This story is so realistic; life was incredibly hard for women, particularly without a husband or adult male relative. We first see that in Dorry Conover, mother to three children (Gabe - 10; Yale - 9; and Kitty - 5). When her father-in-law dies, Dorry is subjected to the proposition of her brother-in-law -- right after the funeral. Instead of accepting that, she leaves with her children, to search for her husband in the Badlands of South Dakota.
Dorry dies along the way and the three children continue because they don't know what else to do. Fortunately, they cross paths with Aaron Smiler of the small town called Misery -- who takes them in and raises them.
Eighteen years later, we find Gabe still in Misery, running things as the lawman. Kitty is still on the ranch with Aaron and Yale has run off to the Badlands, where the lawless hang out.
Now, the reader meets women trying to survive in an inhospitable environment where women are often used by their employer or husband. Buck Reedy uses his wife and child as his punching bag when he drinks too much.
Saloon-owner Jack Slade uses women to make money. Sensing newcomer Billie Calley's desperation, he makes her sing at night and help out in the kitchen all day. Grace Sawyer comes to town because her husband has died and she needs to earn money to feed her children (whom she left with neighbors because she couldn't care for them and work).
Readers don't learn about Billie's past until the last 20% of the book and it is harrowing. It also devastates Gabe, who has come to love the fierce, hard-working Billie. This is a powerful story.
Badlands
**1.Badlands Law (2002)
2. Badlands Legend (2002)
3. Badlands Heart (2002)
Dorry dies along the way and the three children continue because they don't know what else to do. Fortunately, they cross paths with Aaron Smiler of the small town called Misery -- who takes them in and raises them.
Eighteen years later, we find Gabe still in Misery, running things as the lawman. Kitty is still on the ranch with Aaron and Yale has run off to the Badlands, where the lawless hang out.
Now, the reader meets women trying to survive in an inhospitable environment where women are often used by their employer or husband. Buck Reedy uses his wife and child as his punching bag when he drinks too much.
Saloon-owner Jack Slade uses women to make money. Sensing newcomer Billie Calley's desperation, he makes her sing at night and help out in the kitchen all day. Grace Sawyer comes to town because her husband has died and she needs to earn money to feed her children (whom she left with neighbors because she couldn't care for them and work).
Readers don't learn about Billie's past until the last 20% of the book and it is harrowing. It also devastates Gabe, who has come to love the fierce, hard-working Billie. This is a powerful story.
Badlands
**1.Badlands Law (2002)
2. Badlands Legend (2002)
3. Badlands Heart (2002)
