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Coming Up Roses
Widow Kate Blakely knew nothing of love - but she knew plenty about unhappiness. She'd married young, hoping to put down roots in a safe haven, but her husband had shattered her naiveté, and made her fear for her beloved daughter's safety until the day he died.
When she first met her new neighbor, Zachariah McGovern, all she saw was danger. But Zach saw much more. He saw beauty, he saw tenderness. He knew he could rescue Kate Blakely from her past - if only she would let him.
What Zach couldn't know, however, was the price that had to be paid to save the woman he loved.
When she first met her new neighbor, Zachariah McGovern, all she saw was danger. But Zach saw much more. He saw beauty, he saw tenderness. He knew he could rescue Kate Blakely from her past - if only she would let him.
What Zach couldn't know, however, was the price that had to be paid to save the woman he loved.
385 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
162 people are currently reading
1003 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Anderson
98 books2,934 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
(1)romance author:
Adeline Catherine was born and raised in Grants Pass, Oregon, USA. She always yearned to be a writer like her mother. The morning that one of her professors asked if she could use samples of Catherine’s creative writing on an overhead projector to teach was a dream come true. In 1988, she sold her first book to Harlequin Intrigue and went on to write three more before she tried her hand at a single-title historical romance. Nine books later, she did her first single-title contemporary.
Catherine married Sidney D. Anderson, an industrial electrician and entrepreneur. They had two sons, Sidney D. Jr. and John G. In 2001 she and her husband purchased a central Oregon home located on a ridge with incredible mountain views and surrounded by forestland honeycombed with trails. It was her dream home, a wonderland in the winter and beyond beautiful in the summer. She named it Cinnamon Ridge after the huge ponderosa pines on the property, which sport bark the color of cinnamon.
Sadly, Catherine lost her husband to a long-term illness in 2014. She has kept Cinnamon Ridge as her primary residence but divides her time between there and her son John's farm, where she has the support of her loved ones and can enjoy his horses, cows, and raise her own chickens.
Catherine loves animals and birds, both wild and domestic. She presently has two Australian shepherds, six cats, and a very old canary. She is very family oriented as well. Her older son has lived in Japan, Australia, and now resides in New Zealand. Catherine and her stateside family will celebrate Christmas on the north island with Sidney, his wife Mary, and their two sons, Liam and Jonas.
(1)romance author:
Adeline Catherine was born and raised in Grants Pass, Oregon, USA. She always yearned to be a writer like her mother. The morning that one of her professors asked if she could use samples of Catherine’s creative writing on an overhead projector to teach was a dream come true. In 1988, she sold her first book to Harlequin Intrigue and went on to write three more before she tried her hand at a single-title historical romance. Nine books later, she did her first single-title contemporary.
Catherine married Sidney D. Anderson, an industrial electrician and entrepreneur. They had two sons, Sidney D. Jr. and John G. In 2001 she and her husband purchased a central Oregon home located on a ridge with incredible mountain views and surrounded by forestland honeycombed with trails. It was her dream home, a wonderland in the winter and beyond beautiful in the summer. She named it Cinnamon Ridge after the huge ponderosa pines on the property, which sport bark the color of cinnamon.
Sadly, Catherine lost her husband to a long-term illness in 2014. She has kept Cinnamon Ridge as her primary residence but divides her time between there and her son John's farm, where she has the support of her loved ones and can enjoy his horses, cows, and raise her own chickens.
Catherine loves animals and birds, both wild and domestic. She presently has two Australian shepherds, six cats, and a very old canary. She is very family oriented as well. Her older son has lived in Japan, Australia, and now resides in New Zealand. Catherine and her stateside family will celebrate Christmas on the north island with Sidney, his wife Mary, and their two sons, Liam and Jonas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews
February 25, 2014
A vintage button wreath.
