Sandy M’s review of Forecast by Jane Tara
Contemporary Paranormal published 30 Oct 07 by Dorchester

Blurb:

The Shakespeare women were what the locals of Greenwich Village called “gifted.” Sure, Rowie’s predictions were helpful for forecasting the weather or finding someone’s lost grandkid. But when it came to love, her abilities were more like a curse. Why bother dating a guy if you knew at the first kiss he was destined for some blonde from New Jersey? Nope, Rowie was much happier bringing together the people she knew were a perfect match. Until the day she kissed the man whose future she couldn’t foresee… 

Sybil has an excerpt she’ll post shortly. 

Rowena Shakespeare starts her day off every morning by forecasting the weather for her neighbors. And she is always 100% right. She is descended from a long line of Shakespeare women, beginning with a great aunt of the Bard. For centuries clairvoyance has been a consistent trademark born in those women. Rowie’s gift also includes seeing a man’s future with just one kiss, and of all those futures she’s divined so far, not one has included her. She’s still waiting for that one man she won’t be able to read when she kisses him. That man is her soulmate.

Laid up in a Florida hospital, Drew Henderson is nursing a broken leg he sustained while covering a hurricane in the Sunshine state, which means his job as weatherman in Manhattan will go to a stand-in while he heals. Although he did approve the charming and beautiful woman the station wants as his temporary replacement, he can’t believe his eyes as he watches her on television. After all his hard work to get where he is, they’re using a psychic, a gimmick, and turning him and his position into a laughingstock.

After her initial flubs and mishaps on the air, Rowie eventually is comfortable in front of the camera and the audience loves her. When it comes time for her to bow out at Drew’s return, she gets the shock of her life when they hit it off and Drew’s kiss leaves her psychic senses absolutely blank. She’s found the one man meant for her, and all is right with their world until a jealous coworker’s machinations tear Drew and Rowie apart.

I enjoyed the premise of Forecast and all the fun that went along with it. So much happens in this story, that although I liked the stories revolving around the secondary characters, especially Rowie’s mother and grandmother, I think there was a little too much time spent with them.

I wanted more time with the main characters. I loved Drew and Rowie’s scenes together, romantic and teasing, just like a relationship should be.  Everything came together and the twists kept me guessing and kept everything lighthearted when it very easily could have become maudlin. I predict a winner for Ms. Tara with this delightful book.

Grade: B