To The Edge of the Stars

Fort Myers author Joyce Henderson has penned a charming romance novel, "To The Edge of the Stars," just out from Dorchester. The novel, an historical, takes place in central Texas in 1870. The heroine is a young woman named Kalen Barrett whose parents were murdered by Indians. With no home and no funds, Kalen travels from ranch to ranch with her alcoholic uncle, Jed Barrett.

It's a rough life and Kalen has, of necessity, submerged her feminine side until she arrives at the Savage Ranch and meets Taylor Savage, the man who owns the ranch along with his mother, sister, and brother. The entire Savage family accepts Kalen and her uncle, without reservation, and not only because both are excellent with horses. Indeed Lael Taylor, the matriarch, insists that it's inappropriate for Kalen to bunk with the other ranch hands and insists, overriding Kalen's reluctance, that she move into the main house. From there, in one sense, To The Edge of the Stars is a typical romance novel. Readers know that Kalen and Taylor will ultimately be together by the end of the book and that the major problem will be resolved. However, Henderson's book has a very satisfying depth. The characters are extremely well drawn and sympathetic. Uncle Jed is definitely an alcoholic, but he struggles with his addiction for Kalen's sake and you admire that. Kalen is insecure, laden with sad memories, but brave and loyal to her uncle.

The Savage family also embodies a close, loving family - although they are not without their own emotional baggage.

Lael Savage had committed the unpardonable sin of falling in love with and marrying Running Wolf, a Comanche. Not only did Lael's family turn their back on her, they murdered her husband and Lael lost her sight as a result of the emotional trauma.

But Henderson, like cream, rises to the top in her treatment of the Indians. Being half-Indian, the Savage siblings have a foot in both worlds and honor many of the Comanche traditions and habits. In writing both about the Indians and their beliefs, Henderson, who was born in Texas, writes with compassion and respect about the Indians while evoking a crisply dramatic and fascinating portrait of the Lone Star State in the 1800s.

Books reviewed in this column are available online or at your local bookstore.