★★★★½ This is vintage Catherine Anderson and I just loved it! It is a reissue, but definitely holds up and remains worth the read – or re-read – as the case may be. I loved the characters, especially the little girl, Miranda. Ms. Anderson knows how to write a big rough and tough hero interacting with a small child. It was also heartwarming to see this gentle-giant of a neighbor, Zachariah McGovern, fall for the ‘little mite’ as well as the abused, skittish, young widow, Kate Blakely.
This author can take a scene that has been done a million times and make it special:
Is it my favorite Catherine Anderson? No. But I’ll still give it ★★★★½ because Ms. Anderson’s best is beyond five stars. Was it perfect? No. Was Zach a little too patient , and the ending a little too neatly wrapped up? Yes and yes. Or maybe I just need to find a man like him? Doesn’t matter to me. I know I’ll re-read it again just to enjoy the dialogue between the characters and escape back into their world just to experience them falling in love all over again...and the three of them becoming a family.
★★★★½ This is vintage Catherine Anderson and I just loved it! It is a reissue, but definitely holds up and remains worth the read – or re-read – as the case may be. I loved the characters, especially the little girl, Miranda. Ms. Anderson knows how to write a big rough and tough hero interacting with a small child. It was also heartwarming to see this gentle-giant of a neighbor, Zachariah McGovern, fall for the ‘little mite’ as well as the abused, skittish, young widow, Kate Blakely.
This author can take a scene that has been done a million times and make it special:
“What are you doing?”Not impressed? Well, maybe it is the character-building before that that makes me picture the scene so well, and what takes place before this...and that it is a set-up for .
His voice was tight with laughter. “I’ve never been so fascinated with a woman’s buttons in my entire life.”
The plackets of her bodice fell open. “Zachariah, it’s broad daylight.”
“So it is.”
Is it my favorite Catherine Anderson? No. But I’ll still give it ★★★★½ because Ms. Anderson’s best is beyond five stars. Was it perfect? No. Was Zach a little too patient , and the ending a little too neatly wrapped up? Yes and yes. Or maybe I just need to find a man like him? Doesn’t matter to me. I know I’ll re-read it again just to enjoy the dialogue between the characters and escape back into their world just to experience them falling in love all over again...and the three of them becoming a family.
June 29, 2020
3/5 stars
I went through a phase some time back of reading a lot of books by Catherine Anderson and, while the formula may be more or less the same, I did enjoy them. I enjoyed this one too but not really as much as the previous books. Not sure why. Maybe my tastes have evolved a little bit. Still a good read.
Her heroes are always very likeable, albeit a bit gruff but I like ‘em like that.
Cute little girl and sweet dog ... all we needed was the kitten.
I will definitely read more by Ms. Anderson.
I went through a phase some time back of reading a lot of books by Catherine Anderson and, while the formula may be more or less the same, I did enjoy them. I enjoyed this one too but not really as much as the previous books. Not sure why. Maybe my tastes have evolved a little bit. Still a good read.
Her heroes are always very likeable, albeit a bit gruff but I like ‘em like that.
If he could he would build her a castle out of clouds and turn her wishes into rainbows ...
Cute little girl and sweet dog ... all we needed was the kitten.
I will definitely read more by Ms. Anderson.
February 6, 2022
A lovely story. I quite enjoyed this story of an abused woman falling in love again. The hero was wonderfully written. He was strong and charming but he had a few weak points that made him realistic. I loved how it didn't take long for the heroine's little 4 year old girl to have him wrapped around her finger. The daughter was one of the most realistically written children I've seen in books. Her vocabulary was appropriate and the things that she talked about were not too advanced for her age. It's always so sweet to see how a man can feel so loving towards a child.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
April 1, 2024
I absolutely loved this story. Stoic me even shed some tears! 😉
This wasn't so much of a romantic love story for me, but more of a journey of finding pure trusting love, a family love (father-daughter, mother-daughter and then husband-wife).
And yes, the heroine and her stubbornness really riled me up sometimes, but then after reminding myself that this heroine had been abused by her (now deceased) husband for the last 5 years, her reactions were actually what I considered realistic.
