Title: The Odyssey and Other Stories
Author: Jennifer Mueller
Published in 2005 by Romance At Heart Publications
Genre: Historical
ISBN: 1-58495-312-8
Other Books by : All My Dreams Till Death Do Us Part Behind the Mask An Arrangement Among Gentlemen Egyptian Nights History Lessons review coming soon
Her husband's death hit Nora Beck hard. She was left struggling, and even though it was shearing time, the sale of the wool did not leave her much to go on for the winter. Daniel had loved her, had given her a daughter, and though the times were rough, he did manage to save enough to buy Nora a book in celebration. It was her only book, The Odyssey by Homer, and one she treasured. Disowned by her family because she marryied for love, Nora now found it hard to make ends meet. With no one to look after Ann, the sheep more often than not suffered, but it couldn't be helped. Nora did the best she could with the help of her friend and neighbor Molly, and managed to eke out a living for herself and Anne. She hadn't meant to get lost, nor spend the night away from her daughter, and when she returned in the light of the morning, she found Molly reading over the poetry she had written over the years. As she fed and dressed Anne, she was surprised at Molly's reaction, and her suggestion she take her poetry, based on Homer's The Odyssey to Mr. Wordsworth. Maybe he could help her get it published...
The poetess was a total mystery. No one knew her but Wordsworth, and he assured them she was a shepherdess, not more, not less. Joseph Cavanaugh could not believe his eyes or his luck, however, when the woman, five year old daughter in tow, showed up at William's house while he was visiting. She was dressed modestly, her clothing serviceable and by no means stylilsh, but she carried herself with grace and pride, and had an air of self-confidence and refinement that amazed him. It had been two years since her book of poetry had been offered for sale, she was still all the rage. The people and publisher clamoured for more. More of her poetry and more about her were the demands. People wanted to know all about her, who she was, where she was, and why wasn't she seen, and Joseph had come to visit his friend William, and to discover if he could those very things for himself. Never did he expect that what he had been told was the real truth of her, the genteel poverty, the sheep she tended for a living, or to the strength of his attraction to the beauty he found in Nora Beck.
I suggest you sit back, relax, and pick up yet another of Jennifer Mueller's short stories. This one is called The Odyssey, and tells the tale of a woman who suffers the loss of her husband, but discovers again the talent she has nurtured for all these years, and it is paying off. Nora Beck was disowned by her wealthy family for marrying below her station, and although she loved her husband with all her heart, she still missed her father's library and the books she loved. Now she has to find a way to suppliment her income, so she and her daughter Anne could live more comfortably. She returns to the poetry she writes, and finds in William Wordsworth a friend, and a mentor. As her fortunes change, she is totally unaware of the impact she has on others, and of the even bigger change love will again have on her life. A fist full of Jennifer's shorts from Romance At Heart on your shelf should definitely include The Odyssey. Your collection would not be complete without this delightful tale.
Yours in good reading,
Rose!
Jennifer Mueller Bio Interview Review
Buy Jennifer's The Odyssey and Other Stories
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