This is the question that Leigh Fallon is faced with when she learns that her marriage to Congressman Bob Fallon is not as honest as she's always assumed. It feels like Bob has been all but ignoring her, except to criticize, and Leigh finds herself helplessly drawn to Erik, the twenty-something Norwegian exchange student who's staying in their home. When she finds proof that Bob has been spending his free time in the arms of his beautiful, young Capitol Hill secretary, Leigh decides that "enough is enough" and allows herself to begin a relationship with Erik.
Little does she know that her affair with the young Norwegian will change her life forever, setting in motion a series of events that bring tragedy, anguish, and ultimately a discovery of hidden strength and courage.
Bellacera (Border Crossings) sets this pleasingly melodramatic sudser on Capitol Hill and the fjords of Norway. In her 40s, Leigh Fallon appears to have everything: married to a congressman, she has three terrific children and a successful career illustrating children's books. Unfortunately, her boorish husband, Bob, generally ignores her, belittles her successes and refuses to sleep with her. When Leigh discovers that Bob has been cheating on her with his administrative assistant, it's the last straw. She now feels liberated to begin her own affair with Erik Haukeland, the 27-year-old Norwegian exchange student who's been living in the Fallon home and who has made it clear from the day of his arrival that he desires Leigh. As the two fall in love, it spells the overdue end of the Fallon marriage, but there's more trouble ahead. Bob turns the children against their mother and, when Leigh accompanies Erik to Norway, she uncovers secrets that alter the picture entirely. Even after a new man enters her life, Leigh faces further domestic turbulence and heartache. While most of the characterization rings true, Bob's churlish behavior and ultraconservative politics are overdrawn to cartoonish effect, making it hard for readers to understand why sensitive Leigh ever married him. On the other hand, domestic scenes between Leigh and the kids, rendered with casual ease, form a strong counterpoint to the moral problems Leigh must confront. As for the core theme how one balances responsibility to family with responsibility to oneself it should resonate with readers, many of whom are confronted with the same question on a daily basis. Border Crossings was a finalist in two categories for the Romance Writers of America's RITA Award; this new novel is written with similar assurance. Author appearances in Virginia.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
My work has appeared in magazines such as Woman's World, The Star, Endless Vacation and The Washington Post. I'm the author of four acclaimed novels published by Tor/Forge Books. My latest novel, CHOCOLATE ON A STICK, a quirky book about an elderly Appalachian couple on the run from a nursing home in a red Corvette, released in trade paperback by Baycrest Books in September 2005, was a 2005 Kentucky Literary Award in Fiction Nominee. My first novel, "Border Crossings", a hardcover published by Forge Books in May of 1999, was a 2000 RITA Award nominee for Best Romantic Suspense and Best First Book, a nominee for the 2000 Virginia Literary Award in Fiction. It was also a 2000 finalist in the Golden Quill award and in the Aspen Gold Award and won 1st Place in the Volusia County 2000 Laurel Wreath Award. My work has appeared in various anthologies such as Kay Allenbaugh's Chocolate for a Woman's Heart, Chocolate for a Couples' Heart and Chicken Soup for Couples. I grew up in Pittsboro, Indiana, and graduated from high school in 1971 at Pittsboro High. Although I had dreams of becoming a novelist, I joined the United States Air Force to see the world and became a medical technician, serving assignments at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois and in Crete, Greece. It was in Crete that I met my Italian-American husband, Frank Bellacera, and my article about that meeting, 'Streaking for Love,' appeared in CHICKEN SOUP FOR COUPLES and CHOCOLATE FOR A WOMAN'S HEART. In 1985, after a chance meeting with Princess Di and Prince Charles at Andrews Air Force Base, I rediscovered my love affair with the written word. My first published story, "The Day Princess Di Spoke to Me," appeared in the military magazine, Family. From that time on, I never looked back. It took eleven years, but finally, with BORDER CROSSINGS, I realized my dream of becoming a published novelist. Now a resident of Northern Virginia, I've been married to Frank, a retired Air Force man, for thirty-seven years, and I'm the proud mother of two grown children, and grandmother to two gorgeous boys, Luke, 2, and Zealand, 17 months. As a military wife, I've had had the privilege of living in some wonderful places, including Hawaii, Greece, Colorado and North Carolina. In addition to my writing career, I've worked as a medical technician, a librarian, an executive secretary and a receptionist for a member of Congress on Capitol Hill. When I'm not writing, my most favorite thing to do in the world is spend time with my grandsons. If I can't do that--because they live 9 hours away--I like to make jewelry every afternoon while watching Dr. Phil, which I sell at Etsy.com and craft shows. If you want to check out my designs, you can do so at BeautifulEveningBead.etsy.com.
This review is from: East of the Sun, West of the Moon (Mass Market Paperback)
One of the unexpected joys of writing reviews for Amazon is not only hearing from other readers but also receiving messages from many authors as well. In some cases these are often authors of books I've reviewed and in some cases they are authors suggesting I read their books. Carole Bellacera is an author who contacted me, suggested I read her latest book East of the Sun, West of the Moon and then offered to send me a copy. Immediately I responded that I would love to read this book and would review it once I finished it.
I must admit that when I first looked at the book I didn't think I would enjoy it that much. To begin with except for one or two favorite romance authors, I've more or less stopped reading this genre. And of the romance books I do read and those I loved the least favorite theme I enjoyed is that of a younger man and older woman. Now that I've said that I must now add, that I was pleasantly surprised by this book. In the tradition of authors like LaVyrle Spencer and Barbara Taylor Bradford, Bellacera presents characters who are on the brink of changes in their lives and are also forced to make difficult decisions. And these decisions may ultimately cause hardships for some involved and joy to others.
Central to the story is 40 years old, Leigh Fallon wife of a Congressman and mother of 3 children ranging in age from 10 to 19. While Leigh closes her eyes concerning Bob's emotional abuse towards her and his frequent absences from home, she can't deny the fact that he has been an unfaithful husband when evidence stares her in the face. But she puts her feelings aside until her son suggests housing a 27 year old exchange and graduate student from Norway. Suddenly Leigh has feelings for this young man that she thought she had long buried and when Erik seems to feel the same way, events are set in motion for a good book.
Bellacera weaves an interesting tale as Leigh comes to grips with her own feelings, her deceitful and philandering husband, her judgmental children and two men who offer her Happiness. Interspersed between the pages of this book are Norse folktales and legends along with well-written descriptions of various parts of Norway. And the book which is divided into two parts gains interest as a new man enters Leigh's life and there's also a bit of mystery surrounding the parentage of a young child and Erik.
This novel was a fast read for me and I did enjoy it. It is a true romance novel with a happily ever after ending but I won't say anything more than suggest you read this book.
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This is one of the most black&white painted story I read in a long time. The main characters are reflecting every clichee you ever heard of: the unfaithful, career-oriented congressman, the naive wife with a job as a children's book illustrator that is not taken serious by her husband, and the ever listening, handsome "quarter-back" type Norvegian exchange student. There is no space for the characters to develop.
After giving this book three chances to "improve", I gave up at page 75 (of 380). This was too much for me. When did they start to publish dime novels as hard covers?
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Leigh is married to a senior congressman. They have three beautiful children and a fantastic home in Virginia. Yet Leigh is totally miserable. Her husband is always on the run and never has time for her. The little time they spend together is celibate because he's impotent at least with her. Her esteem has sunk to an all time low when a postgraduate exchange student from Denmark stays with them for a year.
From the time they set eyes on each other, Leigh and Erik have a red hot molten attraction for one another. Leigh resists going to bed with him until she finds some condoms in her husband's bag. She knows then that he is cheating on her because she had her tubes tied years ago. Thus Leigh and Eric have an affair but have much to overcome, including another woman, if they want to make a life together.
Carla Bellacera has written a fabulous relationship drama in which people make bad decisions for the right reasons, a practice that leads to heartache for everyone concerned. EAST OF THE SUN, WEST OF THE MOON is a beautiful love story that will appeal to fans of Belva Plain and Laura van Wormer.
Harriet Klausner
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