Last week, I read debut Love Inspired Historical novelist, Jessica Nelson’s Love on the Range and thoroughly enjoyed it. I had no idea that the FBI had already been formed at the time of WWI, which was enough of a hook to pique this romantic suspense reader’s interest. Add to that the undercover angle–a topic dear to my heart–and you’ll keep me reading into the wee hours. Not to mention that I’m a sucker for a hero in a cowboy hat. ~grin~
Today I’d like to chat about one of the questions from the back of the book, but first…the overview.
Any other socialite would view being packed off to a remote
Oregon ranch as a punishment. But Gracelyn Riley knows that this is her opportunity to become a real reporter. If she can make her name through an interview with the elusive hero known as Striker, then she’ll never have to depend on anyone ever again.
Rancher Trevor Cruz can’t believe his secret identity is being endangered by an overly chatty city girl. But if there’s one thing he knows, it’s that Gracie’s pretty little snooping nose is bound to get her in trouble. So he’ll use her determination to find “Striker” to keep an eye on her…and stick close by her side.
Jessica did a great job of characterizing her brooding hero and her chatty naive, but endearing, young heroine. Trevor Cruz has a sad past. The son of a prostitute and a father who never had a kind word for him, he doesn’t believe in a God of love. While the heroine, a joyous believer, comes from a privileged, upper-class, Bostonian family and has never faced crises in her life…at least not at the beginning of the story. She’s traveled West to both escape the scourge of the influenza epidemic and to secure her independence by proving her mettle as a reporter.
But she soon discovers that life in the hot, barren plains is much different then she’d imagined and perhaps not a life she could embrace. Whereas Trevor loves the open range.
Your Turn: Given their vastly different backgrounds, do you think a romantic relationship like theirs can last? What common values do you think create a satisfying, lasting relationship?
This week I’ll be giving away my gently read copy of Love on the Range to one of the commenters on today’s or Wednesday’s blog. Check back Friday to see if it’s you.
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This is the second time I have seen Jessica Nelson’s book, Love on the Range, featured on one of the blogs I follow. It sounds like a great read – it’s definitely on my list!
This is a great conversation, and something people need to consider before they marry. For minor things, opposites are no big deal, in fact it can be fun and exciting to marry someone a little bit different than you. But in the end, your views and ideas need to match, or there will be problems later, no matter how much fun the person seems in the begiining. How you will raise your children, where you will worship as a family, where you will live, will the mom stay home to raise the children, how responsible are you both with money…questions like this need to be discussed and understood upfront.
My daughter was recently asked this very question in her Sunday school class. I was not there, but her teacher spoke to me afterward and told me my daughter had some insightful ideas (as if I didn’t know that already-my eyes are rolling.) Anyway, this is how she equated marrying someone who is your opposite:
She explained how her dad is in politics and how it is very difficult to get anything done because ideas are so opposite from one another. She said to marry someone who has different views than you do would be like a constant debate or argument.
Whereas, I think she has a point, she is young with no life experience. 🙂
I personally think we need to be a little different than our spouse. I am creative and more compassionate than my husband, who is more analytical and straight-forward than I. I think together we make up a whole well-rounded person. Which I also think is by God’s design.
Excellent points, Katy. My s-i-l told me that I complement my hubby well…implying I light a fire under him to get things done. 🙂 He is an eldest child, while I am a youngest and its interesting to see how like many oldest children its difficult for him to accept help, whereas I welcome it gladly. 🙂 So I definitely see how our differences make us a better couple, but I totally agree with you on figuring out what’s non-negotiable to you long before you say I do.
I’m nearing the end of Love on The Range. I am loving this book! Don’t put me in for the drawing…I have the book.
I have this one one my tottering TBR pile, so don’t add me in the draw. You’ve made me want to read it more than ever now!
I definitely feel that there are some fundamental like-minded thinking that needs to go on between a couple for a successful marriage. Faith is one and money is another. I don’t think you have to think exactly alike on these subjects, but you need to have the same goals in sight.
Hope that makes sense. It’s been a long day and I have book-fair-brain!!!!