Weeping Angel

by Stef Ann Holm

Frank Brody likes his women warm and willing. When he sees the starched and stiff Miss Amelia Marshall at the other end of the railroad platform, he barely gives her a glance. But when their eyes meet, his stare puts a flush on her cheeks hotter than the sun wilting her prim apparel. Hoping to settle down and come to terms with the childhood that has haunted him, he's bought a rundown shebang in Weeping Angel. To lure customers into the Moon Rock Saloon, Frank has ordered a parlor piano.

Alone in the world, Amelia Marshall foolishly allowed herself to be swept off her feet, then swindled, by a traveling salesman. Now the only respectable way she can think of to pay her way is to give piano lessons. She uses the last of her savings to buy a New American upright. But when only one piano arrives on the afternoon train, Amelia must compromise...never suspecting that her temporary arrangement with the disarmingly handsome Mr. Brody will lead to a passion more glorious and unpredictable than anything she had ever dared to imagine.

Genres: Historical, Historical Romance, Romance, Westerns, Western Romance

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Stef Ann Holm was born in Southern California near Hollywood. With the fantasy worlds of Disneyland and Universal Studios at her doorstep, her imagination was stimulated at an early age. She attended Chatsworth High where Kevin Spacey, Mare Winningham and Val Kilmer entertained on the school's stage. As a semester elective, Stef Ann enrolled in drama and played a Fandango hostess in the chorus of Sweet Charity. It was the beginning and the end of her acting and singing career. She got a "C" in Drama and an "A" in Creative Writing.

She sold her first romance in 1987. While waiting for a load of laundry to complete at the laundromat, Stef Ann made up the name for her heroine, Camry, when she saw a Toyota Camry parked outside in the lot. Who knew that model would end up being so popular, making her in-depth research seem so shallow. Stef Ann has had twenty-three novels and one novella published. Her editor calls her contemporary romances, "Slices of life stories about real people."

Stef Ann lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, extended family and beloved Beagle.

Reviews

[LadyAileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Era da un po' di tempo che non leggevo un romance ambientato nel Far West però non mi ha entusiasmato particolarmente.
La trama è sicuramente inusuale infatti ho trovato carina l’idea di dover decidere a chi sarebbe andato l’unico pianoforte arrivato quando invece ne aspettavano due.
I due protagonisti sono come il giorno e la notte e anche questo mi piaceva.
Purtroppo però non mi ha coinvolto particolarmente forse perché non c’è una vera introspezione psicologica e spesso ci sono vicende che non hanno nulla a che vedere con l’andamento della vicenda dei due protagonisti. Inoltre molte cose rimangono come sospese oppure vengono risolte in poche righe.
Posso però dire che non manca qualche momento divertente basti pensare alla scena in cui Amelia porta in chiesa una rana nella borsetta durante la funzione.
Il livello di sensualità seppur alto riguarda soprattutto le ultime pagine del romanzo.

[marceline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminds me of Lavyrle Spencer’s the Gamble. It was a nice read and is full of small town characters and personalities that I am interested in following. The ending was sort of just a hard to believe neat wrap-up but nevertheless I guess happy endings for everybody will forever be good in my view.

These author has a humor that I like. I love the way the hero, Frank Brody was characterized. He is a handsome man as described by the book but the author made it so that his words and actions reflect his charisma. He is a player but a gentleman in the same vein. Although the heroine, Amelia will never be one of my favorite heroines on a historical romance. She is too weepy and weak for my taste but she did prove to be a worthy price for our hero.

[Jerry Jares · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frank Brody is at the Weeping Angel, Idaho, train depot waiting for his new piano to arrive from the manufacturer. He needs it to increase his business at the Moon Rock Saloon; his competition has nightly music. Also standing at the depot is the proper and straight-laced Miss Amelia Marshall. She is desperate for her new piano -- she needs it to teach piano -- and avoid poverty. But an error was made by the manufacturer and only one piano arrives. There ensues an unhappy discussion and the town's citizens must make the deciding vote.

Frank and Amelia find themselves thrown together, sharing the piano. Amelia finds Frank attractive (like all the other women of the town) but Frank sees Miss Marshall as a stuffy piece of ice. Frank's best friend (Pap) takes a shine to Amelia and wants to marry her.

This town is peopled with many kinds of citizens: eccentrics, hypocrites, deeply religious folks, just like any small town in America in the late 1890s. The people are so interesting and entertaining that the pages seem to fly. This story is absolutely charming.

[ann_zack_cee_am_ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sweet and slowburn romance. Really love the camaraderie, exchange of banters between Amelia and Frank. Their romance start about third quarter into the book. Plot reminds me a lot of The Gamble by Lavyrle Spencer as it involves a saloon owner and a spinster heroine too. It is also comprised of a lot characters in a town that makes this story very very charming.

TW : OW element with Frank’s former conquest named Emmaline. A lot of jealousies involved.

[Waterfall · Rating 3 out of 5]

A standard run-of-the-mill romance, this book is saved by its humour, which makes me want to read it more than once. I would give this 3.5 stars if I could, simply because parts of it are so funny. :~)