Look Into Your Heart

Love is not an illusion if you look into your heart…

Kate’s older sister, Viola has been struggling with grief since the death of her husband, Charles. When she suggests that Kate accompany her to spend the Christmas season with Charles’ brothers, Bart and Liam Austin, Kate agrees because she thinks that they may help Viola to move on past her sorrow. Kate has some misgivings because she clashed with Liam the last time they met. She had been an insecure 14 year old and Liam was about 24, it was the wedding of their siblings and Liam’s comments had caused Kate to run away in tears. Kate feels like a teenager with a crush when Liam walks into the kitchen. He is tall, athletic and very easy on the eye. Alas, as soon as he opens his mouth, she is amazed that he is still arrogant and overbearing. Kate had admired the artistic layout and welcoming atmosphere of Liam’s home. He is a talented architect and seems to realise his appeal to women. She cannot help her need to tease and toy with him. Liam is dumbstruck. Kate has turned into a tall flame-haired beauty, graceful and poised, so different from the girl that he remembered. Living in the same house will be a torture; she arouses him just with her relaxed movements. Liam was hurt by a woman years ago and made a vow that he would never take on a serious relationship again. He firmly believes that love is only a term men made up to get women into bed. He is a dedicated bachelor and makes this painfully clear to Kate. For years Kate has watched friends marry and split, often with children who are hurt by their parents’ decisions. Even her own sister’s husband is now gone. To spare herself any pain, Kate has decided that a single life will suit her nicely. She has never thrown herself at a man just to be used, then rejected and she definitely will not give in to any affection she is feeling for Liam. It is obvious that Bart and Viola are matchmaking, so Liam tells Kate he is prepared to play along for the sake of harmony, but under no circumstances will he ever change his mind about marriage. Kate is in total agreement. She will fight her own growing desire for Liam, even if it kills her. Liam is now in complete self-inflicted torment. Each time he tastes her lips he becomes more enamoured of Kate. He will do anything to keep her from returning home. Kate is causing the confirmed bachelor to question all of his beliefs.

Tricia McGill creates an enormous amount of tension for Liam. He wants Kate but must change all of his past decisions to have her. When Liam’s nephew, 13 year old Grant develops a fixation on Kate, Liam acts like a possessive boyfriend, forgetting that he is the boy’s uncle. It seems that this woman could turn his life around, if only he can overcome his turmoil and look into his own heart. Kate knows that she has grown to love Liam, but will accept him on her terms only. She has constructed a wall to shield her from the heartache that she expects everyday. Kate is so certain that Liam will desert her that she creates many of her own problems. In the background of this angst is a budding relationship between Bart and Viola, at odds with a teenager who is jealous of his uncle and desperate for his father’s attention. It was very easy for this reader to become engrossed with the dilemmas of this couple. True to life, many other matters arise to draw them together then tear them apart. Look Into Your Heart takes place in and around the Australian seaside. This beautiful backdrop seems to come alive with the lovers’ emotions; storms and sunny days reflect their own journey. Tricia McGill creates stories that are fondly remembered for their strong characters, this is another one you must not miss.

Reviewed by: Naomi