Review: Elvis is a Keeper
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 4, 2013
This author brings us a delightful romance mixed with a little mystery.  Her well developed characters show strong emotions of both tenderness and humor. Wish each page I turned, I became more invested in the story.We are introduced to Em as a single, young mother who was abandoned by her husband shortly after giving birth to her daughter.  She never dreamed this would happen to her, after all her own mother had abandoned her and her father (Emmitt).  After the disaster of her marriage, she starts working with her father as a fishing guide.  In her young life she has had only 2 constants in her life her dad and best friend (Irene) and now her daughter Jane.  Her dad has finally, after years, found happiness with his high school sweetheart (Dot) who has returned to the Texas Hill Country. Em now shares a house with Irene and Lila (Irene's daughter).Vance Canton has come to the area on orders from his brother (Eric) to rest, relax and figure out his life.  Eric feels that he is not enjoying life as he should.  Eric always loved the outdoors and has spent some time in the area.  Vance, on the other hand, has never really liked the outdoors, just skiing.Vance grew up feeling like he didn't fit in anywhere except for when he was writing. He has had 1 book published, but in his opinion didn't do very well so he gave that up to take a job with the Vermont State House legislation and while this may pay the bills, it's in no way fulfilling.Eric know Vance will not get out unless he feels obligated to, so he buys him a day fishing trip with Em's guide service.  Vance feels he must fill this obligation because Eric can no longer do this.  Eric has Lou Gehrig's disease and has progressively been getting worse. His one problem is that he doesn't fish and second boats make him nervous and queasy. When sees him, of course she's attracted to him, after all who wouldn't be- he looks just like Elvis. Then when he speaks, she thinks he's the rudest man.  The first thing Vance notices is that Em is beautiful and very confident.  She makes him nervous and clumsy.Chemistry between them ignite.  Vance is upfront with her in that he's only there for a short time. Em is not sure if she wants a short-term relationship, but with her dad recently married to Dot and Irene dating Tad, maybe sometime with him would ease her being lonely.  It seems like complications start coming up from all directions, like finding a dead body in the lake she guides on.  She turns to Vance because he makes her feel safe and secure.  Vance has found with Em's encouragement he can write again and becomes immersed in the storyline.As the investigation of the dead body turns into a homicide investigation, the sheriff finds reason to suspect her father.  Poor Em, her stable life is starting to come pressing in on her.  She has more questions than answers.  She knows in her heart he couldn't kill anyone, that she has deep feelings for Vance and was looking at heartbreak when he goes back to Vermont.  Vance doesn't want to hurt Em or Jane, but he has obligations in Vermont and knows he must return.Ms. Allen has done an excellent job of incorporating romance, mystery and humor into her story. Her well-developed characters show true emotions anyone can relate to.