Customer Reviews

Yesteryear

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Recently most of the historical romance novels published have a serious problem -- they feel contemporary! Although the stories draw around a historical theme, the setting is never truly felt! This is not a problem with the 1995 Dorothy Garlock classic YESTERDAY; here the reader arrives, lingers, and never leaves the historical setting. Ms. Garlock smoothly shows off her characteristic, wonderful talent -- her wonderful talent to cast a setting and her extraordinary ability to write romance.

Her husband was dead, but the news did not produce one moment of shattering grief for Addie Hyde. Her love for Confederate, soldier Kirby Hyde was long gone -- she didn't have time to recall the man who went away and left her -- alone and pregnant. Now Kirby Hyde was but a fleeting memory and the love she once felt for him -- dead! In any case, Addie was far too busy to grieve; she had other important things on her mind - her small-assorted family -- her dear family that embodied three children and one very dear friend. No Addie Hyde was far too busy to grieve over the man who had seduced her, then reluctantly married her, and finally left her . . .

John Tallman was in Freepoint, Arkansas on his way west to New Mexico Territory. The unexpected sight of Addie Hyde staggered him. For the first time in his life, John Tallman's feelings stunned him. Addie stunned him. Her fiery character, her bright mind, her intense spirit stunned him. But more important, his desire stunned him. John Tallman needed Addie Hyde -- he needed her to be his wife, his lover, his friend.

John Tallman is a reading HERO - in every sense of the word, Dorothy Garlock successfully delivers John Tallman into her reader's mind as a 'man's man'. Rest a sure, this 'man's man' will not let Addie Hyde nor her children down! Calmly, Garlock's brings her reader into her macho web of brilliance and the reward: reading bliss. YESTERYEAR is a great book -- from its setting -- to its lead characters -- to its splendid secondary cast -- unquestionably, Dorothy Garlock delivers a dazzling story!
Grade: A+

MaryGrace Meloche.

This is one of my favorite Garlock books. At times I laughed so hard I had tears running down my face. For anyone that has read Dream River this is a must!

This is my favorite book by Dorothy Garlock. Outstanding story. I have read it many times and it is on my shelf of keepers. If you like Dorothy Garlock books you will love this one. John Tallman and Addie Hyde are so realistic.

This was a good little romance novel. It wasn't steamy by any means, but it had lovable characters. This has Colin Tallman from The Listening Sky when he was a boy, so I wish I would have read this one first.

This story highlights that not all of the heros that arose during the war were in uniform. I laughed so hard at times I had to take a break from reading to compose myself. The author does an outstanding job of weaving the element of humor is the midst of horrible difficulty in a way that makes Addie, Trisha and the children real and dear to the reader. This story is a must read!

Others have written great reviews of this book, including a synopsis. I'll just tell you what it doesn't have.

Things I hate in a historical romance:

1) Great Misunderstandings that can be easily cleared up by communication. I'll forgive a misunderstanding if the writer has the hero/heroine take direct action to clear it up rather than use it to flame into a separation or drama. I'm also not too fond of The Secret That Will Destroy our Budding Love template either.

2) Silly heroine (you know the type: Overly independent ditz; calculating and cold shrew; stupidly naive "girl"; Sneaky liar, etc.)

3) Lazy writing (historical errors, silly conversation, lack of imagery, lack of gradual romance buildup)

If I find a romance without these three characteristics, I am satisfied. Dorothy Garlock has written a sweet and romantic novel that steers so clear of my peeves that it is my new favorite romance novel.

This was the very first book ive read by D.G. and i adored every thing about this book. I love her humor, and the way she wrote the characters, and they way she described things. sometimes i felt like i was sitting right in the book with her. beautifully done.

I liked this fast reading book about a wagon train after the Civil War. It's about a mother's struggle after she got word that her no-good husband got killed on his way back after the war involving her boy, two orphans and a young friend. I recommend this book for an enjoyable read.

Another excellent Dorothy Garlock book. Wonderful characters, and an excellent storyline... this book has it all! This is a definite keeper, and one of my favorite Garlock books.