Beholden
Bronwyn Williams is the pen name for authors Dixie Browning and Mary Williams.  Beholden begins with our hero Galen McKnight on his gambling boat in a small Southern town. Galen grew up in Connecticut, the middle of three boys.  A few years before he had been saved from drowning off the coast of Ireland by a fisherman named Declan O'Sullivan, who died in the effort.  Galen's family had sent money to the O'Sullivan orphans as a gesture of thanks, and Galen had come back to America and gone on with his life- until... He receives a letter from his oldest brother Brandon, that he has "inherited" two women and that they will be joining him shortly.  Not understanding his brother's cryptic words, and just a tad angry about the inconvenience, he heads to the train station to meet the mystery women. Enter Kathleen and Tara O'Sullivan, Declan's orphans.  They have used the McKnight money to make a much-needed new life in America.  Kathleen (Katy) is twenty-two and dreams of owning her own dress shop despite her failing eyesight.  Tara is a thirteen year old handful with " the sight" - which is as unreliable as her sister's is. Needless to say Galen is not delighted to be burdened with the O'Sullivan's, but finds himself drawn to the proud and yet vulnerable Katy.  At first he just feels protective, but that soon grows into more. Beholden's characters are the strength of this book.  One cannot help rooting for Katy, smiling at Tara's misadventures and being drawn to Galen's strength.  The crew of the gambling boat adds to the depth of the book.  The relationship between Galen and Katy is an obvious ending to this novel, but it is the desired one.  The reader wants Katy to have a happily ever after life. Beholden is a novel with strong characters that a reader can't help but enjoy. An entertaining read! Bronwyn Williams is a story teller who knows her characters well.Michelle Sawyer  --Copyright © 080198 Literary Times, Inc.  All rights reserved--FromLiterary Times