What do you think?
Rate this book
The Front Range #3
Colorado Hope
While traveling to the Western town of Fort Collins, Colorado, a new bride watches in horror as her husband is swept away in a flash flood. She fears she'll never see him again, but a year later, he walks into town—with a beautiful woman on his arm . . .
A new sweet Historical Western Romance by best-selling author Charlene Whitman—Book 2 in The Front Range Series
1875 ~ Beset by a sudden spring storm on the Front Range, newlywed Grace Cunningham watches in horror as her husband, Monty, is swept downriver. Pregnant and despairing, she stumbles into Fort Collins and tries to make a life for herself, praying that one day the man she loves will walk into town and back into her life.
Montgomery Cunningham wakens on the bank of a river with no recollection of who he is or how he got the gash on his head. A woman named Stella, who claims to be his fiancée, nurses him back to health. Plagued by images of a faceless woman who he is certain is the key to his past, Monty concedes to Stella’s pressure to marry him and move to Fort Collins, but he quickly regrets his actions.
A year after Grace’s tragic loss, Monty walks into the dress shop where she works—with a woman on his arm. Shocked that Monty has no recollection of her, Grace is determined to win back his heart. Somehow she must help him regain his memories and his buried love for her—and not just for her sake but for the sake of their infant son, Ben.
Monty, miserable in his marriage to a woman he hardly knows, is inexplicably drawn to Grace. Every time he’s near her, memories surface, but they are hazy and troubling. He’s torn between his vows and the desires of his heart, for he cannot stay away from Grace.
Grace’s hope is sparked when Monty starts recalling glimpses of his past. But when murderous outlaws come to town, she is thrust into grave danger. Monty risks his life to rescue her, only to face even greater perils in the treacherous mountains. Can she truly hang on to hope when she is about to lose all she loves?
This new full-length Historical Western Romance novel takes readers on a heart-wrenching journey of love, loss, and hope amid the dangers and challenges in Colorado Territory’s wild frontier.
Don't miss Colorado Promise, Book 1 in The Front Range series (Historical Western Romance)
The Examiner says of author Charlene Whitman: "An adequate writer of historical fiction will include minor bits and pieces about the setting of their story. A good writer will do a bit of research to make sure there are historical facts included in the pages of their novel. A superb writer will create characters that could have actually lived during the time in which the story takes place and allows them to act as people in that time period would have really acted. Charlene Whitman is a superb writer."
Amazon categories:
*Sweet Historical Romance
*Western Romance
*Historical Western Romance
*Frontier and Pioneer Love Stories
*Cowboy Romance Novel
A new sweet Historical Western Romance by best-selling author Charlene Whitman—Book 2 in The Front Range Series
1875 ~ Beset by a sudden spring storm on the Front Range, newlywed Grace Cunningham watches in horror as her husband, Monty, is swept downriver. Pregnant and despairing, she stumbles into Fort Collins and tries to make a life for herself, praying that one day the man she loves will walk into town and back into her life.
Montgomery Cunningham wakens on the bank of a river with no recollection of who he is or how he got the gash on his head. A woman named Stella, who claims to be his fiancée, nurses him back to health. Plagued by images of a faceless woman who he is certain is the key to his past, Monty concedes to Stella’s pressure to marry him and move to Fort Collins, but he quickly regrets his actions.
A year after Grace’s tragic loss, Monty walks into the dress shop where she works—with a woman on his arm. Shocked that Monty has no recollection of her, Grace is determined to win back his heart. Somehow she must help him regain his memories and his buried love for her—and not just for her sake but for the sake of their infant son, Ben.
Monty, miserable in his marriage to a woman he hardly knows, is inexplicably drawn to Grace. Every time he’s near her, memories surface, but they are hazy and troubling. He’s torn between his vows and the desires of his heart, for he cannot stay away from Grace.
Grace’s hope is sparked when Monty starts recalling glimpses of his past. But when murderous outlaws come to town, she is thrust into grave danger. Monty risks his life to rescue her, only to face even greater perils in the treacherous mountains. Can she truly hang on to hope when she is about to lose all she loves?
This new full-length Historical Western Romance novel takes readers on a heart-wrenching journey of love, loss, and hope amid the dangers and challenges in Colorado Territory’s wild frontier.
Don't miss Colorado Promise, Book 1 in The Front Range series (Historical Western Romance)
The Examiner says of author Charlene Whitman: "An adequate writer of historical fiction will include minor bits and pieces about the setting of their story. A good writer will do a bit of research to make sure there are historical facts included in the pages of their novel. A superb writer will create characters that could have actually lived during the time in which the story takes place and allows them to act as people in that time period would have really acted. Charlene Whitman is a superb writer."
Amazon categories:
*Sweet Historical Romance
*Western Romance
*Historical Western Romance
*Frontier and Pioneer Love Stories
*Cowboy Romance Novel
422 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 25, 2014
193 people are currently reading
329 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
January 25, 2015
I could tell from the very first page that Colorado Hope was going to be a rollicking fun read. Charlene Whitman immediately puts her goody-two-shoes, freaking-adorable, lovey-dovey couple in danger. Then she cuts away to her villain, Lenora Dutton who is hilarious in her self-talk, using words like nosiree, just dandy, skeedaddle, dunderhead, and sniggering or snickering with a mouth full of snark as she plots her nefarious deeds.
You just know that their paths will cross and that Lenora's going to be an outrageously bad girl with a heart full of evil as she plots against the good, angelic Grace who happens to blond, and Lenora has dark hair. Meanwhile, confused Monty or Malcolm is acting like a dunderhead or Dudley Do Right, and even though you want Grace and Monty to get back together, you enjoy seeing the tricks Lenora plays on Monty, until it gets to be too much.
