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A review by takethyme
Led Astray by Erin St. Claire, Sandra Brown
3.0
LED ASTRAY was an older contemporary romance originally released in 1985 under one of several pseudonyms Sandra Brown used earlier in her career: Erin St. Claire. Hands down, it is a 'wonk' romance.
Typical of the 1980's, Cage Hendren was a man with money, power and common sense. Well, most of the time. His father was a preacher and his mother was a housewife and they raised two boys that were as different as could be. Cage was the rowdy one. Always seeking attention in the most unusual places but earning scorn as his reward from his dysfunctional parents.
Hal, the younger son, had similar beliefs as his father. He had a calling that would take him to a war-torn country in Central America to serve others. But it quickly lead to his death leaving behind a bereaved family trying to pick up the pieces. His live-in fiancee and his parents' adopted daughter, Jenny Fletcher, was caught in the middle. All of this happens within the first few chapters of the story.
Loaded with secrets, self-esteem issues, the ick-factor and more, it is the rough journey of two young people hoping for better things. Although he is 32, Cage still has some growing up to do. As long as he can remember, he has loved Jenny from afar. But no more.
Jenny is 24 years-old. Since she first came to the Hendren household she had been a quiet do-gooder. She was content, until recently, not to rock the boat. But her feelings for Cage gradually changed. And at times, I felt like I was in the middle of a frustrating soap-opera.
Ms. Brown blended tension, some internally-tortured souls and a yearning for acceptance by those you care for. She added the 'forbidden love' element. The story ended up becoming a stew of struggling risk and emotional justice. With the exception of some dated material (smoking, mention of the Vietnam war and riding in Corvettes), it was about moments of angst leading to unconditional love.
Typical of the 1980's, Cage Hendren was a man with money, power and common sense. Well, most of the time. His father was a preacher and his mother was a housewife and they raised two boys that were as different as could be. Cage was the rowdy one. Always seeking attention in the most unusual places but earning scorn as his reward from his dysfunctional parents.
Hal, the younger son, had similar beliefs as his father. He had a calling that would take him to a war-torn country in Central America to serve others. But it quickly lead to his death leaving behind a bereaved family trying to pick up the pieces. His live-in fiancee and his parents' adopted daughter, Jenny Fletcher, was caught in the middle. All of this happens within the first few chapters of the story.
Loaded with secrets, self-esteem issues, the ick-factor and more, it is the rough journey of two young people hoping for better things. Although he is 32, Cage still has some growing up to do. As long as he can remember, he has loved Jenny from afar. But no more.
Jenny is 24 years-old. Since she first came to the Hendren household she had been a quiet do-gooder. She was content, until recently, not to rock the boat. But her feelings for Cage gradually changed. And at times, I felt like I was in the middle of a frustrating soap-opera.
Ms. Brown blended tension, some internally-tortured souls and a yearning for acceptance by those you care for. She added the 'forbidden love' element. The story ended up becoming a stew of struggling risk and emotional justice. With the exception of some dated material (smoking, mention of the Vietnam war and riding in Corvettes), it was about moments of angst leading to unconditional love.