This month's challenge is a "recommended read" book. You are going to see some quick tap dancing and some interesting justifying and should there be a prize at the end of this year long challenge, I should technically withdraw my name from consideration. This isn’t so much a book that’s been in my TBR pile as much as a book by an author that should have been in my TBR pile.
I’ve loved Cheryl St. John books for years and whenever she has a new one come out I scoop it right up – which reminds me – I do believe there should be a new one soon. And I just assumed I had all her back list. So when I read Leslie’s TBR January Challenge and it was The Mistaken Widow, I read it, prepared to nod in agreement or shake my head in disagreement. But much to my astonishment, nothing sounded the least bit familiar and when I checked my Most Excellent Spreadsheet, it wasn’t there. So that very same day I got an electronic copy.
So this was recommended by Leslie but hasn’t been in the TBR pile very long – but should have been.
The Mistaken Widow by Cheryl St. John
Why this one: explained above
Heat Level: there was only one love scene at the end but it fit with the story so I found it fine
Published: 1998
Blurb: Sarah Thorton wanted to shout, but revealing her true identity could only bring disaster on herself and her infant son. Still, sorrowful circumstance had turned a mistake into a miracle. She suddenly had a home, a family—and Nicholas Halliday, a man as dangerous to her as he was desirable…!
His newly widowed sister-in-law wore mystery as elegantly as an evening wrap, rousing more than suspicions in Nicholas Halliday—for this beautiful stranger had a claim not only to the family fortune, but also to his heart and soul…!
My Thoughts: Just a couple of weeks ago I reread Joe’s Wife for probably about the 4th or 5th time and I have to be honest and say I enjoyed that one ever so much better. Though I liked The Mistaken Widow and I’m glad I read it, I don’t think it will be one I’ll read over and over like Joe’s Wife.
I was only meh about both the hero and heroine. Whether I might have had warmer feelings for them if I hadn’t read Joe’s Wife so recently I don’t know, but Sarah kind of got on my nerves after a while. She was feeling guilty over stepping into the shoes of the heroe’s sister-in-law to the point of almost annoyance. Then when she finally decides to come clean, she does it in a letter and then leaves; a cowardly act in my opinion. On top of that, the letter is stolen by a villain so Nicholas and his mother are still in the dark about what really happened. The decent thing for her to do was tell them to their faces. I’m sure she should have realized they would have been understanding.
And Nicholas failed somewhat in the role of a hero too. He was rather nasty and judgmental to Sarah in almost a passive aggressive way which I didn’t find as a heroic way to act. He should have come out in the open with his suspicions of who Sarah really was. I also didn’t think he suffered enough angst over lusting for his just Very Recently deceased brother’s wife.
I also thought there was a noticeable lack of grief displayed. I know if I were to lose one of my sons, I’d be broken, yet his mother didn’t display the amount of grief I would think she would. But then that’s a personal thing I guess.
I almost hate to say it, but of all the Cheryl St. John books I’ve read, this is one I didn’t ‘feel’ at all. But since it was written in 1998 and I’ve read many an excellent book since then, the fact that this one didn’t work for me is alright and I’m glad I read it anyway since it could have been a Joe’s Wife kind of book.
Grade: 3 out of 5
And oh, oh, oh - I forgot to mention. If you travel around and see other participants, you will notice a number have chosen the same book! Our fearless Challenge Leader Wendy, SonomaLass, Phyl, and Nath and Leslie did a joint review at Breezing Through. And guess what? They ALL really enjoyed it!
Yesterday's post was why we love Westerns. Today we go into detail with books! I asked Wendy and Sybil for a list of 5 Westerns they loved. I figured with my five, Sybil's five and Wendy's five, that gives fifteen books that we loved to choose from.
I've been reading the comments on Wendy's Day 1 blog on why she loves Westerns and a couple of points stood out for me. Evangeline pointed out that many of the Westerns she's read
"I'm fond of Westerns, but I'm picky because they are either too sweet and cloying, or the plots and characters seem like the author took basic tropes common to British historicals and put them out West to make them more palatable."
And that is true. I've read some sweet ones. And I've enjoyed them. But there are also Westerns with a grittier style and lots of meat to them. When I was thinking of five books to recommend, I said to my pardners that I could come up with 5 x's 5 very easily. In looking down at the books below that I've narrowed it down to, most of these are of the grittier yet poignant variety. Hopefully she will see something that appeals to her in this batch.
