A Love to Behold

by Ms. Sammie Ward

Love to Behold

Ms. Sammie Ward

Lady Leo Publishing

97 Pages - $12.95 US

ISBN: 0-9763554-1-8

Reviewed by Tori Pearson

Literary Wonders!

www.literarywonders.com

10/17/2005

Rating:  3 Stars

Tender hearts beware!! Ms. Sammie Ward's "Love to Behold", is a heart-thumping, whirlwind love story!  Valencia Hill is young, single, vibrant, beautiful, and a successful entrepreneur. Valencia is a top-notch bridal consultant and the owner of New Beginnings, a bridal consulting firm.  She has planned  weddings for many well-known, affluent people from politicians to star athletes.  And to top it all off:  Valencia absolutely loves what she does.  She couldn't be happier. Or could she? She is content with planning other people's weddings. Or is she?

Cornered into attending a gala thrown by Autumn, one of her clients, Valencia prepares for the event with many reservations about the evening and attends reluctantly.  Autumn's soon-to-be husband is Andre Bowman, professional baseball player for the Baltimore Orioles. Valencia almost immediately crosses paths with Michael Gomez, Andre's teammate, and minutes later is surprisingly introduced as Michael's girlfriend.

Continuing the charade throughout the gala, Valencia secretly relishes the attention she is receiving from this incredibly handsome man, yet hesitation bubbles up when he asks her to call him.  Fortunately, Michael is persistent, and Valencia relents.  Despite the undeniable attraction, Valencia judges Michael to be a player based on the lone fact that he is a professional athlete.  Even though Valencia blames her hesistancy on the notion that Michael is a ladies' man, she fails to tell Michael that she is afraid to get her heartbroken as she had so cruelly once before. And Michael has his own unresolved issues (read: females) to deal with that just might prove Valencia's point.

Will Valencia let Michael into her heart and put her past behind her? Will Michael tell Valencia the truth and prove his love for her?

"Love to Behold" by Ms. Sammie Ward is romance in a tidy, little package and a reminder (for those of us who need it) that sometimes it's alright to let your heart take its chances.