Helpful Score: 1
Dove's Way is the story of two very wounded people who find healing in each others arms. If you're in the mood for a moving romance (and a good cry) this book is a great choice.
Finnea Winslet grew up wild and free in Africa under the loving guidance of her father. When her dad dies Finnea is left all alone and must travel to Boston to meet the mother who deserted her nineteen years earlier. She is told that a fellow American named Matthew Hawthorne will accompany her safely home while she rides the dangerous African railway.
When Finnea first meets Matthew he is rude, threatening and does his best to scare her senseless but fails. Matthew only wanted to be left alone and is amazed that Finnea doesn't flinch when she glances at his facial scar. Finnea sees it as "character" and isn't bothered at all by his blustery attitude. When the train derails Matthew spends a harried night watching over Finnea until help arrives. When Finnea wakes Matthew is gone before she can thank him and she believes she'll never see him again.
A few months later Finnea is in Boston trying hard to fit in and learn all of the ridiculously stifling rules that a proper lady must follow when she meets up with Matthew again. He saves her from embarrassment during a dinner party and she decides then and there that he will teach her how to become a proper Boston lady. She does not care that he craves solitude. She is relentless and he soon caves in.
What follows is a very satisfying romance between two tortured souls. And I do mean tortured. Both Finnea and Matthew have deep emotional wounds and many trials to overcome before they find their happy ever after. This is an angst filled read but it never became overwhelmingly depressing because of the gentle humor interwoven into the story.
Finnea Winslet grew up wild and free in Africa under the loving guidance of her father. When her dad dies Finnea is left all alone and must travel to Boston to meet the mother who deserted her nineteen years earlier. She is told that a fellow American named Matthew Hawthorne will accompany her safely home while she rides the dangerous African railway.
When Finnea first meets Matthew he is rude, threatening and does his best to scare her senseless but fails. Matthew only wanted to be left alone and is amazed that Finnea doesn't flinch when she glances at his facial scar. Finnea sees it as "character" and isn't bothered at all by his blustery attitude. When the train derails Matthew spends a harried night watching over Finnea until help arrives. When Finnea wakes Matthew is gone before she can thank him and she believes she'll never see him again.
A few months later Finnea is in Boston trying hard to fit in and learn all of the ridiculously stifling rules that a proper lady must follow when she meets up with Matthew again. He saves her from embarrassment during a dinner party and she decides then and there that he will teach her how to become a proper Boston lady. She does not care that he craves solitude. She is relentless and he soon caves in.
What follows is a very satisfying romance between two tortured souls. And I do mean tortured. Both Finnea and Matthew have deep emotional wounds and many trials to overcome before they find their happy ever after. This is an angst filled read but it never became overwhelmingly depressing because of the gentle humor interwoven into the story.
Matthew Hawthorne saved Finnea Winslet's life one day on a train in Africa. But Finnea didn't know about the day she saved his soul.
"Even months after that day on the train, her face still haunted my dreams. And I was sure the feel of her in my arms would stay with me forever. But then one night, she stepped back into my life as if walking into my dreams..."
Matthew Hawthorne saved Finnea Winslet's life one day on a train in Africa. But Finnea didn't know that on that day she saved Matthew's soul. Destroyed by scandal, Matthew would have been ostracized completely by the unyielding society of his birth had he not been such an influential man. Matthew doesn't let himself care about anyone or anything-until Finnea arrives unexpectedly in Matthew's hometown, Boston.
Raised in Africa, Finnea is as foreign to Bostonians as they are to her. Yet she is determined to make a new life for herself, so she turns to Matthew to learn the ways of that rigid town. But can Matthew help Finnea without losing what is left of his heart?
From the jungles of Africa to the heart of Boston society, Dove's Way is an extraordinary tale of redeeming love that will rescue a man-and release a woman from the pain in her heart.
