“Mind of Her Own” by Diana Lesire Brandmeyer

Book Cover Mind of Her Own 2

You Must Have Me Mixed Up With Someone Else….

Louisa is married to workaholic lawyer, Collin Copeland. They have three children, and live in an expensive Midwestern suburb.  After a conk on the head renders her unconscious and in the emergency room, she wakes up as someone else.  She tells everyone she is Jazz Sweet, Ocean & Palms Free Usea single, successful romance writer who lives by the ocean in Florida.   Jazz is an unconventional free spirit, about as far removed from Louisa as could be.  She has no memory of Collin, the children, or anything else.

Jazz is sure a mix up has taken place at the hospital.  There must be some other woman named Louisa that belongs with Collin.  When her “husband” wants to take her home, she feels he is a complete stranger.  Jazz wonders if she might be going off with someone dangerous.  But since she can’t find a purse or cell phone belonging to Jazz, leaving her without money or contacts, she consents to go home with Collin.

Who are you again?

So begins a strange experience for Jazz, and the Copeland family.  Jazz has no idea how to cook, take care of children or any of the million other tasks Louisa seamlessly took care of.  Collin finds he has to make a way to start coming home earlier in the evenings to help Jazz with household tasks–a first for him.  Collin even finds himself thrust into watching his own children, something he has never done before either. 

Shopping Woman Free UseJazz gets to work brightening up Louisa’s dull wardrobe of khaki, white and navy with bright colors and accessories.  She also livens up everyone’s lives, as well, since she is nothing like the very structured Louisa.  Jazz insists her parents were missionaries, and expects the formerly Christmas and Easter church attending Copeland’s, to be in church every Sunday.  Jazz turns everyone’s lives upside down, and in some ways, they would like her to stay forever.

Not all memories are good ones.

This might seem like a playful tale, and there are some funny situations.  However, an undercurrent of something dark runs beneath this light-hearted yarn.  The doctor suggests the reason Louisa has become Jazz is that it is a coping mechanism.  Something must have happened in Louisa’s life that was so traumatic she doesn’t want to remember it.  Until she does recall that event, Louisa will never know who she really is.Remember Sticky Note 2

The author does an excellent job of explaining the life-changing event that occurred in Louisa’s life when she was twelve–without going into graphic detail.  The word pictures she paints, really gives the reader a clear idea of what happened.  I appreciated that, along with the story being done from a Christian view-point.   

The story-line really keeps your attention, wondering how will all turn out.  This is a great book that deals with some very dark, adult situations, which would be inappropriate for young readers.  I highly recommend this 5-star book to anyone who enjoys a good, solid story that has some fun parts, but also a strong dose of reality. 

Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of Mind of Her Own for the purpose of review.  I have not been compensated in any other manner.  All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.

Author’s Website:  http://dianabrandmeyer.com/

Author’s Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/DianaLesireBrandmeyerAuthor

Author’s Twitter:  https://twitter.com/dianabrandmeyer

 

This entry was posted in Book Reviews and tagged , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.