"Lori Handeland continues her Luchetti family story with Colin's story."
Lori Handeland continues her Luchetti family story in The
Brother Quest, with Colin's story. Bobby Luchetti has been missing for quite some time when
Colin receives a short message that makes no sense. Off he
goes to Wind Lake, Minnesota to get to the bottom of
things. He finds no answers when he arrives, but he does
find a surprise. Marlie Anderson runs the daycare center in her hometown,
never having desired to go anywhere else. For several
months she had been writing to Bobby Luchetti, a soldier
in the US Army. Although his letters had suddenly ceased,
Colin shows up on her doorstep and tells her Bobby sent
him. Colin is bored out of his mind, eager to move on to more
exciting places, but he is convinced that this is where
word will come of Bobby's whereabouts. The longer he
stays, the more he comes to admire, and love Marlie. But
she is Bobby's girl so how can he ever claim her for
himself? Ms. Handeland once again demonstrates her skill at weaving
emotional stories that tug at the heartstrings. This
reviewer found herself laughing out loud over the antics
of the children, as well as getting tears in her eyes over
some powerfully emotional scenes. One will feel everything
along with Marlie, Colin, and company. Everyone is so realistic in this book, adding to the
character-driven plotline. Colin has his irrational fear
of Houdini the guinea pig, and Marlie is insecure about
her appearance as a glasses-wearing slightly overweight
young woman, and finds it hard to believe someone like
Colin could love her. Even the secondary characters show
their weaknesses and strengths. Marlie's mother loses
herself in game shows to forget that her late husband and
the love of her life is never coming home again. Then too,
how can anyone remain unmoved at Garth, Marlie's best
friend, and his precocious son Jake's heartbreak over
losing Garth's beloved wife? Readers will be drawn into the story from the beginning,
riding the waves of all the emotional rises and dips found
in this book. One can not help but feel some emotion when
reading this book. © Kelley A. Hartsell, January 2005. All rights reserved.
Reviewed by Kelley Hartsell
Courtesy Love Romances
Posted August 24, 2005
SummaryIf anything ever happens to me, go to 445 Briar Lane,
Wind Lake, Minnesota
Colin Luchetti's brother Bobby is missing and the only
clue is a cryptic note sending Colin to Wind Lake. What
he finds when he gets there is unexpected—a day-care
center complete with kids, a runaway guinea pig and Marlie
Anderson, the owner.
With all his options gone, Colin decides to wait in Wind
Lake for word on Bobby. Even though he itches to get out
into the "real" world, the more time he spends with
Marlie, the more he admires her. But for his family's sake
Colin needs to focus on solving the mystery of his
brother's disappearance. Can he do it without falling for
the woman his brother loves?
| 
