Official Description:
A fresh start for new teacher, Bella, who arrives in sunny Parma to teach English in the local high school. So used to going with the flow, she was curiously dissatisfied with her life. Will she continue to settle for Comfortable or will she find Amazing.
Word Count: 113,826
I first fell in love with Lady Gwynedd’s writing when I read The Mail Order Bride and it’s sequel Bear Valley Ranch. I thought her stories were amazing and I loved her characters! She certainly didn’t disappoint with her new story, Parma High. It tells the story of Bella, a teacher, trying to get a new start on life by moving from dreary Washingston State to Parma Florida. The dreary weather in Washington is not the only thing that Bella leaves behind. In order to start from scratch, she also leaves her old boyfriend, Mike, behind. Once in Florida, she meets fellow English teacher and soccer coach, Edward. And the chemistry between them is instantaneous. I think that one of my favorite lines in this story is in chapter one. Bella is having second thoughts about breaking up with Mike and moving to Florida. She tells her mother Renee, who happens to be a hippie, about her doubts.
[dcs_p]“I am not sure I did the right thing. Mike was a decent guy. Maybe he was the one?”
[dcs_p]Renée coughed in disbelief, “Maybe? Honey if he was the one there would be no ‘maybe’ about it. You would know. There would be something about him that just won’t let you go. Your spirit will recognize him before your mind will even know he exists.” She smiled and gazed off at nothing, a nostalgic look on her face.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p][dcs_p]I vainly tried to not roll my eyes. Renée was all into the metaphysical side of reality. From my long years of living with her, I could tell you that she simply liked to distort what was real to suit her own preferences. That got her in trouble more than once, let me tell you.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]Renée saw my expression and sighed, “You know Bella, I may be a fruit loop about some things but I do know about this. Falling head over heels in love happens. It just hasn’t happened to you, yet. I was so afraid that you would settle for ‘comfortable’ because you didn’t believe there was an ‘amazing’ out there for you.”[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]She leaned forward, grabbed my hand and looked earnestly into my eyes, “Do me a favor honey, don’t ‘settle.’ Hold out for ‘amazing.’”[/dcs_p]
There is some drama in but no real angst. Both Edward and Bella have reservations about relationships because of their pasts. This is definitely a different Edward than I am used to because he does not believe in casual sex, for reasons that he explains to Bella. That’s right ladies, this is a church going, celibate, sweet Edward and it drives Bella crazy! That doesn’t mean that there isn’t some hot chemistry between the two of them. According to Edward, Bella has come crashing into his life like a meteor (a reference to New Moon) and begins to call Bella My Miss Meteor.
[dcs_p]“Why do you call me Miss Meteor?”
He stopped and looked full at me. Grinning ruefully and he shook his head but he only said, “And then you shot across my sky like a meteor. Suddenly everything was on fire…”[/dcs_p]
Lady G does such a wonderful job with her characters. Mrs Cope, who is Bella’s landlady, and her dog Poncho are hilarious! There is also a very crazy Lauren, a stockerish Jake, and a scheming Tanya. Lady G is just full of surprises in this story! I won’t give anything away, but this story has the best use of James ever!
Oh and Bella’s blood is also irresistible in this story…but not the way you may think…..
[dcs_p]“Did you remember to wear bug spray?” Leah asked me.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]“I did. I sprayed myself with Off before you picked me up. If I sprayed any more on, they’d have to declare me a toxic waste site.”[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]Leah shook her head in amazement, “I’ve never seen mosquitoes swarm someone like that. They must really like your blood.”[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]Sue spoke as she walked towards me, “Yes. I’ve heard of this. It seems that Bella is a Tha-He-Motska*. Apparently, your blood is special. It sings to them. It probably would be a good thing for you to stay inside instead of going out on the air-boat.”[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]I was disappointed but also still slapping at the pesky mosquitoes that were left from the ones who had followed me inside. I shuddered to think of what it would be like if I couldn’t get away from them. The thought was rather frightening. Could they bleed me dry like so many little vampires?[/dcs_p]
So go on now and read Parma High. It’s a great story that will have you laughing and give you some drama without full on angst. I guarantee that you will love this Edward and Bella. I have enjoyed reading it and I’m sure that you will too.
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