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ON MY TERMS -Shirley Hailstock Kensington Dafina/Romance January 2008 |
SYNOPSIS: Theresa Ramsey returns to her hometown of Lake Royce, New York, to take possession of her childhood home. When she arrives on her property, Theresa finds a film crew that has overstayed its contract. Theresa has no intention of extending the contract--no matter how earnest, caring, and handsome the film's director is.
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE |4| Dianthia Lemons
REVIEW: Theresa Ramsey is called to return from
England where she has been studying and teaching. Her cousin is very ill
and Theresa cares not only for her cousin until her death but her
cousin's young daughter Chelesa. Chelesa is traumatized by her mother's
death. Theresa soon finds out that Chelesa has nothing via inheritance
because of mismanagement by her aunt. Theresa is thrown into instant
motherhood and is also forced to move back to her childhood home in New
York. She reluctantly returns only to find the production company who
she agreed to lease her property to for filming is still there. Theresa
meets Dean Clayton, the producer/director and they come to a mutual
agreement. He can complete filming his movie and she can be left
undisturbed to care for her niece. Dean knows he is attracted to
Theresa and she to him but he also senses something else. It takes all
the understanding, patience and support from Dean and Theresa for each
other to confront their past demons, put them to rest and realize that
they are true Soul mates in every way.
The setting of Theresa's childhood home is essential for all of the
character's in this story. It's a place where two characters are forced
to face past demons and one character learns to live again after the
loss of a parent. You have to travel to the beginning to get to the end.
ON MY TERMS deals with two adults who one would feel by their
professions have everything going for themselves. They have their past
relationship baggage but the problem that is brought forth with each
character is repressed traumatic past events. Instead of Theresa's aunt
making sure that she had professional help to cope with her past, she
just swept everything under the carpet so to speak. Dean on the other
hand developed his own therapy through his film. The missing piece he
was looking for was always inside waiting to be discovered. Placing the
needs of others in our lives can heal so many wounds and everyone wins
in the end. Ms Hailstock did a great job.
reviewer@romanceincolor.com | 1st February 2008