The hero was an honest "hero". We throw that word around a lot to describe the male lead in a story, but this guy was written very well as a true hero. He saved the child, he saved the mother/heroine many times and he really helped them heal and recover from their trauma with his patience and gentle approach.
I know a lot of people don't like children in romance stories, but I feel the little girl in this story was the star. She was written so well and adorable and genuine. 😊
The only issue, not that it bothers me, is that I can't read Catherine Andersen's books one after another, because the storylines are all very similar, with an abused heroine that's a single mother to a young child, often on the run from a crazy family member regarding child custody and the hero swoops in to save the day. So they are good to be spaced out amongst other books/authors.
Oh, and the bedroom scenes are not steamy. Doors are open, but the lights are off. (most details are skimmed over). But I have found that with Catherine Andersen's stories, I fall in love with the story, not so much the romance.
This wasn't so much of a romantic love story for me, but more of a journey of finding pure trusting love, a family love (father-daughter, mother-daughter and then husband-wife).
And yes, the heroine and her stubbornness really riled me up sometimes, but then after reminding myself that this heroine had been abused by her (now deceased) husband for the last 5 years, her reactions were actually what I considered realistic.
The hero was an honest "hero". We throw that word around a lot to describe the male lead in a story, but this guy was written very well as a true hero. He saved the child, he saved the mother/heroine many times and he really helped them heal and recover from their trauma with his patience and gentle approach.
I know a lot of people don't like children in romance stories, but I feel the little girl in this story was the star. She was written so well and adorable and genuine. 😊
The only issue, not that it bothers me, is that I can't read Catherine Andersen's books one after another, because the storylines are all very similar, with an abused heroine that's a single mother to a young child, often on the run from a crazy family member regarding child custody and the hero swoops in to save the day. So they are good to be spaced out amongst other books/authors.
Oh, and the bedroom scenes are not steamy. Doors are open, but the lights are off. (most details are skimmed over). But I have found that with Catherine Andersen's stories, I fall in love with the story, not so much the romance.
July 17, 2018
Must read this if you can’t resist small vulnerable plot moppets bonding big time with big gruff potential stepdads.
The h’s daughter is an adorable four years old but is quiet and withdrawn around strangers especially men. But when the H saves her life at risk to his own, she attaches herself to him like a limpet, dragging out promises from the hapless man. There are a few very cute, very poignant moments between these two.
The h/H relationship, on the other hand, is slow and painful and frustrating. The h’s reticence is understandable because of her dark secrets (which btw are not that secret) but her inability to accept and trust the H went a bit too far. Secrets and villain need to be tackled in their own time for their hea to happen.
Having the kid and the H provide much of the warmth and the awww factor, I felt the h to be a lesser or a less needed character!
The h’s daughter is an adorable four years old but is quiet and withdrawn around strangers especially men. But when the H saves her life at risk to his own, she attaches herself to him like a limpet, dragging out promises from the hapless man. There are a few very cute, very poignant moments between these two.
The h/H relationship, on the other hand, is slow and painful and frustrating. The h’s reticence is understandable because of her dark secrets (which btw are not that secret) but her inability to accept and trust the H went a bit too far. Secrets and villain need to be tackled in their own time for their hea to happen.
Having the kid and the H provide much of the warmth and the awww factor, I felt the h to be a lesser or a less needed character!
July 24, 2024
Since her husband drowned six months ago, widow Kate Blakely is having a hard time making ends meet. She doesn't want another husband. After the disaster of her first marriage, she refuses to marry again. In fact, Kate doesn't trust any men. When her neighbor Zachariah McGovern stops by, she doesn't want anything to do with him. But a few days later, Kate shows up at his house in desperate need of his help. Her four-year-old daughter Miranda has fallen down a well. Kate asks Zachariah to rescue her.
This story started out strong. There was the exciting rescue attempt and the aftermath of it. But somewhere around the middle of the book, the story bogged down. Kate had a secret and she wasn't telling anyone. Zachariah offered to help her, but she wanted him to just go back home and stay there. There was so much angst in the second half of the book, I lost interest. Based on a great beginning, and a boring second half, I'll rate this book 3 Stars.
