A Hearing Heart

by Bonnie Dee

The heart conveys messages beyond what ears can hear.

After the death of her fiancé, Catherine Johnson, a New York schoolteacher in 1902, travels to Nebraska to teach in a one-room school. When violence erupts in the sleepy town, Catherine saves deaf stable hand, Jim Kinney from torture by drunken thugs.

As she begins teaching Jim to read and sign, attraction grows between them. The warmth and humor in this silent man transcends the need for speech and his eyes tell her all about his feelings for her. But the obstacles of class difference and the stigma of his handicap are almost insurmountable barriers to their growing affection.

Will Catherine flaunt society’s rules and allow herself to love again? Can Jim make his way out of poverty as a deaf man in a hearing world? And will the lovers overcome a corrupt robber baron who has a stranglehold on the town? Romance, sensuality and adventure abound in this heartfelt tale.

Revised from an earlier published edition.

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical, Romance, Westerns, Historical Fiction, Disability, Western Romance

260 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 31, 2009

About the author

I began telling stories as a child. Whenever there was a sleepover, I was the designated ghost tale teller. I still have a story printed on yellow legal paper in second grade about a ghost, a witch and a talking cat.

I enjoy dabbling in many genres. Whether you're a fan of contemporary historical or fantasy romance, you'll find something to enjoy among my books. I'm interested in flawed, often damaged, people who find the fulfillment they seek in one another. To stay informed about new releases, please sign up for my newsletter. You can join my street team at FB. Learn more about my backlist at http://bonniedee.com and find me on FB and Twitter @Bonnie_Dee.

Reviews

[Seon Ji (Dawn) · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 30% when "virgin" hero took a whore. It was very detailed and explicit.

DONE

I am done with this author

[Fani *loves angst* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catherine, a school teacher in a small Nebrasca town in the early 1900s, walks in the city street when she sees three drunk men torturing a young man. Seeing that no one else is helping, she steps in front of the horse that's dragging poor Jim Kinney on the ground and puts and end to this charade. When she goes to check up on him, she finds out that the man's deaf and mute. Taking an instant liking to him and realizing he's not the feebleminded man the town considers him to be, she proposes to teach him reading and writting so he can better communicate with other people. Jim is looking forward to being able to read, but even more to spending time with the beautiful and kindhearted teacher. It soon becomes obvious that the attraction is mutual, but what future can there be for a teacher of good lineage and a deaf stable hand?

I really don't know what to say for this book. I loved it. It was sweet and tender and also passionate and bordering on angsty at the same time. I loved Jim. He was a wonderful man, living alone for most of his life and his devotion to Catherine was unwavering. I loved the way he wasn't quick to condemn her when she had trouble admitting their relationship in public; he understood how difficult it was for her and realized that while he had nothing to loose by doing so, she could loose everything and didn't hold it against her. I also deeply ached for him when he realized that feelings, however mutual, may not be enough to keep them together in the end.

The chemistry between them was pretty hot from the first moment and their love scenes hot and also amazingly tender. I could feel Jim's passion and then love growing with every page, and felt for him deeply. I had a little trouble seeing Catherine as in love instead of in lust with him though for most of the book, but since Jim was so lovable anyway, I chose to ignore it. I chose to immerse in the feelings the book created in me rather than details and the truth is I totally fell for the heroes and their story:) If I could change on thing about this book, it would be the addition of an epilogue. IMHO, it sorely needed one. Jim was so alone and lonely for most of his life, I needed to see him happy and complete, getting home from work and being welcomed by his family. Well, I'll just have to fantasize about it I guess:)

[Nick Pageant · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm going to admit I bought this solely based on the cover. I'm determined to read all the Bonnie Dee / Summer Devon books because I love m/m historicals and I think these two ladies do them best. This one is not m/m, but I went ahead with it because I love the cover and I figured, "What could possibly go wrong?" Well, nothing went wrong. This is a lovely story that had me sighing happily throughout.

[Katie(babs) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catherine Johnson is the new schoolteacher in the small town of Broughton, Nebraska in 1901. Catherine misses New York where there were brick paths, parks and flowerbeds. In Broughton, she has to make do with the wind and dust. As she is walking along Main Street, she watches as a group of drunken men abuse Jimmy Kinney, the deaf-mute who works at the town livery stable. These rowdy men are about to tie Jimmy to a horse and drag him through the town. Catherine is able to stop them before they kill Jim, even though he is badly hurt. Jim is taken back to the stable to recover and Catherine goes along to take care of him.

Jim may be deaf, but he isn’t stupid as the townspeople believe him to be. He is a hard worker and it shows from the way he takes care of the horses in the livery and sweeping the floors at the town saloon. He is also confused by seeing the town schoolteacher sitting on his bed looking concerned. Jim can read lips and when Catherine tells him that she wants to teach him to read after he heals, he accepts.

