Summer Breeze by Catherine Anderson

Catherine Anderson goes back into Coulter family history with this tender historical love story set in 1889. The first meeting between Joseph Paxton and Rachel Hollister gets started with a bang, literally, as Rachel picks up her shotgun and fires. Rachel has barricaded herself in her family home ever since the rest of her family was murdered five years ago. Only Darby McClintoch, an old family friend, is allowed in the perimeter to bring her provisions; but when he is shot, the sheriff immediately thinks the Hollister family killer has returned. Darby prevails on Joseph to take up guard duty, but first Rachel has to be persuaded he is not an enemy. How Joseph falls in love with Rachel -- agoraphobia and all -- and ultimately gets past the barricade is a charming story, vintage Anderson. Rachel's recovery, aided by friends and the community as well as Joseph's dog Buddy, progresses steadily -- that is, until the Hollister family murderer steps forward. From Amazon by Ginger Curwen

Holly Says

What an amazing love story.

We all fear something. Whether we have a true phobia - such as my fear of the S word - or just something that makes us break out in goosebumps, we all know what it's like to be afraid of something.

Rachel Hollister's fear is that of being in an open space. Her family was brutally murdered right in front of her while they were out for a picnic. As a result, she hasn't stepped outside her home in five years.

Her faithful friend, the enderly Darby, has done everything in his power to make her a sanctuary inside her home. He barricaded all the windows and doors and converted her kitchen into as comfortable a place as possible for her.

Though Rachel knows her fears are irrational, they're there all the same, and she can't overcome them. She refuses to leave her small kitchen for any reason, and can't even open a door or window to allow sunlight in. For five long years she lived in absolute silence, with no natural light.

To keep herself occupied, she read books and crocheted. She spoke with Darby through the door of her home and that was the only company she had.

Until Darby is shot in the back and manages to ride to the neighboring Paxton ranch in search of help. Joseph Paxton finds him and promises to look after Rachel. Darby is convinced his being shot has something to do with the murder of Rachel's family and fears for her saftey.

As Joseph breaks into Rachel's home, he expects to find a crazy young woman, and instead encounters a lovely creature he's immediately taken with. He comes to realize that Rachel isn't crazy at all, only frightened.

Watching this story unfold has been a wonderful experience for me. Seeing Joseph do everything in his power to make Rachel's world one filled with sunlight and birdsong really touched me.

Since Rachel's fear is based on open spaces, Joseph hits upon the idea of installing metal doors with bars on them so she can enjoy the sunlight and still feel enclosed. Then one of the town's populace hits upon the idea of building her a stone-walled courtyard with an iron-work ceiling so it's completely enclosed, therefore allowing Rachel to be outside. They called it:

"Sunshine for Rachel."

Watching Rachel emerge from her self-imposed prison and into the sunshine for the first time in five years made my heart swell and my eyes sting with tears. Joseph's reaction to Rachel in the sunshine touched me more deeply than any other tender moment in a romance novel. I could feel their emotions as she turned her face to the sun for the first time in so many years.

She was halfway across the courtyard before it struck her that she was outside. Oh, God, outside. She staggered to a stop, frozen in her tracks. Her heart pounded violently. But nothing else happened. She could still breathe. She just felt a little dizzy and disoriented. "Joseph?"
"You're fine, sweetheart. You've got walls all around you. Look at them. Name me anything that can go through that rock."
She let her head fall back to put her face up to the sun. The gentle warmth on her skin was beyond wonderful. She held her arms wide and turned again, filling her lungs with fresh, cool morning air.

Joseph asks Rachel to marry him and the following scene is so touching. Rachel refuses him, saying she can't have a family living the way she does.

"What would I do? Push them out the wood safe to see them off to school?" She gestured with her free hand the encompass the kitchen. "A family can't live in one room."
"I'll make it work," he whispered. "I swear to you, darlin'. I can make it work. No hallways to frighten you, just a big room like this with water closets all around, only they'll be bedrooms, with you in the big room, living as you do now, never needing to go outside unless it's to sit in your courtyard or work in your flower beds."

