Mariah Stewart
Stewart, Mariah - DEVLIN'S LIGHT (Pocket - 1997) (5)
India Devlin has returned to Devlin's Light, a tiny community founded by her ancestors, for the funeral of her murdered brother, Ry. She is an Assistant District Attorney in Paloma, Pennsylvania and a tough prosecutor of rape and murder
criminals—internally driven by a past experience that she keeps well hidden. India is determined to delve into the "who and why" of her brother's murder. Ry was such an unlikely victim because he was loved and respected by everyone who knew him.
"Indy" becomes the guardian of the stepdaughter Ry left behind—Corrie, a darling six-year-old. Aunt August, who raised Indy and her brother, along with Ry's best friend, Nick Enright, still lives on the old homestead and takes care of Corrie while Indy is at work. After meeting with Nick, Indy learns much about her brother's recent life and habits. Filled with memories of Devlin's Light, while new memories are being made, she decides to take a leave of absence from her job to resolve both her brother's murder and some of her own problems. During this time, Indy and Nick form a close friendship, and our hero is such a tender, caring man, that it doesn't take long for their relationship to develop into love.
Mariah Stewart skillfully brings her characters to life, making DEVLIN'S LIGHT a real pleasure to read. In this great story you will experience the beauty of a strong, close-knit family, along with romance, intrigue, and even some history of early Pennsylvania. I can't wait to read WONDERFUL YOU, a spin-off of this book, with two interesting characters: Nick's friend, Ben, and his sister, Zoey. Enjoy! ~Carol Carter for Bookbug on the Web
Stewart, Mariah - MOMENTS IN TIME (Pocket - 1995) (Very
Highly Recommended)
This is the story of J.D. and Maggie—their courtship, marriage and life together—as told through Maggie's memories. The author writes beautifully. This couple's joys are your joys, their sorrows are your sorrows, their anger is your anger. After I finished this book I wanted to read it again. ~Beth C. (elizabeth_coogan@brown.edu)
Stewart, Mariah - MOMENTS IN TIME (Pocket - 1995) (5)
This is not the type of romance I would normally select, but once I started reading it, I was immediately hooked. The story is about a successful rock singer from England, and the way it is told is through memories—quite unusual, but very effective. MOMENTS IN TIME brings out all of your emotions. I cried during many parts because the story is so tender and sad. This is a book that will stay in my mind for a long time. ~Carol C. (angelca@ibm.net)
Stewart, Mariah - MOMENTS IN TIME (Pocket - 1995) (4)
I certainly enjoyed reading this book, but it is not your typical romance. The story revolves around a rock star who meets and falls in love with a special, but ordinary working girl. It is written primarily in flashbacks, and although I wouldn't want to read this style all of the time, I thought it worked well in this book. ~Connie (C1rams@aol.com)
Stewart, Mariah - MOON DANCE (Pocket - 1/99) (5)
(MOON DANCE is the third book in the Enright trilogy.)
Ever since she was a very young girl, Georgia Enright aspired to be a ballerina. Now she is dancing in the chorus of the Baltimore Ballet company; however, circumstances have her wondering what the future holds. When she requests a leave of absence to think things through, the "master" ridicules her and fires her from the troupe. Wanting to relax and spend time on the beach meditating, Georgia plans a visit with her long-lost half-sister, Laura (who made her appearance in WONDERFUL YOU,
the second story in the trilogy).
The Enrights are a very loving, close-knit family and they have all welcomed Laura with open arms. Hopes are high that her visit will bring them even closer. She doesn't know that Laura's adopted brother, Matthew, resents her visit, however. He has a difficult time accepting that he will not be deserted by Laura now that she has found "other" family. Matthew's childhood had been very troubled until, at the age of five, he was adopted by Laura's parents. Laura was quite older than Matthew and she was instrumental in helping him conquer some of his fears. When Laura offers to let Georgia live in her Aunt Hope's farmhouse, Matthew makes it clear that he doesn't want her staying there.
The author perfectly describes farm life and Georgia's transformation from ballerina to farm girl. I was really drawn into the story, and as Georgia's plans for the future fell into place, I became excited right along with the character. I actually felt her delight when this sweet young woman experienced the smallest of pleasures that were missed when she had concentrated completely on dancing and her career. As the story developed, it was a joy to see a complete turnaround in Matthew. He falls head over heels in love with Georgia, even though he fights the attraction. Matthew is a loving man with a warm sense of humor and a lot of affection to give—and Georgia is ready to receive that affection. I enjoyed the fact that the hero and heroine became friends before a more intimate relationship developed between them. MOON DANCE has suspense, intrigue, and tastefully written love scenes. Mariah Stewart ties up this wonderful trilogy with a happily-ever-after ending for all of the Enright siblings. ~Carol Carter for Bookbug on the Web
Stewart, Mariah - PRICELESS (Pocket - 6/99) (4+)
Only Mariah Stewart could take the topics of salvage and diving, and in superb fashion, turn them into a romantic story! Gordon Chandler is the head of Chandler and Associates, where his son and daughter, Jared and Rachel, are earning reputations as the best in their line of business: diving and salvaging. Working together as a team for the first time, they
are close to retrieving a pirate's treasure from the sea when, amidst the excitement, Gordon must send one of his children to head another priority project to which he has committed. When there is no volunteer, Rachel is selected by the toss of a coin. After a short sulk and a brotherly talk from Jared, she heads
for the new assignment.
Arriving in North Carolina, Rachel is met by her new employer, Norman Winter, a wealthy, enterprising gentleman who purchased the mansion of Civil War hero, Sam McGowan, along with the rights to the sunken vessel in its harbor. The Melrose, once owned by the legendary hero, had doubled as a war ship and blockade runner. Norman is a perfectionist and his working ship is a beautiful yacht with all the amenities. In order to capture every detail of the recovery of the Melrose, he has hired a photographer, as well as a renowned archeologist, Sam McGowan, who bears the name of his great great-grandfather.
Expecting to work with the master salvager, Gordon Chandler, Sam does not hesitate to express his disappointment when he meets the daughter instead. Rachel, always struggling to measure up to her father and brother, accuses this arrogant young man of being sexist. She is all business and very professional as she meticulously plans and executes her duties; and it doesn't take long for Sam to realize his error in judgment.
Once again, Mariah Stewart brings you the warmth of family, surrounded by love, laughter, and adventure. She introduces readers to the large McGowan clan, and brings to life the tender and oh-so romantic Sam, coupled with a determined heroine who is searching for acceptance and love. As their feelings for each other grow, so does the suspense as the mystery of Norman and the wrecked ship unfolds. PRICELESS is an entertaining story with a very satisfying closure, and the author leaves an opening for a possible revisit with the McGowans and the Enrights. I'm ready for more of their adventures! ~Carol Carter for Bookbug on the Web
Stewart, Mariah - WONDERFUL YOU (Pocket - 1998) (5)
WONDERFUL YOU picks up where DEVLIN'S LIGHT ended, and Nick and India return once more. Added to the delightful cast are: Ben Pierce, Nick's best friend, who once resided with the Enright family; Nick's sister, Zoey, a happy-go-lucky sprite of a girl who has yet to find her niche in life; Delia Enright, mother to the Enright clan and an internationally-known mystery author;
and the remaining cast of the Enright and Devlin families.
When Ben was fourteen, his mother became terminally ill and he had to leave the only family he had ever known. Mother and son went to live with Ben's wealthy and powerful father, Delaney O'Connor. After her death, Ben could not handle the pain associated with losing both his mother and his substitute family, so he avoided seeing the Enrights. Through the following years, his only contact with the family was through Delia's mysteries, where there was always a hidden passage written just for him—Delia's way of letting him know he hadn't been forgotten. Ben eventually turned to racing; living and working in London, he moved up in the ranks as a Grand Prix driver.
Meanwhile, Zoey Enright decides to try out for a job as a show host in a new marketing venture, a home-shopping network, after another business option fails. She has a sparkling personality and the camera loves her, so she's a natural. In this new role her self-confidence builds and she becomes an independent woman. One day Ben's grandfather accidentally tunes in to the shopping network when Zoey is on the air. Delaney decides it's time for Ben, who is now recovering from a near-fatal crash, to face his demons. He buys the network and convinces his grandson to run it until he can return to racing.
Ben must deal with the past and face the future, while Zoey has a few trials of her own, but what follows is a beautiful love story. Add to this some unforeseen twists in Delia's life, as well as Nick and India's wedding, and you have an incredible book. The author has a unique way of blending just the right amount of detail to bring her characters and settings to life. WONDERFUL YOU is an absolutely wonderful read! ~Carol Carter for Bookbug on the Web
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