Matthew Hawthorne saved Finnea Winslet's life one day on a train in Africa. But Finnea didn't know that on that day she saved Matthew's soul. Destroyed by scandal, Matthew would have been ostracized completely by the unyielding society of his birth had he not been such an influential man. Matthew doesn't let himself care about anyone or anything-until Finnea arrives unexpectedly in Matthew's hometown, Boston.
Raised in Africa, Finnea is as foreign to Bostonians as they are to her. Yet she is determined to make a new life for herself, so she turns to Matthew to learn the ways of that rigid town. But can Matthew help Finnea without losing what is left of his heart?
From the jungles of Africa to the heart of Boston society, Dove's Way is an extraordinary tale of redeeming love that will rescue a man-and release a woman from the pain in her heart.
5 star historical romance. I agree with the others-it made me cry:)
This is just one of a great series.
Dove's Way is the story of two very wounded people who find healing in each others arms. If you're in the mood for a moving romance (and a good cry) this book is a great choice.
Finnea Winslet grew up wild and free in Africa under the loving guidance of her father. When her dad dies Finnea is left all alone and must travel to Boston to meet the mother who deserted her nineteen years earlier. She is told that a fellow American named Matthew Hawthorne will accompany her safely home while she rides the dangerous African railway.
When Finnea first meets Matthew he is rude, threatening and does his best to scare her senseless but fails. Matthew only wanted to be left alone and is amazed that Finnea doesn't flinch when she glances at his facial scar. Finnea sees it as "character" and isn't bothered at all by his blustery attitude. When the train derails Matthew spends a harried night watching over Finnea until help arrives. When Finnea wakes Matthew is gone before she can thank him and she believes she'll never see him again.
A few months later Finnea is in Boston trying hard to fit in and learn all of the ridiculously stifling rules that a proper lady must follow when she meets up with Matthew again. He saves her from embarrassment during a dinner party and she decides then and there that he will teach her how to become a proper Boston lady. She does not care that he craves solitude. She is relentless and he soon caves in.
What follows is a very satisfying romance between two tortured souls. And I do mean tortured. Both Finnea and Matthew have deep emotional wounds and many trials to overcome before they find their happy ever after. This is an angst filled read but it never became overwhelmingly depressing because of the gentle humor interwoven into the story.
This book would have received five stars but I did feel a bit cheated because a pivotal scene that occurred in Africa was not included in the book - only alluded to throughout the story. This was very disappointing in an otherwise perfect book. Or maybe I'm just being greedy!
Finnea Winslet grew up wild and free in Africa under the loving guidance of her father. When her dad dies Finnea is left all alone and must travel to Boston to meet the mother who deserted her nineteen years earlier. She is told that a fellow American named Matthew Hawthorne will accompany her safely home while she rides the dangerous African railway.
When Finnea first meets Matthew he is rude, threatening and does his best to scare her senseless but fails. Matthew only wanted to be left alone and is amazed that Finnea doesn't flinch when she glances at his facial scar. Finnea sees it as "character" and isn't bothered at all by his blustery attitude. When the train derails Matthew spends a harried night watching over Finnea until help arrives. When Finnea wakes Matthew is gone before she can thank him and she believes she'll never see him again.
A few months later Finnea is in Boston trying hard to fit in and learn all of the ridiculously stifling rules that a proper lady must follow when she meets up with Matthew again. He saves her from embarrassment during a dinner party and she decides then and there that he will teach her how to become a proper Boston lady. She does not care that he craves solitude. She is relentless and he soon caves in.
What follows is a very satisfying romance between two tortured souls. And I do mean tortured. Both Finnea and Matthew have deep emotional wounds and many trials to overcome before they find their happy ever after. This is an angst filled read but it never became overwhelmingly depressing because of the gentle humor interwoven into the story.
This book would have received five stars but I did feel a bit cheated because a pivotal scene that occurred in Africa was not included in the book - only alluded to throughout the story. This was very disappointing in an otherwise perfect book. Or maybe I'm just being greedy!