Both Jim and Catherine may have a student/teacher relationship, but Jim can’t help his desire to kiss Catherine and show her that he is a man who can appreciate a woman. Catherine is very attractive to Jim but because she is a single woman with a reputation to uphold, she must be careful how she acts around him. Catherine knows that Jim is intelligent and soon they are able to communicate through signing. As their attraction grows for one another, Jim can’t hold back his feelings and wants Catherine as any hot blooded men would want a woman.

Catherine must make a decision in regards to Jim because he no longer wants to be pushed to the side, and he may place himself in danger to gain the respect he so rightly deserves.

A Hearing Heart is a lovely historical romance that should not be missed. Bonnie Dee hits the mark in so many ways about Jim a hard working man, who, because of a disability, is treated as a simpleton. Catherine is a warm and giving woman who can see how incredibly bright and special Jim is.

The respect and care these two have for one another is a beautiful thing to read. It was great to see Catherine and Jim’s relationship grow and the way they act with one another is sweet. When Jim and Catherine share that first kiss with one another, you will be smiling and when these two move on to more adult intimacies, those scenes are sexy and very passionate.

Jim and Catherine may seem very innocent in their thinking, but they are two adults who long for a life where they can be happy and settled. They quickly conclude that all they need is one another.

Bonnie Dee is a talent with a pen and that definitely is the case with A Hearing Heart. She shows that a less than perfect hero can be a very special one. A Hearing Heart is one book that sticks with you long after you finish reading.

[Eli Easton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy the m/m historicals that Bonnie Dee does with Summer Devon, so I thought I'd try a few of her m/f romances. I particularly like the setting of A Hearing Heart -- a small town in Nebraska in the 1800's. It's hard to find historical romances that aren't regencies these days. I loved the MC, Jim, who was a deaf/mute. I did get annoyed at the schoolteacher's mistreatment of him at times, the way it was beneath her to be seen with a mere stable hand. But it created the main conflict in the story and, of course, was resolved in the end. I like soft-hearted underdog MCs, and if you do as well, A Hearing Heart is recommended. I plan to read Bonnie's "Bone Deep" next.

[Miryana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book 3 times, and each time I have find something different in it. You know, this is the book when you experience something beyond "just read it". I tried to find something similar to this book , but nooo...can you help me?

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful story about a deaf mute man named Jim, who lives and works in the town stables and tavern in a small town in Nebraska, 1901. Catherine, new to town, transplanted herself from Ny to become the town teacher after needing to go away to deal with the loss of her Fiance' who dies in the war. While she is walking past the saloon, she is witness to 3 men beating Jim and dragging him behind a horse. She is the only one who tries and succeeds in stopping this. She goes to his room with his boss and helps clean him up. She discovers he is intelligent and not the idiot the townspeople believe him to be. She begins teaching him to read and write and sign language, one thing leads to another and they fall in love. She is embarrassed/ashamed by her love for him as he is way beneath her, yet she knows this is wrong to be like this. Most of the story is about her working this out with herself. There is also a villain who needs to be dealt with.
It was a great story and Jim broke my heart. He was so very, very alone and the author did a great job in showing us that. The only thing I had issues with, had to do with the crudeness of the sexual thoughts they each had it all could have been phrased so much better. I like sizzling hotness in my books, so it's not that, it just could have been worded better, hence the 4 star rather than 5.

[Jacqueline J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I greatly enjoyed this story. Very nice characterizations and a good feel for the time period which was about 1905. I loved the character of Jim. His handicap was dealt with very realistically. He was a very sweet man without being in any way unmanly. Catherine was also very well drawn. She was a woman of her times, being very fearful of society's strictures. But she was also unable to deny her feelings for Jim. There were a couple of pretty hot but not smutty love scenes but they were in no way gratuitous, fitting well into the story right where they needed to be. I hated for it to end and would have been happy if it were twice as long.

[Irina Elena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this what seems like a lifetime ago, but I just got the weird and uncontrollable urge to write something about it right now. I'm not even going to pretend I understand how my brain works.
Anyhow, what stuck about this novel is that I loved the realistic and historically accurate atmosphere the author managed to create and really liked the love interest - an endearing, lovable cutiepie, honestly - but loathed the heroine. Entitled, overdramatic little bitch. The plot is nothing new, but didn't make me roll my eyes [too much].
Highs and lows, really, but I did enjoy it.

[ᑭᑌᑎƳᗩ [Punya Reviews...] · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review contains spoilers and they're mostly my thoughts as I went with the book...

Oh my! Another winner from Bonnie Dee and another hero I just wanna hug and kiss, want to hold close to my heart. A deaf-mute hero, I’ve never read about one before. Social inequality, I did but both together? I was interested to see how BD handles such a premise and she did so well, can’t explain. It was a sweet read overall but not saccharine sweet. There was no reason for it to be saccharine sweet because as I read on about Jim’s hard life and the unfairness of life in general... Let’s just say there were moments and scenes in the book simply brought tears to my eyes.

