"Unusual Contemporary Tale"

Ford Newcombe had been madly in love with his wife, Pat. They had a wonderful life until she died of cancer leaving him bereft. He had written several best selling books all based on his family and life's experiences but he couldn't have done it without Pat's unmitigated support. For six years he has meandered through life with nothing catching his imagination and not interested in anything enough to continue writing. He hires assistants but they only last for a few days because they are not intelligent enough or are only interested in marriage or his money. He hears about Jackie Maxwell, a professor's assistant, who has been writing a comical and charming book for her boss and when he sees her telling her stories, he is captivated and knows that she is the research assistant for him. Jackie tells a story that she heard as a child about a woman falling in love with the devil in Cole Creek and it catches his interest to such an extent, that he buys a house in Cole Creek and determines to write his next book about the devil story.

Jackie wants no part of being the famous author's assistant but when her fiancé absconds with her bank account, she packs her bags and leaves with Ford for the small town of Cole Creek. Why is it that no one in town will discuss the old story and why does Jackie know so many details and is so familiar with the house that he has purchased? Ford is getting more and more intrigued with Jackie and about finding out the truth behind the devil's tale. They discover that a woman had been crushed with stones twenty years before in Cole Creek (part of the devil story) and when Ford researches on the Internet, he finds that several people of Cole Creek were similarly crushed to death. Ford begins to worry that there is someone exacting revenge but why is it that several of the towns-people claim they cannot leave the town?

WILD ORCHIDS is quite an interesting story, all written in first person, each chapter changing from Ford to Jackie and their points of view. Both hero and heroine are special characters who gradually become attached to each other despite the age difference. They are imperfect which makes them all the more charming. Ford is sensitive but eats a lot of junk food so isn't in the best of condition while Jackie has dreams and visions that tend to come true unless she can prevent it. Jackie has that certain something that makes Ford come alive as they become good friends and the secondary characters are somewhat quirky which makes them very interesting. There is a little of the paranormal and I must admit to being very surprised at the ending and somewhat disappointed but all fans of Jude Deveraux are sure to enjoy this unusual contemporary tale.

Reviewed by Marilyn Heyman
Posted April 1, 2003