From the Bookshelf of Mostly Sapphic…

Charity (The Charity Series)

Paulette Callen

Start date: November 1, 2013

Finish date: November 30, 2013

Discussion: Book of the Month

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 56 topics — 2,668 comments total

Book of the Month

* Book of the Month Announcement
By Cheri , HMIC · 5 posts · 215 views

last updated Jan 06, 2017 04:41AM

* BotM Suggestions
By Cheri , HMIC · 66 posts · 153 views

last updated Nov 20, 2018 10:39AM

showing 2 of 2 topics view all »

What Members Thought

May 29, 2021 Netgyrl (Laura) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, western, _sapphic-romance, 1800s, own, historical-romance

4 ⭐ - Interesting read.

I an not sure what to say about this book. I was confused about what I was reading for about half the book because you are dropped into what feels like the middle of the story. It took me awhile to warm up to the characters. Once I got to about the 50% mark, I had a really hard time putting the book down and I just basically spent my entire Saturday finishing it. While there is a wlw relationship in the book and its a important this story is more well rounded with other i ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

Oct 20, 2013 Cheri rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romance, lgbtq, historical-fiction

I loved this book. It's a very well written historical novel and I recommend it to anyone who is looking for a great book in that genre. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Mar 02, 2014 Terry Baker rated it it was amazing

Originally from the east and well educated, Gustie Roemer, has now settled in Charity, South Dakota. Gustie is still considered by the town folk to be an outsider in spite of becoming the local school teacher.

Gustie and local woman, Lena Kaiser, a sodbusters daughter, strike up an unlikely friendship. Soon Lena is sharing problems with Gustie, she wouldn’t dream of telling anyone else. It’s good for Lena to have someone to confide in, as her husband Will is a drunkard and although not violent, Originally from the east and well educated, Gustie Roemer, has now settled in Charity, South Dakota. Gustie is still considered by the town folk to be an outsider in spite of becoming the local school teacher.

Gustie and local woman, Lena Kaiser, a sodbusters daughter, strike up an unlikely friendship. Soon Lena is sharing problems with Gustie, she wouldn’t dream of telling anyone else. It’s good for Lena to have someone to confide in, as her husband Will is a drunkard and although not violent, his antics do give Lena cause for concern.

Gustie also strikes up a deep friendship with two women on the nearby Sioux Reservation. The old medicine woman, Dorcas Many Roads, who lives out at Crows Kill and her adopted granddaughter, Jordis. Jordis is known as a two spirit woman, which basically means she has the spirit of both man and woman in her. Jordis has had a white mans education and still bears the deep scars, which has made her somewhat bitter and defensive.

The quiet life on the prairie isn’t quiet for long. Lena’s husband Will gets arrested for murdering his father. Gustie’s past catches up with her and her deep dark secrets are revealed. Lena, Gustie and Jordis form a bond and stand together as true friends do. This doesn’t sit too well with the small minded white folks of Charity.

Deep, horrendous secrets within the small town that have remained buried for years are gradually exposed. Present day tragedies interweave throughout everyday lives. But, true friendship, love and strength prevail through their tough prairie lives.

I love a good western. This one is a blockbuster. I know this is a revamped, republished book, but I missed it the first time round. I’m so pleased it has seen the light of day again and with a sequel, Fervent Charity, no less. One which I can’t wait to read now.

This book is well written and from the scenic descriptions, I lost myself totally out on the prairie. All these characters, without exception, are fully developed and multidimensional. They all play well together. Even the baddies are great to read about.

The story is emotional, stormy, dark and turbulent, with many twists and turns throughout. If you are looking for a great book set in the old wild west where cowboys and Indians interact together, look no further. This should hit the spot. A definite re-read for me.

...more

Like · see review

Feb 07, 2021 Bonnie rated it really liked it

If you like some spiritual and mystical stuff going on in your novels, this might be for you. Enjoyable plot and characters with a little mystery thrown in.

1 like · Like · see review