Catherine is from NY but this small town of Nebraska, Broughton is nothing like where she used to live. She is here as a teacher; teaches the children and stays with the families, sometimes helping them with chores and so on. She lost her fiancé, a Navy officer, in the Maine ship blast incident. Life has been bleak, she’s been lost, even thought it’s been around three years. Her parents didn’t want her to do this job, as I understood she’s from a well-off family, even studied in university. But, Catherine needed some change, something new to make her forget the heartaches life brought her. Here in Broughton, life has been good so far. The family she’s living with now is of one of her pupils, the McPhersons. They’re a small farmer family, Catherine has no complaint so far but she’s looking forward to her next stay with the Albrights. Anyway, she was just going home from grocery shopping when suddenly she saw some men dragging another man out of the inn. Catherine is appalled. Then she recognizes the man, Jim, who is deaf-mute and a simpleton. For a moment, their eyes locked and instantly Catherine knew Jim is not a simpleton; those eyes are of an intelligent person. She starts screaming for help but the bullies keep beating him and then, one of the guys, the leader, starts dragging him. A desperate Catherine throws herself in front of the horse to stop it. Then Deputy Scott, comes in and takes matter in hand. By that time, Jim was unconscious. Catherine follows the men who help taking him in his small, sparse room behind the livery.

It was great to read things from Jim’s POV. He was NO simpleton, which he proved very soon. Jim’s life, as any unfortunate with a handicap, has been unkind and sad. He’s young, still a lonely man. He doesn’t make much money from him two jobs; in the livery of Mr. Rasmussen’s and the Crystal inn of Mr. Murdoch’s as a cleaner. Poor guy didn’t even make enough money to pay for a whore. But one of the barmaids in the Crystal did him a little ‘favor’ the other night, he was engrossed in that thought which led him to this recent debacle. As he can’t hear, he didn’t know those men called him to bring in their drinks. As I read along, I found out this kind of treatment is nothing new to Jim, people either ignore him, take pity on him or be really cruel. Jim has been in Broughton for about 8 yrs. after his mother died here. He was quite young then. His life, needless to say, has been a silent war. People don’t understand him, most of them certainly don’t think he’s worthy of anything better in life. What prospect does a deaf-mute stable boy has in this world? This is a question, in various forms and shapes came to haunt Catherine in the later parts of the book. And then, he saw the new school teacher, a beautiful woman and so out of his reach. So far, she’s been just another beautiful thing to admire from afar to him. But, now that she’s in his room, Jim couldn’t be happier! He’s in heaven at the moment. He’s in heaven at the moment.

Thus they were introduced. Catherine certainly never looked at Jim, albeit knowing him. But, the 2nd day, she can’t help but go to him, telling herself she only wants to know how he’s doing. She finds out Jim is more than intelligent, though his education is lacking. You can guess, he doesn’t know how to communicate, doesn’t know how to write. He can read lips but only when people are speaking to him slowly. Knows the basic alphabets but not all of them. Since I’ve never interacted with a deaf-mute person, it was tough for me to understand; his outlook on life around him. I feel guilty as I say that I’ve never thought from a deaf-mute’s POV and can’t imagine not hearing a thing or expressing myself eloquently. Which is why, the more I got to know about Jim, the more I felt sad, sometimes angry about the harsh realities of life. Catherine decides to give him lessons and contact her aunt in NY to send a sign book for the deaf-mute. But, Jim is very good with numbers. Mr. Rasmussen apparently taught him this much but of course for him own purpose. Jim is a hard worker overall, I mean it doesn’t really express much when I say the word ‘hard worker’ as I read on about his underpaid jobs, his humongous work loads, how he’d do more works to earn extra money because he’d been saving for a better life; someday, someway he’d get out and pursue his dreams. One of his dreams was a share of Mr. Rasmussen’s business, which he could never express to him, because of the lack of enough money and his obvious shortcomings.

Anyway, while showing him words and pronouncing them, Catherine let Jim touch her lips and throat. Jim is totally fascinated by her blonde beauty and friendly demeanor. Then, Catherine asks Jim’s bosses to give him an hour or so to come to the school for his lessons. Catherine knew she can’t teach him in his room and it’s not entirely because of the lack of chaperone but the fact that she’s very attracted to him. She doesn’t know how or why this happened. After so many years of fending off suitors (even in Broughton), how come Jim got into her? He looks like an Indian or someone from the Mediterranean, with his dark good looks and raven black hair. It’s like she’s driven to help him out, someway some how. I loved their lessons; some of them were funny with meaningful stares and smiles. Catherine is trying hard to fight their mutual attractions. Jim also knew this is impossible. So after the incident, the inn owner asks the barmaid (who’s already done him a ‘favor’ before) to show him a ‘good time’. That night Jim loses his virginity, all the while having Catherine in his mind. Now frankly, I hate to know such stuffs about the hero of a novel. But, here BD handled the whole thing very efficiently and with hurry. Not many details, the whole thing was swift. Since I knew of Jim’s situation and he’s a man like any other, I didn’t really mind. He’s gone through so much injustice in one life that in comparison, it was nothing. The barmaid was nice herself and cared for Jim in her own way (something I got to know later on) since Jim is anything but nice and sweet himself. But that was the only time he slept with her or anyone else because Jim already wanted Catherine like no one else in this world. And, he’s had no one/nothing to call his own since his mother died so many years ago.

