The Edge of Town

Rating:
Summary: An exceptional literary romance
Review: "The Edge of Town" is a really nice, believable story about Julie Jones who unexpectantly but willingly falls in love with Evan Johnson, as she cares for her 5 siblings and her father Jethro on their farm in the edge of town--a"contrified" American town in the early 1920's.

The novel surrounds itself around the issues that threaten to tear Julie's life apart: Jethro goes head over heals for a woman that no one approves of and the town has a serial rapist who the town believes to be Walter Johnson, Evan's Father.

Like all of Dorothy Garlock's books, you are intorduced to Julie's life altering event right in the very beginning, which is why it's hard to put the book down. "The Edge of Town" is a heartwarming experience and I highly recommend this read.

Rating:
Summary: Another winner.
Review: "The Edge of Town" is a really nice, believable story about Julie Jones who unexpectantly but willingly falls in love with Evan Johnson, as she cares for her 5 siblings and her father Jethro on their farm in the edge of town--a"contrified" American town in the early 1920's.

The novel surrounds itself around the issues that threaten to tear Julie's life apart: Jethro goes head over heals for a woman that no one approves of and the town has a serial rapist who the town believes to be Walter Johnson, Evan's Father.

Like all of Dorothy Garlock's books, you are intorduced to Julie's life altering event right in the very beginning, which is why it's hard to put the book down. "The Edge of Town" is a heartwarming experience and I highly recommend this read.

Rating:
Summary: Exciting historical romance
Review: By 1922, World War I was becoming a memory, but the United States began a new war as the battle of Prohibition started. Some communities like Fertile, Missouri remains calm because everyone knows each other on a first name basis. Twenty-year old Julie Jones left school early to raise her younger siblings.

War hero Evan Johnson returns to Fertile only to find rampart destruction to the family farm caused by his low-life father. Although angry, when Evan meets Julie for the first time, he falls in love immediately. Julie reciprocates his feelings. However, before a Jones and a Johnson can hook up permanently, they must overcome problems starting with trouble making Birdie Stuart, who has the interest of Julie's dad. Birdie gets Evan arrested forcing a torn between two lovers Julie to choose between her father and her soul mate.

THE EDGE OF TOWN is an exciting historical romance that showcases the abilities of Dorothy Garlock to tell a good story. The plot takes the reader back in time to a simpler era. The lead couple provides the basis for a luscious Americana novel. Fan of Ms. Garwood will know they have another treat from a delightful talent.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Pleasant Surprise!!!
Review: I just happened to pick up this book on a discount shelf at the airport, and I'm really glad I did! I'd never heard of this author before, but it sounded like a nice book, and it definitely was. This is a great story about family, love, and the circumstances that test both of them.

There is a large cast (there's 7 people in the Jones family alone) and it took me about half-way through the book to finally quit mixing up the boys (Jason, Jack, and Joe)!!...but they were all wonderful to read about.

This book really covers a lot, and I think almost anyone could enjoy it... from family and true-love, to rape, murder, and mystery, it has it all. This was truly a great find and I'll certainly read much more by this author!!

Rating:
Summary: Enchanting
Review: In a time when flappers run wild, Julie Jones lives a quiet life on her father's farm, taking care of her younger siblings. Evan Johnson, the son of the town bully, has come back to Fertile, Missouri from the Great War, and his arrival heralds a season of change for the small farming community. The town's hired a new police officer who discovers that something sinister is going on in town, and a rich, helpless widow sets her sites on finding a man to take care of her...if Evan won't do it, then maybe Julie's father will. Evan spends his summer proving to the town he is nothing like his father. He doesn't look twice at the widow, his eyes are set on Julie. Together they find they can overcome any obstacle. Dorothy Garlock delivers an emotionally charged story of love and change. Change for a nation, change for a town...and change for a couple who was meant to be together.

Rating:
Summary: I'll read another...
Review: The Edge of Town is the first book by Dorothy Garlock that I've read, but it will not be the last. Set in the 1920's in Fertile, Missouri young Julie Jones cares for her five siblings after her mothers passing four years previous from a flu epidemic. Julie is feeling her life passing her by, caring for her siblings. Meanwhile, Evan Johnson, son of the lewd drunkard, Walter, returns home after the war to take care of the family farm. He was away many years, having lived with his grandparents, then going to war. Evan is nothing like his horrific father, and when he rescues Julie from his fathers assault you know its true love.

Too bad there is something (or rather, someone) evil in Fertile. There have been brutal (and graphic) series of rapes that coincide with Evan's return. The townspeople can only assume that it is he, and the only person who stands by his side is Julie.

What I liked...and disliked....

The descriptive writing in this book brings the time frame and the characters to life. You feel yourself slipping in the past, of a youthful sweet love story and all the represents America. Except for the rape, who wants to think of that? I know it's a part of the story, but the graphic nature of it, dragged the story down. But, any other writer couldn't have pulled off two ends of the spectrum, love and brutal hate, so perfectly.

In Short...

I will definitely pick up another Dorothy Garlock book, but next time I'll make sure the villain isn't involved with sexually deviant activities, it was a bit much for me.

Rating:
Summary: I'll read another...
Review: The Edge of Town is the first book by Dorothy Garlock that I've read, but it will not be the last. Set in the 1920's in Fertile, Missouri young Julie Jones cares for her five siblings after her mothers passing four years previous from a flu epidemic. Julie is feeling her life passing her by, caring for her siblings. Meanwhile, Evan Johnson, son of the lewd drunkard, Walter, returns home after the war to take care of the family farm. He was away many years, having lived with his grandparents, then going to war. Evan is nothing like his horrific father, and when he rescues Julie from his fathers assault you know its true love.

Too bad there is something (or rather, someone) evil in Fertile. There have been brutal (and graphic) series of rapes that coincide with Evan's return. The townspeople can only assume that it is he, and the only person who stands by his side is Julie.

What I liked...and disliked....

The descriptive writing in this book brings the time frame and the characters to life. You feel yourself slipping in the past, of a youthful sweet love story and all the represents America. Except for the rape, who wants to think of that? I know it's a part of the story, but the graphic nature of it, dragged the story down. But, any other writer couldn't have pulled off two ends of the spectrum, love and brutal hate, so perfectly.

In Short...

I will definitely pick up another Dorothy Garlock book, but next time I'll make sure the villain isn't involved with sexually deviant activities, it was a bit much for me.

Rating:
Summary: Different title same basic theme
Review: The Roaring 20s bring the introduction of the automobile and the aeroplane to the small farming town of Fertile, Mo. - as well as a few newcomers. At the Jones family farm on the edge of town, six siblings work with their widowed father and life is a usually joyous struggle of hard work and school interrupted by an occasional baseball game and a weekly trip to town and church. Slowly it becomes obvious to the recently hired policeman and doctor that there is also a serial rapist in the vicinity. The storyline of this book is fresh and captivating and quite believable. The writing is definitely above par as Ms. Garlock exactly gets right the palpitations of young love, the joys, comfort and trials of family life - as well as the darkness that does intrude.

Almost a fictional treastise on rape in the early 1900s, this is also a very readable book that is hard to put down once started, with a couple real surprises thrown in.

Rating:
Summary: Breath-taking, romantic, and sweetly enjoyable - a real gem!
Review: This highly enjoyable story stars Julie Jones, the quiet country girl living on her father's farm and caring for her siblings, since her mother's death. The nearby farm houses the town bully, that leaves many of the residents of Fertile, Missouri in fear. What happens when his son, Evan Johnson, returns from the war to care for the family farm so his father doesn't drive it into the ground, and then finds himself falling in love with Julie, and desperately trying to prove he is not like his father. Julie, believing she is nothing more than an old spinster, permanently tied to the care of her siblings, that doesn't have the heart to ever marry and leave them - feels confident that her place will never be as a mother or wife. When that dream actually seems like a possibility to Julie, she must face her deepest and darkest secret to the love of her life, and await his reaction.

There are many more twists, including a new police chief in town with his own secret agenda - who also has his eyes set on Julie, a spoiled widow set on finding a new husband that sets her eyes on Evan Johnson and then on Julie's father. When she manages to become a guest of Julie's father in the Jones family farm - she creates tons of chaos, fears in the hearts of Julie and her siblings, and stress deep enough to break ties of the strong and loving Jones family forever. Among other problems, the town must face there is a rapist among them, and all eyes are pointing at Evan Johnson and his father.

This is an explosive and loving family story, with dark secrets and deep passions that are threatened to go without relief. Dorothy Garlock is a genius in character development, and this book is no different. Within the entire story, you'll also experience the effects the family must endure, due to the sign of the times of the 1920's.

I'm sure you will love this historical romance, and if so... check out other Dorothy Garlock historical romance books - this is one of my favorite... but not her best!!! This book will WOW you, that's for sure, and leave you wanting more! Enjoy!!!

Rating:
Summary: Another hit for Dorothy Garlock
Review: This is my first Dorothy Garlock book and I have to say that it did satisfy the romantic being in me. Although it was not really heart-wrenching, I did find the love between Evan and Julie extremely sweet. The plot in this story is also good and I think that this book will be enjoyed by most people who like a good, light romance read with a bit of suspense in it. I know I did and I don't think I will hesitate to pick up another of Ms Garlock's books.