|
CYPRESS WHISPERINGS Phyllis Hamilton Genesis Press November 2000 (4) Jeanette Codgell |
Contemporary Romance |
|
PLOT SYNOPSIS: |
|
|
REVIEW: |
|
|
CYPRESS WHISPERINGS is a second chance romance in which the hero and heroine share a secret past. The story begins 3 years after the death of Sandra Petain’s husband. Robert was a womanizer and for over 9 years, Sandra put up with his affairs and neglect. Not because she was so in love with him, but because of their young son and daughter. She sacrificed her happiness for theirs. Now Robert is gone, killed in an FBI sting. His best friend/partner Jack Thibodeaux was there to hear Robert’s dying words encouraging Jack to tell Sandra how he feels about her. Jack has been in love with Sandra since they were in college. A misunderstanding caused her to marry Robert instead of Jack. Since Robert’s death Jack has quit his job with the FBI and become a lawyer. He has also become a mainstay in Sandra’s household. He picks up the kids from school, takes them to their extracurricular activities, spends quality time with them on outings, takes care of repairs around her house and even has dinner started by the time she gets home. But still something holds him back from confessing his love for her. Sandra doesn’t know what she would do without Jack. Can you say “taking advantage of”? She has these feelings for Jack, but she keeps them tucked away. Besides, Jack is just her good friend. Robert’s death has allowed her to open her own botanicals and herb shop, Lavender and Hops. Some nights she works late and Jack stops by to help her close up. On this particular night, she has a male client, Lee Chienier, the very successful artist/brother of her girlfriend. When Jack arrives at the shop, Lee comes from the back room with his shirt unbuttoned. Not a pretty picture for Jack. Sandra makes a date with Lee and when her babysitter cancels on her, she takes Jack up on his offer to watch with HER kids. Can you believe that? Jack is angry with her, because all these years he has been there for her, in love with her and she goes out with another man. Sheesh! I found CYPRESS WHISPERINGS a respectable read, but there were too many times when I wanted Jack to cut his ties with Sandra and let her hang herself. Jack could see that Lee was just like her dead husband and even Sandra sensed it too. Yet here was Jack a perfectly wonderful man already in love with her and she dismissed him as a love interest because of their past. This was clearly a case of not being able to see the forest for the trees. The ending caught me by surprise. Even though it was a pleasant surprise, it wasn’t something that I was expecting. If you’re looking for an easy read with lots of New Orleans flavor, then give CYPRESS WHISPERINGS a try. |
|
|
jeanette@romanceincolor.net (19th March 2001) |
|
