What do you think?
Rate this book
Distant Thunder
From the author of Silken Dreams comes the romantic and hopeful story of a woman determined to enter a cloister, as she feels suffocated by the secrets of her past, until the only person she ever trusted, her childhood confidant, returns from fighting in the Civil War, matured and ready to make her his wife.
Daniel Crocker was once Susan Hurst’s dearest friend, the protector and champion of her childhood, and the one who sheltered her from lifelong fears and haunting memories. He is the only person she ever trusted.
But not even Daniel is aware of the shattering truth of Susan’s past that has driven her to take the veil and become a nun.
On the brink of entering a cloistered life forever, Susan’s ordered world falls into sweet disarray when Daniel rides back into town. But this is not the same boy she once knew. Now a tough lawman and a dangerous and viral stranger, he’s betrayed her in becoming a man.
Determined to have Susan for his wife, Daniel slowly awakens her passions and unlocks the secrets of her soul. But as they welcome a glorious future together, their happiness is cruelly disrupted, and only the most courageous love can save the promise of tomorrow.
Daniel Crocker was once Susan Hurst’s dearest friend, the protector and champion of her childhood, and the one who sheltered her from lifelong fears and haunting memories. He is the only person she ever trusted.
But not even Daniel is aware of the shattering truth of Susan’s past that has driven her to take the veil and become a nun.
On the brink of entering a cloistered life forever, Susan’s ordered world falls into sweet disarray when Daniel rides back into town. But this is not the same boy she once knew. Now a tough lawman and a dangerous and viral stranger, he’s betrayed her in becoming a man.
Determined to have Susan for his wife, Daniel slowly awakens her passions and unlocks the secrets of her soul. But as they welcome a glorious future together, their happiness is cruelly disrupted, and only the most courageous love can save the promise of tomorrow.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
93 people are currently reading
214 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 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 14, 2016
Both Daniel and Susan have tortured pasts, but they bonded as orphans together. Daniel became Susan's protector while Susan dealt with her traumatic fears. Now, Susan is ready to take her vows to become a nun and Daniel has come back to stop her. He knows that she's doing it to escape her fears and that it's time for her to face them. He's also discovered that his feelings for Susan run deeper than he ever knew. But it will take time and patience to convince her that they can be together and that he can help her heal.
This is a very dramatic romance. It reminds me of a Lifetime movie. At times, Susan and her fears did not feel consistent, especially when we learn what her true fears are. . And yet, Susan had a core of strength in her. Daniel was an excellent hero. He is patient and tolerant and refuses to give up on Susan. He has hang ups with love because he feels that everyone that loves him dies. He was a dream hero, really. I kind of wish though that he had been able to maintain his confidence and not get so anxious in his sexual encounter with Susan. Even the suspense plot with the Pinkertons and the villains was pretty good. Interesting little plot twist in there too.
This is a very dramatic romance. It reminds me of a Lifetime movie. At times, Susan and her fears did not feel consistent, especially when we learn what her true fears are. . And yet, Susan had a core of strength in her. Daniel was an excellent hero. He is patient and tolerant and refuses to give up on Susan. He has hang ups with love because he feels that everyone that loves him dies. He was a dream hero, really. I kind of wish though that he had been able to maintain his confidence and not get so anxious in his sexual encounter with Susan. Even the suspense plot with the Pinkertons and the villains was pretty good. Interesting little plot twist in there too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2014
Historical Western romance with some seriously damaged people who find love after a childhood friendship so I'll throw this one in the second chances shelf.
Our heroine is almost ready to take her vows to become a nun and the hero is ready to change his life from dangerous Pinkerton detective to farmer and husband. They are both orphans taken in by Essie and Donovan at the loving kind orphanage where they became friends after the worse things ever happen to each of them. We get both awful childhood stories when they slowly gain trust and love with each other. Well written and so sad so this is a one hankie story.
200ish pages and kindle freebie
3 stars
Our heroine is almost ready to take her vows to become a nun and the hero is ready to change his life from dangerous Pinkerton detective to farmer and husband. They are both orphans taken in by Essie and Donovan at the loving kind orphanage where they became friends after the worse things ever happen to each of them. We get both awful childhood stories when they slowly gain trust and love with each other. Well written and so sad so this is a one hankie story.
