BARBARA FREETHY

|| Ask Mariah || Ryan's Return ||

Last review(s) added 8/2/97

Ask Maria
by Barbara Freethy

Rated 5.0
Copyright 1997
Reviewed 7/27/97 by Anne-Marie

"Ask Mariah" was a pleasure to read. It was a wonderful romance about love and family.

Mariah is a magic crystal ball. Everyone needs a little magic at one time or another in their lives.

This story involves a lonely widower, Michael Ashton along with his mischievous six-year-old twin daughters who miss their mother and believe she's coming back. They have a secret that they cannot share. It involves something their mother told them before she died.

Joanna Wingate decides to take a summer-time teaching job as a favor to a dear friend.

When the girls ask Mariah where they can find their mother, the ball gives a vague message about finding her at school.

Michael's at his wits end when his last nanny quits. He decides to enroll them in school. The first day that the girls lay their eyes on Joanna, they cry out "Mommy!" It seems Joanna bears and uncanny resemblance to their dead mother.

When Michael is told this he must see it for himself. When he enter the school room his mouth drops. This woman is a dead image of his dead wife.

You will love the journey this author brings you through as you get to meet the wonderful in-laws of Michael and the passion and love sparks between Michael and Joanna.

Ryan's Return.......WONDERFUL.....funny, sad, endearing, and sweet all in a romance. What more could you ask for?

This is the second novel I have read by Barbara and she didn't let me down! The first novel by Barabra was Daniel's Gift. Another winner! If you like Debbie Macomber you will love Barbara's writing style. In each of the books she writes, her theme's are based on --- family. She also uses a little "magic" in her books which I love.

Ryan's Return is a tender, heartwarming and funny book. Ryan Hunter, the hero, is one of two son's of Jonas and Isabelle Hunter. Twelve years ago Ryan stumbled upon a letter that changed his whole life and that of his family's too.

He ran away from his little town, Serenity Springs, taking with him a secret that was the cause of his family's breakup. In so doing, he earns a reputation of the bad brother. Andrew Hunter marries Ryan's pregnant girlfriend who later, after an unhappy marriage, gets killed in a car crash leaving Andrew to raise their son Billy alone . . . but is Billy really Andrew's baby.

Kara Delaney is the president of Serenity Springs Chamber of Commerce. Kara comes up with an idea to raise money for their city. Have a Centennial Celebration with the events all taking place near the river. Kara is unaware of the reasons for the hatred that Andrew, who she is now dating, and Jonas have for Ryan. She sends an invitation to this celebration to Ryan Hunter who is now a world famous photographer. The town is in an uproar that Kara did this! After all, Ryan is a bad boy.

Ryan accepts the invitation and so begins the soul searching journey for Ryan, Andrew, Jonas and Kara. There are many delightful secondary characters whom you will enjoy. The story tells a tale that you really can go home. It's one of love mending a family torn apart by secrets. Don't miss this one!