Catherine is annoyed with one of her unwanted suitors named Charles, who is the brother to one of her students and very well-off. He’s arrogant and a braggart. But, it’s Jim’s down-to-earth personality is what she treasures. Their lesson was going fine, sometimes having a break when Jim is working for extra money. I loved it when Catherine saw his hands, from working in the corn field for a very well-off farmer, Gunderson and rubs liniment on them. This is where they first kiss happens. Catherine was confused but enjoyed it either way, just like Jim. It was needy and sexy. I mean, it’d come back again and again, throughout the story that how much Catherine wanted him but because of her and his social stature along with his disability made her confused about what to do, even once or twice hurting Jim a lot. But, it’s their lessons that I really really enjoyed reading which started with words like ‘cat’ and ‘sat’ and progressed into ‘kiss’ and ‘dance’, just as their relationship. He even bought a second hand watch, something he never needed in his bleak life, so that he’s not late even for a moment to be with her. There is once particular scene I loved, where Catherine teaches him the sign meaning of ‘kiss’. It was too sweet for words, also showing how confident Jim grew around her. But before it, some other changes take place.

Catherine moves into the Albright house. Mrs. Albright is a society busybody, who thinks she’s the one running the community and likes to order about. She’s certainly not happy with Catherine for mixing with someone like Jim. She even discreetly asks Catherine to stop giving Jim lessons because it’s looks bad for her pupils. But, Catherine politely listened and discarded her unwarranted advises. The woman actually set her daughter Jenny to ‘chaperone’ Jim and Catherine after school. But, even though Catherine knew the society is looking at it as if she’s has taken pity on the ‘deaf-mute simpleton and doing a good work’, she never saw it as one. And, even though the society might never approve of the kind of attraction they share for each-other and take Jim into their folds, Catherine couldn’t help but appreciate the man Jim is. He is everything nice, sweet, caring (sometimes jealous when he saw Charles taking Catherine on a buggy ride or the deputy Scott vying for her attentions) who can make occasional jokes in his own way. He’s a hard worker and very intelligent, if their lessons are any indication. She loves teaching him and has a dream that one day he would communicate with everyone and express himself properly. Jim’s POV truly shows us how frustrating it is to not have the power of speech and explain the simplest things to people who have no clue as to what you’re saying, just take you for granted and ignore you. It’s ten times worse when you’re every bit as intelligent, maybe even more so than them. Sometimes it’s a blessing but most of the times, it’s painfully difficult to swallow.

In the meantime, they have a picnic somewhere in the prairie. It was supposed to be Jenny (who’s also interested in the sign language, to Jim’s utter frustration), her boyfriend Ned with Jim and Catherine. But Jenny’s snotty mother (God knows what would make the woman happy) forbids her to go with them, mainly because of Jim. But when Catherine goes to the stables with the news, Jim was already ready with the buggy and food he purchased the other day with his meager income. Oh, he was so looking forward to the ride, even though they won’t be alone but anything to be with her! Catherine knew she’d hurt him with a ‘no’ but on Jim’s persistence gives in. And, wow, didn’t they have a wonderful time together, with touching and kissing? I loved it, how eager Jim was just to hold Catherine close, however it was possible and perhaps, to make love to her even though it seems like a dream at the moment. But it was, again, marred by Catherine’s confusion and Lord, I hated it then even knowing it’s logical she’s got to be confused and a little scared of their situations.

“I’m sorry. No.” Her mouth continued to move, too fast, pouring out a stream of explanation and apology.
Jim didn’t need to understand all the words. “Sorry, sorry, sorry, but no,” they all said.

And, he said ILU to Catherine, knowing there’s no confusion in him about her.

Jim made friends with Gunderson’s simple headed son Dean. It started out as Dean being a bully to Jim but soon the man decided Jim’s his friend. Jim helped him with his lame horse when Dean asked for it. And, then there is this man named Karak who’s buying out every small farmer in the area with his money. The man’s undeniably very rich. It’s his bullyboys who attacked Jim in the first scene but the man bribed the corrupted sheriff and got them out. And now the man has taken an interest in Jim, as Mr. Murdoch one day introduces them. Jim still had his dreams about being someone of means to make himself worthy of Catherine so he gathered his courage and presented his plans and savings (the way he does, with picture drawn and pointing) to Mr. Rasmussen about a share of his business. But Mr. Rasmussen let him down, saying he’s going to sell his business here soon and move onto somewhere else which doesn’t give Jim enough time to make the money he hoped he’ll make and pay him later on. And, the scene afterwards, a very broken down, frustrated and angry Jim in his little room was so painful to read that I cried. His dream of being someone of status just came crashing down and it’s not his fault at all. He cried and raged in his silent voice, threw things around the room but finally, he had a plan. He’d go to Karak, who’d already promised him some job and a good pay.

