It’s 1916 and
Katie Jones has dedicated her life to the campaign for women’s suffrage. Driving her
Model T Ford across the country from Washington D.C. to her hometown of Homestead, ID,
Katie intends to spread her message.
Katie Jones has
always been different. The townspeople of Homestead blame her father for letting her
continue her education. Women should grow up to marry, have children, and take care of a
man. An education only ruins that. And with Katie, it apparently was true. Katie’s
hero is Susan B. Anthony. Miss Anthony never married and devoted her whole life to the
cause. Katie is determined to do the same. She will never let a man steal her identity.
Benjamin Rafferty
owns The Homestead Herald, Homestead’s
weekly newspaper. Everything he wants in life is starting to happen. He has a relationship
with a lovely, submissive woman, Caroline, a thriving business, and eventually, he will
have a marriage and children. He doesn’t count on Katie blowing into town and turning
his world upside down. Katie has the power to destroy all his dreams. Her articles about
women’s suffrage have turned brother against brother. The community is anything but
peaceful after her return. Ben has always loved Katie, but he wants marriage more than a
woman who will never return his love. Will Katie reach her goal? Or will Ben be able to
catch Katie?
The suffrage
movement was an important period in America’s history, important for giving women a
voice. Ms. Hatcher has researched the period well and was able to bring it to life in
CATCHING KATIE, making me understand why women endured the ridicule they did. At the same
time, I really can’t understand why Ben’s attraction to Katie. She is
charismatic, drawing people to her, but she is also one of the most willful and selfish
characters I’ve ever read about. Ben, on the other hand, is genuinely kind and
loving, going above and beyond the call of duty to help others and win Katie’s
affection.
CATCHING KATIE was
originally published in 1996 by HarperPaperbacks and entitled Kiss Me, Katie. It has been completely rewritten
for the Christian market. CATCHING KATIE is extremely well-written, and in spite of my
dislike of Katie I couldn’t put the book down. I had to see what happened next. I
even found myself pulling for Katie in some instances, though in others I wished
she’d just back down. CATCHING KATIE will be a wonderful addition to any library, a
book that readers will want to enjoy over and over again. $9.99. 368 pages.
Reviewed by Laura
V. Hilton for The Road to Romance
November 17,
2003 |
