I have read several of Dorothy Garlock's books and this is definitely one of her best. This is a romance set in the days of the American Wild West. The heroine, Victoria McKenna, is appalled to discover that her devious half-brother has illegally sold the family ranch, deeded to Victoria in their father's will, to the hero, Mason Mahaffey, and his rather large family of younger siblings. While awaiting the outcome of the legal dispute over the property, the Mahaffey's take up residence at the McKenna Ranch. They soon discover that the ranch is a resting spot for various vagrants,and possible criminals, all of whom are welcome to rest, lodge, and eat with no questions asked at the McKenna Ranch, a precedent set by the Victoria's deceased father to prevent getting gunned down. A relationship develops between the main hero/heroine couple of Victoria and Mason, as well as the extremely well depicted romance between Mason's sister Nellie and one of the vagrant cowboys,Sage, who has a secret troubled past. It was actually the secondary character's romance that was especially endearing and had me reading page after page to find out what would happen to them. The story has plenty of action and adventure,a nasty villain, as well as danger and mystery. A very good story with lots of fun, humor, and touching romance. A keeper.

I know I say this with each and every Dorothy Garlock book that I read... but this is the best one yet!!! I think this is my all time favorite book!!! I just couldn't put this book down!!!

Mason purchases Victoria's ranch from her brother, while in England. However, the ranch was not for her brother to sell, as it was left in a last minute will to Victoria. Nevertheless, Mason shows up with the right paperwork, and deed of sale - and the will Victoria has that her father made out before he died, hasn't been recorded until she brings it in to her lawyer's office. The will was witnessed by an employee at the ranch, and although it appears to be valid as well... Victoria and Mason must wait out the lawyer's research to find out who actually has the right to the property. Only both Victoria and Mason understand that possession is nine-tenths of the law, so Mason refuses to stay anywhere but the ranch until things are settled.

In the meantime, Mason brings his two sisters and three brothers to the ranch... which further upsets Victoria, watching her home be taken over by this big family. The family, determined to be together, and Victoria determined to be alone... all have some sacrifices to make.

It's a fun story to read, with these strangers being forced on each other... all trying to claim their legal property, but finding much more than a new home. That's not all to the story, like classic Garlock quality, the story is full of gunshot wounds, villians and outlaws, and danger lurking from all corners.

I loved this book. The first time I read it, I could not put it down until I was finished, and I have read it many times since. I think Ms. Garlock develops her characters well. I can almost see them when I read the book. Victoria is a very independent woman with a definite soft side. Mason is a world - weary guy who just wants to settle down. The children and their suffering (unfortunately) is very real. This was the first Dorothy Garlock book I read and went on to read as many others as I could find - all of which were wonderful.

This was good. Pioneering in Wyoming. Starting a town with men about---lets bring in some women. The story is fast paced and keeps going well. Things are always happening, so it makes it hard to put down! I'm so tired! :)
Jane reminds of Jane Eyre. The trod upon Jane who falls for the powerful Mr. Rochester. Except hes now Mr. American Kilkenny.
Hes got Irish and Indian blood in him. Hes running the town.
And he finds her intriguing.
She has a painful secret. She doesn't want to share with anyone and this keeps her and Kilkenny apart for most of the story. Theres also the typical Garlock character of the woman beaten who has left her bad man and the obsessed maniacal person out to kill our heroine.
But---what I want to say is that its just good. It keeps you going and its a sweet romance. Its built up enough to make it believable and sentimental throughout the story.
Jane grows close to several other women in the story as well as Kilkennys people. They name them the family which is pretty cool.
Oh yeah and Colin Tallman shows up from "Larkspur" and falls in love.
Sorry this isn't the best review. I keep staying up late reading Ms. Garlock! This is one of the good ones! Also try "Larkspur" and "House on a Hill."

I just finished this book from Dorothy Garlock... and it is now one of my favorites (yes, I realize I say that with each and every book I complete of hers)!

