Hooked - Betina Krahn

This was my second MTW Series story, and proved to be just as a quick read with the added benefit that I actually liked the romance part this time around. You can find this story free in the NOOK store or in an anthology in print version. Because these stories are based on real-life charities, I won't use the star ratings.

 

Harlequin's MTW Series is designed for Harlequin writers to write a short story spotlighting a worthy charity run by women. The charity featured in this book is Casting for Recovery; the group provides fly-fishing retreats for women undergoing treatment or surviving breast cancer. Fly-fishing during the day, therapy and medical information sessions at night, along with a lot of friendship made throughout the three day event. The events in the book take place in Arizona and Atlanta; Arizona was used as it is the home base for Donna Fischer, a breast cancer survivor, former participant of the retreat, and program director for the Arizona chapter of Casting for Recovery. Her biography is at the beginning of the book. For more information, go to http://castingforrecovery.org/

 

As for the book, here is what I liked:

1) The heroine was drawn realistically, and she was not at all Mary Sue. She had her issues to work out, including waiting to hear if the cancer was cleared from her entire body. She was emotional and constantly on a rollercoaster when trying to deal with her cancer almost alone and not seeing a future for herself; then she had to deal with the fact her heart and soul still craved affection and intimacy. Then there were her issues to deal with concerning her body (namely her breasts). She lost part of one breast to surgery due to the type of cancer she developed. Lots of angst, but reality.

2) The retreat was a powerful punch that got the plot and character growth moving after both started to spin its wheels.

3) The author did not shy away from medical terms. This may be because the author herself is a breast cancer survivor (if you read this story, please continue all the way through the author's note at the end).

4) This was a romance with older characters (I venture to say late thirties to mid-forties). The hero was an old flame and at times was a little too perfect.

 

There wasn't anything I disliked about the story, but a copy editor may want to go through the story and catch the handful typos that showed up.

 

And finally, this:

 

Weddings. Modern society's version of stalking on the Serengeti.