Maria P. (BklynMom) - , reviewed Land of Dreams (Harlequin Historical, No 265) on + 541 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Well written story with real nitty-gritty about homesteaders and the Orphan Trains. Centers on two stalwart characters who work and love together.
Helpful Score: 2
Great book! Thea believes she is on the shelf because she has been made fun of for her height since she was a teenager. She keeps an girl from the orphan train and her uncle comes to claim her. Since he is taller than Thea he has a hard time believing that she is on the shelf as far as marriage goes and he can't stand how all her friends and family treat her.
Jeannette J. (TSarien) reviewed Land of Dreams (Harlequin Historical, No 265) on + 55 more book reviews
This is one of those little offerings that put you thru a rainy day. Set in the time of the Westward expantion, Thea Coulson is a product of her environs: She is too tall at a time when a woman had to be petite; she is too competent and self-assured, so everyone (including herself) believes her unmarriageable. Into this situation walks ex-major Booker Hayes, a veritable hero and one to those take-no-prisoners kind of guy. As usual, the third party is the objective one, so he sees everyone is taking advantage of Thea, so what does he do? Marry her! Then follow a charming series of misunderstandings and miscommunications typical of the times the novel is set on.
After all, sex-ed was unknown in the mid 1800's! ;-)
After all, sex-ed was unknown in the mid 1800's! ;-)
Too-tall Thea Coulson, the spinster, lives at home with her rancher father, stepmother, and stepsisters. When an orphan train comes to their town, Thea takes a crippled, mute young girl to raise. After two months, Booker Hayes, a retired military soldier, comes to claim his niece. He's building a house and a mill but soon realizes he is ill-equipped to tend to a young child. He hires Thea; after all, his niece prefers her over Booker.
This story has a bit of everything, including sod houses, orphan trains, Indians. It deals with the positive and negative experiences of children who travel on the orphan trains. It also shows that it sometimes takes an outsider to recognize a person's value.
This story has a bit of everything, including sod houses, orphan trains, Indians. It deals with the positive and negative experiences of children who travel on the orphan trains. It also shows that it sometimes takes an outsider to recognize a person's value.
Can Thea accept a man raising his niece into her life....
Ex-Major Booker Hayes finds a jewel of the prairie in Thea Coulson when he is trying to locate his little niece. He is not looking for a wife but does not let opportunity pass him by.
Little Zoe needs a mama and someone to love her [and help plant her acorn] -- Thea needs some one to love her and banish her too-tall image and provide her with a family of her own.
Lucas needs both Thea and Booker to bring stability to his life and to teach him to trust adults. And of course, Booker's friend, Red Horse helps even though he remains in the back ground of their lives.
Finally a heroine who remains true to herself and waits for a husband to teach her the mysteries of love. [Real love and respect]. And does she tantilize him! [grin] - Truly a great story of basic need and love and sharing. She stands by her man.
There are not enough words to express the satisfaction and enjoyment ones gets from these truly human characters.
LAND OF DREAMS is an endearing tale of a self-believed plain spinster and a man with dreams of a serene life with his disabled orphaned niece, Zoë. Ex-military Major Booker Hays finds not only a loving and protective mother for young Zoë, but an alluring wife to soothe his soul. Thea Coulson discovers motherhood to be everything she dreams about and Booker Hays to be the man of those dreams.
Little Zoe needs a mama and someone to love her [and help plant her acorn] -- Thea needs some one to love her and banish her too-tall image and provide her with a family of her own.
Lucas needs both Thea and Booker to bring stability to his life and to teach him to trust adults. And of course, Booker's friend, Red Horse helps even though he remains in the back ground of their lives.
Finally a heroine who remains true to herself and waits for a husband to teach her the mysteries of love. [Real love and respect]. And does she tantilize him! [grin] - Truly a great story of basic need and love and sharing. She stands by her man.
There are not enough words to express the satisfaction and enjoyment ones gets from these truly human characters.
LAND OF DREAMS is an endearing tale of a self-believed plain spinster and a man with dreams of a serene life with his disabled orphaned niece, Zoë. Ex-military Major Booker Hays finds not only a loving and protective mother for young Zoë, but an alluring wife to soothe his soul. Thea Coulson discovers motherhood to be everything she dreams about and Booker Hays to be the man of those dreams.
Laura R. (starwolf) reviewed Land of Dreams (Harlequin Historical, No 265) on + 120 more book reviews
A very nice western romance novel. It covers some details of the orphan trains and life in a pioneer community.
Karin A. (Jerseygirltoo) -
I don't read a lot of Western historicals, but this one was very enjoyable and satisfying, with well drawn characters and some serious themes, including small-town prejudice and racism. There's a very funny typo in the blurb here, the hero is an ex-Army MAJOR, not Mayor.
Harlequin Historicals
Ex-Major Booker Hayes had seen how much love this sin-kissed farmer's daughter had to give. And he wanted her in his life. As a mother to his orphaned niece, and much more. For Thea was the first woman to ever make him long for home and hearth.
Tall and dark as midnight, Booker Hayes had come across the plains and moved right into Thea's lonely heart. Offering her a life that was a dream come true. A dream that could never be, until Thea learned to believe in Booker. . . and in herself.
Ex-Major Booker Hayes had seen how much love this sin-kissed farmer's daughter had to give. And he wanted her in his life. As a mother to his orphaned niece, and much more. For Thea was the first woman to ever make him long for home and hearth.
Tall and dark as midnight, Booker Hayes had come across the plains and moved right into Thea's lonely heart. Offering her a life that was a dream come true. A dream that could never be, until Thea learned to believe in Booker. . . and in herself.
Ex-Mayor Booker Hayes has seen how much love this sun-kissed farmer's daughter had to give. And he wanted her in his life. As a mother to his orphaned niece, and much more. For Thea was the first woman to ever make him long for home and hearth.
Tall and dark as midnight, Booker Hayes had come across the plains and moved right into Thea's lonely heart. Offering her a life that was a dream come true. A dream that could never be, until Thea learned to believe in Booker... and in herself.
Tall and dark as midnight, Booker Hayes had come across the plains and moved right into Thea's lonely heart. Offering her a life that was a dream come true. A dream that could never be, until Thea learned to believe in Booker... and in herself.
Ex-major Booker Hayes had seen how much love this sun-kissed farmer's daughter had to give. And he wanted her in his life. As a mother to his orphaned neice,and much more. For Thea was the first woman to ever make him long for home and hearth.
Tall and dark as midnight, Booker Hayes had come across the plains and moved right into Thea's lonely heart. Offering her a life that was a dream come true. A dream that could never be, until Thea learned to believe in Booker ... and in herself.
Tall and dark as midnight, Booker Hayes had come across the plains and moved right into Thea's lonely heart. Offering her a life that was a dream come true. A dream that could never be, until Thea learned to believe in Booker ... and in herself.
Julia V. (gardenlady5562) reviewed Land of Dreams (Harlequin Historical, No 265) on + 183 more book reviews
Ex-Major Booker Hayes had seen how much love this sun kissed farmer's daughter had to give. And he wanted her in his life. As a mother to his orphaned niece, and much more. for Thea was the first woman to ever make him long for home and hearth. Tall and dark as midnight, Booker hayes had come across the plains and moved right into Thea's lonely heart. Offering her a life that was a dream come true. A dream that could never be, until Thea learned to believe in Booker and in herself.
