Rebecca's Reward

Renee Ertl captures Rebecca Board's youthful dream of starting an ice cream parlor in her hometown of Blessing. With subtle emotional nuances she depicts Rebecca's brother's initial humor--he's certain she's too young--which soon turns to concern when he sees she's serious. Ertl's portrayal of Rebecca's frustration with her family's lack of belief in her is especially believable. When Rebecca visits her cousin Penny in Bismarck, she visits a soda shop to gain business advice. Ertl perfectly renders Rebecca's new sense of direction and determination to succeed when she returns home. In addition, Ertl's depiction of business owner Mr. Jeffers, as well as town gossip Mrs. Valders and her shy adopted son, brings laughter and tears. This is too good to miss. G.D.W. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

Stina Nielsen subtly captures Rebecca's grief when she loses her parents and brother in North Dakota in 1903. Rebecca is determined to find a new direction and decides to visit her cousin in Bismarck for advice. Nielsen's true-to-life rendering of Rebecca's newfound resolve to own a soda shop is especially believable. And Nielsen's polished performance of Rebecca's friends' concern over her interest in business instead of a husband is pure delight. With frankness and humor, Nielsen perfectly renders their attempts to teach Rebecca feminine wiles in order to attract an eligible bachelor. With sensitivity Nielsen delivers a surprising ending listeners won't soon forget. G.D.W. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine