Anna DeStefano

Although Dark Legacy's spine lists this as a paranormal romance, I think that including Gothic wouldn't be amiss. There is a certain tenseness to the novel, not quite anticipation, but close to it, as Maddie fights to fit the pieces of a centuries old puzzle together to have a future. As Maddie draws closer to the answer as to why (or what) caused her twin, Sarah, to slowly go mad and cast a dark shadow over the family, the plot only seemed to get more twisted.

And twisted this story becomes show more as Maddie's reality is slowly leeched away in the wake of her sister's overwhelming madness. There are times when Maddie isn't certain if what she's thinking, feeling or doing are because she wants to or because Sarah has taken control of her. Sarah who's so warped from twenty plus years of having to deal with feeling everything everyone feels, of trying to take drugs to dead out the world enough so that she can be herself and not some random stranger on the street, feeling guilt over the night her father died. I felt the worst for Sarah, even though she's really hard to get along with. Her rage towards Maddie is almost understandable. Maddie also had powers, but she seemed so normal. She didn't have to worry about invading someone's mind and being that person. She wasn't going mad.

The relationship between Maddie and Sarah is hard to describe. Maddie grew up wanting to protect Sarah as much as she could, but also hating her for the madness that she was being driven towards. She could feel that same madness want to leak into her own mind and was terrified of ending up like Sarah. Sarah wanted to latch onto Maddie in order to stay sane, but at the same time wanted to push her away so that she didn't infect her, resenting both the need and the feelings of protection.

The romance between Maddie and Jarred is fraught with problems. Not just that Maddie is anxious over what she feels is her own madness, but also Sarah who doesn't want Jarred to be in Maddie's life (tainted by her own experiences and feelings). The novel itself moves at a quick pace, not dwelling too long before the urgent current beneath the storyline pulls it off once again. I never felt lost, or as if the story was moving too quickly and leaving things behind however.

The surrounding cast of characters--Jarred, Metting, Phyllis (their mother)--represent a rather interesting triangle. Phyllis--who wants to forget and keep secret what the twins do, Jarred--who wants it all over and done with so that Maddie is safe and Metting--who, more or less, started this whole issue and wants it to play out to see the results (at first at least). Their different wants and needs created havoc for the sisters as they struggled to protect, to forgive, to trust.

I'm in hope that because the ending hinted at future possibilities there will be more to tell about the Temple Sisters and more to see as they face a future together. show less

This was an "okay" read. It started off with a bang and the suspense/intrigue was high. BUT, the romance aspect was totally unbelievable and not at all necessary to the story. In fact, I ended up really disliking Jarrod, the love interested of the "good" twin, Maddie. He was overbearing, rude & uncontrolled, all in the name of love! And some of the physical scenes were not believable to me. (I'm not referring to the sex scenes. They were...well...odd...)For instance, Maddie is being show more interviewed by Dr. Metting, who is digging in her unbalanced mind for dream-memories to help save her twin sister. She is having a difficult time, is agitated, and Jarrod...pulls her onto his lap. WHAT?! Just weird to me.

I did like the concept of the government program, the twins' psychosis etc. That would have been enough to make this a much better story for me.(less) show less

First let me say I got this book in exchange for an honest review.
Now let me say this is part of a series, however I have not read the previous titles and did NOT feel lost. I do plan now to go back and read the previous titles. I can't wait to see more from this town and these characters.

HIS DARLING BRIDE is the story of Bethany, Bethie, and Mike. Both Mike and Bethany have their baggage and their struggle with accepting and giving love. The giving is easier than the accepting. I loved show more watching these two find their way. I will say I worried there for them, but kept turning pages just knowing the author, Anna DeStefano, had to give me a HEA. Fans of great writing with characters that are realistic, well developed and engaging will find HIS DARLING BRIDE a wonderful addition to their bookshelf. Be warned this one is hard to put down, you just want to know what's going to happen. I do hope we see these characters again, as I want to see them in the future. Fans of this series, Echoes of the Heart, are going to love this one. There are some laugh out loud moments, some sigh worthy moments, and some moments that will make you think..........wonder........and maybe want to help. I loved that I became part of the story, not just a reader. I can't wait to see what's next and go back and read the previous titles. This is one that will end up on your Keeper Shelf! show less

Love on Mimosa Lane is a heartwarming story of love, family and friendship. This latest installment in Anna DeStafano's extremely popular Seasons of the Heart series is sure to be a hit with old and new fans of the series.

Chandlerville is a tight-night community where the residents look out for one another. So when assistant principal Kristen Hemmings needs help with one of her new students, she is quick to ask Law Beaumont to help mentor the young man. Law is no stranger to trouble and show more while he is at first hesitant to become involved, he soon sees an opportunity to not only help Fin Robinson, but his young daughter Chloe as well.

Both Law and Kristen have complicated family histories that continue to plague them even though they are now adults. They each tend to keep an emotional distance and while Law has been married, Kristen ends her relationships long before they get serious. Kristen's issues are fairly easy to overcome whereas Law's are going to take a lot of work and most of the novel to fully resolve.

Law thought his problems with his wife Libby would end once they were divorced. Unfortunately Libby is bitter, vindictive and out to ruin not only his reputation, but his relationships too. Their daughter Chloe is caught in the middle until Law finally starts to listen some of the advice from his friends and his brother, Dan and begins to take control of his life.

All of the characters in Love on Mimosa Lane have a lot of emotional baggage and some of them are dealing with some pretty serious problems. Law and Libby have substance abuse issues, both in the past and present, and Law has a prison record. Chloe is caught between doing what she wants and trying to please her mother. Fin has been in the foster care system for most of his young life and he is having trouble adjusting to his new foster home. Ms. DeStafano does an exemplary job of handling each of these topics with sensitivity and the story never feels overwhelmed by the various conflicts. It is not a light, fluffy read, but it is not bleak or depressing either.

There is a romantic element to Love on Mimosa Lane but this part of the storyline is very understated. Instead, most of the novel centers around Law and the various obstacles he is facing. He has a lot a demons in his past and before he can have a successful relationship with Kristen, Law needs make peace with his mistakes and change how he deals with adversity.

While I liked Love on Mimosa Lane, it is fairly slow paced for the first half of the novel. Some of the sentences are a little awkwardly written. I really liked Fin and Chloe but they seemed a lot older than third graders. Libby's character has no redeeming qualities and her maliciousness becomes predictable and grating.

Despite these minor issues, I really enjoyed Love on Mimosa Lane. The characters are likable with genuine problems that are realistically resolved. The storylines are compelling and the novel's conclusion is emotionally satisfying. This powerful story of healing is a fascinating addition to Anna DeStafano Seasons of the Heart series. show less