The Secret Dreams of Emily Porter

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.

October 2007