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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
What Next?, January 23, 2005
This review is from: After The Loving (Arabesque) (Mass Market Paperback)
With AFTER THE LOVING by Gwynne Forster, we are once again thrust into the world that is the Harrington brothers of Eagle Park, Maryland. In Once In A Lifetime we were introduced to this brooding group of brothers and their sassy cook, Mr. Henry. This time as the story opens, eldest brother Telford and Alexis, the former house manager, are preparing for their wedding, however AFTER THE LOVING centers on the middle brother Russ and Velma, Alexis' sister.
Alexis has arrived in Eagle Park to serve as a witness to her sister's marriage and is once again drawn to Russ. Russ is the brother who is engrossed in his work as an architect and has never dealt with his ill feelings towards his wayward mother, thus he will not allow anyone, especially a woman, to steal his heart. However, Velma has managed to get under his skin and when she stays in Eagle Park to keep Tara, Alexis' inquisitive five-year old daughter, Russ guards his heart with an ironclad fist, which makes for a strange courtship between the two. Once again little Tara is the voice of reason and she is a child who endears herself to those around her.
Gwynne Forster has developed a rich storyline of not just romance but other human emotions that make you take stock of what and who is important. Forster has managed to exhibit Russ' classic middle child tendencies with compassion and empathy. The imagery used of inner city Baltimore and the countryside of Maryland is vivid and arresting. The dramatics, foresight and understanding the characters bring to the pages can be classified as romance at its best. This second installment of the Harrington brothers and their significant others is an interesting tale simply because Russ and Velma both have uncomfortable issues and misunderstandings that prevent them from fully committing to their yearnings.
Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Two Thumbs Up for the Big Girls Doing IT!, January 31, 2005
This review is from: After The Loving (Arabesque) (Mass Market Paperback)
I enjoyed this story very much. Being a plus size woman myself I could relate to the feelings of low self esteem that Velma had. If you have never been overweight, handicapped or suffer some other physical disability you wouldn't know what that person is feeling on the inside. Velma was lucky that that she found Russ, a man who loved her just the way she was, A beautiful, voluptuous woman. Having a sister that is tall, thin and beautiful had to have an effect on her psyche. I enjoyed this sequel that begins at the wedding of Alexis and Telford. Thanks Gwynne and I can't wait for Drake's story and more of Tara, Henry, Alexis and Telford in September 2005.
Patsy Nelson
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sexy Has No Dress Size, May 14, 2005
This review is from: After The Loving (Arabesque) (Mass Market Paperback)
In After The Loving by Gwynne Forster, we explore the budding attraction between Velma Brighton and Russell Harrington. Velma is a full figured, educated caterer with a growing business and growing insecurities due to her weight. Velma's weight issues hit their peek the day she watches her sexy and thin sister (Alexis) walk down the aisle to the man of her dreams.
Russ Harrington is the strong silent type. Russ was raised as part of a loving and open family but he always remained the loner that is until Velma enters his life. With Velma, Russ is able to laugh and enjoy life. He even begins to envision himself with a family of his own. Things would be perfect if Velma would stop obsessing over her weight.
Will Velma find the true root to her weight obsession? Will Russ be able to stand by Velma as she struggles through her weight issues? You will have to read to find those answers.
After The Loving was a sweet romance story with interesting character's made real in true Gwynne Forster style. I applaud the way Forster depicted the struggles many plus size women experience through out their lives. Velma's weight insecurities were never underplayed. Velma's character was real, with real life issues and feelings. And Russ was the man of every woman's dreams. As a plus size women myself it was nice to see the strong handsome man that truly loved the woman with curves.
Reviewed by Desiree
for BBW Reviews
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