Catherine Anderson
Anderson, Catherine - ANNIE'S SONG (Avon - 1996) (5)
When Alex Montgomery learns that his brother raped a young girl and left her with child, he decides to do the honorable thing by marrying her. Annie is a shy, backward girl who has been branded an "idiot," but Alex discovers that she is merely deaf and the product of two very overprotective parents. ANNIE'S SONG is such a beautiful, well-written book. They just don't come any better than this. ~June F. (bookbug@oocities.com)
Anderson, Catherine - BABY LOVE (Avon - 1999) (4+)
Penniless, desperate, and literally freezing, Maggie Stanley is on the run with her newborn child when she hops aboard a passing freight train. Rafe Kendrick has been "riding the rails" and drinking himself into a stupor ever since he lost his wife and children in an automobile accident two years ago. He is surprised to find the beautiful young woman and her baby stowed
away on the train, but he keeps his distance—he doesn't
need any more complications in his life. But when the other "railroad bums" in the boxcar try to rape Maggie, Rafe steps in, despite his reluctance to get involved.
He offers Maggie his coat, which they end up sharing, and he notices she has been badly beaten. Although Rafe has spent two years not caring about anyone or anything, something about Maggie brings out his protective instincts. When it becomes clear she is sick and unable to feed her child, Rafe gets them a motel room in the first town they stop in. He realizes he can't take care of them in his current condition, so he stops drinking and cleans himself up. Rafe is stunned to find himself developing feelings for Maggie, but she doesn't trust men or want to be indebted to any male. However, when the person she is running away from shows up, Rafe and Maggie get married so he can protect her and the baby.
BABY LOVE is difficult to read at times because it deals openly and honestly with disturbing issues, but it is a very real and touching book. Catherine Anderson should be commended for "pushing the envelope" of mainstream romance in such a powerful way. She has written an extraordinary, not-to-be-missed novel about the healing power of love. ~Karen Witkowski for Bookbug on the Web
Anderson, Catherine - CHERISH (Avon - 1998) (4+)
After Rebecca Morgan's family and friends were killed in a savage outlaw attack, she lost her spirit and faith in God. Ex-gunslinger turned rancher, Race Spencer, had saved the innocent young woman's life, but the ruthless killers were still on the loose. They would stop at nothing to get their hands on the large sum of money Rebecca's church group and family had been transporting, and only she knew where the money was hidden. Initially in shock from the trauma, Rebecca didn't fully comprehend the situation or Race's self-appointed role as her protector, but she had to rely on his help.
Race saw Rebecca as a wounded angel—pure and beautiful, and she immediately captured his heart. The rough and tough cowboy knew firsthand what it was like to suffer such a devastating loss. His mother had been brutally killed when he was a child and he had learned to develop his keen instincts in order to survive. Race not only offered to protect Rebecca, he also helped the fragile woman-child understand and cope with her loss, until her belief in God (and herself) was restored. In the end, they both learned from each other and discovered a love that would heal all wounds. Together they would fight back against hate, injustice, and greed...and fight for their future.
Catherine Anderson's vivid word imagery, three-dimensional characters and attention to detail brings this western romance to life. CHERISH is a survival story—violent and gritty, yet humanly compelling. The author delves deeply inside the hearts and minds of the characters and delivers an uplifting message about faith and love. This is a book you fully experience—one that definitely lives up to its title. ~June Folk for Bookbug on the Web
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