Telephone switchboard operator Georgie Gail is outraged when the telephone company sends Luke Palmer to take over the business end of her job. What Georgie doesn't know is that Luke is really Texas Ranger Lucious Landrum, who is working undercover in an attempt to infiltrate infamous train robber Frank Comer's gang. And it's a good thing she doesn't know—because she thinks Landrum is a hard-nosed, arrogant man while Comer is a benevolent Robin Hood.
Luke doesn't know what to make of Georgie. She's passionate about birds but doesn't give the same consideration to people. She has more spunk than any woman he's ever met, yet she has a vulnerable side, as well. Luke always thought he'd never marry because of his job with the Rangers, but Georgie just may be the woman to change his mind.
My take: I'd never read a Deeanne Gist book before, and historicals usually aren't my thing, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I was quite pleasantly surprised. Love on the Line is witty, endearing, and entertaining. I love how independent Georgie is! I did catch on to a twist ahead of time, but that didn't diminish my enjoyment of the book—in fact, it made me want to keep reading to see if I was right! I read it in an afternoon, and when I was finished, I wished there was more to read.
I give Love on the Line 5 out of 5 stars. I loved it!
You can read an excerpt below:
Love on the Line
About the author: Deeanne Gist—known to her family, friends, and fans as Dee—has rocketed up the bestseller lists and captured readers everywhere with her very original, very fun historical & contemporary romances. Add to this three RITA nominations, two consecutive Christy Awards, rave reviews, and a growing loyal fan base, and you've got one recipe for success. She has a very active online community on her website at IWantHerBook.com and at Facebook.com/DeesCircle.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Bethany House Publishers through their book reviewer program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Georgie is an adorable character. She's an independent, strong-minded young woman with passionate opinions and an agenda of her own. Watching her clash with the Texas lawman is one of the highlights of this story.
ReplyDeleteLove is on the Line" is peopled with terrific small town characters and a wonderful sense of place. I found that Gist's town comes to life vividly without being overdone. Her descriptive prose is delightful like this description of a group of boys listening in on a party line. "To his right, a group of boys between the ages of five and twelves faced the wall. They'd pressed themselves together so tightly, their bums looked like a cluster of oversized grapes."