"The Gamble" by LaVyrle Spencer

In "The Gamble" by LaVyrle Spencer, a western town with saloon owner (Scott) and temperance movement president (Agatha/Gussie) falling in love after being drawn together by an orphan (Willy). Scott got Willy a cat he named “Moose.” Saloon owner left to go back to his plantation and sent for the woman he fell in love with. He also had very colorful friends, former prostitutes who became dancing girls in the saloon and moved with him to the plantation to help him get it in shape to use as a bed & breakfast place.

I liked this book because there was a lot of subplots going on besides just the romance and it held my attention.  There was humor in this too which always makes for an enjoyable read.




(Karen's review 10/02)

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"One Child" and "The Tiger's Child" by Torey Hayden

One Child by Torey Hayden is very interesting, but also very sad.  It is about Shelia, a bright 6-year-old girl who tied up a 4-year-old and set him on fire and was put in Torey’s “crazy kid” class until a space opened up in the State mental hospital for her. She had a high IQ, was a bed wetter, had an abusive, alcoholic father and was abandoned on a freeway by her mother who kept her younger brother. She was quite a terror, but Tory “tamed” her and became very attached to her. She was cut bad by her uncle who raped her and was in the hospital for a month. She was able to enter regular classes again. Very good book, but left you wondering what happened to Sheila. (The Tiger’s Child is the sequel)

The Tiger’s Child by Torey Hayden

(Sequel to One Child)

Very good about Shelia as a teenager and how she had blocked a lot of her childhood out. Her memories came back the more she talked with Torey. Became a manager of McDonalds which disappointed Torey. Mixed up Torey with her mom who abandoned her at one point. Also worked with Torey with some disturbed kids which was good for awhile.
(Karen's review 10/05)

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"Not Without Hope" by Nick Schyler and Jere Longman

Not Without Hope by Nick Schyler and Jere Longman is an amazing story! One day four buddies went out for a fishing trip. The four were Marquis Cooper, Will Bleakley, Corey Smith and Nick Schuyler. Only Nick survived and this is his story. What a tragic tale it is. I kept thinking of what these guys went through and their family and friends when the boat was finally discovered. The writing is awesome. You get the feeling you are right there. It’s a wonder Nick made it. If you think you can handle it, this is a very good book to read. I can’t say I enjoyed it because of the content, but I’m glad I read it.

(Gerard's review 3/23/10)

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"Morning Glory" by LaVyrle Spencer

Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer is one of my all-time favorite romance novels.  Although I read it back in April of 2002, I still remember it as being an emotional read.  I liked that it had little kids in it and an unusual story line.  I had a hard time putting this one down. 

Will, an ex-con gets fired and responds to want ad for husband because he has no place to live and nothing to eat. Elly is a widow with two little kids and a baby on the way who lives in a broken down house with messy yard and broken down buildings. They fall in love for real and he goes in the Marines, gets a medical discharge and goes on trial for murder. Elly wouldn’t leave her home but she did because of Will.
(Karen's review 4/02)

LaVeryle Spncer is my favorite romance author.  In fact, it was her books that got me started reading romance novels so the next few days, I will be posting about some of them that I enjoyed reading very much and highly recommend.

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"Daddy Long Legs" by Jean Webster

I enjoyed Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster which is full of letters from an orphan girl to the man who paid for her college and wanted to remain anonymous who she affectionately referred to as Daddy Long Legs.  The original deal was that in turn for her college tuition and a monthly allowance she would write each month to let him know her progress in her studies.  Her letters were amusing and I liked the illustrations.  All through the book I was pulling for her to finally meet this man.  The ending caught me by surprise--I didn't see it coming.  I would recommend it for young adults.

(Karen's review 3/9/10)

Please tell us: What categories of literature do you like? What are you reading now? Who are your top five favorite authors? Have you read this one? What did you think of it?