Title: Love of My Heart
Author: Bess McBride
Published in June 2007 by The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary
ISBN: 1-60154-091-4, ebook
Other Books by Bess: A Sigh of Love
Their secret remains safe and hidden, although an unhappy road when a mental health therapist desires her patient, just as tough for the patient who is also attracted. Every Tuesday, they meet for an hour for a session that feels more like friends meeting for coffee where both walk away feeling forlorn and unsatisfied. Weary of their unacquainted attraction, the unfulfilled lovers’ break off their weekly appointment. However, fate steps in to bring the two lovers together…forever.
A single woman, Aggie lives in a Victorian home that is way too large for her and two felines. As if alive the dilapidated manor holds many secrets that, unbeknownst to her, reveal themselves when the time is right. On one such occasion, in a cupboard behind her night stand Aggie finds a small box containing a love letter along with a photo of a young couple. The woman’s face is concealed by her turn-of-the-century hat but the man looks familiar. His resemblance to Bill, her Tuesday patient, is uncanny.
A shy man and fearful of rejection, Bill even daydreams about Aggie. Normally a jovial man, the sleepless nights drain his energy, very much needed when teaching a bunch of mischievous elementary children. Also weighing heavy is guilt at concealing his true identity, and worse is the irreparable damage should Aggie discovery that secret. Convinced that their relationship will never blossom, Bill never attends another counseling session with Aggie. Yet, not seeing her at all is harder then being around Aggie once a week.
An in depth and enticing novel, Love of My Heart takes the reader on two romantic journeys of unfulfilled love; one is traveled through flash backs about a heartrending relationship during the late 1880’s, whereas the other is present day between two a professional and her client. Identifying the woman in the picture as Louise Kingston, Aggie digs deeper into the woman’s life, uncovering a heart breaking truth. Even though pregnant with his child, Louise is forbidden to marry her Irish born lover, Bill O’Brien. Her father’s dislike of emigrants is known but hidden behind polite Victorian manners. Bill returns to his family in Boston hopeful to return with a wealth that convinces her father to let them marry. However, that day never arrives.
A delightful adventurous plot pulls the reader in quickly as the dynamic, genuine characters create captivating intrigue. The story unfolds in Aggie dreams as she witnesses the era of 1885 through the eyes of Louise; feeling all the woman’s frustration with family’s prejudices, her deep affectionate longing for Bill and the unshakeable worry about her baby’s welfare once her parents find out. Upon awakening she is reminded of her own disastrous attempt at love. Then Bill misses two of his appointments she worries about his welfare but disappointed to never have said a proper “good bye”. She also feels an emotional void in her life with his absence.
As Louise’s tragic romance unfolds, due to societal and proprietary restraints, Aggie becomes more aware of similar restraints holding back her romantic life. Even with the threat of losing her job, Aggie’s heart takes the lead. However, when Bill reveals his secret does Aggie wonder if she knew him at all.
A keeper for us “die-hard” romantics, Love of My Heart, published by Wild Rose Press, is sure to satisfy the need for a sweet though real love story. Ms. Ashbury’s next release from Wild Rose Press, A Sigh of Love is due out February 2008, with another, Caribbean Dreams of Love due out sometime in 2008 as well. As with Love of My Heart, these two stories will surely please her fans too.
A Dedicated Reader,
Pamela Jenewein
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