Once In A Lifetime (Arabesque) [Mass Market Paperback]

Gwynne Forster (Author)

Book Description

Series: Arabesque | Publication Date: July 1, 2002

With a young daughter to support, recently divorced Alexis Stevenson jumps at the chance to become household manager for wealthy businessman Telford Harrington and his two brothers. Though she knows it won't be easy turning their bachelor-pad mansion into a home, she is determined to handle any obstacles, while maintaining a separate life for herself and her daughter. But Alexis isn't at all ready for the red-hot chemistry crackling between her and Telford—or the fact that she's suddenly caught in a maze of unexpected secrets and deep mistrust. But if she and Telford find their way through it—together—can they both embrace the love they so deeply desire?

--This text refers to an alternate Mass Market Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Divorcee Alexis Stevenson wants a stable life for her young daughter, Tara, so she accepts a position as housekeeper at Harrington House. She and Tara soon win the affection of three bachelor brothers and their grizzled cook. Her feelings for Telford, the oldest, metamorphose into a passionate love, one that he feels for her as well. But three secrets keep her from committing to him. Written in a warm, sensual style, this book features well-developed, sympathetic secondary characters, while two strong subplots involve revenge for an old wrong and a former husband who has no feelings for his own child. Forster, a best-selling author of twelve romance novels and five novels, has been recognized with many honors, including the Black Writers Alliance Gold Pen Award and the Affaire de Coeur Award for Best Romance with an African-American Hero and Heroine. Shelley Mosley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Kimani Press (July 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583141936
• ISBN-13: 978-1583141939
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,832,893 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

ABOUT GWYNNE FORSTER
Gwynne Forster is national best-selling and award-winning author of seven novels of general fiction, thirty-one romance novels, and eight mainstream and romance novellas. All of her mainstream novels and several of her romance novels have been featured in Black Expressions Magazine. When Twilight Comes, her first mainstream novel, was featured on the magazine's cover, and it also remained on the Essence Magazine list of best sellers for several months. Her latest mainstream novels, A Different Kind Of Blues and Getting Some of Her Own were published in October 2007 snf 2008, respectively to excelledt reviews. Publiher's Weekly called A Different Kind of Blues "An ode to life...wise and wonderful..."

Among her many awards and forms of recognition, Gwynne is most proud of her election in 2006 to the Affaire de Coeur Magazine Hall Of Fame and of the Life Time Ahcievement Award conferred by Romantic Times Magazine in 2007. The following novels were nominated by Affaire de Coeur Magazine for 'Best romance novel of the year with African-American Hero and heroine: Ecstasy, Obsession, Naked Soul, Fools Rush In, Swept Away, Secret Desire, Scarlet Woman. Winners of the award were: Beyond Desire,Ecstasy, Naked Soul, Fools Rush In, and Swept Away. Readers of Affaire de Coeur Magazine named Gwynne one of Top Ten Favorite Authors for the years 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2006, and one of five outstanding achievers (1998). Rendezvous Magazine voted Secret Desire "Rose Bud of the month" for November 2003. The 2001 Gold Pin Award from Black Writers Reunion and Conference went to Beyond Desire.

Double Day Book Club and Literary Guild selected Beyond Desire and used the book to start the Black Expressions Book Club. Romance In Color internet site gave its 1999 Award of Excellence to Against The Wind and voted Gwynne Author of the Year. The site voted Flying High runner-up to best romance of the year 2003 and gave it Honorable mention. Romance Slam Jam 2000 nominated Gwynne for the Vivian Stephens Lifetime Achievement Award. Romance Slam Jam 2001 gave Gwynne an Emma Award for her novella, "Learning to Love" in the anthology, Going To The Chapel. Romance Slam Jam 2003 nominated Blues From Down Deep for an Emma Award as best mainstream novel. Gwynne lectures extensively on fiction writing, and on making the first sale.

A native North Carolinian who grew up in Washington, D. C. , Gwynne holds bachelors and masters degrees in sociology, a master's degree in economics/demography and has additional graduate credits in journalism. As a demographer, she is widely published. She is formerly chief of (non-medical) research in fertility and family planning in the Population Division of the United Nations in New York and served for four years as chairperson of the International Programme Committee of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (London, England). These positions took her on official business to sixty-three developed and developing countries.

Gwynne sings on her church choir, loves to entertain, and is a museum hopper, gourmet cook and avid gardener. She enjoys classical music, opera, jazz and blues with her husband with whom she lives in New York City. She is represented by the Steel-Perkins Literary Agency, 26 Island Lane, Canandaigua, NY 14424. Reach Gwynne at P.O. Box 45, New York, N.Y. 10044; E-mail [e-mail]; Web page - http://www.gwynneforster.com -. Blog: http://gwynneforster.blogspot.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tara Gets A Family, December 16, 2002

By 

T. B. Robinson "Toni Bonita" (St. Marys, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Once In A Lifetime (Arabesque) (Mass Market Paperback)

The question: Can Alexis and Telford have a "Once In A Lifetime" love?

Combine Alexis and Tara Stevensons with the wealthy Harrington men Telford, Drake and Russ, throw in Mr. Henry the cook, Jack the ...[very not nice] ex husband and we have a lethal combination of love, lust, lies, secrets, and mistrust.

Jack gives up all rights to his precocious daughter, Tara, for money and wealth. Forcing Alexis to forge a new life for herself and Tara. In order to do this, she takes a job as a homemaker for the Harrington Men. Tara wraps all the men in the house, including Henry, around her little finger as soon as they talk to her.

Assorted sparks fly between Alexis and the men of the house. Good ones, bad ones,and indifferent ones, however the sparks which disturbs her the most are the sparks between she and Telford.

Read Ms. Forster's book to see and feel the strength, love, and trust of each character as they interact with each other. Once In A Lifetime is a page turner if ever I read one.
Reviewed by: Toni Bonita, APOOO Bookclub

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Out of the Mouths of Babes, May 29, 2003

By 

Dawn R Reeves "tamardi" (Harrisburg, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Once In A Lifetime (Arabesque) (Mass Market Paperback)

What becomes of a divorced woman with a young child starting anew? Alexis Stevenson has divorced her husband and abandoned the life she knows; what is next for Alexis? Alexis secures a position as a home manager at Harrington House in rural Maryland. Telford Harrington, along with his brothers Drake and Russ are the proprietors of Harrington House and together with their cook, the humorous and protective Mr. Henry, Harrington House has become a mansion of brooding bachelors. When Alexis reports to work with an inquisitive four-year old child at her side, the fireworks begin.

The Harrington brothers, although rich and successful in business, have not led the ideal life. Each brother is driven but Telford has something to prove and is obsessive in his business dealings. Alexis has secrets she will not reveal and is determined to turn Harrington House into a home. With an endearing heart and a captivating spirit, Tara, Alexis' daughter, has enthralled the men of Harrington House to the satisfaction of Alexis. Can this little girl change the hearts and minds of men who are accustomed to their tranquility and space? Can she change the mind of her mother who does not want to put her trust in relationships again?

Once In A Lifetime provides just enough intrigue to keep you interested in how the story plays out and the right amount of sensuous romance to keep the reader begging for more from the characters. Through the soul of a little girl, Gwynne Forster has given the reader an enchanting novel of letting go of the past and learning to trust again so that your heart can receive the love that is waiting.

Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
APOOO BookClub

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun and Entertaining, March 20, 2004

By 

T. Rhythm Knight (Coral Springs, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Once In A Lifetime (Arabesque) (Mass Market Paperback)

Once in a Lifetime, by Gwynne Forster, is a delightful read. Forster mixes a beautiful housekeeper and her daughter into a batter spiced with three brothers and a grouchy cook. Next, she turns up the heat by adding a little romance and some mischief. When all is said and done, she serves up a delightful treat that is hard to resist.

This book is a must read for romance lovers. Forster's wit shines forth as she unveils a plot laced with love and ultimately trust. The characters were well-developed and before the end of the book I felt as if I knew each one of them personally.

If you are looking for a funny and relaxing read, I recommend this book. Once you have read a book by Ms. Forster, you will want to do it more than once in a lifetime.

T.RHYTHM KNIGHT