"Too many characters and sub-plots in a short book."

Rose Ann Shawnassy meets, gets pregnant, and quickly marries Marine Sergeant Mark Grady. Moments after the wedding ceremony, he has to head to Beruit. Shortly after he arrives, the barracks is bombed and Mark is killed. When Mark's family in Nashville, TN, is not informed of his death, his brother, Dennis, makes inquiries of the Liaison Office at Camp Lejeune. He is informed that the next of kin, Mark's wife, has been informed. Thinking that there is something fishy going on since the family was not informed of any marriage, Dennis takes off to meet the "gold digger" and solve the mystery. Of course, Dennis falls in love with Rose and all ends happily ever after.

The author's dedication states: "Crimson Rose is dedicated to the memory of those that gave their all, and to those whose lives were forever changed. May their sacrifice never be forgotten."

This could have been a good book, but for the incomprehensively large number of secondary and tertiary characters getting in the way; plot tangents that were thrown in for no obvious reasons; lengthy verbatim quotes of President Regan's speeches regarding the incident; and highly distracting abrupt transitions between point-of-view and scenes.

This book is 139 pages; in a such a short format we are introduced to: main characters, Rose and Dennis; Rose's foster family Gunny, Maggie (Gunny's late wife), Pete, and Debbie -- who all work at Gunny's Cafe; Shealynn and Bill, Mark's parents; Lt. Commander Dr. Sheala Rosenthal, the OB; Roxanne, a topless dancer at the Leatherneck Bar; Linda, wife of another Marine; Richard Shawnassy, Rose's "father"; Thomas Rogers, CIA, Rose's real father; Barney and Frank, operatives who work for the Grady's investigation firm; 15 characters in all. The last four characters were part of a plot tangent that contributed nothing to the storyline except to add pages to the book.

Transitions between scenes were often abrupt. Point of view changed with no immediate identification of the different character. This reviewer often had to backtrack in the text to figure out what was going on. The development of the love story between Dennis and Rose, although encouraged by dream visits from the late Sgt. Mark Grady, seemed contrived. Love scenes seemed forced, and were lukewarm.

This reviewer did not like the book. I would encourage the writer to continue writing, but to find an editor who can help tighten plot lines and develop characters.

Reviewed by Karen Zorn for Sensual Romance.

Reviewed by Sensual Romance
Posted May 18, 2002