Tye Hatcher returned to Aspen Grove to find that life in the sleepy Western town hadn't changed much. The townspeople stubbornly refused to see the man he had become. That is, everybody but Meg Telford. Meg definitely took notice of the reticent rancher and gave him a chance in life when no one else would. Still, Meg clung to the memories of her late husband, afraid of the feelings Tye aroused in her heart. And though Tye vowed to prove his worth to the town, could he ever prove to Meg that he was worthy of her love?
This isn't the first time I've mentioned this book. It was one of the books in the Guess That Book contest I had in 2008. I can't think of a better book to start my list with. I've read all of Cheryl St. Johns books - starting way back in 1994 with Rain Shadow and I've loved every one. But there is something about Joe's Wife that just 'gets' me every time I read it.I'm not often brought to tears when reading, but this one comes so close to it for me
He'll leave town when he's good and ready...and when the pretty and proper young schoolmarm consents to be his bride.
A BAD MAN'S DESIRE
At first glance, the lovely Easterner Anthea Bright seems woefully unsuited for her position as the new schoolmarm in Haven, Kansas. But behind that fine finishing school polish is a fiery spirit and a determination to succeed. Gabriel Jackson, however, is a different kind of challenge. The intensely passionate, devastatingly sexy man is Haven's most disreputable citizen -- and he's put Anthea's level head and her heart in a furious spin. How can the prim, pretty newcomer hope to stand firm to her principles when she feels breathless whenever Gabriel's near? And though a small voice inside tells her the "bad man's" not nearly as bad as his reputation would suggest, does she dare surrender to this dangerous stranger who is bound and determined to make Anthea his bride?
Susan Kay Law has written some wonderful Westerns. It was hard to choose one, but I picked this one because it was one of her last ones published by Avon and hopefully one of the easiest to find. And a bonus for those who have Kindles - it's available at Amazon as a Kindle book!
Notorious gunslinger Joshua Hawk was to hang in Gambler's Notch when the sun rose. He had but one regret. He had never found his grandfather's book with his family's history--and prophecy that the Hawk line would never die. Yet Josh didn't die at daybreak because the young widow of the man he shot suddenly lied to set him free. He wanted to know why. . .
OR HER DESTINY...
Kate Dixon looked into the cold eyes of the Hawk and felt him steal her breath away. He had freed her from her brutal husband only to swoop down and take possession of her heart. It seemed as if some force had brought them together to complete a fate ordained long ago. But as swiftly as his passion aroused her, his reputation attracted dangerous men. To save her, the Hawk would have to leave her and move on. . . unless, to save him, Kate stood her ground and fought for the love of her life. . .
I LOVE Justine Dare/Davis' earlier books. Her Futuristics are rereads. She also did a very interesting series about a book that is handed down when there is one last Hawk left and this one is the Western one. This choice was an easy one!!
THE BEAUTY BEHIND THE BLACK VEIL
Christal Van Alen was wanted from Maine to Missouri. Swathed in widow's weeds, she was running to WyomingTerritory ... when the outlaw Macaulay Cain captured their stagecoach and the aristocratic new Yorker was prisoner again. She couldn't trust the infamous outlaw; she couldn't share her real name or her secret past. Yet he was her only hope against the dangerous gang of gunmen that held her. And even as she clung to him for protection, she fought against the passions that threatened to betray her--until one explosive night when all secrets must be revealed--and she was a fugitive again....
THE COLD-EYED OUTLAW WOULD UNVEIL HER...
He was a man who could take--or leave--a woman at will. Then Macaulay Cain encountered the mysterious, ravishing "Widow Smith." tier honor, her shattered innocence, became his obsession. She was a woman whose secrets he vowed to unlock even as she fled his embrace. Why did she run? If it took him years, he would find her, possess her, unlock her darkest secrets--even if it cost him his life....
This is actually a sequel to the more well known Lion's and Lace. This is the story of the younger sister who was held in an insane asylum but escaped and headed west. If you like your books gritty, this is one to be read!
Their rivalry was as fierce as the attraction between them. They were kindred spirits who had walked on the dark side of life: Marsh, the strong lover she both feared and hungered for; Cat, the angel who could destroy him... or give him back his soul.
A SENSUOUS CAT
The owner of the most popular saloon in San Francisco, Catalina Hilliard used her exotic beauty to draw men into the Silver Slipper. Long ago she had vowed never to give away her heart, but she hadn't counted on the striking good looks of Marsh Canton ....
