Reviews

I had two excellent five heart reviews this week from The Romance Studio - I am giving just one here this week. It's for my novel His Other Wife that came out in the Fall. This actually is one of my own books that I particularly like. It's funny how you like some books, and when they come out, can really hate others. No, I am not going to name those, how ridiculous would that be!

"Fabio Hetherington has left an inheritance to a woman named Roxie Rawson. As executor of the estate, Saul is able to find her in new Zealand. When he visits he's surprised to find she has an eight year old son who looks exactly like his dead brother. Fabio's widow and mother aren't happy with the news and set out in their own way to find out more about the woman and boy. Young Josh and his uncle become close but Roxie never wants to let herself feel anything for the man who is so different from his brother.

Margaret Blake weaves an interesting story about the separation of the classes of rich versus poor in England. Roxie is a spunky woman who refuses to cry over the spilt milk of life. She would rather be poor than depend on the family that ignored her when she and Josh were at the lowest point in their life She's fought her way out of the doldrums to make a life for herself and doesn't feel the need for Fabio's family now. Saul is a persistent man whose search for the truth doesn't stop as he and Josh become close.

Ms Blake does an excellent job building her characters. Roxie is such an interesting blend of insecurity in personal life as opposed to her sense of security and fair play in her job. Saul has had to be strong from the time he was very young but, like Roxie, he adapted through rejection and some of the insults dished out. The difficult he and Roxie have in the communication department is much like that of any two peole who have to learn to talk about their feelings. Though neither acknowledge it they're very much more alike than different. This is a well crafted romance with a little suspense thrown in that makes it a great read.
Five hearts - from Dee Dailey, The Romance Studio.