Kristi J. (midwinter) reviewed The Midwife's Secret (Harlequin Historical, No 644) on + 75 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Reviewer: valentina1209 (Long Island, NY) -
The setting was described so magnificiently that I feel compelled to visit Banff in Canada someday. I felt a great deal of admiration for Amanda. She showed courage, independence and strength above and beyond the stereotypical prairie woman of 1888. She dealt with her "secrets" of divorce and infertility with the attitude of a modern day woman. One could help but love Amanda's equally wonderful gradmother Miss Clementine - what a hoot! The way these women opened their heart to others, the ill and suffering in their community as well as orphaned children, even when many of the same people weren't very accepting of them, was very special. And the chemistry between Tom and Amanda sizzled off the pages - I love the scene, on the night of the ball celebrating the opening of the Banff Springs Hotel, when they first made love out in the open air - very romantic and sensual!
The setting was described so magnificiently that I feel compelled to visit Banff in Canada someday. I felt a great deal of admiration for Amanda. She showed courage, independence and strength above and beyond the stereotypical prairie woman of 1888. She dealt with her "secrets" of divorce and infertility with the attitude of a modern day woman. One could help but love Amanda's equally wonderful gradmother Miss Clementine - what a hoot! The way these women opened their heart to others, the ill and suffering in their community as well as orphaned children, even when many of the same people weren't very accepting of them, was very special. And the chemistry between Tom and Amanda sizzled off the pages - I love the scene, on the night of the ball celebrating the opening of the Banff Springs Hotel, when they first made love out in the open air - very romantic and sensual!
Anny P. (wolfnme) reviewed The Midwife's Secret (Harlequin Historical, No 644) on + 3389 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Amanda Ryan has arrived in the town of Banff in the district of Alberta in 1888. I had to chuckle at the townspeoples reaction to her bicycle. They were scandalized!
Tom Burdock was not in the right frame of mind to deal with someone who appearently has a deed to his property. How can he reconcile the fact that his partner has taken him to the cleaners?
Amanda feels the same attraction for Tom that he feels but to safe-guard her secret she must deny her feelings. She has her grandmother, Miss Clementine and herself to take care of - Don't need a man, thank-you very much. Miss Clementine does seem to adopt Tom's father.
Tom is being run ragged between keeping his business problems and his attraction to Amanda under wraps.
Then the opportunity to take in two orphans presents itself to Amanda and it brings more meaning to her life. Her neighbor Ellie O'Hara, who is pregnant [and her family] are becoming great friends with Amanda.
Ah, but Tom has a Doctor brother, Quaid Murdock who looks down on Amanda but in the end gratefully accepts her help with his wife.
Opps! Amanda found out that Tom's almost intended, Clarissa took off with Finnegan, Tom's partner. And doggonit she would show up at the celebration dance.
I felt almost as bad for Tom as I did for Amanda when I found out her secret - I guess that is what makes an excellent story.
I did love the way Amanda handled her two orphans, Margaux and her brother, Josh - especially after Margaux nailed Tom with the fish hook. Oow!
Tom Burdock was not in the right frame of mind to deal with someone who appearently has a deed to his property. How can he reconcile the fact that his partner has taken him to the cleaners?
Amanda feels the same attraction for Tom that he feels but to safe-guard her secret she must deny her feelings. She has her grandmother, Miss Clementine and herself to take care of - Don't need a man, thank-you very much. Miss Clementine does seem to adopt Tom's father.
Tom is being run ragged between keeping his business problems and his attraction to Amanda under wraps.
Then the opportunity to take in two orphans presents itself to Amanda and it brings more meaning to her life. Her neighbor Ellie O'Hara, who is pregnant [and her family] are becoming great friends with Amanda.
Ah, but Tom has a Doctor brother, Quaid Murdock who looks down on Amanda but in the end gratefully accepts her help with his wife.
Opps! Amanda found out that Tom's almost intended, Clarissa took off with Finnegan, Tom's partner. And doggonit she would show up at the celebration dance.
I felt almost as bad for Tom as I did for Amanda when I found out her secret - I guess that is what makes an excellent story.
I did love the way Amanda handled her two orphans, Margaux and her brother, Josh - especially after Margaux nailed Tom with the fish hook. Oow!
LaVonne W. (Grnemae) -
Helpful Score: 1
A great story set in the beautiful Canadian Rockies. I lived for many years near the setting of this book in Banff and the author did her research and accurately describes the beauty of the area.
Amanda is a very strong woman haunted by the secret that she is barren. Will she ever find a man who can overlook that flaw? Is Tom the one, or is he like all the rest and only wants a wife who can provide him heirs? Tom is also keeping a secret- one he does not anyone in Banff to learn. Can Amanda and Tom get past their perceived differences and find what they are each looking for - love?
Amanda is a very strong woman haunted by the secret that she is barren. Will she ever find a man who can overlook that flaw? Is Tom the one, or is he like all the rest and only wants a wife who can provide him heirs? Tom is also keeping a secret- one he does not anyone in Banff to learn. Can Amanda and Tom get past their perceived differences and find what they are each looking for - love?
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