Come the Spring (Claybornes' Brides (Rose Hill) Book 5)

This is my favorite of the Clayborne trilogy. While it is helpful to have read the others in the series, this novel certainly stands on its own. The plot is convoluted, but excellent. The characters are deceptive but human. I especially liked the strong women who were well matched by the gunfighters/lawmen Cole and Daniel. Even the minor characters were well written. Garwood understands the value of comic relief and uses it effectively in this tensely drawn drama. Most of the conventions of the traditional western are observed at some point, but the love interests offset the triteness of this formula. For action and surprise twists, I highly recommend this novel.

This is a delightful ending to the Clayborne series. This is a full-size novel about the most controversial of the Clayborne sons -- Cole. He seems to be wavering on both sides of the law. Daniel Ryan, after talking to Mama Rose, decides that there is a good person to save if he can only get Cole to accept an appointment as a US Marshall.

Daniel and Cole start following a particularly heinous group of robbers (who enjoy killing all witnesses to their crimes). When three different women claim to be the sole, living witness to a particularly brutal massacre in a bank, it is up to Daniel and Cole to figure out who is the real witness and why the others are lying. This is a great story with lots of action.

Claybornes' Brides (Rose Hill)
1. For the Roses (1995)
2. One Pink Rose (1997)
3. One White Rose (1997)
4. One Red Rose (1997)
** 5. Come the Spring (1997)

This book is amazing. I love to read historical fiction (as I would categorize this) and this is MUCH better than anything Grisham has written. Don't get me wrong, I have read most of his books too and they are entertaining. But this book is so much deeper and has great historical value. It is really a coming-of-age book of a girl (Mima) who, with her family, is settling an area just inland from the small coastal town of Thomaston, Maine. It is the story of her family and a handful of others who go though hardships and triumphs to make the land their own. My biggest qualm with the book is that Williams really makes Mima a larger-than-life character that would not and could not do wrong. It makes her a true heroine of the story, albeit a bit unrealistic. If you spend any time researching the people and events (and, yes, the book may you incline to do that) you will see that the book is based on actual people and events. In fact, it is based on actual diary accounts. Many of the 'characters' in the book still have decendants living in Union and you can still canoe the same brook and ponds that Mima traveled-with virtually the same view (and I'd know...I live five minutes away). The book has been reprinted by the Union Historical Society. It is an tiny little two-room building (oldest framed building still standing in town) and run by half a dozen mostly aging women who really 'know their stuff'. A worthy cause to support! By the way, my review is not influenced by the Historical Society, but it could be swayed by the fact that it's local to me! ;-)

After reading some of the reviews here in the store about this book, I was a bit hesistant in starting it. However, I felt obligated as it is part of the series. Afterall, I started the book, For the Roses, which is the first novel of the Clayborne series & which was also one of my favorite J.G. books. I read it with open mind. I actually didn't even expect much out of this book because of the reviews. I guess you can say I didn't want to be disappointed. In the end, the book wasn't too bad. Perhaps because I was prepared for it? Though I must admit, I had to skip some parts to get to the point. I had to "read-through" some pages as I find some scenes dragging. Mind you, the action twist was interesting. The suspense and the excitement of finding out who the true witness is and the three beautiful female leads, which was all uniquely described. I just wished this book was more of Cole and the Clayborne family since this is what the series started out to be. I also prefer ROMANTIC & LOVE scenes. I find this book more of an action scenes - robbery, murder, crime scenes. It's just not for me. But... like i said, it wasn't too bad. It's still entertaining. I finished the book so that is an indication that it wasn't dreadfully boring. If you started "For the Roses", then you must go through with the whole program. No regrets!

I have enjoyed many of Julie Garwood's novels, including "For the Roses", the beginning of the Clayborne series. While I have to admit that I skipped "One Red, One White Rose", etc. about the other brothers; this one interested me because it was about Cole. He was my favorite brother in the original book. Unfortunately, "Come the Spring" is very drawn-out and predictable. The title doesn't even apply to anything, except a quick statement made in the last chapter (an after-thought?) Maybe it was just the narration by Richard Ferrone that turned me off, but I found my mind wandering. It was clear to me who the female villain was from early on. While Cole and Daniel were compelling in their parts as lawmen, the romance part of the book is disappointing. After all the passion in "For the Roses", this book was just lukewarm in that category. Maybe it was because there were too many characters. Oh well, Julie is still one of my favorite authors, but this one is not up to par with her others.

I love For The Roses. I cherish The Claybourne Brides. I absolutely adore Come The Spring! Cole was always by favorite Claybourne, and I am glad that he got a whole book dedicated to him (although the other brothers would have been fabulous in their own books also). The three women who were thought to be witnesses were each unique, and it is thoroughly puzzling as to who the real witness is and who the bad apple is. And, we finally get to meet Daniel Ryan, the man haunting the Claubournes ever since the Bride Trilogy. He was certinly a match for Cole. The characters were three dimensional, so much so that it seemed like you were watching a movie rather then reading a book. Julie Garwood is wonderful at writing suspense, and I hope she goes back to it sometime in the future. As always, the romance was dazzeling. If you've read any of the books in the series, you'll miss out on a real treat if you don't read this one.

If another author wrote 'Come the Spring' I would think this was a fairly okay novel. However, I have come to expect something very special from Julie Garwood, and as such was very disappointed. Usually, I am unable to put her stories down until finished. It took me a week to finish this one. As there were two concurrent romances described, the reader only got to know the characters fairly superficially. The warmth and humour that is Julie Garwood's trademark was missing. The background to the novel did not capture my imagination - it was a little violent and appeared out of character for the author. Please Ms Garwood, take us back to the Highlands!

Garwood gives us a clever story from another era. Serial bank robbers hit a small town bank and there is only one unknown survivor and witness, who had hidden under a desk in the bank. This female witness is not revealed throughout the story until the very end, which keeps the reader rapidly turning pages
Add romance, adventure, humor and horrific killings to the mystery and you’ve got a good read. Entertaining and fun.

Cole Clayborne is a handsome, sweet, tough, Montana man who's finally caught up with that no-good-compass-stealing-thief: Daniel Ryan. Cole and Daniel eventually "join" forces to catch a low-down-rotton group of criminals ... and wouldn't you know it: three women lead them a merry chase, and unwittingly both men find love along the way.
Julie Garwood proves again that her wonderfully sweet style of writing always produces 'simply the best' in romantic literature.
A sequel to "For the Roses" and "One white rose, one red rose, one pink rose", Cole Clayborne's tale is most satisfying and is definitely worth the read, again and again! In four words: a sensationally sexy showdown

Come The Spring by Julie Garwood was released in 1997. The stories of Jessica and Cole, and Grace and Daniel set in the old west, are great. Lots of action as sheriffs trail bank robbers who are killers. Fans of Julie Garwood will like this the most.

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!

The bank in Rockford Falls, Montana is held up by a glib talking killer and his cohorts, who methodically execute any possible witnesses. However, due to clumsiness on the part of a female client, unknown to the outlaws, one person survives the massacre. Knowing he needs some insider's thinking, the U.S. Marshal Daniel Ryan enlists an unconscious Cole Clayborne to help him catch the bloody cutthroats. Cole has been known to stretch the law and although he and his new partner do not seem to get on well together, they travel to the site of the latest robbery-killings. Back-up also arrives in town.
In Rockford Falls, a search of the records leads to the conclusion that a female witnessed the dastardly crime. However, there are three possible candidates. Each one eventually bewitches a different marshal. Still the outlaws have learned that someone can identify them. They too are not sure which female is the witness so they plan to eliminate all three unless their law enforcement lovers can intercede and stop the gang from a final cowardly deed.
The five novels that make up the "Rose" series are considered some of the best books written in the nineties. Julie Garwood's latest offspring from that tremendous collection, COME THE SPRING, is as good, if not better, than the previous novels. The "good guys" are all charming even as they suffer from flaws and the villains, especially the leader, are cold bloodedly efficient and exciting. However, the story line with its tremendous prose and building suspense, turns this book into the rare confines beyond that of a keeper to that of a long term literary classic. Harriet Klausner

The hardcover copy of this book is beautifully produced. Sadly, the content leaves a lot to be desired. The introduction is gripping but the effect soon fades away. The characters are poorly fleshed out. It takes about about two hundred pages to receive a bit of background information on the three female protagonists. The plot moves along very slowly. No even a tiny pinch of humor is added in to make us care about these one dimensional characters. The dialogue is stilted and full of cliches. This is one of the worst romance novels I have read in a long time and gives the genre a bad name.

After reading the entire "for the roses" Series, I was very pleased with the ending. I am sorry that the brothers and both roses will not be apart of my reading life anymore. My only critisism is Come the Spring was a little too much mystery and not enough "summary". I did like the twist at the end.

Why she lets the abridged version on the market is beyond me. Her books end up being a mere shadow of what they are. All you commenters that loved this will be over the moon when/if you read the book. I cannot give this more than one star, it is a poor abridgment to boot!

I love it, the charaters are complex and have some interesting quirks. It brought the Clayboune series to a great conculsuion. When reading the books set in the modern time frame, its nice to know that the families from earlier books are still going strong.