Jim starts his new job the next day. He’d leave the old ones soon but Mr. Rasmussen asked him to stick around and do some of the chores as long as he doesn’t hire a new employee. He can also use his room. Jim knew other than Sunday, he won’t be able to continue his lesson now. Oh, talk about work overload and Jim did them without a single complaint, all the while focused on his dream. Karak’s job isn’t anything he can’t do and the pay’s good but Jim has this feeling that this might not bode well for him. Meanwhile, the McPherson firm caught fire with the family losing it all. The whole community came together to help them out with food, money and clothes; the Albrights took the family in for shelter. The suspicion grew that Karak is behind this. Catherine knew that Karak’s bullyboys have already been to the McPherson, who denied selling his grains to them for an unfair price.

Now how would Jim tell Catherine about his feelings and the fact that he can’t see her all the days? He decides to write a note to her...

There were many things he had to tell her, but what he really needed to say was simple. “I’ve missed you so much and ache to see you again. Every moment of the day no matter what else I’m doing you’re in my thoughts. I want to … need to see you again. Please come to me.”
Pressing pencil to paper, he wrote. “See me. 7. Jim.” He thought a moment and
added “Livery Stable” just as it was printed on the sign above the door of the building.
Folding the paper, he wrote “Miss Johnson” on the outside.

Before the fire, the buzz about the society dance party was around. Deputy Scott asks Catherine out, which she politely refused but assures him that she’ll save a dance for him. Jim sees them, as he was coming for his lesson, and oh boy, he’s fuming! Jim has his own plan about the night. But, now he’s getting ready for Catherine’s visit. When he was thinking about her, she steps inside the stable, which tells him she’s got his message. Ah, there are so many things I’d like to quote but alas, the space’s limited!

“Hello,” she signed. “How are you?”
Bone tired. Excited. Worried. Hungry for you. “Good,” he signed. “You?”
“Good.” She stood a moment longer. Their gazes locked together in a potent
exchange that communicated more powerfully than words or hand signs. Raw desire
surged in him and there was an answering hunger in her eyes.

*sigh*

And they kissed, a raw needy kiss of two lovers missing each-other. Very sadly, Deputy Scott picked that time to come to the stable to talk to Jim about the McPherson fire. Catherine is flushed and very worried. How much has he seen? He doesn’t want to talk about it but she requests him to keep it to himself. I hated that the whole thing seemed like a thief (Jim) stealing something valuable, the way Catherine was conflicted in her feelings for him. Gotta tell you, I tried and tried but at times, I was angry seeing this more than once throughout the story. Poor darling, it was worse because he understood why she’s acting like this. Still it hurt him and it hurt me too. I wish she’d make up her mind. And then she did something left me so pissy, I wanted to kill her for it! Sad, because I actually admired Catherine for what she was doing for Jim. Jim was working extra for Karak too, and he knew this has to do with something illegal. The guy asked for his silence (without any pun intended) and paid him really good.

Jim bought a suit and was so hoping for a great time with Catherine in the dance. When he goes there, Catherine ignores him, OUTRIGHT! I was so pissed, felt like she was squeezing my heart painfully too, just like Jim’s. Oh God! She was scared what people would think and after everything they’d shared, still ignored him. Poor poor darling went through such lengths to be with her yet he was still alone and unhappy, waiting for her to acknowledge him. But she never did and he leaves. Yet, soon she felt very guilty and was on her way to the stables. Karak’s bullyboys attack her. Jim was drowning out his pain in a drink with Dean as his companion when he saw it and saves her. The men beat him again but because of Dean’s interference and Catherine’s screams, others came out to help them. Catherine later that night realized there’s no way she can hold out anymore for she understood the length he’d gone to make her happy. The next day, the unexpected visit from Catherine made Jim’s day. It was sweeter because after a bout of kissing, she him to make love to her. They do that in the hayloft. Ah, this sure made all of Jim’s hurts go away. They say goodbye saying ILU to each other but Jim knew hers isn’t entirely unconditional. Ah, really... What can I say? :(

In Karak’s mill, Jim very carefully investigates the crates he has to carry while on his ‘secret’ extra work. All the crates had ‘U.S’ marked upon them and Jim didn’t know the meaning but it was apparent that those are illegal things, which included guns. Jim also, very coincidentally and from lip reading knew Karak’s bullyboys had something to do with the McPhersons fire but told no one. After their assault on Catherine, those men were in jail, Karak couldn’t get them out so he had them killed. Scott suspects Jim and arrests him. Catherine didn’t know of it until the next day, when Jim’s spent a scary night in one of the cells where the murder took place. Catherine was so angry with Scott but later they all talk, where Jim showed them what he knew about Karak’s business. Scott decides to take a look himself and let’s Jim go. After that it was action packed, with Jim and Scott playing the hero. Catherine went out to wire the Marshalls, leaving Jim at the Albrights. She came back and heard what’s happening. She gets to know the barmaid and they talk, mostly of Jim. It was a very meaningful scene and I mean it in a good way. When Jim and Scott are rescued by the men of the town, Catherine runs to him and kisses him in front of everyone, crying all the while. Jim thought, maybe it was because of the kiss. But he soon understands she doesn’t care anymore because Catherine understood she can’t go through the pain of losing another love of her life.

