Cathi LaMarche While the Daffodils Danced

While the Daffodils Danced

Cathi LaMarche

Echelon, May 2005, $15.99

ISBN: 1590804023

In St. Elizabeth Hospital in Michigan, Cara Robertson feels alone ever since Mitch Sanders wished her "good luck" and ended their relationship as he already had a wife without knowing Cara carries his child. She gives birth, but refuses to touch or see her child or name the father as she decides to let people think she is an uncaring Promiscuous lady. Cara believes Mitch does not deserve the truth since he omitted to tell her about his marital status. She also knows she cannot care for the infant, but also believes she would be even worse than off than she is now if she makes even eye contact.

Over time her broken heart mends with the help of Noah, but he vanishes shattering her fragile heart. When she rebounds with Jack, a clone of her supportive father, she feels like will work out okay though she still misses her little Jane as she called her child. However, when she learns Jack cheated on her, Cara turns to her only true solace, the dancing daffodils that display the healing of nature.

Though the betrayals that confront Cara with the ethically deprived males she meets would devastate Job and edges the plot into soap opera territory, Cathi LaMarche provides a fine tale due to the slow strengthening of the inner soul of Cara. Fans will feel her sorrow over her child; weep with her when Noah chooses his musical gigs over her; and empathize while proudly supporting the heroine when she overcomes Jack's betrayal. This solid contemporary women's fiction stars a wonderful heroine, whose metamorphosis from weak and pliable into strong and independent will leave the audience dancing in their gardens.

Harriet Klausner