Rena Sutherland’s life changed forever on the day her husband left her for a much younger woman. For over thirty years, Rena had been a kept woman – the beautiful arm charm and graceful wife of The Honorable Mayor James Sutherland, a most handsome politician and respected land developer in the small town of Cider, Vermont. In a dramatic exposure of James’ illicit affairs, secrets, and crooked deals, Rena is jolted to finally face what’s real. As Rena tries to meet her fate with fortitude, she is forced to make a new start and redefine living – alone. Slowly, Rena takes her life back. Her newfound self is a charm to all, and James Sutherland can’t help but notice -- rethinking his decision of leaving Rena as perhaps the biggest mistake in his whole life. Can James woo her back? Someone else has come along, too, vying for her heart. Rena must decide if returning to James’ arms is the right thing, or if her gentleman caller, Eddy Alexander, a poet and a potter, can whisk her to a romantic world in which a woman is allowed to be strong and assertive and an equal partner. Love and life only begin at fifty. |
| BOOK REVIEWS This amazing book addresses a plot seldom discussed and rarely written about! A woman, Irene (Rena) Sutherland, over 50, who had lived for over 30 years with one man (her first love) and had become his Arm Charm, has a sudden rude awakening! Rena’s husband, James, came home late one night and told her he had slept with his much younger assistant, Charlotte Devon. What did Rena do? She held him while he slept! She had, for the past 30+ years, never been allowed to think for herself. James was always hard on her, even though he loved her. He laid out the clothes and shoes she was to wear wherever they were going. He dictated her life and it revolved around him. As mayor of Cider, Vermont, he was well-known and liked. No one knew about his dark side except his wife—not even their grown daughter, Laura. The supporting characters were sharp, believable people, such as her neighbor, Jane. While this book addressed many problems faced today in marriages, it is one that is almost never talked about. The main characters, including the ‘new interest’ that surfaced in Rena’s life, was true-to-life, loveable (in some cases) people. This author, Ms. Doreen Lewis, was unknown to me; however, I really like her writing style. It is good to see someone honestly focus on the circumstances some women face, such as how to let go of one aspect of her life yet better her emotional side. There were some horrible conditions that emerged which made for a much better plot. How Rena dealt with her own grief, plus that of her daughter and her estranged husband, was critical for her emergence into another frame-of-mind living. When she had an accident and hit the older gentleman, Eddy Alexander, she had to consider what was best for HER! This is a good book with very interesting communication between adults of different generations about how a bad situation could surface uniquely for all involved. There were definitely surprises in the book! Overall, I liked the book and what it projected! Overall rating: Sensuality rating: Very sensual Reviewer: Brenda Talley May 2, 2007 Overall rating: Sensuality rating: Very sensual 4 Hearts out of 5 Reviewer: Brenda Talley, The Romance Studio May 2, 2007 ******************************************************************************************** ***** Contemporary Rating: 4 Cups out of 5 Coffee Cups Rena Sutherland thought her marriage would last until death ‘one’ does part. It all tumbles when husband James, confesses his affair with a much younger woman. Politician James Sutherland knew sleeping with his executive assistant, Charlotte Devon was wrong. The temptation was strong but he was certain his wife would forgive him. Eddy Alexander is a pottery artist. On his way, to the library, to drop off boxes for the Fall Festival, an automobile crash with Rena brings them closer in more ways than one. Rena is shocked, and filled with anger and heartache after hearing about James and Charlotte. Divorce is not in her vocabulary until she sees pictures of James and Charlotte together, only making her more furious. She takes steps for a divorce and to start a new life. James is sorry for his actions and tries everything to get Rena to forgive him but she throws him out of the house. Even their daughter, Laura, cannot help matters when she comes home for a visit. Just when Rena has doubts that she could have been the one to have driven James away because she was not attentive enough or pretty enough, Eddy comes into her life, making her feel like a beautiful strong woman. News of racketeering charges and a scandal surface with Charlotte and James, causing Rena to rethink her life. Arm Chair is a read that hits many homes when a spouse is caught cheating. Rena’s emotions are a common reaction of many women when betrayed. The dialogue between Rena and James comes across realistically. Doreen Lewis tells a story many can relate. From politicians, cheating, and lies, she spins a tale with secondary characters that create an absorbing read and shows that life does not stop at fifty. Cherokee Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books ******************************************************************************************** ******************************** Doreen Lewis has delved into a formerly barren and essentially ignored literary territory in her novel, Arm Charm. There seems to be a grand cosmic law in force that dictates that no one over the age of 50 should (or can) fall in love, with the codicil that even if such a bizarre thing happened, it wouldn’t be worth reading about. Lewis has proved all that couldn’t be more incorrect. Her characters are sharply defined—as are their emotions—and the scenes and situations are real and powerful. The love that develops between a freshly divorced woman in her 50s and an older artist comes off the page realistically, sweetly, and very, very believably. Arm Charm is a strong and highly evocative novel that’ll touch the heart of all readers. Paul Bagdon who also writes as Paige Lee Elliston Author of Partners (2006), Deserter (2006); and Northern Hearts (2007) |
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| Arm Charm by Doreen Lewis. |
doreenlewis.com
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