Summer Fancy by Anne Avery

I have a fondness for America books. (Americana books are set in the American West, but they usually feature people living in small towns, rather than on a farm or a ranch. If a character lives on a farm, he's part of a town community, rather than out on the frontier.) I've read a couple of other Anne Avery books, and found them enjoyable - I don't think she's writing any more. And Americana seems to be out of fashion these days, except for a few Harlequin Historical authors like Cheryl St. John.

Summer Fancy by Anne Avery
(1997, American West) 6/7/08
Grade: 3.5

When Zeke Jeffries moves to Rocky Ford, Colorado, the only thing on his mind is a good crop of watermelon. But the townsfolk have other ideas - especially the eligible women (and their determined mamas). Even Sophie, a flat chested spinster of 26, can’t help dreaming of Zeke, and Zeke finds himself charmed in spite of himself!

A cute story about two unlikely lovers, with a well drawn Americana setting. (It takes place in 1893.) Although Zeke’s diary entries weren’t quite integrated into the book - sometimes he’s writing in his diary, sometimes his thoughts and activities are just presented in the regular way, and there’s no real rhyme or reason to it - but I thought both Zeke and Sophie were enjoyable characters. But there just wasn’t a lot to this story, in terms of emotion, especially toward the end when Sophie decides not to marry Zeke for reasons that don’t make much sense. (It felt contrived.) However, the book was an enjoyable “slice of life” story that you don’t see much in romance any more.

I have never understood why American settings aren't more popular. There are lots of people who are fascinated by American history and geneology, and authors like LaVyrle Spencer are still much beloved by romance readers. Is it just not romantic enough, to think of the hero and heroine living happily ever after on a watermelon farm, rather than living a life of luxury in Regency England?