Patterns of Love

It's easy to see why this book has won so many awards. It touches a reader on so many levels and searches the human heart. Dirk is a true hero, a man who gives of himself to others, even when it means letting go of his own dreams. And Inga is a woman who loves with her whole heart. This is a perfect historical romance, well deserving of every accolade that has come its way. I highly recommend it.

There is a good reason that RWA's published members awarded PATTERNS OF LOVE the prestigious RITA Award. It's excellent. The love story is tender and real. The hero is to die for. If you want a romance that touches your heart, this one's for you.

This is one of the best books I've read this year--maybe even in years. Wonderful depth of emotion. The characters are vividly drawn and real. I could not put it down.

In 1897 Iowa, dairy farmer Dirk Bridger, though not a church-going individual, visits the home of Reverend Linberg to ask the pious father of five daughters to help him. Dirk's mother is ill and needs rest to recover. This leaves Dirk in a lurch because someone must care for his small orphaned nieces while his mother heals. Dirk explains that he does not have a lot of money to pay the volunteer any sizable sum. The Reverend's plain, oldest daughter Inga volunteers to care for the children. At the farm, Inga quickly falls in love with the two cute little girls and Dirk. However, though no one perceives it, Dirk hates his present responsible life. He had never planned to be a farmer. He took over the family homestead when his older brother and sister-in-law died so that his mother and nieces could have a home. Inga is the first person to perceive that Dirk resents being a farmer. She tries to show him that he can still be responsible for everyone and have his dreams fulfilled too. She begins to turn the house around and all the occupants, except Dirk, quickly fall in love with her. Eventually, even Dirk begins to find himself attracted to the young lady. Now if he can handle a wee bit more responsibility, he may find that she will actually reduce his workload and add happiness into his life. The underlying pattern to a Robin Lee Hatcher historical romance is that they are all great. Her second tale in her "Coming to America" series, PATTERNS OF LOVE is a fabulous Americana romance that has two charming lead characters, an intriguing story line, and a fantastic supporting cast (including a stupendous secondary romance that could have been a novel of its own). The trick of correspondence between the female protagonists from the various novels in this series adds a brilliantly designed link that allows readers a glimpse at the other lead female characters. This is one series that deserves five thumbs up. Harriet Klausner