Cherish

This was a great book! I recently read a short story by Catherine Anderson, which prompted me to seek out more of her books. I'm a die-hard historical romance fan, but sometimes the same-old formula does get old. This book was so refreshing because Anderson brings Race's emotions to life brilliantly. She does this with Rebecca's feelings as well, but everyone expects the women in romance novels to be emotional, while the men usually realize they love the heroine because they are overcome with a desire so powerful that it's different from the desire they've felt for all their previous women. Give me a break! It's so wonderful to see an author portray tough men who can feel emotions beyond just lust. Rebecca's panic attacks did wear on the nerves, but when you consider that the book only spanned a couple of months after her tragic losses, you start to see how much her personality and strength really did transform! The development of Race's and Rebecca's friendship and ultimate love was done with so much depth, and in the end both of them possessed different but equal strengths. Also, I'm happily married, but I fell head over heels in love with Race myself -- good thing he's just a character in a book!

Catherine Anderson writes romances that are so powerful and finely nuanced that they transcend their genre (not that I'm knocking romances!), and this book is no exception. It is the story of Rebecca Morgan, a member of devout religious sect that firmly believes in non-violence and is traveling across the wilderness to settle in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Along the way they are attacked by a band of outlaws that brutal murder and rape all of the sect except Rebecca. She is rescued by Race Spencer, a poorly educated former gunslinger. The two could not be more different. She is very educated and refined whereas Race grew up in the worst sort of circumstances and has never had an opportunity to go to school or enjoy any other civilized amenities. Nevertheless, he is obviously very wise in the ways of the world and incredibly compassionate. He is immediately attracted to Rebecca but recognizes not only that they are from completely different worlds but also that Rebecca has grown unhealthly dependent upon him after her recent trama. In any other book Race's mangled English would have driven me crazy, but Anderson does such a fine job of portraying Race's very practical common sense and understanding that it wasn't a distraction. In fact, I could appreciate the humor in Race and Rebecca's frequent misunderstandings. Rebecca's emotional fragility and irrational fears could be frustrating, but they are so realistic that they ring true. This is an unusual story, but one that most readers will really enjoy.

I was hesitant initally to read this book because reviews had mentioned the violence, etc. However, I found that overall this is a very good book! The characters & story are well written. The issues of violence, religion and personal choice are well done & thought provoking.

I was entranced from page one and I felt the murder-rape scene was mentioned only enough to portray what happened without going into long gory details. I fell in love with Race when he was talking to Rebecca and explaining to her why she had no reason to fear him. The way he allowed her to lean on him when she needed, yet gradually taught her to stand on her own was masterfully written. Even though some of the subject matter is disturbing, Ms. Anderson uses enough humor that the book itself is far from disturbing. I cried a time or two when I was reading this, but I laughed almost constantly. Also, I will never read Keats again without thinking of Rebecca! Thank you, Ms. Anderson. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

This was a wonderful, heartwarming book. I loved the descriptions, they were so descriptive that I could see it all before me. Catherine Anderson is a great author and Cherish lives up to her clame to fame. The hero Race Spencer, despite a painful past, is so sweet you will want him for yourself. And Rebecca, while fragile in appearance, is stronger than she thinks. Read it, you won't be disapointed.