Into the Valley: The Settlers

Rating:
Summary: Dumbed-down writing
Review: For years I was a staunch fan of Bittner's books, but moved on to other authors when some of her later books lost their appeal. I just recently returned to this author with "Into the Valley" and found even greater disappointment. Bittner has so dumbed down her writing that there is no depth to the characters, let alone the plot. I find this a common style amongst many romance writers - the writing seems to be geared to no more than a 6th grade level. I cringe to think that the book editors and publishers are advising authors along this line of thinking, but I fear it is so. The result is that I couldn't find any emotional attachment to the characters. And the "living history" that was supposedly conveyed was a very narrow window. The sad thing is that Bittner had a potentially interesting plot revolving around the love triangle of Luke, Jeremiah, and Annie. Fleshed out, this could have made for interesting writing, but noooooooooo, sadly, that didn't happen. Some parts were almost funny - the "coupling" scenes were similar to two dolls that some omniscient hand places face to face, they couple, they roll apart. The whole book made me feel like Bittner couldn't decide whether to write a romance or an historical novel, found she had time for neither, so churned out this weak no-brainer. It's time she retires; her heart is no longer in it.

Rating:
Summary: Dumbed-down writing
Review: For years I was a staunch fan of Bittner's books, but moved on to other authors when some of her later books lost their appeal. I just recently returned to this author with "Into the Valley" and found even greater disappointment. Bittner has so dumbed down her writing that there is no depth to the characters, let alone the plot. I find this a common style amongst many romance writers - the writing seems to be geared to no more than a 6th grade level. I cringe to think that the book editors and publishers are advising authors along this line of thinking, but I fear it is so. The result is that I couldn't find any emotional attachment to the characters. And the "living history" that was supposedly conveyed was a very narrow window. The sad thing is that Bittner had a potentially interesting plot revolving around the love triangle of Luke, Jeremiah, and Annie. Fleshed out, this could have made for interesting writing, but noooooooooo, sadly, that didn't happen. Some parts were almost funny - the "coupling" scenes were similar to two dolls that some omniscient hand places face to face, they couple, they roll apart. The whole book made me feel like Bittner couldn't decide whether to write a romance or an historical novel, found she had time for neither, so churned out this weak no-brainer. It's time she retires; her heart is no longer in it.

Rating:
Summary: No surprise
Review: I loved this book ( no surprise). Rosanne never disappoints. The only thing about this book that could have been different was there could have been more with Jesse, Noah and the boys as they were growing up. Can't wait for the next book.

Rating:
Summary: powerful trek to 1780 in the Ohio Valley
Review: In 1780, the American Colonies close to the ocean are embroiled in hostilities with the English military. Further inland in places along the Ohio River, the locals barely feel the war. Most residents are neutrally ambivalent or lean towards loyalty to the crown with few freedom fighters. In Willow Creek, like most of the Ohio Valley settlements, the Revolution takes a back stage to farming and family. Luke Wilde works the land whether he is an English subject or an American citizen. However, his brother Jeremiah has wandered the wilderness and thus has a wider perspective so he desires freedom at any cost.

After being away for three years, Jeremiah returns to Willow Creek on the eve of his sibling's marriage to Annie Barnes. Jeremiah loves Annie, but knows she is better off with his brother, which is why he left in the first place. His arrival brings the British army to previously peaceful Willow Creek forcing the two brothers to join in arms against the oppressor while Annie remains wild about both men.

THE SETTLERS is an exciting historical tale that looks closely at a segment of American Revolutionary War society often ignored by textbooks. The vivid story line brings to the forefront the varying feelings including internal conflict towards the war and the crown. This leads to deep characterizations, at least on the colonial side. The English come across as caricatures because they appear as abusive brutes rather than concerned individual with some doubts about fighting their Anglo brothers. Fans of strong Americana novels will appreciate Roseanne Bittner's powerful trek to 1780 in the Ohio Valley.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: powerful trek to 1780 in the Ohio Valley
Review: In 1780, the American Colonies close to the ocean are embroiled in hostilities with the English military. Further inland in places along the Ohio River, the locals barely feel the war. Most residents are neutrally ambivalent or lean towards loyalty to the crown with few freedom fighters. In Willow Creek, like most of the Ohio Valley settlements, the Revolution takes a back stage to farming and family. Luke Wilde works the land whether he is an English subject or an American citizen. However, his brother Jeremiah has wandered the wilderness and thus has a wider perspective so he desires freedom at any cost.

After being away for three years, Jeremiah returns to Willow Creek on the eve of his sibling's marriage to Annie Barnes. Jeremiah loves Annie, but knows she is better off with his brother, which is why he left in the first place. His arrival brings the British army to previously peaceful Willow Creek forcing the two brothers to join in arms against the oppressor while Annie remains wild about both men.

THE SETTLERS is an exciting historical tale that looks closely at a segment of American Revolutionary War society often ignored by textbooks. The vivid story line brings to the forefront the varying feelings including internal conflict towards the war and the crown. This leads to deep characterizations, at least on the colonial side. The English come across as caricatures because they appear as abusive brutes rather than concerned individual with some doubts about fighting their Anglo brothers. Fans of strong Americana novels will appreciate Roseanne Bittner's powerful trek to 1780 in the Ohio Valley.

Harriet Klausner