Romance, Censure, and Retribution

Olivia McDougle hastily left a promising career with an adverting agency in New York City to return to her home town, Rexford, Ohio. Olivia had been engaged to be married. When she discovered her fiancé in a compromised liaison she was traumatized and ended the relationship.

She returned to the home of her Aunt Etta. Aunt Etta had raised Olivia ever since her parents were killed in tragic deaths. Shortly after returning to Rexford, Olivia became the editor of the local newspaper. Very soon after taking the assignment, she was confronted with a disastrous conflict with a local, influential, and powerful Judge Gillette, his arrogant daughter, and his acquiescent wife.

Joyce Brennan has a natural gift for blending a romantic novel, with ingredients of greed, misdirected political power and suspense into an intriguing page turner. The plot includes blackmail, vengeance, attempted murder, and the principle of integrity in news reporting, Joyce incorporates plot twists, sub plots, and dialog to keep the story moving to a suspenseful climax.

Joyce Brennan has created a cast of characters that grips the reader, and insures an audience that will be looking for a series to follow. The multi-dimensional persona of Olivia McDougle, Dr. Mitch James, a trio of Olivia's friends, and the townspeople of Rexford all played an important part in the development of the story line. The easy flow of the narrative and the natural appeal of the locale add to the feeling of reality that I personally experienced throughout my reading.

"Small Town Affairs" is entertaining, suspenseful reading. The story introduces believable characters, a creative plot, and a natural dialog. The story lends itself to a follow up sequel. I am eager to hear more of the amazing events in the lives of Olivia McDougle and Mitch James, and am looking forward to Joyce Brennan's future books.