This story started out strong. There was the exciting rescue attempt and the aftermath of it. But somewhere around the middle of the book, the story bogged down. Kate had a secret and she wasn't telling anyone. Zachariah offered to help her, but she wanted him to just go back home and stay there. There was so much angst in the second half of the book, I lost interest. Based on a great beginning, and a boring second half, I'll rate this book 3 Stars.
May 10, 2019
One of my favorite books ever.
October 11, 2012
Kate has lived with a self-righteous mad man who abused her and his own daughter. Now that man is dead and his brother thinks she has killed him. Zach is Kate’s neighbour, a fire has scarred him, so when he sees Kate (she is a petite beauty) he has serious doubts about his appeal.
Catherine Anderson likes characters that face challenges, and she gets the challenges right: this is one of the few romances that gets consequences of abuse right. Kate feels aversion not only to sex, but to marriage. Zach is brawny man with a gentle, gentle heart that slowly earns her trust. Beautiful. This romance is like a fairy tale, where to scarred people find their place in a world that has been really cruel to them.
Complex well-drawn character, good relationship development and a plot that will grab you, what else could be ask for? Not one of my favorites, but definitely a good one.
Catherine Anderson likes characters that face challenges, and she gets the challenges right: this is one of the few romances that gets consequences of abuse right. Kate feels aversion not only to sex, but to marriage. Zach is brawny man with a gentle, gentle heart that slowly earns her trust. Beautiful. This romance is like a fairy tale, where to scarred people find their place in a world that has been really cruel to them.
Complex well-drawn character, good relationship development and a plot that will grab you, what else could be ask for? Not one of my favorites, but definitely a good one.
September 12, 2015
Ahh Zach!
April 9, 2014
**3.5**
Catherine Anderson has become my go-to author for entertaining historical western romances. While there is nothing particularly redeeming about the writing, Anderson certainly can weave a good yarn.
This story revolves around Kate and Zach. Zach is a widower who moves onto the property adjoining Kate's. Kate lives with her four year old daughter, Miranda, her husband having died six months earlier. Zach immediately shows interest in Kate, but she is wary of strangers and rejects his overtures of friendship. However, when Miranda falls down a well, Zach rescues her but gets bit by rattlesnakes in the process and Kate has to nurse him back to health.
As they spend time together Zach falls in love with her, but it's clear that both Kate and Miranda have emotional scars. However, Kate is being hounded by her late husband's cruel brother and to save her and her daughter, Kate and Zach marry. The rest of the story is about them learning to love and come together. With an added plot line concerning Kate's dead husband.
Sexual and physical abuse is a huge theme that runs throughout Anderson's book and this one is no different. There is one scene in particular that is not for the faint of heart.
In terms of originality there is nothing new here. Anderson reuses the same themes again and again. But there is not denying that she writes an entertaining and compelling story.
Catherine Anderson has become my go-to author for entertaining historical western romances. While there is nothing particularly redeeming about the writing, Anderson certainly can weave a good yarn.
This story revolves around Kate and Zach. Zach is a widower who moves onto the property adjoining Kate's. Kate lives with her four year old daughter, Miranda, her husband having died six months earlier. Zach immediately shows interest in Kate, but she is wary of strangers and rejects his overtures of friendship. However, when Miranda falls down a well, Zach rescues her but gets bit by rattlesnakes in the process and Kate has to nurse him back to health.
As they spend time together Zach falls in love with her, but it's clear that both Kate and Miranda have emotional scars. However, Kate is being hounded by her late husband's cruel brother and to save her and her daughter, Kate and Zach marry. The rest of the story is about them learning to love and come together. With an added plot line concerning Kate's dead husband.
Sexual and physical abuse is a huge theme that runs throughout Anderson's book and this one is no different. There is one scene in particular that is not for the faint of heart.
In terms of originality there is nothing new here. Anderson reuses the same themes again and again. But there is not denying that she writes an entertaining and compelling story.
