Helpful Score: 1
Endearing, wonderful. A great read!
Spencer does it again and entertains her fanbase and new readers very well.
They were enemies, then friends. Then the sweet innocence of a child opened their eyes and their hearts. And in each other's arms they were reborn...by the soft, wondrous gift of love.
It's a truly great read, a personal favorite.
It's a truly great read, a personal favorite.
great book, Ms Spencer one of my all time favorite authors
A good read.
Spencer has a great imagination and is a wonderful story-teller--as usual.
This book earned the 1988 Rita Award for Best Novel and for good reason. This is another incredible story by LaVyrle Spencer.
Agatha Downing is a unique type of American western lady. She does not look down on the 3 former prostitutes; she eventually looks upon them as friends. Because she is a lady, she is hampered by the prohibitions inherent in that title. Its obvious that she would like to break out of that mold from time-to-time, but generally, she is a woman of intelligence, spunk and fashion.
Scott Gandy is a wonderful character; handsome, charming and flawed. When his wife and daughter died, he started to coast. Because it was too hard to stay at his familys plantation (where he was so happy with his wife and daughter), he drifted from one area to another finally winding up in Proffitt, Kansas.
One amazing thing about him is that Gandy always sees it as his responsibility to find a way for all 8 of his new family (actually employees) to stay together. When challenged by the Ladys Temperance Society, he shows guile and a wry sense of humor. Whenever they confront him and his business, he has a ready and clever response.
The child Willy allows Agatha and Scott to move from antagonistic adversaries to cautious friends. This book takes longer than usual to tell its tale; but I appreciated the fact that the author realized that it takes time for the couple to move from being so different to being in love.
This is a moving story that will resonate with the reader a long time. Simply Beautiful!
Agatha Downing is a unique type of American western lady. She does not look down on the 3 former prostitutes; she eventually looks upon them as friends. Because she is a lady, she is hampered by the prohibitions inherent in that title. Its obvious that she would like to break out of that mold from time-to-time, but generally, she is a woman of intelligence, spunk and fashion.
Scott Gandy is a wonderful character; handsome, charming and flawed. When his wife and daughter died, he started to coast. Because it was too hard to stay at his familys plantation (where he was so happy with his wife and daughter), he drifted from one area to another finally winding up in Proffitt, Kansas.
One amazing thing about him is that Gandy always sees it as his responsibility to find a way for all 8 of his new family (actually employees) to stay together. When challenged by the Ladys Temperance Society, he shows guile and a wry sense of humor. Whenever they confront him and his business, he has a ready and clever response.
The child Willy allows Agatha and Scott to move from antagonistic adversaries to cautious friends. This book takes longer than usual to tell its tale; but I appreciated the fact that the author realized that it takes time for the couple to move from being so different to being in love.
This is a moving story that will resonate with the reader a long time. Simply Beautiful!
This book is so good. The uptight girl mean this southern and sparks do fly
Her stories are always so well written & this one is no exception. Could not put down.
Entertaining and romantic
One of my all time favorites I have read over and over and will probably read again sometime in the future.. A gambling womanizing saloon owner, a prim proper spinster that makes hats, a small boy orphan all come together. This is a book you cant put down after the first page.
The saloon owner and the proper seamstress clash over the installation of a nude picture over his bar. Very different lives but they find a compromise and love.
They were enemies, then friends. Then the sweet innocence of a child opened their eyes and their hearts. And in each other's arms they were reborn... by the soft, wondrous gift of love.
Enjoyed it but a little predictable and ran the story a tad to long.
Only the gift of love could free their lonely hearts. Anunusual and good story.
They were enemies,then friends.Then the sweet innocence of a child opened their eyes and their hearts.And in each other's arms they were reborn..by the soft,wondrous gift of love.
Excellent story, very unique storyline and characters.
VERY WARM AND UPLIFTING STORY.
Typical Laveryle Spencer read.
Good author
When Scott Gandy opens the Gilded Cage Saloon in Proffitt, Kansas, the ladies of the Temperance Committee are not happy. Led by Agatha Downing, the committee visits each saloon, handing out pamphlets, carrying a petition, and praying for the souls of the inhabitants. Scott tires to charm the ladies. When that doesn't work, he tries to outsmart them by bringing in dancing girls to fill the seats at the saloon. Agatha and Scott may have their differences, but those take a backseat when they come to care for an orphaned child. Helping young Willie helps them build a friendship that overcomes the other obstacles in their relationship.
This story takes place as Kansas becomes the first state to vote in prohibition. LaVyrle Spencer has written a book with wonderful characters. Agatha could have been a hard, militant heroine that was hard to like, but she is written as an honest, decent woman who has her reasons for despising alcohol. She doesn't judge others, including the dancing girls that move into the saloon next door to her hat shop. She may not agree with them but she doesn't look down on them. Scott Gandy is my kind of hero. He is trying to make a living for himself and his employees (who he calls family). He feels responsible for everyone and is worried that prohibition will put them out of business. He treats Agatha as a lady, but also as an equal in their business relationships. They both bring out the best in each other as they become friends.
This book was not a fast-moving, intense story. It sometimes plods along a little too slow for me. There was one point where they were separated that felt like it went on forever. But overall I enjoyed the story and loved the characters. My rating: 4 Stars.
This story takes place as Kansas becomes the first state to vote in prohibition. LaVyrle Spencer has written a book with wonderful characters. Agatha could have been a hard, militant heroine that was hard to like, but she is written as an honest, decent woman who has her reasons for despising alcohol. She doesn't judge others, including the dancing girls that move into the saloon next door to her hat shop. She may not agree with them but she doesn't look down on them. Scott Gandy is my kind of hero. He is trying to make a living for himself and his employees (who he calls family). He feels responsible for everyone and is worried that prohibition will put them out of business. He treats Agatha as a lady, but also as an equal in their business relationships. They both bring out the best in each other as they become friends.
This book was not a fast-moving, intense story. It sometimes plods along a little too slow for me. There was one point where they were separated that felt like it went on forever. But overall I enjoyed the story and loved the characters. My rating: 4 Stars.
Romance in the late 1800s, what more do I need to say?
Agatha was the picture of primness and propriety although her green eyes could blaze with anger or sparkle with humor.
Scott was the picture of lazy charm and happy indifference to what others thought was right and wrong.
They were enemies, then friends. Then the sweet innocence of a child opened their eyes and their hearts. And in each other's arms they were reborn---by the gift of love.
Scott was the picture of lazy charm and happy indifference to what others thought was right and wrong.
They were enemies, then friends. Then the sweet innocence of a child opened their eyes and their hearts. And in each other's arms they were reborn---by the gift of love.
