TITLE: From Now Until Forever
AUTHOR: Sherry Gloag
PUBLISHER: Astraea Press
PURCHASE:
MAIN GENRE: Contemporary Romance
SECONDARY GENRE: Action/Adventure
LENGTH: 91 pages
HEAT LEVEL: Luke Warm
ROSE RATING: 3.5
REVIEWED BY: Anya
BLURB:
For Prince Liam, families meant bad news, unwanted commitments, and the loss of his personal freedom. Love spawned white picket fences, slippers at the hearth with a wife and kids making demands, so why did those images disappear when he met Melanie Babcot?
Melanie Babcot fought hard to escape the horrors of her youth and vowed to remain single and free, so when paid to protect Prince Liam from insurgents why did her personal pledge fly out the window?
REVIEW:
Can’t buy me love…
Like any other spoiled prince, Liam was used to getting his way and getting what he wanted. Until he left his family home, he’d been a bit of a player. His father wanted him to settle down, start a family. But Liam wouldn’t marry for convenience. Heck, he didn’t want to marry at all, until Melanie. She didn’t know his background, didn’t know his status, didn’t know about his wealth—or so he thought. He’d finally found a woman who loved him and shared in what he enjoyed most—horses. But one doesn’t just walk away from a wealthy family targeted by enemies. When the past catches up, he suddenly realizes his wife isn’t who he thought she was. He isn’t even sure she’s legally his wife. Seems they’ve both been keeping some secrets.
Melanie lived for her job. She was good, one of the best. And she never let personal feelings get involved. Yet, all her years of discipline and self-restraint went right out the window when she met Liam for the first time. The wayward prince quickly worked his charms on her and worked his way into her heart. While she knew his safety and protection were her main duties—she’d give her life protecting him if need be—marrying him didn’t fall in the realm of her responsibilities. She’d crossed the line of professionalism. When would be assassins find their location, she has to put all matters of the heart aside and do what she was hired for—protect the prince at all cost.
From Now Until Forever started out strong, with action right at the beginning. I was quickly pulled into the drama and eager to find out what would happen. As the story moves along, though, it loses some of it’s initial bang. It’s a little different in that you don’t meet two characters and watch as the plot unfolds to bring them together. Rather, you’re introduced to them after the fact, then watch as their world gets torn apart. Despite the obvious affection Liam and Melanie have for each other, they’ve built their relationship on secrets and half-truths, one’s that may destroy their young love—if they don’t get killed first.
From Now Until Forever is a story of reckoning for both characters. Melanie must face the decisions she’s made in regards to her relationship with Liam, and the potential consequences they may bring, and Liam must return to the home and family he’d walked away from and take his proper place as delineated by birth. Both of them have to decide if the revelations they’ve discovered about each other are ones they can accept. It’s a touching story in that you see how outside factors can easily destroy the hopes and dreams of a future, but also how determination, love, and commitment can persevere.
Overall, I enjoyed the story. I would have like to see a few more loose ends resolved, but I think it’s left wide open for another tale. Ms. Gloag had created a lovely drama of role reversal where the champion is a lady, and the spoiled brat is a prince—an endearing and entertaining combination that’s sure to prove a worthwhile read for anyone.
