LETTER PERFECT

Author: Cathy Marie Hake ISBN: 0764201654 8/2006 HISTORICAL Publisher: BETHANY HOUSE
Time Period: Old West

If her own two feet don't end up tripping her, Ruth Caldwell's mouth is likely to get her into equal trouble. But Ruth has the best of intentions. Truly. It's just that her attempts to live up to her mother's expectations of how a lady should act have often yielded…well, less than impressive results. Josh McCain is speechless when he sees Ruth step off the stage in Folsom, California. Sure, it looks like she's been sleeping in her gown for the past week, but with a crown of riotous curls and those deep green eyes, she's certainly the most beautiful woman he’s ever met. But Josh soon finds the sparks that fly upon Ruth's arrival aren't the romantic type. With her legitimate claims to an inheritance, the Broken P Ranch's future is suddenly precarious. And when Ruth's "accidents"—going beyond even her normal bumbling ways—seem to take a sinister turn, Josh must decide where his loyalties lie.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Ruth is an accident waiting to happen. It seems she can't go five minutes without getting smudge on her face or a stain on her dress. Will she be a social disgrace forever? Maybe not... Welcome to California.

Ruth is a true "ugly duckling" story. What she lacks in social graces she more than makes up for with a kind spirit and an overflowing heart. It takes a fair share of struggles and the relaxed society of California for her to realize her potential. Of course, the attentions of a handsome rancher don't hurt either.

Hake provides laughter, love, mystery and deceit in this frontier tale. Add in characters that epitomize the God-fearing men and women of the Old West, and you have a story that's as good for entertaining as it is for the soul. Who ever said you can't have a good romance without all the fooling around.

Amanda Rutherford