The Healer vs. the Lawyer. Energy healer, Persephone Jones, has a new neighbor in Peeler, Oklahoma—hot shot lawyer, Jason Brooks. She’s a vegan; he likes his steaks rare. She’s about saving Mother Earth while he protects the interests of Big Business. Their attraction is mutual, but disturbing. And life gets even more complicated when the whole town is caught in a conflict that pits these two on opposite sides of a political fence….Foreword Magazine says AIN’T LOVE GRAND? is “written with a fresh voice, an impeccable sense of comedic timing, vivid narrative, and fascinating characters.”
My years in Oklahoma inspired "Ain't Love Grand?" While it is a romantic comedy, the book also reflects the Oklahoma culture that I love about the Sooner state. Oklahomans are people of great heart who take care of their own. Never was that more evident than in the aftermath of the Oklahoma City Bombing. I lived 13 miles north of the site and felt my house shake when the bomb exploded. In the development of this book, it just seemed right to include a scene to commemorate the people affected by the bombing. Which was everybody. This scene from "Ain't Love Grand?" is my way of remembering and honoring the victims and heroes of April 19, 1995.
Booklist Review, March 15, 2004
AIN’T LOVE GRAND? ~ Echelon Press
Dana Taylor
They first meet when he tackles her to the ground. All Persephone Jones was doing was trying to stop the bulldozer from destroying the herb garden she planted on property adjoining hers. But her new neighbor, Jason Brooks, was not only building a beautiful new house, but also a landing strip over her garden. Persephone and Jason couldn't be more different. He is a well-known, high-powered defense attorney with money to burn. She's the illegitimate daughter of a flower child, and dispenses wheat-grass smoothies as well as herbal remedies from her modest shop. And neither of them can understand their mutual attraction. In spite of appearances, Persephone doesn't abide by all hippie principles. For instance, when Jason suggests that they make their relationship more intimate, she demurs. For her sex is an important step, indicating that marriage is on the horizon. He feels differently, but love will have its way in this charming tale of opposites attracting.--Maria Hatton.
FICTION—ForeWord Magazine May 2004
Ain’t Love Grand ~
Romance novels are usually written with specific elements that readers expect. A certain amount of sensuality is paramount. The hero and heroine are thrust together against their will. A compelling force or situation pushes them apart, making the reader wonder if there will be “happy ever after.”
It’s a nice surprise to find a novel with those elements that is written with a fresh voice, an impeccable sense of comedic timing, vivid narrative, and fascinating characters. First-time novelist, Dana Taylor, has honed her craft well and earned a respectable place within the genre.
Until meeting Jason Brooks, Persephone Jones was content to tend her herb garden, run her health food store, and try to get beyond the grief of losing her first and only love. Then the high-dollar lawyer buys the property adjoining hers. Not only does he destroy part of her garden that ran over onto his land, he destroys her equilibrium with his charming smile, his delightful daughter, Val, and his dotty mother, Ruth.
While an attraction is immediate, Perse soon realizes that Jason is not interested in love and marriage. He would be content with sex and a little help with his rebellious daughter. Then she discovers that they are on opposite sides of an effort to bring a large hog farm into this rural area outside Oklahoma City. How that issue is resolved is one of the most refreshing elements of the story.
This book is full of other delightful surprises and clever lines. “Oh good lord, kiss me already. Soft lips brushed mine, a preliminary hello. Oh, yes, hello. Butterfly kisses, daring me to ask for more.”
Some of the laugh-out-loud lines include this gem, “His voice rolled through the shop like God speaking to Charlton Heston.”
The story does have serious elements that revolve around relationships – other than romantic – and a particularly nice section is about the Oklahoma City bombing and a memorial fund-raiser. “A memorial was necessary, but would never be enough for the families left behind. However, it was all we could do, and must do, to sanctify a place where evil had momentarily overtaken goodness.”
It’s a shame that some authors and publishers settle for ordinary just to fill shelves in bookstores. With a little more time and effort, readers could be treated to more jewels like this one.
Reviewed by: Maryann Miller
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