Only Love

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[[Plot Summary:]]

As Shannon Conner Smith makes her way into Holler Creeks General Store for her supplies, she encounters a mysterious man known as Rafe “Whip” Moran. At the general store Shannon waits for her supplies while the infamous Culpepper brothers talk amongst themselves about Shannon in a not so gentleman like way. Whip hears the talk and gets more frustrated at their manners by the second, he grips his bull whip hard (hence the nickname Whip) fighting the urge not to put those Culpepper boys into their place. He could not fight the urge and did what he did best with his bull whip, only to find that Shannon had left during the fight. Whip asks the storekeeper where Shannon lives and to get some extra supplies, he then rides to Shannon. When Whip arrives at Shannon’s cabin in the Colorado Territory Shannon stood in the doorway with a shotgun and her hound, Prettyface. After sending Whip away determined to make it on her own, Shannon goes to see the Shaman Cherokee, who is really a woman, and discusses Whip and other issues. Cherokee is a great friend to Shannon; she helps her with her hunting and helps her sort out her thoughts in her head. Cherokee acts somewhat like a sister towards Shannon, giving her strength to believe that Shannon can make it on her own, yet at the same time tells her that Whip might be a good thing for Shannon. She explains that Shannon needs to experience love, something she did not have with Silent John. Cherokee then continues and tells Shannon what she already knows; she is a widow. Shannon’s husband Silent John is a gold miner, Silent John has been gone too long this time and Cherokee informs her that she prayed over his grave. At first Shannon is in denial and afraid that her act as a strong woman making it on her own until her husband arrives back might be over, but then realizes that it is the truth; she is a widow. After her visit with Cherokee, Shannon awakes to Whip chopping wood and hunting, as he makes his feelings apparent, he wants her. As Whip makes his feelings known, so does Shannon, she wants him too in a way that she has never had a man before. Shannon is a virgin and shares with Whip that Silent John was actually her Great Uncle who took her in and called her his wife. Whip and Shannon’s relationship starts to grow and they end up making love. Whip is a wondering man; he tells Shannon that there is a sunrise calling his name and that as soon as Shannon is set with supplies that Whip will be leaving. Shannon knows he will be leaving and is still falling in love with him. Whip takes Shannon to see his sister Willow and her husband Caleb in hopes that Shannon will want to live with them. Whip does that so he would feel at ease knowing that Shannon will be ok while he goes wondering. Shannon refuses and soon Whip leaves, only to realize that Shannon was the sunrise calling his name and goes back to her to start a family.

Major Character List:

Shannon Conner Smith- Shannon is the main character of the novel. Shannon is a widow who finds she is falling in love. Rafe “Whip” Moran- Whip is the lone wondering man who fell for Shannon at first look. He helps her get ready for the winter while falling in love with her. Culpeppers- they are a group of infamous outlaw brothers. They harass Shannon about being a beautiful woman and make several sexual remarks about her. Prettyface- Is Shannon’s hound that also acts as her protector. Silent John- Is Shannon’s dead husband/ Great Uncle. He is also a famous gold miner. Cherokee- Is the shaman of the Colorado Territory. She is a woman; everyone believes she is a man. She also is guidance for Shannon, they are close friends. Willow- Whip’s sister. Willow tries to get Shannon to live with her and her husband. Caleb- Willows husband and Whip’s close friend who helps him with his feeling for Shannon.

[[Key Quotes:]] Page 47: “You got to face it, gal. You’re a widow.” Said by Cherokee while talking to Shannon about Silent John, Shannon’s husband, and how long he has been gone. Page 50: “We got to talk,” Cherokee said bluntly. “No two ways about it. You’re a widow.” “You can’t be certain of that.” (Shannon) “The hell I can’t. I prayed over his grave.”(Cherokee) While Cherokee was discussing praying over Silent John’s grave, it hit Shannon that she was indeed a widow and free to want Whip without feeling guilt. Page 205: “That’s the end of it, Whip told himself. Time to pull up stakes and find another sunrise before she has me so hog-tied I can’t even move. But first I have to see that the stubborn little witch is safe, whether she likes it or not.” This shows that Whip no matter how hard he wants to fight it, he cares about Shannon more than he knows. He is also using his wondering man excuse to leave her and forget about all of his feelings for her. Page 325: “She would have sold her own soul to be a distant sunrise calling his name… and to hear him answer.” This shows how much Shannon has fallen in love with Whip and given herself to him and to have anything for him to show his love for her in return. Page 369: “God, why did I ever come to Echo Basin in the first place? Before now I never guessed how much a man could hurt and never show a wound. Nor how much a woman could cry and never make sound. Looking at Shannon’s sad eyes is tearing my heart out.” This quote was italicized to show that it was in Whip’s mind and it was his thoughts. It shows at this point that he is hurting just as much as Shannon is because Whip too loves Shannon just as much as she loves him, but he does not show it or speak of it the way Shannon does.

Key Characteristics of Historical Romance/Themes• The details of an historical setting are made apparent. The setting of an old cabin in a secluded territory in Colorado in 1868. • The story has a timeless quality. The idea of chopping wood and that fire is the main source of energy. Cooking biscuits and deer meat for almost every meal. Also the General Store is where you do all shopping; supplies, food, and clothing. • There is mystery, adventure and intrigue in the story and/or characters. Whip is described as to having dark silver mysterious eyes and is an adventure seeking wondering man always looking for the next sunrise calling his name. • There are social/moral issues without the story. Shannon is a virgin and wants to make love to Whip, he at first feels uncomfortable with taking her virginity and then does when he realizes that she does want it and they both care about each other. • Main characters are easily identifiable. From the beginning you know that Whip wants Shannon and seems relentless until he gets what he wants and that is Shannon. • The story is fast paced yet you can stop and pick up without losing the story. You can end one chapter and set the book down for days, pick it right up and still know what is going on. • The language sets the tone for the book. The language of the book is clear and distinct; Whip is blunt with what he wants and how he wants it. Shannon wears her emotions on her sleeve and in her words, she has no problem letting know Whip that she loves him.