Long and Short Reviews

A Different Kind Of Honesty by Jane Richardson
The Wild Rose Press, Champagne Rose
Contemporary
Full Length, Sensual
Review by Camellia

Always the one who ends relationships before they’ve barely begun, it’s way out of character for Maggie Lawless to take a risk with a man she hardly knows. But when she meets a man in a seedy New York City diner, she senses a truth about him, a sincerity like no-one she’s ever met before.

Tony Valentino is an FBI agent fresh from a long-term undercover operation that’s left his life in tatters. His marriage over, separated from his children and with nowhere to call home, he’s frustrated and angry. All that keeps him going is the sweet memory of a brief encounter with a beautiful woman, though it wakes him from crazy dreams that leave his mouth dry and his sheets soaked with sweat. When he meets her again, it’s obvious the fire that burned so briefly between them never really went out...but as their affair rekindles, both Tony and Maggie find the very people they thought they could trust are the first to turn against them.

♥ ♥ ♥

Jane Richardson not only gives us a view of honesty in a different light but also gives us an intriguing new approach to the clandestine workings of the law enforcement people who go to great lengths to keep us safe. A Different Kind Of Honesty shows the human side of these individuals, a side that usually stays undercover as they go about their professional tasks.

This novel takes the reader on an emotional trip that goes from the pinnacle of all-consuming physical love, to apprehension, to fear, to the depths of sorry, to mind numbing hopelessness, then back to a deep abiding love that transcends time and space and finally to the earthly happily-ever-after love that we all want.

Ms. Richardson creates characters of various ethic backgrounds and blends them into the story making them come alive for the reader. The honesty of their emotions and their willingness to share these emotions with friends and loved ones pulls the reader into the events as if he or she is right there.

Maggie Lawless and Tony Valentino aka Joey Pescollini, both good at their jobs, are even better together as their love grows from the “attraction at first sight” meeting and subsequent night of love to the more satisfying joy of getting to know each other and finding theirs was not just a physical attraction but a soul mate type love.

The secondary characters enhance the story immeasurably. Maggie’s partner, Danny, with his frank comments and sparkling sense of humor, brings a new dimension to the story. Ramon and his family bring depth to the story that gives the reader a view of family love that survives the deepest hurt and gives strength to not only family members but also to the people around them.

A Different Kind Of Honesty is a story that takes readers away for the usual and places them in the world of Maggie and Tony for an emotional trip that is most satisfying. Jane Richardson is a writer I’ll look for again and again. GOOD READING.