Jane Love is just one of many women that are trying to start a new life in Wyoming Territory, where T.C. Kilkenny is working to bring the old town to life again. Jane, as many of the other women, are almost running from their past lives, but each will learn you can't run and instead must face them head-on. This story is full of interesting characters... from the sweet and scared Polly that is pregnant from a recent rape... Sunday, the strong and beautiful woman with a mouth like a man, and is just as strong as one too... and Jane Love, who is carrying the burden of a terrible secret, that she is sure will shame her if discovered. From the very beginning, Jane begins receiving threatening notes... "I know who yu are."... which make her desperate to leave the town of Timbertown, Wyoming. However, T.C. is determined to keep her in the town, until he's ready for her to leave for his homestead ranch.

Also making their presence in this wonderful story is Colin Tallman - the son of Addie and John Tallman from "Yesteryear."

Readers will also learn the fates of Amy and Rain Tallman from "Dream River" - the grandparents of Colin Tallman. If you recognize the name Kilkenny, it is from "Midnight Blue." Moose Kilkenny was the bare-knuckle fighter that lost his title to Pack Gallagher... Moose is T.C.'s uncle. Milo Callahan returns to Garlock's stories from a villain in "Sins of Summer" to a villain in this story. Also mentioned in this book is Gerrick and Katy Rowe from "Nightrose."

Now for those of you that haven't read all these other books by Dorothy Garlock, you are in luck. You don't have to read any of them to follow along and understand everything that is happening. Those mentioned simply make it much more enjoyable for those of us that have read them all.

Next, I'm off to read Dorothy Garlock's "Sweetwater."

I literally just finished this book about ten minutes ago, and now I am here browsing through Garlock's other books because The Listening Sky was so good! She really had a nack for describing a love that I think everybody would want - a love that is so perfect. The characters are all well described, and you really find yourself getting attached to all of them. The trials that the two characters go through is enough to keep anybody hooked to the plot, and to watch the way that their love is displayed to each other through thick and thin just makes you feel so good. I highly recommend this book.

Yes, this book is definitely for hopeless romantics, or just those that love a great historical romance! Wonderful from start to finish. Ms. Garlock took her time getting the two together, slowly developing the relationship from protector to lover. At the beginning, it is Mara that has to protect Pack from sure death. Then from there on, she slowly discovers how Pack has been her whole life, even before she was aware of it... you'll have to read it to understand that statement!

Mara Shannon returns to her childhood home to claim her parents' land. Her fight to regain what is rightfully her's brings her into close contact with Pack Gallagher, a rough boxer. Their story is truly touching as is the story about two secondary characters, Emily and Charles. Excellant!

I enjoyed this book...Mara Shannon and Pack were wonderful characters. I especially loved Trell and Travor McCall (the twins). Their story is even better (Sweetwater}. I have enjoyed all of Dorthy Garlocks book that I have read so far!

Any of her books are definitely keepers. Collect them - loan them - but definitely read them again!

Do not pass up the story of Tucker and Lucas and their trials and their finding and sharing love.

You will get a real sense of life on a wagon train and the dangers that follow these people.

And I enjoyed the way all of the stories were tied together at the end so we have a feeling of completeness of these characters lives.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED -- add to your library.

Each and every character compliments the entire story. There is not a wasted word or unnecessary character in this entire book! I'd have to say this story is as close to perfect as possible!

The three romances that form during the wagon train are spicy, sweet, and intriguing! Tucker and Lucas just set off firecrackers and sparks with every meeting. Buck and Laura are sweet and endearing... a beautiful tale of a blind woman and a rough trail man. Rafe and Marie were intriguing and mysteriously delicious. Amazing to read about a woman of that strength and knowledge... although Ms. Garlock doesn't seem to write about weak women. But of all things, the way the women managed to bond together and survive the hardships of a wagon trail, was endearing and very enjoyable to read. Ms. Garlock is a genius, and it's hard to believe she wasn't actually there during the era she writes about, as the detail and the path she makes to your own imagination are superb.

