When the Splendor Falls

by Laurie McBain

Book Overview

One stolen kiss. Two hearts from different worlds. When war and time threaten to keep them apart, will love be enough? Virginia, 1860. For Leigh Alexandra Travers, life at her family's Virginia... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0380898268
• ISBN13: 9780380898268
• Release Date: January 1989
• Publisher: Avon Books
• Length: 678 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 4.2" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

I'd give it 6 stars if I could

The book may look intimidating with all the pages and small print but it's totally worth reading. I like all of Laurie McBain's books but this one might now be my favorite. She has a talent for providing fascinating detail of her characters, the events and the history that I feel as if I'm right there in the story. She writes in a way that makes me eager to find out what happens next. Her books always have a nice blend of action, history, humor, sadness and of course, romance! I hated to see this book end but I know I can just start over again. :)

Six stars for a great American story...

Don't let the cheesy cover and generic title fool you. (Although, given the time when it was published, the cover is actually quite tasteful.) This is not your average bodice-ripper, this is a great story. It is a standout in the romance genre. There's action, adventure, history, romance, and a little mystery. Like Forest Gump in the 18th century, our characters experience the civil war and the resulting migration to the west. There are plenty of soldiers, cowboys, Indians, and horses. "When Splendor Falls" has all the ingredients of a great American story. No one writes this type of romance anymore, certainly not as well as Ms. McBain. It's historically accurate and the characters are believable for the period in which they live. The story is about Neil Braedon, who is a great non-hero destined for Miss Leigh Travers of Travers Hill. Before he can claim Leigh, he must serve in the Civil War, on the opposite side of Leigh Traver's brothers and his own cousins while Leigh struggles to hold her family's plantation and surviving members together. Neil and Leigh meet before and during the last stages of the Civil War and through Neil; Leigh embarks on a journey to a ranch in New Mexico and once there finds the freedom she was denied as a young woman in the old South. The story is skillfully plotted and the characters and historical events evolve naturally. The background description of the southern plantations and Mexican influence on western ranches make the story rich and colorful. Some compare Laurie McBain with Kathleen Woodiwiss, but I would compare her to Diana Gabaldon, who wrote the Outlander series or Penelope Williamson, who wrote "Hearts of the West." I recommend this book and also "Tears of Gold" by Laurie McBain. Both books chronicle--so well-- the American legends and history that we've grown up with through the eyes of young women. I hesitate to write glowingly about a book that is out of print, but maybe this will stimulate interest and the publisher will reprint.

A wonderful book - I loved it

I loved this book. It was the first Laurie Mcbain book I read, and I quickly bought up every other book she has written - beyond question, she is my favorite historical romance author.It is [wonderfully] long, and [beautifully] detailed, and the initial few pages contain quite a long conversation (it can be difficult to follow who is speaking) but I thought it perfectly set the tone of this idyllic time before the war - and gives a great deal of information about the characters you will soon love - and lose. I thought it was funny that there was a list of characters, with descriptions, at the beginning of the book - then found myself returning to that list over and over.The whole book - just so wonderful. Find a copy and read it - you will not be disappointed.I so wish that Laurie would write again!

Long But Good

It is a long story but it is a good love story. Since I have already read the book many times, I do skip the beginning pages when I re-read the book. It is a bit detailed in the beginning but it sets up the characters for a new reader. It is worth more than .01 .. it's worth at least as much as today's prices if not more. The story takes the main characters through the civil war and than to the west with a bit of mystery. One of my all time favorite writers .. I have two copies of this book (in case I lose one)! Her other books are good too .. try Tears of Gold and Moonstruck Madness.

My favorite story of all time!

I haven't read any of her other books, YET, but this is the most heart wrenching love story I have ever read, it not only involves two people, but two families! I LOVE this book!