Revelations

`Revelations' is one of those books you start reading and realize it's a truly different kind of story. Admittedly, it's about two women who fall in love despite difficult circumstances. However, that's where the proverbial formula ends and the author's true gift shines through. A reclusive Emma Sanders was raised by a controlling mother in unthinkable circumstances. After losing her entire family in a house fire, Emma's wealthy mother would not let her go to school or have unsupervised contact with the outside world. When Emma would "misbehave," her mother would have her committed to a psychological hospital. When her mother eventually dies, the adult Emma knows no different life. In walks Cay O'Neills. Cay has been hired to kill Emma. However, as she gets closer to her prey during research, Cay gets to know -- and like -- the other woman. Throughout the book, both Cay and Emma learn to overstep their self-imposed boundaries. Cay lets herself drop her professional exterior and actually develop feelings for someone. Emma lets a stranger into her home and finally finds a friend for the first time in her life. This book was previously published as `Emma's Journey' - a book I could not find - and I'm immensely glad it has been re-released. It was a true pleasure turning each page and watching the coming together of Emma and Cay. Do yourself a favor and get your own ticket for this ride.

(This book was previously published as Emma's Journey.) This book is about how people can change their lives, no matter what they have been before. Emma's life has been unfortunate from an early age. A tragic fire killed most of her family and left her mother damaged in body and spirit. Emma is raised in a world of seclusion and fear, devoid of most modern conveniences, by a woman who mentally and emotionally abuses her. Now that her mother is dead, she lives by herself, then Cay O'Neill enters her life. Emma thinks Cay is a writer who has come to the area to have time to finish a book and seems intent on befriending the reclusive woman who sees no reason why she needs a friend. In reality, Cay has been hired by someone who has a grudge against Emma and she is supposed to get close to Emma so that she can turn her over to him for his act of revenge. It isn't long before Cay realizes that she can't do that because she is very fond of the withdrawn woman and feels protective towards her, but finding a way out of the situation that won't cost both women their lives seems impossible. When the confrontation finally comes, it will be Emma who shows the surprising strength and knowledge of the world that may save them and open a new existence to them both. The fact that the book was originally called Emma's Journey is odd because both of the women in this book have a journey to make. Emma has to overcome psychological abuse and learn to live in a world with much more complexity than she was raised in, none of which is easy for her considering her past. Cay has an equal journey to make though. She has to reach past her experience and discover what it means to live a life that is decent, where she does what is right even though it may cost her money and her own safety. Each of these women is moving towards a point of new freedom and the fact that they can make the trip together strengthens them both. The characters and events in this book are well developed. Cay may decide to reject her original mission a little quickly, but it doesn't happen so fast that it detracts from the story. The best part of the story however is when Emma provides a surprising twist and moves dramatically from what, until that moment, had been a clueless victim to the character who immediately understands that what might be considered an insane act could be the solution to both of their problems. This is an almost delicious story about role reversal and how using the perception that society holds about you can have a very satisfying and surprising outcome. This book just may leave you reconsidering how you view that strange lady who lives down the road.