TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE - Angie Daniels
Genesis/Indigo
April 2004
SYNOPSIS: Captain Mark Saunders returns to Wilmington to rekindle an old flame only to find that Essence, the brokenhearted teacher he left behind gave birth to his son two years ago. Can she ever forgive him for abandoning her?
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE: (4+) Wayne Jordan
REVIEW: When Captain Mark Saunders returns home after two years, he’s delighted to see his family. He also hopes for a second chance with Essence Monroe, the woman he not only left behind, but the one who continues to haunt him. Almost immediately, he discovers that Essence gave birth to their son. Initially, Essence’s deception angers him, but eventually realizes that he must take part of the blame for the choice she made. He proposed marriage, but Essence refuses, believing the he does not love her and only made the offer out of a sense of duty. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE explores how Mark and Essence learn to love and trust again.
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE is evidence of Angie Daniels’ growth as an author and demonstrates her ability to pen an emotionally intense story that will leave the reader aching for more. The strength of Ms Daniel’s writing in the realistic characters she creates. Mark and Essence are two of Ms. Daniel’s most appealing lead characters and readers will immediately fall in love with them.
Mark is an honorable hero whose capacity for love and caring is seen in the scene in which he meets his son for the first time. His unwavering determination to win Essence back speak of his strength of character and shows that he is not unwilling to ask for forgiveness.
Essence is the typical Daniels heroine. She is confident, strong and independent, but this does not stifle her femininity. She handles Mark’s reappearance with wariness and caution, but she understanding the importance of the bonding of father and son, and does not deny Mark his role in her son’s life.
Memorable secondary characters, witty realistic dialogue and a wonderful warm sense of family only serve to enhance this touching story of second changes. The plot of TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE plot may be lacking in originality, but Ms. Daniels’ handles the story with freshness and a gentle appeal that makes this her best work to date. This is definitely not to be missed!
waj@romanceincolor.com (16th February 2005)