Unruly Passions

by Kate Charles

Margaret Phillips is a powerful woman, one of the first women to become an Archdeacon. Intelligent, confident, and capable, she has reached a stage in her life where both her career and her private life are harmonious. And there's one thing she can be sure of—the love of her husband Hal. Valerie Marler, best-selling author, is in control of her fictional world and her own life as well. Beautiful, rich, and with as many men as she wants, Valerie calls the shots. Until she meets Hal Phillips, a happily married man with no interest in what she has to offer. Rosemary Finch, the vicar's wife, is neither rich nor beautiful, and her life has not been an easy one. She loves her husband, and they both adore their daughter Daisy. Then something happens that will shatter her equilibrium—she, too, meets Hal Phillips, the man Valerie Marler wants and can't have.

Genres: Crime, Mystery

440 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1999

Reviews

[Sandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quite enjoyable read though perhaps a bit heavy on the melodrama. Well written with realistic characters and interesting tidbits about the Church of England.

[Nicola Royan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bitter sweet and compelling, honest appraisal of the conflicts between loves and duties and things not said.

[Becky Almon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dreary, dreck

I read this because a website said Kate Charles was a pseudonym for Julia Spencer-Fleming. All I can say is that if it is true, she has greatly improved since writing this book. Superficially there is a correlation in both series of novels involving female clergy (Anglican in England in this book and Episcopal in New York state in the Spencer-Fleming Claire Fergusson novels) small town life, and relationships between a married man and another woman which involve deep feelings held in check by the character's moral values. Throw in murder for something else for them to deal with as well as some similar secondary characters and there are definitely obvious comparisons. However, this book is like wading through molasses. The plot could have been more complex. The characters are flat. I forced myself to finish it, but I will not be looking for the other books that are apparently about at least two of these same people.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Charles books are a very light read which makes them perfect for the holidays. Her stories have a background of the church of England which makes them more interesting than ever. I really enjoyed this book.