Katherine Garbera, The Ultimate Romantic Challenge

The Ultimate Romantic Challenge

Katherine Garbera

Brava, December 2006, $14.00

ISBN: 075821135X

A decade has passed since her spouse Marcus died, but the only way that widow Alexandra Haughton has moved on is with her South Carolina resort. Her passion, her love, every positive feeling she can muster is given to make Haughton House the resort of choice. Her in-laws worry about her, especially Marcus' mother Pricilla, who got her out of the house ten years ago by having her replace her deceased son on the board, and now tells her she needs to move on personally.

Sterling Powell wants to add Haughton House to his chain; Alexandra refuses as the resort is her life. He is attracted to the obstinate woman, and though he knows never to mix business with pleasure, he finds her a challenge on both fronts. As he courts her, Alexandra's dormant heart begins to beat for the first time since Marcus passed away, but though she is falling in love, she vows to never betray her spouse's memory.

Alexandra's introspective muses enable the audience to understand her fears that love hurts, but these asides also slow down her second chance at love storyline. Readers will root for the weary heroine to move forward in her personal life as she has with the hotel business, while Sterling seems too perfect as the patient man willing to help her. THE ULTIMATE ROMANTIC CHALLENGE is an interesting character study of a woman who is afraid to love again.