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Dolan Brothers #4
With Heart
-- There are over 12 million copies of Garlock's books in print worldwide, with 7.4 million copies published under Warner and Popular Library imprints.-- Dorothy Garlock began this series set in the 1930s with With Hope (9/98), which has 350,000 Warner paperback copies in print, followed by With Song (5/99), which has a first printing of 358,000 Warner paperback copies.-- The author's With Hope (9/98) was #18 on the New York Times extended bestseller list and hit the top 50 on USA Today's bestseller list, where it remained for over four weeks.-- Garlock's previous book, Sweetwater (Warner, 1997), was also #18 on the New York Times extended bestseller list and peaked at #38 on the USA Today list. It has more than 270,000 copies in print.-- Garlock has published 37 novels in 15 languages and has won numerous eight from Affaire de Coeur, and six from Romantic Times, including 1996 Historical Storyteller of the Year.-- With Heart will include a teaser chapter from Garlock's next novel, After the Parade (4/00), as well as a letter from her to her fans.
400 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1999
48 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
Dorothy Garlock
87 books382 followersDorothy Garlock was a best-selling American author of over 60 historical romance novels, most of them set in the American West. More than 20 million copies of her books are in print, in 18 languages. Her books have been on the New York Times best seller list seven times. She was named one of the 10 most popular writers of women's fiction four years in a row, from 1985-1988. In 1997, she was awarded the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award. Garlock is also a member of the Romance Writers Hall of Fame.
Garlock worked as an editor, agent and publicist for most of her writing career. She was a native of Texas who grew up in Oklahoma then married and moved to Iowa. Garlock donated many of her manuscripts and other unpublished writings to the University of Iowa libraries.
Pen names include:
Johanna Phillips
Dorothy Phillips
Dorothy Glenn
Garlock worked as an editor, agent and publicist for most of her writing career. She was a native of Texas who grew up in Oklahoma then married and moved to Iowa. Garlock donated many of her manuscripts and other unpublished writings to the University of Iowa libraries.
Pen names include:
Johanna Phillips
Dorothy Phillips
Dorothy Glenn
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 19, 2025
This is actually the fourth book in a series Dorothy Garlock started with Ribbon in the Sky. The first book is Lettie and Mike Dolan's story. They are the parents of Duncan Dolan, who is the oldest of the Dolan brothers and MFC Kathleen Dolan's deceased father. Duncan's brothers Tom and Hod have their own stories in With Hope and With Song respectively.
MMC Johnny Henry was first introduced in Tom Dolan's story - which I read over four years ago along with Hod Dolan's book. When I stumbled upon this story, I was anxious to read about Johnny Henry again. It's 1938 and Johnny is now 25 and resides in a house on land in the Rawlings, Oklahoma area. He breeds and trains horses, participates every year in the Rawlings Rodeo, and works on the side secretly helping the Federal Bureau. In addition to the introduction of some good new side characters in this book, the reader is also reunited with some characters from the two previous books.
FMC Kathleen Dolan is Tom and Hod Dolan's niece. She's a beautiful 26 year old woman with bright red hair who has just purchased a partnership interest in the Rawlings, Oklahoma Gazette. In the beginning of the book, Kathleen is in route to Oklahoma from Liberal, Kansas to begin work at the newspaper. She's feisty, has a quick wit and even faster temper. These attributes don't bode well with a few of the town's citizens.
Even though Johnny knows Kathleen's uncles, he's never met her in person. When they do finally meet, he's just saved her from having her car hijacked and money stolen just outside of town and not far from his ranch. He sees her again at the newspaper office and thinks she's beautiful. He is immediately smitten. But... he suffers from the "I'm not good enough for her" syndrome. Johnny is part Cherokee. He is the son of a white prostitute and what everyone in town said was a drunk Indian. He was raised by a kind man named Ed Henry and that's the last name he goes by. The reader eventually learns the truth of his parentage when his biological father's search for him is successful.
Throughout the course of the book, Kathleen and Johnny's chemistry takes hold. She thinks he's kind and wonderful when he's not being jealous of seeing her in the company of Barker Fleming, one of the owners of a local hide tannery. He also tries and fails to stay away from her thinking he's not good enough for her. Johnny left school after finishing the fifth grade and doesn't believe a woman with Kathleen's educational background could ever love a man like him. But she does. Kathleen knows Johnny's street smarts and tracking skills more than make up for his lack of a formal education.
Since danger seems to always find Kathleen, Johnny continues to keep an out for her as a courtesy to her uncles. The danger results from her investigating shady activity surrounding Dr. Herman's medical practice (he's also the mayor), and a young woman's murder that's ruled an "accident" when clearly it wasn't. It's a good story that is an exciting mystery with some romance wrapped around it.
When Kathleen finally convinces Johnny of her feelings for him, it's well worth the wait.
Johnny tells her one night after they return from the McCabe ranch to his house, "This is a big step. Once I get you in there, I'll not be able to let you leave."
"I won't want to go."..."I've waited all my life for a man like you and for a moment like this."
