Dorothy Garlock
Garlock, Dorothy - SWEETWATER (Warner - 1998) (4+)
Readers who love the westerns of Louis L'Amour, as well as the most discerning readers of western romance, will delight in the latest offering from the maestro, Dorothy Garlock. SWEETWATER is the story of Jenny Gray, who kidnaps her young half-sisters (Cassandra and Beatrice) to rescue them from the cruelty of their guardians (an older half-sister and her husband). Jenny has just been hired as a teacher for Indian children near Sweetwater, Wyoming—a town with its own adult bully in the form of Alvin Havelshell, a villain the reader will love to hate. As the Gray sisters arrive in town, they're observed by cattle rancher Trell McCall (he first made an appearance in Garlocks's MIDNIGHT BLUE), who decides to check up on them—especially the lovely Jenny.
It is Garlock's trademark not to underplay the harshness of life in the West, and SWEETWATER is no exception. Life wasn't easy and only the strong survived; these are the characters she writes about. Her realistic descriptions of life in 1880's Wyoming give the reader such a wonderful sense of time and place that even at over 450 pages, the reader won't want this book to end. Coupled with tenderness and compassion, these all make for a captivating western romance that won't disappoint Garlock's legion of fans. Readers will also enjoy the addition of synopses of Garlock's prior books, along with recipes from those books. All the more reason to rush out and grab a copy of SWEETWATER. ~Maudeen Wachsmith for Bookbug on the Web
Garlock, Dorothy - WITH HEART (Warner - 11/99) (4+)
Setting: Oklahoma, 1938
Redheaded, freckle-faced Kathleen Dolan heads to Rawlings,
Oklahoma to begin a partnership with spinster, Adelaide Vernon, as part owner of the town's newspaper. Waylaid on the road by hijackers who try to steal her car and money, she is saved by rancher Johnny Henry. When these culprits are not jailed, an outraged Kathleen wants some answers. She quickly learns that Rawlings is a town with many secrets and she is determined to uncover them.
It soon becomes evident that the town's doctor, Darrel Herman, controls everything and almost everyone in Rawlings, including the sheriff and his deputy. Why does this man have so much power and why is everyone afraid of him? It seems everyone has a secret, including the handsome Johnny Henry. Although he is instantly attracted to Kathleen, he tries to hide it. After all, what can he offer her? He's a half-breed whose mother was a slut and whose father is unknown, and he has little education or money. Kathleen is educated and well-to-do. Why would she want someone like him?
As the story unfolds, Johnny tries to protect Kathleen and keep her out of harm's way; but she is determined to uncover the dirty little secrets that everyone knows about but is afraid to talk about. In the end, neither Johnny nor Kathleen can deny the attraction that exists between them, and they learn that their backgrounds are meaningless in the face of their love for each other.
Dorothy Garlock has penned another winner! In WITH HEART, she adds unique touches and continual surprises that keep the reader enthralled and turning the pages. The secondary characters, who are paramount to the story, are just as intriguing as Johnny and Kathleen. No one does characterization as well as Ms. Garlock. It is a gifted author who can move readers to laughter or tears, as they experience the excitement and danger of a rodeo, the horror of a brutal murder, the grief of a family, and the joy of love; as well as the unfairness of racial, cultural, and ethnic bigotry. WITH HEART transcends these barriers and is a testament to the human spirit.
WITH HEART concludes Dorothy Garlock's Depression-era series that began in WITH HOPE and WITH SONG. While each book stands alone, readers should treat themselves to the entire trilogy and get to know all the wonderful characters. Johnny and Kathleen's story will be continued in an upcoming sequel, AFTER THE PARADE, set in post World War-II. ~Mary T. Knibbe for Bookbug on the Web
Garlock, Dorothy - WITH HOPE (Warner - 1998) (4)
The setting is Oklahoma during the Great Depression. Henry Ann Henry, so named by her vindictive mother, is left to manage the family farm after the death of her parents. Her half-siblings, Isabel and Johnny, come to live with her—along with Aunt Dozie, who was like a mother to Henry Ann. Isabel is a disturbed,
venomous girl, who soon runs off with a bootlegger, setting her greedy sights on claiming a third of Henry Ann's property. Johnny, despite his pitiful upbringing, redeems himself quite nicely and takes on much of the farm work—with the help of
a hired hand, Grant, and Henry Ann's hardworking neighbor, Tom.
Tom is attracted to Henry Ann, but he is a married man who doesn't take his responsibilities lightly—even though he is saddled with an unstable, violent wife. Tom is forced to stay with her, or his influential in-laws (who were relieved to pawn off their crazy daughter on him) will make sure he never sees his young son, Jay, again. His life is a living hell, and when the safety of his child is threatened, he seeks the help of Henry Ann. She takes the boy into her home and cares for him, while Tom's admiration and respect for this strong, levelheaded woman grows each day.
Garlock vividly brings her story to life, capturing the very essence of hope, despair, love, and hate in a multi-layered drama set during the Depression. The strength of this book lies in examining the nature and motivations of its many characters, with a slighter emphasis on time and place. The romance aspect is minor. Expect to be repelled, moved, intrigued and shocked as the author delivers a bold, tightly woven story that makes some very strong statements. WITH HOPE is a bleak look at Southern rural life during the 1930s, with all of its bigotry and oppression. Times were hard, tending to bring out either the mean side of people or a charitable unity. The characters must contend with their own personal demons and dilemmas, as well; and the author graphically examines their lives, often in crude detail. She spares nothing.
If a high level of angst and hatred doesn't bother you, and you can tolerate the salty language and violence (child abuse, rape, and murder), you will appreciate Garlock's strong storytelling skills. There is some mighty powerful writing going on here. WITH HOPE is a no-holds-barred, hellish journey—not a sugarcoated trip to Walton's Mountain; but you're traveling with a master writer and that makes all the difference in the world. ~June Folk for Bookbug on the Web
Garlock, Dorothy - WITH SONG (Warner - 5/99) (4+)
Setting: Kansas, 1935
After Molly McKenzie's parents are gunned down by gangsters, Federal agent Hod Dolan, who was first introduced in WITH HOPE, is assigned to investigate the case. In order to draw out the killers, he arranges for Molly, the sole witness, to make a statement to the press. Hod vows to protect Molly, but can he keep her out of harm's way when an unrelated series of deaths
point to another killer on the loose? Thrown together by danger, united in an attempt to see justice done, a romantic attraction gradually develops between the hard-edged, worldly man and the sheltered but capable country girl.
Dorothy Garlock melds murder and mayhem with a sweet, old-fashioned romance set in small-town America of the 1930s. Her strong characterizations and vivid descriptions of the time period easily capture the imagination of the reader and allow them to feel as if they are experiencing the story firsthand. Filled with grass-roots charm and sharp contrasts, WITH SONG is a well-written novel that will appeal to a wide range of readers. ~June Folk for Bookbug on the Web
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