Simple Pleasures Review: Return to Me

Written by Brenda Seward

Simple PleasuresReview:

Return to Me by Catherine Berlin

When Catherine Berlin took part in our recent Banned Books Week event I had an opportunity to talk to her about her newest paperback release- Return to Me. At that time she confessed to me that of all her books, Return to Me was the one closest to her heart. After reading it, I can understand why.

A wonderfully told tale of destiny, myth and legend... but most especially of the timeless strength of true and lasting love. The tragic love of the two main characters transcends not just a single life, but many lifetimes over hundreds of years.

This star-crossed couple has met time and time again, beginning in thirteenth century Scotland. They find each other, reveling in their abiding love and passion for each other, only to be parted again and again by an evil nemesis that follows them into each new life. However, in this most recent life, things are a bit different. Maureen retains her memory of all that has passed before, but her soul-mate- Trevor (in this incarnation) has no memory of what has passed between them. Indeed, at their first meeting, although he is immediately drawn to her, Trevor believes Maureen is definitely crazy.

Of course, more than Trevor's apparent lack of memory has changed in this lifetime. Maureen has experienced too many lives as a victim, and as a result has become a proactive modern woman who conducts lectures and demonstrations on self-defense for women. She has also decided not to wait for the current incarnation of their murderous nemesis to find them. She has been hunting him down herself, trying in every way possible to thwart his actions as he works his way toward herself and her love. Maureen's actions throw her and Trevor together and despite his skepticism, he eventually cannot discount the clarity of Maureen's uncanny vision and her devotion to their shared destiny.

Return to Me spans centuries, dropping delicious tidbits of history and myth, intertwining them with a thrilling saga of murderous revenge and a poignant, ageless love story. It will keep you intrigued from the first page to the last.

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Review by Brenda Seward

Simple Pleasures Books & Gifts

http://www.simplepleasuresbooksandgifts.com

http://www.alibris.com/stores/spbooks1

Catherine Berlin is a Richmond area author, teacher and singer. Read more about her and her other novels on her website: http://web.me.com/catherineberlin/Site/Welcome.html