Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN, TENDER LOVE STORY, August 6, 2007
Following in the tradition of Cheryl St. John's previous novels, she brings forth another rare glimpse of Americana at its best with this tender love story of redemption and sweet gentle love set in early 19th century Kansas.
The character of Ben Channey was introduced to us in her previous novels, (THE DOCTOR'S WIFE, Harlequin Historical # 481 and THE LAWMAN'S BRIDE, Harlequin Historical #835).
Lorabeth Holdridge is the local preacher's daughter - who longs to be out of her home and spread her wings. Her father runs his household the way he preaches the scriptures - adhering to every word of the Bible and with a stern, firm hand. Lorabeth longs for so much more. She is stifled and yearns to be set free of her strict environment. She helps Dr. Channey's household and has been asked by Ellie, the doctor's wife who is about to deliver another child, to come and live permanently in their home so that Lorabeth can assist Ellie with upcoming baby and her additional 4 children. Her father agrees and Lorabeth is allowed to live in the doctor's household.
Ben is Ellie's older brother and the local veterinarian. Horrid events from the past make Ben keep to himself. He loves his sister's children, he is very protective of his younger brother Flynn and his sister and has learned to respect his brother in law and Dr Channey's parents. When he meets Lorabeth, he is immediately taken by her soft beauty and her candid sweetness. He inwardly craves her purity, naiveté and unspoiled, care free manner and he is unwillingly drawn to her like a moth to a flame.
Lorabeth wants to experience life away from her father's presence and finds life at the Channey household enchanting and flowing with a natural love and happiness that was never hers while growing up with her family.
Soon they both fall in love and as Ben struggles to become the man he hopes to be, he realizes that love cures all wounds.
The setting is lovely and the story line depicts the simples pleasures of family life associated with that time period. The Channey household is so beautifully depicted that you can almost smell the scents of the freshly baked pies and home food cooked in the kitchen! The children are absolutely precious and their banter and easy going dialogue is fun and utterly charming. I supremely recommend this book. If you like uncomplicated, beautifully written, tender love stories, without turmoil and subterfuge, subplots, hateful villains, this is for you.
A simple, yet beautifully written novel that revolves around two young people and their love for each other, with a wonderful foreground and great revolving characters.
|
|
|
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
THE PREACHER'S DAUGHTER delivers!, May 25, 2007
THE PREACHER'S DAUGHTER is a touching book that it ultimately about the healing power of love and forgiveness or others as well as oneself.
Lorabeth Holdridge is the preacher's daughter, and she has led a very strict and sheltered life. At 21, Lorabeth longs to live and have some freedom, but her father refused to allow her to attend University and the husband she prays for has not come along yet. However, Lorabeth has a job working for Ellie Chaney, the local doctor's wife, and her family. When she convinces her father to let her move in with the Chaney's as live-in help, Lorabeth is hoping it will be the change she needs since life in the large, loving Cheney household is a breath of fresh air to her.
Benjamin Chaney is the town's young veterinarian and Ellie's younger brother who was raised by her. He's more comfortable with animals than with people since he has closed off a part of himself due to childhood horrors and a tragic event in his past. When Ben meets Lorabeth, he is instantly intrigued with her since she's open and expressive and everything he longs to be but is not.
As the two get to know each other, it's not long before they fall in love, but Ben must deal with the serious issues of his past before he can be the man he wants to be for Lorabeth and they can have the happy ending they both want and deserve.
The character of Benjamin Cheney was introduced in two of Ms. St. John's previous books (THE DOCTOR'S WIFE, Harlequin Historical # 481 and THE LAWMAN'S BRIDE, Harlequin Historical #835), but it's not necessary to have read those two books first since important events are subtly "re-capped" to make this a stand-alone book.
THE PREACHER'S DAUGHTER is a very sweet story and captures the feel of life in Kansas in the late 19th Century very well. It's an entertaining, feel good read that I recommend to historical romance readers and especially to those, like me, who are always on the lookout for a good western historical! Ms. St. John's newest book fits the bill.
|
|
|
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Very Good Western Romance, June 18, 2007
I can always count on Cheryl St. John to stuff a great western romance into a quick read. She's written some good contemporary romance but she just shines for Harlequin Historical.
I won't go into a summary as it's already been done quite well in another review. Lorabeth is a devout christian. Her father is the rigid preacher of the town. I loved that Ms. St.John didn't fall into the "abusive background" trap. Rigid and stern yes, but he never falls into the villian role.
Having read all Cheryl's historicals. I was looking forward to Benjamin Chaney's story. His family's past is truly tragic and he's a tortured soul but Lorabeth's gentle hand is just what he needs to step into the light. Loved IT!!
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
by Cheryl St.John
by Cheryl St. John
by Cheryl St. John
by Cheryl St. John
by Cheryl St.John
