Wendy Markham, Hello, It's Me

Hello It's Me

Wendy Markham

Warner, Mar 2005, $6.50, 400 pp.

ISBN: 044661453X

Since Andre, her spouse of ten years, passed away about a year ago, Annie Harlowe has hidden her need to grieve her loss because she knows she must remain strong for her two children, six-year-old Milo and four-year-old Trixie. She brings in money by baking cookies for Merlin's Catering, but the bills are overwhelming. Her only self-indulgence is keeping her husband's cell phone account so that she can hear his voice message and praying that one day he will come on with advice and encouragement, but that luxury will end shortly.

Merlin offers Annie a chance to make some additional money by waitressing at the Braddock shindig. She was going to refuse until Andre tells her to go on the cell phone. At the gala she meets Thomas Brannock IV, who is very kind to her. Afterward he finds a wedding ring that he traces through Merlin to Annie. He begins seeing Annie, although their class background makes a relationship seem impossible. However, neither expected a heavenly matchmaker to intercede as Andre wants the best for his beloved and that happens to be Thom.

HELLO IT'S ME is an enjoyable, paranormal, contemporary romance with the heavenly elements used to enhance a fine tale. The storyline stars two likable adults from different walks of life falling in love. The secondary characters augment the lead couple by providing insight into their motives, especially families and friends or matchmakers. Though the kids seem too precocious, readers will appreciate this matchmaking from beyond romance.

Harriet Klausner