Her Dearest Enemy

We find hard headed pride and a bit of ego that generally messes up peoples lives. Harriet Smith has lived in near poverty to accumulate enough money to send her brother, Will to college. Because of his experience with Jenny's mother, Brandon Calhoun want a highly respectable man for his daughter's husband. It seems that Will, 19 and Jenny, 17 had their own plans and was not going to give into the older folks. It ended up with Will and Jenny saving Brandon's life. Harriet trying to reconcile Jenny with her father. And Harriet and Brandon's hormones doing a flash dance every time they met each other. But now pay attention - at the dance Harriet flirted a little with the sheriff, Matt. T. Langtry. Even though the sheriff, 25 was younger than Harriet, the little green monster danced through Brandon. Matt Langtry leads us back to Wyoming and the Tollivers in his story, WYOMING WILDFIRE. Don't forget to follow the goings on of the mean Keetch brothers and their dealings with Brandon Calhoun, the banker. Definitely a good read - except for all the PMS.

HER DEAREST ENEMY is a simple little western with a tender, innocent touch. Elizabeth Lane easily draws the reader into her story by using wonderful description and expression. In the year 1884, Brandon Calhoun is the richest man in Dutchman's Creek and he wants the best for his only daughter. And the best is not poor, young Will Smith. Harriet Smith is Dutchman's Creek's unpretentious schoolmarm. She is also Will Smith's straightforward older sister and she is not impressed with Brandon Calhoun's snide remarks or his attempts to manhandle her family. Why the self-righteous prig even tried to buy her! Jenny Calhoun and Will Smith are young and in love. Too bad no one will endorse their happiness or their desired marriage. Now, the two youthful sweethearts have no other choice - they must elope! After all, a baby needs a family. The author writes a wonderful heroine in Harriet Smith; her leading lady is witty, strong, and kind. Her hero, Brandon Calhoun, is cast as a gruff, no-nonsense man on the outside, but inside his heart is full of love - a love he tries to hide from his estranged daughter. Yet, it is the growing love Calhoun feels for the cantankerous Miss Harriet Smith that truly has him befuddled! Elizabeth Lane does an attractive job building Brandon and Harriet's relationship. The reader knows where that relationship is going, but the ride there is still fun and sparkling. Admirably, Ms. Lane never allows her story to drag, she keeps it moving at an even pace, and allows the reader to finish satisfied - sometimes the simple things in life are clearly rewarding. Nicely done Elizabeth Lane. Grade A- This review is based on an Advanced Reading Copy. MaryGrace Meloche

Brandon Calhoun owns the bank in Dutchman Creek, Colorado, Harriet Smith is the schoolmarm. Brandon is in his late 30's raising his daughter, Jenny alone after the dead of his wife. Harriet is 29 also raising her younger brother, Will after the death of their parents. Both have big plans for the young adults in their charge and it doesn't involve falling in love and marriage while still in their teens...but that is just what happens after Jenny becomes pregnant. Brandon gives Jenny a choice....have the baby in Baltimore and let a family adopt it or he would cut her off. She choose her baby and marriage to Will. Harriet loves both Will and Jenny so she lets them live with her in her tiny rented house. She tries to heal the rift between father and daughter keeping the communications open by visiting Brandon with updates on his daughter. Each time Harriet and Brandon are in the same room sparks fly....but only in his dreams does Brandon make love to Harriet. As they battle pride and their strong wills they also fall in love with each other, but how can they be a family when Brandon hates her brother and can't forgive Jenny for not living his dream life for her?