Helpful Score: 2
Summer Moon is the story of Kate Wittington, a woman who at the age of nine was dropped off at an orphanage by her prostitute mother. When Kate is twenty-nine the orphanage closes and she must decide what she's to do with her life. She answers an ad in the newspaper for a woman to be a mail-order bride. She takes a chance and answers the ad and is the lucky woman who is chosen to be the wife of Reed Benton. When she arrives in Texas she finds out the shocking truth. She married Reed Benton by proxy but he knows nothing of their marriage. It seems they were both tricked by Reed's father, Reed Benton Sr., a devious and scheming man who devised a plan to get his son back home to the Lone Star Ranch. When Reed Jr. returns to the ranch, wounded, and with his son who has been raised by the Commanche for the past six years he finds out he's married to Kate. Since he's wounded and can't care for his son he hires Kate on as his housekeeper and caregiver to his son Daniel.
This book was very entertaining and very easy to read. The characters were very life-like and well developed. Every character in the book has a purpose and they serve their purpose well. Ms. Landis seems to have thought out her character before she began writing. Even the secondary characters are well rounded. They all add to the story in their own way.
This book was very entertaining and very easy to read. The characters were very life-like and well developed. Every character in the book has a purpose and they serve their purpose well. Ms. Landis seems to have thought out her character before she began writing. Even the secondary characters are well rounded. They all add to the story in their own way.
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this book and its not the type of book I normally read! Would totally recommend!
Helpful Score: 1
This is my first Jill Marie Landis book and I must say that it was great; this is a different take on the mail-order bride story. Kate Whittington, whose mother was a prostitute, was dropped off at an orphanage at the age of 9. She lived there (as a student/orphan and then as a teacher) until the orphanage was relocated.
With no relatives, little money and few options, Kate started looking for a new situation. For several months, she corresponded with a Texas widower/rancher who wanted a wife. After she accepted his proposal and married by proxy, she traveled to Texas. There, she had quite a shock the man had never heard of Kate and did not want a wife.
Landis has a wonderful way with words; the characters were engaging and real, the pacing was excellent and the plot had unique aspects. The only thing that did not ring true was the first sex scene; Reed might want to hold his wife, but completion seemed far-fetched for someone as injured as he was at the time.
I disagree with some of the reviewers who stated that they felt Kate would have been better off with Reverend Preston Marshall. Kate was a very strong character; I think she would have been safe with Preston, but not happy in the long run.
Life with Preston would have been a shadow of what she could have had with Reed. She was already deeply committed to Daniel; throughout the story, Kate showed that she wanted Reed. She just wasnt willing to accept the piece of Reed he was willing to give her at first.
Life with Reed would be a challenge; life with Preston would be oatmeal.
With no relatives, little money and few options, Kate started looking for a new situation. For several months, she corresponded with a Texas widower/rancher who wanted a wife. After she accepted his proposal and married by proxy, she traveled to Texas. There, she had quite a shock the man had never heard of Kate and did not want a wife.
Landis has a wonderful way with words; the characters were engaging and real, the pacing was excellent and the plot had unique aspects. The only thing that did not ring true was the first sex scene; Reed might want to hold his wife, but completion seemed far-fetched for someone as injured as he was at the time.
I disagree with some of the reviewers who stated that they felt Kate would have been better off with Reverend Preston Marshall. Kate was a very strong character; I think she would have been safe with Preston, but not happy in the long run.
Life with Preston would have been a shadow of what she could have had with Reed. She was already deeply committed to Daniel; throughout the story, Kate showed that she wanted Reed. She just wasnt willing to accept the piece of Reed he was willing to give her at first.
Life with Reed would be a challenge; life with Preston would be oatmeal.
Helpful Score: 1
This story of a mail-order marriage is set on a ranch in Texas where young Kate Whittington first meets Reed Benton. She learns that he did not have any idea that she was his wife by proxy. He doesn't want a wife but does need a woman to help him care for his long-lost son who has just been freed from Indian captivity. Reed Benton has been betrayed in the past and has a long way to go before he can trust again. This is a very moving story of broken promises and new beginnings.
Helpful Score: 1
Another book given to me by my mother. She really enjoyed this one.
Helpful Score: 1
So much more than just another romance novel. I highly enjoyed this book, and have enjoyed the other Landis novels.
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this book.You fall in love with all the characters. I like the mail order bride
type books and this was better than most. I had a hard time putting the book down. This
is the first book I have read by Jill Marie Landis -but I just ordered another and hope
I will like it as much.
type books and this was better than most. I had a hard time putting the book down. This
is the first book I have read by Jill Marie Landis -but I just ordered another and hope
I will like it as much.
