The Heiress is a page-turner. Once you begin, it is very difficult to put it down. And if you are one of those readers, like I am, who always want to read the ending half-way through the book, consider yourself warned: it took all my willpower not to go to the last page ahead of time. It’s that good.
Cam and Jules live a happy, if somewhat dreary life in the Colorado suburbs. They are deeply in love, and that is enough. Or so it seems. Ten years earlier Cam turned his back on his multi-million dollar inheritance, his family estate, Ashby House, and the entanglement of a family that is more twisted than the English ivy that climbs Ashby’s stone façade.
When an e-mail pops up asking him to come home to settle some family business after the death of his uncle, he dismisses the idea. However, his wife Jules uses her gift of persuasion to change his mind. It may be the only time she will ever get a glimpse into her husband’s background, which he has taken great pains to forget. Finally, Cam agrees, and they head to South Carolina.
The novel alternates between letters from Cam’s adoptive mother, Ruby, who died ten years earlier, and chapters detailing the action during Cam and Jules’s visit. Ruby enlightens Cam about the details of her own kidnapping at age 3, her subsequent four marriages, and her being nicknamed Ruby Killmore after the death of all four of her spouses. We also learn her real motivation for adopting her son.
And that’s just the beginning. An aunt full of hatred for Cam, a pair of conniving cousins, and a town filled with rightfully mistrusting residents round out the cast. Everyone has their secrets and motivation, and sorting out the good guys from the bad guys is not easy. Get ready for murder, disappearance, violent foul-play, mistaken identity, and a fiery inferno. This novel has it all, and right to the last page, it’s revelation after revelation. I loved this book and give it 5 stars.
Recipe for Poppyseed Chicken
In the novel, the housekeeper/cook made a chicken casserole that had been Cam’s favorite growing up. This reminded me of the chicken casserole that I remember from childhood, and still make to this day. It’s easy enough to make any night of the week, but it’s also a crowdpleaser that’s good for any potluck occasion. Be ready to give out the recipe because everyone will want it!
The topping:
Crush one sleeve of Ritz crackers, still in the wax paper wrapping, with a rolling pin. Crush so they are in pieces, but not as fine as breadcrumbs. Put into a bowl. Add 1 stick melted butter and one tablespoon poppyseeds. Set aside.
The chicken:
Put 2-4 cups shredded, cooked chicken into a casserole dish. Stir in one can cream of chicken soup and one cup sour cream. Top with Ritz topping and bake 30 minutes uncovered at 350, until hot and bubbly.
Did you like the book? The recipe? I’d love to know! Please leave a comment.
Thank you.
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