SUMMER BREEZE Four Seasons, Book 2

Jill Shellabarger assumes the roles of Kim; her new husband, Derek; Kim's 10-year old twins, Luke and Lydia; and Derek's meddling mother-in-law, Miranda, who moves in with the family. Shellabarger embraces each role with stylistic skills that define each character. She excels at portraying the emotional outbursts, followed by tears and self-recrimination, of assorted family members as they're challenged by the new living situation. She deftly captures meddlesome Miranda, with her condescending attitude and scathing remarks, which send Kim fuming from the room. She skillfully depicts Derek as a man torn between two women he loves. The twins' sibling rivalry, complicated by Luke's childhood diabetes and a new stepparent, is convincing. Shellabarger's performance leaves nothing to be desired--except more. G.D.W. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 08]