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An awkward misfit in an accomplished Boston family, Isadora Peabody yearns to escape her social isolation and sneaks aboard the Silver Swan, bound for Rio, leaving it all behind.

Ryan Calhoun, too, had a good family name. But he'd purposely walked away from everything it afforded him. Driven by his quest to right an old wrong, the fiery, temperamental sea captain barely registers the meek young woman who comes aboard his ship.

To the Swan's motley crew, the tides of attraction clearly flow between the two. Teaching her the charms of a lady, they hope to build the confidence she needs to attract not only their lonely captain's attention, but his heart, as well. For everyone knows the greatest charms are not those of the formal lady, but rather the possibilities of a new world built on love.

• Sales Rank: #487354 in Books
• Brand: Mira
• Published on: 2008-04-22
• Released on: 2008-04-22
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 6.62" h x 1.09" w x 4.21" l, .43 pounds
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 416 pages

Features

• Great book!

Amazon.com Review
Setting: Boston and Rio de Janeiro, 1851

Sensuality: 7

Isadora Peabody is the brilliant but socially inept sibling in an otherwise perfect family. And although she struggles to fit into Boston society, her awkwardness dooms her to repeated failure. Fate intervenes when she learns that a sea captain, Ryan Calhoun, is in need of an interpreter for his next voyage to Rio. And despite Ryan's adamant opposition to hiring a female interpreter, Isadora gains a berth on his ship, thanks to a little blackmail.

Life aboard ship and away from the strict confines of Boston society finds Isadora losing weight, gaining confidence, and blooming like a rose. She befriends the motley crew of rough sailors, and in turn, they become a charm school of sorts, tutoring her in gracefulness--which comes in handy when climbing the rope rigging--dancing, and friendship. Isadora's transformation fascinates Ryan, but he is determined to stay away from her for he has secretive, dangerous plans. Unaware of Ryan's interest, Isadora struggles with her growing attraction to the reckless sea captain. But before they can resolve their feelings, prior commitments surface and endanger their chance of finding a happy future together.

The Charm School is a tale of the evolution of two complicated people and the powerful love that binds them. Wiggs skillfully peels away the layers that conceal the real Isadora until the transformation from misfit to confident woman is complete, while Ryan develops from a wild, rebellious southerner into a man who can overcome impossible odds to reach his goals. If you like swashbuckling adventure, fascinating characters, vivid settings, and surprising plot twists, this wonderful novel will be just your cup of tea.--Lois Faye Dyer

From Library Journal
A cargo-hauling clipper ship would seem an unlikely place for a Boston spinster to acquire social polish, but the insecure Isadora Peabody, who wangles passage aboard the Silver Swan and sets sail for Rio, is not the confident, self-assured woman who returns to set society (and the unworthy object of her former affections) firmly on its ear. A crew of rough, lovable seamen, a single-minded captain who is caught up short by love, and a heroine who finally learns to believe in herself draw readers into this lively, funny story. While a love scene in which the hero gets the heroine high on hemp may tarnish this story for some, the ugly-duckling aspects of the plot and the concern with slavery issues will appeal to fans across the board. Wiggs (The Drifter, Mira: Harlequin, 1998) is a popular, RITA-winning author and lives in the Pacific Northwest.AKR
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Susan Wiggs is the author of many beloved bestsellers, including the popular Lakeshore Chronicles series. She has won many awards for her work, including a RITA from Romance Writers of America. Visit her website at www.SusanWiggs.com.

Most helpful customer reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful.
An enchanting story of love between two black sheep.
By Joyously Retired Teacher
She's the gauche misfit daughter of prominent Boston socialites. He's the "bad boy" abolitionist son of a slave-holding Southern plantation owner. Although they hate each other on sight, it soon becomes obvious to everyone except them that they need each other to reach their full potential. Falling in love in the lush tropical paradise of Rio de Janeiro (I'm ready to buy my ticket!), they must be prepared to face the reality of their respective families back home.
This book has something important to say to all of us who have endured the "ugly duckling" years. Between the poignant tears and uninhibited laughter of self-discovery aboard a ship with a very special crew and the ugly reality of slavery in the pre-Civil War South, no reader will be able to escape with dry eyes.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful.
Charming story
By A Customer
The Charm School is the first book that I've read by Susan Wiggs, and I must comment that she is an wonderful author.
Isadora Peabody is a brilliant spinster with dreams of marrying a certain young man who doesn't even know she exists. Overweight, wearing spectales, shy and smarter than any man Isadora has little chance of ever marrying or fitting into society. When she hears of a ship leaving for Rio that is owned by the father of the man she is infatuated with, she jumps at the chance to go on board and learn the ways of the shipping business.
Captain Ryan Calhoun isn't happy about Isadora's appearance on board his ship. He'll do anything (and does!) to make her miserable. He's surprised when he finds himself attracted to dowdy Isadora.
A wonderfully written novel, The Charm School is one of those romances that must be read over and over again!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful.
Realistic heroine
By curvynovelsdotinfo
Heroine:   plump/voluptuous
Frumpy, dumpy Isadora Peabody doesn't want much out of life, just to be left in peace and quiet with her many academic tomes. That, and to be the wife of Chad Easterbrook, the handsome son of another prominent Boston family. But Isadora knows this dream will never come true, for she lacks the beauty, grace, and poise her lovely sisters possess, and she will never garner Chad's attention by hiding herself away behind potted plants at every social occasion.  Instead, she comforts herself by reading travel books about far away exotic lands, and political tracts speaking out against that hated transgression against mankind: slavery.
After a putting in a particularly dreadful appearance at a party, Isadora is grateful to make the acquaintance of one Lily Raines Calhoun, a lady most anxious to find her son's ship down at the harbor. Some strange impulse prompts Isadora to lead the elegant woman to the Silver Swan's berthing, but her feeling of goodwill and accomplishment turns to shock when the pair of ladies crash an orgy of Bacchanalian proportions being held on deck.
Fiery of both hair and temper, Ryan Calhoun is a man with a mission. A man who will stoop to any level to accomplish that mission, including lie, cheat, and steal if that's what it takes to see justice done for his former-slave-turned-business-partner. Ryan's taken on sailing for Abel Easterbrook under false pretenses, and finds himself on a vessel bound for Rio minus a crewman fluent in Portuguese. When his employer makes an unfortunate visit to the ship mid-celebration during their first night in port, Ryan is certain he will lose his job, with his mother and some strange dowd in her company at hand to witness his shame!
But to his surprise, his employment is secure, and he finds himself taking the conniving frump on as a hand on his crew after she finagles the translating job from Easterbrook! The last thing Ryan wants is to be saddled with this blue-stocking female, but he needs a translator and she is more than qualified.
The timid spinster and reckless captain can't help but be thrown together during the long months at sea. And while Ryan begins the voyage by going out of his way to make poor Isadora miserable, her keen wit and willingness to pitch in with the chores soon win the handsome captain over, and he discovers that they have much more in common than he could have ever dreamed.
Life at sea was simple enough when Isadora was a disheveled dowd, but as she comes out of her shell Ryan sees her for the beauty that she truly is, and is soon faced with the dilemma of how to avoid the only attractive young woman on board a very small ship. A woman who is rapidly falling in love with him!
 What worked for me:
It's always nice to see a well-educated woman in a story, and I had the utmost respect for Isadora's astounding level of education, especially when it came to math and foreign languages, two areas I never really excelled at myself.
I thought it was endearing how our hero, gorgeous though he was, had no fashion sense and couldn't refrain from wearing clashing, loud-colored clothes, an offense made all the worse when paired with his long red locks.
Size-wise Isadora was extremely tall, plump, and unstylish at the beginning of the novel. However, trading in a life of books for a life spent climbing a ship's rigging caused her to tone up and lose a little weight. I thought that it was rather realistic, though, that Isadora did not shed her milk-toast personality as soon as she dropped a few pounds. It took her a lot longer to learn to how to have confidence in herself when faced with members of Society.
What didn't work for me:
When they say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, they are referring to the title as well. A name like "The Charm School" had me thinking that this would be a novel set in Regency London, not on the high seas of the Atlantic during Victorian times.
 Isadora began the story as something of a ninny. Thank heavens her journey gave her some strength of character!
As I've mentioned before, I'm a bit of a stickler when it comes the physical side of romance. The fact that the hero bedded women other than the heroine in this story bothered me somewhat.
Some scenes in the book went beyond the bounds of plausibility, enough so that it pulled me out of the story.
Overall:
"The Charm School" is a solid read for fans of American Historicals or novels with a "caterpillar-to-butterfly" theme.
Warning: There is some coarse language, sexy scenes, and recreational drug use in this story.
If you liked "The Charm School" you might also enjoy "The Accidental Bride", "The Last Days of a Rake", "Unmarriageable", "The Bride and the Beast", "The Fire-Flower", "Suddenly You", "Enchanting Pleasures", "A Country Christmas", "The Hero's Best Friend", or "No Ordinary Princess".

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Featuring North America's foremost thriller authors, Thriller is the first collection of pure thriller stories ever published. Offering up heart-pumping tales of suspense in all its guises are thirty-two of the most critically acclaimed and award-winning names in the business. From the signature characters that made such authors as David Morrell and John Lescroart famous, to four of the hottest new voices in the genre, this blockbuster will tantalize and terrify.

Lock the doors, draw the shades, pull up the covers and be prepared for Thriller to keep you up all night.

• Sales Rank: #1189884 in Books
• Published on: 2007-05-22
• Released on: 2007-05-22
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 7.50" h x .85" w x 4.19" l, .75 pounds
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 672 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. The blurry line between mysteries and thrillers gets even fuzzier in this outstanding anthology of 32 new stories by such top genre names as Lee Child, James Grippando, Denise Hamilton and David Morrell. Patterson, in his introduction, talks about the "intensity of emotions" that thrillers share—as well as "the force with which they hurtle the reader along." This description fits such fine efforts as Gayle Lynds's "The Hunt for Dmitri," which takes the heroine of The Coil, Liz Sansborough, into an adventure involving her father, the infamous CIA assassin known as the Carnivore. But other extremely readable stories, like Alex Kava's "Goodnight, Sweet Mother," would qualify as straight mystery. Readers who favor one category or another may at first be a bit baffled, but lovers of crime fiction in general and well-told action tales in particular will be well rewarded. Would-be thriller writers can learn a lot about research and technique from Patterson's introductions to each story. Many of the contributors will be attending the first International Thriller Writers convention in Phoenix in June. (June)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review
"An electrifying collection . . . Prepare to be thrilled from start to finish." -- Vince Flynn, New York Times bestselling author

"If you've never encountered the genre before, set aside a day or two and feed your mind at a rich and bountiful literary buffet. Highest possible recommendation." -- Bookreporter.com

"The best by the best storytellers in the business. Thriller has no equal." -- Clive Cussler, New York Times bestselling author

"[An] outstanding anthology." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

About the Author
New York Times bestselling author Heather Graham has written more than a hundred novels, many of which have been featured by the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild. An avid scuba diver, ballroom dancer and mother of five, she still enjoys her south Florida home, but loves to travel as well.

James Grippando is a New York Times bestselling author of suspense. Gone Again is his twenty-fourth novel. He was a trial lawyer for twelve years before the publication of his first novel, The Pardon, in 1994, and he now serves as counsel at Boies Schiller & Flexner LLP. He lives in South Florida with his wife, three children, two cats, and a golden retriever named Max, who has no idea he s a dog.

J. A. Konrath broke into the writing scene with his cocktail-themed mystery series, including Whiskey Sour, Bloody Mary, and Rusty Nail?stories that combine uproarious humor with spine-tingling suspense. Since then, Konrath has gone on to become an award-winning and best-selling author known for thriller and horror novels. He is also a pioneer of self-publishing models and posts industry insights on his world-famous blog, A Newbie's Guide to Publishing. He lives in Chicago with his family and three dogs.

James Siegel grew up in New York and drove a cab while attending community college. One day a passenger suggested he apply for a copywriting job at his advertising agency, BBDO. Despite his award-winning career there, he never abandoned his dream of writing a novel.

James Patterson is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of many books, including the blockbuster series MAXIMUM RIDE. More than 100 million of his books are in print around the world, making him one of the top-selling writers of all time.


The Marvel and Other Short Stories is a collected anthology of six short stories written by the winners of the Austin Macauley World Book Day short story competition.

Most helpful customer reviews

66 of 69 people found the following review helpful.
Thrilled to have this one available!
By Michael R. Marks
There are a few reasons you should read this book. First, it is likely you will get a taste of the writings of authors you otherwise would not have ever tried.
Second, there are variations here on what defines a "thriller." Don't be prejudiced by your own definition of the term -- read these with an open mind to possibilities.
Third, if your life is as hectic as mine, it is great to be able to dip in for 20 or 30 minutes and enjoying a complete quality story; there are many of them in this collection.
Finally, many reviewers here write about how the collection was weak except for... and then they name the few stories they think were best. Peruse the reviews and you will see they are not all the same few stories... all in all, most of the stories were enjoyed by someone here! Which is to say that the lower ratings are because of TASTE, not QUALITY. Enjoy the breadth, indulge in your favorites, and don't be deterred by the selective ratings of the reviewers here.
A quality anthology -- can't wait for Vol 2!!

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful.
Three Stars
By Fran
Some good, some bad

36 of 40 people found the following review helpful.
An astounding work of short fiction
By Bookreporter
THRILLER, an anthology of short fiction --- where all contributions are from members of the International Thriller Writers Organization --- is, if you will, a literary annual report, a statement of where the thriller genre is at the present time and where it is going. In concept and execution, it's nothing less than perfect: 30 stories from 32 authors, the majority of which has never seen publication before. Together, they create an exhaustive compendium of the breadth and range of the subject matter and the depth of literary talent with which the genre is presently blessed.

When I think of the thriller genre, I generally think of works like David Morrell's FIRST BLOOD, Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child's THE RELIC, or literally anything Robert Ludlum ever wrote. The genre does not immediately or easily lend itself to shorter fiction. Yet each and every offering here illustrates what makes a thriller a thriller. The stories themselves simultaneously serve as an introduction to new readers while providing additional exploits to the canons of familiar characters.

Lee Child's "James Penney's New Identity" is an excellent example of this. Heretofore published with only very limited distribution, it includes a brief but pivotal appearance by Child's Jack Reacher. Readers unfamiliar with Reacher will find their appetites whetted for more, while fans of the enigmatic wanderer will enjoy the novelty of a story in which their protagonist is relegated to a supporting role. J. A. Konrath, on the other hand, uses "Epitaph" as a vehicle for Phin Troutt, a secondary character in his fine Jack Daniels series, not only shifting primary characters but also mood in this dark tale of double-barreled revenge.

Preston and Child, writing their first short story together (amazingly enough), have contributed "Gone Fishing." It serves as a solo tale for Vincent D'Agosta, usually seen in the company of Special Agent Pendergast. D'Agosta does quite nicely on his own in this chilling story that begins, simply enough, with the investigation of the theft of a rare artifact and ends...well, you'll have to read it to find out.