The murder of her family was left unsolved all those years ago, and Joseph and his lawman brother David set out to find the missing pieces of the puzzle, hoping to keep Rachel safe and finally give her closure.

The story was sweet and amazing and one of the most touching I've read in a long time. It's not very often that you read a murder-mystery that's sweet and compelling as well.

I'll leave you with my favorite quote from the book. Something Joseph said to Rachel that touched my heart.

When I first met you, I thought I was opening up the world for you, but I was so wrong. You were the one who opened up all of my windows so I could see the beauty beyond the glass.

5 out of 5

Isabel Says

Wow. This story is so sweet and so good. Holly did a great review so I'm just going to say I really loved this book.

Joseph was wonderful in creating a safe world for Rachel to enjoy. Although he didn't understand her fear, he still did everything he could to make her feel comfortable. He was willing to even live with her in her safe little world. That's love.

I loved how the town got together to help Rachel also. Thank Holly for the pimp!!

Grade: A

My Sunshine by Catherine Anderson

***Please Note: I moved this weekend so I'm hecka tired. If my review doesn't make any sense, you can blame it on that. If my review is amazing, however, it's because I'm the most amazing woman EVAH. hehehe***

Five years ago, Laura Townsend's life was nearly destroyed when a head injury impaired her ability to use language and forced her to abandon a brilliant career. Her vivacious spirit intact, she has found a great new job at an animal clinic-and a handsome new boss who fills her heart with longing. Now he's moving heaven and earth to convince her they belong together, but since she can't fulfill all of his needs, shouldn't she love him enough to walk away?

I thought this was a pretty interesting read. Laura's brain damage isn't enough that it impairs her thinking, only her fine motor skills. She can't read as well as she used to and she can't pronounce large words. Catherine Anderson is pretty great (most of the time) at bringing us into the world of the disabled or challenged. I couldn't imagine being an Environmental Researcher person (dude, I totally blanked out right there...crazy! LOL) to being a kennel cleaner at a vet's office and knowing that was all the farther you could go.

Though I did think Laura's attitude was great. I would like to think I'm the type of person that if life threw me a curve, I'd accept it and move on. That's what Laura did. Instead of bemoaning the fact that her life had changed, she stood tall and did what she could do. And what she could do was amazing, considering the extent of her injuries.

Anyway, I think Isaiah was a great hero for her. He was kind and compassionate and he truly did love her. Though I do have to say that I'm getting a little sick of the SUPER SWEET heroes. They basically just bend over backwards for their heroines while getting dumped on the entire time. Ok, maybe not the entire time, but I think I like my heroes to be a little more....testosterone laden. I mean, come on. If a girl runs away from you for the THIRD time, do you still spend $8 billion to remodel your entire RANCH to fit her needs? I think not. Still, you have to admire them for realizing they're in love and going after what they want. I think I'm on the fence at the moment. I'll let you know.

Anyway, this one didn't irritate me like the last one did, so I'd recommend it. Thanks to Ames for telling me it was ok to read it. ;)

3.5 out of 5. Not a must read, but pretty good as a filler.

Bright Eyes by Catherine Anderson

Now in Anderson's latest Coulter family story, serious-minded Zeke Coulter's life begins to sizzle when he finally meets his match .....

Zeke Coulter has no intention of getting married—until he buys a ranch next door to Natalie Patterson, a sexy divorcée with two kids, a zany family, and a philandering ex-husband involved in shady business dealings. When Natalie's twelve-year-old son vandalizes Zeke's property and she is unable to pay for the damages, Zeke offers to let the boy work off the debt.

As Zeke struggles to instill a sense of responsibility and self-worth in the troubled youngster, he finds his life being turned upside down by Natalie, whose sultry singing voice and striking eyes disguise her underlying lack of belief in herself or in her dream of becoming a professional singer. With rugged determination, Zeke undertakes to bolster her confidence, revive her ability to trust men...and thoroughly seduce her. But just as their attraction begins to blossom, a twist of fate gravely threatens their life together ..."
LOVED this book!

Zeke, the most serious of all the Coulters, knows he doesn't ever want to get married. Growing up with so many siblings, he has no desire to share his space with other people. He thoroughly enjoys his solitude and never wants to give it up.

Natalie Patterson is trying to recover from a difficultfinanciallyly straining divorce that's left her on the brink of bancruptcy and her children emotionally strained. She isn't looking for love or a relationship, in fact, that's the last thing on her mind as she tries to save her Supper Club and comfort her young children.

But when Natalie's son vandelizes Zeke's house, the two are forced to work together to help make things right...and fight a major attraction between them.

I loved how Zeke went from hating to share his space, to feeling lonely without Natalie and her two children there. When he first realizes his new neighbor's child is repsonible for the damages done to his house, the only thing he can think is that the boy needs to be taught a lesson. By threatening to call the police, he forces Natalie into agreeing that her son has to work off the damages. But falling in love with her two kids and wanting to be a father to them wasn't in the game plan for Zeke.

Natalie's angry at Zeke's attitude toward her son in the beginning, but after seeing the change in him after Zeke spends time with him, she finds herself even more wildly attracted to him than she had been before.

Rosie, Natalie's daughter, reminded me so much of my own I wondered several times if CA had met her before. She was sassy and full of knowledge, and she talked all the time. I fell head over heels in love with her.

Being a single mother myself, and having gone through a divorce so similar to Natalies, I really connected with these characters. Natalie's ex is a real piece of work who neglects his financial responsibilities and his children. My heart hurt for Chad, Natalie's son, because my son went though the same feelings and emotions.

Natalie's quirky family made me laugh out loud on several occasions.

When Natalie is framed for the murder of her ex-husband (she was a better woman than I, too, because she said though she didn't care for him she never wanted to see him dead...I could only be so lucky. *snort*), she really starts to rely on Zeke. He stepped right up to help her, too.

There were several gut-wrenching scenes, like when she's forced to sell her grandmother's earrings to pay for school clothes and her son finally realizes she's not the bad guy, but his father is.

I laughed, I cried and I fell in love with a man who didn't want a family, but thanked God for giving him one anyway.

Highly recommended.

4.5 out of 5

Blue Skies by Catherine Anderson

***I'm in a blogging mood today, so watch out, because I'm behind by about 7 book reviews***


Carly Adams feels as if she's been given a new lease on life. Born with a rare eye disease, she was blind until a recent operation restored her sight. Now, she's eager to experience everything the world has to offer—including the sweet talk of a handsome cowboy who rouses her with desire. But she isn't prepared for the consequences, especially when a night of searing passion results in a pregnancy that threatens her eyesight—and all her dreams for the future . . . .

Hank Coulter has no plans to settle down—until he discovers that Carly Adams is carrying his child. Obsessed with making things right, he bullies the blue-eyed beauty into marrying him. With her radiant smile and remarkable goodness, Carly is exactly the kind of wife he's always imagined by his side. But if Hank wants their practical arrangement to become permanent, he's going to have to convince Carly that one moment of risk can bring about a lifetime of joy . . .

I'm noticing a trend here with Catherine Anderson: Write about imperfect heroines but only produce a truly great one every other book. I loved Summer Breeze, my first by her. I didn't care much for Phantom Waltz, my second. I loved Bright Eyes (which I'll be blogging about later today), but didn't really care for this one.

My first problem with this book was the hero.

Hank Coulter is a 32-year-old playboy without a care in the world. Because he was forced to work extra hard during college, he didn't have a chance to play like most guys do, so he's making up for it now. Drinking, dancing and bringing home a different woman each night are his only goals. And he's meeting them like you wouldn't believe.

