Feng Shui Love, by Joni Davis & Lisa Hyatt

Reviewed by Brenda Seward

Do you ever read your horoscope and think, "Maybe that’s something I should consider"? In the new novel, Feng Shui Love, Lily gets a few astrological warnings that are, for her, cosmically accurate. On her way to a seemingly, postcard perfect, second-honeymoon island getaway with her husband, Lily reads her horoscope: “This month you’ll see the true character of someone close to you, and it’s not a pretty sight. Things look up when travel opportunities arrive at the end of the month. And money finds you too.”

Like most, her horoscope is irritatingly vague, while offering a tantalizing glimpse at information both good and bad. Little does Lily know at that moment how dead-on those few lines turn out to be. Just as she is about to embark on the part of her life she has been waiting fifteen years for, the wheels fall off the wagon of her happy life, and she finds herself starting over.

As Lily is trying to figure out the best way to pick up the broken pieces of her life, she makes the decision to reach out to her best friend - someone she has lost touch with over the years. Her friend, Brook, is immediately there for her, and offers Lily sanctuary in her home in New York. Brook is at her own personal and professional crossroads, so the timing of their reunion is perfect for both.

On her way to her friend’s home, Lily makes a stopover at her parents’ home. While her mother is resistant to Lily closing the door on her marriage, she offers Lily a way to repair her broken love life - Feng Shui. A recent but devoted convert to this discipline, Lily’s mother gives her a book on the subject that she proclaims will change Lily’s life. Armed with that, and with the crystal her mother insists must be placed in her “love corner,” Lily departs for New York and her friend Brook.

As Lily and Brook reconnect, they think back over old hurts and past glories, and set about doing everything they can to move forward toward love and happiness. At first, both are somewhat resistant to the Feng Shui concept of reorganizing their lives, but Lily’s mother is stubbornly insistent and eventually Brook and Lily become converts as well.

As with any new and uncharted path, theirs is full of false starts and detours - not to mention a few bumps and potholes - but eventually things work out as they were destined to all along.

Joni Davis and Lisa Hyatt, co-authors, chart the path of these two friends in fun and realistic ways, giving an entertaining glimpse into what is involved in the world of dating for the 40-something single (or single-again, as the case may be). They show how easy it is to get caught up in the pursuit of an ideal, and how that may just blind you to something that is right under your nose. As Lily and Brook set off red balloons with attached notes listing requirements of their hearts’ desire, neither is entirely convinced she will ever find it. Lily, in particular, has a crisis of confidence along the way - especially when she discovers her love life isn’t the only thing that has been turned upside down.

Feng Shui Love is a fun and engaging story that shows the path to true love is indeed a complicated one at times - even with the help of Feng Shui and friends - but well worth the journey.

Feng Shui Love will release on November 17, 2009 by Palari Publishing of Richmond, Virginia, www.palaribooks.com.

Joni and Lisa are hard at work on a sequel - Feng Shui Love Child. More about Joni & Lisa, as well as more information about their book, is available at www.fengshuilove.com.

Simple Pleasures Books & Gifts will host a book signing for Feng Shui Love authors Joni Davis & Lisa Hyatt on Friday, Nov. 20, 2009. Visit us at www.simplepleasuresbooksandgifts.com or call us at (804) 368-7736 for more details.

Review by Brenda Seward, Owner, Simple Pleasures Books & Gifts

Simple Pleasures Books & Gifts is a family owned independent bookstore, owned and managed by my three daughters, and myself. Our focus is toward women, while seeking to offer a little bit of something for everyone. From books, chocolate, unique custom gift bags and note cards to tea towels and bath products, Simple Pleasures offers just that - the simple pleasures of life.

All titles reviewed here are available at Simple Pleasures Books & Gifts in Ashland, VA or online at http://www.alibris.com/stores/spbooks.