Tags
Cait Sidhe, Cait Sidhe Reviews, Contemporary Romance, Janet Dailey, Letters From Peaceful Lane, The New Americana series, Wickedcoolflight, Wickedcoolflight Reviews
In the rugged Ozarks of beautiful Branson, Missouri, a woman struggles to save her marriage–and finds answers from an unexpected source . . .
Allison felt like she’d stepped into a fairy tale when she married widower Burke Caldwell. But after less than a year of marriage, he’s become removed and distant. His friends see Allison as little more than a trophy wife, his only daughter regards her as the enemy. With everyone so devoted to the memory of Burke’s first wife, Kate, how can Allison possibly compete? Then a harrowing car crash leaves Burke badly injured. But it becomes achingly clear that the woman Burke wants by his side is the wife he lost . . .
No longer able to dismiss the power Kate still holds, Allison can’t resist reading a trove of hidden letters from Kate to Burke. What she discovers sets her mind reeling. The letters give Allison an enlightening window into her husband’s heart. But will she have the courage to put aside her own fears, and grab hold of a love as big and bold as the man she once dared to marry?
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The Wickedcoolflight Crew
***Cait Sidhe’s Review of Letters from Peaceful Lane***
I loved reading Janet Dailey growing up. I remember her Americana series, where every state had a story. Obviously, I picked these up during a reprint, because I certainly wasn’t reading romance, or even reading for that matter, at the time they were published. I probably would be disappointed rereading that series now, as an adult. There’s a bit of nostalgia for me that probably wouldn’t survive a second reading, but when I saw Letters from Peaceful Lane, it was enough to make me want to pick it up.
I think you either love Janet Dailey’s writing or hate it so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from Letters. Reading letters from your husband’s previous wife? A wife that died, and seems to be without reproach from both husband and step-daughter? Eeep. Why would anyone do that? There’s no denying that Allison is head over heels in love with her husband Burke, but when a car accident and money troubles leave the future uncertain, there’s so much more at hand. Allison begins as a spoiled socialite, the exact opposite of Burke’s previous wife. Constantly compared to Kate by not only Burke’s friends but also Burke’s extremely spoiled daughter, Brianna, Allison soon finds that being the trophy wife isn’t all it’s cut out to be.
There was so much character growth in this book from Allison, and eventually from Brianna as well. Surprisingly, I liked Allison from the start. I think she’s trying to be something she’s not to make Burke happy, but what she doesn’t realize is that he’s only trying to be what he thinks makes her happy. When he’s left helpless after the accident, and the true extent of the failing business and skeezy partner is exposed, Allison meets everything head-on, with determination and courage.
Letters from Peaceful Lane was a surprise. It was fast-paced, with mystery and suspense, and even a mob connection! There are so many sub-plots: the financial strain, the creepy business partner that wants to let the mob finance the business and keep making moves on Allison, the stepdaughter that seriously needs to grow up, and more! This book had so much going on that reading the letters from Kate was only a tiny part. While I didn’t care as much for Burke, I really liked Allison’s strength and spirit.
I give Letters from Peaceful Lane 4 out of 5 propellers!
About the Author
Janet Anne Haradon Dailey was an American author of numerous romance novels as Janet Dailey (her married name). Her novels have been translated into nineteen languages and have sold over 300 million copies worldwide.
Born in 1944 in Storm Lake, Iowa, she attended secretarial school in Omaha, Nebraska before meeting her husband, Bill. Bill and Janet worked together in construction and land development until they “retired” to travel throughout the United States, inspiring Janet to write the Americana series of romances, where she set a novel in every state of the Union. In 1974, Janet Dailey was the first American author to write for Harlequin. Her first novel was NO QUARTER ASKED.
She had since gone on to write approximately 90 novels, 21 of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List. She won many awards and accolades for her work, appearing widely on Radio and Television. Today, there are over three hundred million Janet Dailey books in print in 19 different languages, making her one of the most popular novelists in the world.
Janet Dailey passed away peacefully in her home in Branson on Saturday, December 14, 2013. She was 69.
