Soiled Dove

by Brenda Adcock

In 1872, sixteen-year-old Loretta Digby fled her home in Indiana to escape an abusive step-father. Rescued from the streets of St. Joseph, Missouri by brothel owner Jack Coulter, she turns to the only work available. By twenty she became a much sought after prostitute catering to St. Jo's most influential men and dreaming of the day she can leave her past behind and start her life anew. Jack is enraged when he discovers his favorite employee's plan to leave. Bloody and beaten, Loretta is rescued by a young prostitute, Amelia Benson, and customer Reverend Cyrus Langford. Working with teacher, Hettie Tobias, who is traveling west for a teaching position in Trinidad, Colorado, Loretta and Amelia leave their former lives behind. In the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains outside Trinidad, Clare McIlhenney has been struggling for years to make her father's dream of owning a cattle ranch in the west come true. Working with a few ranch hands and her foreman, Ino Valdez, Clare has slowly built the ranch over the last twenty years while overcoming everything that should have stopped her. In the spring of 1876 Loretta and her friends arrive in the dusty Colorado town. Her first meeting with Clare McIlhenney is less than inspiring. When Clare is injured, over her strenuous objections, Ino hires Loretta as a temporary cook and housekeeper for the ranch. Over the next few months, Clare struggles with her unwanted attraction to the much younger woman, unable to forget the events of her past that led to the deaths of everyone she had been close to. Determined to never lose anyone else, Clare closed off her emotions and became a distant and disliked stranger to everyone around her. Will Loretta be able to keep her past a secret and find a new life? Will Clare open herself up to loss yet again and put her own prejudices behind her? In a story of the struggles in a harsh and unforgiving time will the two women find peace at last?

Genres: LGBT, Lesbian, Historical, Romance, Historical Fiction, Lesbian Fiction

212 pages, Paperback

First published June 8, 2010

About the author

Originally from the Appalachian region of Eastern Tennessee, Brenda now lives in Central Texas, near Austin. She began writing in junior high school where she wrote an admittedly hokey western serial to entertain her friends. Completing her graduate studies in Eastern European history in 1971, she worked as a graphic artist, a public relations specialist for the military and a display advertising specialist until she finally had to admit that her mother might have been right and earned her teaching certification. For the last twenty-plus years she has taught world history and political science.

Brenda and her partner, Cheryl, have four grown children and three grandchildren. Rounding out their home are three temperamental cats and two dogs.

When she is not writing Brenda creates stained glass and shoots pool at her favorite bar. She is looking forward to retirement in 2013 and a move back to Knoxville, Tennesse, and her roots.

Reviews

[Emily Kestrel · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Actual rating: 3.5 stars*

[Cheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was ok. I love the western/historical part. I enjoyed the characters of Loretta and Clare. And I liked Mavis. The other characters we didn't really get to know enough to care about.

It was an enjoyable, quick read that was mostly predictable. Anyone who knows me knows that little details will get to me. One was the use of a folding wheelchair in 1876. It just sounded odd to me so I had to look it up. The folding wheelchair was invented in 1932. Don't hate me, it's a compulsion.

[Katia M. Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was ok. I like historical drama, so this fit the bill in that regard. There is a trigger warning for rape and attempted rape (more than one), so if you don't like reading that kind of thing this might not be for you. It isn't the main focus of the story though. The story was relatively fast paced and it kept me engaged. I was a little disappointed by the ending though, it felt a bit like a cop out and an easy way for the aither to finish up the story quickly. It felt like there should have been a few more chapters before the end. Still, it was a reasonably enjoyable read.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable gritty Western. The backstories for the MCs were fabulous, giving weight to how they chose to live their lives and ultimately, the ending. And yes, it's a happily ever after!

The story also reminds us about the importance of justice, kindness, loyalty, integrity, and that we should be mindful about passing judgement on the actions of others as no one is without sin.

TW: rape, attempted lynching

[Ginger Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible!

I had this book for 2 years. After reading a book that left a bad taste in my mouth I could not get interested in anything. No book captured my attention. When I picked up this one I wasn't expecting much. I was so very wrong! This book is amazing. The characters are so real I felt like I knew them personally. Clare had to grow on me but Loretta was sheer dynamite from the first word. Great supporting characters, even the villains. Despite much of the book being about Clare and her past, her desire for revenge, and trust me she has a right to want it and get it, it is Loretta who dominates this book. Possibly one of the strongest female characters created in a very long time. She doesn't need anyone to defend her because she does such a fantastic job of it herself. Clare was likable but very rough around the edges. To be honest I felt Loretta had much more chemistry with Jo despite the fact that Jo has such a small role in this book. Would love for the writer to go back to Jo. She was impressive and intense. Still Loretta and Clare are very good. Give this book a try and I promise you will not regret it.

[Elaine86 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brenda Adcock is one of my favorite authors because of "The Sea Hawk", but this one is far from what I expected. Nevertheless, I like Loretta's personality, and the way the language was constracted.

[Dide · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't help being a sucker for historical fiction and this book was no different. I liked the way the relationships built up i. e. by accident and those through time. Engaging read although I do feel the writer didn't capture as best the western lingua and ambience of the time but still a worthy read.