Julie Garwood's special touch was missing from this one, i.e...humor. The previous "Rose" books were outstanding! Since "Come The Spring" concluded the "Rose" saga, it would have been wonderful if all of the brothers were active in the storyline. Jessica and Cole made an ideal couple, but their relationship could have been built up a little better. I hope Marshall Ryan and Grace will have their own storyline (Hint-Hint). Julie Garwood's books are still THE BEST!! Keep up the good work!

I was introduced to Romance novels with Julie Garwood and I have loved all her books. I have read them all three times at least. I adored For the Roses and the three little books as well but I was very disappointed in Come the spring. It seemed to me that someone finished this series for Julie because it was not her writing. And I thought right along Cole would wind up with Eleanor. It just couldn't be Julie.

The story itself moved fairly quickly, however, I was vastly disappointed with Ms. Garwood's lack of character development. When the heroine was introduced I asked myself, "Is she the one? Is this all there is?" Furthermore, the character of Cole Clayborne was less developed in the book starring him than in For the Roses, where he was only a minor character. I didn't feel as if I was as familiar with the characters as I could've been. And that distance left me reacting somewhat coldly toward the characters and their respective plights. I didn't consider this book a waste of my time but I would not classify it as one of Ms. Garwood's best.

I cannot believe that Ms. Garwood wrote this book! If she did who wrote her FBI series? Mush, unbelievable dialogue irreverence for the western genre. I am sure glad I read the others before or I would not have read any of them! Noah Clayborne has to be hiding somewhere in Texas.

I was really happy to see that Cole finally found someone to love. Out of all of the brothers he was the one I grew to really like and want to see happy. Please keep writing. I really like the highland stories of hers such as Ransom,Thewedding ANd my alltime favoriate Saving Grace.

Mrs. Garwood, you have triumphed again. This book was the first I read in the Roses Trilogy, and it has the most romantic story line involved. Escapist novels like this are so wonderful to read when I just want to relax. The way you provide the heroine with so much personality and humor makes the whole story, instead of them being timid females who cower at men. This is the way a romance should be!!!

After reading the first four in the series, I could hardly wait for the last one. I broke tradition and bought the hard back. I read the book in one sitting and while it was a good book, it did not hold me spellbound as the others had. It does put the period to the end of the sentence. though.

Julie Garwood has been my favorite author for years and I have all her books. Unfortunately, this book was One Big Yawn!!! Cole was my favorite brother from "For the Roses" and I felt cheated with his story. Ms. Garwood's usual humor and hilarious plot lines were sorely missing. Sorry, but I could barely finish this book. Thanks Ms. Garwood for leaving the westerns and going back to the Highlands again with "Ransom".

Just finished reading a borrowed copy of 'Come Spring'. Ordered a copy for myself (something I've never done before). When it arrives, will read it again (again, something I have never done before). Full of good story, history, and earthy philosophies. Ben Ames Williams has a way of putting it all together. It takes a few chapters to get into the mood of the book, but once there, watch out!

Between Cole andDaniel Ryan this book kept me spellbound,i did'nt want to put this book down and when i did i couldn't wait to read more. When Cole asked Miss.Jessica to marry,it was such a pleasure to know that a man of his statue would do that in those days.They truly loved each other.Would definitly recomeed,

This is a wonderful historical novel, well worth reading and re-reading. It's full of romance and adventure, and readers will enjoy knowing that many descendants of the characters still live in the lovely town of Union. In fact, they can visit the Union Historical Society's website for more information about the town....

The bank in Rockford Falls, Montana is held up by a glib talking killer and his cohorts, who methodically execute any possible witnesses. However, due to clumsiness on the part of a female client, unknown to the outlaws, one person survives the massacre. Knowing he needs some insider's thinking, the U.S. Marshal Daniel Ryan enlists an unconscious Cole Clayborne to help him catch the bloody cutthroats. Cole has been known to stretch the law and although he and his new partner do not seem to get on well together, they travel to the site of the latest robbery-killings. Back-up also arrives in town.
In Rockford Falls, a search of the records leads to the conclusion that a female witnessed the dastardly crime. However, there are three possible candidates. Each one eventually bewitches a different marshal. Still the outlaws have learned that someone can identify them. They too are not sure which female is the witness so they plan to eliminate all three unless their law enforcement lovers can intercede and stop the gang from a final cowardly deed.
The five novels that make up the "Rose" series are considered some of the best books written in the nineties. Julie Garwood's latest offspring from that tremendous collection, COME THE SPRING, is as good, if not better, than the previous novels. The "good guys" are all charming even as they suffer from flaws and the villains, especially the leader, are cold bloodedly efficient and exciting. However, the story line with its tremendous prose and building suspense, turns this book into the rare confines beyond that of a keeper to that of a long term literary classic. Harriet Klausner

Again, Julie has completely overwhelmed me with her writing ability. I eagerly await every book is able to publish and sometimes get frustrated with the fact that she can not publish books as fast as I can read them!!!