Mr. and Mrs. Merrit, the President of the United States and his wife, are loved by the whole country. They are young, good-looking and so in grieve about the death of their little baby son. So, thinks Barrie Travis until she gets an invitation from the First Lady and she is asked if she really believes that.

Barrie is sure there must be more when the wife of the President says something like that to her so she starts to search for hints. Her series about SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is making some people nervous. But she could never imagine how shocking the truth really is.

When she meets Gray Bondurant, a former trusted adviser of President Merritt, and she tells him her suspicions, both must run for their lives. Barrie's house is blown up and her dog is found dead. They are looking for help at Daily Welsh, Barrys retired mentor. More and more things happen and substantiate the suspicion against the most important man in the United States. When Mrs. Merritt has to fear for her life it looks like Barrie and Gray are the only ones who know the truth and can help her.

But is the truth really so easy or is there more? And how should Barrie tell Gray her love when she thinks he is in love with the First Lady?

An exciting book about the game of power and intrigue and a man, who must be, normally, totally trustworthy in our opinion and not bad.

Rated: 3.5
Copyright: 1985
Reviewed: 12/26/97 by Isolde Wehr

Historical

This had to be the nicest day in her life - her wedding day. But when she stands in front of the altar she finds out that her bride-groom was unfaithful. So, Banner left her former fiancé Grady Sheldon. And she isn't the type of person who would sit in her room and cry about it.

That's why Banner Coleman is alone on her wedding night. She end us staying with Jake Langston in the barn. After the night is over, she isn't sure if she did the right thing. Sleeping with a man who was her mentor for many years. It has destroyed their friendship.

Jake is totally confused by his feelings for Banner. She is the daughter of his best friend so this never should have happened. He is 36 and Banner is 18, so to him this is also not the right combination.

Banner wants to start a new life and forget the last days. She will move to her ranch which she got from her father. It should be her home after her wedding. Her father allows that only then she takes Jake with her as her foreman. Now Banner and Jake will confront every day with their feelings. How long should this work?

This book was a sequel to "Sunset Embrace". In the first part Sandra Brown tells us the story about Ross and Lydia and this book is about their daughter. The story was not bad but I like more the books she wrote in the last time like "Mirror Image" or "French Silk".

Rated 4.5
ISBN# 1-55166-291-4
Copyright 1986 - reissued 1997
$6.99
Reviewed 8/28/97 by Anne-Marie

A beautiful story about a lonely widow and mother of a small child and an ex-marine who was her dead husband's best friend. Who would believe that Trever Rule had fallen in love with a woman he'd never seen - just by reading the love letters she'd written to her husband.

Kyla Straud made a promise never to love another man and to never give her heart to another man. She loved Richard and had a wonderful marriage. She was content to live on her memories. Then Trever enters her life and eventually her heart.

This was a "joyful" story. It has a hero that all women would fall for - a man who loved a child from another man - as much if not more than his own natural child - and a man who knew how to make a woman's dream come true. I loved how the story flowed . . . you can't help but root for Trever to get his woman.

Rated 4.5
Copyright 1982
Reviewed 7/27/97 by Anne-Marie

This was a very passionate yet, intriguing story.

With the recent news that her mother gave her and her brother up for adoption, Erin O'Shea begins a search for a brother she never new existed. She can't stop until she finds him.

Her search brings her to her brother's home but the man she believe's to be her brother is actually Lance Barrett a G-man.

Her brother is wanted for robbery and Lance thinks Erin knows something so he forces Erin to remain in her brother's home as a prisoner.

Sparks fly between these two and Lance tries his best to ignore them. He has been hurt before and does not want another relationship. But, as fate would have it these two become involved and can no longer deny the passion and love they have for each other.

This was a very interesting story line. It has recently been re-released so I'm sure you'll find it on the shelves.

Rated 4.0
ISBN#0-446-51632-5
Copyright 1997
Reviewed 7/14/97 by Kathy

Burke Basile is an embittered cop out for revenge. He inadvertently shot his partner to death in a drug deal gone bad. Wayne Bardo, the man they were trying to catch, was hiding out in a warehouse and when he came out, he used Burke's partner as a shield. Bardo knows they are there because there's a bad cop somewhere in the department leaking information.

Bardo's lawyer, Pinkie Duvall, is connected to drug trafficking, gambling, clubs; you name it, he's involved. Nothing can be proven though because he's a smart man and has covered all bases. Pinkie gets Bardo off on a technicality. This infuriates Basile and he decides to devise a plan to hit Pinkie where it hurts most. To make matters worse, he comes home one day to find his wife in bed with the gym teacher.

Basile resigns as a cop and starts an investigation to determine Duvall's weak points. One of which is the fact that Duvall treats his wife, Remy, like a porcelain doll. Could this be the weak link he needs? He decides to check it out for himself.

The plan he uses to get near Remy is ingenious. Using her Catholic background he and a friend dress as priests and the plan grows from there. A wild scheme is created and followed through on because he knows Duvall will check it out thoroughly before he lets Remy become involved.

Basile finally figures out a way to kidnap Remy and takes her to the bayou to a friend of his, an ex-cop who has decided to drop out of society. Then they wait for Duvall to find them. In the meantime, they find they have a growing attraction to each other and they try to fight it to no avail.

The story builds to a climax when Duvall lets Remy know that he has her sister and she decides she has to go back to make sure her sister is safe, but not before she and Basile make extensive plans. Basile has a lot of markers he can call in for help and he has to call in every one to make the whole plan work properly.

The ending was very surprising. The bad cop was revealed and it was not who I expected it to be. This was a very complex story and there were a lot of twists to this book. There were some scenes that would have been hilarious but the seriousness overshadowed the humor. All in all, it was an interesting read.

This book was a first in two ways: It was the first published novel for Ms. Brown and it was my introduction to her. I found the book to be fast-paced and filled with passion, anguish and tenderness.

This is a story of two star-crossed lovers. In one reckless night, Camille Jameson's life was changed forever: a tall, handsome stranger and an evening of romance give enough regrets to last a lifetime.

Two years later, Camille is a successful interior decorator with the opportunity to restore one of Mississippi's finest plantations. She arrives breathless and excited and eager to face her greatest professional challenge to date -- until Zack Prescott saunters through the mansions front door and back into her life.

Zack is the son of the man who hired Camille to restore the plantation. Sparks start flying when they first meet and they don't stop! Their story is one you will enjoy. Will Camille and Zack be able to set aside their pride? Are they destined to be together for a lifetime? Read this enjoyable book. You will love their characters and I loved his father Rayburn. Wait till you see the surprise he has in store for these two lovers!

Sandra Brown is one of my favorite authors. I've notice the publishers are bringing back some of her first novels, which is good because I missed those the first time around. I didn't give "Love Beyond Reason" a favorable review because it felt out of date. But, when I opened "Love's Encore" there was a letter from Ms. Brown. It informs us that the book was written years ago when ideas, "trends and attitudes" were different than they are today. So, for some reason, this set me in the right from of mind and I enjoyed the story very much.

Camille Jameson is an interior decorator. She lands one of the biggest jobs of her life working for Mr. Prescott. The only problem is, upon arrival to the home she discovers that Mr. Prescott is the father of Zack, the man she'd had a one night fling with years earlier. She still harbors unkind feelings for him as she blames him for taking advantage and stealing her virginity.

Zack Prescott is a hardened man. He was hurt years ago by a young woman who had left him in the learch. You guessed it, Camille is the culprit.

Living together in such close quarters, Camille and Zack are constantly at each others throats, well, not constantly. The other times are lets say, sensual.

For the 1980's, this was a best seller. I enjoyed it very much. I tried to put myself back in time and not think of Camille as such a prude.

I was very surprised to find a historical romance written by Sandra Brown. I opened the book and the story was fascinating from the first words until the last sentences.

The central figures are Lydia and Ross. There are a lot of other interesting characters in the book. For example, Ma Langston, Pa Langston and their children, and Moses and Winston Hill. All these people are on a wagon train to Texas.

Lydia gives birth to a dead baby. And Ross Coleman's wife died while their baby was being born. Because the new born baby needs a mother, Ross and Lydia decide to stay together and later to marry.

Lydia tries to forget the awful years when she was abused by her step-brother. And Ross keep his past secret from everyone. He was a bank robber and a murderer. Not the right beginning for a marriage.

It is a long and tiring way for both to come together while the shadows of their past pursue them.

The book touched me similar to "Breath of Scandal." I couldn't put the book down before I read the end. I am a great Sandra Brown fan and to read a historical romance written by her was a new and exciting experience.

Sandra Brown's paperback, "A Secret Splendor," revolves around deception, adoption, tragic deaths, sexual attraction and desire, secrets, and blackmail. The novel was originally published in 1983 under the pseudonym Erin St. Claire. Sandra Brown has captivated her readers with interesting characters and an intriguing plot. "A Secret Splendor" is wonderfully written and well worth your time (and money.)

Arden Gentry, a freelance writer, is completely alone in the world after a divorce from her unethical and devious husband, Ron, followed by the tragic death of her son, Joey. After a long illness resulting in Joey's death, a painful ache for another son she'd had, but gave up for adoption, begins to haunt her. Ideas start forming in her head -- if she could just see him, it would fill the emptiness she now felt in her heart. She has gone on a search for her son and, as a result, landed in Hawaii awaiting the perfect opportunity to approach her child's father.

Drew McCasslin is a single father and a washed-up tennis pro trying to make his come-back into the tennis scene after his obnoxious behavior following the death of his wife, Ellie. In order to survive the grief that engulfed him at the time of her death, Drew turned to drinking. He is making an about-face, has put the offensive behavior behind him and started the trek toward getting his life back in order. He desperately wants to return to the career he loves so much.

The plot will grab you from page one with Drew immediately noticing Arden. Her disinterest and aloofness is what attracts Drew to her. Arden's intentions are only to get close enough to Drew to be able to see her son, but of course, we wouldn't have a story if she saw him and then departed. I promise you, Drew will speak to Arden by page sixteen. He will unknowingly fall into her "trap".

The lead-up to the hero and heroine's first conversation is informative, covering many bases, and well worth the wait.

While Arden's web gets more tangled as she grows more attached to her son and Drew, Drew struggles with his feelings and attraction toward Arden. He is still in love with his dead wife and can't seem to let go of her.

Arden finally meets her son, Matt, and continues to battle with herself on how to tell Drew just who she really is. She doesn't want to lose them both as a consequence for her deceit.

Unexpectedly, threats of blackmail could destroy everything Drew and Arden have together. Which, at this point, involves more than just "their" son.

Sandra Brown adds the right amount of adversity without crossing the line to becoming unbelievable. Her characters are lovable, passionate, and intelligent people who are ones you can most assuredly relate to.

If you enjoy this novel as much as I have you should try:

"Texas Chase," "Texas Lucky," "Texas Sage," and "Where There's Smoke."

I have loved every Sandra Brown novel I have ever read, until the 1981 novel, "Love Beyond Reason." I was a bit disappointed. Just a bit, though. It just didn't match-up to her other novels, such as the Texas trilogy - "Texas Chase," "Texas Lucky," and "Texas Sage." Some of the characters actions and dialogue were somewhat "out-of-age" and were mostly what gave me trouble in finishing this story.

So . . .

Mary Adams Manning goes into premature labor after hearing of the death of her husband, Peter Manning. She dies during childbirth, leaving behind a premature, yet healthy baby girl. In her last breath she asks her sister, Katherine, to raise the child and never allow her dead husband's family near the child.

Katherine Adams is twenty-seven and suddenly finds herself a single parent. Fulfilling her sisters request she leaves her job and runs-off with the baby, Allison, claiming never to allow a Manning near the child again. She blames the Manning's, particularly Peter, for the death of her sister. He was not the ideal husband, with verbal and physical abuse involved, I certainly wouldn't have wanted him.

Jace Manning, Peter's brother, shows up on Katherine's doorstep, determined to be part of his niece's life. In order to keep his parents from taking Allison away from them, Jace decides marriage is the best plan of action. He takes a chance that once they hear of the marriage they will call off all plans of getting custody of Allison. You get glimpses of Jace that show he isn't very fond of his family either.

Here is an excerpt so you can understand what I mean by out-of-age dialogue.

"I'm not in the habit of ravishing young women, Miss Adams. And though I've been in Africa for the better part of two years, I'm still civilized." Ravishing - give me a break.

I immediately went to check the original printing of this book and found that, my thoughts were right, I was thinking 80's, which wasn't far off. I gave LBR a little slack, though, and continued. We all know that the heros in older novels were more controlling over the heroine's.

What else? The hero kisses the heroine within a few minutes after their first meeting. Normally, I would think of this as a way to really grab the readers attention, but for some reason it bothered me this time. How she could yell at him, accusing his brother of killing her sister, Mary, and then let him kiss her. Oh, now that's a good reason to kiss your enemy. It would have more believable for me if it hadn't been such a serious situation. The death of a loved one, even a few months after, is not easily put aside.

The worst part for me was when Jace demanded to see her breasts to verify that they had indeed healed up after she had nearly been raped. What kind of woman is going to let a man she's only known for a short time open her robe and examine her breasts? Gag! He just wouldn't take her word for it, and frankly, she didn't argue against it very much either.

Beyond that, it's a good story. I did do some skimming through to the dialogue. I think Brown had a really good idea for the plot, but I just had a difficult time getting into it. The actions just weren't completely believable to me.

This novel, "The Devil's Own," written by Sandra Brown, is full of adventure and suspense as well as romance.

Kerry Bishop is trying to transport nine orphans from the war zone of Montenegro into the United States. She has adoptive parents awaiting their arrival. To assist her in transporting the youngsters to safety, Kerry solicits the help of Linc O'Neal. Due to his rough appearance and the style of baggage he carries, she believes is a missionary. They have many miles to cover until they reach their rendevous point where an airplane will arrive to pick them up and whisk them away to the United States. (Just like that!)

Their adventure leads them straight into many dangerous obstacles, (Of course!) They fight their way through the jungles of Montenegro, rapid flowing waters, several bands of rebels (no pun intended), and, of course, their growing attraction for each other. I found myself unable to set the book aside.

There *was* one point in the plot that turned me off a bit when the hero used humiliation (by sexual means) to get even with the heroine. I could have skipped that scene and not missed a thing, but all-in-all the story was wonderfully written, and well worth reading. As usual, Sandra Brown has done well.