Review: 'A Place to Call Their Own' by L. Dean Pace-French
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 15, 2014
“Home is a magical place that I've found and now it's discovered, I will always be bound. It surrounds me with warmth like a comforting dome. Being wrapped in your arms is where I call my home. My life makes more sense, the world seems more true. I love my home and I really love you.” ~ Kirsty RichardsAll Frank and Gregory of 'A Place to Call their Own' by L. Dean Pace-Frech want is a place to call home, one where no one will judge them for being together, but in 1865, that is not so easy. They know this and have no illusions that it is a near impossible goal, but are determined to make it so. Knowing there is land being given away in the Kansas wilderness, the two of them devise a plan to travel out there and claim some of it for their own. But even the best laid plan is not without difficulty, and it comes to them in spades. Even so, their love for each other and desire to be together gives them the strength to face every obstacle placed in their way.There's never a question of their love being wrong, but Gregory and Frank know to protect themselves, they must be cautious. The couple don't need anyone asking too many questions or observing their closeness. This is one reason Frank and Gregory move out to the ends of the earth. If there aren't many people around, then it's a better situation. Gregory and Frank tell Gregory's family they are going together to help each other get established, hoping to meet some girls who want to live there. Gregory's family is not exactly happy about him leaving home and moving to Kansas, but they can't stop him. At least his father acknowledges that Gregory knows how to run a farm which will be in his favor, but still cautions him about how hard it will be and questions Gregory about not knowing exactly what he's in for. His family does feel better about him not going alone. They don't suspect Frank and Gregory's true relationship. Frank's mother doesn't try to stop him either although she suspects something else is going on between Frank and Gregory. She surprises him with money from an insurance policy his father had which gives them extra money which is great.When Gregory and Frank get to Kansas, they have great plans for what they need to do and proceed to build their house and a stable for the horses and begin planting crops. The men are blessed with a mild season which gives them a good crop. It's a good start. The brightest spot in this whole situation, is the camaraderie with their neighbors. Gregory and Frank become good friends with them, creating their own rituals from family customs and traditions such as: what kind of food to have for holidays, when to celebrate, when to wash clothes, etc. A strong bond is sealed with their neighbors, especially with a young boy who ends up practically worshiping Gregory and Frank. Their neighbors trust and like them. They know that Frank and Gregory live together as a couple and, because they know they type of men they are, trust and respect them. In this regard, they are fortunate. Nature doesn't respect such things though and can, and often does, take away everything in a flash. When a twister comes through making rubble of their home, all they can do is to start over, but they question is for how many more times? When it's not the weather causing problems, it's men. Being out in the middle of nowhere is definitely a problem when it comes to legal issues and not being able to file their claims for their land causes a problem when an unscrupulous man, whom they had trouble with on the way to Kansas, comes back into their lives with vile propositions and what seems to be the upper hand as far as their claims go. He takes the opportunity to bully and threaten them. When a fire destroys their neighborhood, all seems lost, but they are determined to find somewhere else to make their home. Gregory and Frank decide to set off for a better place, while taking their neighbors’ orphaned son with them.When I began to read this story, I didn't realize it was a Young Adult book and was a bit puzzled at the tone, but quickly figured it out. Not that it mattered because I was already enthralled by the thoroughly enjoyable story. Gregory and Frank's fierce love and devotion and their determination to be a family was inspiring. Things are so easy for us now as opposed to then and it gave me pause as I sat in my air-conditioned house, with my computer and other conveniences. Reading about all the hardships people faced then, reminded me of just how fortunate I am. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading stories about history, hardships being overcome, and two men in love and determined to stay together. Thanks, L. Dean, for an enjoyable story.Originally published at Rainbow Book Reviews.