Reviewer: Connie Payne
Title: The Preacher's Daughter
Author: Cheryl St. John
Publisher: Harlequin
ISBN: 0373294514
Release Date: June 2007
Genre/Sub-genre: Historical Romance
Year/Setting: 1894 - Newton KS
Overall Rating: 4.25
Sexual Content Rating: Subtle/Sensual
Language (Profanity/Slang) Content Rating: None/Mild
Violent Content Rating: None
Cheryl's Website:
www.tlt.com/authors/cstjohn.htm
Raised in a strict environment, Lorabeth Holdridge wants to experience life. Experience the simplest things many take for granted: talk and laugh at the dinner table, ribbon and lace on her chemise, reading a fictional book. Oh the wonder to be able to do such things! Gathering her courage, she makes a plea to her father to work and live with the Chaney’s full-time and is giddy with relief when he agrees.
Her delight knows no bounds as she’s accepted as one of the family, is invited to socials…falls in love with Benjamin Chaney. With that love comes an addition to her to-do wish list. Marry and make a life with Benjamin. He’s the man of her dreams, the answer to her prayers.
But Benjamin’s past still haunts him. His circumstances of birth, how his mother lived, how he and his sister and brother had to live is a constant painful reminder. His bitterness eats away at him. Though he’s protective of Lorabeth, he’s afraid to get any closer to her. He knows he’ll hurt her. Yet with her awe at the simplest things, her outlook on life, and her unwavering faith, he can’t help but fall for her. Marry her.
One step at a time will see Benjamin’s pain eased. In the meantime, he pushes away the one woman who is able to help him heal. He is full of guilt and self-loathing. Is their love strong enough to see them through his doubts and fears?
It was a joy to see things through Lorabeth’s eyes. To know each new experience she had would be savored and not taken for granted. Benjamin’s hurt and confusion were enough to set the heartstrings to tugging. To walk with him on his journey was moving.
Of course, as always, it’s a pleasure to see how characters from The Lawman’s Bride and The Doctor’s Wife are doing.
Cheryl’s Newton, KS, its residents and romances, are sweet, endearing, warm, and charming. The Preacher’s Daughter is definitely no exception. Newton is the place to go, to relax and escape. It’s the Mayberry of the 19th century.
Hopefully this isn’t the last we’ll see of the residents of Newton KS!
Connie
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