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Book Review By Libby
The Forever Bride by Judith O'Brien

Set in New York during the mid-19th century, the historical detail is balanced carefully with the tale of Celia Thomason and Brendan O'Neil. Celia, orphaned at eight years, is a fake spiritualist and has made a decision never to marry. She was raised by relatives and when her Uncle James died he left huge debts that Celia undertook to repay after she was threatened by thugs. As a fake spiritualist she brings in an income but also helps to comfort the bereaved who wish to contact their lost loved ones. Brendan, an Irish shipping magnate, hires her to comfort his brother-in-law, Garrick Stevens, who is still grieving the loss of his wife Amanda who died in a fire. Brendan believes Celia is a fake and makes her sign a document stating that fact, however he is prepared to pay her a huge sum of money to use her "spiritualist" skills to comfort Garrick, his best friend. Celia accepts his blackmail because the money will repay the debts. Everyone is shocked when Amanda's ghost makes contact and Brendan is highly offended that Celia would resort to such trickery.   The story also follows the individual growth of Celia and Brendan, as well as their growing love for each other. An enjoyable read with romance, suspense and a ghost woven throughout the story.


Plot & Themes
Time/era of story
Action/suspense subplot? Yes
Action:
If one lover chases another... - they alternate

Main Male Character
Profession/status:
Age/status: - 20's-30's

Main Female Character - 20's-30's
Profession/status:
Magical/mental powers of main antagonist:
Unusual characteristics:

Setting
United States Yes
The US: - Northeast
City? Yes
City: - New York

Writing Style
Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths
What % of story is romance related? - 80%
How explicit is the sex? - descript of kissing - touching of anatomy
Focus of story - equally on him and her
How much dialog - significantly more descript than dialog
How much sexing? - 1-2 sex acts
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