200ish pages and kindle freebie
3 stars
June 12, 2016
Could not finish. Too dragged out.
Full review: kryppticbooks.wordpress.com
Full review: kryppticbooks.wordpress.com
July 30, 2023
Great Read
Very good historical novel. Daniel was an orphan who became a lawman. Susan was an orphan. She was found with her mother and father. Her parents had been killed. The four year old was hysterical and scared to death by males. Daniel was only nine, but her could calm her down. When a male schoolteacher came to the teach the children from the orphanage, Susan would not go to school. Daniel, a teenager by now, took Susan to a convent. He knew one of the novices there. He left Susan to be taught and cared for. Now many years later, Susan plans to take her vows to be a nun. But she is not sure. Daniel appears to stop her.
Very good historical novel. Daniel was an orphan who became a lawman. Susan was an orphan. She was found with her mother and father. Her parents had been killed. The four year old was hysterical and scared to death by males. Daniel was only nine, but her could calm her down. When a male schoolteacher came to the teach the children from the orphanage, Susan would not go to school. Daniel, a teenager by now, took Susan to a convent. He knew one of the novices there. He left Susan to be taught and cared for. Now many years later, Susan plans to take her vows to be a nun. But she is not sure. Daniel appears to stop her.
November 3, 2014
“Distant Thunder” by Lisa Bingham Is a book set in Colorado in the late 1800’s. It is the story of two orphans, Susan Hurst and Daniel Crocker. Daniel has been Susan’s protector since she was a little baby. She was taken to an orphanage after her parents were murdered by deserters in the war. Daniel was an orphan living on the streets in a Pennsylvania town, but lived at the orphanage for a time. Their lives took divergent paths.
Susan was deathly afraid of men and decided to spend her life as a nun. Daniel fought in the Civil War and became a Pinkerton agent afterwards. Their lives came together again when Susan is about to take her final vows as a nun. Daniel is injured and trying to recover when he finds out what Susan is going to do. The story continues as the two of them rekindle their closeness and in the face of evil come to realize that neither can do without the other.
I enjoyed this book very much, but it seemed to be too predictable in light of others I have read. I downloaded this book from Amazon.com to my Kindle. This review is on my blog at http://wp.me/p2pjIt-d7.
Susan was deathly afraid of men and decided to spend her life as a nun. Daniel fought in the Civil War and became a Pinkerton agent afterwards. Their lives came together again when Susan is about to take her final vows as a nun. Daniel is injured and trying to recover when he finds out what Susan is going to do. The story continues as the two of them rekindle their closeness and in the face of evil come to realize that neither can do without the other.
I enjoyed this book very much, but it seemed to be too predictable in light of others I have read. I downloaded this book from Amazon.com to my Kindle. This review is on my blog at http://wp.me/p2pjIt-d7.
December 18, 2016
Wow. This was a steaming pile of overly dramatic nonsense. First, the writing was too over-the-top. Everything... and I mean EVERYTHING... had to be some dramatic endeavor: cooking dinner, raking leaves, etc. I felt the author was trying too hard to make the story deep & meaningful.
Second, the relationship between the main characters was unbelievable. Supposedly, they'd been friends since childhood, but hadn't seen or spoken to each other in many, many years. So I'd hardly label them as friends.
Third, the use of the phrase "a rhythm as old as time". No, just no.
The only redeeming part of the story was Max, the special needs man. I thought he was sweet.
Second, the relationship between the main characters was unbelievable. Supposedly, they'd been friends since childhood, but hadn't seen or spoken to each other in many, many years. So I'd hardly label them as friends.
Third, the use of the phrase "a rhythm as old as time". No, just no.
The only redeeming part of the story was Max, the special needs man. I thought he was sweet.
July 2, 2009
This book was really good. Loved the characters and the challenges they had to overcome.
October 20, 2014
Distant Thunder by Lisa Bingham
A formula Western romance relieved slightly by the fact that both the man and woman are battling memories of childhood violence.
A formula Western romance relieved slightly by the fact that both the man and woman are battling memories of childhood violence.
November 13, 2016
3.5 Want to read more. Author writes well. Story needed more intricacy to satisfy me, but there is potential here.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews