On Tall Pine Lake

by Dorothy Garlock

Nona Conrad has been making it through "by the hardest." Each day is a struggle - to go on after her parents' sudden death, to win her rightful inheritance from her untrustworthy half-brother, and to raise her high-spirited younger sister. Hired to manage a fishing camp deep in the Arkansas woods, the strong-willed redhead is eager to settle down - until she clashes with the camp's new owner. Simon Wright persistently dogs Nora's steps and is instantly drawn to her. But is he an ally or a charmer with his own agenda? While Nora decides, someone driven by greed will do anything to find out what she knows - and soon Nona and Simon will have nowhere to run.

Genres: Romance, Mystery, Fiction, Historical Romance, Historical, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Dorothy Garlock was a best-selling American author of over 60 historical romance novels, most of them set in the American West. More than 20 million copies of her books are in print, in 18 languages. Her books have been on the New York Times best seller list seven times. She was named one of the 10 most popular writers of women's fiction four years in a row, from 1985-1988. In 1997, she was awarded the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award. Garlock is also a member of the Romance Writers Hall of Fame.

Garlock worked as an editor, agent and publicist for most of her writing career. She was a native of Texas who grew up in Oklahoma then married and moved to Iowa. Garlock donated many of her manuscripts and other unpublished writings to the University of Iowa libraries.


Pen names include:
Johanna Phillips
Dorothy Phillips
Dorothy Glenn

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not one of Garlock's better ones. In fact, I'd have to say that this is probably the worst book of hers that I've read so far. Which is a shame, because normally I like her books pretty well.

Just before getting ready to move, Nona gets a message from her estranged half brother asking her to hold a package for him. Thinking nothing of it, she continues on with her plans and she, an old friend Mabel, and her little sister Maggie head out to Tall Pine Lake where she will be managing a camp. Once there though, she is instantly confused and enchanted by the new owner of the camp, Simon. Simon knows that she is in danger because of her brother and he makes it his duty to keep her safe. But its hard to keep Nona safe when she's constantly arguing with him and when bad guys are roaming the woods around the camp. It'll be a much tougher job than Simon thinks.

With the exception of Mabel, the characters in this book are pretty pitiful. Nona has no reason for her anger and the way she lashes out at people is just weird. I can't follow her motivations at all. And then there's Simon, while I understand why he does what he does he just goes about it in a strange kind of controlling way. Instead of explaining things straight out he keeps secrets that don't really need to be kept and just serve to make the plot confusing. Little sister Maggie has a small role and she's actually a bit dumb in my opinion. I know she's a teenager but her thought process is a little more juvenile than even that at times. There are some side characters as well which don't really add anything. And lastly the bad guys who were polar opposites of each other and also not the smartest bunch either.

The plot was actually decent and probably would have been more enjoyable to read if the characters were decent as well. It was kind of rushed though and I think the book would have actually been more charming without all of the intrigue that Garlock brought into it. There's some minor cussing and some harsh talk by the bad guys, but its a pretty tame book in my opinion. The romance was only so-so and I think that's because I didn't like the characters who were involved in the romance. In fact, I would have rather read about the older lady Mabel having romantic interludes than reading about Nona and Simon.

Ah well, I'll still read more by Garlock but hopefully they'll be an improvement on this one. The charm just wasn't there this time.

On Tall Pine Lake
Copyright 2007
372 pages

Review by M. Reynard 2011

More of my reviews can be found on ifithaswords.blogspot.com

[Danthony74 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the read. it is a cute predictable story.

[Myra Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed listening to this audio book. I always enjoy the writing style of Dorothy Garlock. This book was full of suspense and sprinkled with romance.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ehhh. I picked this book up several years ago at a used book store, but I hadn't read it yet. The mystery element still sounded interesting. However, once I started, it felt like reading a soap opera. I hate not finishing books, so I trudged through.

[Bonnie Dieffenbacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young woman who is raising her sister takes a job at a hunting and fishing camp but is hounded by men who are looking for the money their half brother stole. I enjoyed it.

[Andria Potter · Rating 3 out of 5]

After about twelve chapters, I gave up. Simon was a jerk of the highest order, and Nona was a rather frustrating character to connect with. Though the plot was interesting enough to keep reading, I eventually gave up and lost interest because the two main characters were so off-putting. Not my favorite Dorothy Garlock book.

