Cinnamon and Roses

Rating:
Summary: A great read from a promising new author!
Review: CINNAMON AND ROSES by Heidi Betts Review by Barb Deane, Barb's All Romance Book Store

New author Heidi Betts has her debut book, Cinnamon and Roses, out this month from Leisure Books. Cinnamon and Roses is a American historical, set in Leavenworth, Kansas in 1880. Heidi has created a warm and wonderful picture of the old west that is definitely worth your time to visit.

Rebecca grew up in a storeroom in the brothel that employed her mother, literally exposed to the seediest sides of life in Kansas City. When the madam suggested that Rebecca was old enough, at 13, to start earning her keep, Rebecca snuck out of town in the back of a stage coach. When the end of the road was Leavenworth, Rebecca was lucky enough to be "adopted" by a loving widow who not only gave Rebecca the first home she'd ever known, but a means to support herself as well by teaching her to become a seamstress.

When Caleb Adams brought his mistress to the local seamstress for a new gown, it never occurred to him that the dowdy little seamstress would be of any interest to him. However, when he fails to pay his bill in full, Rebecca turns the full power of her passion and survival instincts on him. He not only forks over the disputed sum, but gives his heart to the beautiful and independent young woman as well. The sparks that fly between these two strong-willed characters are very interesting and intriguing.

Although several incidents threaten their happiness, including a marriage of convenience, Caleb and Rebecca's struggle to find a life together is well-written and enjoyable. Heidi shows real talent for creating likable characters, including Caleb's younger sister Megan. I hope we are going to see Megan come into her own in a future story. Great work, Heidi, especially for a first book. I can't wait for the next one! Barb Deane Copyrightc 1999, Barb's All Romance Book Store. All rights reserved

Rating:
Summary: A great read from a promising new author!
Review: CINNAMON AND ROSES by Heidi Betts Review by Barb Deane, Barb's All Romance Book Store

New author Heidi Betts has her debut book, Cinnamon and Roses, out this month from Leisure Books. Cinnamon and Roses is a American historical, set in Leavenworth, Kansas in 1880. Heidi has created a warm and wonderful picture of the old west that is definitely worth your time to visit.

Rebecca grew up in a storeroom in the brothel that employed her mother, literally exposed to the seediest sides of life in Kansas City. When the madam suggested that Rebecca was old enough, at 13, to start earning her keep, Rebecca snuck out of town in the back of a stage coach. When the end of the road was Leavenworth, Rebecca was lucky enough to be "adopted" by a loving widow who not only gave Rebecca the first home she'd ever known, but a means to support herself as well by teaching her to become a seamstress.

When Caleb Adams brought his mistress to the local seamstress for a new gown, it never occurred to him that the dowdy little seamstress would be of any interest to him. However, when he fails to pay his bill in full, Rebecca turns the full power of her passion and survival instincts on him. He not only forks over the disputed sum, but gives his heart to the beautiful and independent young woman as well. The sparks that fly between these two strong-willed characters are very interesting and intriguing.

Although several incidents threaten their happiness, including a marriage of convenience, Caleb and Rebecca's struggle to find a life together is well-written and enjoyable. Heidi shows real talent for creating likable characters, including Caleb's younger sister Megan. I hope we are going to see Megan come into her own in a future story. Great work, Heidi, especially for a first book. I can't wait for the next one! Barb Deane Copyrightc 1999, Barb's All Romance Book Store. All rights reserved

Rating:
Summary: Superb romance debut!
Review: I don't lean towards western romances but this one was excellent, especially for a first book! The characters are very believable, the romance is tangible and the plot moves along wonderfully. There's even a villainess to loathe! I was so pleased to hear that another novel by this author is coming out in July this year----I'll be haunting the new releases! Sweet, old-fashioned and still passionate--one of the best reads I've had in a while.

Rating:
Summary: Lovely
Review: Normally, I do not read the western romance novels. Medievals are more my style. But the raving reviews made me buy this book. And I do not regret it. Rebecca is a lovely heroine and SPUNKY!!
At 13 she ran away from her mother (a prostitute)and found her own spot in a small town. Ten years later she is the local dressmaker and quite happy. Then she meets Caleb and sparks fly. After she gets pregnant (oops) Caleb marries her. It is not a novel with a 'big' plot with lots of turns and twists, just a nice story, written very well and in a pleasing style. I came to like Rebecca and Caleb a lot and sure will buy the sequel (the story of Caleb's sister Megan).

