The Longing

by Wendy Lindstrom

Book Overview

Amelia Drake's father died suddenly, leaving her facing financial ruin. So when his business rival - sawmill owner Kyle Grayson- unwittingly puts her in a compromising position, she is determined to save her honour the only way she can: marriage to a man she barely knows. But will the searing truth deep in her heart hold the power of forgiveness - and a chance for everlasting love?

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312982844
• ISBN13: 9780312982843
• Release Date: April 2003
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.2" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

engaging Americana romance

In 1871 Fredonia, New York, angry sawmill owner Kyle Grayson accuses his friend and mentor Tom Drake of trying to ruin his business by failing to make payments. Suddenly, the upset older man collapses and dies from a heart attack. Feeling guilty that he caused the fatal cardiac arrest, Kyle buys Tom's lumberyard so that the man's widow and daughter are taken care of, as he promised Tom just before his former guide died.However, the lumberyard is in disarray and heavily mortgaged making its value almost worthless. Kyle goes to stop the deal, but is not only too late, he is caught alone with Tom's daughter, schoolmarm Amelia. They are forced to marry, but she fears making love because she lost her virginity to attorney turned banker Richard Cameron years ago. As Kyle and Amelia fall in love, secrets between the newlyweds and his best friend slowly surface that threaten to end their relationship before it truly begins.THE LONGING is an engaging Americana romance that, though the story line contains too many secrets weighing down the plot, remains an exciting Americana tale that focuses on Kyle, who was jilted by his fiancée for his brother in the first book SHADES OF HONOR. Amelia is a wonderful protagonist who brings to life the place of the young single female in post Civil War society. Kyle is a workaholic with a conscience. Though his buddy's final actions seem out of character, fans of historical romances will appreciate this novel and long for the next stories starring a different single Grayson sibling.Harriet Klausner

Top Pick! - Romantic Times Book Club.

4-1/2 Stars - TOP PICK! - Romantic Times Book Club! Readers who enjoy deeply emotional reads will find THE LONGING impossible to put down. The dark and brooding nature of the hero and the horrible pain Amelia carries are very real, but it is the surprising plot twist that makes this a fresh and innovative read. It delineates Lindstrom as one of romance's finest Americana writers.Reviewed by Kathe Robin for Romantic Times Book ClubTHE LONGING is a beautifully written relationship story that is a joy to read. Wendy Lindstrom does an outstanding job of delving into the hearts and minds of her characters and making them people that we can care about. This is a wonderful book written with love.Reviewed by Betty Cox for ReaderToReader.comMs. Lindstrom's fantastic characters are a treat, as is her rare ability to immediately develop conflict while at the same time introducing characters with enough depth and dimension to instantly captivate the reader in their dilemma. Her plots are expertly rendered, forging a relationship that compels urgent, can't-put-down page turning. Reviewed by Denise M. Clark for Road To RomanceWith a fresh, new title, the second book in the "Shades" trilogy is another powerful romance. Wendy Lindstrom is a fantastic author, and one that readers will not want to miss. She has a knack for creating dynamic characters, vivid settings, and tender passion. Though THE LONGING is the second in the series, it succeeds as a stand-alone, however I wouldn't have wanted to miss Radford and Evelyn's story. Readers finds themselves reunited with them as well as learning more about the next brother, Boyd. Boyd is quite a character, particularly when it comes to describing how to attract a woman, I can't wait to see Boyd face off with his own significant other!Reviewed by Tracy Farnsworth for The Romance Readers ConnectionFans of tortured and brooding characters will love this book. The catharsis, when it comes, is quite satisfying...left me wanting to read the next book in the series, about the youngest Grayson brother, Boyd. Wendy Lindstrom gives me hope that the Americana romance is in good hands, and I hope all readers who like this period will give her a try. She is an author to watch.Reviewed by All About Romance

A talented author!

Amelia Drake was a twenty-one year old schoolmarm. It seemed as though every single man in her life had manipulated her or let her down. As a teen (17) she had given herself to a man she loved and thought they would marry. Instead she had been seduced, abandoned, and doomed to life as a spinster. When her father, Tom Drake, died, Amelia and her mother found out they were broke. They decided to sell their sawmill to a business rival, Kyle Grayson. When Kyle put Amelia in a compromising situation, they had to marry. Kyle married Amelia mainly out of guilt. Not only because the school board had caught him in her home, but also because he believed he had killed her father! Kyle had thought Tom betrayed him and confronted Tom. Tom was so distressed he went into cardiac arrest and died in Kyle's arms. Both Amelia and Kyle had secrets they felt unable to reveal to the other. In addition, secrets from outside sources make the new marriage rocky and trust hard to come by. It was all about to come to a head! I just gave a sample of what Amelia and Kyle were up against! Author Wendy Lindstrom gave this couple so many problems, suspicions, and betrayals that I could see NO WAY for them to have a happy ending! This author's talent shines through on every page! Recommended reading.