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It has always been a burden for quiet, level-headed Tess Lanier to be the daughter of Nina Lane -- the gifted and tormented author who died soon after Tess's birth. Determined to be nothing like her exuberant mother, Tess, a collector of antique lace, lives in California, safe and anonymous, far from theKansas town her family once called home, where Nina penned her extraordinary stories. But when her dying grandfather asks her to go back, she cannot refuse. And on the banks of the Missouri River, she meets Ned Ravenal, a vibrant man who is living his dream, excavating a paddlewheel steamboat that sank one hundred and fifty years ago. Tess had family on that boat, and Ned uncovers their secrets that, in turn, unlock the mysteries of Nina's life. No longer afraid of the past, Tess discovers in herself spirit, passion, and richness as intricate as her lace.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 10, 2023
This was a re-read for me. The first time I read it I liked all the parts except for the diary parts. I skipped a lot of them, but the last time I read them all and enjoyed it even more since having children and struggling with my own depression/mental illness. Parts of it got me a little choked up.
November 15, 2023
On re-reading this novel, I have become obsessed with imagining it as a mini-series. With intertwined layers about the present-day story involving the excavation of the sunken riverboat; the original wrecking of the Western Settler; the 1970s "Settlement" and death of Nina Lane; and the "Game of Thrones" style fantasy trilogy that made Lane famous!
May 5, 2019
This was a pleasant read. Not much romance, not much really happens. Very descriptive. The ending didn't really tie things up as tightly as I would have liked.
May 28, 2015
3 1/2 stars. This was re-read for me, but I enjoyed as much (or more) this time. The main characters are engaging and well-drawn, and Ms. Seidel's portrayal of life in a small town in the Midwest is spot on. Although I'm not usually a fan of historic-story-within-a-contemporary stories, Ms. Seidel handles it deftly, and it enhances the main story instead of detracting from it (as sometimes happens in other books).
January 23, 2008
Kathleen is one of my three favorite living authors. I have never lent one to anyone who didn't like Kathleen, men and women alike. Some of her books are date because she wrote them years ago, but all are still very worth reading - even the Harlequins!
May 15, 2012
It's been a while since I read it but I remember loving anxiously waiting for that riverboat to be dug up...
May 8, 2013
it was kind of the sweetest book i've ever read. tess was a sweetheart. ned was just so perfect for her. it was just adorable!
May 17, 2019
Love her books, so much heart and love and great stories.
October 14, 2013
Held such promise but the end was too rushed to see it properly realized. Left me feeling irritated as a result.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews