Contemporary

Tess McPhail goes her own way for 18 years and she becomes very successful. She became one of America's most famous country singers. Now her sisters want her to nurse their mother because she will be having an operation on her hip.

Tess doesn't like it to have to come back to the small town of Wintergreen. Nashville was her real home for many years. And do her sisters not know how hard she has to work for her success every day? There is another thing that disturbs her: Kenny Kronek, the neighbor who is always helper in need. Okay, Tess had played with him when they were children, but later in High School she wasn't interested anymore in the clumsy boy who would run after her.

Nothing has changed in Wintergreen. Although Tess has sent her mother every month a lot of money she still lives in the same old house with the worn out furniture. Two decades in the music business made another person from Tess. She don't like the fat food from her mother or the neighbor who ignores her and she also doesn't know what she should do with the jealousy of her sister Judy.

It is also a problem for her to help her mother after the surgery. Tess doesn't know what to say to make it easier for her. When it turns out that Kenny is a ready for help and nice man. Tess is surprised. He is so likeable. She doesn't know what to do with the power of attraction she feels for him because they both live in totally different worlds.

Kenny has a seventeen year old daughter, Casey, who wants to become a country singer too. Tess and Casey are friends from the first moment they meet. And when they write together a song called "Small Town Girl" nothing can stop the friendship anymore.

Tess asks to take Casey with her to Nashville and help her to start a singer career. Kenny hesitates to agree. He would be alone when his daughter and his love, Tess, would leave him. It is hard work for them to say good bye. But Tess believes this is the best because there can't be a common future for Kenny and herself. However, a future without him would be bleak in the same way.

A story which goes under your skin and touches your heart. LaVyrle Spencer did it again. She creates two real-life characters which you will love. It is such a pity that she retired from writing.

Rated 5.0
ISBN#0-399-14249-5
Copyright 1997
Reviewed 9/1/97 by Pam

Sensational and endearing, beautifully written. LaVyrle Spencer is one of the greatest authors in my book and with "Small Town Girl" she definitely added some spice to my life.

Tess McPhail, Mac, is a millionairess many times over due to her successful singing career. She is a star in the county and western music industry. She thinks very highly of herself and doesn't stumble over words to say just how great she really is.

At the insistence of her two sisters Judy and Renee, Tess comes home to care for her mother who is having hip surgery for the second time. Her sisters took care of her for the first surgery, now they say it's Tess's turn. This will make up for all the times she didn't come home to visit because she was "too busy."

High school classmate and major nerd, Kenny Kronek, helps Tess's mother whenever he can. Whether it's mowing her grass, planting her garden, or just being her friend, he is always there when she needs him.

Tess who is always praised and gawked at by everyone, gets angry when Kenny doesn't pay her the least bit attention. She treated him terribly while in school and frankly, he could care less who she is now, eighteen years later.

They try to ignore each other, but that quickly comes to a stop. Then it's verbal sparring and angry words. But, of course, that doesn't last either. Soon, feelings of passion are bursting inside them and neither knows what to do with them. After all, Tess will only be there for a month and then she will go back to her singing career, traveling and very busy life.

Add to this Kenny's teenage daughter who just happens to have a beautiful voice and great talent for writing songs. Then there's the jealous sister and a mother who won't accept change. Oh, don't forget Kenny's girlfriend of 8 years, Faith.

What a wonderful story. So down-to-earth and completely intriguing. I was fascinated from start to finish and was unable to put it down until I turned the last page. How would the small town girl who made it big find room in her life for small town guy who has had a major crush on her for 19 years or more? Read it and find out. You're sure to love it just as I did!

Rated 4.5
Copyright 1997
Reviewed 7/27/97 by Anne-Marie

I liked this book because it was a beautiful story of a woman who was being judged and criticized solely on the basis of her being divorced and having risen to the top, not without her tragedies, but with lots of love for her girls.

Roberta Jewett is a genuinely fun loving, intelligent woman who takes time to spend quality time with her girls rather than cleaning her home.

Gabriel is a widower who has one daughter. She and Gabriel do not get off to a good start. Roberta heard him joking about her with her brother-in-law regarding divorced woman and how "loose" they are.

Gabriel is hired to repair the monstrosity of a home Roberta's brother-in-law bought for her in her absence. It doesn't take long to see the kind of woman Roberta truly is. She is not of loose morals. She is just an outspoken, independent woman.

Roberta and Gabriel cannot deny how they feel for each other, but they are frightened with those feelings. Then, Roberta is raped and it is Gabriel's home she goes to for help.

This was a joyous journey of a forward thinking woman, which in 1916 was a rarity. It was a real feel-good story of two very different people who fall in love.

Rated 4.5
Copyright 1996
Reviewed 6/28/97 by Isolde Wehr

Maybe I am a little biased because I am a great LaVyrle Spencer fan but I must say I LOVED that book. It was WONDERFUL! I felt like I was in the middle of the story and the characters acted around me.

Maine, 1916

Roberta Jewett is a divorced woman who returns to her home town together with her three daughters Rebecca, Susan and Lydia. Here she tries to find peace and start a new life. The conservative inhabitants of Camden show her only how narrow-minded and how full of prejudice they are. Her mother and her sister are not any better. They disapprove of her way of life and do not hesitate to tell her so.

Roberta works as a public health nurse and that means she has to do a full time job. For that she buys a car so that she can travel. She is the first woman in Camden to drive a car. Her new house is a disaster. It is dirty and must be renovated. Gabriel Farley is a carpenter and helps her on behalf of her brother-in-law Elfred.

Roberta isn't interested in men anymore. Her husband was only around her and his daughters when he was in need of money. After hearing that, Gabriel and Elfred make jokes about divorced women. She overhears and becomes indignant. What a terrible man! she thinks.

Gabriel is a widower who can't forget his dead wife. He lives together with his daughter Isobel. Since the Jewett family is in town he and his daughter can't take away from their power of attraction. Isobel becomes a new member in the Jewett house and Gabriel finds Roberta very attractive. But she isn't a normal house wife. She loves her job and joy is more important for her then a fine and tidy house.

From the first moment, the sparks fly between Gabriel and Roberta. Their growing feelings for each other must withstand painful memories, the envy of the neighbors, and a sexual assault that Roberta endures.

Roberta is a fascinating heroine. She is independent, strong, and a wonderful mother for her children. You will love her. Gabriel is also a strong character. Two very realistic heros in a terrific love story.

Roberta Jewett is coming home to Camden, Maine after being gone for 18 years. Two main differences are present since the time she left. First, she is the mother of three daughters ages 16, 14 and 10. Secondly, she is a (sshhhh) divorced woman. After years of tolerating a philandering husband, Roberta divorces him and decides to come home.

Gabriel Farley is widowed and the father of 14 year old Isobel. Gabriel is a carpenter and is hired to fix up the home that Roberta purchased, with the help of her brother-in-law Elfred, to live in. Being very disappointed in the home that Elfred selected for her, with her hard-earned money, it takes much convincing by her daughters before Roberta decides that fixing up the home is ok with her.

Roberta and Gabe are instantly enemies, or so they think. Clashing is a minor adjective describing these two characters.

Roberta is a very independent woman. Having fended for herself for nearly her entire married life, Roberta is unaccustomed and unwilling to answer to any man.

Elfred is entirely too "friendly" with Roberta, touching her at every possible moment. Hating the man on site, she demand he keep his hands, etc, to himself. Just because she is a divorced woman, does mean she is a loose one.

Grace, Roberta's sister and Elfred's wife, does not support Roberta's decision for a divorce. Roberta's mother holds the same opinions as well as nearly ever other citizen of the town.

Roberta's care-free life style is very extreme for these times. Her girls put on plays and write opera's, read and write poetry, have clam bakes, catch lobsters and even enjoy riding in their mother's Model T. This is another reason the townspeople dislike her ----> a woman owning and driving an automobile!