Enter Carly Adams. She was born with a rare eye disease that left her blind, but at the ripe old age of 28 she's had surgery and can see for the first time in her life. She's making the most of it, too. CA did an amazing job of helping us understand the tremendous experience Carly was dealing with. She didn't know what beautiful was. How could she when she had nothing to compare it to? She couldn't read or write. She didn't know colors or shapes. I really felt that CA did an excellent job of allowing us to see the physical and emotional strain Carly felt at finally being able to see. Though she was amazed at the world around her, she was on total sensory overload.

Anyway, Hank is out at a bar, playing drinking games with his buddies and looking for a woman to take home for the night when he spots Carly. Now, having been blind all of her life, Carly's pretty naive..plus, she's a virgin. Yes, a 28-year-old virgin. Normally this is something I'd scoff about, but with her extenuating circumstances, I can see why she was still a virgin. Alright, so Hank decides he has to have her and he's mostly drunk at that point, so he's not really paying attention to her hesitation (not to mention that he kept getting her name wrong, calling her Charlie instead of Carly, even though she corrected him a bunch of times) and he wants her to loosen up, so he buys her this UBER strong drink. Now, Carly hasn't ever been a drinker, plus she's on pain killers because she'd just had her surgery like a month before, so she got pretty tipsy, pretty fast.

One thing led to another and before you know it..they were in the back of his pickup. Yep, the back of his pickup. And that's where he proceeds to drunkenly deflower her. With no protection. About the time he realizes he just busted through her barrier, he says a really dirty word and then...passes out.

Carly freaks out, because it totally hurt and then he made her feel WAY worse by cussing at her, and she hightails it out of there. When Hank wakes up the next morning, though he's fuzzy on the details, he remembers enough to be totally ashamed and totally freaked out that he took her virginity and possibly got her pregnant.

Sure enough, he did. After much prodding from her best friend (I had some major issues with her, too, but more about that later), Carly finally agrees to call Hank to let him know about the baby. When she finally tracks him down and he answers the phone she says, "Hank, this is Carly Adams" and he says, "Who?". Yeah, not the best response, dipwad!

After much browbeating and some MAJOR interference from her best friend, Hank finally convinces Carly to marry him, at least temporarily so he can provide for her and the baby. I'll get to that in a minute, first let me tell you about the best friend.

She KNEW what the experience had been like for Carly (the one with Hank when she lost her virginity) and she still went behind Carly's back and told Hank ERRRTHING about her. Her past medical history, all about her childhood, the complications the pregnacy were going to cause with her newly gained eye sight...every damn thing. Now, I don't generally have problem with tinterferinging friend (well, ok, I do, but I can ususally see where they're coming from, at least), but I think this one took it way too far! She even went so far as to tell Hank that he was going to have to play dirty to get Carly to say yes...and then told him exactly what to say and do. I found this to be totally wrong. Like I was telling Dylan, had it been her that was preggers, after she explained the entire situation to me, I would have done everything I could to help her raise the baby on her own, not thrown her to the wolves so-to-speak. That made me so angry!

So, Hank finally convinces (I use that word lightly)her to marry him and they move in together, though Hank had to promise no sex first. He does, they do and they start settling in to live life together, though Carly is constantly on edge around him, afraid he'll break his word.

I won't spoil the book for you, but basically Hank does everything he can to prove he's not the beast he acted like in the first chapter and Carly struggles with her failing eyesight and her insecurities where Hank is concerned.

I have no idea how I felt about this book, even now. I think Hank did a pretty credible job of making up for his actions in the beginning, but I still had a hard time liking him because of them. Plus, Carly started to really grate on me after awhile. Most of the book I empathized with her and felt totally connected to her, but towards the end, it was like she just turned dumb by turning away from a good man because of her insecurities and her disability. Which I hate.

I never did end up liking the best friend. Though she had a fairly decent explaination for why she went behind Carly's back, I still thought she took it too far.

I may end up having to re-read this one at a later date to say for sure if I liked it or not. I can't say I hated it, but I can't really say I enjoyed it all that much, either.

I'm giving it a 2.5 out of 5.