"Terrific Contemporary Story"

Daisy had met and married James Tucker while she was on a trip to Wyoming. He was a rancher and she was a jewelry maker from New England. They had twins, Jake and Sage, to make their family complete. One day James took the three- year-old Jake with him while he was working the cattle. He and Daisy were devastated when Jake disappeared never to be seen again. The devastation extended to their marriage -- they broke up and Daisy moved back to New England with her daughter, Sage.

Now, thirteen years later, Sage runs off to join her father in Wyoming. She and her boyfriend hop a freight train and go west. Sage is frightened and confused. She is pregnant and knows she is disappointing her mother. She desperately wants contact with her father.

James is still hoping his son will return. His guilt has torn him apart all these years. He is caring for his father who has Alzheimer's. He is a lonely and disillusioned man. He finds his only peace and consolation in the beautiful country that he rides daily. As James finds peace in the land, Daisy finds it in her beautiful jewelry. She makes one-of-a-kind pieces that are imbued with magic. After the loss of her son, all she wants is to keep her daughter safe. She returns to Wyoming to await her daughter's return.

The writing in DREAM COUNTRY is outstanding. The reader can almost see the beautiful mountain country of Wyoming where James rides trying to find himself by being in harmony with the land. It is like a religious experience for him. As James and Daisy find some solace in each other, Sage is making the difficult trip home. The secondary characters are very well drawn and fascinating as well. David finds Sage and protects her on the way to Wyoming along with his distressed animal friends. Louisa is devoted to James' father, Dalton, but wonders if Dalton has really loved her all the years they have been together. The reader is involved with the characters and feels she knows the people that inhabit the DR Ranch. DREAM COUNTRY is a book that you just cannot put down as the characters catch your imagination and take you with them on their journey. Another winner for the talented Luanne Rice.

Reviewed by Marilyn Heyman
Posted May 26, 2002