Helena Unbound
By Joseph Dixon 

     Imagine waking up one morning, going to the bank, withdrawing a sizeable sum and then hitting the road. So begins the journey of Helena Berry.

     Helena has a history of simply disappearing from her own life. Even though she is married and has a young daughter, Helena simply disappears for short periods of time.

     This time, she heads for California in search of a long lost lover. Many years ago in high school, Helena and Patrick were hopelessly in love. When Helena shows up in California, she expects to regain this once-in-a-lifetime love. Patrick has become a doctor with a comfortable life, and just before Helena's arrival, his marriage has fallen apart and he, too, is in search of what might have been.

     However, Helena has almost no memories of her past life. Is she running away from something or someone unknown, or running toward a future that only she knows what is in store?

     This book was a bit of a surprise, not at all what I was expecting. After a few pages, I was so drawn into Helena's life that I felt her confusion, joy and pain. This is not just a love story or a "chick's" book. There is much more going on.