Obviously, it's difficult to pick a winner in a collection stuffed to the rafters with them. Stalwart authors such as David Morrell, Gayle Lynds and Eric Van Lustbader are featured; a long out-of-print, posthumous contribution from dearly-missed Dennis Lynds is included, as is "Man Catch," an unsettling tale of jealousy, betrayal and revenge from Christopher Rice. There are diverse, exciting stories from Chris Mooney, Alex Kava, Grant Blackwood and Brad Thor --- the work of these and other authors makes picking a favorite almost an impossibility.

If I had to pick one, however, it would be "The Portal" by John Lescroart and M.J. Rose. Lescroart and Rose normally fly solo, a state of affairs that makes the product of this collaboration --- a seamless, tightly drawn tale where things go from bad to awful --- all the more noteworthy. Rose's Dr. Morgan Snow is here, but only briefly --- and to greatly understated effect --- in a story that begins in New York and ends, catastrophically, in Lescroart's San Francisco.

By the way, if this list of authors is not enough reason to read this book, consider this. Each story is prefaced by an introduction from James Patterson that talks about both the story and the writer's work.

Now, consider this: I have not named even half of the noteworthy authors who appear in THRILLER. If you have a favorite thriller writer, prepare yourself for the thrill of reading one of their heretofore unpublished stories and the opportunity to put 31 new favorite authors on your reading list. And if you've never encountered the genre before, set aside a day or two and feed your mind at a rich and bountiful literary buffet. Highest possible recommendation.

--- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub

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#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR SUSAN WIGGS INVITES YOU TO AN UNFORGETTABLE CHRISTMAS IN THE CATSKILLS 

A single father who yearns to be a family man, Logan O'Donnell is determined to create the perfect Christmas for his son, Charlie. The entire O'Donnell clan arrives to spend the holidays in Avalon, a postcard-pretty town on the shores of Willow Lake, a place for the family to reconnect and rediscover the special gifts of the season. 

One of the guests is a newcomer to Willow Lake—Darcy Fitzgerald. Sharp-witted, independent and intent on guarding her heart, she's the last person Logan can see himself falling for. And Darcy is convinced that a relationship is the last thing she needs this Christmas. 

Yet between the snowy silence of the winter woods and the toasty moments by a crackling fire, their two lonely hearts collide. The magic of the season brings them each a gift neither ever expected—a love to last a lifetime.

• Sales Rank: #147649 in Books
• Brand: Susan Wiggs
• Published on: 2014-10-28
• Released on: 2014-10-28
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 6.62" h x .99" w x 4.21" l, 1.20 pounds
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 384 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Wiggs delights with this Christmas-themed installment in her Lakeshore Chronicles contemporary series (after Return to Willow Lake). Darcy Fitzgerald is still reeling from her divorce from Huntley Collins, a situation complicated by the fact that Darcy's sister is married to Huntley's brother. When Darcy meets single dad Logan O'Donnell, she is unwilling to get involved with a man who already has a child, but soon she and Logan realize they can't easily ignore their mutual attraction. With the romantic backdrop of falling snow and Christmas lights, Logan's upstate New York ski lodge is the perfect setting for their sizzling attraction to renew. Darcy's fierce independence as a sports marketing executive and expert snowboarder gives her special appeal, as her successful professional exterior hides her vulnerability. The evolution of Darcy and Logan's relationship makes enduring love believable. (Nov.)

Review
"Wiggs delights with this Christmas-themed installment in her Lakeshore Chronicles series... the evolution of Darcy and Logan's relationship makes enduring love believable." -Publishers Weekly on Candlelight Christmas

"Wiggs tells a layered, powerful story of love, loss, hope and redemption." -Kirkus, Starred Review on The Apple Orchard

"This brilliant and epic family drama...fills the senses...courtesy of Wiggs' amazing narrative and supreme skill as a writer." -RT Book Reviews, Top Pick! On The Apple Orchard

"Wiggs hits all the right notes in this delightful, sometimes funny, sometimes poignant Christmas treat, which will please Lakeshore Chronicles fans as well as garner new ones."

-Library Journal, starred review on Lakeshore Christmas

"Wiggs, a consummate storyteller, has few equals when it comes to evoking deep emotion in readers. Richly detailed and textured, the characters are superb. But it's her observations about our modern lives and times that really stand out."

-RT Book Reviews on Lakeside Cottage

"With the ease of a master, Wiggs introduces complicated, flesh-and-blood characters into her idyllic but identifiable small-town setting."

-Publishers Weekly, starred review on The Winter Lodge

"Rich with life lessons, nod-along moments and characters with whom readers can easily relate. Delightful and wise, Wiggs's latest shines."

-Publishers Weekly on Dockside

"Wiggs's storytelling is heartwarming...[and] this book should appeal to romance and women's fiction readers of any age."

-Publishers Weekly on Summer at Willow Lake

About the Author

Susan Wiggs is the author of many beloved bestsellers, including the popular Lakeshore Chronicles series. She has won many awards for her work, including a RITA from Romance Writers of America. Visit her website at www.SusanWiggs.com.

Most helpful customer reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful.
Believing in Christmas, Santa, Family and Romance Never Felt Better...
By terrylynn
Once in a while I will finish a book, close the cover and know without a doubt that it deserves 5 stars. Candlelight Christmas is one of these.
For readers familiar with Susan Wiggs Lakeshore Chronicles series you'll recognize many of the characters we know so well and for those of you who maybe aren't familiar with this author and this series but are looking for an honest, heartwarming Christmas tale told by a talented author, you've come to the right place. I love Christmas stories and have read 9 so far this season and I have to say this is one of my favorites.

Wiggs deals with some difficult issues realistically and sensitively, especially in her portrayal of the children Charlie and Andre. Charlie's father Logan O'Donnell is a divorced, single dad who cherishes every holiday and summer that he has with his son and every time he has to return him to his mother it's like a little piece is ripped out of his heart. Logan's life feels empty when he isn't with Charlie and he's ready to fall in love again and have a family but so far he hasn't met a woman who makes his heart stir... until he meets Darcy.

Darcy Fitzgerald married the wrong man and she's got the broken heart to prove it and one of the hardest parts of her divorce was giving up the stepchildren she had come to love like her own. So when Darcy accepts an invitation for Thanksgiving from her best friend and she meets her brother Logan... Darcy senses she may be in trouble. Logan is handsome, charming and fun... but he also has a ten year old son and she is determined not to risk her heart on loving another child. When they all come together again for the holiday at the beautiful ski resort Logan owns, Darcy enjoys one of the best Christmases she has ever had. The Lodge is gorgeous, Logan's family is wonderful and there is an abundance of all the things that make Christmas so magical... snow, hot chocolate, Santa and a Christmas parade, homemade cookies in front of a roaring fire and a man and his son who are slowly weaving their way into her wounded heart.

The author has done a beautiful job describing the scenery whether it's a sunny beach in Florida or a mountain with pines trees and snow, her writing takes you there. You can really feel the various struggles these characters go through... Logan trying to prove to his father that he can be successful on his own terms, Charlie's feeling of sadness when he has to go back and forth between his parents when he loves them both so much and Darcy's deep struggle with the hurts from the past and her inability to trust again. You can feel the ache Logan experiences every time he has to say goodbye to his son and it reminds you that sadly this is the position many parents and children find themselves in. But where there is love, hope,family, second chances and puppies you know that good things are in store.

Candlelight Christmas is a warm, engaging story sure to please any reader who believes in love and the magic of Christmas.

