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Bess Carson writes historical romances for a living, which is surprising since she’s had little or no romance in her life. Growing up with a “Howard Hughes” wanna-be for a father and marrying a controlling husband, left little room in Bess’ life for any kind of love. After her husband committed suicide, Bess decided to move to Colorado and start anew, only this time with vows to never be controlled by any man ever again.
For two years, Australian author Geoffrey Barrett has maintained a long distance, computer friendship with Bess Carson. They share similar tastes in literature and both went through horrible marriages that despite the distance, seemed to cement a friendship. Over those two years though, Geoffrey’s feelings have grown from friendship to love. Unable to leave Tasmania, but desperate to have Bess for his own, Geoffrey concocts a plan that will not only bring her to Australia, but keep here there in his arms.
The best-laid plans of mice and men oft go astray. ~ Robert Burns.
When her father begins to pressure her to move back to New York to fall back into her place she’d left behind, Bess takes Geoffrey up on his offer to collaborate on a book. Not only is she frantic to flee from her father’s long reaching arm, but curious as well about the man she’s come to care for but never met. Just as Geoffrey’s plan begins to run smoothly, a kink of secrets, kidnapping, and blackmail brings everything to a screeching halt.
A touching romance of redemption and lasting love, FINDING BESS would melt any heart, whether ice or stone. Victoria Gordon weaves a web of eclectic characters from the ex-football player turned computer hacker, unexpectedly nicknamed Mouse, to the buxom blond security expert, Ida. The only thing I kept waiting for was a reference to the famed Tasmanian devil, Warner or otherwise, as Geoffrey seemed the quintessential devilish, Aussie rogue. FINDING BESS is filled with Australian colloquialisms, and after reading it I found myself wanting to put “bloody” in front of every word I said. In fact…FINDING BESS is better than a poke in the eye with a blunt stick, it’s bloody grouse.
Reviewed by Tina Burns
for The Road to Romance
June 16, 2004
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