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DESIGNED FOR YOU - Marcia King-Gamble Harlequin/Arabesque March 2006 |
SYNOPSIS: Newly arrived in a small South Carolina town, college professor Ava Millington is instantly attracted to her gorgeous neighbor, former detective Cole Dumont, but both are keeping secrets. When the shocking truth emerges, will their love become a path to healing or heartbreak?
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE: |4++| Monica Jeffers
REVIEW: College Professor Ava Millington knows all to well
that truth has no place when it comes to guilt. Rebuilding her life
after a charge of theft, Ava has a hard time trusting anyone. Enjoying
her solitary lifestyle she is wary of the man who suddenly moves in next
door. Self-contained Cole Dumont is haunted by tragedy. Returning to his
childhood home after a long absence he guards his heart and emotions
against the bad memories bombarding him. His next-door neighbor Ava
prickly attitude tempered by moments of softness is weakening his
resolve.
In GOODBYE HEARTACHE, Doris Johnson weaves a complex story of two
characters afraid to open up and trust. This vibrant cast of characters
shows that despite your best intentions relationships form when you
least expect them. Ava Millington is enjoying her solitary lifestyle as
a college professor when Cole Dumont moves in next door. At first she is
resentful that he moved in next-door disrupting her solitude. As time
goes by she realizes that her next-door neighbor has his own secrets and
is trying his best to keep her at a distance also. Ava finds herself
drawn to Cole.
Cole Dumont is battling his own demons. The memories of the tragedy that
took his little brother haunts him every moment. He has no problem
keeping his distance from his prickly sexy next door neighbor Ava
Millington. Reacquainting himself with his hometown and people he left
behind Cole finds that his views of years ago changing. He also finds
himself drawn to Ava despite his need to keep her at a distance.
Ms. Johnson also creates a wonderful cast of minor characters that enrich
the feeling of family and friendship. The sassy diner owner, Teddie
Perkins with her effervescing humor and secret she is hiding. Jack
Thompson, town Sheriff who shares wisdom and friendship.
The novel, GOODBYE, HEARTACHE draws the reader not just a story of
romance between Ava and Cole but to their road to conquering the
separate demons that plague them. The story flows with a naturalness
allows the reader to experience each emotion like
it was happening to them.
Ms. Johnson brings the small town sense of community to life. She
describes Minuet, South Carolina with a warm everybody knows you name
type of feeling. You feel as if you have paid a visit to a large
extended family.
GOODBYE, HEARTACHE is an arresting read that took me through all
spectrums of emotion - sadness, anger, hope, fear and acceptance. I
enjoyed it and eagerly await the next Doris Johnson novel.
reviewer@romanceincolor.com |20th March 2006