Sunday, June 7, 2009

Sage Cane's House of Grace & Favor-Christy Hubbard

Sage Cane's House of Grace & Favor
Christy Hubbard
Five Star, Jul 2009, $25.95
ISBN: 9781594147739

In 1859, her father’s death left Sage Cane broke, but soon afterward her fiancĂ© Rodney Witherspoon jilts her. With no reason to stay in Missouri, she heads to Fairplay Creek, Colorado where she inherited a B&B from her Aunty Hannah Wild. When she reaches the gold mountainous town, Sage learns that her inheritance is actually Wild Mountain Honey bordello and her Aunt Hannah make that Honey was a madam. Sage plans to shut the place down, but single dad widower Sheriff Bridger Norwood explains that the bordello keeps the miners off the street.

However, though she agrees to keep it open for now, Sag begins setting in motion her plans to make sure the cook, the bookkeeper, the six ladies and her are economically independent and never rely on a man. She also begins to change the town’s attitude with her new charm school to teach wives and female minors how to keep their men home. As the sheriff and the shrewd businesswoman fall in love, more changes caused by Sage are coming to Fairplay Creek.

Although everything works too perfectly with one noted exception, the killing of one of the ladies, fans will enjoy this fine western romance. The story line is fast-paced as capable Cane sets in motion her multitude of schemes to better herself, her employees, and the town. Even though the divided country on the verge of hostilities is not referenced, SAGE CANE’S HOUSE OF GRACE & FAVOR is an inspiring well written historical novel as the audience will admire the strong independent heroine.

Harriet Klausner

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