Book Review: The Journey Home
The Journey Home (Depression series) by Linda Ford - Love Inspired Historical #14 - Aug 08
This is a great book! I really enjoyed reading it. Now, the first thing someone might say is that the heroine wasn't strong--that she sat and waited instead of taking charge of her life--but I loved watching her blossom...to come to the realization that she could step out...that she could be assertive...that she could be and deserved to be happy in her own right.
You see, for her entire life, Charlotte Porter had been told to be quiet, unobtrusive, never complain and she'd have a nice, warm house to live in. The reason behind this reasoning was because when her mother died, she had to live with her older brother who really didn't want her. So, if she did what she was told and kept her mouth shut, at least she'd have sanctuary. But one day, her brother and his family just up and left her in an unfurnished house, on dry land (not even water in the well), in the middle of the dust bowl prairies. They said they'd send for her...
Kody Douglas is on his way to the wide-open spaces of Canada so he can be alone. He's a half-breed who doesn't feel comfortable in either the white or red man's world. Yes, he has white adopted parents who love him, but they're biased because he's their son. It's the rest of his hometown he doesn't want to contend with. He's done with the name-calling and being treated like a ‘second-class citizen'. He's leaving it all behind for the sake of anonymity.
He isn't more than 2 days from home however, when a dust storm blows up and he finds shelter in an abandoned house. Surprise! It's not abandoned. Charlotte's living in the derelict house where even the broken front door doesn't stop the dust from streaming into the living room. She has no food. No water. Why doesn't she just leave? Kody's never met someone as passive as her. But, his mama would never forgive him if she found out he'd left a woman in that condition.
I loved watching Charlotte and Kody fall in love. Their hesitant baby steps. Waiting for a negative reaction. Trying not to attract attention in case someone told them they didn't belong. They came from 2 totally different worlds and yet they weren't that dissimilar after all. They both felt unlovable - castoffs in a perfect world.
There's only one thing I didn't like about this book - the cover. I don't' understand why the art team at Harlequin couldn't portray Kody and his daughter more accurately. The little girl is supposed to have black hair. And the man...well, I guess he could pass for a half-breed but I doubt it. But, that's certainly not the author's fault. Her vivid descriptions almost had me tasting the dust.
Linda Ford's Depression Series:
Book 1: The Road to Love
Book 2: The Journey Home
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Heat Level: Affectionate (kissing and hand holding but nothing more)
My Rating: Great! - 4 ½ stars (a keeper)
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2008 Harlequin 100,000 Book Challenge:
Total books Read: 99 Harlequin Imprint: 92 Others: 7
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This is a great book! I really enjoyed reading it. Now, the first thing someone might say is that the heroine wasn't strong--that she sat and waited instead of taking charge of her life--but I loved watching her blossom...to come to the realization that she could step out...that she could be assertive...that she could be and deserved to be happy in her own right.
You see, for her entire life, Charlotte Porter had been told to be quiet, unobtrusive, never complain and she'd have a nice, warm house to live in. The reason behind this reasoning was because when her mother died, she had to live with her older brother who really didn't want her. So, if she did what she was told and kept her mouth shut, at least she'd have sanctuary. But one day, her brother and his family just up and left her in an unfurnished house, on dry land (not even water in the well), in the middle of the dust bowl prairies. They said they'd send for her...
Kody Douglas is on his way to the wide-open spaces of Canada so he can be alone. He's a half-breed who doesn't feel comfortable in either the white or red man's world. Yes, he has white adopted parents who love him, but they're biased because he's their son. It's the rest of his hometown he doesn't want to contend with. He's done with the name-calling and being treated like a ‘second-class citizen'. He's leaving it all behind for the sake of anonymity.
He isn't more than 2 days from home however, when a dust storm blows up and he finds shelter in an abandoned house. Surprise! It's not abandoned. Charlotte's living in the derelict house where even the broken front door doesn't stop the dust from streaming into the living room. She has no food. No water. Why doesn't she just leave? Kody's never met someone as passive as her. But, his mama would never forgive him if she found out he'd left a woman in that condition.
I loved watching Charlotte and Kody fall in love. Their hesitant baby steps. Waiting for a negative reaction. Trying not to attract attention in case someone told them they didn't belong. They came from 2 totally different worlds and yet they weren't that dissimilar after all. They both felt unlovable - castoffs in a perfect world.
There's only one thing I didn't like about this book - the cover. I don't' understand why the art team at Harlequin couldn't portray Kody and his daughter more accurately. The little girl is supposed to have black hair. And the man...well, I guess he could pass for a half-breed but I doubt it. But, that's certainly not the author's fault. Her vivid descriptions almost had me tasting the dust.
Linda Ford's Depression Series:
Book 1: The Road to Love
Book 2: The Journey Home
-------------------------------
Heat Level: Affectionate (kissing and hand holding but nothing more)
My Rating: Great! - 4 ½ stars (a keeper)
-------------------------------
2008 Harlequin 100,000 Book Challenge:
Total books Read: 99 Harlequin Imprint: 92 Others: 7
-
Anita Mae,
ReplyDeleteI just found this review of my book and was so impressed that you got the story I was trying to tell--about wounded, insecure human beings who find strength and courage in a growing love. Thank you so much for this great review.
Linda
Hey Linda, you're very welcome.
ReplyDeleteI simul-post here and on my eharl blog. So if you haven't read my review on your Road to Love check either of these:
http://community.eharlequin.com/review/road-love-linda-ford-love-inspired-historical-7-may-08
http://anitamaedraper.blogspot.com/search/label/Linda%20Ford
The Journey Home review has also been added to amazon and shelfari and maybe christianbook.com. Sorry I can't remember exactly.