HAVEN

Stephanie Brush is the perfect reader for this story of strong-willed Laila Mitchell, her parents, and Tansy, an abandoned little girl, who all determinedly face the hardships of frontier life in the Northwest. Brush's pacing is excellent as is her delivery, which smoothly adjusts to accommodate descriptive passages and emotional situations. However, her male voices, particularly that of handsome hero Ash Corbett, seem difficult for her to deliver consistently. This historical romance portrays late-nineteenth-century Oregon and Idaho authentically. Brush's clear, unhurried narration adds charm and warmth to Brown's stong, memorable characters. Romance and Western fans will cheer as independent Laila survives in the Snake River Valley. S.C.A. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/ JUL 06]