Painted by the Sun

Wow -- this book works on so many levels. I couldn't put it down except to reach for more Kleenex!It's beautifully written with sharply-defined characters -- one of whom is a "photographer lady" and another a judge who has seen too much death. While many might not consider it a "proper" romance because the romance doesn't start to heat up until halfway through the book, it still is all about the love relationships between people: friends, family, potential lovers.I don't usually read westerns, but I'm sure glad I sat down with this one! Highly recommended -- a definite Keeper for your bookshelf. (Just have at least a quarter box of Kleenex on hand.)

Elizabeth Grayson has been writing since the age of fifteen with her first published book released in 1985. With nine books (including those written under her other name, Elizabeth Kary) under her belt, I would have expected I had heard of her before now. She creates a strong heroine for whom you find yourself cheering. Painted is the story of Shea Waterston, a traveling photographer who was forced to place her toddler son on an orphan train ten years ago. She follows the path that the orphan trains took, moving from town to town in the hopes that someday she will find the child she loved. When she stumbles upon the change to photograph a hanging, she knows it could make her career, only the town judge does not think a woman should watch such brutality. Not one to take no for an answer, the judge places her in a jail cell to ensure she misses the brutal event. Judge Cameron Gaillmore is a stubborn man with no time or love for women. When Shea saves his life, he has no choice but to start trusting her. And pretty soon, he can't fight his growing attraction. But they both have secrets; will those secrets pull them together or rip them apart? A beautifully written story with excellent historical details, you feel as if you are on location watching the story unfold before your eyes. Rich details abound from the minute details of the scents surrounding the characters while out in the wilderness to the textures and colors of the clothes they wear. Cameron and Shea come across as people you know. You feel Shea's heartache from having to give her son away in order to better care for him. I found myself crying right alongside Shea desperately wanting to hold her hand and let her know she was only doing the best for her child. Cameron's stubborn attitude had me wishing I could jump into the book time and time again and help him see around his pride. While it was not an original plot line, there were plenty of refreshing twists and turns to keep the reader excited. After reading this story, I can't wait to find her older books and lose myself in them.Vtavidreader......

Normally, I'm not a fan of Westerns, but something told me to give this book a try when I saw it at the bookstore. I'm glad I obeyed the instinct.Painted by the Sun is about Shea Waterston, a traveling photographer who is following the orphan trains west to look for the son she gave up a decade before. While setting up her camera to photograph a hanging, she meets Judge Cameron Gallimore, who promptly throws her--and her camera--in jail. The Judge, however, has demons of his own, and he and Shea recognize each other as kindred spirits.Elizabeth Grayson writes beautifully about 1870s Colorado and a relationship between two tortured individuals who are inherently decent people. Cam's sister, Lily, his son, Rand, and Rand's friend, Tyler, are well-portrayed. Shea, especially, is a wonderful character. Unlike most romance heroines, she is no prissy, helpless virgin. Shea is pragmatic, self-sufficient, and experienced. And don't cross her, or someone she cares about, if she has her Winchester rifle nearby!This is a wonderful book. Read it!

"Photography is a picture painted by the sun."This quote from Ambrose Bierce is a perfect title for this rich, beautifully detailed, often moving book.Elizabeth Grayson once again writes with careful historical accuracy and uses memorable, realistic characters to tell her story.Cameron Gallimore is a judge carrying a terrible burden from his past.One he is reminded of every day.Uneasy of the responsibility he takes every time he presides in a hanging offense trial, he longs for a different life for himself and his son,Rand. However, the guilt he feels colors any every attempt at changing his future.Shea Waterston is also tormented with a painful secret.Having learned the art of photography from her late husband, she is moving ever West, hoping to change the outcome of a decision she was forced to make years earlier.She is a couragous, determined woman, who knows that her skill with a camera is an important gift.The first chapter of the book brings these two characters together in a dramatic way. It is one of the best openings of any book I've read in a long time.The secondary characters, who can often make or break a story, add immeasurably to this one. Clay's sister Lily, painfully self conscious of her scarred face,is unaware that her beautiful spirit and caring nature enrichs all those around her.Damaged by the war, Owen Brandt does his best to be a helpful assistant and a faithful friend to Shea.Dr.Emmet Farley, a Southerner,is trying to overcome the horrors of being a battlefield surgeon. He will be put to the test of whether he can forgive someone he trusted and move on with his life. Rand and Tyler, two boys who share more than they know, and whose lives will be forever changed when Cameron and Shea meet. Having always excelled at making her childrens' characters realistic and appealing,Grayson has outdone herself with these two.They are as real and as irresistable as any little boys you will ever meet. The "story behind the story" will keep you guessing here.This book has one interesting little extra going for it. The models on the attractive cover actually look the way the characters are described, down to the dress Shea is wearing.While it may not be important to most readers, I really appreciated and enjoyed this attention to detail. It doesn't happen very often and shows the reader that care was taken with this book. Thank you to all who were responsible for this lovely cover.Katherine Grayson's beautiful writing,wonderful characters, and attention to historical accuracy have never been put to better use. Don't miss PAINTED BY THE SUN.

This is the story of a female photographer, in the early years of photography, traveling the west on the trail of the orphan trains. In the beginning of the story Shea locked horns with Judge Cameron Gallimore when she had set up her equipment to photograph a hanging. She wound up in jail at the behest of the judge. The author lets you "see" the hanging through the ears of Shea. This picture painted with words is stronger that a visual would have been. This book grabbed me from the beginning, and I could not put it down until I had finished the book. It has love, heartache, mystery, danger, compassion and laughter, what more could you ask for in a book. The secondary characters were as life like as the primary ones. This is western americana romance at the very best. If you don't buy this book as soon as you can, you will miss out on a truly rewarding reading experience. Why was she following the trail of the orphan trains? Uh uh, that is an answer that will tug at your heartstrings.