Sandi Lorraine’s romance novel creates a page-turning, passionate, and at times feminist tale of an engaging woman making her way in a man’s world while sorting out her heart’s desires.
Cassie Foster loves her grandparents’ large Iowa farm. At 25, beautiful and clear-headed, she’s certain about two things: her destiny to carry on the farm’s legacy, and that she’ll never fall in love again. Keening from past heartbreak, Cassie is hardly prepared for her grandfather’s sudden death, for the electric meeting of handsome and smart rancher Chad Benson, or for the return of the cocky Ethan King, who broke her heart and now wants it back. Turning up the heat, someone is sabotaging Cassie’s farm, making it clear they don’t want her there. Can she save the farm and her heart?
Cassie is an appealing character and Loves Enduring Choices! is rich in other enticing characters who add to the depth of a story rooted in heritage and family. Even Lorraine’s details about the farm and farmhouse add dimension and vivid imagery. Lorraine writes about a world she knows well, which deepens the reader’s pleasure.
Lorraine also writes skillfully about passion. She knows how to make it sizzle while allowing the reader’s imagination to deliciously fill in the rest.
Sometimes the author’s prose is hindered by lack of editing that could have caught repetitive errors, such as using “that” when it should be “who,” and “was” when it should be “were.” Also, while Lorraine executes Cassie’s point of view and shows emotions well, several times Cassie’s responses to heavy issues feel distant and lack satisfying engagement.
Still, these are quibbles. Love’s Enduring Choices! is a gripping tale. Lorraine knows how to develop characters, plot, and dialogue, and carries it solidly through to a satisfying, all-ends-tied-up finish.
Also available in hardcover and ebook.
