Diane E. Tatum

I enjoyed reading this book by Diane Tatum, although I did wonder at the historical accuracy at times. The heroine was raised in a brothel yet managed to become a caring Christian because of her benefactor and guardian, a Harvard seminary professor. i wondered that the good professor allowed her to continue living in conditions that could easily have gone the other way... In any case, he becomes a matchmaker of sorts when he gets her a job as a clerk in a frontier town and places her in the charge of one of his former students who is now a pastor.

Predictably, romance ensues. There were lots of stock characters in the town - something I rather enjoyed - such as the kniving ex-girlfriend and her knave brother. Just when we think the two will get together, another obstacle prevents it. I really liked the book, but I just couldn't help feeling like the social behavior was more current (a.k.a. liberal) than would have been the norm in those days. (Examples: almost everyone accepts her without a qualm despite her pedigree; her mother, the brothel owner, is presented as a caring business woman; the pastor recants his decision to allow her to wear hoop earrings; the wife of the town bad guy is allowed to stand up in church and belittle him in public...)

That being said, it was enjoyable read - just a a sweet romance of this sort should be.

I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review.… (más)