Helpful Score: 1
The kind of story that gives warm fuzzies. Very heart-warming. Reminded me a bit of Dorothy Garlock's style mixed with a little of Patricia Potter's "Starfinder". Very enjoyable.
Patricia H. (ladyunicorn) - , reviewed Ashes of Dreams (Berkley Sensation) on + 50 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
a powerful, engrossing novel of finding strength in the midst of struggle- and love in the ashes of dreams.
This was a really good book. If you enjoy historical romance, you should read this one. It had a few twists I didn't see coming. Enjoyable read.
This book really starts on a low note; Amanda Jeffrey is a widow with 3 small boys to rear on a struggling horse farm in Kentucky. While repairing the barn, Amandas father-in-law is injured; this leaves Amanda and 3 youngsters to tend to everything.
Riding through the area is Colin Donnelly and his son; Colin is an Irish drifter, looking for work in exchange for meals and a roof over their head at night. The Donnelly family was certainly interesting and had lots of secrets. Mr. Jeffrey is suspicious but Amanda realizes she must have help or the farm will fall down around them.
I thought Amanda was overly-compassionate; her father-in-law was wallowing in self-pity over the loss of his son and his physical injury. Langan portrayed him correctly (although I wanted to box the ears of Mr. Jeffrey); after a son died, fathers often controlled his sons house/farm, even though the sons wife was capable of managing things herself.
Mr. Jeffrey owed loyalty to his daughter-in-law for her sacrifices; but he sided with an odious neighbor against Amanda. I agree with other readers, it was obvious who was creating havoc.
I also had a problem with the race leaders; when the incident between the neighbor and the child on the horse happened, the leaders should have taken him aside immediately after the race and put him in jail. They had seen the atrocity and allowed the neighbor his freedom while deciding not to let him race the next year. This seemed as awfully light punishment for such a serious incident.
Riding through the area is Colin Donnelly and his son; Colin is an Irish drifter, looking for work in exchange for meals and a roof over their head at night. The Donnelly family was certainly interesting and had lots of secrets. Mr. Jeffrey is suspicious but Amanda realizes she must have help or the farm will fall down around them.
I thought Amanda was overly-compassionate; her father-in-law was wallowing in self-pity over the loss of his son and his physical injury. Langan portrayed him correctly (although I wanted to box the ears of Mr. Jeffrey); after a son died, fathers often controlled his sons house/farm, even though the sons wife was capable of managing things herself.
Mr. Jeffrey owed loyalty to his daughter-in-law for her sacrifices; but he sided with an odious neighbor against Amanda. I agree with other readers, it was obvious who was creating havoc.
I also had a problem with the race leaders; when the incident between the neighbor and the child on the horse happened, the leaders should have taken him aside immediately after the race and put him in jail. They had seen the atrocity and allowed the neighbor his freedom while deciding not to let him race the next year. This seemed as awfully light punishment for such a serious incident.
really nice, sweet story.
Loved this book.
Very touching story.
Very touching story.
I enjoyed this book.
Widowed at a young age, Amanda Jeffrey is left on her own to raise three small boys, tend to her ailing father-in-law, and maintain a languishing horse farm in 1880s Kentucky bluegrass country.
But when she suddenly must rely on the assistance of a handsome Irish immigrant, the hopes and dreams that Amanda believed long buried in ashes begin to smolder and spark to life inside her once again.
But when she suddenly must rely on the assistance of a handsome Irish immigrant, the hopes and dreams that Amanda believed long buried in ashes begin to smolder and spark to life inside her once again.
A.Jeffrey has not been dealt an easy hand in life.Widowed at a young age,she is left on her own to raise 3 small boys,tend to her ailing father-in-law,and maintain a languishing horse farm in 1880's Kent-
ucky bluegrass country.Not one to let circumstances defeat her,she faces each challenge as it comes.But when the roof above her head is literally caving in,in walks Irish immigrant Cole Donnelly and his son seeking food and shelter in exchange for honest labor.
ucky bluegrass country.Not one to let circumstances defeat her,she faces each challenge as it comes.But when the roof above her head is literally caving in,in walks Irish immigrant Cole Donnelly and his son seeking food and shelter in exchange for honest labor.
