The Secret Dreams of Emily Porter

Judith Raxten's THE SECRET DREAMS OF EMILY PORTER is an inspiring romance story, filled with love in an epic proportion within the heroine's lifetime, touched by sadness, and with an added touch of the supernatural. Emily Porter never really had confidence in herself. She thought she was dumpy ---not one of those babes with the perfect make-up. She is an artist. Her former husband was abusive and she is a hesitant to fall in love again and feel controlled and trapped again. Then, she meets Ethan Douglas ---in the most humorous situation that had me laughing audibly! He is nothing like her first husband. Rather than controlling her, Emily is set free..set free to shine as her real self, set free to do her art, set free to have a true home. Ethan dies suddenly. Left alone in their isolated cottage on the Maine coast, Emily grieves but then she realizes she is not really alone. Next to her she feels a presence --- a breeze, the touched piano keys, the touch, memory, dream or ghost? In the ashes of her grief, can Emily's heart be set free to love again? THE SECRET DREAMS OF EMILY PORTER is another beautiful romance read from the Harlequin Everlasting Love line and one of my favorites in this particular line. I started this romance and did not put it down. I was reading at warp speed because I was so entranced by the characters, their stories and the beautiful imagery. Judith Raxten hooked me from the beginning with a very humorous scene, gently revealing layer and layer of depth in the characters and the plot. Images began to resonate, adding layer and layer of beauty and also intrigue, not like suspense intrigue, but a gentle ever increasing curiosity. THE SECRET DREAMS OF EMILY PORTER is an exquisite modern variation and delightful expansion on the Cinderella story, complete with ashes, both metaphorical and literal. No wicked step-sisters but a wicked first husband...and two Prince Charmings! This romance is a modern story that adds darkness, both supernatural and psychological to make this romance meaningful and memorable to the modern woman. Judith Raxten writes a love story touched by a grief that inspires. THE SECRET DREAMS OF EMILY PORTER with its story of marriage and what comes after the happily ever after touched me personally in a way and place beyond the straight romance that ends when the couple finally unite. An amazing debut novel!

Emily Porter is a single woman trying to make a life for herself when she impulsively asks Ethan Douglas to pretend to be her boyfriend to get her mother off her back. He agrees only on the condition that once her mother leaves town, they have a real date. After a whirlwind romance, Emily finds herself in love and marries Ethan, believing this to be her only chance at true love. When Emily finds herself widowed and pregnant she is left to grieve alone with her child. She remains in their seaside cottage to feel close to Ethan and eventually feels him as though his ghost is with her, keeping her company and making sure she is safe. When her beloved cottage burns to the ground, she makes a choice to rebuild, although she is sure Ethan is lost to her forever. She hires Josh Lundgren to rebuild the cottage, and finds herself feeling like a woman again. But is the man Ethan originally chose to do work on the cottage the man for Emily, can she let go of the past to live again? The only word to describe THE SECRET DREAMS OF EMILY PORTER is emotional. Emily is a great heroine, strong yet weak. She has no self confidence and Ethan makes her see she is loved, he gives her a dimension that makes her feel alive, and upon his death Emily falters, but shows her inner strength when she goes against her friends advice and has her baby at home. As she deals with her first husband's death, she cries out to reader's hearts and will find a special place among them. She becomes more than a two dimensional character, letting readers hurt alongside her. Ms. Raxten's writing is tight, her story is unique and she gives her characters multiple faces as they interact with the secondary characters. She writes a tale that is sure to remain on reader's keep shelves. This debut book by a new author, Judith Raxten is to be cherished. Ms. Raxten is a talented author and has a place on this reader's to be watched list. Review Courtesy of LoveRomancesandmore

In Maine artist Emily Porter and photographer Ethan Douglas fell in love, married, and have a child. Everyone who knows the pair assumes happily ever after for them, but that ended quite quickly for the couple when Ethan died. Although she needs to move on, Emily cannot. Their cottage is filled with Ethan's presence, which she believes is much more than just memories; Emily feels he is there watching over her. When their cottage burns down, she hires contractor Josh Lundgren to rebuild the place. , she notices him right away. He makes it clear that he desires her while she is attracted to him, but her guilt over deserting Ethan makes it impossible for her to make a future without him although Emily begins to believe that Ethan selected Josh for her. THE SECRET DREAMS OF EMILY PORTER is an unusual character study that looks deep into the soul of a woman grieving for the man she loved who died so young. The story line is driven by Emily, who believes that Ethan is with her, not just as a memory, but as her guardian angel guiding her including sending her Josh. Mindful of the movie A Guy Named Joe, readers will appreciate this tender whimsical tale of emotionally healing from a devastating unexpected loss. Harriet Klausner