Until September

by Brenda Jernigan

Book Overview

She must live for today . . . The finest doctors in Manhattan have told Claire Holladay she'd be lucky to live until September. Determined to savor every moment, the beautiful young journalist hides... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0821775359
• Release Date: November 2003
• Publisher: Zebra Books
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 1.0" x 4.0"

Customer Reviews

touching read

This was a moving story about a woman who is determined to live life to the fullest and of the man who makes all her dreams come true. I loved it! A touching story, lovingly told.

deep historical tale

Claire Holladay learns she is dying from consumption, but though she has been diagnosed as having a short time left, she vows to live it too the fullest. She formally dumps her fiancé who for practical purposes dumped her anyway. A journalist for Harper's Publishing, Claire sells her publisher on her going out west and sending back articles. Her loving family supports her decision and arranges for Uncle Ben, owner of a Colorado Territory stage line, to meet his beloved niece.Ben assigns his best man Billy West to meet Claire and escort her to him. Claire hides her condition from everyone except her family, as she wants to live life not feel pity. Billy and Claire fall in love, but though she wants to live life to the fullest, cruel irony is that she has only UNTIL SEPTEMBER.Fans who relish a deep historical tale will appreciate the depth that Brenda K. Jernigan gives to her poignant tale. The romantic subplot is handled with dexterity, as neither of the fully developed lead characters wants such an emotion at this time in their lives. Don't assume the climax because whether the diagnosis proves correct will require reading the novel as the audience will not know until the end. This in part is why Ms. Jernigan consistently remains one of the best authors around.Harriet Klausner

Oh yeah!

Claire Holladay had consumption. Her doctor gave her until September to live. When her fiancé found out, he lost all interest in her. Instead of waiting for death to claim her, Claire decided to make the most of her remaining time. First, she dumped the fiancé. Second, she went to her work place with big ideas. Claire was a journalist for Harper's Publishing. She was determined to travel into the Wild West and send back articles. Her family understood how important this was to Claire. They wrote to Uncle Ben and asked for an escort.Ben Holladay owned a successful stage route in the Colorado territory. He loved Claire dearly and sent his best gun man, Billy West, to pick her up and bring her to him. No one outside the family was to know of her condition. She wanted no pity. Therefore, Billy had no clue that the Grim Reaper was patiently waiting behind Claire's lovely back. He was too busy anyway. He had to keep Claire out of danger, her long-eared dog out of the way, and her brassy Aunt Ute somewhat satisfied over Claire's treatment. Billy also picked up an orphan boy named Willie that he was bringing along to meet his adopted family (from the previous book, "Dance On The Wind"). The LAST thing Billy wanted was to fall in love. The LAST thing Claire wanted was for Billy to learn that her death was imminent. Claire only had "Until September" ... ***** WOW! All through the book I kept thinking to myself that the diagnosis had to be wrong. No author in her right mind would do this to the heroine of the story! But I had forgotten the fact that Brenda K. Jernigan is one wily author. This is one writer who could take the impossible and make it possible! So how does it turn out? Is the diagnosis correct? Will Claire live until September? Well, you will just have to read the story to find out. This is an amazing glimpse into America's past. The author added bits of history, such as a cameo by John Roebling as he began showing his plans on building the Brooklyn Bridge to possible financiers and by Wild Bill Hickok. Do I recommend this story? OH, YES! *****