"Heartstopping Gothic Romance"
WHISPERS OF GOODBYE is Ms. White's second novel and
every
bit as compelling as her first, the RITA nominated - IN THE
SHADOW OF THE MOON, a historical time travel set during the
Civil War Era. Ms. White seems to have found her niche in
American historical romance. Following the Civil War, Catherine deClaire Reed ponders
what is to become of her life. Her young son, Jamie, had
drown in the sea surrounding their island home while her
husband had been away fighting the war. Robert had
returned to find both his son and his home gone. The grief
had led him to take his own life. Alone with her anger and
her hunger, she cannot see beyond her current
circumstances. Yet she finds that her own character is too
strong to take the route that Robert had. A note from her older, married sister, Elizabeth, gives her
purpose. The cryptic letter indicates that Cat's sister is
terribly afraid of something, and wishes for her sister to
visit her home in Lousiana to help her. Having no where else to go, Cat makes the journey from
Saint Simons Georgia, to her sister's home in the
conveyance Elizabeth had sent for her. Just short of
Whispering Oaks Plantation, bad weather
overcomes them. When John McMahon, Elizabeth's husband happens upon the
wreckage of the carriage. He first believes it's passenger
to be his wife who is now missing. Though the resemblance
between the two sisters is remarkable, he realizes his
mistake immediately. Catherine appears to be a kind and
caring woman, while Elizabeth had been selfish and unhappy
with a tendency to make others as miserable as she. John wishes to find her for the sake of their child, but
makes it clear that he would not miss her otherwise. He
advises Cat to go back home, but Cat is not about to leave
without learning of her sister?s fate. John?s small daughter takes to Cat as she never had to her
mother, but the little girl bears such a strong resemblance
to little Jamie that it breaks Cat?s heart to look at
her. Young Rebecca is as much of a mystery as her father,
but Cat soon finds herself intrigued with both of them.
They seem to need her as much as she needs them. Then
Elizabeth is found dead. It appears that she had taken her
own life, but Cat isn't so sure. John had revealed that it had been her father's description
of his younger daughter, Cat, that he'd fallen in love with
seven years ago, only to find Cat little more than an
enchanting child when he arrived at their home seeking her
hand. He had offered for her older sister Elizabeth
instead. Because of their strong resemblance, he?d hoped
that she would share Cat?s character as well. She had not.
Full grown, Cat is everything he had ever dreamed of, and
Cat has fallen in love with him as well. She wants to
believe him, be his loving wife and a mother to his
daughter, but he keeps too many secrets, and there are two
many mysteries within his malevolent household. Someone is
trying to scare her away, and there is evidence which leads
her to believe that her sister was murdered. Who is the killer and what was their motive? Can Cat trust
a man who will not trust her with his secrets, even though
she loves him with all her heart? Another Keeper! Karen White has a one-in-a-million voice
that simply mesmerizes readers from page one. I was
immediately immersed in this tale and found it nearly
impossible to put down. WHISPERS OF GOODBYE has it all,
sympathetic characters (one even feels for the villain of
the piece), mystery, intrigue, heart stopping romance, and
yep even a touch of voodoo - both good and evil. Well it is
Lousiana after all . Wonderful, gripping, highly
recommended. If you have yet to try Gothic Romance,
WHISPERS OF GOODBYE is a good place to start. Copyright 2001
Reviewed by Leslie Tramposch
Posted October 8, 2001
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