A DARK AND DEADLY GUNMAN
Catalina knew Marsh Canton was trouble the moment she first saw him. Something in his gray eyes warned that he was a dangerous man. He was not the first to attempt to open a rival saloon next door to the Silver Slipper, but she saw a steely strength in him that had been missing from the men she'd driven out of business. Even more perilous to Cat's plans was the spark of desire that flared between them ...a desire that was about to spin her carefully orchestrated life out of control.
Patricia Potter is one of my favourite Western authors and I could have picked from a number of her books. But this one is the one I most recently reread and was very happy to discover it stood the test of time very well. It's the sequel to another book I loved and reviewed in 2006. For those who love a strong and determined heroine, this one is a Western to try! Her website is Very out of date though - methinks it needs an update!
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Plus one more! I know I said five, but Wendy had a request from Victoria Jannsen for Fall From Grace. While I have that one in the TBR pile - I haven't read it yet. The best I can do is.....
Eliza Beaudry was determined to get out in the big, wide world - even if it meant trading a few kisses for her freedom. When she met traveling gambler Cole Wallace, she thought her fantasies had come true. But Cole's daydreams didn't include Eliza Beaudry. He was a man used to taking what he wanted, so he took what Eliza offered - and neither of them thought about what might happen later.
Penniless and pregnant, Eliza found a savior in Cole's shy brother, Aaron, who fell for her instantly. He surely wasn't the man of her dreams, but could her dreams change?
This is another book that if I were a crier, I would have been sobbing in my hankie!! It has a very unusual premise that you don't see in nearly enough romance books. Eliza, the heroine is desperate to get away from her controlling parents and has this plan..... When she ends up pregnant, it is the younger brother of the father who steps up to the plate. Aaron will truly break your heart!! This one is just wonderful!!
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So there you have it - 5 + 1 Westerns that made me sigh and almost cry and ones I think any romance reader, even if they don't read Westerns, might just to help change their opinion of this fascinating genre.
Now I can hardly wait to see what books Sybil and Wendy have come up with!!
This is a Harlequin Historical book published in 1999. Although it's an older book, it appears on many lists of good westerns. It's in my top 25. The author continues to write poignant stories set in the old west that are reminiscent of Lorraine Heath.
~~~~~~UPDATE~~~~~~~
The book has been guessed!!
Joe's Wife by Cheryl St. John. This one is truly a heartwarming book!! I INSIST when next you visit a UBS you look for this one and get it!! And if they have more copies, get them too and send them to other readers. This one is in the top 25 (#18) of my all time favourite books. I have two copies myself in case I can't find one. I've read it a number of times now and every time I do, it still gives a powerful punch!!!!
Joe Telford was the perfect son and the perfect husband. But Joe didn't come back from the war. Meg, Joe's widow, will hang on to his ranch...even if she has to marry the last available man in town. Tye Hatcher has a reputation for drinking, gambling and consorting with loose women. Tye Hatcher is the last available man in town.
Just in case you haven't heard, though I'm sure you have, AAR is holding a poll on your top 100 favourite romances of all time. It took me a while to do mine, I wanted to be sure that I included all I wanted too - and I still feel like I didn't get them all in. And ranking was very hard too! Although my top 25 - 30 were pretty set, the rest was very difficult and could just as easily be a different order. I sent it in last night so here they are:
