[.ca] Come the Spring (ISBN 074353302X)

From Amazon.com:
Cole Clayborne has been tricked into accepting a badge and the title of U.S. Marshal by Sheriff Marshall Ryan. He would refuse the badge if he could, but the Blackwater Gang is up to no good and Cole feels compelled to help. Sheriff Ryan has been chasing the gang for two years--ever since they murdered his wife and daughter during a bank robbery--and he needs Cole to help him solve the case. When the Rockford Falls bank is robbed, only one witness is left alive. Terrified by the ordeal, the lone survivor won't come forward to testify; Cole and Daniels's only clue to her identity is a list that includes the names of three women who conducted business at the bank that afternoon. Is the eyewitness the beautiful, aristocratic Rebecca James or the exquisitely lovely Grace Winthrop? Could it be the seductive Jessica Summers? Somehow, Cole and Daniel have to keep the three women safe while solving the bank robberies and tracking down the killers. But the biggest danger of all may be the threat of losing their hearts to one of the beautiful women.

so enjoyable!:
I really enjoyed the character of Cole from the first books. I am glad I have my own copy of Come the Spring in hardcover. It is just so enjoyable. I am pleased. The only reason I do not give it a five is there are a couple of predictable moments, but they are enjoyable.

Okay Ending to the Claybournes:
Let me tell you up front, if you are looking for more of the Claybourne's in this book, you will not get it. The focus of "COMES THE SPRING" is capturing the Blackwater Gang. We start off with the bank robbery scene, and the identity of the witness is a mystery. Julie does a very good job in hiding who the witness is, until it is revealed. We finally get the story of Cole Claybourne, the most "rough" of the Claybourne brothers. Cole is made into a U.S. Marshal by Marshal Daniel Ryan, who supposedly stole his compass from Mama Rose. Little is known about the compass that causes Cole to search for Ryan, and this plot does not follow in the book. I thought Jessica and Grace were very good heroines. Jessica was really the perfect match for Cole, loving and in need of his care. The baby, Caleb, was also very adorable throughout the book. Grace was the exact opposite of Daniel Ryan's first wife, which proved to be a challenge to the Marshall to figure her out. While I enjoyed the chemistry with Grace and Daniel, I was a little disappointed that Cole did not have a story all to his own. I thought his character deserved more. Overall "COMES THE SPRING" is a good end to the series. I would recommend it to anyone who has followed the Claybournes since "FOR THE ROSES." Mama Rose's speech at the end did not bother me, as it did some reviewers, because we really don't hear a lot from her, but we know she has been behind the meddling. Definitely read this book, it's worth the time.

Loved this series!:
I absolutely loved the Clayborne series. I just finished Come the Spring, and as always, Garwood kept me intrigued from start to finish. I never want to put her books down and find myself sneaking at work to catch a quick chapter at my desk!! Come the Spring had excellent twists and I loved the chemistry between Cole and Jessica/Grace and Daniel. The scenes with Cole and Caleb were especially endearing to me, being a single mother. Garwood appeals to the romantic in me every time! This was no exception. This is a must read, especially if you have read the four other Calyborne novels. It brings everything full circle!

I love Julie!:
Her books are awsome! She is one of the top romance writter in my book I have read 17 of Julie Garwood's novels and she astounds me every time I read a new one. I suggest if you want to read this book start with the book "For the Roses" then go onto read "One Pink Rose", "One white Rose", and "One Red Rose" and then read "Come the Spring" These books are all about the Claybourne family and how they strived to survive raising an abandoned baby that they found in New York and turning her into a lady. After their little Mary Rose is grown up and Married to a highland Lawyer named Harrison each brother is tempted by women into settling down will the brothers run or face the destiny that MAMA Rose tricks them into. I am so happy that they decided to give Cole a bigger book about his story. He is my favorite out of the Clayborne brothers so I thought that he deserved a longer story. Cole is lead on an exciting adventure by a US Marshall so that he can get the gold compass back that he took from MAMA Rose at a train station hoping that Cole would try to get it back. Cole doesnt understand the US Marshals intentions until its too late. I love this story it a gotta read by any Julie fan.

Good, but missing something:
While I'm not a huge Western romance fan, I could see that Come the Spring has merit. Most of the characters, the men at least, seemed quite real and likeable, even amusing at times. But the women felt lacking, which seems strange since they were crafted by a woman, but that's the way they came across. I enjoyed reading about Cole, especially his interaction with the baby, Caleb, but didn't cheer with him over his pick of women. I don't know, but I think I will try reading another of Garwood's books. Though her dialogue could use improvement, she has a lot of talent and it's obvious why she's so popular. I just didn't feel this book was everything it could have been.