Wild Oats

Wild Oats is the story of divorcee Cora Briggs, and her love for Jedwin Sparrow (urk, what a horrible name, what was the author thinking?!) Don't be put off by the hero's name however! This story was excellent, and unusual. Cora , an orphan, married Luther Briggs, her first husband, little realizing he did not love her. After the marriage, Luther abandons her to live with his Cherokee wife. Rather than pine for him, Cora files for divorce, earning a bad reputation in the process. Enter Jedwin. Jedwin, who is an undertaker, is as unlikely a hero as can be. For one thing, he is kind, gentle and shy, for another thing, his mother has always hated Cora and made her life miserable.Jedwin enters her life, hoping a liaison with her will improve his `straight arrow' reputation. Believing she is a `fallen woman' he proposes to become her lover in exchange for doing chores and a monthly stipend. Cora is insulted and starts to show him the door, when she decides to allow him to court her... At first to spite his mother, but eventually, because she comes to care for him. This was a really unusual book. Jedwin is an unlikely, but loveable hero. Cora is a smart and practical heroine. I even came to like the secondary romance between Jedwin's mother and the undertaker. If I had to say I didn't like anything about this novel it would be, that the hero allowed his mother to dominate him a little too much for my comfort level. My second complaint about this novel is it is way too short! Otherwise an excellent Americana, well worth the investment.

I'm amazed noone else has written a review of this book yet! I just got thru reading all of PM's books and this is my favorite of them all! (the rest are just as good but I must admit Cora and Jedwin are my 2 favorite characters. They are good, caring people, in heart and deed. They inspire each other and encourage each others dreams.(hint: this is a good thing) Nor do they play silly little mind games by teasing each other, hurting each other intentionally & other mean & nasty things.The beauty of PM's books are that they don't focus on anything bad, negative or evil. If you like positive stories, about good every day kind of people, then this is for you. If you need horror, murder, time travel, sci-fi added to your romance, this isn't the book. Nor is this about a Duke, a princess, an Earl, an heiress or a Lord. (gosh, aren't there enough of those kinds of books out there already?)But what it is, it is the best at. Romance. Sweet, warm, romance. (with enough spice to "kick it up a notch") The characters in this book aren't rich yet they are rich with feelings, caring and thoughtfulness. But what I love most of all is that he pursues her and declares his love for her first. Any reader who's read more than one romance novel knows what a rare situation that is. Even when she gives up on them, he doesn't. Sigh....isn't that romantic? Furthermore, you know what they are feeling. Why they feel the way they do. This part is what make a good writer a great writer. The ability to make me "feel" the mood of the book. Heck, I'm no angel but after I got thru reading the book, I wanted to be more virtuous, I wanted to think that the few uncaring, cold people in my life maybe had reasons for being that way, that maybe they aren't that bad after all. Yes, this is a feel good book.Last but certainly not least, you get a little more spice than you would from any Lavyrle Spencer novel.(Lavyrle is another favorite of mine and she has her strengths but I don't read her novels for spice) I mention her because both authors can write about the most simplest, poorest people living in the smallest, most desolate towns but at the end of the book, you're left feeling warm all over because you're left feeling richer in the heart than any Duke, prince, or heiress could in their pocketbooks. (Not to mention my libido)Heck, who am I kidding, I was feeling warm all over, PERIOD!