Mariah

Calloway Corners #1

by Sandra Canfield

Mariah by Sandra Canfield released on Nov 24, 1988 is available now for purchase.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

299 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Sandra Kay Patterson Canfield was born on 21 November 1944 in Longview, Texas, USA. She wrote as Sandra Canfield and under the pseudonym of Karen Keast. She also used the pseudonym of Sandi Shane in collaboration with the writer Penny Richards (alias Bay Matthews). At 58, Sandra passed away on 23 January 2003 in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Reviews

[Anne Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have some mixed feelings about this one, but, overall, I liked it and it held my attention throughout. Some of the conflicts were fairly pat, but the situation and the minister hero were certainly refreshing. For the most part, the values represented in here are presented fairly and non-judgementally, and so I was able to appreciate them. (Sure there was a bit of "moral panic" here and there regarding teen sexuality, but it was far more tempered than elsewhere back in 1988 - heck, this is better than we get in some small towns in 2014!) Also, I have to admit the "waiting until marriage" angle paid off in this one, in terms of heightening anticipation. The heroine was rather annoying at the beginning, switching topics like a squirrel on coffee, but she grew on me. The writing is quite fine, and there's some good, meaty character development happening here (compared to a lot of other HQ novels).

My major complaint, however, has to do with the ending. I could see it coming a mile away, and I was disappointed when it arrived. The book revolves around an honourable preacher falling for a flighty and worldly "bad girl". Due to his obligations as pastor and mentor to a group of teens he advises to abstain from sex, he feels obligated to practice what he preaches. Nonetheless, as a modern, liberal fellow, he is still sex-positive and doesn't hold sex against people. Yet, after they "wait for marriage," low-n-behold he discovers (to his delight, of course) that Mariah is really a virgin! A miracle! Preacher is "rewarded" for his tolerance by still getting a virgin bride. This felt not only contrived to me, but a slap in the face of the nice, liberal views spouted leading up to the consummation. The point, in the end, is that it's alright to tolerate a woman who *looks* wild and experienced, but it's still more romantic if the bill of sale is still intact when push comes to shove. I knew it would play this way, and I guess I can see a positive sort of "looks can be deceiving" angle here, but it was an obvious ploy and a let down. Still - 1988, what you gonna do?

I fell heir to all four books of this series at once, so now I'm on to Jo's story. I look forward to the other installments, because, overall, I did enjoy this one.

[Jenny Delandro · Rating 3 out of 5]

she is like the wind...
he is the local minister
This is a nice normal romance where there is no sex within one hour of meeting...
quick easy read....
very satisfying....Nice knowing that i can read it whenever i want

[Cathryn King · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as a teenager many years ago and recently found the set of 4 at Mum's place while on holidays, thought it'd be fun to revisit them. Really easy to read, likeable characters. Not the greatest literary work ever, but it's fairly well written and sweet.

[Jena]

bad girl + pastor

[Krista-Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread of a book I loved when I was a teenager.

[Jennifer Hoey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! Mariah's a free spirit but underneath that is a lot of pain. Her romance with Ford was fun and sexy!

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple read- must be religious inclined to enjoy the book