Jenny’s Dream

Linda Weaver Clarke
American Book Publishing (2008)
ISBN  9781589824461
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (8/08)

 

“Jenny’s Dream” is one of five novels from the series:  “A Family Saga at Bear Lake.”  As with the other novels, the author incorporates true experiences into fictional accounts.  I haven’t had the pleasure of reading the other novels; however, I found myself totally captivated by this family and plan on reading more of the series.

In this book, Jenny’s story is told.  It is 1908, and Jenny is twenty-years-old.  She has returned home after being away at college for two years.  In addition to being an educated woman, she is a competent equestrian and an excellent marksman.   She lives with her family in the valley of Bear Lake which is in Paris, Idaho.  This is in the beautiful Rocky Mountains.   She is the daughter of Gilbert Roberts.  Her stepmother is a beautiful woman named Melinda.  She has a four-year-old sister, Kayla, and a ten-year-old brother John.  Jenny loves her family dearly, however, she feels the need to move away and have a fresh start.  She is greatly troubled by events that happened in her childhood and would like to escape from the painful memories.

As a child, Jenny was a tomboy and spent a great deal of time assisting her dad on the farm.  Now that she is a woman, she is unable to do those things.  Instead, she spends her days reading and daydreaming about visiting all of the exotic places that she has read about.  As a matter of fact, she has decided to drop out of college to go to work for a magazine in Texas.  As she makes these plans, she meets a new neighbor named Will.  He is twenty-four and still unmarried.  Will finds himself drawn to Jenny.  He loves both her beauty and her intelligence.  Jenny is pretty set in her ways and does not want to be distracted into remaining in the valley.  Will needs to find a way to let her know of his feelings.  Jenny needs to find a way to overcome her painful childhood memories.

“Jenny’s Dreams” tells a really beautiful story that incorporates the value of loyalty, love, family and forgiveness into it.  I found myself greatly enjoying the romances between Jenny’s parents and between Jenny and Will.  Each relationship demonstrates friendship, respect and love.  I also enjoyed how the author put real experiences, taken from her family and friends, into the plot.  This is a great touch because it makes the story seem more real.  One of the biggest examples of this is the story of Old Half Paw who is a giant grizzly bear that is endangering the lives of both humans and livestock.  His story is borrowed from the true story of Old 3 Toe, a real grizzly.

“Jenny’s Dream” is a wonderful story to read.  It is a wholesome novel that will be able to be enjoyed by family members of all ages who would enjoy a great historical romance.  I think that this series is destined to be a classic.

Make comment on weblog