Sunday, August 28, 2011

When Love Gets In The Way-Janelle Mowery

When Love Gets In The Way
Janelle Mowery
Harvest House, Oct 1 2011, $13.99
ISBN: 9780736928083

In 1873 in Pueblo, Colorado Territory, following her mother’s funeral Grace Bradley runs away from home as she fears the vile man Frank Easton, whose first wife vanished, the one her widower father chose for her to marry. She pleads with family friend Cade Ramsey, who attended her mom’s funeral, to take her with him when he goes home. Grace insists she can help his mom Ella recovering from an injured hip. He tells her no.

She sneaks inside his wagon, but by the time he discovers his stowaway he ignores his inclination to return her to her dad and instead takes her to his family Ranch near Rockdale. He arranges for her to work as a housekeeper at the ranch of his friends Bobby and Jace (see When All My Dreams Come True). Meanwhile a gang of four keeps robbing prospectors in the area while Grace’s “fiancĂ©” is coming for her.

The amusing charming second "Colorado Runaway" western romance stars two delightful protagonists as he needs full body armor to protect him from his klutzy beloved. The villains are nasty but the warm Grace makes the tale work as a unique lead. First is her love for Cade and his family and friends; second are her demands of God to explain why he allows bad things to happen to good people; and finally the comic relief of all the bruises Cade receives from his dangerous beloved. Sub-genre fans will obtain immense pleasure with this humorous historical.

Harriet Klausner

No comments: