Tanya Michaels, The Good Kind of Crazy

The Good Kind of Crazy

Tanya Michaels

Harlequin Next, Mar 2006, $5.50

ISBN: 0373880855

When Neely turned forty, the Mason extended family and their neighbors assumed she would end up a crazed cat woman spinster. However, to the shock of everyone, the forty-five year old Neely announces she is marrying Robert Walsh. Her much younger sister, perennial wild child student Vi sums it up by asking if she is marrying a man. Her older sister Savannah issues "felicitations" from her spouse Jason. Finally her only brother Douglas teases his two commentary siblings, while momma Beth announces wedding plans that would require a football stadium to host, when all Neely wants is a quiet tiny affair.

Mom takes charge like a general planning a military campaign. That concerns the reticent Neely. Usually bubbly Savannah seems upset instead of happy for her, which concerns Neely. However, what gets her in a panic state is Vidalia; her youngest sibling actually sounds logical and sensible, leading to Neely to wonder if the world is coming to an end because she is getting married.

The three Mason sisters make for a fine somewhat zany character study, as each struggles in a different way with relationships. Neely has doubts, and following her announcement leads to Vi wondering about the shallowness of absolute freedom and Savannah facing an empty nest syndrome, wondering if she wants to grow old with Jason. Tanya Michaels provides deep insight into her female stars, with a wonderfully deft light humor that makes for an appealing charmer.