By: Fern Michaels
Published By: Zebra Books
Age Recommended: Adult
Review By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 4
Book Blog For: GMTA
Review:

"Balancing Act" by Fern Michaels was a bonus in that you got two books in one. 'All She Can Be and Free Spirits' however this was actually two novels that this author had written years ago and I had already read them but I read them again.

In 'All She Can Be'
We find Rita is divorced and a successful author trying to rebuild her life. How will her life change for her after a recent divorce. Will the romance writer be able to pick herself up and find a new love and then there were her children who didn't consider her writing as a job, wanting her to babysit while they went on a 4-5 day trip. Was she loosing herself in all of this? You will find this novella was a 'heartwarming' story and well written by this author.

The next novella was 'Free Spirit'

A very successful Dory makes a discussion to quit her job, move to another city with her boyfriend (Griff) and go back to school. Was this a smart thing to do? Will she be strong enough to not lose herself in all of this that has been put on her? Will she come to her senses and know that this isn't the life for her?

There is definitely a lesson in both of these novellas for the reader. Are you receiving it?
This is where I say you must pick up "Balancing Act" to see which way this author will take the reader on this ride. In both reads you will be able to see how this author was able to use this 'Balancing Act' as it was a emotional ride that this author can only give its readers and I would recommend these two stories as a good read for you. ( )

Balancing Act by Fern Michaels
Two books in one
.
All She Can Be
Rita and Brett Bellamy were divorced. Her writing was paying off nicely and he couldn't handle that. She was lucky to get the house in NJ and the cabin in the Pocono Mountains where she was curently writing an historical romance novel.
She had the whole lake Happiness to herself as it was just fall all but for one renting the house at the bend in the lake, Twigg Petersen. He's a professor on sabbatical to write reports from his marine journeys around the world.
She recalls what each of the kids said about her divorce...
The guy in her life is Ian Martin and he's also her literary agent and he's due to pay her a visit.
She went into town and got some things to spoil herself with and 4 rooms of furniture, plants and groceries. Her kids never thought of her writing job as a job and want her to drop everything to babysit for 4-5 days while they go on a trip. She has to put her foot down and finish the book she's writing, she's on deadline.
Her male character is becoming more like Twigg than she realizes...and she can even describe a kiss they share...
She was still a slave to her kids, making doctor appointments for them, etc.
Her daughter comes to visit and is taken aback with her neighbor and that she's said no to other family members. She sure has changed...How much will she trust her friend with her daughter... The snow comes and so much of it at one time...
Hot steamy love scenes add to this story, love the locale and how it's described.
Love the family relationships and those of friends, wish this was a series.
.
Free Spirit
Dory Faraday works at Soiree magazine in NY and Griff Michaels is a vet, just closed his NY office and they will both be leaving for DC soon. He will start up with partners a new clinic for animals and she will do some freelancing work and go back to college for her doctorate.
As they get ready to leave she has to keep a secret from him about some offers...
Is the move the right decision for her? She finds out after they've rented a house and she's decorated it and goes to school a few times a week.
The trip back to NY had to be made... Her aunt Pixie keeps her grounded even though she usually is not.
Excerpt from The Blossom Sisters is at the end.
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