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Wyoming Frontier #4
The Listening Sky
In the 1880s, Jane Love comes to Timbertown, Wyoming to escape her heritage and begin a new job and an independent new life. But upon her arrival, she discovers that she and 19 other women were recruited, not to work, but to become wives of lumberjacks. Jane is appalled by the arrangement but agrees to a mock marriage with the town's owner.
419 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 1996
About the author
Dorothy Garlock
79 books397 followersDorothy 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 Garlock donated many of her manuscripts and other unpublished writings to the University of Iowa libraries.
Pen names include:
Johanna Phillips
Dorothy Phillips
Dorothy Glenn
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 Garlock donated many of her manuscripts and other unpublished writings to the University of Iowa libraries.
Pen names include:
Johanna Phillips
Dorothy Phillips
Dorothy Glenn
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 22, 2018
Where do I begin? (I've started this review three times and deleted all three beginnings) There is mystery here, a few of them actually. And those alone were enough to keep me turning the pages. There is conflict, there is romance. There are wonderful, round, complex characters. The setting of the town is vivid enough that I could see it.
BUT
There were also cardboard-cut-out, motive-less bad guys. There were far too many secondary characters without motives for their behaviour. Jane's mystery resolution was disappointing to me. (Trying not to give anything away here). The blurb for the book is not accurate, but you'll understand that if and when you read the book. The main love story was rushed and cheesy as all hell, which was disappointing.
Now to the formatting. There is a chunk of text missing, and then the narrative picks up in the middle of a love scene. There are words that are completely wrong for the surrounding sentence. There are words italicised that should not be. There are quotation marks in places they should not be, and missing in other places where they should be. I have read a large number of books, and I expect these sorts of errors from first-time authors that did not have the benefit of formatters, but this book does not fall into that category.
Disappointing, predictable and regrettable. I'm sorry I wasted my money.
BUT
There were also cardboard-cut-out, motive-less bad guys. There were far too many secondary characters without motives for their behaviour. Jane's mystery resolution was disappointing to me. (Trying not to give anything away here). The blurb for the book is not accurate, but you'll understand that if and when you read the book. The main love story was rushed and cheesy as all hell, which was disappointing.
Now to the formatting. There is a chunk of text missing, and then the narrative picks up in the middle of a love scene. There are words that are completely wrong for the surrounding sentence. There are words italicised that should not be. There are quotation marks in places they should not be, and missing in other places where they should be. I have read a large number of books, and I expect these sorts of errors from first-time authors that did not have the benefit of formatters, but this book does not fall into that category.
Disappointing, predictable and regrettable. I'm sorry I wasted my money.
February 27, 2009
Westerns are my favorite romance genre, and this was an enjoyable read. I actually enjoyed some of the side plotlines, especially Sunday and Colin's, better than the main story. I just felt Jane and T.C.'s relationship developed a little too easily, without enough conflict. Still, not a bad book.
August 8, 2022
I reread The Listening Sky recently and its still a great romance with a bit of suspense and mystery. Highly recommended!
March 12, 2024
Never thought I'd love a western genre so much😭
June 20, 2022
If I could, I'd rate this in the negatives. Actually, the rating I'd give it is lower than that.
I was actually okay with this book. The characters were kinda bland and I had my list of why I would have given it 1 stars. But, on section of the book ruined that.
I literally had to set the book down and take a minute to calm myself down
Before I explain the section that had me angry, here's a list of stuff that made it a one star book
1. The "Yi, yi, yi" thing that Mexican men always say in the book
2. J.C trying to manipulate Jane into staying in the town by using Doc's sickness
3. J.C going back on his word to take Jane to the station after Doc died
4. There was no leading up to Mrs.Winters being Jane's enemy and her being bossy isn't a good enough explanation
5. Polly keeps shifting from having an accent to not having one
6. J.C taking advantage of Jane's weak mental state to marry her
7. J.C being disgusted at Bettie for not wanting to be seen after she almost got SAed
Why would he be disgusted? It's because she's a bitch. I felt disgusted at this treatment of an SAed victim.
So, we have a villianiess who left her husband because he(presumably) tried to choke him. J.C and Herb didn't believe her. She wanted to be with Collin and tried to destroy his relationship with Sunny so the villianiess can be with him. He left to get her husband, the one who keeps saying "Yi, yi, yi".
And here's the part that made me angry. Dorothy loves to write about how men beating and raping women is bad. But when the villianiess gets slapped around and raped, it's portrayed as a GOOD thing. All because she loves to sleep around and tried to get with Collin. Nevermind that the ML keeps taking advantage of FL and the villianiess's husband is also sleeping around.
I was actually okay with this book. The characters were kinda bland and I had my list of why I would have given it 1 stars. But, on section of the book ruined that.
I literally had to set the book down and take a minute to calm myself down
Before I explain the section that had me angry, here's a list of stuff that made it a one star book
1. The "Yi, yi, yi" thing that Mexican men always say in the book
2. J.C trying to manipulate Jane into staying in the town by using Doc's sickness
3. J.C going back on his word to take Jane to the station after Doc died
4. There was no leading up to Mrs.Winters being Jane's enemy and her being bossy isn't a good enough explanation
5. Polly keeps shifting from having an accent to not having one
6. J.C taking advantage of Jane's weak mental state to marry her
7. J.C being disgusted at Bettie for not wanting to be seen after she almost got SAed
Why would he be disgusted? It's because she's a bitch. I felt disgusted at this treatment of an SAed victim.
So, we have a villianiess who left her husband because he(presumably) tried to choke him. J.C and Herb didn't believe her. She wanted to be with Collin and tried to destroy his relationship with Sunny so the villianiess can be with him. He left to get her husband, the one who keeps saying "Yi, yi, yi".
And here's the part that made me angry. Dorothy loves to write about how men beating and raping women is bad. But when the villianiess gets slapped around and raped, it's portrayed as a GOOD thing. All because she loves to sleep around and tried to get with Collin. Nevermind that the ML keeps taking advantage of FL and the villianiess's husband is also sleeping around.
July 6, 2023
Stays with you long after the last page
I sit here at dawn after reading from afternoon through the night wishing for more pages and more words. There are writers, there are great writers, and there are masters of their craft like Dorothy Garlock. This book, not a wasted word, not an awkward phrase, but a gripping story that pulls the reader into the lives revealed therein. Well it's about a hour before my day starts, so I think I'll start reading it again. The family can get their own breakfast.
I sit here at dawn after reading from afternoon through the night wishing for more pages and more words. There are writers, there are great writers, and there are masters of their craft like Dorothy Garlock. This book, not a wasted word, not an awkward phrase, but a gripping story that pulls the reader into the lives revealed therein. Well it's about a hour before my day starts, so I think I'll start reading it again. The family can get their own breakfast.
March 11, 2024
Finally a Garlock story old style! In this here come the brides style story, TC is hired to build a logging town. Jane answers an ad for women and children who want the adventure of creating a town. Almost from the start evil notes begin threatening her lifelong shameful secret and she feels she must leave town before it happens. TC however has fallen for her and doesn’t want to let her go. Other great characters are pregnant Polly, the crusty old doctor, Sunday the cheerful tomboy and more. Everyone has a secret they are escaping … a good old western adventure!
August 17, 2023
3🌟. I mean it was fun but like so many things were going on in this story that it took attention away from Jane and TC. Which was sad honestly.
All the side stories and POV made the story be a little boring and many parts of it.
It would have been nicer if the plot was focused on them. Though I loved all the side characters, but it was distracting.
All the side stories and POV made the story be a little boring and many parts of it.
It would have been nicer if the plot was focused on them. Though I loved all the side characters, but it was distracting.
February 4, 2025
A reread for me. I think I read it first maybe 20 years ago. It's funny how youth thought this was an amazing book. It's still a good book and I will always love Dorothy Garlock for this genre. But older me finds it all a little silly.
November 14, 2017
My Review
It’s always with a joyful heart that I finish reading one of my favorite authors stories! Thank you Dorothy Garlock.
It’s always with a joyful heart that I finish reading one of my favorite authors stories! Thank you Dorothy Garlock.
April 27, 2019
This book is wonderful! This book has it all – action, likable characters, great plotting and well-developed characters and scenes. I was really in a mood to read a book like this; it was a treat from the first page to the last.
Jane Love has joined a group of men and women who are trying to start over in the Wyoming Territory. TC Kilkenny is trying to bring a dying town back to life and needs workers and families to join him in reclaiming this old town. He also works with a lumber company; men in these outback regions want wives and Kilkenny encourages single women to come and work. He also understands that many of these women will quickly find husbands if they want one.
Jane is running from a terrible secret and believes she will be free in Wyoming. However, on her first day at Timbertown, she receives a threatening message. Each of the arriving people has a unique story as to why they are willing to forgo Eastern comforts to come to this wild land.
TC Kilkenny is a fair man who is dedicated to creating a new town from the ashes of the old. He demands that women are treated with respect and they have the final say as to whether they want to be courted by a particular man.
Kilkenny is immediately interested in Jane, who demands to be returned to a depot. She tells him that she sees through his jobs offer for single females; he just wants them for wives for the men already employed there.
Garlock has a habit of mentioning characters from previous books and it’s a trait that I really enjoy. Although these characters are mentioned in this book, it stands alone – you don’t have to have read the other books to enjoy this one.
Several of the Tallman clan are mentioned; Colin Tallman, adopted son of Addie and John Tallman (YESTERYEAR). From DREAM RIVER, Amy and Rain Tallman are mentioned. They are Colin’s grandparents.
