Mystic

Rating:
Summary: satisfying Jackson reprint
Review: Jackson came up through Silhouette Special Editions, and currently does a lot of suspense, but her early works show great merit. This one was first printed in 1986, and it shows dating, but still holds up rather well. She had a strong pattern in SSE, the woman who had been done wrong and left behind. THE man returns some time later and they have to coem to terms with the past. I have all her works, and think she is one of the best writers to rise through SSE ranks. Jackson is a strong, emotional writer and always delivers on that level, but there are a few flaws in this particular one. Still, if you are a Jackson fan, as I am, you will want to read this one.

I just found this title a little off her perfect tempo, due to the woman just accepting the treatment she received 8 years before, just accepts he married another leaving her hanging without word (she could have been pregnant, but he never bothered to find out), then let him right back into her life.

Savannah Beaumont, rich daughter of a horse breeder, grew up with Travis McCord, loving him first as a child would a brother, later as a woman would a man. Travis declares his love to her - in his mind - (while playing around with lover Melissa). One night when drunk, he gives into his passion for 17-year-old Savannah, promising to come to her later. Instead, she is greeted the next morning with the news that Travis is marrying Melissa . During the next 8 years, she barely sees Travis. He wants to explain why he was forced to marry Melissa (she tricked him, but then he declares he loved her - sorry that came over a little fickle, just as his desertion of Savannah, leaving her a situation that could have become bad without thought). It really makes you like Travis a lot less. Also, that Savannah's brother-in-law strikes her 9-year-old nephew and everyone just warns him not to do it again shows a dated attitude toward what is and is not acceptable in child abuse.

Now Travis is back, demanding Savannah accept his excuses, saying he is going to change everything at the horse farm. Savannah is distressed by the situation. Someone is stealing from the farm, someone is stealing from Travis and he is going to put a stop to it.

You like Savannah, feel for her. But her too easy acceptance of the striking of her nephew (she is angry and fusses a bit, but that is all) and her too easy accepts of the betrayal Travis did to her, undermines Jackson's strong writing.

Despite the flaws, Jackson makes you see feel for people that are less than perfect, paints vivid characters. Considering this work is nearly 20 years old, we can forgive a few bumps in an otherwise good read.