20 of 25 people found the following review helpful.
not up to par
By Stephen Kalman
I usually like Susan Wiggs' books. The story of Candlelight Christmas was only mediocre. The two protagonists, Darcy and Logan, are both wounded by love. She has been betrayed and he just grew apart from a youthful indiscretion. Both have been guarding their hearts in their ways. Of course, they fall for each other with a happy ending. That is usual in romances; it is the "in between" that disappointed me. Both have ideal families, both are very good people, the settings are fantastic, even the "issues" are minor and easily resolved. It is all just too perfect to be believed. I am a big fan of Christmas stories, but not this one. There wasn't any drama in the story.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful.
Candlelight Christmas
By K. Branfield
Candlelight Christmas is a superbly written novel that has a lovely cast of characters and a compelling storyline. In this latest addition to the Lakeshore Chronicles series, Susan Wiggs expertly blends complex life issues with a charming romance and the resulting story is a magical love story that tugs at the heartstrings.

Candlelight Christmas is a leisurely paced romance between Logan O’Donnell and Darcy Fitzgerald. At the end of summer, they are introduced by Logan’s matchmaking sister India who just happens to be Darcy’s best friend. While there is a spark of interest on both sides, the timing is just not quite right for them to pair up. Fast forward to Thanksgiving where the two share a hot kiss and that spark between them gets a little more notice from both Darcy and Logan. But it is not until Darcy joins the O’Donnell family for Christmas that their relationship gets the attention it so richly deserves.

Since her divorce, Darcy has been fiercely guarding her heart. She has decided the only way to protect herself from ever feeling that much pain again is to avoid any type of emotional entanglement. While she is not averse to casually dating, she does not plan on getting too seriously involved and men with children are definitely off limits.

Logan’s marriage may have ended in divorce, but he still dreams of having a large family. He is devoted to his son Charlie and he treasures the time they have together. After returning Charlie to his ex at the end of their latest visit, Logan is struck by the realization that he needs to make some changes to his life. He jumps at the chance to purchase his favorite ski lodge and throws himself into making a go of his new business. The only thing missing in his life is the big family he has always longed for.

While there is a romantic element in Candlelight Christmas, the story mainly focuses on the changes Logan and Darcy are making in their personal lives. Without the growth of the characters, a romance between them would be impossible. Once they redefine their ideas of what they want out of a relationship, their romance falls easily into place. The beauty of the Christmas season is the perfect backdrop for them to explore their burgeoning relationship.

The dynamics of their respective families add another dimension to both the storyline and the characters’ growth and development. While Darcy is quite close to her parents and sisters, her interactions with them are pretty limited due to the complicated past with her ex-husband’s family. Logan’s decision to buy the ski lodge is met with his father’s disapproval and that in turn revives his feelings of inadequacy that stem from past mistakes.

The children in Candlelight Christmas invoke many of the “awww, how sweet” moments. Charlie is a typical kid in many ways but he is a little more mature than his contemporaries because of his parents’ divorce. The circumstances of Charlie’s close friend Andre bring another realistic facet to the storyline and together these two manage to find a little mischief that brings Charlie closer to Darcy. While both kids are a little worldly wise, they still retain a blind faith that Christmas will bring them their greatest wishes.

Candlelight Christmas is sure to be a hit with old and new fans of this wonderful series. Susan Wiggs keeps the Lakeshore Chronicles fresh and interesting with inventive storylines and the addition of new characters. While characters from previous novels make guest appearances, newcomers to the series will feel right at home in this warm and loving community.

I received a complimentary copy for review.

See all 278 customer reviews...

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A Goddesses Anonymous Novel 

Where Luck Meets Trust, Miracles Can Happen 

Cristy Haviland gave birth behind bars to the child of the man who put her there and might yet destroy her. Now she's free again, with no idea what to do next. As smart as she is, a learning disability has kept her from learning to read. And that's the least of her hurdles. 

Georgia Ferguson, talented educator, receives a mysterious charm bracelet that may lead her to the mother who abandoned her at birth. Does she want to follow the clues? Can she bring herself to reach out for help along the way? 

Now Cristy and Georgia are standing at a crossroads, a place where unlikely unions can be formed. A place where two very different women might bridge the gap between generations and education, and together make tough choices. They might even, if they dare, find friendship.

• Sales Rank: #856649 in Books
• Published on: 2016-04-26
• Released on: 2016-04-26
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 6.53" h x 1.15" w x 4.25" l, .50 pounds
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 544 pages

Review
"Richards deftly juggles an intriguing thriller with an exploration of domestic violence and reinvention. Still, it's the quirky, gritty characters in and out of Goddesses Anonymous-all determined to help women in need-who power this tale of forgiveness every step of the way."
-Publishers Weekly on No River Too Wide

"This is emotional, suspenseful drama filled with hope and love."
-Library Journal on No River Too Wide

"Portraying the uncomfortable subject of domestic abuse with unflinching thoroughness and tender understanding, Richards' third installment in the Goddesses Anonymous series offers important insights into a far too prevalent social problem."
-Booklist on No River Too Wide

"Richards creates a heart-wrenching atmosphere that slowly builds to the final pages, and continues to echo after the book is finished."
-Publishers Weekly on One Mountain Away

"Complex characters, compelling emotions and the healing power of forgiveness-what could be better? I loved One Mountain Away!"
-New York Times bestselling author Sherryl Woods

"Emilie Richards's compassion and deep understanding of family relationships, especially those among women, are the soul of One Mountain Away. This rich, multilayered story of love and bitterness, humor, loss and redemption haunts me as few other books have."
-New York Times bestselling author Sandra Dallas

"When I first began reading One Mountain Away, I wondered where the story was going. A few pages later, I knew precisely where this story was going-straight to my heart. Words that come to my mind are wow, fabulous and beautiful. Definitely a must-read. If any book I've ever read deserves to be made into a film, One Mountain Away is it! Kudos to Emilie Richards."
-New York Times bestselling author Catherine Anderson

"Emilie Richards is at the top of her game in this richly rewarding tale of love and family and the ties that bind us all. One Mountain Away is everything I want in a novel and more. A must-buy!"
-USA TODAY bestselling author Barbara Bretton

"Emilie Richards has written a powerful and thought-provoking novel that will both break your heart and fill you with hope. Richards's characters become your friends, and they will stay with you long after you turn the last page. A beautiful book."

-National bestselling author Diane Chamberlain on One Mountain Away

About the Author

Emilie Richards’s many novels feature complex characterizations and in-depth explorations of social issues. Both are a result of her training and experience as a family counselor, which contribute to her fascination with relationships of all kinds. Emilie and her husband enjoy dividing their time between the Florida Gulf Coast and Chautauqua County, New York. She is currently working on her next novel for MIRA Books.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.


Some days when the morning light stole softly through the window behind Cristy Haviland's bed she believed, just for the moments before she came completely awake, that she was still a girl in the Berle Memorial Church parsonage. Sunlight filtered through pink organdy curtains had always given her childhood bedroom a rosy glow, and so many mornings she had lain quietly and watched the color warm and brighten the room until her mother came to wake her.

There was nothing rosy about the room where she awakened now. The concrete-block walls were a dingy beige, and the windows had no curtains. Nothing about her life was rosy now, but for that matter, her childhood hadn't been rosy, either. How many times had she wished she could tear down those ruffled curtains, throw open the window and drop to the ground below to begin a new life anywhere else?

Now she knew that, sometimes, wishes came true.

Although some occupants of the room were beginning to stir, the woman on the bunk above Cristy's was still sleeping. From the shaking of the bed and the groans, Cristy knew her bunkmate was having a nightmare. Nightmares were as ordinary here as the sobs that punctuated the darkness and the angry words that punctuated the daylight. It wasn't possible to jam thirty-six women together and force them to share narrow bunks and lockers, not without outbursts. Add day after monotonous day, when heat, hunger and exhaustion drained away whatever humanity had been left them, then put it all together and that was life in the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women.

