Welcome everyone to our new discussion. Some of us already have our copy of Dakota Born and others are still looking for their copy. I started reading the story last night. I think I will reread it before December 1 when we start the discussion. I find that rereading helps me to keep the details straight in my head. I usually am reading one book in bed, one on the treadmill, and one is in the car for waiting in line. Sometimes the stories meld together.

This book is different than the others we have discussed since I have been DL. It is set in Dakota and it is current time. It is not an historical novel which is what I expected. I like being surprised. I hope you all enjoy this book.

Marjorie

Don't forget to subscribe to this discussion.

How is everyone doing getting their copy of Dakota Born? I finished reading it last night and really enjoyed it. I will reread it before Dec. 1 so that I can pick up on the details I missed on my first reading.

I finished Dakota Born and enjoyed it. Will enjoy seeing other peoples comments.

I have my copy and will start rereading it on December 1. I just came by to subscribe. The banner and heading look great, Marjorie. Sue

Hi JUDY and SUE. Glad you got here successfully. That is three of us so far. HARRIET posted in "Lake News" that she has her copy of "Dakota Born" but wasn't able to post here. I hope she gets here successfully soon.

I had the library order my copy on Inter-Library loan and haven't received it yet. Hope it gets here in time to start the discussion.

Northern Joan

Hi JOAN. There is still a couple of days before the discussion starts on Friday. I am sure you can jump in even if you don't get the book until after that. I don't know how you feel about reading what we are saying about the book before you start reading it. We will stay with the first part of the book for a while to give people time to read with us. Do go to the other discussion and subscribe when you are ready.

Marjorie....I think this is the other discussion!!! Ha ha haha.

N. Joan

JOAN: You are right. The laugh is on me. I use subscriptions a lot and I don't really read the headings. I look at headings once and then skip past them to the posts. I got caught! That wouldn't have been a problem with only one Romance discussion.

Marjorie,

This time the link is working for me. I don't know why my comment wouldn't post before, but all seems to be well now. Nice banner.

Thanks for your response.

Harriet

HARRIET: I am glad you were able to post successfully this time. Did you remember to subscribe here?

Hi I finished reading Dakota born a few weeks ago so I hope I can remember enough to get in on the discussions. I really enjoyed the book and liked the feeling of it being in this time zone. I will check in on the 1st to see what is happening. Shirley T.

Marjorie, A belated Happy Birthday!!! I tried the link and it worked fine even on webtv which is temperamental and limited at times. :~) I have my copy of Dakota Born and plan to start it tonight. Our trusty used book store came through again. Marj

M(arj): Thanks for your birthday wishes. I am glad you got your copy of the book. Our group is growing. Looks like almost everyone who was in the last discussion will be here. By the time we start it may be everyone.

And we have a newcomer. Hi SAT. I saw you over in "Books That Lite My Fire." I am glad to see you here and hope you enjoy the discussion.

Marjorie

Debbie Macomber is one of my favorite authors. I am really looking forward to this discussion group. I have the book, but I have not started reading yet. I noticed that there are only 15 entries so far. Is this going to be a small group?

Welcome WYNONA. We are usually a small group in this discussion. I hope you stay with us.

I am in the middle of Chapter 3 right now. I liked the way the author has introduced all the characters in the story. With Lindsay she provides some history in the Prologue. The history for the other characters is something that we learn bit by bit. I don't know if I would like to live in Buffalo Valley. I am more of a city girl. I still enjoy the story and reading about the love Gage has for the place gives me a chance to consider what a different kind of life would be like.

Marjorie

Hi, Marjorie,

I'm glad I won't be too far behind! I realize that you have already been through the book once. I think the book may take a second reading. I'm reading slowly trying to keep up and meet all the characters as I go. I have to read carefully or I miss something about the people of Buffalo Valley. I think that I'm gong to have to make myself a character list to keep up with all the people. It will probably be worthwhile, because I imagine we will meet many of the same people again in the next two books of the series.

