Shadowed Memories
Cathy Richard DodsonGothic romance
Available from Hummingbird House
June 2006
| Anne Cowper is an orphan who hears voices and sees visions with no explanation. Even though they appear authentic she doesn't know the people involved. At times she wonders if they are the parents she never knew. When she is left in the care of a minister with stern rearing, she finds enjoyment in the jagged landscape and discovers friendship with Maddie, who teaches her the therapeutic healing of certain plants. When a stranger visits the minister and insists that Anne escort him to London to be with his sister, Anne is forced to go away with him only to end up running for her life after he attempts to rape her. As she labors to survive, she meets Lyle who takes her into his mansion. Can she find a life with Lyle or is there someone else in the wing that is drawing her to him through the voices she keeps hearing?
When Lyle Leighton and his friend, Ian McCrea, encounter a very sick and frightened Anne, they take her to Lyle's estate. Anne finally feels encircled with love after she is nurtured back to health and accepts the job of teacher to Sarah Leighton, Lyle's younger sister. Lyle and Ian both come to love Anne, but Lyle sets out to make her his wife. He wants Anne happy and the look on her face tells him she is in love. But when she learns the real truth of her life and her parents can he have a lasting love with her, or will it only bring disaster? SHADOWED MEMORIES is a story that no one should miss reading. There are so many unexpected plot twists that keep the reader fascinated with every spin. The characters are all well developed and you get a real sensational feel for all of them. Each has a secret that needs to be revealed and this reader was not prepared for the final dramatic outcome. I liked the way there were so many unusual turns making this story quite unique. Anne was such a wonderful character that I could only feel compassion for in her journeys. Ms. Dodson has taken all the makings of a Gothic Romance and turned it into a superb story. I enjoyed the depth of the characters, as if they had lived through so many events before, especially with the love triangle between, Lyle, Ian and Anne. The way the author incorporated a few villains along the way made this story a tough one to put down until the final conclusion. This is an extraordinary read that I truly enjoyed.
Overall rating:
Reviewer: Linda L. |
