Vanessa is determined to cross the prairies, ford the mighty rivers and climb the Rockies to reach Colorado. But her resolve weakens when a tall, lean stranger as wild as the western wind takes her in his arms. Will surrender to this restless roamer bring her happiness - or will it break her heart forever.
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 Garlock donated many of her manuscripts and other unpublished writings to the University of Iowa libraries.
Dorothy Garlock was the first ever romance books I read, I was in 9th grade. They have stayed in my memory as great reads. Two series stick out in my memory, the Wind series and the River series. I found them for my kindle and am going to re-read them and see if they are still as magical as way back then
This is the first Dorothy Garlock book that I have read and loved it. I found this book at a place where I stay in the summer. People take their old books and pick up new to them books to read. While I have taken many books there (I have a LOT!) I have rarely taken any. One day I picked up three. One from a favorite author, one that sounded good and this one. I wasn't too sure about this one. I really didn't have the time to look it over then but thought what the heck. I could bring it back the next day if need be. I started to read it the next morning to see if I wanted to keep it. While before I knew it, I was on page 100! I just became enthralled with the story. It was very well written. It was published in 1987 but it was timeless in style. I felt gifted to be reading about the coming together of two couples. Each person had their own POV and even other characters' had their POV written in. It was marvelous to see that.
I so thoroughly enjoyed this book. I stayed up until 3 in morning as I had a hard time putting it down. I had to give it up as my eyes were to blurry to keep reading. This book has a fantastic plot that keeps one reading. It is not filled with unnecessary descriptions and/or sex scenes that keep going and going in an author's attempt for more words. No this book has a STORY! I know that seems hard to believe but a plot that actually a telling of going west to Colorado from Missouri. About the hardships of travel during this early time period of the US.
Truly a wonderful book. I think I just may have to keep this and re-read this over and over. Oh, I almost forgot. There are some scenes that you will need to have tissues close by. I cried and had to re-read several of these scenes. They were so wonderfully tender and heart-wrenching.
Every one of her books keep getting better. I can't wait to read the next one . This is the 4th book of hers that I have read this week and they keep getting better. All are so different.
The romantic plot was good. The subplot was lazy- she has the same subplot in a lot of her books. Bad guy is wanting to come and claim the woman thru sexual assault.
I read Garlock's books so long ago that I had to Google her books to see if this is the one I remember as having a mentally challenged adult male as a supporting character. I thought that this character was handled so well, and then for him to have a successful romance story (parallel to the story of the main characters) was awesome as we tend to think of child-like adults as non-sexual or non-people, and certainly not romantic. (No offense to those with mentally-challenged loved ones but I just never thought about them that way ("normal") until I read this book. Stupid me. My high rating of this book is mainly for the supporting couple as I can't recall the story of the main couple. I'm sure theirs is a good story as well, but it has been so long and the supporting couple just stood out in my memory.
EDITED TO ADD: Recently re-read this book and the main couple's story gets 4 stars but the supporting couple's story is still 5 stars.
I usually don't care for historical romances that take place in the U.S. (I prefer the U.K.), but the storyline in this book kept my interest. The story takes place on the trail going west. All of the main characters are very likeable and the story has the trifecta of romance, suspense, and action. The book was a quick read and I didn't want to put it down. This book was a surprisingly good read, and I'm very happy I stumbled upon the book.
I LOVED THOS BOOK. ITS WAS SOOO GOOD. I LOVED THE CHARECTERS IN IT. JUST A GREAT STORY. I RECOMMEND IT TO OTHER FOR SURE. I LOVE THE CHRECTERS ESPECIALLY MARY BETH AND HENRY N. THEY R SOO CUTE AND INNOCENT. JUST A WONDERFUL STORY. I JUST WANTED TO JUMP IN THE STORY AND WATCH THE STORY COME TO LIFE. WOULD MAKE A AWESOME MOVIE BUT THEN AGAIN BOOKS R ALWAYS BETTER THAN THE MOVIE !!!!!!!