Review of To Be, Or Not by Margo Hoornstra

Barry Carlson had it all, a successful career in professional baseball and the adoration of any woman he wanted. Except one. Forced to retire in his prime, Barry returns to his hometown of Summerville, New York to coach the Minor League Hornets.

Twenty years ago, Barry broke through Amanda Marsh's trust issues. He melted her ice, won her love, then walked away without a backward glance to survey the wreckage. Now Amanda is the head of public relations for the Hornets and happily single--until Barry slides back into her life.

Still reluctant to trust, Amanda gives Barry another chance. But the announcement of their twenty-fifth high school reunion leads to an asinine bet between Barry and his old buddies, and threatens to ruin their newfound relationship. As scandals of the past and present converge, can Barry and Amanda get beyond their differences to find their second chance at love?

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Review

To Be Or Not was my first read in the Class of 85 series. Each book is a stand-alone addition with a common thread--their upcoming 25th class reunion.

The hero is Barry Carlson. He left town to become a star athlete and only returned after an injury ended his pro baseball career. Returning to his small hometown gave him a new opportunity, however, to take care of some unfinished business with heroine Amanda Marsh. 

This work has a pleasant,  fast-flowing narrative, with lifelike characters who have real problems and hangups.  Hoornstra blows stereotypes out of the water. Though not  a very long novel, the subplot  of a young rookie accused of sexually asaulting the love of his life ads enough drama and confusion to heighten the tension. A sensitive subject is handled in a realistic and tasteful way, with both subjects over the age of consent. 

Hoornstra has another winner on her hands!

BOOK BLING gives To Be, Or Not 4 stars!

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Wild Rose Press

Like many writers, it’s hard to determine exactly when my fiction writing career began. I remember composing a short story in grade school (I have no idea about what) which was chosen for publication in an all school anthology. A journalism class taken in junior high school led to a job on the school newspaper and a weekly column. 

I always loved reading. I loved writing too. Someday, I thought, maybe when I grew up and received the right training, I could actually write a book. After all, I was often told, laughingly most times, I had an extremely vivid imagination. 

Through the years, the desire to write was always there. I had so many ideas and characters roaming around in my head, so many stories. But the business of living—going to college, getting married then raising a family—took precedence over something as frivolous as writing a book. 

Then one day out of the blue I was downsized—effective immediately—from a job I’d held for over thirty years. What seemed so unfair at the time, I now recognize the tremendous gift I was given that day. As I’m now able to spend more and more time doing what I love—writing romantic fiction—I find I really do have an abundance of stories to share.

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