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BEFORE THE STORM - Melanie Schuster Harlequin Kimani/Arabesque January 2007 |
SYNOPSIS: Maya Simpson marries Julian Deveraux, the eldest son of a prominent New Orleans clan. But when social pressures become too much, Maya files for divorce. Four years later, Maya and Julian are reunited against the backdrop of Hurricane Katrina.
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE |4| Keren Childers
REVIEW: The Deveraux family is back again, introducing Maya
Simpson: Maya married Julian Deveraux four years ago, only to file for
divorce and leave town because of her suspicions of his infidelity.
Julian is devastated but determined to move on. Little does he know that
Maya has more than just memories of their short lived marriage. Will
reuniting after all these years rekindle their love for each other; most
of all will Julian be able to forgive Maya for keeping a valuable secret
from him?
In BEFORE THE STORM you get two stories. The first part of the book
focuses on Judge Julian Deveraux Sr. Julian carries himself
professionally and walks like the confident man he is. Ruth is a sexy,
older woman that men, to this day, are fiercely attracted to. Raising
her sister’s children after her death had been her only concern in life,
but when she meets Julian, she begins to let her guard down and enjoy
life. Julian is smitten by Ruth’s sexy dark green eyes and Ruth can’t
get enough of Julian’s handsome debonair features and his classy way of
dressing. Together they plan to make the best of everything.
In the second story, Ms. Schuster introduces Julian Jr. and Maya
Simpson. Julian and Maya were married at one time, but Maya believing
that Julian had been unfaithful, leaves town and files for divorce.
Unnown to her at the time, she was carrying a secret. Four years later
in Chicago--Maya runs into her former sister in law, Paris Deveraux and
the secret is revealed. Paris is determined to reunite them and
convinces Maya of this; though Maya has her reservations about this
plan. Julian has harbored the hurt of his wife’s departure, but when he
finds out that Maya is back, he decides that he needs answers and he
won’t stop until he gets them.
Julian Jr. and Maya’s story seems complicated at first. So much
miscommunication and betrayal affects their relationship. Julian is
stubborn and Maya is naïve, so both had some issues to deal with. I
think in the end they finally had to figure out what was more important
in their lives. Julian Jr. should have taken lessons from his father on
women. Melanie Schuster never disappoints you when she reunites the
Deveraux and Cochran family; with this family there is never a dull
moment. Julian Sr. and Ruth’s story is also fascinating. He
romances her and cateres to her needs so well. This man was all that and
some.
In BEFORE THE STORM, you get family unity, lots of romance, and some
fine men and women. If I have to say one thing negative, it would be
that I was a little confused by Ms. Schuster introducing the Julian Sr.
and not putting his story in the synopsis. Both stories were good, but I
felt this should have been mentioned to the reader.
If you enjoy reuniting with the Deveraux and Cochran family, this book
won’t disappoint you.
reviewer@romanceincolor.com |10th May 2007