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MIRA April 2004 paperback
Reviewer Sissy Jacobson
Romantic Suspense
In Laurel Scanlon's family the unusual gift of sight is passed down from
generation to generation to the eldest daughter. Laurel's mother, an only
child, died when Laurel was young. She was led by her father to believe
that this gift had driven her mother insane and caused her death. This
"so-called gift" is an embarrassment to her father; a high powered
Washington, D.C. attorney. She has become an amusement at his parties, his
guests laughing behind her back. She has no friends, never able to trust
anyone. There is no doubt her father loves her, but he is growing colder
toward her since she broke off her recent engagement. For some time now,
Laurel has been thinking of moving out on her own, but is taking her time
deciding where she wants to go.
In the meantime, Laurel has a lover. A wonderful, secret lover who only
comes to her in the night as she is falling asleep. She retires earlier
and earlier each night so she can be with him. She doesn't know his name
nor does she ever see his face, but he makes the sweetest love to her, and
stays until she falls asleep in his arms. He is gone by morning, only to
reappear that night. How she longs to know who he is and how to find him.
She doesn't understand it, but she lives for the nights he is with her.
When an attorney for her maternal grandmother asks to meet with her, she
is surprised. She has been estranged from her grandmother all her life,
and has only been to Mimosa Grove once as a child. Located in the bayous
near a small town in Louisiana, the plantation holds fond memories for
Laurel. Through the attorney, Laurel learns her grandmother has died and
willed everything to her. This is the excuse Laurel needs to leave her
father. It will be a relief to both without hurting her father's feelings.
Not knowing what to expect of the residents of Bayou Jean, Louisiana, but
braced for the worse, Laurel is surprised by the friendly acceptance with
which she is received. Since her grandmother's death, they have had no one
to turn to when they needed help with the unexplainable. Her grandmother
was much loved and highly esteemed, a decided difference from the way
Laurel had been treated all her life.
Justin Bouvier has been having strange dreams for months about a woman
with whom he makes love each night. He can't stop thinking about her, but
has no idea who she is. Nothing he does rids her from his sleeping and
waking hours. Is he losing his mind?
Shortly after Laurel arrives at Mimosa Grove, four-year-old Rachell Mouton
goes missing in the swamp. When people come to Laurel for help, she is
hesitant, however, she 'sees' the child, the niece of Justin Bouvier. She
tells them where to find her, and "speaks" to Rachell, keeping her safe
from drowning until her uncle can reach her. Instead of being an outcast
in this small town, Laurel is a heroine, and welcomed with open arms. When
she and Justin meet, they recognize one another immediately.
MIMOSA GROVE is an exciting mystery employing the supernatural along with
a history that must be completed before the spirits can rest. I have read
several books by Dinah McCall, and find this is by far her best. The only
complaint I have is there are too many things occurring in too short a
time that need Laurel's intervention. The love story is beautiful, with
the strong, loving hero who guards his heroine. Filled with a cast of
interesting characters, including Elvis the attack peacock, this book
keeps moving at a smooth, rapid pace. Danger abounds in these swamps and
strange occurrences threaten the lives of Laurel and those she loves.
If you are a lover of romantic suspense spiced with the supernatural, I
can readily recommend MIMOSA GROVE.
July 2004
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