Mary Schramski The Lighthouse

The Lighthouse

Mary Schramski

Harlequin Next, Nov 2005, $5.50

ISBN: 0373880693

Eight months ago forty-two years old Christine McGuire's mother died in a car accident. The realtor has not returned home since though her father grieves his loss by himself and could use support; for that matter so could Christine as mom was the glue that kept the family together.

Deciding to see her dad over the Christmas holidays, Christine wants to forge a closer relationship with him. Joe feels the same way as he knows he blew the past when he was never there for his daughter. However, though they share the same objective, love one another and still mourn the loss of a loved one, neither can take the first step out of their roles to reinvent their relationship.

This deep look at father daughter relationships between two adults is as profound a tale that a reader will find because the two lead protagonists know what they want and know what they must do, but neither can do it for fear of rejection. By switching perspectives, fans not only understand the motives to not take that first tentative step, but also a strong comprehension of how they felt towards the late matriarch.

Harriet Klausner