The book does, however, clearly point to taking place at a particular time.including dates and years for the events rather than being a book that could take place in current times. This book was written in the early 1990s and the pop culture references are from that time. They have significant roles in this book and the friendship between Zach and Matthew worked especially well. I especially enjoyed seeing Mathew and Meredith from PARADISE. All the characters in the book have complexity and interest. Parental love, sibling relationships, and friendships are all important in this story. Not only is Zach and Julie’s relationship sweet and romantic, the book allows other relationships to be explored. The cynical actor is enchanted with Julie who discovers Zach’s secret soft heart. I absolute loved how he is gobsmacked by his reaction to Julie. I liked that she has morals even when she doesn’t live up to them all the time. Her reaction with Zach mirrors other events in her life so it doesn’t feel like a stretch that she would turn her kidnapping into an advocacy for his innocence. Julie could have been written as a stereotypical do-gooder, but instead, she has complexity. Instead, we get to see the characters actually create their happy ending. And that might be what I love most about this book - when the “big problem” is resolved, the story is not over. We get to see what formed these characters before they even meet and then we get to see their relationship develop, the problems that almost tear them apart and then a resolution. The story has time and space to breathe in these pages. This is a long book, and I enjoy every page. Zach and Julie are such a wonderful couple.
At first desperate to escape her kidnapper, Julie soon is convinced that Zach is innocent. Zach has escaped from prison and needs Julie and her vehicle to get to to the place he will be temporarily hiding. On a trip out of her small town, she is taken hostage by Zachary Benedict, the former superstar Hollywood actor and director who was convicted of murdering his wife. THE STORY: Julie Mathison has done everything she can to do live an exemplary life after being adopted. I’ve loved this one for years and it doesn’t disappoint after decades of reading it.
Always.”įINAL DECISION: One of my all time favorite books, this book has action, suspense, mystery, a sexy leading man, a strong heroine, a full and complete story and a sense of romance and drama. Published by Pocket Books on December 1, 2002 Perfect (Second Opportunities, #2) by Judith McNaught WORTH MENTIONING: There is some physical violence between Jennifer and Royce (including spanking), but I didn’t feel that it was particularly serious considering the book occurs in 1497.įINAL DECISION: I ended up loving this book primarily because of Royce, who I initially thought distant but whom I ended up loving because of how he treated Jennifer.ĬONNECTED BOOKS: A KINGDOM OF DREAM is the first book in the Westmoreland Saga that spans centuries of the Westmoreland family. This novel has definite emotional development and movement for the characters which makes the ending satisfying. His willingness to treat Jennifer as an equal is also something that develops through the novel. He makes serious mistakes that threaten his relationship with Jennifer and he takes action to make reparation and to draw his wife back to him. He is a hero whose gentle qualities are slowly revealed throughout the book. My favorite part of the novel, however, was Royce.
The story was interesting and grounded firmly in historical events. I liked how the balance between the two is always kept even when it seems that Royce should have the upper hand. Jennifer is spirited and is no victim when held captive by Royce.
In a world filled with violence and war, both Jennifer and Royce really want peace, but are constantly pulled toward discord and violence. OPINION: This book is complicated and layered and so is the relationship between Royce and Jennifer. At the same time, danger and intrigue threatens to tear them apart. Despite the fact that the two should be enemies, there is no doubt that the two find in one another something they both need. The Scottish girl soon challenges Royce in unexpected ways and her pride and willfulness intrigues him.
Royce Westmoreland, Earl of Claymore and the English King’s “Wolf”, takes the two sister to use as leverage to defeat Jennifer’s father. One day, Jennifer and her stepsister are taken captive by The Wolf. Jennifer Merrick is the daughter of a Scottish earl who has been sent to an abbey because of her stubborness. THE STORY: This book takes place in 1497 when disputes continue between the English and the Scottish. “A toast to the Duke of Claymore and his bride!” Published by Pocket Books on May 31, 1991 A Kingdom of Dreams (Westmoreland, #1) by Judith McNaught