Sarah McAllister teaches learning disabled students. She loves her job and students. It has taught her a good many things, especially how to deal with the parents if a problem arises. Everything seems to go well until a new principal arrives in town, who wishes to change things. For two years, widower Mike Hartman has signed on to be the new school principal to a run-down school where it seems life can quickly become difficult. When he wishes to change protocol, Sarah believes things shouldn’t be altered. Why uproot something that has always been making the parents happy and teaching the students. Mike doesn’t like the fact she stands up to him. He only has a certain amount of time to get this school as the same standards as others. When the students have trouble mainstreaming, it appears Sarah and Mike continue to butt heads. After it pulls in the parents, Mike seems to have bitten off more then he can chew. Sarah stands her ground, but the more tension created between them brings them together in a different way. Both fight for what they believe is correct as a romance stirs for them. The more they try to fight their growing attraction only deepens. With a troubled past in Mike’s life, and a sister that Sarah tries to cope with interferes, one can only wonder is their love deep enough to forego any relationship.

Southern Song is a great read. I loved how the storyline revolved around the school, with the special students and teachers trying to make a difference. Sarah is a strong character who believes in being there for the children one hundred percent. I found it commendable the way she puts her students, and even her sister, first in her life. I could share in Mike’s emotions as he fights to get over a rough past. I thought the way they continued fighting their feelings to work things out was a page-turner in itself. They are realistic characters, and their chemistry is one that tries to bring them together yet pull them apart. Rosemary Laurey weaves a tale that clutches onto the reader and keeps them spellbound until the dramatic conclusion. She fashions a story that is so life-like in every way that when the ending comes, the reader wants to hear more. I found this a splendid read.

Reviewed by: Linda L.