Love Once Again

This is a warm and moving story about losing love and being afraid to find it again. When Richard Lowry loses his beloved wife and young daughter in a horrible accident, he closes off his heart and can no longer bring himself to work at what he does best--professional photography. Janine Henderson is a single mother, left by a cheating husband. Janine doesn't let life get her down. She's a strong, confidant woman, both in her career as an editor and as a mother to her young daughter. But when her boss sends her on an assignment to coax Richard into fullfilling a multi-book contract, Janine soon finds Richard means more to her than just as a business client. Richard, too, is quickly drawn to Janine, and finds himself struggling with letting go of his past and letting himself love once again. Devon Archer does a fine job in telling the story of people who will touch your heart and seem so real, you will feel you are right there with them.

In New York City, the African American company Callister-Reynolds Vice President Dennis DeMetris is concerned that one of the firm's top sellers; writer-photographer Richard Lowry has not done anything in three years. His last work, Autumn in Zimbabwe remains a huge commercial and critical success. Dennis sends newcomer Janine Henderson to California to demand that the recluse complete his contract of two more artistic coffee table books. Knowing she has no choice though she is worried about her seven years old daughter, Janine goes west to see Richard. He has not worked since his wife and their child tragically died. Janine has not trusted men since she realized her now former spouse not only cheated on her, but held her culpable that he did. Neither one is in the market for even a tryst let alone a relationship, but their attraction ignores the past though they emotionally cannot. Still as they fall in love, both must let go of their previous relationships if they are to forge something new. This great second chance at love psychological contemporary drama stars two likable mentally "self-imprisoned" individuals. The story line mostly focuses on the growing relationship between Janine and Richard, but also provides some enlightening flashbacks to his deceased family. Readers will appreciate this fine tale cleverly enhanced by strong family members (her daughter, his widower father, and the ghosts of his late wife and child and her still living ex) as everyone will wonder whether the present can overcome the traumas of the past. Harriet Klausner