[Sally taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not like the "romance" so much the guy was a real jerk! I can't stand when the guy does something and just tells the woman "YOU WILL DO THIS" without any explanation, like that is suppose to be sexy? Let him take care of the little lady,, ARGHHHHH
But the actual story was pretty good and I liked the twists and turns.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want a very simple story this is a good book. It kept my interest just enough. Very heartwarming between the relationships. Not really my kind of read but; a lot of people would find this book very enjoyable.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very formulaic romance/thriller. I listened to it on Overdrive while doing chores & it kept me entertained. It had good guys, bad guys, a storm, with the foregone ending right on cue. She has written better novels, but it was okay.

[Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want to not use your brain for anything of substance, then this is the book for you. Mind numbing tripe is what you're in for.
But that's exactly what I wanted and needed.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall it was pretty good. Kind of predictable though.

[Sana · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARKANSAS

I felt that if Betty White wrote a book it would be "On Tall Pine Lake"...

The language is over-explanatory throughout.

At some point there is a comment made that one of the main characters, Maggie, thought that someone she encountered in the woods was a bad person until she saw his teeth were straight and it eased her anxiety...wait what? Another character who appears to be helpful is "good" until we find out he smells bad...in the end he turns out to be bad...the judgements are solely based on appearances...beauty = goodness

It was my first novel of this author and I have no desire to read any other of her 50 novels...

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

For Nora Conrad each day is a struggle to go on after her parents death. to get her inheritance and raise her younger sister. Nora is hired to manage a fishing camp in the Arkansas woods. It seems like an opportunity to settle down. But she clashes with two men. One is a stranger who grabs her arm and then drives off. The other is the camp's new owner, Simon Wright. He seems to know a lot about Nora. Her sister Maggie and her friend Mabel were not impressed with the new owner. Across the lake two men were watching, one with binoculars. Nora becomes friendly with the owner but the two men watching across had different plans.

[Samantha (WLABB) · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was listening to this, I remembered why I don't really read romantic-suspense books. These guys were so violent. I loved the romance. The two characters had great banter and amused me, but the bad guys were so bad. Still, I checked out "Water Words" and Arkansas with this book, so I am pleased.

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[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book on tape. Nona and her sister Maggie went to Tall Pine lodge to work for the summer. Their parents were dead and Nona had to take care of Maggie. They could work and live there. Heir half brother Harold had swindled funds that belonged to them from their father. Nona met Mr Wright(yes it was!). Men were after them to find out where Harold was as he stole mob money at some point. Lots of trouble in the pines.

[Anita · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and I don’t need to read another. Hated the main character-she was just a brat for no particular reason. Can’t figure her appeal to the hero. Plot was juvenile and predictable. The only redeeming quality of this book was the narrator on the audio book I listened to. Anna Fields is my favorite narrator, but even she couldn’t compensate for the poor quality of the book.

[Laura Aase · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another huge disappointment! From a master historical fiction author I couldn’t place the setting- even though it said 1980 it felt like the depression. Argue argue lies and half truths between Nona and Simon. Depression era gangsters chasing down a bank robber... what happened to the Route 66 amazing author?

[Sally Lindsay-briggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This and several other books were given to me by a friend who really loved this author. I didn’t agree. It was a light romance that lacked depth. The story and characters were just okay. It ended well which helped. I will probably read this author again because I have more Garlock books on the shelf.

[Cheyenne Posey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never read anything by Dorothy Garlock before, but this book was great! It had a good amount of Romance with some suspense and thrill added to it. Everything was described well in the book. It kept me on my toes. Couldn't put it down!

[estella Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read.

I enjoyed every page of this book! Great read. Recommended to all of my friends. I am a member of a book club and we had very diverse opinions regarding each character that were very enlightenung.

[Dawna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book barely makes the 2* ok rating. If it hadn't been such a quick read, I would have abandoned it.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read, good and predictable

[Cindy B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3-1/2* well plotted mystery romance, sexual situations and some profanity. Well narrated by Anna Fields (RIP).

[Jane Olszowka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book real page turner

[Melva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the relationship between the sisters. Yes it is strained at times mute ultimately they are devoted to each other. Loved this book.

[Shauni · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a quick read, the characters were predictable and somewhat cheesy but otherwise it was fine.

[Kathy]

Loved this book
Dorothy, you are becoming one of my favorite authors.

[Sheri Vasconcellos Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of family,betrayal,love and secerts.really interesting cute story. Fast read.alot adventures

[Carlene Benne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was very typical but is good to read one like this every once and a while. Nice happy ending.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book.