While Monty rides to the rescue, Lenora figures she'd skeedaddle off with the gold. Well, I won't spoil the ending, but this is a very entertaining Western and brings you right back to the old Western stories and movies. I can practically picture the posse riding after the outlaws.
I also love, love, loved, the minor characters, Clare, Eli, LeRoy, and Sarah. I can't wait for the novella between Clare and Eli. The other characters were well done too, from the hypocritical Quaker landlady to the meek county clerk who has a crush on Grace. Finally, love, love, love little Benjamin. What a sweetie and of course the ending when all's well and justice is served fits exactly how a Western should end.
It is faith based and entirely clean, not to mention a great adventure and a sweet love story. It features Fort Collins in the 1870s. The characters are amazing: sweet Grace, heroic Monty, and the Banks family, part Cheyenne and expert trackers and horsemen, then there's Clare, the amazing rider and roper, whose my favorite.
The romance is also sweet and heart tugging and everything ends happily with a lot of sentiment and good feelings. Can't wait to read more from this author.
You just know that their paths will cross and that Lenora's going to be an outrageously bad girl with a heart full of evil as she plots against the good, angelic Grace who happens to blond, and Lenora has dark hair. Meanwhile, confused Monty or Malcolm is acting like a dunderhead or Dudley Do Right, and even though you want Grace and Monty to get back together, you enjoy seeing the tricks Lenora plays on Monty, until it gets to be too much.
While Monty rides to the rescue, Lenora figures she'd skeedaddle off with the gold. Well, I won't spoil the ending, but this is a very entertaining Western and brings you right back to the old Western stories and movies. I can practically picture the posse riding after the outlaws.
I also love, love, loved, the minor characters, Clare, Eli, LeRoy, and Sarah. I can't wait for the novella between Clare and Eli. The other characters were well done too, from the hypocritical Quaker landlady to the meek county clerk who has a crush on Grace. Finally, love, love, love little Benjamin. What a sweetie and of course the ending when all's well and justice is served fits exactly how a Western should end.
It is faith based and entirely clean, not to mention a great adventure and a sweet love story. It features Fort Collins in the 1870s. The characters are amazing: sweet Grace, heroic Monty, and the Banks family, part Cheyenne and expert trackers and horsemen, then there's Clare, the amazing rider and roper, whose my favorite.
The romance is also sweet and heart tugging and everything ends happily with a lot of sentiment and good feelings. Can't wait to read more from this author.
January 25, 2015
What a pleasure to read such a wonderful story.
The thought that Grace lost her husband in the river got me hard. She was pregnant and alone and must go on without her beloved, Monty. I was hooked from the start. The agony of Grace not knowing whether her husband was alive or dead, had me wondering myself. You just feel the pain that Grace was going through.
When Stella aka Lenora, stumbled upon Monty in the river as she came across the bridge, my thoughts were, what is she going to do to this poor man. Seeing an opportunity to take advantage of Monty's state, had me, no you can't do that, but she did.
The shock on Grace's face a year after that tragic accident, when Monty walked back into her life and didn't even know who she was, had me so heartbroken. The thought that she has lost him again, didn't sit well with me and I had to find out, what now. Glad things turn out in the end and that Grace finally has her husband back.
You truly wrote a wonderful story and I am glad I was given the opportunity to review it.
Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this book for my honest review.
The thought that Grace lost her husband in the river got me hard. She was pregnant and alone and must go on without her beloved, Monty. I was hooked from the start. The agony of Grace not knowing whether her husband was alive or dead, had me wondering myself. You just feel the pain that Grace was going through.
When Stella aka Lenora, stumbled upon Monty in the river as she came across the bridge, my thoughts were, what is she going to do to this poor man. Seeing an opportunity to take advantage of Monty's state, had me, no you can't do that, but she did.
The shock on Grace's face a year after that tragic accident, when Monty walked back into her life and didn't even know who she was, had me so heartbroken. The thought that she has lost him again, didn't sit well with me and I had to find out, what now. Glad things turn out in the end and that Grace finally has her husband back.
You truly wrote a wonderful story and I am glad I was given the opportunity to review it.
Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this book for my honest review.
January 21, 2015
Colorado Hope is another wonderful, historical romance by Charlene Whitman! Adventures in the Colorado Territory continue in this second book in the Front Range series. While readers of Book 1, Colorado Promise, will enjoy revisiting a few characters, Colorado Hope is easily enjoyed as a stand-alone novel.
With excellent characterization and superb imagery, Charlene Whitman brings this story to life! I loved the dramatic storyline and its pulse-pounding danger and tender romance. Monty and Grace Cunningham are such endearing characters! My heart ached for them and all they endured. Their story is one of loss and despair, but is also one of abiding love and hope. I loved this captivating journey and look forward to more adventures on the Front Range!
For fans of historical and western romance, I highly recommend both books in Charlene Whitman’s Front Range series, Colorado Promise and Colorado Hope.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own and no monetary compensation was received.
With excellent characterization and superb imagery, Charlene Whitman brings this story to life! I loved the dramatic storyline and its pulse-pounding danger and tender romance. Monty and Grace Cunningham are such endearing characters! My heart ached for them and all they endured. Their story is one of loss and despair, but is also one of abiding love and hope. I loved this captivating journey and look forward to more adventures on the Front Range!
For fans of historical and western romance, I highly recommend both books in Charlene Whitman’s Front Range series, Colorado Promise and Colorado Hope.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own and no monetary compensation was received.
