NAN RYAN

Rated 5.0
ISBN# 0-451-40483-1
Copyright 1994
$4.99
Reviewed 8/11/97 by Anne-Marie

Touching, warm, and sensual. This was such a tender story. I often caught myself with tears in my eyes.

This story is set during the past - the Civil War -- Alabama - rebel territory. Hatred for Yankees was high and extreme. Enter Captain Kurt Northway with is four year old son. He is a much hated stranger in this southern town and he is broke physically as well as emotionally. He has a deep pain haunting his soul.

Helen Burke is a widow. She was robbed of her husband and money by this terrible war. She is young and beautiful and truly believes her husband is coming back!

She needs to harvest a large crop in the fall so that she can hold onto her grandfather's home. She is behind on her taxes. Captain Northway desperately needs work so that he may earn money to bring his young son Charlie and himself back to his horse farm in Maryland. All he has is his thoroughbred stallion, Raider, and his son. His wife died and so did her parents while he was away at war. He found Charlie alone. Frightened and non-communicative, Charlie feels alone. He doesn't know his father. He was too young when Kurt went off to war.

Helen decides to give Kurt the job of plowing the fields so that she can keep her beloved farm and Kurt may take Charlie home.

This is a passion-filled story of some wonderful characters. And yes, they do finally admit to the love they have for one another and all ends well.

This was worth the time spent reading. I stayed up late to finish it!!

Rated 5.0
Copyright 1996
Reviewed 7/27/97 by Anne-Marie

This was my second Nan Ryan novel and she did not disappoint me! This story was funny, sad, happy, tragic, sensual, and one that was difficult to put down! It takes place in the South, prior to the Civil War, but does bring up the Civil War briefly.

The story was so "touching." Caroline Preble and Clayton Knight were childhood friends. They were closer than two peas in a pod. At one point, Clayton realizes he loves Caroline with all his heart, but does not tell her for fear that his love will be rejected. Not too much later, Caroline, realizes she also loves Clayton. Soon thereafter, they begin their intimate relationship. It only brings them closer.

There is a big problem with all this . . . Caroline comes from a very wealthy, old Southern family. Clayton's father was a no-good drunk who eventually died and left him and his mother to fend for themselves.

Unbeknownst to either of them, Caroline's parents devise a plan to break them apart. The plan works. Caroline thinks Clayton betrayed her and Clayton is told that Caroline is now a married woman.

Years later, Caroline, now a divorced woman, finds Clayton bathing in the river near her home. He tells her she is going to be his mistress. He is so cold to her and is still hurt from the "betrayal" of years ago. Neither of them know the truth about her parents scheme. The scenes to come are "incredibly sensual" and yes, as all good romance stories end, the truth is told and they cling to one another as through there is no one else in the world.

This is a must-read!!!

p.s. Clayton gets my vote for Hunk of the Month!!!