I’ve read a few books before by Catherine Palmer, and quite liked them. They usually include a romance of some kind, often in unusual settings, and there tends to be a low-key Christian theme running through them.
'The affectionate adversary' is no exception. I downloaded it (free) for my Kindle about three years ago and finally got around to reading it. It’s a historical novel which opens with high drama: Charles is on his way to China with a chest of gold when the ship is attacked by pirates. Meanwhile, Sarah is on her way back to the UK on a different ship. They come across the wreck of the first boat, and rescue the few survivors and a large number of bodies.
It’s rather gruesome, although written in a way that leaves much to the imagination rather than using gory details. Charles is discovered to be alive - just - and gradually nursed back to life by Sarah. They are both well-educated, and become friendly. At first he is delirious, but gradually recovers his sanity and the use of his limbs, by which time they have fallen in love with each other, although Sarah refuses to admit it. Moreover, Charles has no idea that the widowed Sarah is a very wealthy woman, whose former husband was a member of the aristocracy.
The rest of the book features their rather stormy growing relationship, fuelled by misunderstandings and Sarah’s various hangups due to an unhappy childhood. The characters aren’t really three-dimensional although Charles is quite likeable, and Sarah’s two caricatured sisters provide a bit of light relief.
The author had evidently done a great deal of research into Regency England, and drops in various historical references. Unfortunately there are a few errors that stand out in an annoying way. I was particularly irritated that on several occasions someone said ‘how do you do’ and was not given the only correct response (ie ‘how do you do’ in return) but responded as if they had been asked (US style) how they were. The author also appeared confused about the class system; Sarah’s father was a merchant, as is Charles’ father. Both are well educated and well-read; class-wise they are on the same foot. Her marrying into the aristocracy would not have turned her into an aristocrat as far as society was concerned.
There’s an unlikely (albeit happy) coincidence towards the end of the book, and far too much introspecting on the behalf of both the main characters, in my view. Still, it’s a likeable enough story. I would not recommend paying for it. Even the Kindle edition is now quite expensive. But it could be worth borrowing to read on holiday as it has slightly more depth than others of this genre. The Christian element is not too strong, and it's unusual in that Sarah's irrational dislike of wealth comes from a misguided view of Scripture, made worse by her background.
This is apparently the first in a series, but I have no plans to read any of the others.
Review copyright 2014 Sue's Book Reviews
Browsing free books for the Kindle, as I do fairly regularly, I was interested to see a novel by Catherine Palmer, an American Christian author whom I've come across before. I found her books quite light, a bit low on characterisation, and sometimes a little over-preachy, but mostly well-written with good stories.
It wasn't until I started reading it a couple of days ago that I realised that it was written in conjunction with Dr Gary Chapman. He is the author of the books about love languages, and (more recently) a book about recurring 'seasons' in marriage, which sounds very interesting.
'It Happens Every Spring" is the story of four different marriages set in small-town America, in a place called Tranquillity. There's a newly-married couple, an older, retired couple, a blended family with twins, and the main couple of the story, Brenda and Steve who are recent empty-nesters. I gather that this is the first book in a series of four, and that each of the others focuses specifically on one couple.
There's a very interesting character called Cody who appears fairly early in the book, and demonstrates how prejudice is still rife; Cody is a homeless young man who behaves in a childlike way, and seeing how Brenda related to him positively was a good way of seeing her more as a whole person.
Then there's Patsy who owns a beauty salon, and where much of the conversation happens. I found this aspect of the book rather bizarre, reminding me of one or two ultra-light American films I have seen where something similar happened. It felt like a device for getting women together, but I could not believe the number of times the characters seemed to call by for yet another change to their hairstyles (including colours) or having their nails 'done'.
I found it a bit shocking that everyone had sufficient disposable income to indulge in this kind of thing regularly, but perhaps it does happen in the USA. What I found particularly bizarre was that the beauty salon was called 'Just as I am', a quote from an old hymn, which seemed like the ultimate irony since Patsy encouraged people NOT to like themselves just as they were but to keep experimenting with new looks.
However, as a device for women getting together to chat it worked well, aided by an attached café where Patsy's clients were encouraged to hang out and drink tea. The book is light, after all, and the characters not particularly well developed, so the various conversations were useful in helping to build up some idea of the different women. The writing is good and I found the story interesting, reading in just two or three sittings as I wondered how Brenda and Steve's problems would be resolved.
