Every grrl needs a bit of romance in her life at some time or another--even me, jaded old feminist that I am! Pink Palace is just the kind of book to read when I'm in need of a sweet dose of Chick Lit. It offers a light, fluffy story with a sassy heroine and a gorgeous hunk who might or might not be bad for her. It is set against the backdrop of the Ontario legislature, and where better than in party politics to find intrigue and passion?

Ellie Walsh is a young and idealistic executive assistant to one of Canada's provincial opposition members of Parliament. She is determined that through her job, she will make a difference for the betterment of her party and of her country. But she soon finds this to be more difficult than she had imagined. What is a grrl to do when her hormones fall for a guy who works for the wrong political party? Or when what is good for her party is somewhat different from what she feels to be in the best interests of her fellow country folk?

As added bonus, most of the action of the tale takes place in Toronto's Ontario legislature at Queen's Park. This historic building is dubbed the Pink Palace by the locals because of the beautiful color of its sandstone walls, and Rachel Sheer's story includes a short trip through the building and its origins. Interesting stuff that whets my appetite enough for me to explore Google in search of more pictures of the architecture.

Google "Moira Richards" to find links to her essays on Women Abuse, her reviews of woman-authored books as well as to other writing and editing work she does for various print and e-publications. She can often be found lounging about the staff rooms of womenwriters.net, absolutewrite.com and moondance.org - usually sipping tea, sometimes Jack Daniels.
Off-line, she teaches accounting and other numberly subjects to students at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in South Africa. And writes a poem or two.

More Reviews
Virginia Woolf — The Will to Create as a Woman | Maverick
Edgar Allan Poe & the Juke-Box | Fake ID