Months pass by but Jim and Catherine, though act as a couple, stays respectable. Catherine finally introduces him to her parents, who came for a visit. They soon marry and were on their way to NY. Jim now has a prospect in his life, a school to attend to and a life with Catherine. It ends in the train, after their marriage. I wished for an epilogue and a little glimpse of their life in NY. Anyway, without it the book stole my heart; so did Jim. I was so glad that he’s finally got the life he dreamt of but never thought was possible for him. I also loved the title of this book, so appropriate and beautiful! This book is a 5 star without a doubt.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

I was excited to begin this book as it takes place at the turn of the century in 1901. I enjoy period romances and I thought it was just want I needed; no bad boy alpha-male in sight, just a simple man with a seemingly simple life...

Jim Kinney's life is anything but "simple", as he is an underpaid stable hand and unfortunately, in his foreseeable furture, also born deaf. Catherine Johnson, a previous New York schoolteacher, who has just arrived in this Nebraska small town, will soon teach a one-room school which will also help her escape the sad memories of losing the only man she has ever loved.

While shopping in town one afternoon, Catherine witnesses several men torturing Jim and in their dunken state, they beat and eventually tie and drag him from the back of a frightened horse. Luckily, Catherine is able to stop the chaos but not before Jim's injuries are so severe that he is bed-ridden for several days.

Most people in town only think of Jim as "slow" and would never take the time to realize he's anything but. Socially, stable hands are at the bottom of the heap, although, Catherine notices Jim's obvious intelligence and as he begins to heal, Catherine also decides to take charge of his education - teaching him to read, write and sign - and that's when a forbidden attraction grows between them.

I really wanted to like this story, although it fell short due to the way this author presented it's third person narrative, hurried nature and lack of character development - not to mention the fact that I was quite truthfully, bored. This book showed great promise, however, the way it was told just couldn't keep that promise - at least for me.

[Miss Rail · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at ~ 30%
I just can't "believe" the characters.
I think it's the writing because I've read books with similar plots and enjoyed them...
I ended up finally dropping this book when the "hero" decides it's a good idea to loose his virginity with a prostitute... and the scene is very VERY detailed.
He was already infatuated with the heroine!
Sex with other women, expecially with detailed scenes, are a BIG no no for me.

[Tara Chevrestt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was torn two different ways by this novel. On one hand, I loved the message it conveys, that deaf isn't dumb and we are just like everyone else with desires, wants, and the need for love. On the other hand, it took me a long time to like the heroine. She does a good thing teaching a deaf man to sign and read, but for a while there, it feels as though she is using him. She loves him, but is embarrassed by him and too afraid of what society will think. It takes her a long time to grow some balls and publicly show her feelings for Jim. And the way she treats him at a dance....

Full review here: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2011/...

[Katrina Passick Lumsden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I put this on my 'Pleasantly Surprised' shelf because I was definitely pleasantly surprised. It's not the greatest book in terms of writing style or flourish, but something about it spoke to me. Jim is definitely a lit crush.

The only real problem I had with it was some of the crass wording. I don't mind words like 'cock' and 'pussy', but they fit awkwardly here (sorry about the double entendre). And since they weren't just limited to use during sex scenes, I sometimes ran into them in what I felt were strange places. (I'm laughing now...)

Anyway, it's a sweet romance with a great leading man and a fairly likable heroine.

[Fashionista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good read; Historical romances are my favorite! Besides I love the strong silent type. A man of few words is so sexy. I just couldn't get enough of Jim Kinney! ;-)

[Rain · Rating 3 out of 5]

The year is 1901. Jim, a young deaf man is barely surviving by cleaning a saloon at night and working as a stable hand during the day. He's an incredibly likable hero with a strong and sweet disposition.

Catherine is the new schoolteacher in town, recently moved from NY. It's been three years since her fiancée has passed and she's looking for a fresh start.

There is something almost childlike about Bonnie Dee's writing. Her characters have such innocence and you just know bad things are gonna happen to them!

I was very disappointed when Jim accepts free sex from a saloon girl after he clearly shows he has feelings for Catherine. The scene is described in detail and it's...depressing. It would have been so lovely for he and Catherine to share that first moment together. Added weirdness is that he later goes to the saloon girl to ask her advice on pleasing Catherine and later Catherine asks the same saloon girl for advice on pleasing Jim!!! Awkward and uncomfortable at the same time. Of course Catherine doesn't know that Jim has partaken with said saloon girl. I almost stoped reading the story at this point. A sweet love story but could have used some editorial chopping to make it that much sweeter.

[Book Utopia · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I really liked both leads in this, Jim stole my heart. He’s sweet without being weak, strong without being overbearing, intelligent without being capable of making mistakes. He is by far my favorite Bonnie Dee hero, just as this is likely my favorite of her works. I sometimes find it difficult to engage with her voice, but not so here. This is gentle without lacking drive, emotion-filled without drifting into melodrama.