Helpful Score: 1
Spinster Kate Whittington answers a newspaper ad placed by Texas rancher Reed Benton for a wife. Tired of her lonely life in Maine and having no prospects in the unforgiving village of her birth, she contacts him and marries him by proxy. Traveling to Texas she falls in love with his letters. But once there she finds out not only did Reed not know who she was, he didn't write the letter to her either. Reed Benton doesn't want a wife but he does need someone to look after his son - recently recovered from living with the Comanche Indians. Slowly they come to accept each other and help the boy to readjust. But Kate wants the whole package - a family, home AND love. Can Reed give her her hearts desire?
Helpful Score: 1
Really great book couldn't put it down!
This is my first Jill Marie Landis book and I must say that it was great; this is a different take on the mail-order bride story. Kate Whittington, whose mother was a prostitute, was dropped off at an orphanage at the age of 9. She lived there (as a student/orphan and then as a teacher) until the orphanage was relocated.
With no relatives, little money and few options, Kate started looking for a new situation. For several months, she corresponded with a Texas widower/rancher who wanted a wife. After she accepted his proposal and married by proxy, she traveled to Texas. There, she had quite a shock ? the man had never heard of Kate and did not want a wife.
Landis has a wonderful way with words; the characters were engaging and real, the pacing was excellent and the plot had unique aspects. The only thing that did not ring true was the first sex scene; Reed might want to hold his wife, but completion seemed far-fetched for someone as injured as he was at the time.
I disagree with some of the reviewers who stated that they felt Kate would have been better off with Reverend Preston Marshall. Kate was a very strong character; I think she would have been safe with Preston, but not happy in the long run.
Life with Preston would have been a shadow of what she could have had with Reed. She was already deeply committed to Daniel; throughout the story, Kate showed that she wanted Reed. She just wasn't willing to accept the piece of Reed he was willing to give her at first.
Life with Reed would be a challenge; life with Preston would be oatmeal.
With no relatives, little money and few options, Kate started looking for a new situation. For several months, she corresponded with a Texas widower/rancher who wanted a wife. After she accepted his proposal and married by proxy, she traveled to Texas. There, she had quite a shock ? the man had never heard of Kate and did not want a wife.
Landis has a wonderful way with words; the characters were engaging and real, the pacing was excellent and the plot had unique aspects. The only thing that did not ring true was the first sex scene; Reed might want to hold his wife, but completion seemed far-fetched for someone as injured as he was at the time.
I disagree with some of the reviewers who stated that they felt Kate would have been better off with Reverend Preston Marshall. Kate was a very strong character; I think she would have been safe with Preston, but not happy in the long run.
Life with Preston would have been a shadow of what she could have had with Reed. She was already deeply committed to Daniel; throughout the story, Kate showed that she wanted Reed. She just wasn't willing to accept the piece of Reed he was willing to give her at first.
Life with Reed would be a challenge; life with Preston would be oatmeal.
A very good story about love, family and how to put them all together. I loved it!
Rancher Seeking Wife. For Kate Whittington, the modest words of a newspaper ad are the answer to her prayers. She has nothing left in her home town in Maine and correspondence from a lonely Texas widower sparks temping dreams of a house. a family and a future. The story takes many a turn and is difficult to put down.
I loved this book from the beginning!! Could not put it down.. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!
A wonderful historic romance about a women, raised in an orphanage in Maine, who answers an ad to marry a Texas widower with a young son. When she arrives in Texas she finds that things are nothing as she expects. The man she married by proxy doesn't want her, and she has no idea where she should go from here, as the move to Texas was her dream come true. Only a miracle will heal these two damaged souls.
RANCHER SEEKING WIFE. For Kate Whittington, the modest words of a newspaper ad are the answer to her prayers. She has no prospects in the unforgiving Maine town of her birth, and correspondence from the lonely Texas widower sparks tempting dreams of a house, a family, and a future.
But when Kate arrives at the magnificent Lone Star Ranch eager to meet her new husband, she is greeted by the news that Reed Benton has been wounded during a raid on a Comanche village and has returned with a prisoner, a wild child who may be his long-lost son. Even more shattering is the fact that Reed has never heard of Kate, never wrote the searing letters that charmed her heart. Reed Benton doesn't want a wife. But he does need someone to look after the boy. It will take a miracle to heal these two damaged souls, or the faith of one woman with nothing left to lose but her heart.
But when Kate arrives at the magnificent Lone Star Ranch eager to meet her new husband, she is greeted by the news that Reed Benton has been wounded during a raid on a Comanche village and has returned with a prisoner, a wild child who may be his long-lost son. Even more shattering is the fact that Reed has never heard of Kate, never wrote the searing letters that charmed her heart. Reed Benton doesn't want a wife. But he does need someone to look after the boy. It will take a miracle to heal these two damaged souls, or the faith of one woman with nothing left to lose but her heart.
I always love a "mail order bride" story. This combines cowboys and the west with romance. Really good book.
Very good.
Really great book all the way through.
Wow what a great read!
