Review of Harlequin Romance Diamond in the Rough
Love and Family in Diana Palmer's The Men of Medicine Ridge Series
Apr 12, 2009
Diana Palmer’s Harlequin Romance series The Men of Medicine Ridge brings a new, exciting story entitled Diamond in the Rough (2009). Set in present day Hollister, Montana the love story of Cassandra “Sassy” Peale and John Taggert Callister is enhanced by the use of theme to build plot and characterization. Focusing on the importance and influence of family relationships, Palmer creates a story of fervent love between an unlikely, but perfectly matched couple.
Sassy Peale’s Commitment to Family
Drawing from the strength and perseverance of family, Palmer’s Sassy Peale is a tough young woman caring for her family after her father has abandoned them. Despite her cruel circumstances, she is a woman who loves individuals more than possessions and believes her blessings lie in family, not riches.
As the novel opens, the reader finds Sassy struggling to make ends meet as a feed store clerk. Sassy’s mom is fighting cancer and the medical bills keep coming. Selene, Sassy’s six year old adopted sister, is grateful just to have a family to love her, but Sassy knows Selene needs the bare essentials, like food and clothing. But no matter how daunting her situation may be, Sassy realizes that her family is worth more than money, and “she could count her blessings as if they made her richer than a princess.”
John Taggert Callister’s Search for Family
In contrast to Sassy, John Callister didn’t meet his real parents until he was an adult. Raised by a loving but focused Uncle, John grew up with a strong sense of family accompanied by the painful belief that his birth parents had abandoned him. It would be a secret hurt that would haunt him and influence his ability to trust women.
Compounding his mistrust of love, John’s experience with women has led him to believe that his value lies in his checkbook, and a millionaire such as himself has little chance of finding a woman who loves the man not the money. Although his brother Gil has recently married a woman of substance, John does not believe he will be so lucky. But despite his cynical attitude, John is a man longing to find his soul mate.
Creating a Sense of Family: Sassy and John
When John arrives in Hollister his intentions are to renovate the dilapidated Bradburry cattle ranch. His business leaves little time for relationships, and he intends to get in and out of Hollister as quickly as possible. But when John meets Sassy for the first time his protective instincts kick in, and he finds himself rescuing her from a lecherous boss. Then he secretly funds a life saving medical treatment for Sassy’s mom, Mrs. Peale.
Relying on one another for emotional support, Sassy and John slowly begin to build a friendship that quickly leads to love. Yet, there is the problem of John’s millions, which Sassy knows nothing about, and Sassy’s youth, which deters a thirty-one year old John. But in the near tragedy of Mrs. Peale’s illness, John and Sassy discover that money and age mean nothing when two people are in love.
Quickly settling into each other’s lives, John proposes to Sassy who happily accepts. Welcomed by the Callister and Peale families, Sassy and John celebrate their wedded bliss and the development of new family ties.
The Harlequin Romance Tradition of Contemporary Romance Focused on Reality
True to the tenets of the contemporary romance novel, Diana Palmer’s novel portrays realistic characters dealing with true-life situations. Sassy and John’s story depicts an excitement and emotion that will captivate romance fiction readers, as well as the sweet and slow sensuality indicative of the Harlequin Romance imprint.
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