February 4, 2015
Montgomery and Grace Cunningham are travelling west to Fort Collins, Colorado where Monty has a surveyors job waiting for him. Grace is not sure the move is a good idea, but because Monty wants to go and she loves him, she agrees. On their way they have a horrific accident during a storm and Grace sees Monty washed down the river in a flash flood. Grace believes Monty to be dead, but just in case he is not, she goes on the Fort Collins thinking that is the only way he can find her. The very pregnant Grace is now on her own trying to make the best of her life for herself and her baby, without her husband. Since all the older women in the town believe Grace to be an unwed mother and made up the story about losing her husband, Grace has had a very hard time living in Fort Collins.
Monty did not die but was found on the river bank by Stella Childs. When she realizes that he can't remember anything of his past, she makes up a new name for him, Malcolm Conners, and past life telling him they are engaged. Since he has amnesia Monty believes everything Stella tells him. Turns out that Stella is really Lenora Dutton, the ex-wife of a bank robber and is just using Monty to kill time until she can get the gold she hid that her ex stole.
I loved this story and couldn't wait to find out how Monty and Grace would meet again. I just knew they had to. And, sure enough, a year after Grace settled in Fort Collins, Monty walks into the store Grace worked in as a seamstress. But he was with his new wife, Stella (Lenora) so Grace doesn't let on that she knows him since he acts as though he doesn't know her.
I found this book to be uniquely set in the time period in question with such detailed descriptions of the Colorado territory that I could easily picture the storms and gossipy neighbors. I can't imagine living in that time with the daily challenges they had to face.
The character development was exceptional. Grace is a strong woman who handles the problems life has thrown at her even though it is not easy. Her capacity for love was limitless and was shown when she stayed in Fort Collins in case Monty came for her, even though everyone thought she had an illegitimate child. She was also a very loving mother to her baby, Ben. Monty had high moral standards so that he stayed with Stella even though he didn't love her. He trusted in God to show him the way and, even more than usual, as his memory started to return. Most of the secondary characters were easy to like, too. The trackers LeRoy and Eli were really nice men who helped find people. Clare was sweet on Eli and a good friend to Grace, not caring that most of the town wanted nothing to do with her. Baby Ben was such a cutie that you can't help but love him. Stella (Lenora) was not likable since she was a deceitful con-artist who was using Monty, but she did make the story even more interesting.
I enjoyed this clean, historical romance. It was a well written adventure tale but could have been edited for continuity a bit better. Having said that, I would highly recommend this book.
I received a complementary copy of Colorado Hope from Choosy Bookworm in exchange for my honest review.
Monty did not die but was found on the river bank by Stella Childs. When she realizes that he can't remember anything of his past, she makes up a new name for him, Malcolm Conners, and past life telling him they are engaged. Since he has amnesia Monty believes everything Stella tells him. Turns out that Stella is really Lenora Dutton, the ex-wife of a bank robber and is just using Monty to kill time until she can get the gold she hid that her ex stole.
I loved this story and couldn't wait to find out how Monty and Grace would meet again. I just knew they had to. And, sure enough, a year after Grace settled in Fort Collins, Monty walks into the store Grace worked in as a seamstress. But he was with his new wife, Stella (Lenora) so Grace doesn't let on that she knows him since he acts as though he doesn't know her.
I found this book to be uniquely set in the time period in question with such detailed descriptions of the Colorado territory that I could easily picture the storms and gossipy neighbors. I can't imagine living in that time with the daily challenges they had to face.
The character development was exceptional. Grace is a strong woman who handles the problems life has thrown at her even though it is not easy. Her capacity for love was limitless and was shown when she stayed in Fort Collins in case Monty came for her, even though everyone thought she had an illegitimate child. She was also a very loving mother to her baby, Ben. Monty had high moral standards so that he stayed with Stella even though he didn't love her. He trusted in God to show him the way and, even more than usual, as his memory started to return. Most of the secondary characters were easy to like, too. The trackers LeRoy and Eli were really nice men who helped find people. Clare was sweet on Eli and a good friend to Grace, not caring that most of the town wanted nothing to do with her. Baby Ben was such a cutie that you can't help but love him. Stella (Lenora) was not likable since she was a deceitful con-artist who was using Monty, but she did make the story even more interesting.
I enjoyed this clean, historical romance. It was a well written adventure tale but could have been edited for continuity a bit better. Having said that, I would highly recommend this book.
I received a complementary copy of Colorado Hope from Choosy Bookworm in exchange for my honest review.
March 4, 2016
This second installment of The Front Range Series is delightful. It certainly does not hurt that I grew up in the Fort Collins/Greeley area and am a history buff. Ms. Whitman successfully maintained trueness to the local history and geography while writing a complicated romance. I especially enjoyed the appearance of characters from the first installment of the series, "Colorado Promise". This made connecting with both stories even more enjoyable.
Ms. Whitman's characters showed strength and vulnerability making them very real. Their faith is innate and even when Monty looses his memory, his connection with God asserts itself. His decision to stay true to what he believes is proper while being drawn toward Grace exemplifies his underlying beliefs. Grace's behavior under this type of duress also shows a strength of character I was delighted to see in a female character, especially in the 1870's. There were many very staunch women in the Colorado Territory, to be a good woman in the 1870's a woman had to be strong and true to her heart.
Adherence to the history of Colorado gave "Colorado Hope" a sturdy frame within to write and Ms. Whitman did an excellent job. I look forward to reading the next installment.
