Friday, March 28, 2008

REVIEW: 'A Different Tune' by L.K. Campbell


Title: A Different Tune
Author: L.K. Campbell
Price: $1 ebook, $10.99 paperback
Genre: Romance
ISBN: 978-1434810915
Publisher: Lulu
Point of Sale: Lulu (ebook), Amazon (paperback)


Cassie is an aspiring pianist who was a pen pal to paratrooper Scott Riley. Scott returns from war, convinced the exchange of letters was enough for him to fall in love. He arrives in Azucar Beach much to the disapproval of Cassie's mother who wants to see her daughter pursue her music education.

'A Different Tune' is a World War II era story with a quiet air of authenticity. Other than one brief 'damsel in distress' scene this seems like a story about real people, almost biographical in atmosphere. In fact it made me think about how much of the romance genre has become almost a parody of itself where true love is replaced with mystically fated mate-matches, and the dilemmas of life by overblown action plots.

Devoid of the currently popular leather-clad assassins and brooding werewolves 'A Different Tune' is a satisfying, almost archetypal romance in which two people must contemplate how true their love really is and what each must do to forge a life together. The decisions they face are not over-blown but still life-defining and overwhelmingly important on the scale of the character's lives. Depth is added to the stories through interactions with both characters' friends, family and colleagues--and some awkward family history. The end is up-lifting without being cloying or pat, just a romance should be.

Not to give away to much but the young couple face uncertain options, Scott in the wake of war with many young men streaming home, and Cassie at the beginning of her adult life with a musical dream to pursue, but at what cost. Scott is a hero without bluster who reminds the reader that being 'alpha' is not about who an alpha will fight for his girl, but what he is willing to sacrifice for her.

8/10

1 comment:

L.K. Campbell said...

Thank you, Emily! You made my day.