Fully awake now and all senses in gear, Cristy sat up quickly. Another woman was approaching her bed, sliding her feet along the floor like a skater. When the woman's face came into view, Cristy went limp with relief. She made room beside her, and Dara Lee, who slept against the far wall, heaved her considerable bulk onto the mattress.

"You remember you be leaving today?" Dara Lee asked.

Cristy gave one shake of her head. "Not when I first woke up. I kinda feel like I've lived here all my life."

Dara Lee had a rich, throaty laugh. She was dark-skinned, dark-haired and plump-cheeked, a cheerful face marred only by a jagged scar that went from the corner of her left eye to the corner of her mouth. Even early in the morning she smelled like prison-issue soap and the precious jasmine-scented oil she used to condition her hair.

"You just passing through, girl. You been here, what, six months?"

"Eight," Cristy said.

"You'da been here less, you acted a lot sorrier. You my kind of girlfriend."

Cristy had to smile at that. Had the word "girlfriend" been uttered by some of the women in this dorm, it might have struck fear in her heart. But Dara Lee had befriended her in her first months in prison for what seemed like no good reason at all. Cristy had her theories, though. Maybe after taking one look at the new, fresh-faced white girl, Dara Lee had known that Cristy needed a few lessons in survival. Or maybe Dara Lee just missed her own daughter, who was twenty-two, like Cristy, and hadn't been to visit for years.

"You gonna miss it here?" Dara Lee asked.

"I'll miss you for sure."

"You say that, but you'll forget all about me before long. I seen it happen over and over. If you remember your friends, then you got to remember this place. And maybe it's not so bad, but maybe it's not so good, either. It's for sure not a place you want to think about when you're outside."

"How much longer do you think you'll be here?"

"Long enough to get gray and lose all my teeth."

That, like so many things here, seemed profoundly unfair. During an episode of particular brutality at the hands of an abusive boyfriend, Dara Lee had shot and killed the man who had fathered her two children. The abuse had been chronic. Ten years later she still wasn't sorry for anything—except not getting away before the police had arrived.

"You'll be out before then," Cristy said. "Just don't get into fights. Don't hang out with the wrong people. Do your job, and say please and thank you to the officers."

Dara Lee hoisted herself off the bed. "You write me, you get a chance."

Cristy watched Dara Lee glide away. As hard as it was to believe, Dara Lee, who was the only friend Cristy had made in prison, had never caught on to the obvious. Cristy wouldn't be writing her. Cristy didn't write anybody. That was just part of who Cristy was.

The first thing Georgia Ferguson did when she arrived at the Buncombe County Alternative School campus was to back her car into her parking space. Rank came with privileges, and as principal, her space was close enough to the front door that she could easily haul in the neverending boxes of books and other supplies that were destined for shelves and file cabinets.

Six months into the school year she was still finding things to bring in. Today she had boxed up information about similar schools all over the country. She had done the research at home. BCAS was a new addition to the Asheville school system, but there was no point in reinvention. She wasn't above using other people's ideas. She even hoped one day somebody might use hers.

BCAS, pronounced "because" by everyone connected to the school, was a low-slung redbrick building that sat on a three-acre campus off the Leicester Highway west of Asheville. The facility wasn't new; in fact it was considerably older than Georgia's forty-eight years. Before a long, sad vacation, the school had housed elementary, then middle school, students. Then last year, when it seemed doomed for demolition, the school board had voted to turn the building into an alternative school for middle and high school students. Renovations had brought it up to code, but little else. Money was tight, and a new school was a brave venture.

At the front door she set down the box to find and insert her master key in the lock, but their youngest custodian, Tony, who was doing a dance step down the hallway, saw her through the window and came to help. He was wraith-thin, with blond dreadlocks and a red soul patch that looked like a strawberry sprouting from his chin.

Once she was inside, Tony lifted the box out of her arms and followed her as she headed halfway down the corridor to her office. "You're here early, Mrs. F."

"So are you." That was the real surprise. Tony was rarely where Georgia thought he ought to be. Tony had framed their first months together as a test of her leadership abilities. The next phase had been an attempt to "educate" her about the real meaning of his job description. Most recently he seemed bent on ingratiating himself.

Tony had finally realized that not only was his new boss not a pushover, she was also perfectly capable of having him fired if necessary.

"I unlocked it already." Tony stopped outside the school office, and Georgia pushed open the door.

The first thing that greeted visitors was a banner strung over the reception counter printed with the school's motto. Because You Can. Because You Will. The second greeting was the smell—part mildew, part decay. The offices weren't yet ready to give up old habits.

She preceded Tony and wound her way behind the counter toward the far wall.

"I wanted to get the kitchen floor mopped before the lunch ladies get here and mess it all up again," he said, glancing at her to calculate her reaction.

Tony sucking up was an improvement over earlier behavior, but at least partly dishonest. The cafeteria staff were as tidy as surgical nurses, and Georgia suspected that sometime in the past twenty-four hours they had cornered the young man and insisted he do a thorough mopping or his head would roll. They were the only staff members in the school that Georgia was afraid of, too.

"You're in charge of cleaning my office, aren't you?" she asked.

"I'm the lucky guy."

Of the four full-time custodians, she'd picked the winner. "A good vacuuming after school this afternoon, please. And I don't think my trash has been emptied this week."

"I been meaning to get to that." He shook his head and blond dreadlocks flopped in emphasis. "It's on my list."

"High on your list, because it's going to happen today, while I'm at the faculty meeting."

"It sure is."

Georgia unlocked her office door, gesturing for him to go first.

"Where'd you want me to put this?"

Because it had been one of those weeks, Georgia's desk was piled high. She yearned to have an hour without anything more pressing, so she could file and toss papers. With luck she would have an hour like that sometime in the late twenty-first century.

Georgia pointed to an empty space, one of the few. "Stick it on the bookshelf over there, thanks."

He obliged her. "Unless you need something else, I'd better go finish the floor."

"You'd better," she agreed. "The lunch ladies get here early."

He boogied out the doorway, and the sound of his whistling grew fainter until eventually she couldn't hear it at all.

Georgia unsealed the cardboard flaps and began to remove files. She liked the silence of an empty school building. Sometimes she even thought she heard laughter from former students echoing through the hallways.

And sometimes…

She stopped and listened. Something besides laughter seemed to be rattling along this particular hallway. She wondered if Tony was dragging the wheeled mop bucket from the storage room to the lunchroom. But the sound was louder, and seemed to pass quickly, growing quieter, then louder again a few moments later.

She tried to remember whether Tony had locked the front door behind them and couldn't.

Her cell phone rang, and once she'd rummaged through her purse a glance told her the call was from her daughter.

She put the phone to her ear. "Hey, Sam."

"Mom, just checking to make sure we're still on the same page today?"

The rattling in the corridor began again. She forced herself to concentrate.

"Taylor's going to drop off Edna this afternoon, and hopefully my faculty meeting will be over when she gets here. If not, Marianne will let her wait in my office, and she can do her homework." Marianne was the office manager, who always stayed late. Edna was Georgia's twelve-year-old granddaughter.

"Great, we're all set then."

"Are you already on your way to Raleigh?"

"About an hour out of Asheville. The roads are clear."

Georgia knew it was too late to change her daughter's plans, but she had to ask. "I know we've all been over this together, but you still feel settling this young woman at the Goddess House is the best idea?"

"We don't have any guarantees, but I think it's the right thing to do. She doesn't have anyone, Mom. And she needs to be near Michael."

"Michael?"

"That's what she named the baby."

"She's still not planning to bring him with her, then?"

"For now he's settled with her cousin in Mars Hill, but she'll be close enough to visit. She has a car. It's already parked at the Goddess House. Taylor and I drove to Yancey County and got it, along with her clothes and everything else that had been stored for her. There wasn't a lot. I don't know if I've ever met anybody who has so little to show for her life. She's so alone."

