"what an absolute gem"
This is my first book by Erin McCarthy. Won't be the last!
What a talented, sensitive writer. In this day where
romance is dominated by `perfect people' I applauded the
writer who recreates less than perfect characters and
reminds us love comes in all forms and all walks of life.
The heroine is deaf, hearing-impaired to be more
politically correct. I have had two friends with hearing
problems and knowing the frustrations they have put up
with
people's mishandling of them, it immediately put in with
complete sympathy with McCarthy's heroine. Laurel Watkins is fed up with playing safe in her life.
She
wanting some adventure, especially romance. So she takes
the plunge and makes a date On-line with a man called
Russ.
She's excited meeting him in a coffee shop for their first
date. Only, things don't go the way she planned. Russ is really a special operative on the track of a man
called Trevor Dean. Trevor seeks out plain women that are
naïve, then robs them blind, stealing all their savings.
So
when Russ makes the date with Laurel he is on the job.
Russ
is taken with Laurel. She is pretty, smart and doesn't let
the hearing problem slow her down one bit. She doesn't see
it as a handicap and resents people who do. Russ politely
explains about Trevor, warns her from meeting men on the
Internet. Laurel, being a thoroughly modern woman, says
fine. She will stay off the Net provided he has a hot
affair with her. Naturally, Russ if floored! Russ wants to protect Laurel because he feels she's
Trevor's next victim, but he is soon way past that,
falling
hard. He soon has a sweet tooth for the lady who works in
the candy store. McCarthy deals with Laurel deafness with forthright
fashion, which has the reader applauding and cheering
Laurel instead of giving her sympathy. It's presented as
this is a part of Laurel...so what? It's great to see
someone strike out against the stereotypical heroine, and
with banners flying, gives you a steamy romance, great
heart-stealing characters and one great read! Mouth-to-
Mouth gives you a great touchy romance with a smile.
Reviewed by DeborahAnne MacGillivray
Posted June 2, 2005
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