I am a huge Dorothy Garlock fan. I have read at least 20 of her books. In my opinion, "The Searching Hearts" was the best of all her books!

I think Dorothy Garlock's books could be rated on separate items e.g. time setting, characters, plot, descriptions. Ribbon in the Sky I thought:
The setting: great
The characters: interesting
The plot: good
The descriptions: excellent.
I left the story a little sad for people that read and quoted scripture yet knew nothing of forgiveness, repentance or unity.

This is one great book!!! The romance is sizzling, and the characters are unforgetable!! I couldn't put this book down, and am now anxious for my next Dorothy Garlock book!

Tension and excitement are found on every page, as Letty and Mike fall in love, then lose each other due to Letty's father. When Letty - fifteen, pregnant, and terrified - seeks out her grandparents that she doesn't even know, in hopes they will take her in until Mike finds her, you can feel the fear with every word Ms. Garlock writes. Throughout the story, you feel all the growing pains of Letty as she becomes a woman and mother.

Mike Dolan comes home from working in the logging camp to hearing that Letty has become ill and died at her grandparent's farm. Mike begins a reckless life when joining the war, and when he finally gets out... decides to visit Letty's gravesite, hoping he'll be able to move on. Only instead of a gravesite for his dear Letty, he finds out she is alive... and with another last name... could she actually be alive?? ... and is she married???

In addition, the story includes murder and threats from Letty's family after many years... these items will keep you turning the pages!

This is a touching story, and if the romance doesn't draw you in... the relationship of Mike Dolan with his son, Patrick, will. Great story... and as always with Ms. Garlock, great selection of characters!!!

This book was by far the most romantic, exciting, and wonderful book I have ever read. Dorothy Garlock is a fantastic story teller. Her characters are great people especially the men. This is not something that you normally find with other romance books. If you don't read this book and get excited when they finally find each other, then you are not human. Take my advice, buy and READ this book!

The prohibition brings big business to bootleggers, speakeasies and gangsters. For years Annabel Lee Donovan, daughter of a bootlegger, has endured frequent upheaval and promises that her father will soon leave the business behind. Their latest move brings them to Henderson, Missouri to a house on a hill. Annabel worries over her father's frequent absences, but tries to make their new home comfortable. Her father leaves behind two men to look to her safety and take turns guarding their stash, Boone and Spinner.

One day a seriously injured young man appears on her doorstep seeking help. Annabel welcomes Jack Jones, nursing him back to health and earns his loyalty. Jack does not know a family friend, Corbin Appleby, tracks him. A former police chief, Corbin insists that he is not a Fed, but his interest in her father's business and in the illegal activity in the area leaves both Annabel and Boone suspicious. In addition, Annabel has dangerous neighbors to contend with, especially when one decided that she belongs to him.

As a new comer to Dorothy Garlock's work, I found her choice of setting, the Prohibition, absolutely fascinating, and her writing delightful. Annabel proves to be a delectable combination of contradictions, raised fairly conservatively by a bootlegging father. Her need for permanent roots proves charming from her acquisition of farm animals to garden planting. As her attraction for Corbin slowly blossoms, suspicion of his motives leaves her questioning his trustworthiness. The Secondary plot proves even more delightful, especially as Boone and Tess almost upstage the romance between the main characters. A beautifully realized old fashioned romance with a emphasis on family ties, HIGH ON THE HILL comes highly recommended.

Wow! It was really good. This was my first Dorothy Garlock story. I have since read 3-4 others and am in the middle of another. So yeah, her writing totally impressed me. You can see here that the story is about Bootlegging in Missouri in during Prohibition. But the whole package---what you're getting is not so much your typical romance, where the story focuses on one man and one woman, with subtle humorous secondary characters.
In Garlocks stories, so far that I've noted, she intertwines others stories so theres not just one romance/relationship blossoming. Its not all about the main characters! Woohoo!
The details she provides really impressed me. She'd add little descriptions, or talk about the cars, or how to cook on an old stove, or going and getting ice for the freezer---its amazing to have all the period detail, quality writing and a sweet little romance all wrapped up in one. And I like the fact that some of the resolution ends in DEATH----seems another taboo thing for a romance novel---makes it, to me, stand out as more realistic.
I loved it! I hope you do too.

