Multnomah, Apr 13 2010, $13.99
In the winter of 1881 in Cleveland while it is snowing Mama left. Her husband the doctor and her four young daughters are stunned by her disappearance. The oldest eight years old Vada Allenhouse raises her three siblings (Hazel, Althea, and Lisette) while their father buries himself in his work.
In 1898 the Brooklyn Bridegrooms baseball team arrives to play the local Cleveland Spiders. A line drive knocks out a spectator. The unconscious unidentified fan is rushed to Dr. Allenhouse for treatment. There Vada meets the Cleveland manager and third baseman Oliver “Patsy” Tebeau and other players like Lucky. Soon the baseball players court the four sisters, which Vada finds exciting as her boyfriend Garrison Walker, third chair at the East Cleveland Terrington Community Orchestra boring.
Though readers will need a scorecard to keep track of all the players especially the double play combinations, Allison Pittman provides a warm uplifting historical romance that also pays home to the roots of the national pastime. Readers will feel they are in Cleveland just before the turn of the previous century (and prior to the American League forming); mindful of Meet Me In St. Louis. With a wonderful walk-off homer, baseball and Americana romance fans will appreciate following the escapades on and off the field of the Bridegrooms and the four Allenhouse females whose hearts are stolen.