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Wabash River #3
River of Tomorrow
Only her defiant pride kept her from begging for his love...
Behind her proper schoolmarm ways, sunny blond, Mercy, was the same sassy spitfire she had been as a child. An orphan raised by the Quill family with her foster brother Danny, she had always had a quick temper and often needed the loving protection of her big brother. Now she was a woman—and running to Danny again.
Two Kentucky bounders had ridden into town with a stunning secret about Mercy's past, one that could separate Mercy and Daniel forever. Surrounded by danger, she would recognize her desperate hunger to have Danny claim her, not as a sister, but as his wife. She knew he would stand by her against a town's cruel whispers and fight against an enemy who wanted her dead. But if she dared to declare her love, would he respond with his dependable brotherly kindness—and break her heart?
Behind her proper schoolmarm ways, sunny blond, Mercy, was the same sassy spitfire she had been as a child. An orphan raised by the Quill family with her foster brother Danny, she had always had a quick temper and often needed the loving protection of her big brother. Now she was a woman—and running to Danny again.
Two Kentucky bounders had ridden into town with a stunning secret about Mercy's past, one that could separate Mercy and Daniel forever. Surrounded by danger, she would recognize her desperate hunger to have Danny claim her, not as a sister, but as his wife. She knew he would stand by her against a town's cruel whispers and fight against an enemy who wanted her dead. But if she dared to declare her love, would he respond with his dependable brotherly kindness—and break her heart?
376 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 1988
52 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
About the author
Dorothy Garlock
86 books382 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
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 23, 2016
I read this in HS or college and found it at a used book store. I love Garlock's use of settings outside the publishing norm. Mercy and Daniel remain one of my all time favorite couples. very satisfying.
March 2, 2020
This was a thoroughly entertaining book with good plot twists, lots of action, some humour and of course plenty of romance. What more could anybody want?
Actually there was more. I felt that the novel had an array of characters that were interesting in that they were not wholly stereotypical of this kind of book. The hero occasionally gets outsmarted, there are characters who are not as bad as you first think and the heroine comes to realise that different is not the same as inferior or wicked. But of course there is also a stereotypical baddie as a counterpoint!
All in all a very imaginative novel with a layer of the romantically predictable overlying the much more variable array of secondary (but by no means minor) characters in the novel. A great read.
Actually there was more. I felt that the novel had an array of characters that were interesting in that they were not wholly stereotypical of this kind of book. The hero occasionally gets outsmarted, there are characters who are not as bad as you first think and the heroine comes to realise that different is not the same as inferior or wicked. But of course there is also a stereotypical baddie as a counterpoint!
All in all a very imaginative novel with a layer of the romantically predictable overlying the much more variable array of secondary (but by no means minor) characters in the novel. A great read.
December 18, 2024
I enjoyed this book too but was disappointed that Libby and Farr did not go on to meet up with Rain and Amy's in Arkansas territory Daniel and Mercey's story was a little different there some things I didn't like but it was still a good read just not pulled to reread as often as the other first two but still liked it enough to 4 star rate it
June 12, 2025
A Great Series
I don't usually write a review of each book in a series. I write a review of the series. This was a wonderful series about the lives of our pioneers who fought bravely to settle this country. I will definitely read this one again.
I don't usually write a review of each book in a series. I write a review of the series. This was a wonderful series about the lives of our pioneers who fought bravely to settle this country. I will definitely read this one again.
May 29, 2022
Hw do u guys read here.
August 6, 2025
Great book, as the other two in this series was!
June 7, 2019
RIVER OF TOMORROW begins about 12 years after DREAM RIVER (1830). Liberty and Farr Quill are away at the Illinois legislature where Farr is representing his county/region.
If you recall from LONESOME RIVER, Farr found Mercy and Daniel after their families were killed in separate tragedies. Being this couple, they promptly added the 2 children to their family. Daniel, 2 years older than Mercy, has always taken care of her. They have grown up as brother and sister in the Quill household.
In the past few years, as they have reached adulthood, they have not been in each other's company as much as before. Mercy became the teacher in Quill's Station, while Daniel started farming and managing a mill.
A change came suddenly - two strangers came to town insisting that Mercy was their sister Hester Baxter. The brothers introduced themselves to Mercy in a shocking manner and insisted she come with them to Kentucky - to see her mother before she died. These brothers were such unprincipled hayseeds (in the eyes of the folks in Quill's Station) that Mercy refused.
Hammond Perry has a new career as a slave trader but he is still hostile towards the Quill family - and anyone who is close to them. It is immediately obvious that Perry is going to clash with the Quills - he holds them responsible for his previous military and business failures.
This book is as good as the opening tome. It is a novel that twists and turns, keeping the reader wondering what will happen next. It is a delight to see folks who have been in previous novels return in this book. It was quick reading because I couldn't put it down! 4.5 stars
Wabash River
1. Lonesome River (1987)
2. Dream River (1988)
3. River of Tomorrow (1988)
4. Yesteryear (1995)
If you recall from LONESOME RIVER, Farr found Mercy and Daniel after their families were killed in separate tragedies. Being this couple, they promptly added the 2 children to their family. Daniel, 2 years older than Mercy, has always taken care of her. They have grown up as brother and sister in the Quill household.
In the past few years, as they have reached adulthood, they have not been in each other's company as much as before. Mercy became the teacher in Quill's Station, while Daniel started farming and managing a mill.
A change came suddenly - two strangers came to town insisting that Mercy was their sister Hester Baxter. The brothers introduced themselves to Mercy in a shocking manner and insisted she come with them to Kentucky - to see her mother before she died. These brothers were such unprincipled hayseeds (in the eyes of the folks in Quill's Station) that Mercy refused.
Hammond Perry has a new career as a slave trader but he is still hostile towards the Quill family - and anyone who is close to them. It is immediately obvious that Perry is going to clash with the Quills - he holds them responsible for his previous military and business failures.
This book is as good as the opening tome. It is a novel that twists and turns, keeping the reader wondering what will happen next. It is a delight to see folks who have been in previous novels return in this book. It was quick reading because I couldn't put it down! 4.5 stars
Wabash River
1. Lonesome River (1987)
2. Dream River (1988)
3. River of Tomorrow (1988)
4. Yesteryear (1995)
January 26, 2010
This is the third book in this trilogy. I read this 20 years ago and enjoyed it. I decided to re-read when I ran across it cleaning the shelves, and I am glad I did. I thought I remembered really enjoying it. Well it is a great trilogy. If you enjoy the old west romance you will enjoy these.
Mercy and Daniel were Foster children of the Quill family. Daniel always felt Mercy was his. But he wasn't sure how it would look since they were raised as brother and sister. Secretly Mercy is feels the same now that she is a woman. But how does she let Danny know.
A great story.
Mercy and Daniel were Foster children of the Quill family. Daniel always felt Mercy was his. But he wasn't sure how it would look since they were raised as brother and sister. Secretly Mercy is feels the same now that she is a woman. But how does she let Danny know.
A great story.
March 28, 2011
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
July 3, 2011
Indiana 1831 Mercy and Daniel were raised together as brother and sister. Mercy had been adopted as a young child. Mercy has always loved Daniel and now needs protection and wants him to marry her. Her birth family has come calling and she must face her past. I liked the interaction between the couple and how their relationship evolved. Good descriptions of their journey.
August 18, 2008
The last book in the River Trilogy...just as good as the first two in the series. You will love where it takes you.
July 17, 2009
Okay but I really struggled to read this one. It just did not hold my interest and it took me 4 days to read this. Not good
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May 8, 2012Excellent Book !!!!!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews