Rating: 
Summary: Where's my Jesse?
Review: LaVyrle Spencer is a wonderful writer. This book is heartwarming and lovely.
I am sad to have finished it and glad to be able to pick it up again.
Way to go, LaVyrle!
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Summary: A Lavyrle Spencer classic
Review: Need I say more?? A must read. I love the "less that perfect"
heroine.
Rating: 
Summary: Funny and passionate love story, a keeper!
Review: The author spends the majority of the book concentrating on the developing romance between Jesse and Abigail. They start out absolutely despising each other, they bicker - constantly - but it's not annoying bickering, it's funny (I laughed out loud more than once) and it's believable, then over the course of the book they become friends. This was a close to perfect book but it wasn't perfect because it was about 80 pages too long, IMO. About three-quarters of the way through the book Jesse is healed and takes a back seat in the action as the author explores the conflicting emotions in Abigail's head as she considers a proposal from David, the perfect bore, umm, I mean, gentlemen. Fortunately, the last few chapters were definitely worth hanging in there for. The historical details were great, I really felt like I was whisked back to 1879, and the dialogue was down-to-earth. There were so many lines that made me melt, here's one: "She'd had so little love, he thought, I will drown her in it for the rest of her life". This from an alpha hero! How can you resist? Comical, touching and wonderful. Despite my little complaints, I'm very glad I finally read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Maybe 4.5 stars...
Review: The first book I read by LaVyrle Spencer was 'The Endearment'. Let's just say...I wasn't too impressed with the book, after hearing about the reviews. And then I stopped reading historical romances for almost a year until I decided that, since I wanted to try something new along with contemporaries, I should try a historical again. I was wary about reading another of Spencer's novels but I decided to give it a try anyway. 'Hummingbird' didn't let me down. This one pretty much caught my attention, seeing as the pages were burning from the arguments between Abigail and Jesse. It was entertaining but it was also...a little annoying. Jesse's nature is a bit too forceful, and the fact that he holds her at gunpoint (even if there are no bullets) disturbs me, a little. It just adds to the forceful nature that I dislike about him.
As for David--needless to say, I didn't like him too much. Maybe it was just because Spencer did a VERY good job of making him seem like a wimp compared to Jesse. I'm not sure how I feel about him popping back into Abby's life near the end of the novel, though. I guess I enjoyed the first half of the book better. All in all, though, a good read. I think I'll try to read a few more books by LaVyrle Spencer (historicals) from now on.
Rating:
Summary: Spencer Does It Once Again!!
Review: The only disappointment that I feel is that I came to learn about this author so late. I love her books, especially YEARS. So far that is my favorite. I also love the love story between Jesse and Abigail. And I can't believe I am writing this but I didn't feel the leat bit sorry for David. I usually feel sorry for the under dog. He was really getting on my nerves. Even the wound he sustained on the train wasn't a man's wound. I think the only back bone he had was when he got angry. I enjoyed the constant bickering between Jesse and Abigail. It made me smile to myself most of the time. I truly recommend this book to anyone. My only reget is that I took this book out of the library rather than buying it. We all know that books can be rather costly these days. But, I can always take it out agin.
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Summary: Abigail, Jesse & David. An irreverent & enjoyable triangle
Review: This book was my introduction into Lavyrle's world. I found this treasure at a used book store nine years ago and I have read it more times than I can accurately recall. Abigail met her challenges and her disappointments with extraordinary grace and dignity. The protective wall she hid behind reminds me of the story of the sword that only the worthy one, Arthur could claim. Who can penetrate the wall of Abigail's heart? Jesse is somewhat predictable but who cares, I'd like a big hug from this guy on a cold winter's night too! LaVyrle is a gifted writer. You not only become aquainted with all the characters in this story, they become real enough, that you expect to see them standing at your own door. There are no perfect love stories. This story is filled with imperfections...of the human kind. In this story, people learn to grow, people learn to appreciate unique qualities in others, people learn to love, people get hurt, people learn to live with the cards life has dealt them. And just when things appear to be moving right along as life should, a wonderful curve appears just ahead. The characters are totally believable and so was the setting. When Jesse and Abigail where on that front porch swing, I could feel the night air on my skin. I closed my eyes and could clearly the see the land they crossed during their buggy ride. This book catapulted me into ransacking every book store for any book penned by Ms. Spencer. I'm glad Jesse DuFrayne rode in on a train and I'd buy a pair of those red shoes from David too!
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorites
Review: This is one of my favorite books and definitely the best by Miss Spencer. I have read it more times then I can remember. Abbie and Jesse are so funny together. I too was pleased to hear about them in The Gamble. I would highly recommend this book
Rating:
Summary: One of Spencer's best!
Review: This is one of my favorite books of all time. It's a great story of two very different people and what brings them together. I was a little confused with the storyline concerning Mr. Melcher (the pansy)- I mean, get real, does the woman really think he was her last chance? She didn;t even know the guy! And, like another previous comment, the forceful nature of Jesse is a bit much. However, he is the man to end all men. I loved the last night Jesse and Abbie had together- it's romantic and sweet (although somewhat too descriptive for my taste). This was a sweet story and you'll want to read it again and again. Definitely one of Spencer's best!
Rating: 
Summary: Abbie was a little annoying
Review: This is the first Lavyrle Spencer novel I've read and I think she is an excellent writer. Her characters were well developed with lots of conflict to keep you going but I think I've had enough of sharped-tongue,feisty, repressed women who yell and scream at the hero to hide her own confusion. Granted, Ms Spencer probably wrote this novel way before any of the other "strong and plucky" heroines I've read lately, still I think I'm more into the sweet love stories without all the ranting and raving.
Rating:
Summary: The BEST of Lavyrle Spencer.
Review: This is the very first book I ever read twice--and some parts I read three times. Lavyle Spencer has always been my favorite author so I have read all 20 of her books. This is by far my favorite. Please come out of retirement, Ms. Spencer, and introduce us to another Jessie.
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