Ms. Whitman's characters showed strength and vulnerability making them very real. Their faith is innate and even when Monty looses his memory, his connection with God asserts itself. His decision to stay true to what he believes is proper while being drawn toward Grace exemplifies his underlying beliefs. Grace's behavior under this type of duress also shows a strength of character I was delighted to see in a female character, especially in the 1870's. There were many very staunch women in the Colorado Territory, to be a good woman in the 1870's a woman had to be strong and true to her heart.
Adherence to the history of Colorado gave "Colorado Hope" a sturdy frame within to write and Ms. Whitman did an excellent job. I look forward to reading the next installment.
January 6, 2015
What a fresh surprise! Any book that has to do with Colorado I am all about reading. This book was really pretty good, though a bit long and drawn out at times. The overall idea is about Monty who is taking his wife West to start out new. He gets washed down river and Grace moves on into town and starts her life, assuming her husband dead. Monty is actually alive but has no memory and that leads to others taking advantage of him and re-creating his past.
This creates a whirlwind life for both him and Grace living apart and confused on what to do next.
I liked going back into the history of Fort Collins and the suspense of the bad guys who have been robbing towns.
It's rather predictable but this story was well written and the characters well developed.
There are a lot of references to God and being thankful for His provision. I liked this added part of the story.
For a new-to-me author I was really impressed by this book, I just thought some of the parts could have been a little shorter.
4 stars.
"I received this book from PUMP UP YOUR BOOK for free in exchange for an honest review."
This creates a whirlwind life for both him and Grace living apart and confused on what to do next.
I liked going back into the history of Fort Collins and the suspense of the bad guys who have been robbing towns.
It's rather predictable but this story was well written and the characters well developed.
There are a lot of references to God and being thankful for His provision. I liked this added part of the story.
For a new-to-me author I was really impressed by this book, I just thought some of the parts could have been a little shorter.
4 stars.
"I received this book from PUMP UP YOUR BOOK for free in exchange for an honest review."
January 30, 2015
I enjoyed this book very much. it's the first book I have ever read by this author. It had everything I could ever want in a historical romance, romance, adventure, bad guys, a very bad girl, mystery, suspense, and good historical facts backing the story up. It DIDNT have any sex scenes really, I would consider this a "Sweet Romance". For those of you who are looking for hot & heavy sex scenes - you may not like this. It's also a "Inspirational/Christian" historical romance. It's not to preachy but can get redundant in parts which can turn some people off~while others may like that. For me, I don't really care one way or another. Reason I gave it 4 stars rather than 5 stars - it lags in parts of the book, and again, is redundant in some things. All this being said, I did enjoy the book very much and recommend it for those of you that like American HistoricalRomance set in the 1800's, that can over look the above mentioned issues. I only came across one or 2 editing mistakes that were so minor I can't even remember what they were. The background characters were very likable and really added to the story. I look forward to reading more of this author's work.
January 27, 2015
I thought this was going to be a sweet Christian romance. Well, it is that, and so much more. This story grabs you from the very beginning as newlyweds Grace and Monty are headed out west. Traveling on their own, they find themselves in trouble when they are caught up in a terrible rainstorm out on the plains.
A very pregnant Grace must watch helplessly as all of her worldly possessions, including her beloved husband are swept up into the raging waters. Rescued and brought in to town to recuperate, Grace is distraught. Believing her husband to be dead, she finds a job in town and works to support herself and her young son.
I can't say much more without revealing too much of the story, but this is a riveting tale, full of intrigue and many plot twists that keep you eagerly anticipating the next page. I couldn't put it down. Wonderful characters and great storytelling. I highly recommend.
A very pregnant Grace must watch helplessly as all of her worldly possessions, including her beloved husband are swept up into the raging waters. Rescued and brought in to town to recuperate, Grace is distraught. Believing her husband to be dead, she finds a job in town and works to support herself and her young son.
I can't say much more without revealing too much of the story, but this is a riveting tale, full of intrigue and many plot twists that keep you eagerly anticipating the next page. I couldn't put it down. Wonderful characters and great storytelling. I highly recommend.
January 22, 2015
Really good story! Looking forward to doing a full review and spotlight next week on Favorite Christian Books!!
January 26, 2018
A sweet, clean, Christian faith based romance and adventure story set in 1870's Fort Collins, Colorado. While not my usual genre, I enjoyed the setting and historical references. The characters were not particularly complex or multidimensional but the villian, Lenora Dutton, was especially fun, lively, and wickedly delightful and I found myself curious to know more about two supporting characters, Eli and Clare. A fun read outside my usual range.
March 20, 2019
This is a story full of heart ache and tears. A saga of the west. Grace loses her husband when a storm wipes out the bridge they are attempting to cross taking their wagon and her husband. The people in the town they were planning to settle in did not believe she was married and that her unborn baby was illegitimate.
When her husband shows up he’s married to someone else.
When her husband shows up he’s married to someone else.
April 13, 2019
A weepy heroine
and an amnesiac hero meet every natural and man made disaster the West has to offer, in this fast moving novel with a Christian perspective and many exciting and knowledgeable details.
and an amnesiac hero meet every natural and man made disaster the West has to offer, in this fast moving novel with a Christian perspective and many exciting and knowledgeable details.
July 6, 2017
Not your typical romance
Held my interest, although sometimes it got "long-Windex". Book is full of mystery, intrigue and some romance. I would recommend this book.
Held my interest, although sometimes it got "long-Windex". Book is full of mystery, intrigue and some romance. I would recommend this book.
January 9, 2018
Good relaxing novel.
Good book and I would recommend it. Good. Good Good Book. Never lost interest .
I don't have anything else to say. I loved this book.
Good book and I would recommend it. Good. Good Good Book. Never lost interest .
I don't have anything else to say. I loved this book.