Dorothy Garlock's books are like comfort food for me. And I'll be ready for another serving when I read After the Parade, the sequel to this book.
Fall bingo square #2 - Location/Setting starts with a vowel: Oklahoma
MMC Johnny Henry was first introduced in Tom Dolan's story - which I read over four years ago along with Hod Dolan's book. When I stumbled upon this story, I was anxious to read about Johnny Henry again. It's 1938 and Johnny is now 25 and resides in a house on land in the Rawlings, Oklahoma area. He breeds and trains horses, participates every year in the Rawlings Rodeo, and works on the side secretly helping the Federal Bureau. In addition to the introduction of some good new side characters in this book, the reader is also reunited with some characters from the two previous books.
FMC Kathleen Dolan is Tom and Hod Dolan's niece. She's a beautiful 26 year old woman with bright red hair who has just purchased a partnership interest in the Rawlings, Oklahoma Gazette. In the beginning of the book, Kathleen is in route to Oklahoma from Liberal, Kansas to begin work at the newspaper. She's feisty, has a quick wit and even faster temper. These attributes don't bode well with a few of the town's citizens.
Even though Johnny knows Kathleen's uncles, he's never met her in person. When they do finally meet, he's just saved her from having her car hijacked and money stolen just outside of town and not far from his ranch. He sees her again at the newspaper office and thinks she's beautiful. He is immediately smitten. But... he suffers from the "I'm not good enough for her" syndrome. Johnny is part Cherokee. He is the son of a white prostitute and what everyone in town said was a drunk Indian. He was raised by a kind man named Ed Henry and that's the last name he goes by. The reader eventually learns the truth of his parentage when his biological father's search for him is successful.
Throughout the course of the book, Kathleen and Johnny's chemistry takes hold. She thinks he's kind and wonderful when he's not being jealous of seeing her in the company of Barker Fleming, one of the owners of a local hide tannery. He also tries and fails to stay away from her thinking he's not good enough for her. Johnny left school after finishing the fifth grade and doesn't believe a woman with Kathleen's educational background could ever love a man like him. But she does. Kathleen knows Johnny's street smarts and tracking skills more than make up for his lack of a formal education.
Since danger seems to always find Kathleen, Johnny continues to keep an out for her as a courtesy to her uncles. The danger results from her investigating shady activity surrounding Dr. Herman's medical practice (he's also the mayor), and a young woman's murder that's ruled an "accident" when clearly it wasn't. It's a good story that is an exciting mystery with some romance wrapped around it.
When Kathleen finally convinces Johnny of her feelings for him, it's well worth the wait.
Johnny tells her one night after they return from the McCabe ranch to his house, "This is a big step. Once I get you in there, I'll not be able to let you leave."
"I won't want to go."..."I've waited all my life for a man like you and for a moment like this."
Dorothy Garlock's books are like comfort food for me. And I'll be ready for another serving when I read After the Parade, the sequel to this book.
Fall bingo square #2 - Location/Setting starts with a vowel: Oklahoma
August 14, 2016
I think this is only the second of Garlock's books that I have read. She does a good job with depression era middle America stories. This is the story of Kathleen Dolan who comes to Rawlings, Oklahoma in 1938 to be a partner in a newspaper. She meets Johnny Henry, our handsome half Cherokee hero on the way into town. Kathleen is quite spirited and independent for the era. The town doctor has everyone under his thumb and something ugly is afoot. Garlock manages to combine the innocence of the romance between Johnny and Kathleen with the crassness of the nastier side of town. She is what is missing with many authors. She is not just a writer, she is a storyteller.
July 7, 2023
This takes place in 1938 in Oklahoma. A young woman with red hair and a temperament to match, moves into a a small town to buy into the newspaper. She uncovers corruption in the town. I always enjoy this author.
Read
November 14, 2012Being a news editor myself i thoroughly enjoyed the historical information endorsed in the novel about the various printing and publishing techniques. The idea of special edition was very innovative. As for the characters, it was easy for me to imagine them because the author has given a detailed portray of every character. I enjoyed the romance between Johnny Henry and Kathleen. The harmony between a red headed, educated, talented and smart women with intellect to that of a Brave Cowboy with the Cherokee decent was astounding. They both seemed to complete each other in a contending sort of a way.
The character of Clara and her tragic death made me emerge with mixed feelings of hatred and Sorry.
Overall, its a good read that gives you an insight into the culture of old times (Great Depression). You will enjoy it as it is complete package of Action, Drama, Romance and Suspense.
The character of Clara and her tragic death made me emerge with mixed feelings of hatred and Sorry.
Overall, its a good read that gives you an insight into the culture of old times (Great Depression). You will enjoy it as it is complete package of Action, Drama, Romance and Suspense.
March 20, 2017
I enjoyed this novel. Although she is a prolific writer of historical fiction/romance I had not read anything by Dorothy Garlock before. This story is set in the late 1930s in Oklahoma so it is both a time and place I am not familiar with. Kathleen Dolan, our main character, travels to the small town of Rawlings to buy into the newspaper there. I really enjoyed the parts of the story revolving around the writing and publishing of a newspaper at that time. There are sinister things happening in the town and Kathleen uncovers them with the help of her partners in the paper and a cowboy named Johnny Henry. There are a lot of interesting supporting characters and the story moves along fairly well but there is just something missing so it falls short of 4 stars.
May 15, 2020
Once again a good, quick read in this series. As the other books have had, this one had characters related to the others in the previous books. It was good to see what Johnny has been up to, and that he became something, in spite of his upbringing.
June 10, 2019
The opening scene of this book shows that Katherine Dolan is going to be no shrinking violet. While 2 carjackers are robbing her, Katherine waves for help while defending herself. Of course, the man who rescues her is Johnny Henry, a man we have seen before.
Rawlings, Oklahoma, is the scene of this book. Kathleen has bought into a small newspaper, hoping to ensure her future. It doesn't take long to see that there are secrets aplenty in this tiny town.
Katherine has no fear of the secrets and shady events in her adopted home. Fortunately, Johnny sees the danger she is attracting and decides to keep 2 eyes on her. He thinks he's doing it because his relatives asked him to keep an eye on Katherine; only reluctantly does he admit he's lying to himself.
Johnny sees a serious inequality in any possible relationship with Katherine; he knows she is out of his reach. He spends a great deal of emotional energy agonizing over this. It makes Johnny seem very human and realistic in his expectations in life. There's a side issue of Johnny's paternity that is very interesting.
This is definitely a `feel good' book; Katherine and Johnny are likable and sincere. Secondary characters are clearly defined and add much to this story. Dorothy Garlock has done a wonderful job of explaining the Depression and years between the world wars - and how these times affected common folk.
Katherine and Johnny continue their story in the final book in this series: AFTER THE PARADE. 5 stars
The Dolan Brothers
1. Ribbon in the Sky (1991)
2. With Hope (1998)
3. With Song (1999)
4. With Heart (1999)
5. After the Parade (2000)
Rawlings, Oklahoma, is the scene of this book. Kathleen has bought into a small newspaper, hoping to ensure her future. It doesn't take long to see that there are secrets aplenty in this tiny town.
Katherine has no fear of the secrets and shady events in her adopted home. Fortunately, Johnny sees the danger she is attracting and decides to keep 2 eyes on her. He thinks he's doing it because his relatives asked him to keep an eye on Katherine; only reluctantly does he admit he's lying to himself.
Johnny sees a serious inequality in any possible relationship with Katherine; he knows she is out of his reach. He spends a great deal of emotional energy agonizing over this. It makes Johnny seem very human and realistic in his expectations in life. There's a side issue of Johnny's paternity that is very interesting.
This is definitely a `feel good' book; Katherine and Johnny are likable and sincere. Secondary characters are clearly defined and add much to this story. Dorothy Garlock has done a wonderful job of explaining the Depression and years between the world wars - and how these times affected common folk.
Katherine and Johnny continue their story in the final book in this series: AFTER THE PARADE. 5 stars
The Dolan Brothers
1. Ribbon in the Sky (1991)
2. With Hope (1998)
3. With Song (1999)
4. With Heart (1999)
5. After the Parade (2000)
March 13, 2013
Part of a series. I really enjoyed the first two books. This one was also good but not as good as the others. The characters were just as developed. The plot just didn't hold my interested as well. It was a quick read it was a mystery and a romance. At some places you were engaged but others fell short. I'm giving it 3 stars as it wasn't as good to me as the ones I gave 4 stars. I rarely give 5 stars to romance novels.
October 13, 2017
Man this just did not cut it for me it was putting me to sleep.
I found it a lil boring could be that this type of book and just gidn' t see eye to eye wish it would have been good but to me it was totaly boring.
I found it a lil boring could be that this type of book and just gidn' t see eye to eye wish it would have been good but to me it was totaly boring.
March 19, 2008
This is the story of Kathleen and Johnny that concludes in the book "After the Parade".
June 1, 2009
loved it
November 10, 2009
This story was great. I could not put it down!
May 4, 2010
A mystery love story and I enjoyed reading about Kathleen and Johnny Henry. Pre-world war II
July 30, 2010
Great Series of books about the Henry's & the Perry's!!! I enjoyed all 4 books, and this was a great book 3 leading into book 4! Worth Reading.
August 13, 2013
It was good. I like that it was not predictable.
February 14, 2014
Born just a few years after the time periods, this books reminds me of phrases, products and events that were so much part of my life. real and down to earth.
Want to read
March 18, 2014I enjoyed it very well written
July 28, 2014
Felt like I was back in the thirties. Vivid, well written
September 3, 2014
Another great read by Dorothy Garlock. I look forward to the next in the series.
April 30, 2017
I really like an Iowan author Dorothy Garlock stories. The characters are so real and the stories are great. This story is set in the depression and is about a young redheaded woman with a fiery temper that proves she can take care of herself in a rough Oklahoma town. That is until she meets a handsome cowboy who is a loner and intends to stay that way. She sets out to change his mind.
September 13, 2017
Good read.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews