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Wild Honey by Carolyn Lampman is an interesting tale of a young woman’s path to maturity and love. Alaina is the oldest daughter of Garrick and Becky Ellinson. All her life she has been different from the rest of her family. She is the only one who craves adventure; she is impulsive and longs to travel. She finally has the chance to travel because her godmother Angel has invited her to Wyoming for a visit. Jared Brady, Angel’s brother will escort her there.
The night before she leaves, she finds a photograph in the bottom of her mother’s old valise. When Alaina shows the photo to her parents, she learns that she is not Garrick’s biological daughter. The man in the photo, Cameron Price, is her biological father. Becky is furious that Alaina wants to find Cameron, and points out that Garrick has always been her father. Garrick surprises them both by telling Becky that Alaina has the right to get to know the man.
As she and Jared travel, they argue almost constantly. She finds him very attractive, and he is surprised that she’s not a child anymore. However, he is engaged to the lovely, ladylike Susan Prescott. When the two women meet, they instantly dislike each other.
Alaina’s impulsive nature leads to misadventures once they arrive at Angel’s home. Alaina learns that her father is now an army Captain and is close enough to travel to see. Jared prevents her from going by train, and she decides to go across a mountain pass instead. Alaina shows unexpected depths and skills on this trip, and she amazes Jared by saving his life after he has tried to rescue her.
Jared is a gentleman. He desires to rescue and protect Alaina from the results of her impulsivity. He finds her immature and dangerous. Her insistence on finding Cameron Price infuriates him. When he realizes that she has gone on a treacherous journey, he goes after her. He finds himself in a bind when his feelings and behavior cross the line with Alaina. He feels honor bound to marry her, yet she refuses. Alaina doesn’t want a husband who marries her out of obligation. And besides, Jared is already engaged to Susan.
Ms. Lampman writes an engrossing tale of relationships between family, friends, and lovers. Jared’s emotions and motivations are true to the era of the story. Alaina is likeable. Her behavior seems in character, and is logical as a result. She is determined, persistent, and goes after what she wants. In the process, she matures and changes. She learns that her initial perceptions can be completely mistaken, and adapts to situations as a result. Susan is the perfect “Other Woman” – arrogant, beautiful, manipulative and also determined to get her man.
This book has sexual interaction, but for the most part, the focus is on the romance between the characters. This reader enjoyed the novel, and the characters stuck with me after the story ended. As a result, I highly recommend this book.
Reviewed by Nancy Riggins-Hume
for The Road to Romance
March 16, 2004
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