Gina Wilkins Wealth Beyond Riches

Wealth Beyond Riches

Gina Wilkins

Signature Saga, Jan 2006, $5.99

ISBN: 0373836856

In Dallas, attorney Sean Jacobs informs his stepbrother Ethan Blacklock that the latter's estranged mother Margaret accidentally died when she tumbled down a set of stairs. Shockingly, an unknown schoolteacher, at least to the family and servants, Brenda Prentiss, inherits the brunt of the multimillion dollar estate, as long as she cares for the late Margaret's four beloved cats.

Before meeting the family, Brenda visits D'Alessandro and Walker Investigations because she believes someone tried to kill her; she explains about the odd inheritance from someone she is sure she never met. Brenda and Ethan meet at what is now a mansion so that he can take what he wants of his late father's stuff as stipulated in the will; he takes few items, none with any major monetary value, as he explains he and his mother had a final falling out when he rejected law school to open up a landscaping business. Brenda wonders if he wants her dead, as he inherits if she is out of the picture. As they each fight their attraction to one another, more attempts on her life occur.

WEALTH BEYOND RICHES is an interesting romantic suspense that grips the audience who wonder whether Ethan's attitude towards his mother's wealth and bitterness disguises his desire to obtain the funds at any cost. The audience will also want to know the logic behind an apparent stable Margaret bequeathing her fortune to a stranger. The cast is strong, especially the lead couple, and though an unlikely twist adds fun and intrigue, the tale belongs to the series of mysteries, to which fans will want to know the answers.