The author has an excellent way of introducing the characters--a little bit at a time. I too am in the middle of Chapter 3 and learnig about Gage, his love of the land and the life of silence that he seems to need. To live in North Dakota thirty minutes from a community of 200 (and that includes the farming population) would indeed allow for quiet amd time for thought.

Wynona

WYNONA: Others have mentioned making a list of characters when they read a book in order to keep track of the story. I have thought about that. For me, I find it easier to read a book twice. I obtained my copy of the book early and, party with my responsibility as Discussion Leader, read it as soon as I received it. Now as I reread it I hope I can keep up with everyone's comments. Maybe one day I will actually try making a list of characters. Hmmm.

Also, WYNONA, in your previous post you mentioned the small number of posts in this discussion. One of the reasons for that is the discussion of this book was set to start on Dec. 1. We aren't in a hurry here.

Marjorie

I've read through to Chapter 8 and I'm really enjoying the book and the glimpse I get of a completely new-to-me farming community in an unfamiliar part of the country.

Hey, Debbie Macomber is generous with her romantic scenes, which is a lot of fun.

I do have a quibble with her, though. If I were Lindsay, preparing to be the sole teacher in a high school, my big concern would be upping my knowledge in physics, trig, the sciences, great literature, and probably agriculture and animal husbandry to prepare those kids for college SAT's.

I know, I know! If Lindsay spent all of her time sweating over books, how could she and Gage get on with their romance? And of course, I, like most romance novel readers, enjoy a few special, tender pages to dream on, which this book gives generously. So... I have to forgive the author for making it look like teaching is just a matter of scheduling a few extra- curricular enrichment activities.

I like the perceptive way the book treats the marriage of Brandon and Joanie. I'm curious to find out the secret of the brick in the fireplace. In short, I really am enjoying this read. Debbie Macomber may not be a high school teacher, but she's one heck of a writer.

Harriet

I think I need to get the book and read it again, I remember the story line but as you are discussing the story I can't really remember some of the events, I hate when that happens. Shirley T.

HARRIET: It was good to read your reaction to the book. I am not a teacher either and hadn't thought about the preparation that would be required to take over a school like that. I guess I gave passing thought to "how will she handle different grades in one school?" I guess that is where the extracurricular stuff came in. Lindsay didn't have a teacher living there who could get her started either.

HI SHIRLEY. I remember one time going to the Archives and reading a discussion of a book I had read once and having the same reaction you mentioned. I couldn't remember enough of the book to follow the discussion. In spite of being able to post anytime of the day or night I guess we all "need" to be reading the book about the same time.

Marjorie

Good Morning! I'm just in the middle of chapter 7; and, as I read the postings this morning, I had to spend time going back and reading just to keep up. I guess I've been "reading between the lines" about being a teacher in that small community in North Dakota. I've been feeling admiration for Lindsay. She has a degree from the University of Georgia and has worked out in the public for the last several years. (Doing some kind of work beyond teaching is highly recommended now.) She was an accountant for a business which would give some math skills. She must have had some science to get out of college, and she speaks a foreign language. Lindsay knew something of the community before she moved to Buffalo Valley. She was becoming acquainted with her twelve students and their parents (her own PTA) and using community leaders to help the school (another recommendation for today's schools). This lady was also accepted by the state of ND as a teacher. People were moving or sending the kids to live some place else or attempting home schooling if there was not a teacher in the community. A month of school has gone by and she still have not taken the fireplace apart enough to find the secret brick nor has she invited Gage out for that beer. "...Lindsay was beginning to feel her way as a teacher. Each day was better....she'd made contacts with other teachers in the area and she had help from the community."

And I keep thinking that I wish that Lindsay would hurry up and find the secret in the brick fireplace. With winter coming on she may need to use it! Or will I have to wait until the end of book 3 of the series to learn the secret?

Also I want to know Sarah Stern's secrets. Debbie Macomber does a good job of hinting at that story along the way. Sarah wants her love of Dennis to "remain private," but other peopole in the community know about it. That is no secret, but what about the part that says she "is no good for Dennis. There were things he didn't know about her. Things she couldn't tell him or anyone, not even her father or Jeb. Things that not even Calla knew."

I think you are right, Harriet! Debbie Macomber is indeed a story teller!

Marjorie, if I "talk" too much please let me know. I love to talk about books.

Wynona

WYNONA: I want to assure you that you do not talk too much. I enjoyed your post. I will tell you that you will get an answer a about what is behind the brick in the fireplace before the end of this book. I will be interested in reading the other books in the series anyway. We will probably not have a specific discussion on the other ones in the series. There are so many books to read. People do make comments about the next book when they read it even though that might not be the book being discussed.

Marjorie

I found chapter 8 very satisfying because a lot of loose ends are starting to come together. I finally know the age difference between Sarah and Dennis, which is pretty minimal. I sympathize with Calla's sad and unrealistic longing for a relationship with her biological father and I feel Sarah's pain at her daughter's misdirected anger. And, oh boy! the sliding brick appears.

Marjorie, I read your reference to the Book Archives and I looked it up. Ditto to "Books That Lite My Fire". Thank you so very much!. I never knew those sites existed. I'm really glad you mentioned them, and I'm so grateful to have found SN.

You know, last August, at the urging of our adult son, I fearfully committed to our first computer. I'm still in the middle of my course on Computer Basics. I never thought it would be so much fun despite how little I know. SN is definitely responsible for a lot of that pleasure.

While I was meandering around in the Archives today, thanks to you,... I found a posting that I really related to. Someone, maybe Ginny, compared the discussions and books available in SN to an irresistible feast with so many delicious things available that it's hard to make a choice. She equated the decisions process to visiting an old fashioned candy store that sold long strands of paper with button shaped multicolored candy stuck to it. I remember that candy and the childhood joy of choosing which color to detach and eat next. Seems true to me. SN is like that!

When I explored the Index today, (another new find) I also discovered a Crossword Puzzle site. Someone had posted a terrific link for free crosswords and games on it. I love it. Now an inveterate wordnik like me can get my crossword fix online.

Thank you, Marjorie, and ALL the people who lead discussions and keep SN going for folks like me, because I really enjoy it.

Harriet

Well thank you, Harriet, for those kind words, (don't you miss those little pills on a paper? hahahaha) and you will be VERY happy to learn that we, here, in the Books are working on putting up a Literary Crossword right here IN the Books, all we lack is permission from the author, we think it might be great fun!

AND if we don't get permission we'll write our own and send IT to the NY Times (we think BIG here)! hahahaha

So stay tuned, this may be more fun than the old candy stores (where a nickel bought a LOT)....

We're so glad you are here!

ginny

Good morning. We actually have a dusting of snow--this in coastal NC. We are running thirty degrees below normal.:~( I suspect the author will soon be descrbing the winter the heroine has to face in ND--brrrr! I, too, questioned Lindsey's qualifications as a high school teacher. It seemed like a lot of significance was placed on the outside speakers but that device worked to involve the characters in the story.I'm keeping an eye on Rachel and Heath--another possibility for romance. This book is smooth reading but I can put it down for days. Maybe I'm gettng "Romanced out?" I AM anticipating Judith McNaught's new book the end of the month.Marj

Good Morning. My favorite time of the day! I've been watching the weather man on TV, and he has spoken of the snow in NC. I guess it has been heavy in the mountains of your state, Marj. Snow may make it to Kansas (where I live) by Wednesday.

I'm into chapter 10, and Rachel and Heath are warming up to a love story. I wonder if all of these people are going to get together by the end of the book.

I spent part of yesterday afternoon on the net reading about our author. The critics said that she wrote stories of "small communities where people bake cookies for their neighbors." Leta is just getting ready to make (not cookies) but chicken soup for Hassie.

In the biographical information I read, Debbie Macomber seems to be that kind of person herself. There was lots of information out there.

Wynona

WYNONA: Thanks for mentioning you found information about Debbie Macomber on the web. For anyone else who is interested here is her home page -- Debbie Macomber. I will put it in the heading.

Hi M(arj). I have gone through times when I wanted to read one kind of book rather than another. This romance phase seems to have lasted the longest. I don't read for long stretches at a time though. I am too busy with other things - SeniorNet for instance.

Marjorie

Hi, Marjorie,

I use Yahoo and I hadjust typed "Debbie Macomber" in the search bar. There was a long list of websites and one of them was the offical website for Debbie Macomber. I didn't stop there. I visited several places.

Web Page Matches (1 - 20 of about 358)

Debbie Macomber - Author With more than 45 million books in print, New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber takes readers to towns they love and people they can't forget. ... http://www.debbiemacomber.com/ [More results from www.debbiemacomber.com]

Debbie Macomber - Author Debbie's address has changed. Be sure to update your bookmarks to: http://www.debbiemacomber.com ... http://www.nettrends.com/debbiemacomber/ [More results from www.nettrends.com]

Debbie Macomber Romantic Times Magazine, Debbie Macomber. http://www.debbiemacomber.com. ... DEBBIE MACOMBER, ... Copyright 1998-2000 by Romantic Times Magazine. All rights reserved. http://www.romantictimes.com/data/authors/281.html [More results from www.romantictimes.com]

Romance Reader On The Run - Macomber, Debbie DEBBIE MACOMBER. ... Join in with their struggle and read "The Playboy and the Widow" by Debbie Macomber. This was a wonderful story! ... http://home.swbell.net/monica01/d_macomb.htm [More results from home.swbell.net]

Slake Archive - Debbie Macomber Author ID# 5. Debbie Macomber. Email: nberland@iAmerica.net. Address: PO Box 1458; Port Orchard, WA 98366-0110. Caroline's Child, April,1998, ... http://www.slake.com/rnd/author.asp?aid=5 [More results from www.slake.com]

eHarlequin.com: Author's Alcove - Author Page ... Debbie Macomber Welcome to Debbie Macomber's author area! Did you know that this New York Times bestselling author was appointed as an ambassador for the ... http://www.eharlequin.com/harl/books/alcove/authors/apdebbiemacomberauthorpage.htm [More results from www.eharlequin.com]

Doubleday Book Club - Debbie Macomber ... in the sweltering heat, I wouldn't have missed them for the world. For while I was there, I had the privilege of meeting a lovely lady named Debbie Macomber. ... http://www.doubledaybookclub.com/mybookclub/pageturners/bookclubs/dbc/Special/Authors/Debbie_Macomber.htm [More results from www.doubledaybookclub.com]

Excite Relationships: Romance: Romance Literature: Authors: ... Excite, Relationships. ... Can You Get @Home? Enter Your Zip Code. Debbie Macomber Web Sites. 1 - 13 of 13 items (Submit Your Site), <Prev 1 Next>. ... http://www.excite.com/relationships/romance/romance_literature/authors/macomber_debbie/

I visited all of these. Some of them were worth more than others.

Wynona

I've enjoyed this book very much. I was especially intrigued with the idea of a one-room high school! Imagine that! Only twelve students in four grades! It would certainly take a special person to handle a challenge like this! I felt sorry for Kevin, who was supposed to turn to farming when he graduated, though his heart was in his art. Can't help wondering what's going to happen to Joanie and Brandon and Rachel and Heath. I suppose that will be taken care of in the next two books. Thanks for all those links to Debbie Macomber. She's a very good story teller-- always upbeat. Her picture shows a warm, caring woman, I think.

WYNONA: Thanks for all of those links.

Hi MEM. I finished Chapter 12 last night.

Am to chapter 16. It's hard to find time to read with all that's going on but this is the first book I have read by this author. But Wynona convinced me she is a successful, well known author. /sure Marjorie I'm looking for a happy ending. Shows stubborn people often make bad mistakes as I think Brandon is making about his family. But love strong enough often wins in the long run. Her next book "Dakota Home" should be out but our library does not have it yet.

I was at the Library today and my Dakota Born will not be in until tomorrow and I knew that but was hoping to get it today. I did get Animaal Farm and enjoyed it. I also got The Climb so am not without reading material, But I WANT MY DAKOTA BORN, do you think my Library has heard me YELLING Will go back tomorrow to return Animal Farm which to me was a good read of power struggle especialy with our run for power of our president's today.

I shall catch up soon. Ginger

Good morning again. I woke up early so I finished the book this morning. I had to search the house for Dakota Home, but I finally found it.

I, too, look for happy endings, Hannah. That is the type of book I read most of the time. I don't like to feel stress when I read. I read to escape and I seem to become involved in the lives of the people in the book. The life of Brandon and Joanie has been stressful enough in this book. I found myself putting the book down for a while every time I would read about their problems.

I think the author is going to have to write more than two more books in this series if she is to solve the problems of all the people we have met and hope to meet again.

Wynona

HANNAH: Welcome to our discussion. I am delighted to see you and am so glad you are enjoying "Dakota Born." I will be looking for "Dakota Home" myself.

GINGER: I hear you even if your library doesn't. Maybe I should add my VOICE to yours. Do you think it would help? <G>

WYNONA: I finished the book before I fell asleep last night. I can come up with enough people just from this book for more than two more books. Lots of people in the book who need to get settled. I enjoy series.

Just recently I read Elizabeth Greyson's "Painted by the Sun." I don't believe I ever read one of her books before. I enjoyed it very much. I found it at my library a couple of weeks ago. It was published this year so it is a new book. I will have to think about using my library more often. There is so much to read.

Marjorie

GINNY- Thank you for thanking me, so... I thank you again... for writing your delightful comment in the Archives. I enjoyed reading it.

Finally, getting away from thanks, I think the crossword idea is really nice, and I hope it works out, Have a great day, Ginny and everyone.

Harriet

I have only read the first two chapters. Hope to head to bed shortly and do some reading tonight. Have fallen asleep the last two nights before I got much read.

So far, it seems like a good book.

Northern Joan

Hi HARRIET and NORTHERN JOAN. Glad to see you both here today.

It is snowing at my house this morning, but it won't be a ND snow storm by any means. The snow will probably be gone by tomorrow.

Our author has been mentioning Cobb salad and I didn't know what she was talking about. That's what I've been doing on the net this morning--finding out about Cobb salad. Evidently in some areas it is as popular as a Caesar salad.

I like to read at night also. I tell people it is my sleeping pill. Not that I will always fall asleep reading, but it is better than lying there worrying about something. Escapism I guess. But it works for me.

I really enjoyed the book and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.

Wynona

Hey all, I called the libary this morning and it had not been turned in they said, but when I went to the library later it was in and I have read two chapters and am looking forward to the rest. Just checking in. Ginger

WYNONA: Where do you live that it is snowing? It isn't Australia or South Africa I guess. I have "met" people from both places. I am in Northern California but not where the snow is in the mountains.

GINGER: How nice that you were able to get a copy of the book.

Marjorie

Good morning. We had less than an inch of snow and most of it is gone. Marjorie, I live in Kansas and some winters we get snow in my area and some we don't. This is our second snow for this fall/winter.

I finished Dakota Home last night. Since I had the book, I could not wait to read. However, for the next one it is going to be May 2001 for Always Dakota.

Majorie, you knew about Cobb salad, since you come from California. I didn't know until I read about it from Martha Stewart. It originated in Hollywood according to her story in 1929. I guess I should have known about it, but I didn't.

I recently finished reading The Pilot's Wife; I'm in the middle of Deck the Halls by Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark. A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson and the series about the Stanislaski family by Nora Roberts will be next on my list other than what SeniorNet has to offer.

I thought it was interesting that both sets of the author's grandparents had come from the Dakotas. I've read so many stories from Texas by Debbie Macomber, I guess I thought she was from that state.

Wynona

WYNONA: Did you like "Dakota Home" as much as "Dakota Born?" You are a font of information. You are right that I have heard of Cobb Salad. I don't think I have ever eaten one though. I grew up in Chicago. Much closer to you than I am now.

Harriet, we could start up a "You're welcome," chain! hahahaha

You're welcome, and I am so glad to see you are enjoying the Books and that you found this particular discussion.

