Second Wife, Second Life!

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

This embarrassingly schmaltzy account of late-life romance opens with George Schmieler's chance reading of Holmes's book I've Got to Talk to Somebody, God , which, supposedly, not only averted his suicide but led to a whirlwind courtship and marriage to Holmes. Like him, she was widowed and in her early 70s. Holmes writes of herself as an ardent bride, and of her husband, then still a practicing physician in Pittsburg, as an intellectually stimulating and vital (if aging) Adonis. Far different from the ``life of quiet desperation'' imposed by her first marriage, Holmes's second marriage, lasting 10 years, proved to be a happy one until Schmieler's death from cancer. ``The wedding feast is over,'' she reminisces. ``And the best wine was saved for the last.'' (Apr.)

Denise Perry Donavin

A tale of romance and heartbreak by the author of "Three from Galilee" and "God and Vitamins". Holmes recounts how her book "I've Got to Talk to Someone, God" brought about her second marriage. When Dr. George Schmieler, deep in despair over the death of his wife, uncovered this book among her belongings, he immediately felt as though he had met a compatible soul. He contacted Holmes, and after a whirlwind courtship, they married. He was so effusive and romantic, Holmes could not believe her good fortune. She recounts many of his jokes, compliments, and stories about his patients. As ever, her writing is filled with spirituality, but she includes the complaints and worries of any woman entering a second marriage with a widower still grieving for his first love. There is a lot of solace and humor in this reminiscence, as well as sadness, for after "ten years, six months, and twelve days," George died. Holmes' many readers will be caught up in this very personal writing.