Title: Conspiracy of Angels
Author: Zinnia Hope
Published in 2006 by Freya's Bower
Genre: Contemporary/Fantasy
ISBN: 1-934069-40-X
Other Books by Zinia: The Sexual Science of Witchery, Free Spirits, Honeysuckle and Wild Roses, Dreams and Desires: A Collection of Romance and Erotic Tales, Visiting Donna Dee and The Red Storm
After seven years, Elizabeth returns to her hometown where her innocence and one true love remained behind. Opening her own restaurant, with her grandmother’s help, Liz’s sense life is going well. Her son, Alex is adjusting nicely to his private school too. When her grandmother invites Daniel to help with the restaurant’s grand opening, Elizabeth is unnerved in seeing her old boyfriend and lover. After moving to New York, she wrote Daniel many times but he never returned her letters. Right now Elizabeth feels the weight of guilt from her past and reliving her mother’s loose reputation, more so from worrying about it. She remembers Minister Rivers that day, seven years ago, overhearing her prayers, and then his demanding she leave town. His hateful admission that his son, Daniel deserves better then her still rings in her ears. She realizes then, that even practicing Christians are hateful, unforgiving people who judge her by her mother’s promiscuous behavior. Still, her last boyfriend, Brian Dansbury proves she was headed in that very direction. His abuse still haunts her. What disturbs Liz most is Daniel discovering Alex is son, before she scrounges the courage to do so.
Daniel Rivers never wanted to leave Barnesville, buying into his father’s construction business and volunteering where needed in the community. He has dated during Elizabeth’s absence, though they never lasted long. His love for Elizabeth in no way diminished over the years. Daniel still carries the wallet size greeting card she gave him many years ago, a symbol of her blatant love for him. Still, he wonders what wrong he committed to make her leave without saying goodbye. Daniel will ask until she answers him, though her anger and defensiveness confuses him. He remembers Elizabeth as a happy and self-assured young woman, so many years ago. Daniel also notices the tension between his father and Liz, though is father denies witnessing her discomfort in his presence.
As the restaurant opens for its first day of business, Daniel makes himself available to help. Liz’s grandmother, Sarah encourages him to come around, hoping they get back together. Sarah knows the story behind Liz’s hot temper and mistrust. Her enjoys meddling, throwing the two ex-lovers together as much as possible, laughing when she sparks Liz’s anger, but sad when Daniel leaves confused and hurt. She prays Liz comes to trust Daniel enough to share her burden of secrets. Sarah believes he would stand by her granddaughter no matter how terrible those burdens. Besides, Alex needs a daddy, in the worse way, and Daniel being his biological father is the only able to take on the responsibility. Secrets…Sarah watched her daughter’s life be destroyed by secrets; she will not watch the same happen to her granddaughter, God willing.
Daniel appearing for the restaurant’s opening day, Liz is stunned by how the years only made him more handsome. She also detects she still loves him. When he asks where she has been for the last seven years, she declines to discuss it, sending him to help Sarah. Liz begins to fret with the lack of turn out as lunchtime rolls around and still no customers; blaming her mother’s unforgettable reputation. Removing the restaurant’s sign cover, Liz notices the old man from New York City, now here in Ohio; they met while Liz and Alex biked in Central Park. The white-hair man enters the restaurant and orders a coffee, explaining that he has a large family scattered across the states. Upon leaving a five on her table, he gently informs Liz that she worries too much. Later in the week while leaving the convenience store, she runs into her mother’s old boyfriend, Charlie Deeds. Daniel comes to her aid when Charlie will not leave her alone. Before letting her go home, Daniel warns her that they need to talk, because only she holds the answers he seeks.
To bring more business Daniel suggests Liz sponsor the Christian Youth Club dinner. Seeing this as a good opportunity to introduce her business and bring in more customers, she is angered when discovering Sarah already knows about the dinner; purposely throwing her and Daniel together. After pouring more coffee for the lone truck driver, Liz turns back around discovering he has left, leaving twenty dollars on the table and a message on the order ticket, saying everything will get better. A shiver runs up her spine. That night Daniel comes over to discuss the Youth Club dinner when Charlie Deeds is caught breaking into her home. Daniel asks again why she left without saying goodbye and her hostility towards him, which leads to an argument. After delivering a huge order to the nursing home, Liz and Alex come home to find Daniel fixing her back door. Daniel suggests dinner by the lake so he and Alex can fish. Preparing to go home, Liz falls into the cold lake. What follows softens Liz’s heart. Back home, Daniel fixes Liz’s bath water and then a cup of hot tea. Bringing the tea to her while she bathes ignites all their suppressed passions, leading to a kiss full of forgiveness, hope and wanting.
Ms. Hopes writes a heartwarming, though many times turbulent, contemporary about a young single mom attempting to live down her mother’s immoral reputation in small town, Barnesville. Published by Freya’s Bower, Conspiracy of Angels is aptly titles as throughout the story angels perform subtle deeds to bring joy to the main character, Elizabeth’s dismal attitude. The plot is true to life as the robust characters bring the story together. Elizabeth’s temperamental attitude frustrates even the patient Daniel, but his honorable persistence shows a deep-rooted love for her. Not happy with her poor outlook on life, Liz has learned to function defensively in a cruel world that pulls on the reader’s heartstrings. Her son, Alex is a shining guiding light for Liz, keeping her grounded and focused, ensuring him a better life then she ever had. Sarah’s a delightful example grandmother hood, knowing what is best when the “all-knowing” youngsters do not. Her meddling pays off, just not as quickly as she would have liked. Secondary characters provide background that makes this story move smoothly. The romance is tender, feeding the reader a healthy dose of love and happy ever after.
A Dedicated Reader,
Pamela Jenewein
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