Gabe finds himself attracted to Roberta and her outlandish living style. Roberta will not answer to any man again. Can she get over her desire for independence to find love with Gabriel?

A page turner for sure. This reader saw 12:30 a.m. and it was well-worth the slamming eyelids the following day.

Hoping to escape the shame of her street urchin's life in Boston, Anna Reardon plotted a desperate scheme to become Karl Lindstrom's mail-order-bride in the beautiful, dangerous frontier of Minnesota.

A kind and gentle man, Karl forgives Anna for her deceptions. But there was still one burning secret that she had to hide from him, knowing its revelation would destroy the love they had come to cherish.

This story was wonderful. I almost gave this a 5.0. You will love all of the people who are in this wonderful story. You will laugh and cry with them.

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Rated 4.5
ISBN# 0-515-09951-1
Reviewed 5/28/97 by Pam T.

Tommy Lee and Rachel were childhood sweethearts. Both were raised in prominent families in their small town. As teenagers, they were made to pay the consequences from what resulted after an act of love.

Later, Rachel married Owen Hollis, opened a clothing store, and to all appeared happy with her life. Tommy Lee became the town "hellion." He drove recklessly, drank and smoked too much, and slept with anything in a skirt. After three broken marriages he realizes what has been in the way all this time -- an unresolved past with Rachel.

Hopelessly drawn to each other, Tommy and Rachel fight the feelings that have been reborn with the knowledge that Rachel is single again. After so many wasted years, Tommy Lee dives right in. Rachel harbors many concerns and restrains her emotions with so much willpower its unbelievable. I couldn't wait for her to come to her senses.

I read this story in one day, sneaking a few pages here and there and then staying up until the last page was turned. Written in the 80's, the restraints held on widows was a heavy burden the heroine carried. Myself, as the reader, felt for her and wished she could be in the 90's when appearances weren't such a big deal.

LaVyrle Spencer is one of my favorite authors and never ceases to amaze me. I was stunned to find a Spencer novel that I hadn't read. Try it! If you like the unconventional, you'll enjoy this one.

Rated 4.0
Copyright 1983
Reviewed 4/24/97 by Isolde Wehr

"A Promise to Cherish" is the same light story like "Forsaking all others." It is only to enjoy. Sit down, put your feet high, lay back, and enjoy the hours spent reading this book.

Lee Walker is a young woman. She works for a big construction company. She has a job that normally only men hold. That is why she has to fight against prejudice every day and, of course, being part Indian descent doesn't help. Her boss is a nauseating person.

Presently she is in Denver for an important meeting. She is to bid on a big job.

At the airport she accidently takes the wrong suitcase, but does not discover her mistake until she is at her hotel. All her documents are gone. In the suitcase she has now she finds a "Playboy" magazine and a mans clothes. The owner is a man called Sam Brown.

She decides to go to the meeting to find out who ends up with the best bid. When her bid is opened Lee is totally surprised. Somebody turned it in for her! Who could have done this?

Her company did not have the best bid so she lose this order. The winner is a very good looking man. His name is . . . Sam Brown.

He is the owner of a construction company also - Lee can't believe it. The same Sam Brown just like the name on the suitcase. Lee doesn't like Sam because she thinks he looked at her bid before setting his own.

In the evening they meet in Lees hotel and exchange suitcases. They decide to eat together but the next day they go about doing their own work.

A short time later Lee gives up her job because she can't work anymore for her unbearable boss. Sam Brown find out this and asks her if she would like to work for his company. Doing the same job, but for a higher salary. Lee accepts.

Sam isn't only interested in her because she is good in her job - there is more.

Lee has a secret as to why she is a divorced woman. Will Sam understand her? - FIND IT OUT.

"Forsaking all overs" is a wonderful love story. Short enough for a quiet evening. I enjoyed the book very much. Once because it is a LaVyrle Spencer book and the other side, it was a short trip outside the reality. Just sit down, take the book and enjoy the reading. I felt happy, sad, effusive and content after finishing the book.

