Having read The Romance Reader's archived reviews of some of her other works, I discovered I am not alone in finding her characters hard to like. BUT WAIT...let's be fair.

Picture the hero Luke Bardell: a victim of an abusive childhood, who is convicted of manslaughter arising out of a bar fight. In prison he further matured into a consummate con artist who founded the "The Foundation of Being." Is this your average likable person? He has crafted his foundation as a 'philosophy of living' rather than as a religious cult. Charismatic, he has led "The Foundation" in highly successful efforts in fund raising and in becoming the sole beneficiary of dearly departed wealthy believers.

And then there is the heroine Rachel Connery. Another victim of abusive upbringing, her abuse was both sexual and emotional turning her into a frigid, frustrated woman, who not only does not trust anyone, but also lacks the most basic ability to make friends. Is it truly not more plausible that she is this gritty, abrasive being, or should Stuart have followed the formula and created a character who is indistinguishable on the outside and bravely suffering on the inside?

Clearly, this author made her choice to adhere to stark realism.

Rachel's mother becomes a follower of "The Foundation of Being" and while living there, contracts cancer, dies, and leaves her entire estate of 12 1/2 million dollars to Luke and the Foundation. Hurt, betrayed and enraged, Rachel tries to have the bequest set aside. Failing in court, she accepts Luke's invitation to visit the Foundation.

From the onset, the conflict is sharply defined. Luke intends to totally subjugate Rachel's body and soul; Rachel intends to destroy Luke. The secondary characters are well defined, and help move the action along in well-transitioned scenes. Although these characters have their own agendas, and offer strong, forceful sub plots, they are not intrusive.

The author has written a well structured and mechanically intact story. The dynamics of each scene are varied, and it moves forward with well-used imagery. It is a strongly visual novel, with a few graphic sex scenes. The dialogue is lively, expressing succinctly all the individuals' feelings and beliefs as, they grow and change.

When one balances dark, realistic, unlovable characters against technically superior writing, fairness dictates an award of 4 stars.

--Thea Davis