A-Z Wednesday: Meggie's Remains by Joanne Sundell

Title: Meggie's Remains
Author: Joanne Sundell
ISBN: 9781594147883
Publisher: Five Star/2009
Pages: 299

It is 1874. Running away from Boston, Meggie arrives in Denver and escapes into an isolated Mountain town as a teacher. She assumes the name of Rose Rochester as she is trying to escape her past. She knows that it would catch up with her anytime and she doesn't have much time to live. She yearns for love but she knows it is unthinkable even to contemplate it.

Somehow or the other, she stumbles upon the very handsome Ethan Rourke at every step. He is just like her secret hero Edward Rochester but she knows, she can't have a future with him. Not with a past like hers. Ethan can feel that strong attraction but can't understand Meggie's reluctance. He can see traces of abuse on her body, somehow can sense her deep sorrow although not understanding the reasons. He also knows about her masquerade.

Ethan feels rejected by Meggie's obssession with Edward Rochester, not knowing that he is a fictional character, Meggie is heart-broken and decides to write a letter to him telling him about her life's story. Each day, she keeps writing something and she knows that she is going to tear it of without sending it to Ethan.

And then her worst nightmare comes true. Her past faces squarely into her eyes. And only her wits and her love for Ethan might keep her alive.

Meggie is not a weak character. She is as strong as her favourite character Jane Eyre. That book is her sustanence. She secretly dreams about Edward Rochester and when she does find him in the fiorm of Ethan Rourke, she knows she has to let him go. Because the monster of her past will come to haunt her. And when tht monster does arrive, she knows, she has to keep him away from Ethan. She is willing to sacrifice herself for her love. She can sense danger, feel the evil as well as the positive vibes.

Meggie's Remains has that right amount of suspense, that pathos of love and also drawn parallel to Jane Eyre. With that tiny bit of supernatural/paranormal, it makes a good read. One is with Meggie all the way and also can feel Ethan's pain at her rejection. With that Gothic touch, it is book well worth picking up.