THE GAZEBO

Author: Kimberly Cates ISBN: 0373770510 1/2006 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: HQN

Shelter of Secrets, Shelter of Dreams The small white gazebo didn't look like anything special. But former "wild child" Deirdre McDaniel knew that appearances could be deceiving. All her life she had felt like an outsider in her own family. Now, as her own idealistic daughter Emma comes of age, it's time to delve into a Pandora's box of heartache... Hard-nose P.I. Jake Stone just wanted a happily-ever-after with the passionate, fragile Deirdre. But the two of them didn't have a chance unless he could help her face the past and lay her demons to rest once and for all. That means trusting him, a loner whose abrasive attitude belies the honorable man beneath. As they sift through the sorrows of the past, these two guarded souls learn that true family resides in the shelter of the heart.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Wow. Kimberly Cates sure knows how to scramble emotions. Guess that makes her a good writer, or a great storyteller. Or, a bit of both. THE GAZEBO is a roller coaster ride for the brain and the emotions, that left me feeling drained, yet glad, but also wondering if I liked it or not.

The follow up story to PICKET FENCE, THE GAZEBO is fraught with characters all striving to do the right thing by one another. They have secrets and childhood traumas dying to come back and haunt them, just like real life. It's how you deal with them when they surface that counts, and not everyone deals with revelations and surprises the same way. I am saying that because you should know that the story is tough to take for a while, and if you don't care for true to life stories, you may want to pass this one up.

The main character, Deirdre, has more secrets and anxiety than most. I knew her secret truth, and was properly horrified by it, but I still didn't really like her. Sure, she is trying to do the right thing, but the way she goes about it is ridiculous. Talk about calling the kettle black and having blinders on! Now, I will say that having not been in her situation, I tried not to judge her reactions and thought process. Unfortunately, I just couldn't understand her until close to the end of the book. At times I got mad at her for being so obstinate. For me, the truth is black and white; for her, it's too hard to face and admit.

I am not much for painful visits to the past and much prefer escapism to another time and place far from my own. Though Kimberly Cates does a wonderful job of grabbing my attention and making me care (she also creates one hot hero!), I only give it Four Roses for that ability. I find this book hits too close to home. But, maybe that is just what she intended it to do.

Shannon Johnson