Dorothy Garlock does it again with this excellent historical romance, set in the 1920's. For those of us that read "The Edge of Town," you'll be delighted to read Corbin Appleby's story, along with Jack Jones!! If you have not read "The Edge of Town," you won't miss a beat, as this story takes place in another Missouri city called Henderson (not Fertile). The characters from The Edge of Town are mentioned, but only to please those Garlock fans that never miss a word of her writings. This story has it all, mystery, intrigue, danger, deception, love and romance, close friendly relationship, and more! There is enough information in the description that tells what this book is about, and if I stated anything more, I'd give the surprises away. Sit back and enjoy this one! It's great!

As far as I'm concerned, this book should probably receive three stars, instead of the four - but I just couldn't bring myself to do that. But that is only cause I love Dorothy Garlock's stories, and felt this one did not measure up to her usual quality. Nevertheless, this is a very good story, with a very unusual storyline that touches on some horrible family secrets, and how a stranger thrust into the middle of them copes as the secrets unravel. Without giving anything away, I'll stop here.

What surprised me was this is the story that people refer to as their favorite, when they speak of Dorothy Garlock books to me - and for the life of me, I can't understand why. Though this review sounds quite negative, don't let it influence your decision too much... as it is a very, very good book... just not Ms. Garlock's best, in my opinion. So, read it... and then tell me what you think of it!

This is the first Garlock book I read and it made me feel like I was actually there. It was one of the most beautiful love stories I had read and Dorothy made me see the west as it was at that time. I could almost taste the foods that were prepared and could see how difficult it was for women of the early west to survive. I own every book that was written by Dorothy Garlock.....she is the best!

Dorothy Garlock has written another wonderful book. This one looks at the family dynamics on a small farm in Missouri and the joy one woman brings into an abused family.

This is definitly heavier material than in most Garlock books but well worth it.

I liked this audio cassette recording of Dorothy Garlock's Nightrose even though it was abridged and very short I really enjoyed listening to this romance story of Katy Burns and Garrick Rowe but I just didn't find this to be a keeper!

Another excellent Garlock book!! Rowe and Katy are a charming combination, as are Mary and Hank.

In the hard times of the frontier era, what would happen to two women and a little girl that are abandoned in a town, when all the treasure-seeking gold miners desert in search of more riches? With only a small derringer, how can the women protect themselves? They won't be able to stay in the abandoned town forever, and they are sure to face problems trying to get to another town.

When the mysterious bearded stranger comes into the abandoned town, along with his dog, the girls are not sure what to think of him at first. The stranger, Rowe, bought the town, with plans to bring it back to life... and a mysterious connection with Katy, knocks him off his feet.

When some drifters come into town, and Rowe witnesses them murder one of their riders, it's up to him to protect the women. From this moment on, Ms. Garlock creates one hurdle after another for these characters, and they get closer and closer as they overcome each and every one of them.

If you read Ms. Garlock's story, Midnight Blue, then you'll be pleased to read about the appearance of Pack and Mara Shannon Gallagher, and get an update on their lives. Also from Midnight Blue, is a short appearance of Mara Shannon's villain cousin, Cullen McCall. Nevertheless, if you haven't read Midnight Blue, you won't be missing anything, as Ms. Garlock provided everything you needed to know about these people, for the short appearance they made in this book.

This is another great book by Dorothy Garlock! From the minute Rowe meets Katy he knows that they were meant to be together. Katy however distrusts all men and will not even consider the idea of marrying.

The story follows Rowe's (sometimes hilarious) attempts to court Katy. As in all great Garlock books, there are several interesting side stories, including one involving Katy's sister and niece. Definitly recommended!

