Helpful Score: 1
Once again, Bitter Springs is the site of a wonderful story by Jo Goodman. It is so good that, upon finishing the book, I started it over again; I simply did not want to let go of these people.
The chemistry between Jane and Morgan fairly hums; their interactions are often funny. Goodman shows how marriage can often bring out the best in individuals. My faves, Finn and Rabbit, are back with a larger role in this story.
As the orphan daughter of missionaries, Jane was tolerated by her cousins, as she grew up in their home. Jane earned her keep by serving as help, rather than living as a family member. She realizes this will be her lot in life if she doesn't leave.
Morgan was also born in New York City, but was an orphan sent out on one of the orphan trains to find a new home in the West. He was selected by Ham Welling and joined his two older sons in the family. When Ham dies, family life changes radically.
Now, Morgan wants a wife and advertises for one; after several letters, Morgan invites Jane to come to Wyoming and marry him. When Jane arrives, Morgan isn't so sure.
Thus begins the story of two people negotiating and accommodating each other in an effort to make a marriage. The secondary characters are often a hoot the four men working for Morgan add much to the tale.
This book has it all: Pathos, humor, suspense, romance and plenty of action. This book is a keeper!
The chemistry between Jane and Morgan fairly hums; their interactions are often funny. Goodman shows how marriage can often bring out the best in individuals. My faves, Finn and Rabbit, are back with a larger role in this story.
As the orphan daughter of missionaries, Jane was tolerated by her cousins, as she grew up in their home. Jane earned her keep by serving as help, rather than living as a family member. She realizes this will be her lot in life if she doesn't leave.
Morgan was also born in New York City, but was an orphan sent out on one of the orphan trains to find a new home in the West. He was selected by Ham Welling and joined his two older sons in the family. When Ham dies, family life changes radically.
Now, Morgan wants a wife and advertises for one; after several letters, Morgan invites Jane to come to Wyoming and marry him. When Jane arrives, Morgan isn't so sure.
Thus begins the story of two people negotiating and accommodating each other in an effort to make a marriage. The secondary characters are often a hoot the four men working for Morgan add much to the tale.
This book has it all: Pathos, humor, suspense, romance and plenty of action. This book is a keeper!
More like 3.5 stars, really. This is a new author to me, and her writing style is slow and somewhat dry. However, the characterizations were spot on, making it easy to connect with Morgan and Jane and all the secondary members that helped to flesh out the story so well. Initially, I tagged this one as a DNF after putting it down twice, but I was curious about Morgan and Jane. So I'm glad I picked it up once again because I almost missed some very integral main-couple developments. Nice job.