I found some of their argument scenes almost painful in their realism, although the points about different love languages and lack of communication were made rather too obviously at times. Brenda evidently needed quality time whereas Steve needed physical touch, but nobody had ever explained this to them - even though they were both involved in acts of service to each other, which neither appeared to recognise.
There is perhaps a bit too much overt Christian input - it works just fine from Cody (who believes that only Christians will give him chocolate cake) but there are rather a lot of quoted Scripture verses which would probably put off people who are not believers, and yet seem irrelevant to those of us who are. The resolution seemed a little too simplistic, as well.
But overall I did enjoy the book, and since it was free I am glad I downloaded it. I'm interested to know how the situations develop, but can't quite decide whether to buy the other books in the series or not.
No longer available free, but recommended anyway in a low-key kind of way. The link to the paperback book version, which has second-hand editions available although they are sometimes very highly priced.
Review copyright Sue's Book Reviews, 26th July 2011
I first came across Catherine Palmer's books a few years ago, when I picked up three of them very inexpensively on the MV Doulos. I found them reasonably enjoyable, although very light and a bit predictable. I wouldn't necessarily have bought any more of her books, but was then given some by a friend leaving the island, who didn't want to take all her books back to her home country.
'A touch of betrayal' is the third in the Heartquest 'Treasures of the heart' series about four adult siblings who live in various places around the world. This one features Grant, who's a researcher and writer living in a tent in Kenya.
It starts, however, with Alexandra, a fashion designer from the USA, who has just arrived at Nairobi airport, for a business trip combined with a holiday. She's from a fairly wealthy family, and takes for granted her lifestyle of expensive hair-dos, designer clothes, and all the modern conveniences of life that can be found in America. She is rather annoyed not to be met at the airport, and reluctantly accepts a ride with Grant, who she notices as the only other white person. Grant is there to meet his adopted Mama, a lovely old African lady who brought him and his sisters up after their mother died.
From the opening, it's clear that Grant and Alexandra are going to get together. What I didn't expect was something of a thriller, with several very tense moments and some extreme danger before the inevitable conclusion. Grant and Alexandra both learn a great deal about themselves, and Alexandra in particular learns to adjust her values and expectations, and begins to care about the new people she meets.
The author is clearly familiar with Kenya - or has done some excellent research - and the environment and people there came alive to me as I read. I found Grant and Alexandra a little bit two-dimensional and predictable, but the plot was exciting enough to keep me reading, almost unable to put it down by the end.
There's a Christian thread running through this book, as with all Catherine Palmer's novels, but it's not preachy. The African Mama gets away with a lot of Scripture quoting, and Alexandra's relationship with God is realistic. One character becomes a believer during the course of the novel, but it doesn't come across as forced in the context.
All in all, an enjoyable light read. Although it follows after 'A Kiss of Adventure' (which I haven't read) and 'A whisper of danger', it's not necessary to have read either of them first; each novel is complete in itself.
Review copyright Sue's Book Reviews, 4th November 2008
I first came across books by Catherine Palmer some years ago, when browsing the rather small Christian fiction section on the MV Doulos. I read three or four of her books, and found them fairly enjoyable light reading, albeit a bit predictable.
Recently I was given a few more books by this author, by a friend who move away. So, wanting something undemanding, I embarked yesterday on 'A whisper of danger'.
The story features Jess, who works as the illustrator of children's books, and her ten-year-old son Spencer, generally known as Splint. He's a highly intelligent boy, who's very fond of his mother. She is devoted to him, although she's surprisingly strict at times, and rarely seems to discuss important things with him. I felt it was slightly surreal that in the first chapter she let him know that, not only had she been left a mansion totally unexpectedly by an old art teacher of hers, on Zanzibar Island, but that they were packing up and moving there within a week!
I also found it slightly bizarre that, although Jess had apparently grown up in Africa, and lived there until six years previously, she was surprised at the lack of supermarkets on Zanzibar, and that she had to haggle for prices.
