave again when she is threatened by a thug. He marries her to keep mother and daughter safe though he still plans to leave. As time moves on and Jessie anticipates his leaving, she knows he has her heart and that of Sarah; she figures she will be okay but sad but fears for her child when she loses another parent. However, the ascetic Chase keeps putting off his leaving rationalizing to himself why he stays; deep down he knows he loves his two feisty females.

WHERE THE WINDS BLOW is a wonderful western romance with a Shane like hero who knows he should ride off into sunset but keeps delaying what he thinks is the inevitable. Jessie and Sarah are terrific as they both cherish and shower Chase with love and affection while the mom fears a broken heart for her but is more frightened by the impact on her adopted daughter when he leaves as she expects him to do. Caroline Fyffe provides sub-genre fans with a great tale.

Harriet Klausner

What a great new author! She gets you from the very beginning and you can't let go. I love the simplicity of her characters and the human qualities that they possess. I loved the relationship of the kids, which held me in suspense in the beginning. It is so nice to find new authors with such honest expressive talent.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked the book. I was reading it because I know the author personally and having never read a western romance didn't know what too expect. The character development was great, it wasn't trashy like most romance novels, and it made me want more by the end.

I have gone on to buy Fyffe's other two books. Montana Dawn and Texas Twighlight. Nix would highly reccommend you do the same.

Great reads

I loved this story--the hero, the heroine, the children, the realistic details of life, and having just enough, but not too much danger and tension. I didn't want it to end. I'm definitely a new fan of Caroline Fyffe and looker forward to reading many more books by her.