"Parallel Plots of Benni's life"

Benni Harper's widowed grandmother Dove marries Isaac Lyons who is a world-renowned photographer. After the wedding Dove has second thoughts. She has been widowed for over 30 years and finds adjusting to marriage harder than she expected. The fact that Isaac has groupies always trying to get his attention doesn't help.

Benni was also widowed. Jack, her first husband, died in a car accident. She married Police Chief Gabe Ortiz and they have had their ups and downs but things are going fairly well now.

Benni's cousin Emory and Benni's best friend Elvia were recently married. Emory bought Elvia Blind Harry's bookstore. She has a grand opening and is very nervous but Benni helps her. Author Emma Baldwin whom Benni had interviewed back in college and was Benni's favorite author comes to the grand opening to speak about her books. Benni is excited to see her again and they renew their friendship.

Gabe's friend and former undercover partner Luke comes to town supposedly on a case as he's now a PI. He is later found stabbed to death Someone stalks Benni which makes Gabe concerned that it could be someone from his undercover days before they were married.

Benni and her first husband Jack were ranchers. Now Benni is the folk art museum curator. This book parallels her life back in 1978 with Jack and her life now in 1995 with Gabe. The author does this so well that you know there is a reason for it, but you don't know the reason until the end.

I truly enjoyed this book. It was so well written. The parallel plots are expertly weaved. The characters are developed so well and the setting is so real that I find myself having an hard time putting down her books. I just want to keep reading to find out what happened.

I think this is the best in the series yet. I thoroughly enjoyed the surprise ending.

I highly recommend this book and the whole series.

Reviewed by Dawn Dowdle
Posted May 3, 2003