Lies & Liberation
Barbara Bèrot
I was not lucky enough to have read the first book in this
saga entitled, When Europa Rode the Bull,
but, thankfully, the author does such a good job of back story that I
was soon
caught up with who these characters are and why they were where they
were. Let me begin…
The plot of this explosive novel is a classic love triangle,
without the sappiness that tends to go along with them.
Andrew and Janet Stuart-Gordon’s marriage is
loosely held together with lies and, strangely enough, a kind of
respect for
one another that shines through between the lines.
Andrew is in love with Annie. She
is the one…the only…the woman he was
destined to be with his entire life. His
wife, Janet, however is the most colorfully and beautifully written
character
in my mind. You wish to despise the
ground she walks on. But the author,
very carefully, produces a woman whose pride, grandeur and mild
snobbery mixes
so well with the constant ache in her heart for a husband who does not
love her
that I find myself turning the pages quicker to get to another scene
with the
woman.
After twenty-two years of separation, Andrew and Annie take
up residence in France. They are dealing with some large risks in
making their decision but they are literally, as well as the reader,
unprepared
for the vicious attacks from someone bent on destroying their newfound
happiness. Is it the unbelievably strong
wife? You have to read to find out. I would no more spoil this ending than I
would tell you the powerful ending of Gone
With the Wind (the North won, by the way J)
This book provides revenge, conspiracies, confrontations,
and secrets so powerful that if uttered could destroy everyone’s future. In the end, it is the most unlikely character
of the book who makes the most surprising choice. All
the characters have many layers that make
you enjoy them, fear them, and sometimes wish they weren’t on the page. But you will continue to read and savor every
moment of your time with them.
The most joyous character in the novel, however, for the
writer, seems to be St. Andrews, Scotland. The vivid explanations of this land and its
people are like watching a Rembrandt being created right in front of
your
eyes. I defy any reader to set this book
down and not IMMEDIATELY want to call up the local travel agent and
book a
flight to the lavish world. I am so in
love that, even though I know what happens next, I will be running and
getting
the first book of this series.
Yes…it is that good.
Do yourself a favor and put the kids to bed, the dog outside,
and turn
the cell phone off. Jump into the world
of St. Andrews.
You won’t regret it in the least.