A Man for Temperance

This was a very different reading experience for historical romance. The heroine is not the usual striking beauty,and the hero is a despicable drunken slob! I enjoyed reading it however and it kept my interest throughout.Why I couldn't give it 5 stars,is that I felt totally disconnected and unconcerned with the hero until very close to the end when his change is so dramatic that it was just too unbelievable to me. The same with the orphan Rena. I believe I would have cared more about these two characters if the author would have given us some of their private thoughts,about why they were such nasty characters,and maybe had them feel some occasional remorse,but I never really liked or cared about either Thaddeus or Rena.We never really get to know them. It's like they are always talked about,but seldom speak themselves,and almost never do we get any of their private thoughts. Otherwise,it was a good read.Temperance Peabody and the other characters were more likable,except Quaid a former friend of Thaddeus,but now rival for the attentions of Temperance. I didn't like or trust him either.

AS ALWAYS, GILBERT MORRIS DOES AN EXCELLENT JOB IN BRINGING THIS BOOK TO LIFE. I ENJOYED IT THOROUGHLY AND LOOK FORWARD TO HIS NEXT BOOK.

Temperance Peabody has the daunting responsibility of getting six orphaned kids to their relatives back East. Against his will, but indebted to Temperance, Thaddeus Brennan has agreed to be their guide. His hate for children and dislike of Temperance makes the arrangement less than ideal, but Temperance has no choice, and Thaddeus has reason himself to put space between him and the little town of Walla Walla, Oregon. A MAN FOR TEMPERANCE is an enjoyable story. Though somewhat predictable, some amusing twists added to the pleasure of reading it. Thaddeus is far from hero status when he is introduced in the story. A hard man with a hot temper and an unhealthy drinking habit, Thaddeus¡¯ bristly ways takes some time to warm up to. Temperance, ever level-headed in the task before her, butts heads with Thaddeus but has to put up with his vices if she is going to see the kids safely home to their extended families. The characters of Rena, Belle, and Quaid, really added to the story. I especially enjoyed watching the transformation in Rena. With its western setting and colorful characters, A MAN FOR TEMPERANCE has entertained me enough that I have decided to read SANTA FE WOMAN, the first book in the Wagon Wheel series by GILBERT MORRIS.