January 3, 2020
Wonderful story!
Loved it! So much unexpected happenings! It sure keeps you guessing! But love shined through all of it and so does faith in the Lord! Great read!
Loved it! So much unexpected happenings! It sure keeps you guessing! But love shined through all of it and so does faith in the Lord! Great read!
May 26, 2021
Exciting
Love reading of the old west! Wonderful descriptions of places and events of the time period. Strong characters, riveting story. This book has it all!
Love reading of the old west! Wonderful descriptions of places and events of the time period. Strong characters, riveting story. This book has it all!
November 27, 2023
This is the first book I have read by Chrlene Whitman, and it won't be the last. Once I started this book, I couldn't put it down. I absolutely loved Grace and Monty's story.
January 26, 2015
Colorado Hope does an amazing job of transporting the reader to the world of pre-state Colorado. You can see the mountains, hear the river, and feel the late snow falling. (June! Snow in June! At least we haven't had that--to the best of my knowledge, anyway--here in WNY.)
Ms. Whitman really gives you the feel of being in Fort Collins, an up-and-coming frontier town. It seems a lot like our more modern small towns--unfortunately--with gossiping, judgmental busybodies. But there's also people willing to help out strangers, and public officials who will go above and beyond to find out the truth.
And there's people who will end up being the best kind of friends...
Grace and Monty Cunningham decide to move west to Colorado because Monty's been bitten by the frontier bug and has a job offer as a surveyor in Fort Collins. Grace is less convinced that the move is a good idea, but she loves Monty and eventually agrees. A tragic accident takes him from her before they even reach their destination, though, so she ends up in town alone and pregnant, with all the town matrons believing she's an unwed mother who's made up a tragic tale to cover her shame.
Monty meanwhile is taken in by a wanna-be actress whose last husband was hung as a bank robber, a conscienceless woman (relatively, anyway--she does nurse him back to health, at least) who's only marking time until she can go dig up what is left of her ex's ill-gotten gains. His accident has left him with amnesia, but he too ends up in Fort Collins, married to another and using a different name. Grace and Monty's journey back to one another is long and twisted, with many forces trying to keep them apart while others work to help them discover the truth.
There wasn't a lot of gray area in the novel--the good characters were very, very good, and the bad really didn't have much in the way of redeeming qualities. Grace in particular had no real flaws, except that her response to just about everything (especially every time she sees Monty and/or Stella) was to go back to her rented room and cry for hours. I couldn't understand why she didn't go to the man who had offered Monty the job--he at least could have vouched for the fact that there was indeed a married Mr. Cunningham who was traveling to Fort Collins to work for him. She couldn't have known this without being Mrs. Cunningham, and therefore it would have held up her claim. It is mentioned later on (among the menfolk) that they had been waiting for him to come but he never showed--at the very least she could have been spared a great deal of the malicious gossip from the women in town.
Monty's main flaw was that he was easily seduced by a deceiving woman--but that of course was the fault of the manly urges that he tried very hard to suppress and had never felt quite right about. He is constantly plagued by a feeling of wrongness that he blames on the amnesia--if only his memory would return, then all would be right again. With all of the flashes of memories that he has, though, and the way he is instinctively drawn to Grace, it takes him an awful long time to make the connection. Perhaps if she had said something it could have helped matters along...
Everything is solved nicely and neatly (finally!) in the end--Grace and Monty are reunited, the bad guys get their comeuppance, and Colorado finally becomes a state. Colorado Hope was an engrossing, if sometimes frustrating, read.
Rating: 3 stars / C+
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
Ms. Whitman really gives you the feel of being in Fort Collins, an up-and-coming frontier town. It seems a lot like our more modern small towns--unfortunately--with gossiping, judgmental busybodies. But there's also people willing to help out strangers, and public officials who will go above and beyond to find out the truth.
And there's people who will end up being the best kind of friends...
Grace and Monty Cunningham decide to move west to Colorado because Monty's been bitten by the frontier bug and has a job offer as a surveyor in Fort Collins. Grace is less convinced that the move is a good idea, but she loves Monty and eventually agrees. A tragic accident takes him from her before they even reach their destination, though, so she ends up in town alone and pregnant, with all the town matrons believing she's an unwed mother who's made up a tragic tale to cover her shame.
Monty meanwhile is taken in by a wanna-be actress whose last husband was hung as a bank robber, a conscienceless woman (relatively, anyway--she does nurse him back to health, at least) who's only marking time until she can go dig up what is left of her ex's ill-gotten gains. His accident has left him with amnesia, but he too ends up in Fort Collins, married to another and using a different name. Grace and Monty's journey back to one another is long and twisted, with many forces trying to keep them apart while others work to help them discover the truth.
There wasn't a lot of gray area in the novel--the good characters were very, very good, and the bad really didn't have much in the way of redeeming qualities. Grace in particular had no real flaws, except that her response to just about everything (especially every time she sees Monty and/or Stella) was to go back to her rented room and cry for hours. I couldn't understand why she didn't go to the man who had offered Monty the job--he at least could have vouched for the fact that there was indeed a married Mr. Cunningham who was traveling to Fort Collins to work for him. She couldn't have known this without being Mrs. Cunningham, and therefore it would have held up her claim. It is mentioned later on (among the menfolk) that they had been waiting for him to come but he never showed--at the very least she could have been spared a great deal of the malicious gossip from the women in town.
Monty's main flaw was that he was easily seduced by a deceiving woman--but that of course was the fault of the manly urges that he tried very hard to suppress and had never felt quite right about. He is constantly plagued by a feeling of wrongness that he blames on the amnesia--if only his memory would return, then all would be right again. With all of the flashes of memories that he has, though, and the way he is instinctively drawn to Grace, it takes him an awful long time to make the connection. Perhaps if she had said something it could have helped matters along...
