Book Review: "When Love Blooms" by Robin Lee Hatcher

Book Description:
Sometimes the only thing that keeps a man going is the promise of spring - or the love of a good woman. A dramatic love story set in the mountains of Idaho in the 1880's.

From the moment Gavin Blake set eyes on Emily Harris he knew she would never make it in the rugged high country where backbreaking work and constant hardship were commonplace. She would wilt there like a rose without water. He'd be sending her back to Boise before the first snows. He'd be willing to bet on it.

She could say what she wanted. Emily Harris didn't belong in the hard life of the Blakes. Beautiful and refined, she was accustomed to the best life had to offer. Heaven only knew why she wanted to leave Boise to teach two young girls on a ranch miles from nowhere. He'd wager it had to do with a man. It always did when a beautiful woman was involved.

Emily wanted to make some sort of mark on the world before marriage. She wanted to be more than just a society wife. Though she had plenty of opportunities back East, she had come to the Idaho high country looking to make a difference. Gavin's resistance to her presence made her even more determined to prove herself. Perhaps changing the heart of one man might make the greatest difference of all.

A dying Dru Blake knows she does not have much time left, so she chooses Emily Harris to be the nanny to her daughters, hoping this will ease their pain after she is gone. Although Dru's marriage to Gavin is one of convenience, she has a plan for Gavin as well. Meanwhile, Emily's guilt over her growing attraction to Gavin keeps her detached from him.

My Thoughts:
First of all, I must say how much I love the cover of this book. I think it is absolutely beautiful.

Second, if you read the description of the book, you will see that this story is mainly about Gavin and Emily. But, Gavin is married to Dru who is very sick and dying. Let me say how much the attraction between Gavin and Emily bothered them. If it hadn't, I would have had a hard time reading this book. I also want to tell you that Gavin and Dru's marriage was completely a marriage of convenience.

Having said that, I thought this book was very touching. Dru wanted a mother for her daughters and a wife for Gavin and thought about them even though she was so sick and dying. She prayed for a special woman and felt that God had led Emily to them.

This was unlike any book I've ever read.

I really, really would like to read Patrick O'Donnell's story also. His character really caught my attention. Hint...Hint...