MENDING FENCES

Author: Sherryl Woods ISBN: 0778324575 10/2007 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: MIRA

Two families... bound by friendship... devastated by secrets For ten years Emily Dobbs and Marcie Carter have been the closest of friends. They've raised their kids together, shared joy and heartache, exchanged neighborhood gossip over tea. But when Marcie's son, now a college freshman sports star, is arrested for date rape, the bond between the families could be shattered forever. As the Carters try to deal with the unthinkable, Emily discovers her daughter has been hiding a terrible secret...a secret that threatens the futures of both families. Recently divorced, Emily struggles to keep it all together—support her terrified daughter, to maintain her friendship with Evan's mother and to have faith in the detective who could change all of their lives. When things seem darkest, both she and Marcie discover that sometimes the first step toward a better future is mending fences with the past.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

This is the first book I've read by Sherryl Woods, but I can guarantee you it won't be the last. This author has an easy, no-nonsense writing style that appeals to me. I read MENDING FENCES last night ,and although it deals with some difficult subject matter, this is a smooth read.

A tale of friendship, trust and heartache, MENDING FENCES examines the ties that bind and those that can be ruthlessly broken by an act of brutality. Emily and Marcie have been best friends for years. Although the women have very different personalities, they share common beliefs, both have two children and live just across the fence from each other. They've been through almost everything together, but when Marcie's son is accused of a horrible crime, secrets from the past mixed with the chaos of the present threaten to pull the women apart.

This story, even with date rape as a plot element, is heartwarming. It showcases the bonds women can forge and friendships that can withstand even the hardest trials. I am impressed by the fact that this author deals so well with such a harsh subject in the confines of a romance novel. It brings reality to the world her characters live in. Also, the manner in which Emily and Marcie, and the others who are affected by Evan's arrest, deal with the situation is candid and unflinchingly realistic. While there are difficult parts to this novel, it is one that, in the end, leaves the reader with a good feeling. I very much enjoyed MENDING FENCES and I am looking forward to reading more from Sherryl Woods.

Kay James