Everything is solved nicely and neatly (finally!) in the end--Grace and Monty are reunited, the bad guys get their comeuppance, and Colorado finally becomes a state. Colorado Hope was an engrossing, if sometimes frustrating, read.
Rating: 3 stars / C+
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 28, 2015
On the Front Range of Colorado – May 1875 …
Malcolm Connors is miserable. When the storm surged, the swift current of the Cache la Poudre pulled him roughly down river. Eventually, he awoke, finding himself, bones broken, staring into the lovely face of Stella Childs. He didn’t remember anything; amnesia took over and he only had Stella to rely on. She had told him his name was Malcolm and she told him she was Stella, and that they were engaged to be married. Well, they did marry. Eventually he began to ponder how he could have possibly fallen in love with this sulking mess of a woman who seemed happiest when she was boozing.
Grace Cunningham is miserable. Together with her husband, Montgomery (Monty), they were on their way from Bloomington, Illinois to the Front Range of Colorado where he had a promise of a career as a surveyor. It was pouring; it was muddy; and they were considering turning around so they could get to shelter. But, the river Cache la Poudre had other ideas. Its banks were swelling fast; the wagon’s wheels were sinking; the horses were panicking so he had to let them go. He placed Grace, heavily pregnant, on higher ground while he returned to the wagon to gather some of their necessary items. The water grabbed his feet pulling him with the current. He tried to fight it, but it was a losing battle. He became tangled in a branch and hit his head on a rock. The water continued to carry him to the South Platte.
Grace finds herself in Fort Collins, by herself, concerned over what became of Monty. She gives birth to Benjamin Montgomery Cunningham. The people in the town care for her, but they don’t believe she was married. They think it’s a big story to cover that she’s really running away in shame. She began working in a store as a seamstress. Stella Connors is shopping there for fabric, and along comes Malcolm. Grace gasped and began to run to Monty, but he turns to the only wife he knows … Stella.
I was so utterly thrilled to have a story hold my attention this completely. It is the second in The Front Range series, but the story was complete within itself. Monty’s and Grace’s faith in God was strong as they met with many disastrous situations. It was also a story of holding onto hope when there appeared to be no hope. To me, this is the perfect story to ‘cocoon’ yourself in to your favorite reading spot, and try not to come out ‘til you’re done. Many of the characters kept my attention, for good or bad. I loved Monty and Grace as well as Grace’s friends Clare and Eli. My only complaint was that some of it was a bit repetitious. I rated Colorado Hope at 4.5 out of 5.
Malcolm Connors is miserable. When the storm surged, the swift current of the Cache la Poudre pulled him roughly down river. Eventually, he awoke, finding himself, bones broken, staring into the lovely face of Stella Childs. He didn’t remember anything; amnesia took over and he only had Stella to rely on. She had told him his name was Malcolm and she told him she was Stella, and that they were engaged to be married. Well, they did marry. Eventually he began to ponder how he could have possibly fallen in love with this sulking mess of a woman who seemed happiest when she was boozing.
Grace Cunningham is miserable. Together with her husband, Montgomery (Monty), they were on their way from Bloomington, Illinois to the Front Range of Colorado where he had a promise of a career as a surveyor. It was pouring; it was muddy; and they were considering turning around so they could get to shelter. But, the river Cache la Poudre had other ideas. Its banks were swelling fast; the wagon’s wheels were sinking; the horses were panicking so he had to let them go. He placed Grace, heavily pregnant, on higher ground while he returned to the wagon to gather some of their necessary items. The water grabbed his feet pulling him with the current. He tried to fight it, but it was a losing battle. He became tangled in a branch and hit his head on a rock. The water continued to carry him to the South Platte.
Grace finds herself in Fort Collins, by herself, concerned over what became of Monty. She gives birth to Benjamin Montgomery Cunningham. The people in the town care for her, but they don’t believe she was married. They think it’s a big story to cover that she’s really running away in shame. She began working in a store as a seamstress. Stella Connors is shopping there for fabric, and along comes Malcolm. Grace gasped and began to run to Monty, but he turns to the only wife he knows … Stella.
I was so utterly thrilled to have a story hold my attention this completely. It is the second in The Front Range series, but the story was complete within itself. Monty’s and Grace’s faith in God was strong as they met with many disastrous situations. It was also a story of holding onto hope when there appeared to be no hope. To me, this is the perfect story to ‘cocoon’ yourself in to your favorite reading spot, and try not to come out ‘til you’re done. Many of the characters kept my attention, for good or bad. I loved Monty and Grace as well as Grace’s friends Clare and Eli. My only complaint was that some of it was a bit repetitious. I rated Colorado Hope at 4.5 out of 5.
November 30, 2014
As readers turn the first page of “Colorado Hope,” they are taken back in time to life in the days just before the territory of Colorado became a state. Whitman brings everything to life as if her readers are watching an epic movie. The backstory of the plot brings “Colorado Hope” to life. She explains the history of each character and their role in her story of mystery, betrayal, manipulation, hope, and romance. Whitman grabs hold of her reader’s emotions at the story’s beginning and she doesn’t let go until the last page.
“Colorado Hope’s” plot delivers all the elements of a great western and brings to life the sacrifices families made in their efforts to follow their dreams for a better life. Readers feel the passion the two main protagonists have for each other and the author places her readers in heads of Grace and Monty Cunningham. She guides her readers through each of the tragedies Monty and Grace experience. Every time Monty or Grace experience a traumatic event or face danger is a test of their love for each other. In addition to testing their love, Whitman shows readers how Monty and Grace are fighting to survive and not lose hope.
