Review: Astoundingly Enjoyable Read!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 26, 2013
McCade's Way had all the feel of an 1800 western historical romance, but in an interesting switch in time that is not written enough about, this author chose the time in America after the effects of the stock market crash, severe drought and dust bowl. Many struggled to put food on the table and those who had had much, were trying to come to terms with living on less, and having been spoiled by their wealth, are looking for new money schemes. Americans are awaiting the New Deal, but it hasn't been instituted yet to save those who were homeless and starving, becoming easy prey to others and the elements.Not with the McCade Family. Throughout history, this family worked hard and learned to plan ahead for hard times. But they also had some luck, as their Virginia farm lay in a lush valley that had not been touched by drought. Trey McCade is described as a true McCade (physically I keep thinking of Trey Atkins, the country music singer), a pure alpha male, a man's man, large and strong, fair in his dealings, quick with his temper, but never physically abusive to those who are weaker, apologic when need be, scary to many, but gentle with those he loves. He returns to the family farm after his parent's death. He and his younger brother Cole run it successfully during this time while others struggle. They have learned to become self-sufficient. One thing Trey has not been successful in is women. He chose his first wife Catherine, poorly. She was beautiful but selfish with her love and reckless with the McCade wealth. She did not enjoy her life with Trey, in and out of the bedroom, and soon cheated on him. When Trey discovered her with another man, he quickly divorced her. Trey still longs for a wife, needs a wife for the farm, so he asks his lawyer brother Nathan, who practices law in Philadelphia, to find him a bride of convenience, one who is not pretty and has no expectations, and will work hard.Genevieve is alone and living in a New York shanty town after the market crash and her father lost the successful family bakery after her mother's death. He then turns up dead in a trash bin after his creditors grew tired of waiting for repayment of his debt. He not only lost the business and his life, but he was an evil man that always made sure his daughter was near to being psychologically broken and felt to feel plain. But Genevieve does not see that she is a beauty with long coppery hair and flawless skin. When Trey meets beautiful Genevieve (Gen to him) at the train station, he is flabbergasted to say the least. What other lies is she not telling? But Trey realizes Gen really does feel she is plain and he begins to see that she has an even greater beauty inside. Gen has so much to offer Trey and the McCade farm. Her background aids in making her to try her best to please her husband according to the McCade Way, a law that Trey lives by and expects all those around him to obey, even his brother Cole. Soon Trey begins falling in love with this beautiful and generous, loving woman, but because of his previous wife's manipulations, he struggles with admitting this love. His brother Cole also struggles with his brother's way of running the farm, his life, and with him not recognizing the gem he has in his new beautiful, caring wife. Cole grows throughout the story and I enjoy seeing the relationship between the brothers, new wife and sister-in-law grow. The family dynamics are so interesting and well-written.Because of the times, the poor relations begin to show up at their doorstep, down and out, and looking to squeeze what they can from Trey. The author writes all of this part of the story so well! I was totally absorbed in this family and the town's people. This is also a very sensual story, and is one of the first romances I have read where the sexual scenes are so appropriate because Trey's first wife found relations with him so abhorrent that making the reader see the difference in the relationship between Trey and Gen and Trey and Catherine is very important to Trey working through and arriving to the realization that Gen is the love of his life. All is going so well with their relationship and the farm until his evil uncle Wade shows up at the door with a child, pregnant wife and no money. Just when the reader begins to feel when will Trey have enough?, he does and kicks him to the curb! Then as if it couldn't get worse, Trey's ex-wife shows up, now that her rich man money train has stopped, with a scheme created by the uncle to squeeze money from the McCades. And then! Adrienne, Gen's friend from New York shows up after her protector Clark dumps her. But the reader soon learns that Adrienne really only has deep concerns for her friend's true happiness and becomes a strong family ally. What will the McCade's, especially Trey do now? Will Trey finally accept and acknowledge his true feelings for Gen, or will he give in to responsibilities to Catherine?I really enjoyed this story. I can't remember a book in quite a while that grabbed me like this one. I read about nine or ten books a week, so when one takes me by surprise like this, and I can't put it down, then I know it's a winner for me. I hope this author continues the McCade family in a series, starting with Cole (is there a spark between Adrienne and Cole?), their lawyer brother Nathan, and will even consider a pre-quel about the original McCades. Their history is mentioned in this story and the author writes it such that the reader wants to know more. I highly recommend this book. It is so fresh and written about a time that is not written enough about. The McCades Way and the McCade family are situations and people the reader will never grow tired of.