Portraits: The Power of  Undying Love
Jade Sterling
Publish America
ISBN:  1-4241-2397-6 
193 Pages

Warning:  This is a Tearjerker!  I’ve always loved “unique stuff” so it was a given that I loved this strange and enchanting story! In her first novel, Portraits: The Power of Undying Love, Jade Sterling, provides readers with an unbelievable mystery, a heartbreaking love, and inspired forgiveness. That’s combined with portraits of the past, a touch of magic, and a fulfillment of destiny. Merged together it results in one of the most fascinating romances I’ve ever read! 

A strange bequest comes to Emily!  It not only is strange to not know from whom the money came, it is strange because it sets off a series of questions and discoveries that finally results in a separation from her husband, Greg.  Greg had promised his “Princess” that he would love and protect her; however, Emily felt his actions were based upon jealousy, possessiveness and a lack of trust.  With these long-standing feelings, it was not surprising when money came to both Emily, and also to her father, that it would mean trouble. 

The real breaking point for Emily, however, was finding that Greg had withheld a letter from a publishing company to whom she had applied for work.  When Emily received the phone call asking why she had not responded to their letter and that they were very interested in hiring her to create a number of front covers for their magazine, she never once thought of saying no. She agreed to fly to New York to discuss a contract and their assignments.  Nothing Greg could say would explain his opening and not bringing home this important letter that had been addressed directly to her.  This was not about protection, this was about control—and Emily could no longer adapt to Greg’s obsessions!  

But while in New York, Emily Brooks met Scott Harrison and immediately both Emily and Scott were caught in an unearthly magnetism which led to a brief love affair. Why did Emily feel as if she had already met Scott, her new boss?  Why did he look so familiar to Emily?  How could Emily and Scott come to love each other so much and so soon?   

They say in Greek mythology that three goddesses control fate, or destiny.  Clotho wove life based upon a thread to the past.  Lachesis measured that thread, deciding when destiny would come about and Atropos would cut that thread, sometimes through a death.  They come into our lives at birth, spinning good or evil, manipulating the threads of our lives.  Was it destiny?  We don’t know!  What we do know is that neither Emily nor Scott wanted to fall in love.  Scott was a committed husband and Christian.  Emily, though hurt and confused by her husband’s actions, would never have picked her new married boss for a lover!  She knew that could only lead to trouble and heartache…and yet… 

Emily was commissioned to create a cover for a feature story on the survivors of the Titanic.  Through a series of interviews, readers are provided a variety of well-researched information on the survivors and what happened to them and in learning these details, Emily is slowly able to piece together the mystery.  But it was too late! 

Sterling brings her characters to life through intimate dialogue and internal thoughts.  Emily may be your best friend.  Scott is so conflicted that you can feel his confusion and inner turmoil.  Greg’s personality change, as it evolves, moves readers from early anger for his actions into a warm respect and admiration for the love and support he finally gives to his wife.

Is this a happily ever after book?  Some may think so.  But I have to wonder.  Will destiny try again and will the goddess Atropos allow a different ending some time in the future? Portraits brings the past and present together in an unforgettable magical fulfillment of love once lost. Can the power of undying love ever really end? 

This novel tops the normal top scale!  I give it a 5+ and consider it a must-read for romance lovers everywhere!

G. A. Bixler
IP Book Reviewer

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