Whitman introduces the main antagonist who takes advantage of vulnerable Monty. As the antagonist deception unfolds, readers see how the betrayal is affecting Grace. Whitman adds a new dimension to her plot every time she increases the level of Monty or Grace’s danger. Readers hold on so tight their knuckles turn white and they are caught holding their breath as the pace of the action increases.
“Colorado Hope” is an historical romance where a couple’s love for each other is put to a test. Whitman shows the growth of the characters in the second Front Range story. Readers enjoy a connection to some of the characters of the first visit to the Front Range of Colorado and hopefully we will see a continuing connection to the wonders of Colorado of the 1870’s.
Readers will want to set time to read this story and take in the great description of Colorado and those helping settle the territory. Charlene Whitman’s “Colorado Hope” is not only a story of romance of Monty and Grace Cunningham it is a love story of for the state of Colorado. “Colorado Hope” is a must read and I recommend reading Whitman’s first book of the series, “Colorado Promise.” I give Whitman’s story a 5 star ranking.
January 8, 2015
COLORADO HOPE by Charlene Whitman is an exciting Historical Western Romance. #2 in "Front Range" series, but can be read as a stand alone, set in 1875, Fort Collins, Colorado. See, "Colorado Promise".
Grace Cunningham, suddenly finds herself alone, and pregnant after watching her beloved husband, Montgomery Cunningham, swept away in a flash flood. A year later, enter Monty walks into Fort Collins, with another woman on his arm. A beautiful woman named Stella, at that, who claims to be his fiance. Grace is determined to help Monty find his lost memories of their time together, and their love, not just for herself, but for their infant son, Ben, as well.
Filled with loss, grief, outlaws, dangers, mystery, suspense, challenges of the wild Colorado territory, and a journey of love. "Colorado Hope" is a heart- wrenching tale of love and loss. But it is also heart warming, where love is put to the test, danger lurks around the bend and the characters are faced with challenges everyday. Can love re-surface, after a year? Please, pick up "COLORADO HOPE" to find out how Grace and Monty, and their infant son, Ben, come to grips with the life they once had, the dangers that lurks and challenges they face. A sweet Western Historical Romance, which is fast paced and drama filled with danger and challenges. Well done! I can't wait to read the next installment.
*Received for an honest review*
Rating: 4
Heat rating: Sweet
Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
Grace Cunningham, suddenly finds herself alone, and pregnant after watching her beloved husband, Montgomery Cunningham, swept away in a flash flood. A year later, enter Monty walks into Fort Collins, with another woman on his arm. A beautiful woman named Stella, at that, who claims to be his fiance. Grace is determined to help Monty find his lost memories of their time together, and their love, not just for herself, but for their infant son, Ben, as well.
Filled with loss, grief, outlaws, dangers, mystery, suspense, challenges of the wild Colorado territory, and a journey of love. "Colorado Hope" is a heart- wrenching tale of love and loss. But it is also heart warming, where love is put to the test, danger lurks around the bend and the characters are faced with challenges everyday. Can love re-surface, after a year? Please, pick up "COLORADO HOPE" to find out how Grace and Monty, and their infant son, Ben, come to grips with the life they once had, the dangers that lurks and challenges they face. A sweet Western Historical Romance, which is fast paced and drama filled with danger and challenges. Well done! I can't wait to read the next installment.
*Received for an honest review*
Rating: 4
Heat rating: Sweet
Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
November 11, 2016
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. AWESOME western romance. This book has it all. Get ready for the adjectives: love, suspense, intrigue, family values, fear, anger, hurt, faith, some violence, since it is a western. It kept me turning pages to see where this young married couple would go. Grace and Monty were married in Illinois and traveled west because Monty is a surveyor and has a job lined up. Sadly tragedy occurs in the beginning chapter of the story. Grace is several months pregnant when she and Monty are in their wagon when rain causes the wagon to sink and drags Monty away. Like many small communities when Grace showed up pregnant and claiming her husband got caught in the flood waters no one believes her. She is gossiped about and has no money or documents to or prove what she says. Meanwhile she gets a job as a seamstress to support her and her son, Ben. Monty is pulled out of the river after 'Stella' fabricated a story that she's his fiance. Monty lost his memory due to blows to the head while in the river. She's the widow of an outlaw that she squealed on and was hung. She decided to hide in plain sight as an alias until she could retrieve the gold her husband's gang stole. Months later she convinces Monty to marry her. One day while in town Monty walks right by Grace with no recognition. Wow, I felt Grace' s hurt. To find out more I strongly suggest getting this book. I look forward to reading more books by Ms Whitman.
January 9, 2017
LOVE AND DECEPTION
Monty and Grace hadn't been married for long. Grace was pregnant with their first child. They were moving to Fort Collins to start a new life and were almost there when a ferocious storm overtook them. Grace watched in horror as her entire life was swept away...belongings, money, but most importantly, her precious Monty. Somehow, though, she knew he was still alive and would never give up hope.
Lenora Dutton was the wife of a gang member who was being hanged in Denver. Not likely their paths would ever cross, right? But they did, in unimaginable ways.
When Monty finally does make his way to Fort Collins, he's not alone, and not going by the name Monty either. Grace knows it's him though, but how could she go on seeing him with someone else and not even recognizing who she is?
Things get so tangled up, there's no way things could possibly work out, but they do, and this is a wonderfully sweet novel of enduring love, second chances and faith in God carrying you through whatever might happen.