1
Dreaming of You
Lisa Kleypas
2
Lord of Scoundrels
Loretta Chase
3
Ride the Fire
Pamela Clare
4
After the Night
Linda Howard
5
Whispers of Heaven
Candice Proctor
6
One Summer
Karen Robards
7
Outlaw Hearts
Roseanne Bittner
8
Morning Glory
Lavryle Spencer
9
Take A Chance On Me
Susan Donavan
10
Exposure
Susan Anderson
11
Lips That Touch Mine
Wendy Lindstrom
12
Windflower
Tom and Sharon Curtis
13
Conor's Way
Laura Lee Guhrke
14
Once a Pirate
Susan Grant
15
Beyond a Wicked Kiss
Jo Goodman
16
The Serpent Prince
Elizabeth Hoyt
17
Sweet Lullabye
Lorraine Heath
18
Joe's Wife
Cheryl St. John
19
Kinsman's Oath
Susan Krinard
20
Sky Pirate
Justine Dare
21
Wild At Heart
Patricia Gaffney
22
See Jane Score
Rachel Gibson
23
Mr. Perfect
Linda Howard
24
Born in Death
JD Robb
25
Lord of the Storm
Justine Dare
26
Love Alters Not
Patricia Veryan
27
If His Kiss is Wicked
Jo Goodman
28
Silk and Shadows
Mary Jo Putney
29
Thunder and Roses
Mary Jo Putney
30
Dream Fever
Katherine Sutcliffe
31
The Outsider
Penelope Williamson
32
A Reason to Believe
Maureen McKade
33
To Die For
Linda Howard
34
Drop Dead Gorgeous
Linda Howard
35
Once and Always
Judith McNaught
36
Fallen From Grace
Laura Leone
37
Bone Deep
Bonnie Dee
38
Absolute Trouble
Michelle Jerrott
39
Hard Lovin' Man
Lorraine Heath
40
Lawless
Patricia Potter
41
Portait in Death
JD Robb
42
The Bronze Horseman
Paulinna Simons
43
Heart Throb
Suzanne Brockman
44
Sunshine and Shadow
Tom and Sharon Curtis
45
The Rainbow Season
Lisa Gregory
46
Suddenly You
Lisa Kleypas
47
The Panther and the Pyramid
Bonnie Vanak
48
The Shadow and the Star
Laura Kinsale
49
Games of Command
Linnea Sinclair
50
Dangerous Lover
Lisa Marie Rice
51
Darkling I Listen
Katherine Sutcliffe
52
Lady Gallant
Suzanne Robinson
53
Jackson Rule
Dinah McCall
54
Be My Baby
Susan Anderson
55
Beyond Sunrise
Candice Proctor
56
Get Lucky
Suzanne Brockman
57
All Through the Night
Connie Brockway
58
Letters From A Stranger
Connie Rinehold
59
My Forever Love
Marsha Canham
60
Captives of the Night
Loretta Chase
61
The Raven Prince
Elizabeth Hoyt
62
Crazy Cool
Tara Janzen
63
River of Dreams
Glenna McReynolds
64
Bet Me
Jennifer Crusie
65
My False Heart
Liz Carlyle
66
A Dangerous Man
Connie Brockway
67
Tiger Eye
Karen Robards
68
Gabriel's Ghost
Linnea Sinclair
69
Bliss
Judy Cuevas
70
Cool Shade
Teresa Weir
71
Flowers From the Storm
Laura Kinsale
72
Dedicated Villain
Patricia Veryan
73
Off Limits
Michelle Albert
74
Breathless
Laura Lee Guhrke
75
Winter Garden
Adele Ashworth
76
The Devil in Winter
Lisa Kleypas
77
Keeper of the Dream
Penelope Williamson
78
The Warlord
Elizabeth Elliot
79
Homeplace
Dorothy Garlock
80
Lover Eternal
JR Ward
81
Truly Madly Yours
Rachel Gibson
82
The Iron Rose
Marsha Canham
83
Light My Fire
Jane Graves
84
Evensong
Candice Camp
85
The Cobra and The Concubine
Bonnie Vanak
86
The Nightingale's Song
Kathleen Eschenberg
87
Night Of The Phantom
Anne Stuart
88
Years
Lavryle Spencer
89
My Dark Prince
Jean Ross Ewing
90
Getting What You Want
Kathy Love
91
Prince Joe
Suzanne Brockman
92
Once In Every Lifetime
Kristin Hannah
93
Hard Evidence
Pamela Clare
94
The Rake
Mary Jo Putney
95
Leader of the Pack
Justine Dare
96
To Have and To Hold
Patricia Gaffney
97
The Devil's Waltz
Anne Stuart
98
Deception
Amada Quick
99
As You Desire
Connie Brockway
100
Midnight Jewells
Jayne Anne Krentz
A few interesting things of note Highest number - Linda Howard - 4 Lisa Kleypas - 3 Connie Brockway - 3 Suzanne Brockman - 3 Katherine Sutcliffe had 2 but they were very different books. One was a historical and one was a Romantic Suspense. Pamela Clare was the same. One was a Colonial (or for easier grouping I called it American History) and the other a RS As did Anne Stuart I tried to get a wide sampling of genres and I think I did that. By far the most were historicals but there were quite a few other genres too.
The Mistaken Widow by Cheryl St. John
