Pink Heart Reviews
Cross The Ocean
Holly Bush
ISBN: 1586087711
New Concepts, Dec 2005, 168 Pages
Historical Romance
1871 England/America
E-book
$5.50 (US)
Reviewed by Marilyn Rondeau
June 2006
Blake Sanders, the very proud Duke of Wexford was about to have his neat, orderly world blown apart. At the age of nineteen he'd dutifully wed by his fathers decree Lady Ann. A beautiful, dutiful wife, she had borne him three children and now at the most inopportune time left him. His primary thought was the humiliation he might face, after all, it wasn't as if theirs was a love match. Though he wasn't about to find much sympathy, Blake did seek the companionship from his best friend and neighbor, Anthony Burroughs and his wife Elizabeth. Looking for companionship, Blake arrived at his friends forgetting they were entertaining a houseguest, Elizabeth's distant cousin, a spinsterish 'Amazon from America'. Blake wasn't sure what to make of Miss Gertrude Finch, but her blunt speaking and forwardness seemed to rattle the very staid and ever proper duke and she seemed to be making him act completely out of character!
Gertrude Finch, a champion for women's rights, had long ago decided most men were pretty useless. Granted he was a very handsome man, but duke or not he was truly getting on her nerves especially since he kissed his guests till they couldn't breathe! Men like him would never change. With a string of long standing mistresses a man like him could never be true to the likes of her. They rubbed each other the wrong way, although one night of passion would change her world, and also send Gert scurrying her way back home. With his heir missing, Blake set out on his own adventure to America though it wasn't just to find his heir. Not being able to get Gert out of his mind, Blake discovered she had changed his life. Traversing across America's vast wilderness, meeting common folk, revealed a whole new way of living but most of all, he realized something about love. He was discovered he was not immune, and his heart could love, and love deeply.
I loved this story from the very first page to the last. The writing was fresh, lively, poignant and at times extremely humorous. In fact, I stayed up long after my bedtime to finish it. The heroine Gertrude was a remarkable character from the first moment she enters the scene. Her down to earth plain speaking was a revelation to the aristocratic duke who having led a privileged life with people catering to his every whim discovered Gertrude as something of a culture shock!
The author painted several memorable scenes between the two protagonists that had me both laughing out loud and wiping tears from my eyes. One that will stand out forever takes place around a 'tree house' - yes indeed the reader should definitely not miss that one! This and other examples throughout the book show the authors flair for creativity and memorable comedic timing. No matter how lovely a romance can be, I personally love to see well done humor to both liven the pace and make the players more human!
This book has all the elements which make up a wonderful and heartwarming story. It was a completely delightful read from the very beginning comprised of engaging characters and beautiful imagery allowing the reader to enjoy the hero's journey as much as he did. The reader will cheer as Blake realizes how badly his prior actions had affected his ex-wife and children when he realizes the real treasures in his life, are not material goods but family. Ms. Bush paints a beautiful portrait bringing her memorable characters to life and right into your heart! Highly recommended reading!
Marilyn Rondeau also reviews for RIO — Reviewers International Organization