Review: All's Fair in Love and War
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 11 4, 2012
"The word is poison, I know/Sent from down below."These famous words were sung by the late Ernie K-Doe in his 1961 number-one hit, "Mother-In-Law." For the character Darcy Flanagan in Sandra Ross's title "I Stand By You: A Sensually Sweet Romance," these words exemplify the vitriol that has formed between the protagonist and her lover Shane Lockwood's mother, and provides the background for the near-continuous conflict brewing within the pages of this work.The foreshadowing of "I Stand By You" is demonstrated in the very first sentence: "The day that Darcy first set eyes on she she fell instantly and completely in love with him" (Ch. 1). Ross's writing style is active and straightforward. She writes in short but effective sentences that allow the reader to absorb main points and events occurring throughout the book. By providing her readers with such an effective opening right from the beginning, her story makes the burgeoning romance between Darcy and Shane an unmovable cornerstone upon which their relationship is able to weather and survive any and all conflict that forms around them.While Darcy and Shane aren't married, the dynamics of the relationship---or what barely passes for one---between Darcy and Shane's mother might as well reflect all the trials, tribulations, and challenges that develop throughout the story. As it turns out, Shane's mother has already picked out another woman for her son to marry, and the arrival of Darcy upon the scene throws all plans asunder.Shane's eyes, lashes, and cheekbones are described by the author for the reader's benefit because it is these attributes that cause Darcy to go ga-ga over him. Ross uses these features to offset Shane's slight, unremarkable build, and in so doing demonstrates that his character exemplifies those intangibles found in people the world over that attract others to them. When someone is asked why (s)he is physically/emotionally/sexually drawn to a certain person for these particular reasons, oftentimes that individual can't articulate the reasons. Instead, they may say something relatively generic and innocuous, such as "(S)he makes me happy; (s)he's fun and I like being with him/her."Have you ever noticed that certain individuals bring out our best qualities? Were we to exist in a perfect world, these people would interact with us on a daily basis and would contribute in immeasurable ways towards an incredible quality of life for everybody. The initial meeting between Darcy and Shane reflects this assertion: both characters seem perfectly at ease in each other's presence; they seem to develop an immediate rapport with one another; they are quick to smile and to apologize for any perceived slights in manners and appearance, etc. These intangibles, as alluded to earlier, provide the framework for a passionate, intense relationship that eventually is tested by Shane's mother.Romantic fiction appeals to many readers simply because they can immerse themselves into a world of idealized fantasy where any and all shortcomings and faults are minimized or eliminated altogether. Sometimes the relationships presented within can serve as an impetus for wanting to correct the errata found in the real world. Although it could be considered a bit far-fetched to compare the actions taken by a fictional couple within a romance book to, say, the benefits that couples counseling can provide, Ross does present a well-paced novel to her fans that allows for a temporary respite from reality and provides an exciting adventure to boot.