QUEEN OF BROKEN HEARTS
Cassandra King
Hyperion
Fiction
ISBN-10: 1401301770
ISBN-13: 9781401301774

• Read an Excerpt
• Author Talk -- March 9, 2007

Clare Ballenger is an extraordinary woman who has finally come into her own after many years of being in the shadows. Since her marriage ended in tragedy, Clare has focused exclusively on her lucrative career as a divorce therapist. While helping hundreds of men and women mend their broken hearts, Claire chooses not to follow the sound advice she dishes out to her clients. Falling in love again is the last thing she wants.

Clare is furious when her best friend, Dory, decides to reconcile with estranged husband Son. After all, Son doesn’t really deserve Dory…or so Clare thinks. Finally realizing that Son and Dory will be staying together, her attention shifts to her own situation. Although fully aware of how lonely her life has become, she constantly beats herself up about her husband Mack’s shocking death. Was it her fault?

As if her demons couldn’t haunt her any more, Clare has her hands full with her daughter. Haley, the product of a fling her husband had before they were together, experienced a horrible childhood, but Clare found it in her heart to welcome the girl with open arms. Mack never liked Haley’s spouse, Austin. Always the one to spot things, Clare drops the ball on Austin and is blind-sided when he leaves Haley and her grandchildren for another woman. Wanting to be there for her daughter, Clare is unconsciously forced into confronting her own mishaps and skeletons. It’s amazing what you see when you take the time to look in the mirror.

Wanting to be loved, but trapped in the comfortable position of shutting herself out, Clare has some difficult decisions to make. Should she open up and confront her past, move on and live somewhat happily ever after? Or should she wallow in self-pity, guilt and a psychotic need to constantly relive the not-so-perfect life she had with her deceased husband? It’s bad enough that Rye, Mack’s cousin, has been chasing Clare since his death. But then there’s also Lex, a retired sea captain and new owner of the marina, who’s very interested in her --- though Lex’s ex-wife is hell-bent on rekindling their relationship. When does the madness end?

Cassandra King pens a novel full of self-reflection, truth and honesty that will compel readers to think about their own lives as well. Witty and light-hearted with some grim and poignant moments, the storyline shows how very hard it is to face your demons, whatever they may be. King does an excellent job of portraying how life has its own way, whether we like it or not. But what we choose to do with it is an entirely different story.

If you’re looking for an inspiring read, QUEEN OF BROKEN HEARTS certainly does the trick. One thing is for sure: When traveling on the road to self-discovery, it can be a long ride home.

   --- Reviewed by Belinda Williams

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