To the Edge of the Stars-Joyce Henderson

To the Edge of the Stars
Joyce Henderson
Leisure, Dec 2007, $6.99
ISBN: 9780843959963

In 1870 in Texas, Kalen Barrett seeks work. She is terrific with animals having the hands of a healer. To herself she admits she stinks with humans having not felt tender loving care in what seems like a century. Her only chance as a single woman to obtain work is as a ranch-hand at the spread of half-breed Taylor Savage.

As an outcast who has felt the racism of Texans towards a partial Comanche, Taylor empathizes with Kalen’s plight and hires her. She soon finds her yearning for someone to love her especially when she witnesses how kind and nurturing Taylor is towards his family especially his blind mom; they reciprocate his deep feelings. When her uncle dies, he shows her compassion, but now she wants more; she wants her employer’s love.

The key to this fine Texas historical romance is the setting including the secondary characters who bring out the traits in the lead couple. Taylor is tough yet nurturing and vulnerable when it comes to his family, his animals, and his land; Kalen is as tough yet also as nurturing and vulnerable when it comes to his animals and, over time, his family. Joyce Henderson provides a warm nineteenth century Americana tale starring two protagonists who find love truly takes them TO THE EDGE OF THE STARS.

Harriet Klausner