Milo Callahan comes back from SINS OF A SUMMER; he’s still a villain. The Kilkenny name may be familiar if you read MIDNIGHT BLUE. In that story, Moose Kilkenny was a bare-knuckle fighter who fought Pack Gallagher. TC is the nephew of Moose Kilkenny.
Finally, Gerrick and Katy Rowe are mentioned (from NIGHTROSE). It was Gerrick’s dream to revitalize the dead Timbertown.
Wyoming Frontier
1. Midnight Blue (1988)
2. Nightrose (1990)
3. Sins of Summer (1994)
4. The Listening Sky (1994)
5. Larkspur (1997)
6. Sweetwater (1990)
Jane Love has joined a group of men and women who are trying to start over in the Wyoming Territory. TC Kilkenny is trying to bring a dying town back to life and needs workers and families to join him in reclaiming this old town. He also works with a lumber company; men in these outback regions want wives and Kilkenny encourages single women to come and work. He also understands that many of these women will quickly find husbands if they want one.
Jane is running from a terrible secret and believes she will be free in Wyoming. However, on her first day at Timbertown, she receives a threatening message. Each of the arriving people has a unique story as to why they are willing to forgo Eastern comforts to come to this wild land.
TC Kilkenny is a fair man who is dedicated to creating a new town from the ashes of the old. He demands that women are treated with respect and they have the final say as to whether they want to be courted by a particular man.
Kilkenny is immediately interested in Jane, who demands to be returned to a depot. She tells him that she sees through his jobs offer for single females; he just wants them for wives for the men already employed there.
Garlock has a habit of mentioning characters from previous books and it’s a trait that I really enjoy. Although these characters are mentioned in this book, it stands alone – you don’t have to have read the other books to enjoy this one.
Several of the Tallman clan are mentioned; Colin Tallman, adopted son of Addie and John Tallman (YESTERYEAR). From DREAM RIVER, Amy and Rain Tallman are mentioned. They are Colin’s grandparents.
Milo Callahan comes back from SINS OF A SUMMER; he’s still a villain. The Kilkenny name may be familiar if you read MIDNIGHT BLUE. In that story, Moose Kilkenny was a bare-knuckle fighter who fought Pack Gallagher. TC is the nephew of Moose Kilkenny.
Finally, Gerrick and Katy Rowe are mentioned (from NIGHTROSE). It was Gerrick’s dream to revitalize the dead Timbertown.
Wyoming Frontier
1. Midnight Blue (1988)
2. Nightrose (1990)
3. Sins of Summer (1994)
4. The Listening Sky (1994)
5. Larkspur (1997)
6. Sweetwater (1990)
September 26, 2016
I enjoyed reading.
February 1, 2012
The Listening Sky by Dorothy Garlcok
Time: 1888 Women and children are brought to the town in hopes of starting up businesses for the town.
The town has no businesses and Jane finds out the man just wanted to get women there for the men who were logging. If TC can keep the men happy they will work and make money for him.
Jane wants to leave as soon as possible now that she knows why they were brought there. She stepped in to help the cook, take care of the doctor that is dying and to help with little girl who was brought in to see the doctor. She found out what was wrong and went back upstairs and asked the doctor what to do and it worked.
Someone attacks Jane and when TC finds her he takes care of her along with help from others and he even marries her. TC has found out that somebody wants her and is torturing her with notes.
Secrets are shared with her spouse and it relieves her tension.
They hope others will be able to watch her 24/7 when he's not available to do so because someone is still out to get her....
August 11, 2014
I have read several of Dorothy Garlock's novels, finding them a welcome change of pace. "The Listening Sky", I picked off the paperback swap rack at the Carrollton, Miss., library. The heroine, Jane, and her soul mate (as it turns out) "Thunder Cloud Timmie" are such lucky folks, in the end ... though I'll warn potential readers of this Western Romance that poor Jane has to suffer physically as well as emotionally before she claims her bit of heaven on Earth!
January 25, 2011
Jane answers an advertisement for employment to teach school children in a logging town. She, along with numerous other women who have answered the ads, find that not only are there jobs available for all of them ... but the main reason for the advertisements ... were for the lumberjacks to find brides! This was another great story from Dorothy Garlock. Love all her books!
November 7, 2015
Ms. Dorothy Garlock writes very down to earth, no holds barred novels. The Listening Sky is chalked full of drama, surprises, and mystery. The ending reveals a huge shocker no one will see coming. Then as Ms. Garlock eloquently does, she gives us a heartfelt epilogue to end such a great book.
June 5, 2011
This is one of my favorite Dorothy Garlock book.
Read
May 8, 2012Excellent !!!!!
August 16, 2013
Fun story of a mill town and the owner who advertises for women.
May 7, 2015
One of my favorite books, love, mystery, danger, it has it all.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews