Taking a long drive to escape the emotional overload leads to car accident, which leaves half of Garry’s body immobile. Depressed and in need of an aide, Amanda Fields’ job is to get him back into shape. But Garry has no idea that this nurse will not only bring healing to his body, but also capture his heart.
Long-time writer but first-time novelist Judith Kohnen has fashioned an endearing love story set around two people who desperately want to love again but are afraid to because of the emotionally wounds from their past. Written in third person omniscient viewpoint, readers are taken to the behind-the-scenes thought processes of a whole host of interesting characters that goes well beyond Garry and Amanda, the two lovesick romantics. Among the list of protagonists is Garry’s uproariously funny hyper and scheming sister Melissa; their stereotypical smothering mother, Miriam; and Nicholas, Garry’s butler who is the quiet backbone of the Danzlo household. Equally interesting are the antagonists: the ever-conniving Daphne and precariously suave Eddie Chandler.
Kohnen shrewdly incorporates a multitude of plot points to create narrative momentum. Amid the drama that surrounds the lovers, Kohnen keeps her storyline light by interweaving many scenes filled with comical conversational banter — which creates an incessant tension between Garry and Amanda, amorously delectable love scenes, and juxtaposing these lighter sides with the diabolical plans to keep them apart.
The first of a two-book series entitled THE MANDY STORY, ONE CHANCE, ONE MOMENT is a creative, light-hearted yet riveting tale that is not your ordinary love story, and is destined to be a romantic classic.
Reviewed by Anita Lock for IndieReader