The Edge of Town is the first book by Dorothy Garlock that I've read, but it will not be the last. Set in the 1920's in Fertile, Missouri young Julie Jones cares for her five siblings after her mothers passing four years previous from a flu epidemic. Julie is feeling her life passing her by, caring for her siblings. Meanwhile, Evan Johnson, son of the lewd drunkard, Walter, returns home after the war to take care of the family farm. He was away many years, having lived with his grandparents, then going to war. Evan is nothing like his horrific father, and when he rescues Julie from his fathers assault you know its true love.

Too bad there is something (or rather, someone) evil in Fertile. There have been brutal (and graphic) series of rapes that coincide with Evan's return. The townspeople can only assume that it is he, and the only person who stands by his side is Julie.

What I liked...and disliked....

The descriptive writing in this book brings the time frame and the characters to life. You feel yourself slipping in the past, of a youthful sweet love story and all the represents America. Except for the rape, who wants to think of that? I know it's a part of the story, but the graphic nature of it, dragged the story down. But, any other writer couldn't have pulled off two ends of the spectrum, love and brutal hate, so perfectly.

In Short...

I will definitely pick up another Dorothy Garlock book, but next time I'll make sure the villain isn't involved with sexually deviant activities, it was a bit much for me.

By 1922, World War I was becoming a memory, but the United States began a new war as the battle of Prohibition started. Some communities like Fertile, Missouri remains calm because everyone knows each other on a first name basis. Twenty-year old Julie Jones left school early to raise her younger siblings.

War hero Evan Johnson returns to Fertile only to find rampart destruction to the family farm caused by his low-life father. Although angry, when Evan meets Julie for the first time, he falls in love immediately. Julie reciprocates his feelings. However, before a Jones and a Johnson can hook up permanently, they must overcome problems starting with trouble making Birdie Stuart, who has the interest of Julie's dad. Birdie gets Evan arrested forcing a torn between two lovers Julie to choose between her father and her soul mate.

THE EDGE OF TOWN is an exciting historical romance that showcases the abilities of Dorothy Garlock to tell a good story. The plot takes the reader back in time to a simpler era. The lead couple provides the basis for a luscious Americana novel. Fan of Ms. Garwood will know they have another treat from a delightful talent.

Harriet Klausner

"The Edge of Town" is a really nice, believable story about Julie Jones who unexpectantly but willingly falls in love with Evan Johnson, as she cares for her 5 siblings and her father Jethro on their farm in the edge of town--a"contrified" American town in the early 1920's.

The novel surrounds itself around the issues that threaten to tear Julie's life apart: Jethro goes head over heals for a woman that no one approves of and the town has a serial rapist who the town believes to be Walter Johnson, Evan's Father.

Like all of Dorothy Garlock's books, you are intorduced to Julie's life altering event right in the very beginning, which is why it's hard to put the book down. "The Edge of Town" is a heartwarming experience and I highly recommend this read.

Wonderful and exciting. I ran the gambit of emotions on this one. Well writen and edited. The charicters were strong and dominering. I enjoyed it very much. The sex was good without being graphic. Well done.

Johanna and Burr's characters set off sparks from beginning to end. Burr resents Johanna arriving at the ranch, and takes his frustrations out about his father, by being cruel to her... to the point that he hopes to drive her away. Only he must fight his attraction to the golden-haired woman, that her father brought to the ranch to marry his son... even though Johanna was under the impression it was to only act as housekeeper on the ranch. This tale is full of unpredictable twists and turns, that will keep you reading until you get to the last word. I loved this story, and am anxious to read more of Ms. Garlock's books.

"Glorious Dawn" is one of my favorite books! At first Johanna and Burr dont hit it off. Johanna is annoyed by Burr, and Burr just can't seem to stop teasing Johanna. But they discover their passions for each other. Many exciting and sad parts in this book. I didn't even stop to hesitate to give it five stars. I loved it and can guaranty you will too!