Georgia knew exactly how that felt, although for three decades now, she hadn't been alone herself. She had Saman-tha and Edna, and in the past year, she had developed strong friendships with a small group of women who had banded together to see what kind of difference they could make in the world. The difference was extraordinary, but nobody who had faced the world without support ever forgot how frightening a place it could be.

She was nodding, which she realized didn't help. "Then get her settled, and Edna and I will drive up after school. We'll bring groceries."

"I like her," Samantha said, just before she hung up. "Cristy's hard to get to know, and she shares as little as she can get away with. But there's something about her."

Georgia dropped her cell phone back in her purse just as the noise in the hallway began again. Shaking her head she made her way through the tidy outer office, lifted the pass-through at the end of the counter and headed out the door, just in time to see Dawson Nedley skateboarding toward the front entrance.

She stood in the middle of the hallway, arms folded, and when he turned and started back, he saw her.

For a moment it looked as if Dawson planned to simply scoot to one side and continue to the other end without so much as a hello, but at the last moment he jumped off the board and grabbed it before it could continue the trip without him. He jammed it, wheels still spinning, under an arm and cocked his head, as if to ask, Is there a problem?

"There are so many things wrong here," she said.

He shrugged. Dawson, a junior, was dark-haired, dark-eyed and tan from hours working on his family's farm. On the rare occasions when he smiled, he was a pleasure to look at, lean and strong and growing taller every day. She imagined he would easily top six foot this year and just keep going.

Most of the time, though, Dawson's scowl was the most noticeable aspect of his face. Lots of teenagers were angry, for a variety of reasons, some of them as mundane as curfews or zits. Dawson took anger to a new level, or at least he seemed to. To look at him, anyone would think the boy's fury was about to boil over into something destructive. Today no one who walked through school doors anywhere had forgotten the lessons of Columbine.

Georgia knew better than to be taken in by appearances. She believed, backed up by psychological testing and the careful monitoring of his teachers, that Dawson was only a threat to himself. Not that the boy was suicidal. There was no hint of that. He was simply determined to destroy any possible hope for a satisfying future.

Dawson's IQ was in the genius range. He read voraciously and could, if it suited him, quote long passages from Sartre and Camus, as well as Bob Dylan and entire episodes of South Park. When he wasn't harvesting hay or feeding chickens, he was teaching himself Latin or Chinese for fun. His parents were pleasant, churchgoing people who wanted the best for him, but so far nobody had been able to get through to him. Dawson sabotaged every effort. He refused to turn in papers or homework. He never completed projects. If a test seemed silly, he turned in a blank page. He was determined to ruin his life.

The skateboarding was an excellent example.

"How did you get in?" Georgia asked.

"The way I always do." He paused, and when she didn't respond, he elaborated. "Through the front door."

"Our fault, then. But what are you doing here so early?"

"You know us farmer types. Up with the roosters."

"There are no roosters in this hallway."

"I figured if I got here early, my father couldn't find anything else for me to do at home."

That, she suspected, was the truth.

"So you came complete with skateboard?" she asked.

He shrugged again.

She held out her hand. "No skateboards at BCAS."

"The rules here get dumber and dumber."

"Don't hang yourself on this one."

"Who am I hurting, anyway?"

"Dawson, it's clear to everybody at this school that you try to deflect your bad behavior by arguing. I won't play that game, and neither will your teachers. Hand me the skateboard."

"What are you going to do with it?"

"I'm going to store it for you until the end of next week, when you can petition me to get it back."

"Are you fu—" He caught himself. "Are you kidding me?"

"Pay attention. I don't kid."

She watched him debate with himself. She imagined the colorful conversation inside his head. The boy was rapidly going through all the alternatives and consequences, and he wouldn't miss a one.

Scowling, he held out the board.

Most helpful customer reviews

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful.
An emotional, suspenseful, well crafted story of redemption.
By Dave Parker
The Goddesses are fully involved in this second book of the Goddesses Anonymous series. On Samantha Ferguson’s recommendation, they accept 22 year old ex-convict Christy Haviland into the Goddess House to recover from her 8 months of incarceration and get her life in order. Christy had to find a home for her son Michael, born while she was in prison; the Goddess House is close to where Michael is living with her cousin Bernice and her family. Michael is the son of her ex-boyfriend Jackson Ford – who is also the man who framed her for shoplifting.
As Sam drives away with Christy from the prison near Raleigh she quickly realizes that Christy is dyslexic. Sam’s mother Georgia is the first year principal at an alternative school near Asheville. She is dedicated to her new job, where she is guiding the teaching staff in reaching difficult students. She is also an expert in teaching dyslexics to read. Georgia accepts the responsibility of teaching Christy with the help of Dawson, a high IQ but troublesome senior.
A strong supporting story line follows Georgia’s search for her birth mother, with the help of Christy and Lucas Ramsey, Georgia’s boyfriend. Goddesses Taylor Martin, Reverend Annaliese Wagner, and Harmony Stoddard from Over the Mountain flesh out both of these interlocking stories, along with several new characters.
Somewhere between Love and Trust provides excellent strength of character in the whole Goddess group – all women whose earlier lives and relationships were difficult and often traumatic.

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful.
Five Stars
By Linda Stephens
One of my favorite author's I love this series

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful.
4.5 stars
By K. Branfield
Somewhere Between Luck and Trust is a beautifully written novel about new beginnings, family, and love. This second installment in Emilie Richards' Goddesses Anonymous series is an endearing story about a group of friends who provide Christy Haviland a safe haven while she makes momentous decisions about her future following her release from jail.

None of the women in Somewhere Between Luck and Trust have had an easy life. Many of them have faced and overcome tremendous obstacles but they do not let their experiences define who they are. Their empathy for others along with the realization their lives could have taken a far worse turn makes it easy for them to lend a helping hand to those in need.

The first recipient of their aid is Christy Haviland. Abandoned by her family, Christy fell in love with the wrong man and when she became a liability, he framed her for a crime she did not commit. Having served her sentence, Christy is at a crossroads as she grapples with some serious decisions about her future. Her feelings about her son are complicated by her past with his father and the realization that between her prison record and her learning disability, her job opportunities are limited. With the help of Georgia Ferguson, her daughter Sam and the other women of Goddesses Anonymous, Christy soon believes a second chance at a new life is possible, but before she can embrace the future, she will have to find a way to resolve the events of her past.

There is also a romantic component to the storyline as well. The romances are understated but perfectly compliment the overall plot. Underlying Georgia's easy friendship with Lucas Ramsey is a strong attraction and they easily transition from friends to lovers. Christy's relationship is barely beginning as the novel ends but the slow moving romance is appropriate considering everything Christy is dealing with.

In addition to the various storylines with Christy and Georgia, there are also a couple of intriguing mysteries. The discovery of a charm bracelet provides Georgia the opportunity to find the woman who abandoned her at birth, and Lucas, Christy and Georgia use the charms to uncover valuable clues to find Georgia's birth mother. The other mystery surrounds the terrifying reason Christy's ex-boyfriend framed her and how far he is willing to go to keep his secrets from being revealed.

Somewhere Between Luck and Trust is an engaging and captivating novel that brings attention to relevant social and educational issues in a way that readers can relate to. The characters are kind-hearted and compassionate with a genuine desire to help those in need. Emilie Richards gives this multi-layered novel a realistic ending that is unexpected but satisfying.

I received a complimentary copy for review.

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!! Free PDF Saving Max, by Antoinette van Heugten

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Max Parkman—autistic and whip-smart, emotionally fragile and aggressive—is perfect in his mother's eyes. Until he's accused of murder. 

