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Summary: An oldie but a goodie
Review: This book was first published in 1985, and at times it will seem a bit dated. Even though there are exceptions, the idea of the career oriented secretary starting an affair with the hard driving executive has sort of faded out in these times of sexual harrassment and hostile work environments. Nevertheless, if you consider it a bit of a period piece, you'll find this a delightful read. Rome is a sexy, aggressive business man who tragically lost his wife and two young sons in a car crash. A couple of years later he is still deeply grieving, but circumstances force him to spend some time with Sarah, his wife's former best friend and a beautiful co-worker that he has always found attractive. Sarah has long carried a secret torch for Rome, and despite her reservations she is privately thrilled when Rome starts pursing her. Rome obviously has some deep emotional issues to address, and Sarah's patient understanding and loving support allow him to work out those issues. At the same time, Rome's forceful personality help push her out of her cool reserve. The biggest hurdle facing them is that Sarah would love to have Rome's baby, but he is unable to tolerate the thought of another child. There's not much plot here, but the relationship is very intense and manages to carry the book quite nicely on its own. A very satisfying book that you can read again and again.
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Summary: SARAH'S CHILD is poignant romance written with sincerity
Review: Sarah Harper never expected that her covert love for her best friend's husband, Rome Matthews could materialize into reality after the demise of Diana along with the fateful deaths of their children Justin and Shane. When Rome is tired of wallowing in his grief, he is ready to embrace romance and attraction again - in the form of Sarah. Rome can never imagine that Sarah's nonchalant facade conceals a vulnerable frame and even more surprisingly a passionate soul to gratify his strong primal urges. They strike a marriage of convenience, with a promise that no child can be conceived out of the union, for with the depth of Rome's grief, he could not cope with the pain. However, destiny has it that Sarah bears him a child and it is up to Rome and Sarah to create a miracle together - to apprehend his regrets and forget his self-deprecating pain.... SARAH'S CHILD is one of the early works crafted by Ms. Howard reissued again - yet it is no less riveting and compelling in churning out powerful emotions. Her deft characterization and emotional writing is as sensitive as a gossamer's thread especially in handling Rome's grief. Sarah Harper, where many have the impression of her as submissive, is deemed to me as resilient for her courage in transforming Rome with healing powers of love. True - the resentment for Rome as the hero is especially potent when he neglects Sarah during her gestation period, yet we can never underestimate the corrosive powers of grief and guilt towards his children. As such, the moment when he realized his folly - it is with such passion we forget his mistakes and relish in the triumph of love. As a Harlequin romance, SARAH'S CHILD pushes the envelope to scrape raw emotions - it is definitive of what romance should be - poignant yet romantic. SARAH'S CHILD is laudable for Ms. Howard's sincerity in her writing and it shows - from the surrogate grief channeled to Rome in the story as in her personalized experience of losing her grandmother. The unexpected maturity and nuanced writing - is definitely no child's play.
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Summary: Sarah¿s Healing Love
Review: Sarah's best friend, Diane Matthews, and Diane's two children are killed in a tragic auto accident. Roman Matthews is understandably devastated by the loss. Sarah had always seemed distant and cold to Rome...he thought of her as the "ice queen", secure in her career at his firm and not seeming to need anyone, but he was attracted to her nonetheless. But the truth is that she has always loved him, and had to keep her distance from him in order to avoid revealing the truth and damaging her friendship with Diane.Rome invites her over to the house to pick up a carton of pictures and memorabilia when he decides to finally clear out the belongings of his dead family. In a moment of anguish, his passion flares and they almost succumb to the long-repressed feelings for each other. He admits that, since Diane's death, he has had sex frequently with other women, but has never been able to sleep with them because that would be a violation of the memory of Diane. Sarah is shocked by this revelation and confused by what almost happened between them. Rome and Sarah, both still locked in their grief, start to see other as friends, and the relationship gradually deepens, although she knows she can never compete with Diane's memory. In a fit of jealousy, and to protect Sarah from the amorous intentions of Max, the newest partner in the firm, Rome asks Sarah to marry him. He agreed to let her maintain her independence and career, and she accepted the fact that he probably didn't love her, but she wanted to be with him anyway. Their marriage is filled with passion but many misunderstandings as they both avoid confronting their true feelings for each other. When Sarah discovers she is pregnant, he is horrified and asks her to have an abortion...he never wants to have children again and endure the pain of losing them. Of course, she decides to keep the child (why else would be the book be titled Sarah's Child?), and their marriage is further strained by this decision. The ending is predictable, but satisfying. Plenty of emotional scenes, steamy sex and touching revelations will keep you turning the pages of this novel. Although other readers gave the book mixed reviews, one has to have certain expectations for a romance novel...they're not particularly realistic and the characters are not truly three-dimensional. Given those limitations, it is a quick, satisfying read for a lazy summer afternoon.
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Summary: I threw this book across the room when I was done with it.
Review: What a stupid book! I have enjoyed most of Linda Howards' books, but this was the exception to the rule. Rome was an ..., who cared nothing about anyone else's feelings but his own and Sarah was a spinelss wimp. I kept waiting and wanting her to give Rome the boot during the entire book - especially given his reaction after she found out she was pregnant. Don't buy this one!
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorites
Review: This is one of my favorite Linda Howard books. I especially enjoyed the character development. You will feel like you really know Sarah and Rome by the end of this book. This is a "must read" book for those of you who enjoy Linda Howard's romance books. I've read it several times (first published many years ago). I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
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Summary: Something Lacking -- Least favorite of Linda Howard Books
Review: I'm a big Linda Howard fan. But I found myself very unsatisfied with Sarah's child. While the plot was okay, I found Rome's complete self-absorbtion to be a real turn-off. And while I liked Sarah for standing for her convictions in some parts of the book, I kept waiting for her to call Rome on being the selfish jerk he was. I was really disappointed in this book and glad that I checked it out from the Library rather than buying it.
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Summary: Loved the story, but hated the audio version!
Review: I loved the story, but the audio version was so bad, I had to force myself to listen to the whole thing. Now that the book has been reissued, by all means, read the book but stay away from the audio.
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Summary: NOT What you think.
Review: OK, yes the plot is hackneyed and the characters sound unbelievable. I will give you that, but I defy you to say that this is an over all terrible book. Linda Howard is a good writer and what she does with the story is sometimes fun and sometimes a tear jerker. Rome, for the most part, is self absorbed and selfish, but he definately cares about Sarah, and it shows at various times through the story. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoyed the Mackenzie stories.
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Summary: Loved It!
Review: The book was excellent. I loved the characters. The reader was also excellent. I love romance, and this sure fit the bill! This is a real winner!
Rating:
Summary: Disappointment!
Review: I'm a huge Linda Howard fan, and I usually LOVE her novels. But Sarah's Child is a terrible book! The plot was unbelievable, even for a romance novel. The characters are one dimensional, and completely disagreeable. Rome is brute. Sarah is a delusional, needy and pathetic woman. I just cannot fathom how any decent man can ignore his own child's existence, and how any self respecting woman can stay with a man who rejects their child. This was a very disappointing Linda Howard. If you're looking for a good LH, try Almost Forever, or Shades of Twilight.
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