Allison Scott is a photographer. She was asked to make cover for a romance book. That's why she is looking for a twenty five year old man, good looking, with blond hair and blue eyes. And she found him, Rick Lang --- Mr. Perfect. But Allison just had a bad experience with such a man. He exploited her and her talent of making photographs. So she is very skeptical about Rick. But Rick is more than a "face or body". He is ready to help and humorous. It takes a lot of time till Allison understand that.

Allison photographs the pictures for the cover. Rick on the beach in the moonlight with an upset woman in his arms. But the photos are not taking at a beach, they make them in the cold night of Minneapolis in her studio. It is very funny to read how Allison (with the help of Rick) gets sand, a tree trunk and a sea in the studio.

Rick find out that Allison is the right woman for him. She is crazy for her job and she is a very talented photographer. But it is hard to fight against the thoughts about the over man who hurt her feelings so much. It is a long way for both to come together. But this story has a happy end (what else). A wonderful light lovestory for a short trip outside the reality.

Get your box of Kleenex ready before you read "Family Blessings," by LaVyrle Spencer. I forgot the current book I was reading in my desk at work, and decided to pick up another one at home to read before going to sleep. When I read the intro page in the front of the book, where it mention the death of the heroine's son, little did I know I would feel as though I had gone through the entire experience with the female character, Lee.

A heart-wrenching story from the on-set -- page 3. I cried, literally sobbed, into my pillow. I knew if my husband woke up, he'd wonder what the heck was the matter with me. Normally, I'd put this kind of book aside. I read romances to get away from the sadness and stress of day-to-day life. This story seemed as though it was going to be too much for me to handle. Yet I was intrigued. An older woman and a younger man. I've only read one other story like that a few years ago. LaVyrle always does such a good job at throwing in those unique conflicts then helping her characters to overcome them.

Lee Reston, a lady in her forties, forty-four I believe, is a widow with three children. Greg, a policeman, Janice, a college student, and Joey a boy in his early teens. Lee is half owner of a flower shop, the other half owned by her sister, Sylvia. The devastation Lee goes through upon hearing of her sons death is quite a rough scene to get through. She had already experienced her share of grief after losing a child and her husband.

Police officer, Christopher Lallek, is having the best day of his life. It's his day off, he's scheduled to pick up his new car from the dealer today, and he's going on a picnic at the lake with a group of friends. He makes one quick stop at the station to pick up his paycheck and discovers that his best day has suddenly turned into his worst day. His best friend and room mate, Greg Reston, has been killed in a motorcycle accident. This is only the beginning of the heart break.

Being a friend of the family, Christopher decides he should be the one to tell them of the accident. He heads on over to the Reston household, dreading the task before him. It tears him up to have to deliver such a message to a wonderful family. Something he never had as a child.

After hearing the news, Lee falls apart. Lee and Chris console each other for their loss. Lee calls her daughter and son who were both out of town at the time of the accident. Her sister is called and before she knows it her house is filled with her family, all in shock over the accident.

Lee and Christopher become very good friends. Each being there for the other when needed. No one thinks anything of it since Chris was always around with Greg anyway.

Janice develops a heavy crush on Chris, who does nothing to reciprocate her feelings. He does not think of her in any way except as a younger sister.

One third of the book (up to chapter 6 at least) is filled with all the characters grief and sadness. By this time, I couldn't believe I was still reading it, as many tears as I shed, I started to think I was crazy. Why was I putting myself through this? Curiosity, that's what!

Months go by after Greg's death in which Lee and Chris are becoming very close. He always there when she needs him and vice versa. Friendship turns to intimacy, but not without some extreme sexual tension. The build-up is partly what kept me reading. I just knew they had to get together eventually.

Lee's fears consist of the age difference between herself and Chris who is thirty years old. She knows that when her family finds out they aren't going to be happy, especially her prim and proper mother and her prude of a sister. And finally, she doesn't want to embarrass Janice who has confided in her regarding her feelings for Chris.

This is an enchanting story about two people who overcome many obstacles including grief, family pressure, age difference, and more, just to be together. It's an up and down ride as they, mostly Lee, work through their feelings. It's takes the blessing of one special family member to convince Lee that her place is with Chris and to h--l with the rest of them.

I'll warn you again, prepare yourself for the sadness. I was able to endure it, but not with out shedding a few, correction, many tears.

"The Fulfillment" was originally printed in 1979. I picked it up at a local discount bookstore. I've seen it on the shelves before, but always chose something else instead. I don't know why, I just always would.

Whhooaaa, is the first thought that comes to mind. The topic alone was a shocker, and seeing LaVryle Spencer pull it off, well that was really something else.

This is the first romance I've read where adultery was a conflict, and I was able to love the heroine even still. When I picked up the book and read the back cover . . ."But after seven years of childless marriage, Jonathan asked of his brother what he could ask of no other man. And what began as an act of compassion became an act of desire . .", I thought, wow, can I get through this. I love reading Spencer's stories, but adultery, that's a hard one for me to swallow.

So, anyway, on with the show.

Jonathan Gray is married to Mary, the devoted and loving wife. She takes care of him, and his four years younger brother, Aaron. For them she cooks, clean, gardens, and does their laundry, all with a smile on her face.

Jonathan is a good husband in the sense that he provides for Mary's needs. I think he really loves her, but just doesn't know how to get close to anyone. He is not a man of many emotions, much less feeling comfortable enough to share his feelings with Mary. He doesn't talk much, outside of the everyday happenings on the farm. Even complimenting her on how pretty she looks is too much for him to handle.

Aaron is his complete opposite. He is the fun brother, the jokester, he compliments Mary, and even has a nickname for her. They are close friends. Even though she is married to Jonathan, she is able to be a part of Aaron's fun side. They have no qualms with her warming her feet under the tail of his coat while they chat late at night on the porch. Aaron talks to Mary about things that the gossips in town would not approve of. They can do that with each other though. Their friendship is completely innocent.

Innocent until the day Jonathan asks Aaron to bed Mary to give them the baby they've always wanted. (A childhood illness involving the mumps prevents Jonathan from every having children.) After Jonathan's request, the slightest brush of elbows becomes sinful in Aaron and Mary's thoughts. They can't believe Jonathan would ask such a thing of them, a sinful thing at that. They are deeply hurt by his request, which begins to stir feelings that they had never thought twice about before.

Jonathan has even gone as far as to plan a trip during the time of the month that Mary could conceive. She was receiving advice from the town doctor on conceiving a child and learned that there are special times of the month in which women are more apt to conceive. Jonathan didn't believe this hogwash, but hey, if there was a chance, he'd take it.

Well, of course, we soon find out that the few days Aaron and Mary spend together, while Jonathan is gone, turn out to be the best days of their lives. Mary has found "fulfillment" during her love making with Aaron, an important piece absent from her intimate acts with Jonathan. Aaron finds that he has awakened a side of Mary that neither of them knew existed.

I wasn't all that crazy about the adultery bit. I take my marriage vows very seriously and look for heros and heroines who do the same. But wanting to know how this story would end, kept me turning pages until the early hours of the morning. I found myself completely exhausted the next day. But, you know what? It was worth it. I was able to forgive the heroine for her adulterous act, and Aaron too for encouraging it. I wanted Mary to have Aaron, the happy, fun, and caring brother, instead of the one that couldn't even tell her she looked pretty when she was all gussied up.

I couldn't wait to see what would finally lead Mary and Aaron together. Maybe that was what intrigued me more than anything. I actually cried at the event that set them both free. I know an author has done their job when I have to grab a Kleenex.

I had to give this one four hugs, for even with the adultery plot, I loved the hero and heroine despite their sins.