Customer Reviews

Summer's Secret (Regency Romance, Signet)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This was the first book by Sandra Heath that I ever read, and it really knocked my socks off! Everything rang true from Summer's depression over the loss of her lover, to her coping with a serious case of diabetes. But the best part, of course, was when she was able to travel back in time and live another woman's life. It was magical! And something all of us have fantasized about at one time or another. :)
If you are only able to read one book by this terrific author, make it Summer's Secret. You WON'T be disappointed!

Trust Sandra Heath to find yet another way to incorporate her three fictional loves -- Regency, paranormal, and super-sensual -- into one terrific read! SUMMER'S SECRET is a trip to the past through hypnotic regression -- hip, funny, delightful. And sexy.

Six months after the accidental death of her lover, a bout with pneumonia, and being diagnosed with diabetes, Summer Stanway of Massachusetts, visits her only close relative, her sister Chrissie, who lives in England. Chrissie's husband Andrew is a hypno-therapist, and, thinking to humor the recuperating Summer, he agrees to try hypnosis.

Summer finds herself in 1807 as Olivia Courtenay, a young widow, meeting a friend of her former husband at the Black Lion Inn at Tetbury. She is energized with good health and exhilaration, especially after a late-arriving gentleman climbs down from his obviously expensive carriage. He is the very image of her late lover, Jack.

But just then, Andrew brings her back to the present. Arrgghh! After begging for one more attempt later that night, Summer places a tape recorder under the sofa, and later, in the middle of the night, tries Andrew's methods for herself.

Two hours of mad, passionate love with the mysterious Brand convince Summer she must journey again and again to the past, where she finds family and and mystery, too. But when the batteries go dead in the tape recorder, Summer is flung into a coma, and begins to do some serious thinking. One more trip to the past helps her decide the path she must take. I'd probably do the same, and I'll bet you would, too.

I really enjoy Sandra Heath a lot. This was a re-read for me and I had remembered some of the plot. I thought it was an interesting mix of depression, disease and loss. I did not like that Summer chose to end her "modern" life. I would have rather it was accidental. That spoiled it a little for me since her sister (Chrissie) cared about her so much.

The intrigue was a little to contrived but added to the storyline. Also, there was a twist to why Caro's father ended the engagement to Francis. I didn't see that one coming. Brand was a bit obnoxious I felt -- not sure I would fall in love with a man who basically called me a whore, but Olivia/Summer did. Since Olivia was the one that insisted only on first names & he was a stranger she slept with just after meeting, I am not sure why she was surprised at his conclusion (during that Regency time period).

I laughed about Olivia carving her long phrase in rock at the chapel. Come on with that one ... she would have been lucky to make one letter with chisel on stone but ... it is fiction!

Ended sort of happy but for the loss her sister felt I'm sure. Not a strong 4 but nice afternoon read.