Roses in Autumn

Library Journal

In the second in the "Virtuous Heart" series of contemporary romances (following All Things New, LJ 9/1/97), Laura, a romance writer who considers her marriage to Tom to be perfect but for one small flaw, catches him in the arms of another woman. He finally tells her that her inability to enjoy sex is more of a problem than she had acknowledged. In an attempt to save their marriage, the two travel to Vancouver Island for a second honeymoon, but Tom's preoccupation with business does nothing to make Laura more amorous, in spite of the romantic setting. They seek counseling while on the island, which opens some secrets in Laura's past and makes the future seem brighter for the couple. Unfortunately, the book is undermined by a distracting subplot involving drug smuggling and by the counseling, which works far too easily. In addition, the frank treatment of sexual issues may offend more sensitive readers. Overall, libraries may want to pass on this title.