Title: Surrender Your Heart
Author: Melissa Wathington
Published in January 2008 by Romance At Heart Publications
Genre: Contemporary
ISBN: None Assigned
Two sensual short stories create a pleasing anthology. The first tale reveals an attraction that two people kept suppressed for too long. The next story exposes one woman’s inability to hear the truth driving away the one man who truly loves her.
A charming, softhearted story, Surrender delivers a sincere plot as Monique is weighed down with family and work responsibilities. Since her parents’ death, she raised and supported her younger brother, who now attends law school. However, her dreams are simple, she hopes to write mystery novels. Her long hours at the newspaper don’t reflect on her paycheck but it pays the bills and keeps food on her table. Jordan’s incessant nagging about time spent at work both amuses and angers her. Although overshadowed by his family loyalty that matches Monique’s, and the fact he treats her and her brother as part of that family makes him all that more…attractive.
Jordan’s face shows the signs of weariness from years of solely caring for his family. Growing up in a motherless home, he took care of his alcoholic brother, watched over his wild child little sister, while keeping the family business afloat. Jordan kept this and so much more close to his chest, never complaining. His only confident was Monique as they share like responsibilities so understood each other’s burdens. The women he dated in the past never could get close to Jordan as Monique has; apparent to those who knew him that he waits for that special woman.
Again, Ms. Wathington creates engaging characters that pulls the reader into the story, handing over an enchanting illustrative view. Monique is the only woman he has ever trusted, admiring her independent, all fire determination. Jordan wants to continue that shared kiss with Monique that will also quench his wanton desires. Monique values their friendship over anything else, so will not compromise it with a love relationship. Her distancing angers Jordan but he believes it will provide her enough time to sort out those feelings. He hopes that in the end she feels the same way he does.
How Do You Say Good-Bye? is clearly about good communication and trust as Jessica almost destroys the best loving relationship she could ever have. A thought provoking tale, Jessica attends a party at her ex-boyfriend’s home. Their break up lingers painfully, escalating when he asks her to dance. Like old times, their easy familiar movement ignites long suppressed feelings. Reminded again how much she loved him…correction how much she still loves him.
These influential, vivid characters lend credibility to this sorrowful soul-searching story. Alex never stopped loving Jessica, and seeing her tonight he remembers how deep that love went. For five years, they kept the relationship alive, but her stubbornness and refusal to listen put a wedge between them. He first saw this destructive trait when ill with mono during her senior year of high school, and could not go to the prom. Alex arranged the surprise prom date with her father’s help, when Jessica immediately accuses him of cheating on her, because he showed up wearing a tuxedo. She believed he was taking someone else to the prom.
Another time he cancelled their trip to Niagara Falls due to work; an important merger fell through so he had to stay and fix it or lose his job. She never allowed him to fully explain; instead, she became extremely angry and would not speak to him for weeks. The biggest blow was her missing his college graduation. A lot of water has passed under this bridge, where only accountability and forgiveness can repair the damage from two years ago. With any luck, in those two years Jessica has overcome her abandonment issues so amends those wrongs, before Alex ships out with the Navy.
First released in 2007 as a Lavender Isis Press publication, Surrender Your Heart tugs at your heart and rouses your emotions as these two sweet little romances fulfills every reader’s addiction. Ms. Wathington gives her fans solid characterization, a fluid engaging plot, and just enough angst to keep the pages turning. Melissa Wathington is also author of Double the Blessings, an inspirational currently available at Lavender Isis Press, and has several others she is currently working onfor future release.
A dedicated reader,
Pamela Jenewein
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