Marie Ferrarella Finding Home

Finding Home

Marie Ferrarella

Harlequin Next, Jun 2006, $5.50

ISBN: 0373880952

Stacey Sommers keeps thinking of Peggy Lee's line "Is That All There Is? as she finds life is no fun because her spouse Brad is worse than Silas Marnor hording every penny as if he can take it with him. When he fails to acknowledge their anniversary, she wonders if her forgot or refused to spend money. Thus when her uncle passes away, Brad is euphoric as she inherits a tidy sum that he expects to add to their already endowed retirement. He is not as elated over the canine Dog that comes with the cash.

However, her uncle's will contains a stipulation that Stacey waste the money on something she wants or forfeit it. While her husband is chagrined at tossing away the cash that he feels should join their investments and tries to persuade her that is what she wants, Stacey decides to renovate their house without asking Brad. He is shocked even if their house needs repair, but is he stunned enough to end their relationship after all these years?

The key to this fabulous realistic character study is not the heroine deciding to take a chance, but her clueless husband who cares and wants to do right by them, but fails to comprehend what Stacey is telling him. The storyline is driven by their relationship as she turns assertive and he bewildered. Contemporary fans will appreciate this deep honest character study.

Harriet Klausner