Green Calder Grass

June 17, 2002
Trodding the familiar terrain of the western romance with practiced skill, veteran novelist Dailey returns again to the Calder clan and its Triple C Montana ranch. Ty Calder has recovered from the kidnap/shooting that ended Calder Pride, and he and Jessy are joyfully expecting twins. Jessy, a cowhand's daughter, grew up on the ranch and shares a love for the land with Ty and Ty's father, Chase. The one obstacle to the family's continued prosperity is a 10,000-acre parcel of government land that lies within the ranch boundaries; negotiations for clear title are stalled in political wrangling between cattlemen and environmentalists. Jessy's nemesis is Tara, the glamorous daughter of rich industrialist E.J. Dyson, who was Ty's first wife. When Dyson suffers a fatal heart attack, a distraught Tara begs Cat, Ty's sister, who was once close to her, and Ty himself, to attend the Texas funeral. Reluctantly, Ty goes and falls victim to Tara's machinations to recapture his love—machinations that include Tara wangling herself an invitation to visit the ranch. Meanwhile, Jessy's twins are born, ex-convict Buck Haskell (once Chase's best friend) reappears and tensions build between Ty and Jessy—he resents cowhand Ballard's attentions to Jessy; she distrusts Tara. Tara's continued presence in their lives is the source of rumors and suspicions culminating in tragedy—and great opportunities for a sequel. While some characters are stereotypes, the villain is well disguised and Jessy is a strong role model for readers. After a slow scene-setting start, Dailey turns out a page-turner.

January 1, 2004
The sixth episode of Dailey's Calder saga opens with Jessy Niles and Ty Caulder happily married and awaiting the birth of twins. News that a bull calf sold several years ago has won the championship in a major stock show and been valued at $250,000 persuades the family to explore the idea of constructing a sale barn on the ranch. Things are looking good for all of the Calders until Tara, Ty's wealthy and spoiled ex-wife, reenters their lives. Tara, bitter over the divorce and determined to win Ty back, sees the new venture as an opportunity to ingratiate herself into the family business. Weathering the loss of 10,000 acres of government grazing land, a two-year drought, grass fires, and Jessy's head injury from an attempted murder, the Calders overcome and are steeled for the next episode. Known for her romances, Dailey includes little in this novel; the plot is muddy at times, and the characters often seem to lack motivation. The recording quality is excellent, and Kate Fleming narrates well, with a pleasing tonal quality and a smooth cadence. Her portrayal of male characters, however, may be disconcerting to some. Recommended for libraries with loyal Dailey readership.-Janet Martin, Health Sciences Lib., Pinehurst, NC

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