These books are fictional, but they're written with great detail of the time period, so it's easy to get wrapped up in the book and feel like you're there yourself, taking part in the story.
Monty and Grace hadn't been married for long. Grace was pregnant with their first child. They were moving to Fort Collins to start a new life and were almost there when a ferocious storm overtook them. Grace watched in horror as her entire life was swept away...belongings, money, but most importantly, her precious Monty. Somehow, though, she knew he was still alive and would never give up hope.
Lenora Dutton was the wife of a gang member who was being hanged in Denver. Not likely their paths would ever cross, right? But they did, in unimaginable ways.
When Monty finally does make his way to Fort Collins, he's not alone, and not going by the name Monty either. Grace knows it's him though, but how could she go on seeing him with someone else and not even recognizing who she is?
Things get so tangled up, there's no way things could possibly work out, but they do, and this is a wonderfully sweet novel of enduring love, second chances and faith in God carrying you through whatever might happen.
These books are fictional, but they're written with great detail of the time period, so it's easy to get wrapped up in the book and feel like you're there yourself, taking part in the story.
July 4, 2016
Memory lost to be found again
Grace and Montgomery were on their way to a new home and a future in Fort Collins, Colorado when tragedy struck. Montgomery was dragged into the surging river away from Grace. He was found on a riverbank by a woman who called herself Stella. When she realized he had no memory she convinced him that they were going to be married. She told him his name was Malcolm Collins. They moved to Fort Collins where Grace lived with her son, who was born shortly after her husband disappeared. You can imagine her shock when he walks in to where she works to collect his new wife. Grace couldn't understand how he could marry so mms done err else and not even recognize her until she realizes he lost his memory. He rescues her from trouble several times and can't figure out why he's withdrawn to her. He begins to realize th as t he never loved Stella and wonders why he married her. Stella doesn't want to lose Malcolm yet and hires t we o killers to kidnap and kill Grace and her son. What transpires after th e kidnapping brings the story to a close that you wouldn't expect. This is a lovely story which I know you will enjoy reading.
Grace and Montgomery were on their way to a new home and a future in Fort Collins, Colorado when tragedy struck. Montgomery was dragged into the surging river away from Grace. He was found on a riverbank by a woman who called herself Stella. When she realized he had no memory she convinced him that they were going to be married. She told him his name was Malcolm Collins. They moved to Fort Collins where Grace lived with her son, who was born shortly after her husband disappeared. You can imagine her shock when he walks in to where she works to collect his new wife. Grace couldn't understand how he could marry so mms done err else and not even recognize her until she realizes he lost his memory. He rescues her from trouble several times and can't figure out why he's withdrawn to her. He begins to realize th as t he never loved Stella and wonders why he married her. Stella doesn't want to lose Malcolm yet and hires t we o killers to kidnap and kill Grace and her son. What transpires after th e kidnapping brings the story to a close that you wouldn't expect. This is a lovely story which I know you will enjoy reading.
June 25, 2016
4.5 stars This has been described as a "sweet" romance and perhaps it is, but to me that sounds like something trite and clicheed. (Wish I knew how to put the accents in!) This is first of all more than a romance. It is a historical suspense. The two main characters are married at the start of the story and as a reader I was cheering them on from the beginning. The author did a good job in researching her history and making me feel as if I was back in the past with them. This was not a bodice ripper in any way, shape or form. Sexual longings were expressed by characters but the details weren't spelled out and weren't needed. The main characters had a strong belief in their faith and that God would show them the way. The book didn't feel overly preachy, but clearly the author had a viewpoint to present. Real historical characters were used when appropriate. I would definitely read more by this author.
June 23, 2016
This book needed an editor. The writing was decent, but the long winded story telling with too many adventures for one tale diminished its effectiveness. Having spent time in the Front Range communities, I am well aware of the fickle weather. A wagon could NOT travel from Cheyenne, WY to Fort Collins in one day leaving in the afternoon. Eighteen (18) miles is a long day for a wagon especially one carrying all their worldly goods. These horses in general could not have been subjected to these conditions like they were in the book. The historical information was good, but again too much for one story.
March 31, 2016
A young couple who have every faith in God, are pulled apart and put through quite an ordeal before finding their way back to each other. Through it all their faith never wavers and they stick close to their christian beliefs.
The bad people in the story are of the super bad type. Not a single redeeming quality among them, except for Billy who gives up his life to keep our heroine from being raped.
The bad people in the story are of the super bad type. Not a single redeeming quality among them, except for Billy who gives up his life to keep our heroine from being raped.
February 2, 2015
I enjoyed the 2 books in this series. They are well written and the story line is interesting and full of adventure. A Good Read for me.
5 stars for this book and the for both of the books in this series. Left me wanting more books for the characters in the first 2 in the series.
5 stars for this book and the for both of the books in this series. Left me wanting more books for the characters in the first 2 in the series.
June 29, 2016
Colorado Hope: A Sweet Historical Western Romance
This story is not only a sweet "Historical" western romance, it was also full of danger, excitement, and of course such loving people. Yes I really enjoyed this story. I laughed and cried during this whole book. Yes I would tell all about this book what a wonderful read
This story is not only a sweet "Historical" western romance, it was also full of danger, excitement, and of course such loving people. Yes I really enjoyed this story. I laughed and cried during this whole book. Yes I would tell all about this book what a wonderful read
February 6, 2017
I have enjoyed Charlene's books that I have read in this Greeley and Ft Collins area of CO. She has the ability to get your attention and keep it as there is much going on and you gotta find out how it all will be resolved. She does a good job on character building, plot and ending. I highly recommend her as a good author to read her work.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews