by Fern Michaels , Laural Merlington
(44)Publication Date: August 29, 2011
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Coming together for a wedding, four friends share memories of childhood in Michaels's (Vegas Sunrise) unevenly plotted latest romance novel, set in South Carolina. Blonde Southern belle Callie Parker is to wed arrogant Wynfield Archer, with her childhood friends in attendance: Brie Canfield, San Diego cop and prospective FBI agent; Sela Bronson, interior designer and recent divorc?e; and attorney Bode Jessup. Bode became Callie's foster brother when her father brought him home from an orphanage and made him promise to make sure Callie got what she wanted, always. Brie and Sela were "white trash" local girls brought in daily as playmates to form the rest of Callie's adoring court. Mama Pearl, an aging black woman employed at Parker Manor, lovingly cared for the poor waifs, but she also reinforced Callie's princess complex. Now, emotional turmoils rise to the surface when Bode evades attending Callie's wedding. Is Bode in love with Callie? The question fades in the wake of a car crash that leaves Callie comatose, an accident caused and covered up by an inebriated Wyn on the way to their wedding rehearsal. Brie explores her memories and her feelings for Bode, and maudlin nostalgia runs rampant as each character bemoans the perfection of "yesterday," leaving the reader to wonder why someone didn't slap silly Callie years ago. Stereotypes abound: Sela's a tramp with a heart of gold; Callie is a prima donna; and Mama Pearl is Mammy from Gone with the Wind. Michaels stirs up love-drama between the old friends and wangles revelations out of Mama Pearl about Bode and Callie's secret origins and racial heritage. Many disillusionments, impassioned tears and tearful confessions later, the puzzle pieces fall predictably in place. (Oct.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Michaels, a prolific and erratic writer, presents one of her lesser efforts here, a confusing story about class and race in South Carolina. An automobile accident on the eve of her wedding leaves Callie Parker in a coma. Her three childhood friendsABode, Brie, and SelaAgather to try to unravel the tangle of secrets and lies that this event has revealed. It seems that their revered princess has clay feet. Presiding over all is the ancient, ageless black woman Mama Pearl, whose life has revolved around "Miss Callie." The writing is very detached, with no sense of involvement, but what is worse is the teeth-clenching narration by Laural Merlington. The fake Southern accents coupled with the piping children's falsetto in the flashbacks jar the listener almost as much as the stupid plot twists (Bode is black? When did that happen?). Then, of course, there is the producer's trademark speedAget as much as possible on the least number of tapes even if the narrator has to rush all the dramatic fences. Libraries should pass on this one. Not recommended.ABarbara Perkins, Irving P.L., TX
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
. Read moreCopyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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