Reviewer: Connie Payne
Title: Charming Jo
Author: Laura Drewry
Publisher: Zebra
ISBN: 0-8217-7859-5
Release Date: September 2006
Genre/Sub-genre: Historical Romamce - Western
Year/Setting: 1880 Kansas
Overall Rating: 5.0
Sexual Content Rating: Subtle/Sensual (one scene)
Language (Profanity) Content Rating: Mild
Violent Content Rating: Minimal/Mild
Laura's Website:
www.lauradrewry.com
Ranch hands are few and far between. For Jo McCaine that is. It seems no one is willing to work for or take orders from a woman. No one except for Levi Travers. The man with the worst reputation in the area. The last man she wants working on her land or near her sister. But she’s got fence to put up, cattle to round up, and no hands to do it.
Though it takes a bit of persuasion and with a few conditions set, Levi agrees work for Miss Joanna. Only until the fence is strung. Then he’s gone, on his way to San Francisco and the Pacific Ocean.
However, the lure of the Pacific Ocean soon fades and there’s only one reason for that. Miss Joanna. The pants wearing, muck raking, cussedly stubborn ranch owner has gotten under his skin. And there’s only so long he can deny it.
Jo warned Travers she couldn’t be charmed by him, for him not to even try. Yet he did it with very little effort. But why would a man like him want to make time with a woman like her? She’s not like her sister, beautiful and feminine. She’s almost forgotten how to be and feel feminine. For goodness sake, she wears men’s clothes and does a man’s job. Dare she give her heart to Travers? Can she trust him with it?
While Joanna has the confidence and the know-how and the temerity to run the ranch, Levi sees she has no confidence in herself as a woman. And that’s what she is under the layers of toughness, dirt, and men’s clothes. A woman to be admired and loved. If he could only convince her to forget what others think and say about her. If he could only convince her that she’s worth loving and that he’s the man for the job.
Charming Jo definitely charmed this reader.
Ms. Drewry has fashioned a compelling story with Jo and Levi. Two misfits who think their place in life is to be alone among a crowd, yet they see things in each other that some have overlooked. Two characters who are perfect complements to each other.
I found the story to be evenly paced, the characters to be strong yet kind (for the most part – you have to read to understand), the plot and setting to be completely enjoyable, and fully packed with a wide range of fears and emotions.
There’s something about how Ms. Drewry creates, how she writes that captivates the reader. Maybe it’s the sense of kindness and compassion underneath the outer formidable layer she gives her heroine. Maybe it’s how she ingrains in the hero the need and desire to respect the heroine. Maybe all that and more. I don’t know. I only hope she doesn’t try to change the recipe. Her style and vision are simply charming.
Connie
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