Attorney Danielle Parkman can't deny her son's behavior has been getting worse—drugs and violent outbursts have become a frightening routine. But the diagnosis she receives from a top-notch adolescent psychiatric facility that Max is deeply disturbed—and dangerous—is too devastating to accept. 

Until she finds Max, weapon in hand, at the bedside of a fellow patient who has been brutally stabbed to death. 

Trapped in a maelstrom of doubt and fear and barred from contacting Max, Danielle's mothering instincts snap sharply into focus. The justice system is bearing down on them, so she must use her years of legal experience to find out the truth, no matter what that might be. But has she, too, lost touch with reality? Is her son truly a killer?

www.SavingMaxBook.com

• Sales Rank: #671575 in Books
• Published on: 2013-09-24
• Released on: 2013-09-24
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 6.65" h x 1.01" w x 4.13" l, .40 pounds
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 393 pages

Review
"Antoinette van Heugten combines the tender, unshakable bond between mother and son with an action-packed, edge-of-your-seat thriller." - International bestselling author Diane Chamberlain

"A high-speed chase of a novel, Saving Max is like the best of John Grisham with a feminine twist."-New York Times bestselling author Eileen Goudge

"Parents of children with serious behavior problems will find their worst nightmares come alive in van Heugten's debut murder thriller...[with] more than one harrowing twist toward the end..."-Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Antoinette van Heugten is a former international trial lawyer who retired to pursue a full-time career as a novelist. She lives with her husband in the Texas Hill country.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.


Danielle falls gratefully into the leather chair in Dr. Leonard's waiting room. She has just raced from her law firm's conference room, where she spent the entire morning with a priggish Brit who couldn't imagine that his business dealings across the pond could possibly have subjected him to the indignities of a New York lawsuit. Max, her son, sits in his customary place in the corner of the psychiatrist's waiting room—as far away from her as possible. He is hunched over his new iPhone, thumbs punching furiously. It's as if he's grown a new appendage, so rarely does she see him without it. At his insistence, Danielle also has an identical one in her purse. The faintest shadow of a moustache stains his upper lip, his handsome face marred by a cruel, silver piercing on his eyebrow. His scowl is that of an adult, not a child. He seems to feel her stare. He looks up and then averts his lovely, tenebrous eyes.

She thinks of all the doctors, the myriad of medications, the countless dead ends, and the dark, seemingly irreversible changes in Max. Yet somehow the ghost of her boy wraps his thin, tanned arms around her neck—his mouth cinnamon-sweet with Red Hots—and plants a sticky kiss on her cheek. He rests there a moment, his small body breathing rapidly, his heart her metronome. She shakes her head. To her, there is still only one Max. And in the center of this boy lies the tenderest, sweetest middle—her baby, the part she can never give up.

Her eyes return to the present Max. He's a teenager, she tells herself. Even as the hopeful thought flits across her mind, she knows she is lying to herself. Max has Asperger's Syndrome, high-functioning autism. Although very bright, he is clueless about getting along with people. This has caused him anguish and heartache all his life.

When he was very young, Max discovered computers. His teachers were stunned at his aptitude. Now sixteen, Danielle still has no idea of the extent of Max's abilities, but she knows that he is a virtual genius—a true savant. While this initially made him fascinating to his peers, none of them could possibly maintain interest in the minutiae Max droned on about. People with Asperger's often wax rhapsodic about their specific obsessions—whether or not the listener is even vaguely interested in the topic. Max's quirky behavior and learning disabilities have made him the object of further ridicule. His response has been to act out or retaliate, although lately it seems that he has just withdrawn further into himself, cinching thicker and tighter coils around his heart.

Sonya, his first real girlfriend, broke up with him a few months ago. Max was devastated. He finally had a relationship—like everybody else—and she dumped him in front of all his classmates. Max became so depressed that he refused to go to school; cut off contact with the few friends he had; and started using drugs. The latter she discovered when she walked into his room unannounced to find Max staring at her coolly—a joint in his hand; a blue, redolent cloud over his head; and a rainbow assortment of pills scattered carelessly on his desk. She didn't say a word, but waited until he took a shower a few hours later and then confiscated the bag of dope and every pill she could find. That afternoon she dragged him—cursing and screaming—to Dr. Leonard's office. The visits seemed to help. At least he had gone back to school and, in an odd way, seemed happier. He was tender and loving toward Danielle—a young Max, eager to please. As far as the drugs went, her secret forays into his room turned up nothing. That wasn't to say, of course, that he hadn't simply moved them to school or a friend's house.

But, she thinks ruefully, recent events pale in comparison to what brings them here today. Yesterday after Max left for school and she performed her daily search-and-seizure reconnaissance, she discovered a soft, leather-bound journal stuffed under his bed. Guiltily, she pried open the metal clasp with a paring knife. The first page so frightened her that she fell into a chair, hands shaking. Twenty pages of his boyish scrawl detailed a plan so intricate, so terrifying, that she only noticed her ragged breathing and stifled sobs when she looked around the room and wondered where the sounds were coming from. Did the blame lie with her? Could she have done something differently? Better? The old shame and humiliation filled her.

The door opens and Georgia walks in. A tiny blonde, she sits next to Danielle and gives her a brief, strong hug. Danielle smiles. Georgia is not only her best friend—she is family. As an only child with both parents gone, Danielle has come to rely upon Georgia's unflagging loyalty and support, not to mention her deep love for Max. Despite her sweet expression, Georgia has the quick mind of a tough lawyer. Their law firm is Blackwood & Price, a multinational firm with four hundred lawyers and offices in New York, Oslo and London. She is typically in her office by now—seated behind a perfectly ordered desk, a pile of finished work at her elbow. Danielle can't remember when she has been so glad to see someone. Georgia gives Max a wave and a smile. "Hi, you."

"Hey." The monosyllabic task accomplished, he closes his eyes and slouches lower into his chair.

"How is he?" asks Georgia.

"Either glued to his laptop or on that damned phone of his," she whispers. "He doesn't know I found his…journal. I'd never have gotten him here otherwise."

Georgia squeezes her shoulder. "It'll be all right. We'll get through this somehow."

"You're so wonderful to come. I can't tell you how much it means to me." She forces normality into her voice. "So, how did it go this morning?"

"I barely got to court in time, but I think I did okay."

"What happened?"

She shrugs. "Jonathan."

Danielle squeezes her hand. Her husband, Jonathan, although a brilliant plastic surgeon, has an unquenchable thirst that threatens to ruin not only his marriage, but his career. Georgia suspects that he is also addicted to cocaine, but has voiced that fear only to Danielle. No one at their law firm seems to know, despite his boorish behavior at the last Christmas party. The firm, an old-line Manhattan institution, does not look kindly upon spousal comportment that smacks of anything other than the rarified, blue-blooded professionals they believe themselves to be. With a two-year-old daughter, Georgia is reluctant to even consider divorce.

"What was it this time?" asks Danielle. Her azure eyes are nubilous. "Came in at four; passed out in the bathtub; pissed all over himself."

"Oh, God."

"Melissa found him and came crying into the bedroom." Georgia shakes her head. "She thought he was dead."

This time it is Danielle who does the hugging.

Georgia forces a smile and turns her gaze upon Max, who has sunk even lower into his leather chair and appears to be asleep. "Has the doctor read his journal?"

"I'm sure he has," she says wearily. "I messengered it to him yesterday."

"Have you heard from the school?"

"He's out." Max's principal had politely suggested to Danielle that another "environment" might be more "successful" in meeting Max's "challenges." In other words, they want him the hell out of there.

