Double Trouble [Paperback]

Claire Cross (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 4, 2005

When a good twin's picture-perfect life implodes, it's her bad twin sister who is left behind to pick up the pieces.

There's no love lost between Maralys and her sister's husband. But his transformation in the shadow of divorce from suit-guy to sexy jeans guy-and from workaholic father to doting dad-catches Maralys off guard...

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Maralys O'Reilly is the twin with the bad reputation, but if you're in trouble she's the one to call, and her two nephews do just that when they're stranded. Good old Aunt Maralys has always lived life on her own terms even after a bad marriage that left her in serious debt and wary of men. Her brother-in-law and adversary, James, who was the ideal catch (i.e., a wealthy lawyer), not only must face divorce from Maralys' twin, Marcia, he's also jobless and in debt. Maralys, who runs an advice-dispensing Web site, offers suggestions to James about simplifying his life and then is surprised when he moves to a middle-class Boston neighborhood. The two find that they are very attracted to each other, but Maralys worries about being a Marcia substitute and sure could use some good advice. Cross' cutting-edge romance proves that not all identical twins are alike while giving the reader insight into Web etiquette that is as entertaining as the story. Patty Engelmann
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Claire Cross writes medieval romances for Dell under the name Claire Delacroix.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade (January 4, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425201791
• ISBN-13: 978-0425201794
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,214,813 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Claire Cross is a pseudonym which has been used by romance author Deborah Cooke, who also writes as Claire Delacroix.

There are no scheduled new releases under this name at this time. The eight previously published Claire Cross novels are no longer available new from the publisher. Please visit Chateau Delacroix at http://www.delacroix.net for more information about digital re-releases of these books or click on the titles below for Kindle editions.

For more information about Claire Delacroix titles, please visit http://www.delacroix.net
For more information about Deborah Cooke titles, please visit
http://www.deborahcooke.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very funny contemporary ro, October 31, 2001

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Double Trouble (Paperback)

In Boston, Maralys O’Reilly enjoys providing netiquette advice to users. However, her quiet life ends when she receives a call from her preadolescent nephew who tells her that their mother Marcia has failed to pick him or his younger brother up. Their father James remains en route from California. Maralys picks up the kids and takes them to their suburban home. Not long afterward, James arrives home to learn Marcia left him. A few days later, James visits Maralys and kisses her, but she says she is not a Marcia substitute even if she is her twin.

(...)

DOUBLE TROUBLE is a very funny contemporary romance mostly told by the irreverent Maralys’ perspective with her Internet musings as a key element in understanding her. James and the support cast enhance readers’ comprehension of what makes Maralys tick. Though James’ problem with his father is an unnecessary sidebar, even if it places him in financial jeopardy, fans will fully appreciate Claire Cross’ amusing tale.

Harriet Klausner

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Both Funny and Serious - Good Read!, November 17, 2004

By 

M. Rondeau (West Springfield, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Double Trouble (Paperback)

When Maralys O'Reilly received the phone call from her 10 year old nephew telling her he and his younger brother were stranded because their mother, her twin sister Marcia hadn't picked them up, she raced across Boston to get them. Bringing them home she was surprised to find a note - from her sister not addressed to her, but hey, under the circumstances she read it - telling the boys father, James that she was leaving - and good luck with the boys! Maralys and James had been at each other's throats for a long time, but she'd never imagined there was so much trouble in paradise. Besides Marcia leaving for parts unknown, James was deep in debt, losing his job and his inheritance.

Surviving a bad marriage and climbing out of debt herself, Maralys wasn't sympathetic for James, even though Marcia seemed to be in the wrong to just abandon them. As a web-designer running her own business, Maralys was emerging into her own writing code and running an advice column on the web. She now found herself offering advice to James on downsizing and living more modestly. Surprised when he took her advice, started downsizing and moved into a middle-class neighborhood, Maralys, who'd used anger as a safeguard to her heart, was now looking at James in a new way. When James started putting moves on her, Maralys began to wonder if he was looking for a substitute wife or, was he looking for more. More importantly, was she ready to take a chance on love again.

I found this contemporary to be both humorous and serious. It demonstrates how innocent comparisons made by parents can have an effect on shaping a child's psyche. In such a way, the author characterized Maralys as this wise cracking cynic who at thirty something was still a rebel - using cynicism as a shield to mask barbs still being inflicted by an aging father and caused her to retreat into the safety of her cyber world rather than living in the real world. James was also drawn as a bit more complex then just the abandoned husband, whose live had been given a major shake-up and now was learning how to be a real father. The kids were sweet, even as they too were given a `wake-up' call from living high to a more modest way of life.

While not your ordinary romance, especially with the ex-brother-in-law getting involved with his ex-wife's sister, it is still a romance, but with a surprising twist that readers will enjoy. The often-irreverent musings of advice on the internet will have you all thinking of Dear Abby, and there are truly some gems of sage advice to the lovelorn here! - BOTTOM LINE - Although not your typical boy meets girl romance - it is amusing and provides some food for thought on how innocent remarks made in the hearing of little ears can have life-changing repercussions. --- Marilyn, for www.contemporaryromancewriters.com ---

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Undiscovered Treasure, January 8, 2005

By 

S. L. Blood - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Double Trouble (Paperback)

This book is wonderful, funny and touching. Yeah, I know people throw these terms around but this really is an unfairly neglected favorite. Maralys' voice is a joy to read. The revelation of the events that have shaped her unique character is particularly effective.
Claire Cross/Delacroix does a great job with the first person; I've been searching for a new title for years, in vain, alas. Grab it - get one for your best friend while you're at it.