THE COAL GATHERER

Author: Janet Woods ISBN: 0727865463 (U.S.) 11/2007 HISTORICAL Publisher: SEVERN HOUSE
Time Period: Victorian

As the sixth of Mary Ingram's surviving children, Calandra—known as Callie—determines from an early age that she will not follow in her beloved mother's footsteps. Married into a fisherman's family near Hartlepool, Mary's life is one of hard work, unrelenting poverty and narrow horizons. One day, whilst gathering sea coal at the water's edge, Callie meets Patricia Lazarus and her brother James. Though their backgrounds are very different a friendship is forged that will last for ever. When Great-Uncle Harold offers Callie the post of companion to Patricia, it is the first step in her journey to a better life, and to a lasting love.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

My goodness, Janet Woods sure knows how to cook up a tear jerker. Right from the very start of THE COAL GATHERER, I knew that this was going to be a book that I would love, and Callie was going to be the heroine that tops them all. She was courageous, feisty and knew what it meant to take her lumps, but she just kept on fighting, she kept going back for more. She is one heck of a character, and I can honestly say that I don't believe that I have ever been more pleased with one of Ms. Wood's heroines the way I am with Callie.

Born into a huge family that tops out somewhere in the teens, Callie is just another face in the crowd to her parents on the day she is born. But as time goes on, Callie becomes queen of the castle, even sneaking a way into her dad's cranky ol' heart somehow. She is a beauty, with a heart of gold and a hard working nature that just won't quit. She is a fighter through and through, and when her family falls on hard times, it just seems logical for her to help out more so her mother won't get so worn out. When she meets an invalid girl her own age on the beach, it changes the course of her life, possibly forever.

Theron Grace can hardly believe that his ward, Patricia, has met such a wonderful friend in a little poor girl from this quaint little seaside town. Determined to help her through the time that she is going through, and unable to say no to any of Patricia's requests, Theron allows Callie to work for their family.

I liked Theron's character very much, maybe not as much as Callie, but I did like him and think he was great for our Calendra. My reasons for not liking him as much are pretty simple—at times, he shows a tendency towards selfish behavior, nothing cruel, nothing unforgivable, but selfish just the same. Either way, he is the man that Callie needs him to be and I love him for the simple fact that he literally saved her. He came to her rescue time after time, and when she needs him the most, he is always there.

Callie has been through some of the worst experiences that I could ever imagine. I thoroughly enjoyed the relationship that Callie had with her mother and cried tears when it had to come to an end. The ending of THE COAL GATHERER is just superb—I could not have asked for better, and I have decided that I am truly in love with Janet Woods' stories!

Kristal Gorman