"Every now and then I'll pick up a book and just cannot put it down; TELL ME WHY is one of those books. From the introductory poem to the final sentence, I was 'in' this story. A tone is set in the beginning as readers watch Carolee Burns ache for just a glimpse of the daughter she loves so dearly. She's hiding in the shadows waiting for Faith to come out of her dance class, hoping she can watch her a few minutes before Kip, her ex-husband, drives up. It has been a year since their divorce, but he's still maintaining tight control and threatens to take away the few custody rights she has. Carolee is a successful jazz pianist, but currently refuses any engagements except for appearing now and then at her friend Brandy's supper club
It is here that Max finds himself under Carolee's spell, listening to her share her sadness through her playing. Max can't understand his own feelings, but this sexy woman turns him on, and he's there every night she plays. Max played pro-football for Seattle until a freak accident crushed his legs. He loved the game and has had a hard time dealing with this blow, but he's built a successful computer company and lives a good life, even though it is a lonely one.
The last night at the Club, Carolee's dad Sam is there, and he watches Max watch his daughter. Sam wants his daughter to begin living again, and he has an idea that will jump-start her in that direction. It's her turn to have Faith for four weeks this summer, and a happy Gramps brings home two gifts for her arrival -- a puppy and a pony. He's hired a man to teach her to ride -- Have you guessed who yet? Yep, Max. Events begin to snowball from this point on that will keep your eyes glued to the pages. When Kip learns there is another man in the picture, he tightens his control. He's going to turn nasty, and Carolee has to dig deep to get the strength to fight. Gramps and Max are there to offer their love and support, and she'll need them.
Stella Cameron brings her characters to life with vivid descriptions and heart breaking memories, helping readers feel the warmth, anger, joy, love, hate, frustration, sensuality, and loneliness emanating from them. You are pulled right into her story, rushing through the pages to see what is going to happen next. TELL ME WHY is a very believable tale filled with events to keep you on a roller coaster ride as emotions go up and down with the highs and lows her characters experience. There is angst and suspense, and a beautiful love that grows from a friendship. There is also a villain you'll want to see get what he deserves, and Max is the kind of man you want to see make sure it happens. I've had the privilege of reviewing Ms. Cameron's last three stories: KEY WEST, GLASS HOUSES, and FINDING IAN. While I've enjoyed each tale, I believe her writing of TELL ME WHY is her best effort yet. It's an encouraging and powerful story and one I very highly recommend." --Carol Carter, Romance Reviews Today
"[Tell Me Why] was a wonderful, fast-paced, furious page-turner . . . and I wanted to really and truly hear Carolee play, and meet Max Wolfe. A well thought story with surprising little twists and curve balls . . . finished it in one day." --Maureen Carmen, Philadelphia Inquirer
Crescent Blues:
Heart string tugging?
Oh, yes--especially the parts about the protagonist's emotionally wounded daughter.
A wild read?
Could it be otherwise? It's Stella Cameron at her finest, with a new tale of flawed but terribly human characters who live, love, hurt, and go on--one way or another.
Once again Stella Cameron wields her magic, turns a heart-broken, fearful woman into an unforgettable character in a romantic suspense that chills, thrills, and excites as it escalates from "what's-going-on" to "oh, no" and back again. The wildly tangled plot, the diverse and enchanting characters (including Digger, the pup), and the clearly defined setting (near Seattle) work together to provide a wonderful read. (The review copy arrived in yesterday's mail, and being the Stella Cameron fan that I am, I started it immediately and finished it before I went to bed.)
A famous pianist, Carolee Burns comes home from a tour, finds she 's being divorced. Devastated, overwhelmed, she accepts the blame her husband hands her, acknowledges she's neglected her child, and cannot fight when the judge gives custody of their daughter, Faith, to the father. Carolee loves her daughter and gives up touring so that she can be there for the few visitations the court allows her--and restricts her playing to a monthly stint at a local bistro.
His legs held together by metal, Max Wolfe, former football great, works his way through his own problems. He sits in the shadows, listens to Carolee's playing, sees the sadness in her eyes, and wants to help. Sam, Carolee's father, does a little cupid playing on his own and makes sure the pair meets.
Just meeting would never have been enough, Nor would falling in love. But when Carolee's ex starts acting wild and other things happen, Max and Carolee have to work together or...
You know I'm not going to give away the plot. So, when it comes out, grab it. Tell Me Why will fill in all the blanks--and do it with pizzazz, sizzle, and maybe a few tears. (Reviewed by Patricia Lucas White )
Review from the Belles and Beaux of Romance
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