August 9, 2012
This is the only Catherine Anderson book where I would say I was truly annoyed by the heroine, Kate. The story dragged on WAY too long with her making some really stupid decisions (like saying no over and over again to Zach's offers of help and resigning herself to go ahead and be molested and abused by Ryan, her ex-brother-in-law). Zach had showed he would protect them and even with the threat of blackmail over her head from Ryan, it didn't make any sense to me that she would put her daughter in continued danger of mistreatment from Ryan when she said she would do anything to protect her... obviously not. I understand the theme that she was a scared abused woman that had been through a lot but the story-line dragged on WAY too long with Kate continuing to be stubborn about it, and she kept making promises to her daughter that no one would ever hurt her again but never did anything to prevent Ryan from coming around. Ugh! I LOVE Catherine Anderson! She is one of my favorite authors! I have read over 18+ of her novels, and have been impressed by her writing over and over again. This is truly the first book that I had anything to complain about.
October 27, 2012
3 1/2 stars. I've gotten tired of Anderson's inevitable "fragile woman rescued by perfect man" formula, but her older books seem to offer more nuanced and balanced versions. This story about a widow suffering the aftereffects of an unspeakable marriage features some surprises, a worthy hero who nonetheless has some human failings, and a little more give and take than usual between the main characters -- Zach has some painful scars himself, figuratively and literally. It's a very child heavy story (this is especially noticeable when listening to the audiobook) and I felt the first half was more a romance between Zach and Kate's little girl than between the two of them, which didn't thrill me. The audiobook narration is quite good.
March 15, 2016
2.25 Stars
April 22, 2023
This book is a great read!! Couldn’t put it down!
February 6, 2018
I wasn't expecting much from this book, but it turned out to be a very interesting read. Set in 1890's Oregon, Kate and her daughter, Miranda are barely keeping the farm running after her husband's death. Joseph was a horrible man who abused both Kate and Miranda. He deserved the way he died. Kate has sworn off men and when her new neighbor and his dog stop by she is not very welcoming to them. However things start to get interesting when Kate goes to Zack for help after Miranda falls into a well shaft. Turns out it is full of rattlesnakes, and Zack is bitten numerous times, but he is able to rescue Miranda. Kate nurses him back to health and falls in love with him.
January 14, 2022
Another heartbreaking story, this time set in 1890, with religious overtones and the way the Bible can be interpreted so wrongly. Kate and Amanda had me from the start in their corner, although the story unfolds very slowly. Amanda particularly is well-drawn as a four-year-old. Her literal take on everything provides much of the humor which leavens the book. Zach's encounter with rattlesnakes made me, for perhaps the first time, understand what courage really is. Ms. Anderson writes with compassion and understanding to really involve the reader at every step of the way.
May 1, 2020
4.5/5 estrelas. Doce e tocante. Catherine Anderson sabe criar heróis como ninguém. Aqui, ele veste calça jeans, camisa de flanela surrada, botas de cowboy, alto, bem construído, lindo por dentro e por fora, com cicatrizes e uma propensão às lágrimas. Ah, sem contar que ama crianças e animais. Tem como não se apaixonar?
February 14, 2022
frustrating
silly heroine
good hero, loved him
safe
a lot of abuse, child abuse, rape (offpage)
silly heroine
good hero, loved him
safe
a lot of abuse, child abuse, rape (offpage)
March 26, 2025
Ummm, I liked the start of the up until about a fourth of it. Then, I started to get irritated with Zach, then it was Miranda (she sounded old and not a child) and finally Kate. I arduously plodded along because I wanted to finish the book. But try as I might, I didn’t like the characters and the story so it’s just 1 star for me. ⭐️
April 22, 2012
Catherine Anderson brings forth a heart-wrenching tale of love, trust and overcoming the most painful odds.
Kate Blakey is just trying to piece together her life. After suffering at the hands of her abusive husband for so many years, she is rejoicing in her new found freedom. Life is very difficult for her and her four year old daughter, Miranda after the death of her husband but she is determined to move forward and help her child heal. Just because Kate no longer have to suffer punishment from her deceased husband, she still have to fight off his disturbing brother, Ryan, who believes that Kate should be with him and if she refuses, he will take Miranda away. Not to mention, Kate has to deal with her new ruggedly handsome neighbor, Zach McGovern.
Zach wonders what causes Kate and her daughter to become so skittish around them. When little Miranda falls in an old well, Zach risks his life to go in and save her. Bitten by snakes, Kate can’t refuse to help the man who has risked it all for her daughter. She helps heal his body and bring him back to life. While Kate works on his body, Zach slowly starts to work on their hearts, showing them that there are some good loving men around.
This is a well-written story. Would I necessarily call it a traditional love story? No. My reasons being that there are too many horrific scenes (especially when Kate finally opens up about the abuse she and Miranda suffered from) and the images of what Miranda dealt with stayed with me long after. In all honesty, I end up rooted for the little girl to finally get some peace of mind and a happy ending.
The ending wrapped up too neatly and after all they went through it was a little unrealistic. Zach’s own side story is interesting but after the painful story it seemed a bit unnecessary to add more heartache to the story.
Kate Blakey is just trying to piece together her life. After suffering at the hands of her abusive husband for so many years, she is rejoicing in her new found freedom. Life is very difficult for her and her four year old daughter, Miranda after the death of her husband but she is determined to move forward and help her child heal. Just because Kate no longer have to suffer punishment from her deceased husband, she still have to fight off his disturbing brother, Ryan, who believes that Kate should be with him and if she refuses, he will take Miranda away. Not to mention, Kate has to deal with her new ruggedly handsome neighbor, Zach McGovern.
Zach wonders what causes Kate and her daughter to become so skittish around them. When little Miranda falls in an old well, Zach risks his life to go in and save her. Bitten by snakes, Kate can’t refuse to help the man who has risked it all for her daughter. She helps heal his body and bring him back to life. While Kate works on his body, Zach slowly starts to work on their hearts, showing them that there are some good loving men around.
This is a well-written story. Would I necessarily call it a traditional love story? No. My reasons being that there are too many horrific scenes (especially when Kate finally opens up about the abuse she and Miranda suffered from) and the images of what Miranda dealt with stayed with me long after. In all honesty, I end up rooted for the little girl to finally get some peace of mind and a happy ending.
The ending wrapped up too neatly and after all they went through it was a little unrealistic. Zach’s own side story is interesting but after the painful story it seemed a bit unnecessary to add more heartache to the story.
August 2, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. The story follows Kate Blakely, a recent widow and her daughter Miranda. They are living on a farm in Oregon in the late 1800s and since Kate is alone she has to work very hard to provide for herself and her child. At the start of the novel it isn't said exactly why both Kate and Miranda are skittish and scared but it is implied that they both were victims of domestic violence. One day Kate and Miranda go on a walk and Miranda accidentally falls into a well filled with rattle snakes. Kate runs to her neighbor, Zach, and he helps her rescue Miranda but in doing so he ends up being bitten 4 times by rattle snakes. Kate nurses Zach back to health as she feels this is the least she can do for a man who helped rescue her daughter. As Zach gets better he begins to interact more with Miranda and Kate and realizes that someone has severely mistreated them before and he begins to fall in love with both Miranda and Kate. The story continues by showing exactly what Kate and Miranda had to endure while Kate was married to Joseph, a cruel religious fanatic who frequently inflected punishment on both Kate and Miranda for any minor "infraction". Zach becomes both Miranda and Kate's knight in shinning armor by teaching them to trust and making sure Joseph's equally evil brother does not harm them as well.
I loved the characters in this novel. I really enjoyed reading about how both Kate and Miranda were able to bring themselves back up after facing such atrocities. Zach's character was heartwarming and I loved reading that Miranda and Kate found a champion and got their HEA. Overall a great novel and I will be looking for more Catherine Anderson books in the future.
