Long and Short Reviews

Worth Her Wait by Layne Blacque
The Wild Rose Press
Contemporary Romance
Short story, Sweet
Review by Snapdragon

After the suspicious death of her husband Jackson, Belinda Ashbury, mother of twin girls, struggled with life and a ten-year-old secret. Blackmailed into a loveless marriage, she gave up the only man she truly loved – Jackson's younger brother, Matt. When he walked back into her life, Belinda prepared herself for a drastic change.

Matt Ashbury returned home after receiving a mysterious note about his brother's death. But the note is not all that drew him back home, he yearned to see Belinda, the woman who broke his heart. Keeping his cool while being near her would be difficult. Will they keep their distance, or will old embers flame making their reunion worth the wait?

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"Worth Her Wait" is more than worthy of a read. Blacque offers us a main character that seems familiar, but brings a unique perspective. The heroine, Belinda Scott Ashbury, is a sweet charming lady and mother of two. She enjoys her daughters and has a great relationship with her sister, Ruth, who also seems her best friend. Belinda is not an entirely admirable character, but she is entirely believable. Her world may seem part of the American experience, but is also a deeply personal experience. Belinda’s life and love have not been what she felt the fates had in store. As events transpire, it seems her own emotions will always be put aside.

Zippy dialogue peppered with some strong colloquialisms moves the tale forward quickly. There are a number of surprising twists, and even a little threat, blended with a puzzle. There is a lot of action and emotion packed into this one story.

The style is perky, even breezy, sometimes in contrast to events. The style itself throws some measure unease into the story, especially given that (because of a specific past event) there are also moments of melancholy. The lightness of the writing seems to imply all sorts of things about the personality of Belinda. The tone adds a certain measure of whimsy, which contrasts mightily with some of the action, as the story is quite intense. Layne Blacque is bringing a unique voice and perspective to the world or romance writing; This reader is hoping that she has a full-length novel underway.

Do yourself a favor, and don’t miss adding this one to your bookshelf.