MORE THAN A MEMORY 

Dorothy Garlock 

Warner Books 

Feb. 2001 

ISBN 0446-60814-9

 

Nelda and Lute Hanson have the shortest marriage in history. Ten minutes after the ceremony, her father tears them apart, stating that Lute is not good enough for his daughter. Nelda, sixteen and pregnant, manages to leave her father and make a home for herself with her grandparents while Lute goes into the Navy. They do not hear from each other again for eight long years during which their child dies in infancy, Nelda becomes a successful designer, and Lute finishes his time in the Navy and becomes a farmer again. After this time, Nelda comes back home to decide whether to keep her grandparents' farm or sell and take some time for herself. She has no idea her ex-husband lives there now until she meets him at their little girl's grave. Old feelings begin to resurface for both of them, but neither believes it can work. Lute believes Nelda can never be happy as a farmer's wife, and because she sees a wedding band on his finger, she thinks he has remarried, not knowing until later that the band is from their marriage.  They reencounter each other when his motorcycle accidentally hits her dog and together they get him to the vet. Meeting Gary the vet gives Nelda a new friendship with him and his wife, Rhetta. This leads to a semi- platonic relationship with Norris Smithfield.

Nelda and Lute's next major encounter comes when Nelda falls ill and Lute comes to help nurse her. It seems that they are able to lay aside their differences for a time, but old hurts and fears keep them apart still. Nelda begins receiving obscene phone calls and noticing things being moved and candy wrappers scattered around her farm. One evening, a bunch of teen aged boys comes to her porch and tries to get in and "have fun" with her. Lute again comes to her rescue. Yet, they still cannot get past their bitter feelings and love each other.  At Christmas, the identity of the obscene caller is revealed to be the husband of an old friend who resents the influence Nelda has exerted on his wife. The woman leaves him and finds shelter with Nelda, placing her life, and the life of Nelda's unborn child she has just learned she carries, at risk as well. The threat is short lived, the man is killed in a tragic accident within days of his threats to Nelda.

Nelda decides she has to leave town because of her condition. She does not want Lute to feel obligated to remarry her. When Norris offers to take her out of town for New Year's, she jumps at the chance. During their time together, she meets the love of his life and sets in motion the steps to get her own life on a new track.  After she is gone, Lute realizes that he loves her and goes in pursuit of her. His genuine love and change in attitude win her over, and they recommit to one another.

This book is the perfect compromise for those who love historicals and contemporaries. It is set in the late fifties, so it is historical, but recent enough that contemporary lovers do not feel overwhelmed. It has a very sweet plot, but I found the continual misunderstandings between the two main characters overdone. Though the hero and heroine had a tendency to get on my nerves, the supporting cast is full of charming people, and overall, it is a good story worth three stars.

 

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore

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