Where the Heart Is

by Robin Lee Hatcher

Book Overview

Eager to escape a loveless marriage of convenience, Addie Sherwood throws herself into her job as her town's first schoolteacher and finds herself receiving a proposal of marriage from rancher Will... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0843935278
• Release Date: January 1993
• Publisher: Leisure Books (Mm)
• Length: 440 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.5" x 4.0" x 1.3"

Customer Reviews

Enjoyable - has a "Little House on the Prairie" feeling to it!

I really enjoyed this story, the first book of the Americana series by Robin Lee Hatcher, set in the Idaho Territory in the 1880's, and I am looking forward to reading the subsequent books. Addie Sherwood is left homeless in coastal Connecticut when her father dies, and it appears her only option is enter into a marriage of convenience with his lawyer, a much older widower who needs a mother for his 6 children. But although Addie perceives herself as plain-looking and unattractive, she would rather live independently without a man if she can't marry for love. So, she turned down the lawyer's offer and takes a job as school-teacher in rural Idaho. Confirmed bachelor Will Rider recently acquired custody of his orphaned niece but has no idea how to relate to her, although he really tries. Lark is an introspective half-Indian girl who is so afraid of being sent to the orphanage that she retreats into herself, trying to be the least amount of trouble as possible for her uncle, instead of forging a bond with him. When Addie appears on the scene, the townspeople are taken aback because they thought they had hired a male school-teacher, but they can't help warming up to her, as she is so likable and relates to the children so well, handling the most difficult ones with a certain finesse. She and Lark develop a special bond, prompting Will to propose a marriage of convenience with Addie. Although there is a strong attraction between the two, Addie is still determined to marry for love and takes the proposal as an insult. This story is about so much more than the blossoming romance between Will and Addie. Addie is a wonderful and warm role-model for the children she works with. It's also about the friendship between Lark and Rose, whose abusive father and brother object to her associating with a half-breed. The other townspeople feature very prominently in this story too, and the reader becomes absorbed in the small-town life style and feels a aprt of the community itself.

Truly Heartfelt!

A great beginning to an old series! The Americana Series by Robin Lee Hatcher are timeless tales and WHERE THE HEART IS is a terrific beginning. Be sure to continue with FOREVER ROSE, REMEMBER WHEN and KISS ME, KATIE. Sometimes old books contain the best stories and are a delicious treat in the present day!

READ IN ORDER

This is my second book of Robin Lee Hatcher. My first book of hers was the FOREVER,ROSE. I was deeply taken by that book so I bought the sequels. Had I known earlier that this is a series, I would have read the book in order. WHERE THE HEART IS, is a lovely beginning of the Americana series. The Americana series is about a town called Homestead, Idaho. The creation of the town beginning with just few families in small farm houses, one main street and only few stores to it's booming times with railroads and big hotels. I have only read three of the series but so far, it makes me feel like I am in the town itselft. There are many characters aside from the two primary couples. It contains love stories as well as family and neighborly love scenes. People helping one another is heart warming. Like every small town, everyone knows everybody's business and gossips cannot be avoided. Though I find that flaw amusing in many ways. My favorite aside from the romance story is that each book contains many updates of the characters from the previous book. I also enjoy reading books about children and their growing up years especially if they become the couple or the main characters in the next book. It is like keeping track of a mini series in T.V.. This is what makes the series so interesting from the beginning to the end.Will Rider and Addie Sherwood are both interesting couple. Sad to say that because I've read Forever ROSE first, it ruined this first book for me. I kindda know how the book will run and how it'll end. I even know the action twist, who would die and who would lived as most of the scenes here were given away in the FOREVER, ROSE. I suggest the reader to read the Americana Series in order. It'll make a huge difference... Had I not read Forever, Rose before this one, I am sure I would find WHERE THE HEART IS exciting and a page turner. That is why I decided it is fair to rate it a 5 star as I still thouroughly enjoyed this book despite me knowing what would happend next. There is so many heart warming scenes... I specially like reading about Will's affection for Lark. Lark & Rose (Who will both become the main characters in FOREVER, ROSE) are only 7 & 9 years old in this book but it shows details of the beginning of their friendship. Reading this book will make you appreciate their friendship more when you read FOREVER, ROSE. It will also make you understand Rose better.Here's the series in sequence: 1st: WHERE THE HEART IS ------> 2nd: FOREVER,ROSE --------> 3rd: REMEMBER WHEN ------------> 4th: Kiss me, Katie.<p>Read it and ENJOY!

a beautifully written,heatwrenching story of love and kids.

a wonderful book that just goes to show you are never to far gone that love can save you.a story that shows the extent a person will go to for the sake of a child,even one they only just met.a story that tells even love can conquer all,even in a small town like homestead.wonderful characters,and story lines that include not only one couple,but the whole town.two thumbs up for robin lee hatcher!put this one ony your keeper shelf and enjoy reading it for years to come