The Surrogate, a novel written by Willa Ramsaran is a page-turner with suspense and easy reading. I found it an insightful book written with sensitivity and humor.

Myrna Brooks is bored with home making and wants to move up in the world of action and involvement outside of the home she shares with husband Lester and doggie Ruff, Myrna’s constant companion and ‘baby’. Lester Brooks runs a mechanic shop and is occupied and satisfied with being Boss in an establishment of his making for making the money to support the home.

Fun times have become few and far between as the couple grow into their roles, leaving one of them satisfied and the other frustrated. Wanted to be useful and needed, to be a wage earner, to take part in a larger universe, Myrna becomes a surrogate mother unknown to Lester. Friend and confidant, Cindy is the first to know, and life has changed for Ruff. He gets more or less of everything but wags his tail with a love that never ceases.

Lester is told of Myrna’s pregnancy on a Caribbean Cruise, which was planned by her for easy telling. He is outraged and back home moves out of their bedroom. He keeps in touch with Sandra, a red-head whom they met on the Cruise. Having to give up her newborn for adoption, Sandra covers her painful loss with a sexy and frivolous behavior. She is drawn to Lester. He consoles himself with the flirtation, and drives the long miles off and on to visit with her. His love for Myrna and his principles prevent him from getting to close.

Myrna is miserable, lonely and unaware. She now dotes on Ruff and seals their togetherness with a strong bond. This bond would decisively help her to find happiness.

An interesting novel with law, psychiatry, concerned characters and situations all in play.

Kristan MacCarthy

‘The Internet Book Review Critic.’