From Literary Times
(The following story summary is from thecover of A Mother's Heart. I followed this with my thoughts on each story). The first story of the anthology is Cassandra's Quest by Veronica Ashley. In ancient Constantinople, high-spirited Cassandra honors her dying mother's request to disguise herself as a nun and go in search of a missing jeweled swan. But her mother also orders a bodyguard, the magnificent Nicephorus, never to let the "nun" out of his sight . . . on a quest where the real treasure is love. The second tale, The Best-Laid Plans by Elizabeth Graham deals with a matchmaking duo who get ensnared by their own schemes. Serena Crane has no wish to marry, but she has decided that Jonas Mead is the perfect man for her widowed mother. Serena's mother is equally certain that Jonas's foster son, Gavin, is the perfect husband for Serena. But the two women's plans may go topsy-turvy when Jonas and Gavin begin some matchmaking all their own . . . His Mother's Gauntlet by Martha Hix provides bold and lusty characters for the readers enjoyment. When Sir William de Granville gives orders, everyone obeys - except his mother, the warrior Dame Lois. And when he coldly weds the meek maid Cordelya, Lois decides to train her daughter-in-law in the ways of war and desire, knowing her son will only surrender his heart to a lady who can best him on the field of love. Readers will be tickled by the fire that erupts between Cassandra and Nicephorus in Cassandra's Quest. Being neither meek nor obedient, Cassandra continually confounds, astonishes and frustrates Nicephorus, premier Roman soldier. The Best-Laid Plans is truly a delight. Ms. Graham neatly draws the reader into the minds and hearts of the characters of this wonderful story. There is the rare sensation that you have read a rich, full bodied tale within this short story. His Mother's Gauntlet troubled me by the way it began. Ms. Hix used a prologue to speak of things that had happened in the past, and then goes into the story whose ending is fairly well revealed in the prologue. This completely ruined the tale for me, and may ruin it for others, so be warned. God bless mothers who interfere and bless the authors who brought us these lovely tales of them! Veronica Ashley has a fresh talent that will soon be tearing up the best seller lists across the nation! Elizabeth Graham again offers us characters who stimulate and touch the heart. Well done indeed, Ms. Graham! Martha Hix is a master of history and brings it to full flower for her readers enjoyment! Gloria Lower -- Copyright © 080198 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved

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