The following review of "After she's Gone," by Bill Hartzell was
posted in the March Edition of Romance Reviews Today.
AFTER SHE’S GONE
Bill Hartzell
Writer’s Showcase/iUniverse.com
www.iuniverse.com
ISBN: 0-595-12584-0
2000
Contemporary Romance
Present Day- Rockledge, PA
AFTER SHE’S GONE is the poignant story of Bill Herzell. After his wife, Hilda, of twenty-three years dies, Bill is forced to pick up the
shattered remains and begin life as a widower. Bill survives Hodgkin’s disease only to watch his loved one fight a losing battle with
leukemia. He has no idea how to continue living and an unexpected invitation to Fox Chase Cancer Center’s Living With Cancer support
group becomes the turning point in his life.
A counselor for Fox Chase, Lannie Kennedy, runs the Living With Cancer group. Lannie is immediately drawn to Bill’s gentle and quiet
nature and a relationship slowly blossoms. She knows she is falling in love, but needs to help Bill overcome his fears. Bill is hesitant to let go
of the past and start life anew, he feels he is betraying his late wife and hopes Hilda will give him a sign from above. Lannie has her own
troublesome worry; she harbors a tragic secret and cannot bring herself to tell Bill the truth. Can they forget their woes long enough to fall in
love?
Having watched my very active father-in-law wither away from the effects of leukemia, I was amazed at the precise detail of the battle Hilda
endured. The author’s knowledge of the invasive procedures, cancer-fighting medications and their side effects make me think that the
author had first hand experience. Bill’s reaction to his spouse’s death was authentic; I have seen the disbelief follow a sudden death and the
crippling emotional pain of those left behind. It was heart wrenching to read because it was so genuine.
From the tragic beginning to the highly emotional ending, this book is a sentimental voyage through relationships, good and bad. This intense
portrait into widowhood left me wondering how well I would survive in the same circumstances. Be prepared to have the Kleenex on hand!
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