317 Beulah Street [Paperback]

Jenna Profit and her two young sons have not had an easy life since Craig died and the ensuing scandal. Craig's father died a month later after rewriting his will; he set aside a portion for his grandsons' educations and gave the rest of his money and property to charity. Jenna has been shunned by the "good" people of Harmony Hills, and supplements her teaching salary by taking in roomers in the big, old rundown mansion she and Craig had bought before his death. Jenna and her tenants all have one thing in common - heartbreak and betrayal. Having Nick staying with her and her ladies can only add more fodder for the gossips to feed on, but it feels so right having him in her life again.

317 Beulah Street is a rich and emotional story, which captivates the reader from page one. Nick is a troubled, tortured hero who only wants to make everything right for the only woman he has ever loved, Jenna. Jenna, however, is strong enough to overcome almost everything except Nick's doubts about his own brother's honesty. There is never any doubt to anyone that these two people have a future together. Sandra Steffen has created exemplary secondary characters giving each of them importance in this fantastic story. This is an easy reading, reader-pleasing romance as steamy and sultry as a Georgia summer.

As he lay in an El Salvador hospital in critical condition, photographer Nick Proffit receives the letter that informs him his brother Craig died. The letter from his sister-in-law Jenna traveled around the world taking two years to catch up to Nick. He plans to come home to learn what happened to his beloved sibling.

Nick arrives in Harmony Hills, Georgia to learn how far his brother's widow and his preadolescent boys have fallen by their current address. He is shocked to also find out Jenna rents rooms to two borders needing a place to start fresh. Nick revises his charter as he must know why his brother's family have been ostracized and where did his now deceased father's wealth go, a task made easier because he is falling in love with Craig's widow and two sons.

This is an interesting character study and contemporary romance that focuses on the key cast members' actions to the death of a loved one. The heroine keeps on moving in spite of the condemnation of the community because she knows she must provide a nurturing environment for her two children. Nick is more enigmatic because he never seemed concerned with life back home even when he didn't receive letters from Craig, but that still doesn't lessen his need to know now. Fans of small town dramas will enjoy a visit to 317 BEULAH STREET.

Harriet Klausner