The Crystal Rose – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat and A Book and A Dish

‘Keith hung up the phone, glaring at the receiver. He turned his head to stare at the wall of the one room apartment where many pictures of his soon-to-be bride looked back. He could see her beautiful face from everywhere in the apartment, except the bathroom, but he had a separate picture in there. “Where are you, Dan?” he asked those faces. “Why don’t you answer my messages?” He reached across the bed and grabbed the box from under his pillow. His chest swelled as he opened the velvet box. The huge cubic zirconia twinkled at him. He could see Sheridan showing off the ring to her friends. How could he make her see they were made for each other, if he couldn’t even get in touch with her? All his difficulties had to be Joel’s fault.’

Sheridan McLaughlin is a marine biologist that has found herself out of work. With the economy, the market for research in her field of expertise is on hold and there appears to be nothing opening up within the near future. On top of that her apartments have just gone condo so unless she decides to buy her unit, which is out of the question since she has no job, she must move. Her only option is to go back ‘home’ to her godfather/uncle Joel and hope she can keep herself afloat by singing and tending bar at his dinner club The Crystal Rose. Could things get worse? If you call trying to change a flat tire with a spare that’s also flat in a rain downpour, then I guess it can get worse.

Russell Madison is a self made millionaire. Everything he touches turns to money making him one of the most sought out bachelor around. He also has the looks to go with his money which makes every woman he even glances at swoon for his attention. That is every woman with the exception of Sheridan McLaughlin. This wouldn’t be a problem if Sheridan didn’t end up owning the majority of The Crystal Rose, which Russell wants for himself. So if it requires him engulfing Sheridan with his charm, he can handle that. So he thinks.

What Sheridan nor Russell could have foreseen was Keith Cainam stepping into their lives to make sure there would never be a relationship between the two of them… business nor personal. Keith had dated Sheridan years before when she worked for Joel at The Crystal Rose. He played in a band that served as the entertainment now and then and his love for her had only grown over the years of their separation. His determination to prove to her how much she means to him and how much he really means to her is his top priority.

So… will Sheridan keep the stone wall she is noted for up preventing both Russell and Keith out? Will Russell keep his wall in tact while it protects him from feeling the pains that was inflicted on him by his mother years ago? And will Keith make Sheridan take a really hard look at him and see his sincerity before she leaves him again?

The Crystal Rose is a beautiful love story of both past and present. The characters are well written and believable. It’s filled with love and just enough suspense to make it a very enjoyable read.

Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com Stir, Laugh, Repeat ( )