Laura Lee Guhrke
Guhrke, Laura Lee - BREATHLESS (Sonnet - 7/99) (4+)
Setting: Georgia, 1905
Daniel Walker is a shrewd, intelligent lawyer, whose upcoming candidacy for the State legislature has the backing of Calvin Stoddard, the most influential man in Georgia. But Daniel must first get a court injunction overturned that ordered the
closing of the Shivaree Social Club, a notorious whorehouse in which Calvin has a personal and financial interest.
Shivaree's librarian, Lily Morgan, had succeeded in getting the judge to close the "den of sin" that ruined her marriage. When Daniel, who happens to be Lily's ex-husband's lawyer, returns to his hometown of Shivaree to take care of legal matters, the beautiful divorcée is ready to send him packing again. During her divorce five years earlier, the "conniving scoundrel" falsely labeled her an adulteress, and all but the local ministers and her good friends, Rosie and Amos, later shunned her.
Daniel doesn't realize that Lily's ex-husband, his childhood friend, had bribed a witness to lie about her. Rather than the scoundrel Lily has him made out to be, Daniel is a charming, honorable man; but as soon as he persuades the judge to reopen the Shivaree Social Club, his charm and honor are put to the test—he must deal with one stubbornly opposed female! Lily tries to gain the support of the local women in order to permanently close the sinful establishment, which is no easy feat for the town's scarlet woman. But when one of the Club's prostitutes is murdered, her focus shifts as she tries to prove that the suspect, her dear friend Amos, is innocent of the crime. What she needs now is a really good lawyer....
BREATHLESS is a thoroughly entertaining and romantic story that offers a strong conflict, spirited and endearing characters, and a perfect balance of drama and humor. Layer by layer, the author carefully exposes the vulnerability of the characters and draws readers into this turn-of-the-century tale. BREATHLESS is such an engaging read that it's easy to overlook some minor loose ends (my only quibble) as the story draws to a close, because at this point the escalating romance will probably have you so wrapped up that you won't care about exploring the killer's psyche and motive...or knowing if all past injustices meet with some form of retribution.
Laura Lee Guhrke is a talented romance writer and one of her greatest strengths, aside from creating vivid and memorable characters, is allowing the hero and heroine ample time for a true, deep love to develop. Daniel and Lily become friends as well as lovers, they grow to respect each other, and ultimately, they make sacrifices that prove the depth of their devotion. Also, the love scenes will take your breath away (grin). I hope you enjoy BREATHLESS as much as I did. ~June Folk for Bookbug on the Web
Guhrke, Laura Lee - TO DREAM AGAIN (4+)
Practical widow Mara is appalled when she is forced into partnership with a dreamer—a man who wants to convert her factory in order to make toy trains! Their relationship develops gradually, out of a real friendship and partnership. They both learn to compromise, and in the process they fall in love. ~Karen W. (kwheless@rockland.net)
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