Max's Asperger's has magnified tenfold since he became a teenager. As his peers have graduated to sophisticated social interaction, Max has struggled at a middle-school level. Saddled with severe learning disabilities, he stands out even more. Danielle understands it. If you are incessantly derided, you cannot risk further social laceration. Isolation at least staunches the pain. And it isn't as if Danielle hasn't tried like hell. Max had cut a swath through countless schools in Manhattan. Even the special schools that cater to students with disabilities had kicked him out. For years she had beaten paths to every doctor who might have something new to offer. A different medication. A different dream.

"Georgia," she whispers. "Why is this happening? What am I supposed to do?" She looks at her friend. Sadness is one emotion they mirror perfectly in one another's eyes. Danielle feels the inevitable pressure at the back of her eyes and fiddles with the hem of her skirt. There's a thread that won't stay put.

"You're here, aren't you?" Georgia's voice is a gentle spring rain. "There has to be a solution."

Danielle clenches her hands as the tears come hard and fast. She glances at Max, but he is still asleep. Georgia pulls a handkerchief from her purse. Danielle wipes her eyes and returns it. Without warning, Georgia reaches over and pushes up the sleeve of Danielle's blouse—all the way to the elbow. Danielle jerks her arm back, but Georgia grabs her wrist and pulls her arm toward her. Long, red slashes stretch from pulse to elbow.

"Don't!" Danielle yanks her sleeve down, her voice a fierce whisper. "He didn't mean it. It was just that one time—when I found his drugs."

Georgia's face is full of alarm. "This can't go on—not for him and not for you."

Danielle jerks back her arm and fumbles furiously with her cuff. The scarlet wounds are covered, but her secret is no longer safe. It is hers to know; hers to bear.

"Ms. Parkman?" The bland, smooth voice is straight from central casting. The short haircut and black glasses that frame Dr. Leonard's boyish face are cookie-cutter perfect—a walking advertisement for the American Psychiatric Association.

Still panicked by Georgia's discovery, she wills herself to appear normal. "Good morning, Doctor."

He regards her carefully. "Would you like to come in?"

Danielle nods, hastily gathering her things. She feels hot crimson flush her face. "Max?" asks Dr. Leonard.

Barely awake, Max shrugs. "Whatever." He struggles to his feet and reluctantly follows Dr. Leonard down the hall.

Danielle flings a terrified glance at Georgia. She feels like a deer trapped in a barbed-wire fence, its slender leg about to snap.

"Don't worry." Georgia's gaze is blue and true. "I'll be here when you get back."

She takes a deep breath and straightens. It is time to walk into the lion's den.

Danielle files into the room after Max and Dr. Leonard. She takes in the sleek leather couch with a kilim pillow clipped to it and the obligatory box of tissues prominent on the stainless steel table. She walks to a chair and sits. She is dressed in one of her lawyer outfits. This is not where she wants to wear it.

Max sits in front of Dr. Leonard's desk, his chair angled away from them. Danielle turns to Dr. Leonard and gives him a practiced smile. He smiles back and inclines his head. "Shall we begin?"

Danielle nods. Max is silent.

Dr. Leonard adjusts his glasses and glances at Max's journal. Dense notes cover his yellow pad. He looks up and speaks in a soft voice. "Max?"

"Yeah?" His scowl speaks volumes.

"We need to discuss something very serious."

Dr. Leonard takes a deep breath and fixes Max with his gaze. "Have you been having thoughts of suicide?"

Max starts and looks accusingly at Danielle. "I don't know what in the hell you're talking about."

"Are you sure?" Leonard's voice is gentle. "It's safe here, Max. You can talk about it."

"No way. I'm gone." Just as he starts for the door, he catches a glimpse of the leather journal on the corner of Leonard's desk. He freezes. His face a boiling claret, he whips around and shoots Danielle a look of pure hatred. "Goddammit! That's none of your fucking business!"

Her heart feels as if it will burst. "Sweetheart, please let us help you! Killing yourself is not the answer, I promise you." Danielle rises and tries to embrace him.

Max shoves her so hard that she slams her head against the wall and slides to the floor. "Max—no!" she cries. His eyes widen in alarm, and for a moment, he reaches out to her, but then lurches back; grabs the journal; and bolts out of the room. The slamming of the door splits the air.

Dr. Leonard rushes over to Danielle; helps her to her feet; and guides her gently to a chair. She shakes all over. Leonard then takes a seat and looks gravely at her over his glasses. "Danielle, has Max been violent at home?"

Danielle shakes her head too quickly. The scars on her arm seem to burn. "No."

He sits quietly and then puts his notes into a blue folder. "Given Max's clinical depression, suicidal ideations and volatility, we have to be realistic about his needs. He requires intensive treatment by the best the profession has to offer. My recommendation is that we act immediately."

She tries not to let him see that her breathing has become irregular. Like an animal trapped in another's lair, she has to be extremely careful about her reaction. "I'm not certain what that means."

"I mentioned this option earlier, and now I'm afraid we have no choice." His usually kind eyes are obsidian. "Max needs a complete psychiatric assessment—including his medication protocol."

Danielle stares at the floor, a prism of tears clouding her eyes. "You mean…"

His voice floats up to her very softly, very slowly.

"Maitland."

Danielle feels her stomach free-fall. There is that word.

It is as final as the closing of a coffin.

Most helpful customer reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful.
Promising start, overwrought middle and end
By Pink Amy
Grade: F+

SAVING MAX started off as a 5 star masterpiece, but quickly descended into a 0 star joke. The blurb left me hopeful for a DEFENDING JACOB-like story of a mother blind to the behavior of her son and in the first chapters I saw glimpses of brilliance. I didn't care that Danielle seemed overbearing and without insight into her son's problems. Parents are sometimes in denial of their kids' issues and they don't always have the life experience to distinguish the ranges of typical behaviors for an age that professionals do. I've seen parents like Danielle blinded by their love, which isn't criticism because they should be their children's best advocates.

Soon the plot took a nosedive from within the realm of possibility to the most overwrought, melodramatic movie you'd see on LIFETIME TV. You've heard the term from the sublime to the ridiculous. Add a dose of steroids to the mix and you have SAVING MAX.

Antoinette van Heugten's writing is engaging, kept me reading the abysmal plot, hoping for a somewhat realistic conclusion or payoff. It's a shame that her characters were so extreme. Her bio says she's a former international trial lawyer, but her courtroom scenes lack the realism of American courts. She mischaracterizes some of the psychiatric illnesses in SAVING MAX, for example she says a child is suffering from Munchhausen Syndrome by Proxy, but the disorder is one given to the perpetrators, not the victims of the illness. She's said to be writing a sequel to the SAVING MAX, i won't list the title to avoid spoiling anyone. I will hold out hope, since the has the ability to write great sentences, that she'll improve in her plot and character development and with better research.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful.
Mother's love
By Jeanie S
The content of this read is what drew me. A mother fighting for her child and that child having autism. As the author herself is a mother of a child of autism and also a lawyer has our main character Danielle. That being so, the author was able to draw her own experiences into this thriller fiction. It gives you a new respect of what these mothers go through. Your dreams for your children are different than what most parents have for their children. You think about how much we love the dreams and what real love looks like being a parent of a child with autism.

Being a single mother, Danielle had all the responsibility of her son Maxs' care. Fearing that her son was on the verge of killing himself, she had him checked in the country's most respectable hospital catering to children with special needs. However, instead of getting better, Max got progressively worse and violent. The violence escalated to murder. Danielle realizes that something is terribly wrong and is out to prove that her son is innocent. She is fighting for his life

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful.
Frustrating character
By Mama Twig
I gave up on this book early when I found myself getting bored and frustrated with the main character who kept risking her integrity, her freedom and her son's welfare by repeatedly doing things that were illegal and needlessly stupid. I lost interest pretty quickly.

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