Its one weakness rests in its ending. While it’s to be expected for there to be an HEA, the last three chapters feel rushed and tacked on. She packs months worth of resolution into those three chapters, making time jumps to get to the ending she clearly has in mind for them. They lack the same flow as the rest of the story, sacrificing pace for plot expediency, and dilute the romance’s lasting effects. This might have been the sweetest romance I’d read all year but for those last three chapters. As it is, though, it still remains an excellent example of a beta hero’s charms, as well as a heartbreaking romance.

[Margaret Foxe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished Bone Deep by this author and loved it. This was also very good, though I think Bone Deep is still better. Same sort of story, with a marginalized hero and a woman who loves him despite all of the social stigma of their time. The heroine took a while to finally get over it and love the hero openly, but it was very believable and made the moment when they "come out of the livery", so to speak, very satisfying.

I am reminded, for some reason, of Willa Cather, with the historical Midwest setting, and the exploration of class and forbidden love, etc. or maybe Little House On The Prairie, with the one room school house setting. But with sex. Not as much sex as Bone Deep, but just enough, and very well done! I liked how the author let the sexual tension build for quite a while before the consummation. This author is good at constructing a plot line as well. My criticism of this book is the same as with Bone Deep. The ending needs work. In this book, it just kind of drifts off. It could have ended a lot earlier.

[Maddux · Rating 3 out of 5]

After just finishing Bone Deep and loving it loving it loving it... This story didn't sink in and grab me.

It's probably the circumstances in the book that have me so unsettled. But I so wanted Catherine to just run away with Jim.

Jim's our hero. He's deaf, though he can read lips. He's never had anyone give him much of a chance. The townspeople think he's dim-witted.

And that makes me angry.

Jim... He's pretty awesome. And the boy has dimples. Dimples, people!

Catherine... I understand where she's coming from, I suppose. All her vain reluctance. Tragic. Srsly.

It took me a while to read through it, but I finished it.

[JustJayneIA · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book, but overall, I was disappointed. My main issue is that I didn't really like either main character, the hero or the heroine.

The hero came across a bit too timid for my taste, and the heroine wasn't much better. She was too cowardly to declare her love for the hero but had no problems jumping into the sack with him, especially for the time in which the story is set.

Also, this is one of those stories where the main characters fall almost instantly in love (if not lust) and I usually just find those very disappointing.

Interesting premise, and I did manage to read until the end, but ultimately disappointing.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do love me a nice, sweet Bonnie Dee romance. *blissful sigh*

[Joan (official heroine hater) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another winner from Bonnie Dee! Just love her characters and sweet (but still with steam) stories.

[Ana M. Román · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tengo debilidad por los protagonistas con alguna discapacidad porque me encanta verlos superarse a sí mismos con el pasar de las páginas. En este caso, Jim es sordomudo como consecuencia de una enfermedad que sufrió de muy niño lo que le hizo perder la capacidad de oír y, por lo tanto, de hablar.

Por otro lado, Catherine es una joven profesora que llega a la ciudad, más bien un pueblo, en mitad de Nebraska para intentar superar la pérdida de su prometido. Cuando Catherine ve a unos hombres atormentando brutalmente a Jim no duda en lanzarse al rescate y en intentar ayudarle a aprender a leer, escribir y comunicarse para hacer su vida más sencilla.

Jim enseguida se enamora de Catherine y podemos decir lo mismo al contrario, o más bien que hay atracción instantánea, pero las cosas no son fáciles y no sólo porque Jim es sordomudo sino principalmente por el abismo social entre ellos.

Es una historia contada de una forma sencilla y el transcurrir de los hechos fluye de forma muy suave, sin que se sienta forzado en ninguna manera y las reacciones y comportamientos de ambos dejan traslucir eso mismo.

[Dagmar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moving, sexy, page turner featuring a swoonworthy deaf Hero. Full of heart. Loved it. Will read more by this author.

[Suzanne (Under the Covers Book blog) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

Catherine Johnson has traveled to a small town in Nebreska to become the town's teacher and to escape the painful memories of her dead fiancee. She never expects that she would have to come to rescue of the deaf man after she seems him brutally beaten. She also never expects the instant connection and attraction she feels towards him. But taking another risk on love may require more courage than she possess, especially with the huge difference in their social stations.

I grabbed this book on impulse as I wanted something a little bit different, and it isn't often you get a deaf hero, but I admit to a little bit of disappointment. Not because the book is awful, it just never managed to snag my interest and have me eager to read more. It was all a little ordinary.

I did like the hero Jim, it was hard not to, he was so completely and sometimes naively in love with Catherine, that it was almost heartbreaking. My heart wanted to shake Catherine and ask how she could even think of rejecting a man so perfect. However, my head reasoned that what she was feeling was probably completely right and someone of her station would think twice before committing to a virtually penniless odd jobs man with no prospects, deaf or not.

There was also a slight intrigue element in this book, with a baddie in the background trying to buy up the town. Which, our hero and heroine managed to get embroiled in. It was only a small part of the story and was basically used to usher the romance along, but it did add some excitement.

Not one of my favourite reads, but also not awful, it just never really caught my attention and I imagine this will be a book that I quickly forget.

[Walks Through Walls · Rating 2 out of 5]

Only on the first chapter or two and I'm already noticing that the writing is a bit... choppy and plain. Inarticulate. Amateurish. "Soandso did this. Then whatshisface said that." Etc.

Still, not quite disenchanted enough to stop reading, so far. We'll see.

~~~~

"The sight of the dark nipples on his chest sent a wave of fire burning in Catherine’s cheeks and a prickling feeling between her legs."

Okay, starting to go further downhill... Oh, jesus, please don't tell me she doesn't even know what arousal is. *facepalm*

~~~~

Their attraction is apparently miraculous and instantaneous, with very little foundation. "Oh, this person is someone that I've seen around before but had no inkling of interest in, but now that I've seen his dark nipples, I can't help but want to know 'everything about him!'"

~~~~

"[...]he couldn’t take his eyes from her high-button shoes and the flash of white stockings and petticoats above them. The small bustle on her dress enhanced the curve of her rear. By the time they’d reached the hayloft, his breathing was labored, and not from the climb or his sore ribs."

.... Really?

~~~~

Kinda weird that there's a sex scene between one of the main characters and someone else, rather than the two main characters together, but okay, then. *shrug*

~~~~

Halfway done and I've started skimming it.

~~~~

The whole Karak storyline is boring at best.

~~~~

Okay, finished. Final rating is a 2. It's alright. Not great. As I said, I skimmed a good portion of it because it just wasn't keeping my attention, not to mention the strangely choppy writing style.

Kinda sad, because I liked the idea of the main hero being deaf, and the premise just went to waste.

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Certainly not Dee's best work, but enjoyable just the same. This time our hero is deaf and our heroine a teacher who helps him learn to read and write, as well as communicate via sign language. They characters did have as much pull for me as many of her others did. I am not sure when this was published with relationship to her other works, but there were many similar plot devices to her other works. E.g. the hero gets frustrated with his disability/problem and rages against the world destroying his whole room and/or possessions, and of course, a woman who is in some way better off or more whole than the man that she falls in love with. I know why I like Dee's books: every woman likes the idea of being able to save a man and Dee tells these stories like a pro. I didn't enjoy this one mainly because I didn't find Jim or Catherine all that compelling. I also wanted to kill Catherine for how long it took her to accept Jim into her life. She was a bit of a B---- for a while there-- refusing to acknowledge their relationship in public. I understand social stigma and all, but come on-- she really wasn't very kind to him. Jim is very loyal and sort of like a lovesick puppy throughout-- that might have been part of my problem with him-- he needed a little more fight to win me over.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The h in this story was very concerned with social standing and reputations (as was normal for this time period) and at the same time, she hated acting like a snob. Catherine was in a small town in NE in a one room school house after her fiance died, trying to get over her loss. She saves the H, Jim, when he was nearly killed by the town's new thugs and she starts tutoring him to read and write and speak sign language (he is deaf and mute). Jim has been thought of as slow and dimwitted so understandably, he has felt very alone for most of his life and sees Catherine as the angel that she appears to be. They fall in love and there are bad guys and unwanted suitors and disaproving society that cause many problems for this couple. It was a very heart-gripping tale and I was rooting for the H to finally have somebody to love, and for him to get that same love back, openly. I really thought this story deserved an epilogue... but alas, just a very nice detail of plans for HEA. Very much liked this story.

[Suzy Vero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing story of a man who can’t hear and speak… Jim, lonely and isolated from the town because of his disabilities… some even think he’s slow. Catherine the new school teacher from back east, befriends him and then decides to help him with reading, writing and then sign language.

This is an immensely emotional book with a deeply nuanced telling of Jim’s feelings as he struggles to show his love for Catherine despite all the odds against him. Catherine struggles with her sense of propriety as she slowly comes to realize she loves Jim.

Sooo good, heartwarming, plus erotic passionate scenes add to this wonderful historical romance. It’s truly a vivid picture of the daily life of someone with such profound and life altering disabilities. Just wish the story had an epilogue as I wanted to see how Catherine and Jim were doing later. Hopefully they had a really good life. A winner!!

[Michelle [Helen Geek] · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a heart-warming story of a school teacher and a deaf man in 1901 Nebraska territory. It told a tale from their meeting and through their evolving relationship. They started as teacher and student; teaching a deaf man to communicate through written word and eventually signing. They moved quickly to being friends and then evolved into a stronger romantic connection.

I enjoyed the book, but it tended to rattle on a bit. The primary characters and the backstory were nicely done and very believable. It was a story in courage and perseverance. I especially liked the insight into the deaf world before real modern understanding and acceptance existed.

I think most would find this book a story of value and would be glad they took the time to read it.

Happy Reading!