Candice Proctor
Proctor, Candice - BEQUEST, THE (Ivy - 1998) (3+)
Gabrielle, an innocent raised in a convent, inherits a whorehouse from the Mother she never knew. She has grand plans to turn it into a school for children. All of those plans are torn to shreds, however, when reality intrudes and she meets the evil man who wants to buy the home. Refusing to leave the prostitutes and their innocent children in the hands of this villain, she stubbornly sticks around. Jordan Hay owns a third of the home and wants Gabrielle to sell it. He's a drifter...with a shattered heart, and he doesn't like the tender feelings he's starting to have towards the good-hearted Gabrielle; but she's headstrong, and his conscious won't allow him to leave her while her life is in such danger.
The characters in this story are refreshingly and painfully honest with each other. The conflict arises from the hero's fear of loving. He's lost everything he's ever loved and has become an empty shell. His gradual opening up and instinctively protective nature is a moving thing to witness. The setting of this story isn't an easy one to stomach, however—the author doesn't shy away from the ugly, vile descriptions of life as a prostitute. But through it all, the love story between the heroine and hero always remains tender. It is an interesting contrast, but not a plot I'd like to see often. ~Laurie S. (shallah@empire.net)
Proctor, Candice - NIGHT IN EDEN (Ivy - 1997) (5)
I want to echo all the raves about this excellent book from a new author. I like relationship books, and this one is moving, endearing, and heart-wrenching. I haven't read many Historicals lately that have grabbed my attention, but NIGHT IN EDEN was a real joy. I slowed down my reading to stretch it out over a couple of days because I didn't want it to end. ~Melissa P. (M.Pollard@Lilly.com)
Proctor, Candice - SEPTEMBER MOON (Fawcett - 10/99) (4+)
Setting: Australia, Late 1800s
Amanda Davenport had come to Australia as secretary to a botanist and companion for his wife. When they both passed away and Amanda was left bereft of funds, she had to accept the only position available: governess to three children in a desolate area near the outback. But she hadn't expected her employer, Patrick O'Reilly, to be so ruggedly handsome.
When Patrick first sees the gentlewoman his sister hired, he is dismayed to find a starchy, colorless female. He knows that after she meets his children, she won't last any longer than the governesses before her. The children do, indeed, play all kinds of mean tricks on the new governess, but Amanda knows she has to stay and try to get along with Liam, Hannah, and Missy because she has no funds and nowhere else to go.
Amanda constantly tries to suppress her passionate nature by acting the true gentlewoman, but always catching her eye is the easygoing and good-natured Patrick. Against the backdrop of a wild and untamed land—a fascinating country of aborigines, drought, heat, and beauty—the attraction between Patrick and Amanda begins to grow.
"This country was like O'Reilly, she thought; both the man and his land frightened her and disturbed her and attracted her, all at the same time."When SEPTEMBER MOON was published, I had to be one of the first in line to get this book! One of my favorite locations for a historical romance is Australia, and there are all too few being written. I had already read Candice Proctor's previous books, NIGHT IN EDEN and THE BEQUEST, so I knew I would be in for a special read. I wasn't disappointed. SEPTEMBER MOON caught my interest from the first page and just got better and better as it went along. Another winner from this talented author! ~Marilyn H. (mlyn@jps.net)
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