Helpful Score: 5
I've read other work by this author and this is truly different and shows a greater level of skill in character and plot development than she has demonstrated before. A very enjoyable and unpredictable story. Kept me guessing until the end but didn't do it by trickery, just plain skill.
Helpful Score: 4
As an avid fan of Earlene Fowler's Benni Harper series, I wanted to read this book that ISN'T as Benni Harper book. This story is about another set of characters who are well fleshed out in the story. We learn about the troubles and secrets of many of the folks who live in the city of Cardinal. The story contains much of the "family" feel of the Benni Harper books, but with different emotions and actions. The climax surprised me. The ending made me hope Earlene will continue with this as a series. Enjoy!!
LaVonne W. (Grnemae) -
Helpful Score: 4
Who was Cole McGavin? His wife Ruby thought she knew until after his death. She began to discover all kinds of untruths about what he had told her about himself. Her quest for the truth leads her to his home of Cardinal and there she learns things about Cole and his family that stun her and make her wonder if she ever really knew Cole.
I do not normally read mysteries but was glad that I read this one as the twists and turns in the story kept me guessing. The twist in the story was unexpected but helped to explain so much of who Cole was and why he was the way he was. It is also a story of the growth of Ruby and her quest to find her place in the world where she has always felt she was an outsider.
I do not normally read mysteries but was glad that I read this one as the twists and turns in the story kept me guessing. The twist in the story was unexpected but helped to explain so much of who Cole was and why he was the way he was. It is also a story of the growth of Ruby and her quest to find her place in the world where she has always felt she was an outsider.
Marlene W. (KansasSunflower) -
Helpful Score: 2
I was really looking forward to reading this book because I have really liked all Bennie Harper books. However, I was somewhat disappointed because I thought the book was too slow, there just wasn't enough story to it. It really didn't hold my attention, but I finished it simply to find out how it all washed out.
Sherri W. (triketrekker) reviewed The Saddlemaker's Wife (Ruby McGavin, Bk 1) on + 41 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Really interesting read. Author has a unique style that really fleshes out the characters. The story is about a small town in rural CA and the odd mix of people living there. I would recommend this book if you enjoy Nora Roberts or Fern Michaels
Connie A. (jazzysmom) -
Helpful Score: 2
Very powerful story. You will love Ruby and see this womans strength after her husband dies as she unravels lies she has been told. She finds she likes the family she didn't know her husband had and the more she finds out about them, the less she really knows about her husband. This was a fast read and well a written book. Very enjoyable. This author has several great books and this one did not dissappoint.
Helpful Score: 2
Earlene Fowler has done it again. This book makes you wish it were part of a series so you could keep reading about she engaging characters she has created. Unlike the Benni Harper series though, The Saddlemaker's Wife is a stand alone book. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Helpful Score: 1
Great read! By the same author of the Benni Harper series. You'll quickly fall in love with these new characters. Second in series was released 12-31-12. Can't wait to continue the story---
Bonnie A. (ladycholla) -
This is a wonderful story. I enjoyed it. Different from Fowlers Benni Harper mysteries, but excellent just the same. Multi-talented author.
This is a stand-alone novel from the author of the Bennie Harper cozy mystery series. In THE SADDLEMAKER'S WIFE Fowler shows the same knowledge of people and insight into their motives that is so evident in that series.
Ruby--a woman who's just lost her husband-- discovers that he wasn't alone in the world as he'd told her. He had a large and complicated family. Why did he lie? She is determined to solve the mystery.
From back cover: After the death of her husband Cole, Ruby McGavin is shocked to learn that she's inherited part of a cattle ranch in Tokopah County, California. But she's even more surprised to find out that the family he claimed died years ago is very much alive. -- Ruby arrives in town intent on simply selling her part of the ranch to the McGavins. But as she comes to know them-in particular the handsome saddlemaker Lucas McGavin-Ruby learns family secrets about her departed husband and his family that make her wonder if she ever really knew Cole.Driven to uncover the whole story, Ruby discovers a legacy of pain and denial.
Ruby--a woman who's just lost her husband-- discovers that he wasn't alone in the world as he'd told her. He had a large and complicated family. Why did he lie? She is determined to solve the mystery.
From back cover: After the death of her husband Cole, Ruby McGavin is shocked to learn that she's inherited part of a cattle ranch in Tokopah County, California. But she's even more surprised to find out that the family he claimed died years ago is very much alive. -- Ruby arrives in town intent on simply selling her part of the ranch to the McGavins. But as she comes to know them-in particular the handsome saddlemaker Lucas McGavin-Ruby learns family secrets about her departed husband and his family that make her wonder if she ever really knew Cole.Driven to uncover the whole story, Ruby discovers a legacy of pain and denial.
After the death of her husband Cole, Ruby McGavin is shocked to learn that she's inherited part of a cattle ranch in Tokopah County, California. But she's even more surprised to find out that the family he claimed died years ago is very much alive. â Ruby arrives in town intent on simply selling her part of the ranch to the McGavins. But as she comes to know them-in particular the handsome saddlemaker Lucas McGavin-Ruby learns family secrets about her departed husband and his family that make her wonder if she ever really knew Cole.Driven to uncover the whole story, Ruby discovers a legacy of pain and denial.
I enjoyed this book very much. I love the way Earlene writes.
