Title: The Outer Edge of Heaven 
Author: Jaclyn M. Hawkes
Publisher: Spirit Dance Books
Published: July 2011
Softcover: 269 pages
Genre: Romance
ISBN#0615517773
Reviewer: Sheila
Filled with colorful characters of all shapes, sizes and species, including an
orphaned baby pig, most of the Langston family put the fun in
dysfunctional, give or take a couple of black sheep. There’s one in
every family, isn’t there? Add to that glorious scenery, a horse of her
own, and one extremely attractive cousin rancher, Luke Langston, and it
makes for a summer Charlie will never forget. Which might not be a good
thing. She has the time of her life, but her heart may never recover
The cover of The Outer Edge of Heaven draws you into the book before you even read the first page. There is something so intriguing about the cowboy on the horse, with the beautiful sunset in the background.Having been in Montana several times before, the title of the book is fitting. On the back it says:
“Montana truly is heavenly. Especially those handsome cowboys”
I happen to agree with this statement and it is especially true of main character, Luke Langston. He is a true blue cowboy, stoic, tough, silent and polite. Luke was my favorite character in this modern-day, clean, LDS, romance. When Charlene, or Charlie as she is known throughout the whole story, first sees Luke, she is smitten. Charlie along with her best friend Fo (Forest) are in Montana working at Fo’s cousin’s ranch. Charlie is hiding away from her rich, powerful, parents who want to choose her occupation and her husband. There at the ranch she is hired to help take care of Luke’s half siblings who are in dire need of a “real” mother. Luke’s father, Richard, is married to his third wife who is unfaithful to him.
At the ranch Charlie has many adventures with the darling children Jamie, Evie, and Elsa. Charlie gives the children stability and love. I loved how realistically Jaclyn wrote the children. They are very endearing, even when they make huge messes, like the waffle incident in the kitchen. Charlie teaches the children how to plant a garden, take care of piglets and takes them to swimming class and dance class. Though there are many fun and humorous things that happen in this story, there are also deep subjects too. There is an attempted assault, that is stopped quickly, an alcoholic wife, a fourteen year old experimenting with marijuana (this situation is handled very well and teaches the teenager a good lesson) and break-ins.
Fo and Charlie’s friendship is such a wonderful part of this story. They are so loyal and supportive of one another. Every women needs a male friend as great as Fo. The romantic tension between Charlie and Luke is a big part of the storyline and is there for most of the story. I was so anxious to have the tension end sooner, rather than later, but that would have taken away from the excitement in the story. Let’s just say you will like the ending of the story.
This book is a fast read and one that you really don’t want to put down. You will fall in love with the characters and not want the story to end. I enjoy Jaclyn’s writing and read and reviewed her first book, Journey of Honor and I hope to read even more books from her.
You can purchase The Outer Edge of Heaven here at Amazon.com
About the Author
Jaclyn M. Hawkes grew up in Utah with 6 sisters, 4 brothers and any
number of pets. (It was never boring!) She got a bachelor’s degree, had a
career and traveled extensively before settling down to her life’s work
of being the mother of four magnificent and sometimes challenging
children. She loves shellfish, the out of doors, the youth and hearing
her children laugh. She and her fine husband, their family, and their
sometimes very large pets, now live in a mountain valley in northern
Utah, where it smells like heaven and kids still move sprinkler pipe.
***I received my review copy of The Outer Edge of Heaven from the Author and participating in Tristi Pinkston’s Book Tour. In no way did this influence the review that was given.
This author was in my Storymaker bootcamp group. I can’t wait to read this book.
I know that you will like it Donna! It is one of those books I would read again some time.
I stopped by your blog today
Ann