The Bracelet
Harlequin Everlasting Love
By Karen Rose Smith
August 2007
Contemporary Romance
After thirty-three years of marriage, things may change, people may change. The problem for Brady and Laura Malone was something that could not be changed, and had been a constant silent issue throughout their marriage, and had affected them and their children in an unexpected profound manner.
There had been a connection from the moment they saw each other. Laura had been at an anti-war demonstration and Brady across the street. It was instantaneous, but they had known it might be short lived. Brady was soon drafted for Vietnam, and Laura was left behind. War can change a man, and so it was for Brady. They married soon after his return, immediately tried to start a family, and adopted after several miscarriages and the death of their son from SIDS.
Brady believed the past was the past, and should remain there. Laura didn't agree, but didn't fight it. Now the past had finally come back with a vengeance. As this book begins, an article had been written about Brady's actions in the war, actions that stated he killed women and children. Laura feels that Brady should address these accusations, explain what happened, but as always, Brady believes that it is the past and shouldn't be addressed. The ensuing argument ends when Brady has a heart attack.
Both Laura and Brady worry that their marriage is at risk. In the following days and weeks, Brady and Laura relive their lives together. At times, they reminisce by themselves. Sometimes, Laura tells their children stories hoping that understanding Brady's past would help build a bridge in the relationship between Brady and their son Sean.
Through it all, there is never a question of love. There is only a question of acceptance.
In The Bracelet, Karen Rose Smith has written a romance about love standing the ultimate test of time. Ms Smith always writes touching stories, but this one leaves all the others behind. From the very first page, I was hooked into finding out how these characters would overcome the obstacles life had thrown their way. How can any reader not be considering the hero has a heart attack in the prologue? We can feel their love, we know there are issues with their children, and we understand the frustration of having the buried past being put in the spotlight. This is not a story to read for a "light read". This is the story to read when you want to be moved and touched. The Bracelet is the book to read when you want the epitome of Everlasting Love.
Kathy Andrico - ReaderToReader.com
