By: Gary Henry @LiteraryGary
Let me begin by saying that writing a novel is a terrific achievement. I know, having written one ~ and only one. My hat is off to anyone who can complete a novel.
That said, here is my honest opinion of The Ruby Brooch, a time-travel adventure-romance by Katherine L. Logan which I finished reading Tuesday.
Characters: The Ruby Brooch revolves — maybe “swirls” is a better word — around strong, volatile Kit MacKlenna, heiress to a venerable and well-heeled Kentucky racing-horse ranch. Katherine does a nice job working Kit’s description and character traits into the narrative. Blonde, green-eyed, athletic and durable, toughness appears to be a defining characteristic.
She could ride a Thoroughbred bareback, but put her in a pair of strappy sandals and she’d get stuck in the mud. It wasn’t that she was clumsy. Just the opposite. Silly shoes couldn’t compete with her penchant for practical footwear. She lived on a farm, for God’s sake.
The time-travel story throws Kit together with 1852′s Cullen Montgomery, cultured Scotsman, attorney and wagon-master.
Cullen forged his way through the overcrowded campsites, shaking hands and slapping backs. Children hugged his legs and women offered plates of food. Kit had seen politicians work crowds, but this part-Highland-bard, part-American-cowboy seemed to have disarming charisma. She stopped twiddling and watched the ease at which he moved— relaxed, yet with an air of confidence.
The chemistry between 19th Century Cullen, who has all the chauvinism of the time, and 21st Century Kit makes for great reading. Though Kit keeps her futuristic origins secret, at least at first, she has trouble keeping her 21st Century attitudes under wraps.
I bet Montgomery is telling him I’m a helpless widow. The thought sparked a kick-ass reaction— a need to prove she was the least helpless female she knew. She tapped her foot and twiddled so fast her thumbs rammed together. As soon as I secure a spot on the wagon train, I’ll set Montgomery straight. She’d wager a sack of gold coins that she could shoot straighter, ride faster, and hum Bach concertos he’d never heard before. “Helpless. Pshaw.”
Katherine fills her story with plenty of interesting, sympathetic (mostly) supporting characters, including children and animals. As you might guess, Kit has a soft spot for animals and children.
~*~
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