I loved the characters in this novel. I really enjoyed reading about how both Kate and Miranda were able to bring themselves back up after facing such atrocities. Zach's character was heartwarming and I loved reading that Miranda and Kate found a champion and got their HEA. Overall a great novel and I will be looking for more Catherine Anderson books in the future.
July 8, 2012
I bought this book thinking it was new, I was slightly mad to find out as i opened the cover to read the intro from the author that this was originally published in 1993, that they just changed the cover and re-released it in June 2012. I, thankfully, had not got to this book yet. I love Catherine Anderson and had thought that i had read all her older works, i have read as much of her stuff as i could get since i discovered her a couple of years ago. She is a wonderful writer and can always get me to cry. This book is no exception.
I really love how the hero, Zach McGovern, falls in love with the heroine, Kate Blakely, AND her daughter. I love the heroes that are family men at heart. As the story progresses he transforms from a bachelor farmer into a father that everyone wants or wants to be. He comes to understand the mother and daughter and helps them through the mental scars of the physical and mental abuse of Kate's late husband. Mrs. Anderson does a lovely job of really letting the reader see into the world of abused women and children. She made me weep when i read some of the passages, which always means high marks in my books. The story is very touching and i highly recommend it. There is a little mystery in the story but i am a fan of any crime show, mystery book ect. so it was fairly easy to solve. Overall i couldn't find any thing that i disliked about the book.
I really love how the hero, Zach McGovern, falls in love with the heroine, Kate Blakely, AND her daughter. I love the heroes that are family men at heart. As the story progresses he transforms from a bachelor farmer into a father that everyone wants or wants to be. He comes to understand the mother and daughter and helps them through the mental scars of the physical and mental abuse of Kate's late husband. Mrs. Anderson does a lovely job of really letting the reader see into the world of abused women and children. She made me weep when i read some of the passages, which always means high marks in my books. The story is very touching and i highly recommend it. There is a little mystery in the story but i am a fan of any crime show, mystery book ect. so it was fairly easy to solve. Overall i couldn't find any thing that i disliked about the book.
March 26, 2012
4.5 out of 5. A poignant and compelling novel set in the 19th century when spousal abuse was given a pass and considered the "right" of the husband who, according to that society's rules, "owned" the wife. Kate is a woman who was "given" in marriage by an uncle who was trying to do the right thing and managed to give her into the hands of an abusive psycho whose interpretation of the Biblical words about spouses is more reflective of the society than good interpretation. Now she is a widow--a truly accidental death--and mother to a child who was as terrorized as Kate. Zachariah McGovern is a man who recognizes the harm that has been done to both mother and child and with patience and genuine loving has an opportunity to heal and restore. But he must bear some burdens in that process as he faces the dead husband's brother and possible censure by a society who really doesn't care about the welfare of its women. A wonderfully written, beautiful love story and a caring look at the long-term effects of physical and psychological abuse. Just one terrific read that shouldn't be missed. This book is a re-issue and it is as pertinent and timely now as when it was first published.
April 27, 2019
This is the reissue of Catherine Anderson's book originally printed in 1993. It is a unique story because it is a romance that deals with child and wife abuse.
The day that Zachariah McGovern nearly dies, saving Kate Blakely's four-year-old daughter is the day that all their lives start to change. Zach was bitten by snakes multiple times and it took weeks for him to recover as a guest at Kate's home. As Zack recovers, he realizes that he is interested in both the mother and her daughter. He sets about wooing the mother through her daughter. He knows that Kate is a widow, but she is silent about her dead husband and is uninterested in him as a man.
Then Ryan Blakely returns to the area, he is Kate's brother-in-law and tries to coerce Kate to marry him, because it is what his 'brother wanted him to do.' Horrified, Kate refuses. However, he threatens to take Kate's daughter from her and raise the girl himself (The two brothers had told the town that Kate was mentally unstable).
The rest of the story is how Zach and Kate try to evade Ryan's machinations to destroy their lives. This is a story that will remain with the reader long after the last pages.
The day that Zachariah McGovern nearly dies, saving Kate Blakely's four-year-old daughter is the day that all their lives start to change. Zach was bitten by snakes multiple times and it took weeks for him to recover as a guest at Kate's home. As Zack recovers, he realizes that he is interested in both the mother and her daughter. He sets about wooing the mother through her daughter. He knows that Kate is a widow, but she is silent about her dead husband and is uninterested in him as a man.
Then Ryan Blakely returns to the area, he is Kate's brother-in-law and tries to coerce Kate to marry him, because it is what his 'brother wanted him to do.' Horrified, Kate refuses. However, he threatens to take Kate's daughter from her and raise the girl himself (The two brothers had told the town that Kate was mentally unstable).
The rest of the story is how Zach and Kate try to evade Ryan's machinations to destroy their lives. This is a story that will remain with the reader long after the last pages.
November 20, 2017
All I can say or do is *thumps up*
Catherine Anderson yet with another amazing book, took me to a world filled with affections and love and happy ever after.
I really adored this book, even thought it had heartbreaking moments. I especially loved the attachment that Mandy developed toward Zach. And how he responded to her feelings of attachment with the same intensity.That's why I always say single parent love book is a shipper, and its one of my favorite sub-genres.
and I noticed a pattern here, so far I finished 3 of Catherine Anderson books, and I noticed all the men, are the kind patient type, who wait for the women to open up t them. I'm not against it, in fact I find it so sweet to find men like these but alas...
So I loved the book, loved the main guy, loved the kid, and loved the relationship he developed with the family, and how he was the first man who gained heir trust.
There were plenty of cute scenes specially the ones involves Mandy XD.
Catherine Anderson yet with another amazing book, took me to a world filled with affections and love and happy ever after.
I really adored this book, even thought it had heartbreaking moments. I especially loved the attachment that Mandy developed toward Zach. And how he responded to her feelings of attachment with the same intensity.That's why I always say single parent love book is a shipper, and its one of my favorite sub-genres.
and I noticed a pattern here, so far I finished 3 of Catherine Anderson books, and I noticed all the men, are the kind patient type, who wait for the women to open up t them. I'm not against it, in fact I find it so sweet to find men like these but alas...
So I loved the book, loved the main guy, loved the kid, and loved the relationship he developed with the family, and how he was the first man who gained heir trust.
There were plenty of cute scenes specially the ones involves Mandy XD.
May 7, 2012
On the whole, a good book. What I don't know is how far-fetched the story was, given the time period, location and the fact it is a romance novel. The only thing I find too far-fetched was how the brother-in-law's ending occurred. Given that it was written by the author nearly twenty years ago, there are some things I will let pass, as I have watched her research and writing grow by leaps and bounds. As one of her early works, it is well-written. If she had written the general story about spousal abuse more recently, I would have expected far more, even with such a difficult topic.
June 8, 2012
I haven't finished reading it yet (obviously), but I'm pretty sure the author gave away the twist in her foreword. I legit gasped and exclaimed, "Spoiler!"
Edit: Okay, I've finished the book. And yes, the author did give away the twist.
Also, the phrase "I'm about that close to raping your sweet little ass" really turned me off from the male protagonist. Oh, how romantic, he doesn't trust himself not to rape her. At least he tells her about it...?
Edit: Okay, I've finished the book. And yes, the author did give away the twist.
Also, the phrase "I'm about that close to raping your sweet little ass" really turned me off from the male protagonist. Oh, how romantic, he doesn't trust himself not to rape her. At least he tells her about it...?
February 7, 2010
Lots of terrible secrets almost keep these two people apart but love and truth win out. Oregon farm wife with small daughter survive abusive husband until his death when she is determined to never marry again but her brother-in-law insists she marry him or loose her child. Her neighbor offers protection for her and the child through marriage to him.
March 19, 2015
Coming up roses, indeed. :)
September 8, 2015
I really enjoyed reading Zach and Kate's story!
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