LouAnn Gaeddert - Patricia Gaffney
Gaeddert, LouAnn - PERFECT STRANGERS (St. Martin's - 1989) (5)
[Abridged version first published in Good Housekeeping Magazine in 1985.]
Natalie Jones has a wonderful talent for illustrating children's books, but she has always felt she paled in comparison to her beautiful sister Victoria. At 34, Natalie's biological clock is ticking and the one thing she wants most in the world is a baby to love. Unfortunately, there are no likely "father of the baby" prospects in sight. Enter Jack. He rides into her apple orchard one day looking a bit sick and sporting a brand new bicycle and camping gear. She soon realizes that this taciturn, disagreeable man is very "different." When he decides to camp by her stream, and agrees to paint her barn in exchange for that privilege, it doesn't take long for Natalie to conclude that he might just make a wonderful "hired husband."
Surprisingly, Jack is agreeable to that proposal, but insists on some very strict guidelines in a contract he drafts and makes her sign. He will stay around until the "deed" is done (or six months if it isn't), and she can expect to hear from him occasionally after that. It is obvious during the story that he is a very troubled, but extremely intelligent man, who has something in his past that keeps him from indulging in a relationship that could grow into something a lot more than a contract for "stud services" (his words). PERFECT STRANGERS is an absolutely wonderful story about lost souls regained and the redeeming power of love. ~Connie R. (C1rams@aol.com)
Gaffney, Patricia - ANOTHER EDEN (Leisure - 1992) (4)
A very well-written, mature romance. Interestingly set in Gilded-Age New York City and Newport, Rhode Island. For me, Gaffney is one of the most consistently pleasing romance writers around. ~Elena P.
Gaffney, Patricia - OUTLAW IN PARADISE (Topaz - 1997) (4+ or 5)
Cady McGill ended up in Paradise, Oregon with a saloon, a played-out gold mine, and enough grit and determination to survive in a time when prospects were poor for a woman on her own. She made a place for herself and her friends, and had no intention of selling out or giving in to the demands of the land-greedy villain. When Jesse Gault rides into town, looking every bit like the ruthless for-hire killer he's reputed to be, guilty consciences abound...as some of the townspeople assume he's been paid to "eliminate" them. Given the scenario, this could have been one of those wonderfully angst-ridden, intense stories Gaffney is so well known for. Instead, this book was a HOOT from beginning to end! Some of the dialogue had me laughing out loud, and I really loved the unique characters. Gaffney's trademark sensuality was in evidence as well. She has created another hero to curl your toes and put heat in the furnace. *grin* ~Connie (C1rams@aol.com)
Gaffney, Patricia - SWEET EVERLASTING (Topaz - 1993) (4+)
A nicely drawn, rather moving romance of a naive backwoods heroine and a world-weary doctor. I especially enjoyed the details regarding both the natural and historical settings, including the information on Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders and the turn-of-the-century fight against yellow fever. ~Elena P.
Gaffney, Patricia - TO LOVE & TO CHERISH (Topaz - 1995) (5)
An absorbing, well-crafted, beautifully perceptive, and deeply moving novel that I absolutely couldn't put down. The book turns the tables on the usual characterizations—the heroine is experienced and worldly wise, and the hero is innocent and full of hope. Gaffney sensitively traces the heroine's spiritual growth concurrent with the growth of love. Add to that the brilliant inclusion of the heroine's occasional first-person diary entries—in a tone and style quite true to her character and different from the book's otherwise third-person narrative—and what you wind up with is a real tour de force. TO LOVE & TO CHERISH is definitely one of the two or three best paperback romances I've ever read! ~Elena P.
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