Lenora Worth, Once in a Blue Moon

Once in a Blue Moon

Lenora Worth

Harlequin Next, Oct 2006, $5.50

ISBN: 0373881142

In Shreveport, Louisiana, her friends assume that Lola Nelson has moved on since the death of her spouse because she seems so together. However, at night Lola feels alone and wonders if life is worth it. She needs a change to bring back the passion of life that died with her husband. So she decides to fulfill a childhood dream by buying a blue beach house in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Lola is accompanied by her beach bunnies pals the still married Shelby Harold, now single Emma Strickland, and Chloe Simons, whose mother is unable to take care of herself. The weary four over drinks share their disappointments in relationships when the horde that of three them left behind descend on them in need; for Lola the neighbor begins to fulfill her need.

The tale starts off as a serious character study starring a lonely woman, but quickly turns into a deep amusing look at relationships as the four females escape the horde only to be invaded not long afterward. This is reminiscent of Groucho's cabin scene in A Night at the Opera. The humorous invasion adds to the glimpse of living not just surviving after a loved one dies as Lola sees the differences first hand. Once In A Blue Moon is well worth reading.

Harriet Klausner