Marjorie's discussions are always so well done and so interesting, this is a great group assembled here for this one, and I'm learning a lot from lurking too, Cobb salad, and the Dakotas, a place I have always wanted to visit.

ginny

Majorie, I did enjoy book 2. It takes Buffalo Valley through another school year although the school and Lindsay are not a major part of the story this time. Sarah and her family seem to play the major role in this book. Some new people show up and some of the old move away or become less prominent in the story. There are several things still left up in the air so that is we want to know the whole tale, we will have to read book 3.

The biggest question in my mind after two books is the story of Angela Kirkpatrick. I learned a little more in book 2, but not enough. And who was that that did not want Lindsay to talk to Angela? I still don't know.

Wynona

WYNONA: It was Gage who told Lindsay not to contact this aunt she discovered in the hidden papers. He didn't want her to interfer with Angela's privacy. That was one of the running arguments Lindsay and Gage had in "Dakota Born" as I remember it.

Would someone please tell all of us lurkers just what a Cobb salad is? Thank you.

It is like a chef salad but has blue cheese as one of the toppings.

N Joan

PETITE ONE: Good to see you. Have you read this book or are you just following the discussion?

NORTHERN JOAN: Thanks for your answer about cobb salad. I never thought of how it differs from a chef salad. I rarely eat either kind of salad.

Marjorie

I'm looking forward to reading Dakota Home, to find out what's happening with all the characters I learned to care about in Dakota Born. Have any of you read the series Debbie Macomber wrote about Alaska and a family of bachelor brothers who ran an air service? They were good, funny and surprising. I think there were 5 or 6 books in that series. They were were first published a couple of years ago and then, were reissued about a year ago.

Mem I have one here at home of D Macomber's books about Alaska. I just picked it up because of the Alaska part.

I enoyed Dakota Born and when I read about a small town where everone knows each other and I think of Ketchikan many years ago when I first went there. I think oh wouldn't that be nice a small town. With all the traffic and building here, where you once waited for one stop light now you wait for three just to get through. Its tough when you are on the road as much as I am but I would probably be bored to death if I wasn't busy.

Hi MEM and JUDY. What are the titles of the Alaska series by D. Macomber? I am buying more of her books after reading "Dakota Born."

Hi

The one I have is Family Men About Hard Luck Alaska

I have finished Dakota Born and enjoyed it so much as it took me back to the start of the town I live in and the other town that I was born in and how both town's have grown. Small town local's do know all of the people in town and marry there neibor's and the town becomes family. In the town I was born in there are more of my family than other people I think.

The romance in this book was truely romance the kind I like as it was not so dicriptive of the sex in volved that having been married Three times I do not need to be told detalied facts on the subjected. Hoping to read Dakota Home soon.

I have a cousin who lives in a small town close in the area of the book's town so that helped also.

Ginger

Judy, Family Men sounds like a book that I would like to read so will check the Library. I have a cousin in Alaska also but forgot where, senior moment here. Ginger

I am looking forward to it to Ginger but I am soooooo into Wilbur Smith that I can't stop. Where was I all this time when he was writing and selling 84 million books. I had trouble putting Monsoon down.

Judy, So many books to read and so little time. Ginger

Thanks Joan for the info about Cobbs Salad. I eat them all the time. Husband gets Roquefort cheese when he goes north.

Just lurking - haven't read the book. However, just finished her "Trouble with Angels" and enjoyed it. Only one allusion to sex.

Ginger! You've been married three times? Hard to believe. You ole sweetie. Shirley

Shirley, Two husbands have died. One alive. Ginger

I'm sorry to hear that, Ginger. Wouldn't expect anything less than that from you. Bless you.

The six titles are: Brides for Brothers; The Marriage Risk; Daddy's Little Helper; Because of the Baby; Falling for Him; and Ending in Marriage. It is probably best to read them in the proper order, because things are mentioned in the later books about things that have happened in the earlier ones. I enjoyed them because they give glimpses of life in Alaska as well as a fun story. I too am anxious to read Dakota Home, but am too busy to start.