It's been awhile since I've cried while reading. I was both moved and touched by the characters and their stories. The writer's style was interesting. She was excellent at weaving together all the different aspects of the peoples lives so that we could see the multitude of layers so many characters often lack. It was a moving story about the pain that ruin our lives and the love that can bring us through it. I was somewhat surprised at the twists the story took but in the end I was grateful for the journey.
Finnea Winslet, born in Boston, has spent the last 19 of her 25 years in Africa with her father. When her father, a rubber tree farmer, dies of jungle fever, Finnea is forced to return to Boston to a brother she doesnt remember and a mother who abandoned her when she was six.
Because the area is wild and dangerous, an American named Matthew Hawthorne is hired to ride the African train together with Finnea. Hawthorne, infamous in the wilds of Africa, manages to terrify the other passengers from the car in which he riding. As they are scattering to other cars, Finnea arrives and sits. Although Hawthorne tries to scare her too, she is unfazed by his antics and unspeakably horrible facial scar.
As they are staring at one another, the train derails; Matthew saves her life by fighting to keep her alive until help came the next morning. By the time she finally awakens in a hospital, Matthew is gone. She assumes she will never see the man again.
Months after her ordeal and recovery, we find Finnea trying to fit into Boston society. After the freedom of Africa, the strict mores of Boston seem stupid and rigid. However, Finnea tries very hard to please her mother; her brother seems to barely tolerate Finnea.
Invited to her first formal dinner party, Finnea is stunned to see the incredible number of forks, spoons and knives arrayed around her plate. However, she has another shock coming Matthew is also at the party.
He seems intent on being as indifferent to Finnea as possible. However, when she creates a stir with a terrible social faux pas, Matthew saves her. Realizing that the heady society that her mother and brother move in will not tolerate much more from her, Finnea decides that Matthew will teacher her everything she needs to know of Boston society. As you might imagine, Matthew is underwhelmed with the offer. He refuses; he storms; he rants. The next day they start!
Before you imagine that this is a story of manners and Boston, it isnt. This is a story about 2 seriously damaged people trying to cope. We learn of Matthews shattering story but later, we find Finneas back story to be soul-searing.
The author did a beautiful job of conveying emotions. This book is definitely a keeper; it is the first book of a trilogy.
Dove's Way (2000)
Swan's Grace (2000)
Nightingale's Gate (2001)
Because the area is wild and dangerous, an American named Matthew Hawthorne is hired to ride the African train together with Finnea. Hawthorne, infamous in the wilds of Africa, manages to terrify the other passengers from the car in which he riding. As they are scattering to other cars, Finnea arrives and sits. Although Hawthorne tries to scare her too, she is unfazed by his antics and unspeakably horrible facial scar.
As they are staring at one another, the train derails; Matthew saves her life by fighting to keep her alive until help came the next morning. By the time she finally awakens in a hospital, Matthew is gone. She assumes she will never see the man again.
Months after her ordeal and recovery, we find Finnea trying to fit into Boston society. After the freedom of Africa, the strict mores of Boston seem stupid and rigid. However, Finnea tries very hard to please her mother; her brother seems to barely tolerate Finnea.
Invited to her first formal dinner party, Finnea is stunned to see the incredible number of forks, spoons and knives arrayed around her plate. However, she has another shock coming Matthew is also at the party.
He seems intent on being as indifferent to Finnea as possible. However, when she creates a stir with a terrible social faux pas, Matthew saves her. Realizing that the heady society that her mother and brother move in will not tolerate much more from her, Finnea decides that Matthew will teacher her everything she needs to know of Boston society. As you might imagine, Matthew is underwhelmed with the offer. He refuses; he storms; he rants. The next day they start!
Before you imagine that this is a story of manners and Boston, it isnt. This is a story about 2 seriously damaged people trying to cope. We learn of Matthews shattering story but later, we find Finneas back story to be soul-searing.
The author did a beautiful job of conveying emotions. This book is definitely a keeper; it is the first book of a trilogy.
Dove's Way (2000)
Swan's Grace (2000)
Nightingale's Gate (2001)