Rating:
Summary: A sweet read!
Review: Rebecca is a seamstress in a small Kansas town. Raised in a brothel, she's put her past behind her and made a life for herself -- a life that didn't have room for a man, she'd seen enough of men and what they had to offer a woman. Caleb Adams has wealth and all the women he wants . . . so why is he drawn to the quiet seamstress? More than drawn, he can't get her out of his mind. Lured to his bed, rushed into a marriage neither of them wants and accidents happening right and left, too many accidents to be a coincidence, Rebecca and Caleb find through all the turmoil that they were meant for each other.

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet -- and sweet is just what Heidi Betts historical, Cinnamon and Roses, was!

Rating:
Summary: A sweet read!
Review: Rebecca is a seamstress in a small Kansas town. Raised in a brothel, she's put her past behind her and made a life for herself -- a life that didn't have room for a man, she'd seen enough of men and what they had to offer a woman. Caleb Adams has wealth and all the women he wants . . . so why is he drawn to the quiet seamstress? More than drawn, he can't get her out of his mind. Lured to his bed, rushed into a marriage neither of them wants and accidents happening right and left, too many accidents to be a coincidence, Rebecca and Caleb find through all the turmoil that they were meant for each other.

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet -- and sweet is just what Heidi Betts historical, Cinnamon and Roses, was!

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Read from New Author
Review: Rebecca is a simple woman with a past full of bad memories. She works hard at her seamstress business - just making enough to get by. She has no need for men and would just asume stay unattached. Caleb Adams is the son of a wealthy Wagon Express owner. He could have any woman he wants. But why does he find himself sending his mistress back to New York and dreaming about the mousy seamstress? With trouble around every corner, Caleb battles Rebecca's strong will to show her he can love her - past and all.

Ms Bett's fills her story with a cast of witty characters that will remind you of the people around you. You never know what is around the next page or what Rebecca, Caleb and all the supportig characters will do next. CINNAMON AND ROSES was a non stop page turner that I couldn't put down. You will love this book. ~Shannon McCravy, Sisters of the Night

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Read from New Author
Review: Rebecca is a simple woman with a past full of bad memories. She works hard at her seamstress business - just making enough to get by. She has no need for men and would just asume stay unattached. Caleb Adams is the son of a wealthy Wagon Express owner. He could have any woman he wants. But why does he find himself sending his mistress back to New York and dreaming about the mousy seamstress? With trouble around every corner, Caleb battles Rebecca's strong will to show her he can love her - past and all.

Ms Bett's fills her story with a cast of witty characters that will remind you of the people around you. You never know what is around the next page or what Rebecca, Caleb and all the supportig characters will do next. CINNAMON AND ROSES was a non stop page turner that I couldn't put down. You will love this book. ~Shannon McCravy, Sisters of the Night

Rating:
Summary: It's a keeper!
Review: This is a Leisure book, the debut of Ms Betts, and it is a winner! This book is a western historical and I have always been shy of westerns but I am very glad I did not shy away from this one!

Rebecca is the child of a prostitute, raised in a brothel by a very uncaring mother. She runs away at the age of thirteen as she had heard that she was soon to be put to 'work' and Rebecca refuses to turn out like her mother. She is taken in by a kind widow and raised as a fine respectable lady in another town and becomes the town's finest seamstress. She is hired to make a flamboyant dress for the mistress of Caleb Adams, the town's famous Express stagecoach businessman. However he refuses to pay her bill in full as he feels the dress is not worth the cost. Rebecca storms into Caleb's office for her hard earned money and the gauntlet is thrown down, war begins! Caleb soon realizes he much more prefers her cinnamon and roses smell to the cloying New York scent of his mistress. Circumstances force them to marry and their love builds, but someone is out to harm Rebecca. Caleb is determined that his wife not be taken from him and he stands up for her only as a true gentleman could.

Oh, I loved this wonderful story! It is a tender story of true love and one that will leave you awestruck with it's power! I eagerly look forward to Ms Betts next book! Way to go Heidi! It's a keeper!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent first book! Heart touching story!
Review: What a great story!Well written, intriguing plot, vivid description, characters that will touch your heart, make you laugh, make you sigh and make you cry, Cinnamon and Roses is a must read for anyone who loves romance!It will truly make you believe in the power of love. Read this book - you won't be disappointed.