Hi there everyone! Are people snowed in or just busy with holiday preparations? Things have been very quiet here. I guess I will have to get busy soon getting our next book ready. Would you all like to wait until January to start a new book?

I just finished Dakota Born last week while on my trip....more evening reading time....no computer!

I haven't seen too much discussion of the book ... just comments on liking it.

Do you think it was realistis? Would a modern gal from Georgia take a teaching job in a dying town in North Dakota???? Forget the roots. And would her friend follow her?

What did you think of the 'spat' between Joanie and ? (his name escapes me and my friend has the book!) I thought that it was typical of how husbands and wives often treat each other..... and then instead of sitting down and solving it, they split up. I see we were left hanging there. Is that the topic of one of the other books?

Do you think Lindsay and Gage were a bit unrealistic too? Would they really get into these passionate kissing scenes and then not speak to each other for weeks....months? It really doesn't seem like thay dated much before they ended up marrying does it?

Don't get me wrong....I enjoyed the book, but think it is a bit of a stretch in parts.

Northern Joan

NORTHERN JOAN: I don't know what a modern woman would do about moving to such a small town to teach. I read it as just a way to tell a good story. I can't imagine living in such a small town myself. But then I am a city "girl." I was born and raised in Chicago and have lived in metropolitan areas since I left there when I went to college.

Joanie's husband's name is Brandon. I went to look for my copy of Dakota Born and was remembering the heading which is blue and looked for a blue spine on the shelf and couldn't find the book. I knew I hadn't given it away. Finally I found it. The laugh is on me. I do hope that Joanie and Brandon's story will be followed in the sequel.

Another thing that seemed strange to me is how Buffalo Bob and Merrily are relating to each other. Where does she go when she leaves temporarily? I would like to see them again too.

Marjorie

I just posted a request for help on the Mac computer discussion page because every time I clicked on the Books and Literature home page, my screen went blank and froze. I got an answer from Jane. She said there was some glitch between the Books home page and IE 5.0. She said Netscape gained access to Books..(that's how I'm here now) and IE 4.5 got through, but not IE 5.0, with Mac computers. I don't know if there's any problem with Windows computers.

Jane said she's working on it. Thought I'd pass it along in case anyone else was affected by it. I'm glad to get back to you all again.

Harriet

I just clicked on two more Lit discussions: Joe Dimaggio and Harry Potter. Their last entries, like ours, were also in the time frame of Dec. 8-Dec. 11. A coincidence?

Harriet

HAPPYHAPPYME2000: I guess the dates on the posts is just a coincidence. I have been in and out of Books every day and there has been no mention of a problem that would put all the posts back to Dec. 11. If I saw something like that I would sure wonder about it too.

Be thankful you wern't here last year when all of books was down for over a month. We all went bananas.

Hi Marjorie and Romance Readers! I couldn't figure out why I haven't seen any posts in this discussion. I went to the Books index tonight and found 65 posts that I have missed. I'm sorry, girls, I guess I forgot to subscribe. I have read the book and I will go back tomorrow and catch up on the posts I've missed. Then I'll try to add my comments. I really like Debby Macomber's books and I think this is a good one. Sue

SUE: Glad you found us. I thought you got caught in some of the weather. I am hoping to read "Dakota Home" soon. I want to followup with some of the people from "Dakota Born." I have been reading a lot of Debbie Macomber lately. I enjoy her too. I don't think I read her much until you and MEM mentioned her. Thanks.

Marjorie, I'm happy to hear you've "found" Debbie Macomber. I enjoy her very much. She's sort of up-beat and has a nice sense of humor. Joan, don't you find most romances, a bit contrived? The heroine and hero always seem to be at odds and fighting their "true" feelings -- otherwise there'd be no story and the book would end after the first kiss. Ah, well, they're fun anyway, even though you feel like shaking them, so that they grasp the obvious. Glad you're here, Sue. I thought maybe you were traveling for the holidays. Happy Christmas, all!!!

is find the place I put Dakota Born so I wouldn't lose it! LOL. I'll skim through it again and see if I can find anything to add to the discussion. Sue

Our next book is Fly Away Home by Kimberly Cates.

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