Still, these early irritations soon disappeared, as Jess and Splint get caught up in an exciting adventure. The house is full of valuable paintings, there's a sunken wreck accessible from their beach, Jess's old art teacher was apparently murdered, and - most confusing of all for her - her husband, who walked out on her eleven years previously, suddenly reappears in her life. She is afraid to trust him, but it's clear that he's very different from the irresponsible alcoholic she remembers, and she is very reluctant to let him know that he is Splint's father.
The book is fast-paced and well-written, and by the time I was about half-way through I found it very difficult to put down. The characters weren't deeply sympathetic, but believable enough; there were quite a few of them, but I found them easy enough to distinguish and remember.
It's American Christian fiction, so there are several Biblical references and conversion experiences described. However they're not done in an over-pushy style. An old African woman quotes Scripture in a way that works well, and God is mentioned in a realistic way; there are no unnecessary explanations of what salvation means, or sermons as asides.
All in all, I found this an enjoyable book. It's apparently the second in a series of three, and I'm pleased to see that I have the third in the series too from the same source.
Recommended to anyone who likes a light read with a little excitement, and doesn't mind a Christian influence.
Review copyright Sue's Book Reviews, 26th August 2008
I've read a few books by Catherine Palmer before, and quite liked them... But they aren't very deep or moving. So when I saw some on special offer, I only bought one, 'Wild Heather'. I didn't expect too much of it, but it looked like an interesting light read for holiday time.
'Wild heather' is a historical novel about two Christian families with centuries of feuds behind them. A minor accident causes two of their members to notice each other. This begins a chain of events that inevitably leads to a hope of healing, although predictably it's a stony path.
At the same time, controversy arises in the local church when an enthusiastic preacher raises debate about literal 'young earth' creation. This leads to serious divisions and dissensions amongst the faithful. The main characters refuse to take sides, and so does the author. I found this to be a welcome relief from those who, like the rest of the characters, sit firmly on one side or the other.
These different plots intertwine somewhat, the feuds reflecting each other and also showing the vast difference between landed gentry and the 'working classes'.
It wasn't the greatest of books, and the ending is mostly predictable. But it wasn't bad as a holiday read. I don't think I'd have bought it at full price, and didn't rush back to buy anything else by this author. But on the whole I liked it.
'Prairie storm' is the third and last in Catherine Palmer's series of books set in an American prairie town, at a time when the settlement was just started. Each novel stands on its own. The only connection between the three books is the location, and one or two characters who recur in minor roles.
In 'Prairie storm', the early part is about Elijah, an inspired but uneducated preacher. He has no idea what to do with a foundling baby he has been given.
Lily, meanwhile, is very bitter after the death of her baby. She meets Elijah, and agrees to look after baby Sam, but sparks fly as they clash in several ways.
Good writing, with what I assume is an authentic and well-researched background. There's some Christian input but it's not too heavy.
A lot happens before the inevitable happy ending. I thought it made pleasant light reading.
'Prairie Fire' is the second book in the 'Town called Hope' trilogy by the American Christian writer Catherine Palmer. The series is about a new small prairie town in Kansas, set around a hundred years ago. Each book stands alone, as they're about different characters.
In 'Prairie Fire', a man called Jack is distrusted by the people of Hope. However he is very attracted to Caitlin, an Irish immigrant, and she also rather likes Jack.
This book follows Jack's attempts to settle in. He is not at all helped by a loud and outspoken mother, and his deeply depressed sister Lucy, who is clearly harbouring a terrible secret.
It's a well-written light read with a dramatic climax. Not brilliant, but a good way to pass a few hours.
I'd never heard of Catherine Palmer. But I spotted a series of three romantic historical fiction books by this author. They were very inexpensive on the ship MV Doulos, when it visited our town, so I thought I had nothing to lose by buying them.
'Prairie Rose', first in the trilogy, features a nineteen-year-old orphan in America called Rosie. The stories are set around 100 years ago.
One day Rosie is up a tree, praying, when she observes a fight. She gets involved, then ends up travelling out west to Kansas to look after a small boy, for a surly farmer.
Rosie is a superb cook, and soon settles down and makes friends in the neighbourhood. Inevitably, romance blossoms in many directions... it was all a bit predictable, but a pleasant enough read. The characters are well-rounded and believable, and the story interesting. The Christian input is not too heavy, and the settings feel authentic.
Recommended in a low-key way.
The sequels to this, which both stand alone (albeit based in the same town) are:
