Dr J's Book Place

Valentine's Day, 2012--Won't You All Be My Valentine?

2012-02-14T10:51:00.001-08:00

Well, it's Valentine's Day and I have to admit forgetting that it was approaching until I received a box from 1-800-Flowers by UPS yesterday with a beautiful bouquet of day lilies from my Honey. What a lovely surprise, but it did remind me that this fun and for many, important day was upon us.

History tells us that there was indeed a St. Valentine, a Roman soldier who lived a couple of hundred years into the Christian Era and who converted to Christianity. Before he was martyred, he was the epitome of kindness and caring, very different from the expected demeanor or persona of a Roman soldier.

Most of us remember Valentine's Day from our childhood and our yearly trips to the grocery store or Wal-Mart or some such retail venue to buy our big bag of Valentines so we could make them out and be prepared to give one to each of the kids in our homeroom class. As I recall, they were silly, often cheesy little two-liner sayings that inevitably ended with: "Be My Valentine." Most of us couldn't even figure out what that meant until we got closer to our teen years when the youthful crushes on another human being made us delighted and miserable all at the same time with newly discovered hormones in all their glory.

I wonder now if we don't get caught up in the greeting card frenzy just a little, but I do know that most people who have a significant "other" try to remember that person in a quality and authentic way. I never remember receiving a really expensive gift on Valentine's Day, but just being remembered and treated to that something special really meant a lot, especially when our kids were little and I felt like such a sexless drudge a good deal of the time. It's a wonder my Honey kept me around.

Just yesterday I read a really cute novella from one of my favorite authors, Cat Johnson

entitled Valentine Cowboys. It is no secret that I would probably love this book, sight unseen, as I really like cowboy romance as well as fine all of Cat Johnson's writing to be really fine--readable, good stories, balanced action, and characters that live as real people. And like all her stories, it brings real people into love situations that resonate with all of us. Two cowboys remember their experience when in 5th grade and their respective crushes on the same little girl that sat near them in the back row. Both received a message: "Meet me behind the monkey bars and I will give you a kiss." The boys missed out on the kiss when they began fighting over who was going to kiss her first, and from that time on decided they would never allow a woman to come between them again. Now, 12 years later, they again are in the presence of that little girl but now she is all grown up, and for one of those cowboys, the feelings come to the surface, feelings that haven't manifested themselves for over a decade. Yet, their friendship has matured and they are best buddies and neither man can conceive of a future without their friendship. So they make a proposition to their long-ago heart throb: Take us both or we walk away. It is a fun read, one that will probably take any reader back to those long ago elementary Valentine's Day traditions, possibly to our own heart throbs and remembering school chums who made our hearts zing just a little bit, no matter how young we were.

We all have our memories, and few of us have had some old school chum become a love interest later in life. But it's a fun thought, and its a novella that is beautifully written and which embraces the idea that those childish experiences could conceivably become the foundation for a mature relationship later in life.

I hope this Valentine's Day is a good experience, that re-visiting memories is a good thing, and if by some act of fate your heart is hurting this day, give it time . . . there's lots of love in the world and lots of people who can fill those empty places with friendship and kindness until that special someone comes along. Won't you all be my Valentine?

Baby It's Cold Outside, And That's Especially True in Alaska!! "Edge of Survival" by Toni Anderson

2012-02-13T13:00:00.000-08:00

Dr. Cameran Young knew her assignment wouldn't be easy. As lead biologist on the Environment Impact Assessment team, her findings would determine the future of a large mining project in the northern Canadian bush. She expected rough conditions and hostile miners--but she didn't expect to find a dead body her first day on the job.

Former SAS Sergeant Daniel Fox forged a career as a helicopter pilot, working as far from the rest of the human race as possible. The thrill of flying makes his civilian life bearable, and he lives by his mantra: don't get involved. But when he's charged with transporting the biologist to her research vessel, he can't help but get involved in the murder investigation--and with Cameran, who awakens emotions he's desperate to suppress.

In the harsh and rugged wilderness, Daniel and Cameran must battle their intense and growing attraction while keeping ahead of a killer who will stop at nothing to silence her...

I really like stories set in the cold and stark wilderness of Alaska and its surrounding areas. Perhaps that is due to really loving sdome of Jack London's stories that we read during my school years. In any event, this story is stark in its background, unadorned living with only the bare necessities of human existence, and the kind of surroundings that insist that all who venture there be sure to make good decisions because there just may not be a second chance. This novel features the story of a young and attractive environmental scientist who is charged with judging the activities of the oil company employees so that they do not violate the environment or those animal species that are endangered. No doubt her efforts are not readily received and almost from the get-go her life is in danger. Bring in our hero--a man who is wounded in spirit and body, whose military career as a British Special Ops soldier was cut short by an unscrupulous officer and his own personal decision to leave the military as a way of protecting its honor and tradition and reputation. Now he is a charter pilot flying his helicopter as a way of making his existence bearable. Meeting up with Cameron Young threatens his carefully orchestrated life, boring though it may be. She's sexy and cute, sassy and forthright, but she doesn't want to get involved, until she realizes that she has sacrificed her personal life, her personal thoughts and needs, to her career. Now she wants to "seize the day" and Daniel seems to be her best option right now.

This is a complicated novel that is full of really different people with their personal idiosyncrasies, their strange habits, their own efforts to dodge the realities and responsibilities of mature living. There's a dead body and accusations flying through the air as to who might be the killer. There are law enforcement officers who bring their own take on life to the story, full of their own sets of personal problems and career snafus. There are a few native characters who have a very different viewpoint of their homeland and when all these characters with their individualities and personal quirks come together, the story gets interesting, suspense-filled, and its all spiced up with some hot loving.

I have really enjoyed this author's work in the past and was delighted to have the opportunity to read this novel. I've made no bones about the fact that some of my favorite romance novels have that added tension caused by a really good murder mystery. Ms Anderson has brought tension, twists and turns to this story, so much so that the ending really caught me off guard. That's not really easy to do. So I found this novel to be compelling and kept my interest from start to finish. I actually read it in one sitting. The excellent story and the really fine writing testify to this author's command of the writing task. And after all, when a serious romance reader encounters a story that just keeps the heat turned up, it's the best of all literary worlds. I hope you will seek this one out and enjoy it as much as I did. I give it a rating of 4 out of 5.

Christmas May Be Gone, but the Love Lives On! "Holiday Kisses" by Alison Kent, Jaci Burton, HelenKay Dimon, and Shannon Stacey

2012-02-11T16:03:00.000-08:00

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...Love!

A man gives the gift of trust and receives a second chance at love in return. A woman helps to heal the wounded heart of a soldier. A couple finds that true love knows no distance. And a young widow learns that there can be two great loves in a lifetime. Love, romance and passion come together in this collection of four seasonal shorts.

Anthology includes:

This Time Next Year by Alison Kent

A Rare Gift by Jaci Burton

It's Not Christmas Without You by HelenKay Dimon

Mistletoe and Margaritas by Shannon Stacey

"This Time Next Year" tells the story of two people who have vastly different plans for their future. Dillon Craig is a doctor returned from Afghanistan and who is trying to heal from the inner wounds of losing so many to war wounds. He is "hiding" on the mountain where Brenna Keating's grandmother lives in the Carolinas. Brenna is a nurse who has long wanted to travel and work in medical clinics throughout the world and has already signed on for a year in a foreign setting. (Her parents were committed to the same kind of medical missions and so she comes by this naturally.) Yet as badly as Brenna wants to be with her grandmother for Christmas, she is stranded in a blizzard with Dr Dillon as her only refuge. This is a love story, right? So we won't be surprised that they were attracted to one another and then acted on that attraction. But the crisis that is always lurking in the background is Brenna's plan to go overseas and Dillon's determination to stay on his mountain and tend to the families there. What starts out to be your usual love story does not turn out that way. It's a great story and very touching as each of these people come to a greater understanding of themselves.

"A Rare Gift" by Jaci Burton tells the story of two people who have known each other for years but who are separated and essentially made unavailable to one another by the presence of the ex-wife--the former Mrs. Kent, Cassandra. The big problem is that Cassie is Calliope's sister and Calliope has long had a crush on her former brother-in-law. Wyatt is nearly struck dumb by Callie's mature self--he always saw her as a pimply-faced kid, and now he realizes that she is hot, hot, hot. Yet the spectre of her sister looms between them. This story seems to get worse, and then get better, and then gets worse again. It certainly kept me on the edge of my chair as I hoped that these two could find their way back to each other. Callie is sassy and doesn't seem willing to accept the eventualities of life and just let Wyatt go. No--she is going to do whatever she must, and it is Callie's "doing" that gives this story its verve and vitality and the sparkle that makes the love story live as it possibly would in real life.

"It's Not Christmas Without You" by HelenKay Dimon. There's an old saying, a rhetorical question of sorts that asks: "How are you going to keep them down on the farm after they see Times Square?" So it would appear with the hero, Austin, a botanist who works his family's tree farm, and Carrie, a girl who is wildly in love with Austin but whose dream job is at an art museum in Washington, D. C. that lifts up and celebrates women's artistry. No matter how much she has loved Austin in the past, no matter how many times they reconcile and then break apart, the museum job and her life in Washington, D. C. interferes. Now Austin is making one grand gesture, a final attempt to woo Carrie away from her grand experiment and get her to come home at last. She ain't goin' to do it, so there!! It's a story that begins and ends with their crisis, a story that highlights how people can genuinely love one another and yet their lives just don't seem to run in the same direction. I must admit that I wasn't sure that here was a solution for these two, and I don't think the ending was a well-done as it might have been. This author is so good--she writes from the heart with wit and sensitivity to real people and their difficulties and joys, and while I was happy with the ending, I felt that it came at me too quickly and the resolution to the problem was all of a sudden there. Probably just me. Anyway, I loved the story and was vastly entertained by it.

"Misteltoe and Margaritas" by Shannon Stacey. Claire and Justin are a couple that are bound together by their deep and abiding friendship. Each had been close to Claire's husband and Justin is very open (in his thoughts) that Claire would have been wooed by him rather than her husband if he had seen her first. Since Brendan was his best friend, he backed off, and supported the lovers through their wedding and brief marriage. Yet his heart was always Claire's and now that two years have passed since her hubby's death, Justin wants to bring Claire into a different kind of relationship with him. In some ways this is the most emotionally charged story of the four but it is a story of hope for the future. I found it very touching and am honest when I say that this, like the other Shannon Stacey stories I have read, connected with me on a very deep level.

Like a number of holiday stories I have read and review this year, this is a collection that will entertain and resonate with romance fiction lovers no matter what time of the year the reader may indulge. Yes, the setting is holiday in nature. But the sentiments, the situations, the real human circumstances and feelings are all pertinent to any time of the year. This anthology is worth the time and effort to read, and I hope you will avail yourselves of the entertainment. I give it a rating of 4.25 out of 5.

This collection was released by Carina Press in December, 2011.

Could Most of Us Even Remember our First Love? "The Christmas Cookie Chronicles: Carrie" by Lori Wilde

2012-02-09T15:36:00.000-08:00

Come join a meeting of the First Love Cookie Club

"On Christmas Eve, if you sleep with kismet cookies under your pillow and dream of your own true love, he will be your destiny.""

Carrie MacGregor doesn't believe this--not one bit. She might be a "paid up" member of the Cookie Club and the local Sweethearts Knitting Club, but she's not about to give in to the forced ho-ho-ho of the season. And why? Mark Leland. When he left town he broke Carrie's heart. Now, the local-guy-made good is back, hosting the reality show "Fact or Fantasy."

Fact: Mark broke her heart. Fantasy: her friends think they'll be getting back together. But could the magic of a Twilight, Texas Christmas make Carrie's secret dreams come true?

Once again we encounter a wonderful holiday story that may seek to embrace the miracles and wonder of a Christmas season, but which is really, at its core, a delightful love story. But as most mature adults will testify, the road to true love seldom runs smooth, and so it is with Carrie, a woman whose first love left her, their home town, their brief, weekend-long marriage, and left her with eight years of silence. Mark was the man who stole her heart, who gave her a sense of belonging, and then disappeared even though he left her with promises that somehow never came true. Now Mark is a famous TV personality and host of a reality show dedicated to debunk local myths throughout the United States. The producers have now focused on Twilight and its myth that one can and will be re-united with one's true love when a penny is cast in the town fountain or one sleeps with these special cookies under one's pillow. Carrie is prepared to testify that it is all foolishness.

This is a story of two people who have gotten off the emotional track even to the point that they have strayed from their life goals and plans. Carrie is now a successful business owner but inwardly she is bitter and disappointed. Mark somehow knows that while he has the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry, complete with arm-candy women and sumptuous life style, he knows in his heart that what he has always wanted to write is a novel. He is a journalist at heart.

I found this story to be a delightful read, one that reminded me of those days when I wondered what path my life would take. It introduces the reader to fun characters and a town which has built its entire social calendar and economy on this business of lovers finding each other. I had the sense that I was once again experiencing some of the feelings that made Carrie's days depressing, her persistent sense of disappointment over Mark's betrayal of their love, and her almost palpable loneliness. Yet underlying the obvious negatives of Carrie's personal experience was also a layer of optimism which even Carrie's unhappiness couldn't erase. It's a holiday story, to be sure, but it is a love story that will entertain and be a fun read at any time of the year. I had not read any of Ms Wilde's work recently, but was excited to be re-acquainted with her style, her evident story telling ability, and a story that left me with the sense that this is a story that will leave readers with that satisfaction serious readers experience when completing a really good story.

This is a book you'll not want to miss. I give it a rating of 4 out of 5.

The Kindle edition of this novel was published in November, 2011.

Romance in the Midst of War: Deadly Descent by Kaylea Cross

2012-02-07T15:07:00.000-08:00

Devon Crawford is an officer; Air Force Pararescueman Cam Munro is enlisted. Dev flies medical evacuations; Cam jumps into danger zones to save lives. Dev wants to return home from Afghanistan with her heart untouched; Cam will do anything to win the woman he loves.

Reaching for happiness in a war zone is the last thing Captain Devon Crawford plans, but she can't ignore the feelings she's hidden for so long. Cam's sexy charm and wicked kisses weaken her resistance, but she's too afraid of losing him to give in.

When Dev's helicopter and crew are shot down and set up as bait by a notorious warlord, Cam risks all to save the team. What he doesn't know is that the trap is set for him....

* * * * *

Just as readers were inundated with stories that grew out of past wartime venues, so we are experiencing a number of fine fictional efforts set in the midst of the Middle East conflict in Iraq or Afghanistan. This story takes readers right into the war action through the experiences of a Black Hawk helicopter pilot whose mission is primarily rescuing wounded soldiers. It is an incredibly dangerous assignment, and yet Capt. Devon Crawford feels that sense of power and the adrenaline rush each time she lifts off the pad. Yet the certainty of war's hurt and possible death is never absent. Add to the danger from attacks by the enemy as she is hovering over the landing zone, weather can often play a role that may mean the difference between life or death to everyone concerned.

Now Devon must wrestle with her own inner demons: her decision to turn back to the base rather than put her craft and crew in mortal danger because of deadly fog has now given her the sense that she was partly responsible for the man she had been dating before she was deployed to Afghanistan. Even though she was preparing to break off the relationship, her sense of deep guilt is keeping her from feeling OK about her almost overwhelming attraction to his friend, Cam. It is the kind of survivor guilt many experience because of the deadly nature of war.

This story is full of colorful characters, all of whom are really special people, skilled and ready to do their duty, but still dealing with that underlying reality that any one of them might not return from the next mission. Cam and Devon are kept apart by the fact that one is an officer and the other enlisted, by their continuing struggle over Ty's death, by being deployed on missions at different times of the day, and eventually, by needing medical care that means that they are separated by thousands of miles. Yet throughout there is that connection with all the characters--the bonds that develop when human beings find themselves in this kind of pressure cooker circumstance.

I had not previously read any of this author's work but I am looking forward to this continuing series as well as looking up other works available. The story is well-written, the plot and storyline are interesting from start to finish, and the insertion of passages which bring the reader into the thoughts of the enemy keep the tension at a consistent level. This book is definitely a "keeper" and one that is well-worth reading. Even though all war stories bring in the crisis of battle, this book seemed to have a fresh feel about it. I felt that I had been privileged to share the characters' experiences in a way that has not always been the case. I hope you will find time to enjoy this book. It is really good! I give it a rating of 4.5 out of 5.

This novel was released in September, 2011, by Carina Press.

Can Love Survive the Hurt of Betrayal? "Reece's Bride" by Kat Martin

2012-01-28T08:00:00.000-08:00

Wounded in battle, Major Reese Dewar returns to England—but his injuries are nothing compared to his shattered heart

Years ago, love-struck Reese departed his home at Briarwood with a promise from raven-haired Elizabeth Clemens that she would make a life with him upon his return. But mere months later, she married the Earl of Aldridge, attaining wealth and status Reese could never match. Memories of that betrayal make his homecoming far more bitter than sweet.

Seeing Elizabeth on his doorstep dressed in widow's garb twists the knife even deeper. But fear for her young son's safety has overcome her pride: she begs Reese for protection from those who would see the boy dead to possess his fortune. He agrees to an uneasy alliance, sensing Elizabeth still harbors deep secrets—and Reese knows that he's placing himself in danger…of losing his heart all over again.

I have been reading a number of novels that deal with the fall-out of war, some set in contemporary times as the few I have reviewed just prior to this book, and some set in historical venues as in this story where several of the characters have come home from the Crimean War, some injured or missing limbs, and some without a scratch. But even those who managed to escape physical wounds have still often paid a high price for their service and sacrifice. In the case of our here, Reece DeWar, he has come home with an injured leg that is slow in healing as well as a shattered heart, a wounded spirit, and a whole load of hatred for the woman he loved, who had promised him faithfully that she was his alone, but now she is a widow with a son. While he was gone she had married a titled and wealthy aristocrat. However, this novel is testimony to the fact that there is often far more to the story than meets the eye.

Elizabeth is now a dowager countess with a son whose title and fortune is being threatened by his father's brother--his fathers greedy brother--and who have been slowly poisoning her with opiates in order to take over the guardianship of the young boy. His safety, his future, his very life are in jeopardy, and she runs to her ex-suitor for safety and sanctuary. Reece is angry and unwelcoming, but he is also an honorable man, and when Elizabeth collapses at his feet, obviously terribly unwell, he cannot turn her away. The story of their subsequent encounters with danger force Reece to seek safety and protection for this woman and her son.

This is not a simplistic love story and it is not a historical romance that fits into the Regency romance format. It is certainly another encounter with the English way of living and doing, of the ways of the aristocracy, and the struggles of Reece and Elizabeth to find some kind of peace together that will protect their son. It is only down the road a bit that Reece will learn more of the "why" of Elizabeth's seeming betrayal. Those who were loyal to him and openly hostile to her have their eyes opened gradually and that is an important part of the story. Reece's delight in Elizabeth's son is a heart-warming part of the story that reveals a great deal about what kind of man he really is. His loyalty to his friends, to comrades from the war, to doing the right thing are the defining values for this interesting man and go great lengths to add to the story as well as bring secondary characters in that flesh out the story and make the novel "work" on many levels.

This novel was released in 2009 by Harlequin under their Mira imprint, but it is one that is a delightful read and should still get attention from historical romance readers. Many people will recognize this author from her recent "Raines of Wind Canyon" series about brothers who have had difficulties early in their lives and while going into different occupations are still loyal and true to one another and those they come to love. Ms Martin brings that same kind of attention to the writing task in this novel. It's one that is worth reading and I hope those of you who do so will enjoy it as much as I. I give it a rating of 4 out of 5.

The Hurt Just Seems To Go On and On: "Touch Me" by Callie Croix

2012-01-26T08:33:00.000-08:00

Arriving home on leave from his tour of duty, Army Captain Alex Montoya knows there's a beautiful woman waiting for him-his best friend's sister. She's always been off limits...until now. He fully intends to move them out of being "just friends" and encourage her to release the sexual needs he senses she's buried deep.

Tianna McIntyre is starting over after her marriage ended. Her ex-husband weakened her self-esteem and caused her to deny her true sexual desires. But being around Alex brings all her dormant fantasies to the surface, and now Tianna feels the stirrings of her secret, submissive wishes.

Determined to help repair the damage Tianna's ex did to her self-worth, Alex will use whatever means necessary to convince her they're meant for each other, including tying her down to make sure he has her full attention while he takes her to the heights of pleasure she's always dreamed of.

There are indeed an endless stream of stories that come out of the horror of war and the effect that such military conflict brings, not only to those doing the fighting, but to those who must remain at home, who must contend with the long-term effects of injury, and whose lives are forever altered, often not in positive ways. Out of the wounds and disaster of the Middle East conflict comes this story of three people who must live with the damage war continues to do, even after the original injuries occur.

Tianna has been separated from her veteran husband, a man who she loved and who loved her, who went to war with every expectation of returning home and picking up the frazzled strands of his life and their relationship. Now he is struggling with a wound that has changed him, altered his personality and the way he relates to her and the world around him. Known as Traumatic Brain Injury, Tianna's husband has become hurtful, abusive pschologically as he criticizes her looks, her housekeeping, her professional skills as a physical rehab therapist, and on and on. When she shares her sexual needs and desires with him he berates and demeans her as a whore. Slowly but surely he kills her love for him and ultimately, their marriage. She is now house sitting for her brother's best friend who an Army captain and is serving in Afghanistan.

Alex is home for a short post-injury leave, having been involved in an accident that wounded him and resulted in the death of several of his squad. He has desired Tianna for a long time but has been prevented from acting on his love for her by her marriage and the fact that she is his best friend's sister. But no longer. He senses that she is not only saddened by the failure to help her husband and the death of her marriage, but she is unfulfilled as a woman and he wants to be the person to bring life back into her passionate spirit.

This is a novella that talks plainly about the inner wounds of war, not only to the soldiers but to those who must find a way to live with men and women who will probably never be the same. It is also a story that is blunt about the hurt and sense of emotional numbness that comes when one's own needs are stymied and when those who express their needs are belittled verbally abused. Yet in the midst of all the negatives comes a love relationship that is new and good, that is poised to bring Tianna back to life and which potentially will get both Tianna and Alex past the bad stuff war brings into human experience. It is not an extended read and will not take an inordinate amount of time to enjoy, but it is good writing, a good story, a slice of life in the real world with real people, and certainly set in our contemporary times. This is a relatively new author for me but I have recently read two or three of her works. I find her writing style to be very readable and the editing of her work is well-done. This is a story that will entertain as well as instruct, but it is no light-weight love tale. There is a lot here and it is one of those kinds of stories that makes me feel that I have been enlightened through the experiences of fictional characters. I hope you will get this novella and will find it as compelling as I have. I give it a rating of 4 out of 5.

This novella was released in January, 2012, by Carina Press.

Review: Running in Fear--Cupid's Venom by Trinity Blacio

2012-01-24T10:38:00.001-08:00

Six years of living in a cell sure can be hell on a girl. Not to mention the fact that Cecil Windstream was only sixteen years old when her family was taken away to be experimented on. After escaping, all Cecil wanted to do was die, but unfortunately the snake DNA that had been injected into her wouldn’t let her die, and either will her mates.

Tug Brimstone was an alpha wolf by nature, but even he wasn’t as powerful as his Remi LeBlathe, their true alpha. Happy to be the new head master in their jointly owned BDSM nightclub, Tug wasn’t looking for anyone, but fate had another plan for him. In less than two days, he finds he has three mates, two who are part snake and wolf, and now he’s tempting fate by injecting snake DNA into his own body so he can mate with them.

Rory Sherwood is mate to Tug Brimstone, Clayton Glands, and Cecil Windstream. How can one tiny female who has been beaten, experimented on, and is a virgin overwhelm him to the point where he forgets his own name, let alone seriously changing his DNA, just so he can mate with her?

Clayton Glands, the muscle behind the National Council of Wolf shifters, has hidden a family secret all his life, but in less than twenty-four hours he has found his mates, exposed his secret, and gained a son.

In a one-week time span, three alpha males Tug, Rory, and Clayton must protect their female from the scientists Cecil had escaped. Not only is her life in danger, but also her son’s, and the future of every shifter around. The war against good and evil is coming to a head and their journey is just part of the story to come.

Those of us who read a wide assortment of romance fiction know about and read novels that feature vampires and all sorts of paranormals--the fae, shifters of all sorts, and so on. This series has been around now for several years and this is the fourth story in the Running in Fear series. In the third book, shifters of a different sort were introduced--snake shifters. I have to admit that this was waaaaaay far out for me and one that was difficult for me to even envision. Now the heroine of this novel has finally escaped one of the labs that the Shifter Council has secretly been sponsoring--started in order to produce a stronger, invincible shifter being. Monthly, Cecil's body was injected with snake DNA in order to combine her wolf with snake qualities.

I felt that this story was quite a bit less tense than the three initial stories in this series. While the problems and crises were as weird and certainly produced their own set of problems for Cecil and her mates, the greatest of these were the fact that any kind of excitement caused Cecil's poisonous venom to be a danger to anyone who was causing that excitement, including her mates and including any sort of sexual arousal. Mating with her significant others then became a substantive problem for their collective future. There were several issues involved and two of Cecil's mates, Rory and Tug, both took action to neutralize the danger. Clayton's "secret" turned out to smooth out the problem with Cecil and allow them to mate. Clayton never really foresaw that his "secret" would turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

This was a fun read in lots of ways. Jaycee, heroine of the first three books, continues to be a voice in this novel along with her three men. Her friends Pam and Sheila along with her adopted mother Marsha, are also background characters here as well. The repartee among all the friends gets funny at times and is really enjoyable as evidence of their deep connection and friendship as a pack. There is certainly continued danger from those in the National Council who want to "take over" and take away the democratic governing among all the packs. There is danger to Cecil from those who want to capture her once again, and there is danger from the father of her baby--a powerful snake shifter who has threatened her safety many times. There is indeed a sense of "running in fear" in this story, but it is really more of a love story than one of threat. Even though Tug is the "headmaster" of the BDSM club of which he is co-owner, there is almost no BDSM in this story. It is inferred and there are references to him as a master, but that is about it.

All the books in this series are "far out" as are any good paranormal stories. The snake thing was still difficult for me as I absolutely abhor snakes. But as I got into the story it became less of an issue and the solutions to the crises it posed helped to make it less of a problem. I think anyone who reads paranormals is willing to put up with quite a bit of weirdness. But this is really a shorter novel than the previous books and yet it reads well and there is a lot of fun and loving here. There is also a sense that it is because of Tug, Rory and Clayton that Cecil begins the long process of restoration after her six years of torture and terror. I give it a rating of 3.75 out of 5.

Getting Older Just Means Getting Better: "Dating A Cougar" by Donna McDonald

2012-01-20T11:24:00.000-08:00

After several decades of looking for true love and never finding it, aging model and lingerie designer, Alexa Ranger, had finally given the search. A couple years ago, she got tired of the game and just stopped dating. Friends and family keep her mostly content, so it’s shocking at 50 yrs old to find herself suddenly wanting a sex life again. It’s even more shocking to be attracted to a much younger man this time. She definitely thinks Casey Carter is incredibly sexy, but not handling her own age well, Alexa just can’t get passed their twelve year age difference to even consider a fling. Though she figures it doesn't matter anyway. Anything resembling a normal dating relationship is totally out of the question because Casey is related to and living with her daughter’s boyfriend. The last thing Alexa needs is another talk-show worthy drama in her already complicated life, no matter how amazing Casey’s kisses make her feel.

It was true 38 yr old, medically retired Marine, Casey Carter, believed for a couple of years that his military injury had made him impotent. Having lost his wife to cancer, he hadn’t exactly been worried about the problem. Most days walking with cane was enough challenge for him. But now that he was ready to move on with his life, he had become slightly more worried when none of the females his cousin brought around held any interest for him. The last woman in the world he expected to start his engine revving again was the mother of his cousin's girlfriend. Even at fifty, Alexa is drop-dead gorgeous, and his libido keeps reminding him she is the first woman he has wanted in a long, long time. Ironically, the more Casey gets to know and like Alexa, he finds out desiring the older woman is the easiest part. Jaded and cynical about love, Alexa is a difficult woman to convince of anything, but her kisses are enough for him. The former Marine decides his next mission is figuring out how to fit himself into her life.

I am truly delighted that more and more romance authors are writing stories about the women who have come to be overlooked by society: women of color, women who weigh more than 110 pounds, and women who are over 30 years of age. Our society is so in love with the rail-thin, super model image that is perpetuated in advertising and in many romances. There are wonderful women running around this planet that may be beautiful in their own right but who don't fit the very restrictive and exclusionary segment of females. And what is even worse, men perpetuate it in their own way, discarding older women whose experience and wisdom make them even nicer and more knowledgeable about life. Yes, gravity has worked its destruction with boobs and butts, but there are men out there who look beyond that to the knowledge, humor, and still sizzling passion that doesn't fizzle when one celebrates the 30th birthday or steps on the scales and the dial registers more than 110.

So it is with our heroine who is an ancient 50 years old, who is still drop-dead gorgeous, but who as been already scarred by a society for which she is already becoming invisible. And it seems to me, that once a woman determines that she is "past her prime" and has noting to offer, convincing her otherwise is an uphill task. So it is in this story that deals very realistically with the issues that confront a woman who is definitely older (eligible for an AARP membership at 50), a retired and hurting Marine whose sense of himself has already been damaged by his injuries and the looks he receives when he uses his cane, and the 12 year difference in their ages. Oh brother!! Are these emotional and psychological potholes, or what!

This is a compelling look at a friendship and romance that deals realistically with people caught in real life, whose capacity to love and respond passionately has not been dimmed by age or life's difficulties. It is an encouragement to many to realize that for older people, life has just then begun to make a little more sense: they don't get easily upended by things they don't understand; they are willing to take a little time to work things out because they have learned that such patience serves them best in the long run; and they have learned that the stuff that makes us crazy when we are 25 really doesn't make us crazy anymore. The hot button issues really is: do I still have time, energy, personal charisma in sufficient quantity to make life something worth living?

I think this is one of the nicest stories I have read in recent months. There is conflict between the two main characters over the age difference, but our Marine hero is not easily turned aside and knows he wants this women in his life long-term. He is one of the "few good men" and he is not going to waffle with this chance to know happiness and deep love with a woman of quality and character and life experience.

I hope you'll look for this book and that you'll enjoy it as much as I did. I give it a rating of 4.25 out of 5.

Review: These Arms of Mine by Judy Lynn Hubbard

2012-01-18T16:48:00.000-08:00

When Alesha Robinson ended her torrid affair with Derrick Chandler, she gave up the love of her life. Now fate's giving them a second chance. But when Alesha asks Derrick to save her brother, she never dreams what the scorned multimillionaire will demand in exchange: becoming his wife—in name only.

Even after Alesha shattered his trust, Derrick never stopped loving her. His strings-attached proposition was supposed to be strictly business: revenge for her cruel betrayal as he rebuilds his public image. Until desire reignites—hotter than ever.

As the ex-lovers give in to their passion, a marriage of convenience is about to become inconvenient. And Derrick realizes just how far he'll go to keep Alesha in his bed, in his arms, in his heart—forever.

He's running for the United States Senate and he needs a wife--or so his campaign manager informs him. Cam is not only his manager but his best friend as well and wants him to succeed. Derrick is a wealthy corporate lawyer who was raised in Washington, D.C., and like many residents of that city, has now been bitten by the "running for elected office" bug. Not minutes after Cam drops this necessity in Derrick's lap, his secretary informs him that a woman awaits to speak with him--the one who destroyed his heart and convinced him that long-term commitment just isn't for him. She is pleading for her brother who has "borrowed" (actually embezzeled) $100k from Derrick's campaign funds and Alesha's brother is going t o arrested and charged with the crime. Derrick is angry because of the theft, but he is also angry still over Alesha's betrayal two years earlier.

This whole scenario comes under the heading of "blackmailed into a business arrangement which will look like a marriage to everyone else." For Derrick it is the quintessential opportunity to put Alesha at his mercy, get his "pound of flesh" from both Alesha and her brother, and also get Alesha out of his system since he insists that the business arrangement comes with "benefits." The one person in Alesha's family for whom Derrick has genuine friendship and affection is her mother, Barbara. What Derrick doesn't learn until quite some time after the marriage occurs, is that Robert stole the money to secure medical treatment for their mother who needed expensive cardiac care.

This is a very tense novel and one that reads like some of the classic adversarial romances for which Harlequin is famous. The twist here is that this is a black family and Derrick is an highly successful attorney who has definitely made his way in the world. Alesha is a strong woman who is extremely loyal to her mother and brother and because of that loyalty agrees to Derrick's conditions. She is a very successful nursing professional--in charge of the operating room at a large Washington hospital, but she must now put aside her career as well as marry a man who she now believes hates her.

Underlying the adversarial nature of this relationship is old baggage, most of which has been caused by emotional panic and untruths which led Derrick to believe that Alesha was fooling around behind his back. When he finds out otherwise, the foundations of his old anger begin to crumble. It is a story that illustrates the hurt that can wound good people when honesty is laid aside. There is no doubt that Derrick is a very intense person, and it was that intensity that frightened Alesha two years earlier. My question is always: why can't people just be honest about their feelings? Perhaps that failure is rooted in insecurity or a fear of being rejected. But in the end, the relationship was smashed anyway and two people who could have found happiness together are turned in different directions with the added burden of anger and disappointment.

This was not a difficult read and as a short novel didn't take an inordinate period of time to read. But it was well written and actually not too sappy overall. The story moved along and there was balance between the actual dialogue between the characters and the inner musings that sometimes take over a story. I have not read any other stories by this author but I have to say that I think the story was well crafter, the characters were realistic, and the context of the tale believable. It also includes a novella by Brenda Jackson in celebration of a publishing anniversary. So there's more for your money and I think both the novel and novella are very nice love stories. I give it a rating of 4 out of 5.

This short novel will be released by Harlequin under their Kimini imprint on 31 January 2012.

Addressing Prejudice in Romance Fiction: It's All There, Folks!!

2012-01-17T14:32:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was Martin Luther King Day here in the United States and throughout this weekend the classic movie stations were playing some of the finest of the films that were made with all black casts or which were pioneer efforts to bring the harmful realities of segregation and racial prejudice to the attention of the public. Probably the most upsetting movie forth years ago was the last movie Spencer Tracy made: "Guess Whose Coming To Dinner" where an upper class white girl brought her black fiance home to meet mom and dad. I can remember how that set America on its ear!! It got me to thinking of the many novels I have read over my life, more in recent months as I have been reviewing books, but certainly a hefty number of novels of all kinds.

Even in the most benign of romance literature there always crops up mention of some kind of prejudice whether it be racial or rooted in social class distinctions. In recent years there have been a number of authors who have deliberately made racial and class prejudice the subjects of

their stories. Writers who specializ

e in Western topics, whether contemporary or historical, are really good about not backing away from prejudice against Native Americans. This is true especially of novels set in the post Civil War period. We have all heard President Grant's opini

on: "The only good Indian is a dead Indian." It was the feeling most late 19th century Americans ascribed to then.

Now we also have a number of authors who are bring interracial romance into the genre. Marilyn Lee, Brenda Jackson, Lena Matthews, Dahlia Rose an

d others have written clearly and specifically about interracial romantic

relationships, marriage, children, and community involvement. Some like Ms Lee have also written novels about Big Beautiful Women and have even brought that added theme into interracial novels as well. And what about the prejudice that is deeply ingrained in our culture against older wo

men getting involved with younger men? That's one that pushes lots more emotional "buttons" than most people would admit. Yet it is becoming more and more a part of romance fiction and as an older woman, that suits me just fine!

Sean Michael, Stephanie Hecht, J.P. Bowie, Cameron Ride and Josh Lanyon are just a few of the authors who are writing about same sex unions and romance, both M/M and F/F. Readers are now finding more and more same-sex romance available and it is good stuff. It is a reminder that human love is wonderful and it comes in all forms. People are people and their needs are their own. Finding that special person who makes one's heart whole is just as special if it is in GLBT context as it is in a "straight" relationship.

This particular holiday is not one that was a part of my growing-up experience as it is a relatively recent addition to the calendar of federal holidays. Yet I am glad when it comes each year as it gives all of us opportunities--whether we take them or not is up to each person--to think on the many ways we screen people out of our lives because they are different. There was a time when even good people, religious leaders and others believed slavery was good because it was "the way of the world" and was supported by religious teaching. Thankfully, we now know how blind they were. It is my sincere hope that each year that goes by will see all of us becoming more accepting of others, no matter how different they may be.

He's Her Knight With A Hammer & Saw: "Tool Belt Defender" by Carla Cassidy

2012-01-14T08:00:00.000-08:00

It's Party Time...

That’s the “invitation” shoved under her door. It’s got Brittany Grayson fearing for her life…and her sanity. She’s sure the monster who once held her captive for months is dead, so why his chilling words in the note? His menacing face in the window? And why won’t anyone —even her lawmen brothers—believe that somehow he’s after her again?

Brittany just wants a normal, independent life in Black Rock. Romance is out of the question… although she’s okay as friends-with-benefits with Alex Crawford, her hunky, marriage-phobic contractor. Alex, a single dad, has his own good reasons not to fall for Brittany. But none of them matter when the race is on to find the killer who’s kidnapped her.

This is the fifth book in the "Lawmen of Black Rock" series but it is the first of the novels that I have read. I have also not read any works by this author before but I have to start out by saying that I really enjoyed this book. It was not a difficult or complicated novel, but there was certainly enough going on that it wasn't simplistic. The five Grayson siblings are featured in each of the five novels, and this final book in the series highlights the experiences of Brittany Grayson, a sheriff's deputy in the community of Black Rock, Kansas, and a woman who was kidnapped, imprisoned and terrorized for four months by a psycho serial killer who styled himself as "The Professional." Now the killer is dead and Brittany is seeking to live again: moving back to her own home, planning for the future, thinking through her professional options, and even moving forward with her plan to build a large deck in back of her home so that she can participate in the family traditions of backyard barbecues and gatherings.

This is where Alex comes in--tall, good-looking, strong, and wearing that tool belt low on his hips. Yummmmm! And it is Alex at her front door who begins to awaken that sense of being human again, for the first time in eight months. According to the description of our hero in this book, one would have to be really dead not to have a reaction to hunky Tool Belt Man. Brittany also has an opportunity to meet and become friends with Alex's six-year-old daughter Emily, a little girl who is brilliant and mature beyond her years, but who still possesses the winsome aura of innocence and whose presence forms the heart of Alex. Throughout the book the scenes with Emily as she interacts with Alex and Brittany are some of the nicest parts of the story. And there is no doubt that as Alex and Brittany begin their friendship and as it quickly deepens into a physical affair, there is deep respect and genuine kindness in both these people.

Ms Cassidy has written a book that is fun to read yet has threads of tension running throughout--the tension over the re-appearance of "The Professional," the sexual tension that escalates between Alex and Brittany, and the tension within Brittany herself as she deals with her PTSD, her sense of not being safe, and her worries over her future. A very positive aspect of the book is the continuing presence of Brittany's brothers, their continuing care of her, the support of friends and community that Brittany re-discovers during her recovery, and the feeling that there is a far greater extended family surrounding her than she first believes.

This is the kind of novel that makes for good reading without a large time commitment but one that is appealing in its subject matter as well as one that keeps the reader's interest throughout. It is a very good story and one that is well-worth the time and effort to enjoy. I give it a rating of 4 0ut of 5.

This novel was released by Harlequin under their Romantic Suspense imprint in December, 2011.

Run, Run, as Far and As Fast As You Can: "Going Down" by Shelli Stevens

2012-01-12T08:00:00.000-08:00

One man wants her heart. The other wants her dead…

Eleanor Owen needs to get out of Chicago and quick. It’s not that she doesn’t want to obey the subpoena to testify against her drug-trafficking ex-boyfriend. It’s making it to the witness stand alive, should a dirty cop make good on his threats.

Tiny, remote Wyattville, Oregon, looks like the perfect place to disappear, but it’s hard to blend into the woodwork when one of the town’s infamous namesakes sends her heart racing. Worse, Mr. Tall, Hot and Packing is the town sheriff, which means she should stay as far away from him as possible.

Tyson Wyatt is positive the sexy new girl in town is hiding something. Question is, what? He vows to feel out her secrets—including what she feels like beneath him. Preferably naked. Until then, he’s not buying the story she’s selling. Their chemistry is sheet-melting hot, and Ellie realizes much too late that the man with the badge is as dangerous to her heart as her ex is to her life…

Before I even get to the book review, I have to start out by commenting that even if I wasn't fascinated already with this series of stories about the Wyatt Boys, I would read this book simply because of the cover. What a hunk! (I may be old but I'm not dead!!)

I also started this series by reading Book 2 in this series and it made me realize that I really wanted to read all three of the stories about these brothers. This is the first in the series and features brother Tyson Wyatt, the hunky, sexy, unmarried sheriff of Wyatt, Oregon, a small community on the Oregon coast and the choice of Ellie Owens in her search for an out-of-the-way place to hide. And wouldn't you know it? Almost the minute she gets to town and settles in to her new digs she is spotted by the sheriff--after all everyone knows when someone moves or moves out--and he likes what he sees. And wouldn't you know it? Almost before she has ten words out of her mouth his policeman instincts kick in and he just knows that she either lying about almost everything she says or she is hiding something pretty major.

This is a story that highlights the horrors of spousal abuse as well as the fear and terror that can become a reality in someone's life who runs afoul of organized crime and those who have corrupted law enforcement officers. When a woman like Ellie realizes that not only is she in danger from her ex, she is also in danger if she seeks justice or cooperates in the efforts to put him in prison. And those dangers are coming from someone who should have been there to "serve and protect." Now I know that Chicago police have a long and theatrical-level history of corruption among its ranks, but recent decades have seen effective efforts to root out those cops who gave all the good ones a bad name. Yet we all also know that there are still dirty cops in many metropolitan police forces. Ellie ran and she ran as far as she could go--all the way to the Pacific Ocean and she ran right into a wall of rock--the check of Sheriff Tyson Wyatt--who, under almost any other set of circumstances, would have been her wall of choice.

This is a compelling story of fear and terror, danger and hiding, friendship and caring, and most of all, family. More than anything else, Ellie needs to find a haven emotionally as much as she needs a physical one. And that's what she finds through her friendships with the Wyatt family. Yet the more they seek to befriend and surround her, the more she hunkers in to keeping her secrets. This story is beautifully written and the detail of the Pacific Northwest, the characters that populate that delightful community, and the strong bonds that connect friends and family are just as compelling as the primary story of Ty and Ellie. It is also a delight to see two people come together who are genuinely good people, who ordinarily would have very ordinary goals in their lives and who could find true happiness under almost any set of circumstances. But the backstory of this novel is full of tension and terror. Add in the sexual tension between Ty and Ellie as well as the constant knowledge on the part of the reader that Ty is in the dark and the potential that has for upending their relationship and you have a romance story that keeps the reader glued to the page. It's my kind of novel!

This novel was released in mid-2010 but it is one that is fully contemporary and based on a situation that could easily happen to anyone. The author has a style that is incredibly readable and is a writer who demonstrates that she knows how to use language effectively. She draws word pictures that are sharp and edgy, caring and emotional, effective in communicating the finer points of the story and the lives of the characters. So I hope that you will get this novel and enjoy. It is well worth the effort. I give it a rating of 4.25 out of 5.

The Past Has The Ability to Haunt Us All: "Secrets" by Erosa Knowles

2012-01-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

Wealthy Industrialist David Baxter died and left Chastity, his Administrative Assistant the bulk of his estate. Great right? That was until she faced his greedy relative in a court battle over the estate, which opens a can of Secrets. Court exposure sets off a string of events that reach as high as the United States Senate Chambers and as low as State prison walls. Through everything, Chastity once again must face her past Secrets. Desperate measures won't allow her to push her childhood friend, Lt. Cmdr. Kenton Stone to the side, she needs his help, even though she hides the biggest Secret of all from him.

Everyone has a past and for some, that past is best left in the past. All of us harbor memories of things said or done we wish hadn't been said or done. Most of us just let the past lie dormant and move on. Yet there are times when the past keeps rearing its ugly head and no matter how forcefully one tries to put it back where it belongs, the ugly truth keeps intruding on the present.

So it was with Chastity. She was a beautiful black woman who had worked for and resided at the estate of a wealthy industrialist. She has been his right-hand girl, had lived quietly and worked efficiently. Together with her children her life was protected as were their lives, and that's just the way she wanted it to stay. All the carefully constructed protective walls came tumbling down when Mr. Baxter died and left everything to Chastity, writing his greedy sister out of the will. And from then on, Chastity's life as she kinew it was never the same.

This is really a terrific read, one that brings to life characters that run the gammit of human goodness and evil. Secret after secret revealed plots and plans that even Chastity hadn't known about, no matter that she had worked more closely with Mr Baxter than anyone. Yet even from the grave he was protecting her and seeking justice for the wrongs that had been done to her when she was a child. The evils of child sex slaves is alive and well in the world, and this story brings it into the harsh light and tells of the hurt, both past and present, that it does to its victims. It exposes the false values, the callous misuse of children to satisfy perversion in people in high office and who are continually protected by their association with other high ranking elected officials. Yet even their evil is exposed in ways that are surprising and will gladden the heart of readers as they recognize that whatever Mr. Baxter may have been, he was a champion for Chastity and all like her.

This is one of those novels that keeps on resonating in the reader's memory long after the final word has been read. It is a book that has a warm and heart-felt love story at its core, but the evil that surrounds the main characters seems to be never-ending. There are surprises, plot twists, and unexpected graces as well as times when the bad guys seem to be winning. This novel never lets up. It's just that good. I hope you take the time to buy it and read it. It's worth the time and money to do so. I give this book a rating of 4.25 out of 5.

This novel was released by Sitting Bull Publishing in August, 2011.

Money Doesn't Always Make the Man: "Maid for the Billionaire" by Ruth Cardello

2012-01-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

Dominic Corisi knew instantly that Abigail Dartley was just the distraction he was looking for, especially since having her took a bit more persuading than he was used to. So when business forces him to fly to China, he decides to take her with him, but on his terms. No promises. No complications. Just sex.

Abby has always been the responsible one. She doesn't believe in taking risks; especially when it comes to men - until she meets Dominic. He's both infuriating and intoxicating, a heady combination. Their trip to China revives a long forgotten side of Abby, but also reveals a threat to bring down Dominic's company. With no time to explain her actions, Abby must either influence the outcome of his latest venture and save his company or accept her role as his mistress and leave his fate to chance. Does she love him enough to risk losing him for good?

This author is new to me so I really wasn't going into reading this book with any kind of preconceived notions about either the quality of the writing or the story. It certainly started out like lots of other stories involving men of commerce who had more gold than Midas and who took on the "services" of a female "assistant" during international travel. What changed in this story--and what made it come much more alive for me--was the fact that this woman learned some important facts about herself and made some critical discoveries about her inner strengths. We all simply plan on her falling in love with her billionaire. That's almost a given. What is unexpected is the way she handles herself in some very sticky international business circumstances that could ultimately make or break her guy's business empire. It's hard to believe that one business transaction could decimate an entire empire but when considering the size and amount of money involved, it become very believable.

I found this to be a very interesting story, with some serious political, business and sexual tensions throughout. It was not the "creampuff" kind of romance I initially thought it to be and felt it ultimately had some genuine substance that gave this book its tensile strength. Dominic was the usual suave, gorgeous, and self-centered magnate with his "it's my or the highway" manner of conducting both business and personal relationships. Abby is a woman who has subjugated her own personal issues and needs to care for others in her family and professionally. She even took on the job of housemaid so her sister wouldn't lose her job. But she is a woman with far greater depth and with a spirit that genuinely cares about people, even if, in the end, she must sacrifice her most treasured relationships. Her honor and integrity are her hallmark, and while I know there are characters in stories that come across as being way too saintly, Abby isn't one of those, IMHO.

This was a free read that turned out to be a very good acquisition. I give it a rating of 4 out of 5.

This book is a Kindle e-publication and was released in April, 2011.

Is Marriage About Love or About Money? "Winning the Wallflower" by Eloisa James

2012-01-06T08:00:00.000-08:00

It could only happen in a fairy tale.

Lady Lucy Towerton:
Plain and tall. (According to the lady herself.)
Titled and irreproachably proper. (According to her fiancÉ.)

Until, overnight, she becomes

Lady Lucy Towerton:
Heiress. (Thanks to an aged aunt’s bequest.)
Belle of the ball. (So say the fortune hunters of the ton.)

In charge of her own destiny (finally!), Lucy breaks her engagement and makes up her mind never to be proper again…

There is little doubt that Eloisa James is one of the giants of romance fiction and particularly historical romance. It was the genre that first captured my reading interest many years ago and I keep coming back, especially when a freebie becomes available and it is by an author that can be trusted to have created a tale that will be fun and engaging. So it is with Winning the Wallflower. It is a novella that is intended to come as a literary interlude between two full-length novels, one of which was released just before the end of 2011.

This is not a complicated story at all. Rather, it captures the essence of a young lady who is now betrothed to a man who has exhibited little if any personal interest in her as a woman and perspective bride. Cyrus is a man who is the "poor relation" to the Duke of Pole and who has secretly always resented his mother's seeming impulse to marry the love of her heart, a commoner, a solicitor who has now continued to call attention to their family by being one of the best criminal attorneys in England. Cyrus has made his own fortune, has determined to marry into the aristocracy, and has determined to get a bride for himself who will be no trouble. Lucy seems to fit the plan. That is, until her erstwhile aunt goes and bequests her fortune to her only niece and voila! Lucy is an heiress and the talk of the ton.

This novella is indeed about the politics of marriage, especially the influence that money brings to bear on choices of spouses. It is also about the politics of marriage that can crush a creative spirit or which can be shoved aside when determined, wealthy and very intelligent women decide to call the shots about their own future. One aspect of Lucy's personality that is highlighted and which is totally delightful is her inherent honesty. She demands that anyone who is interested in marrying her has to be able to see HER for who she is and not for her rank or her fortune. Destined to drive her mother to drink, Lucy sees herself as a plain Jane, but when she takes the reins of her life into her own hands, others begin to see her differently. Not the least of those persons is Cyrus himself.

It is a delightful story and while it is specifically about Lucy and Cyrus, it is also a bridge into Olivia's story which is featured in The Duke is Mine. Readers will most assuredly fall in love with Olivia who is a plain-spoken, strong-minded young woman who loves ribald humor. Some of the anecdotes are a hoot! Together, Olivia and Lucy--best friends since childhood--give the spice to the story and I have to admit, made me determined to read the next episode in this fascinating saga of these young women.

Historical romance fans will find this an easy read but don't let that fool you. It is quintessential Eloisa James and thus, will be a delight to her fans as well. I contrary to my usual practice of scoring short stories or novellas a bit low because their length irritates me a lot, I give this story a rating of 4 out of 5.

This novella was released by Avon Impulse publications in December, 2011.

Who Ever Waxed Eloquent About The Glory of War?? "Command & Control" by Shelli Stevens

2012-01-04T08:00:00.000-08:00

Book 2 in the "Holding Out For A Hero" series.

He’s afraid of losing his grip. She’s about to untie his last knot…

Megan Asher has a thriving career, looks, self-confidence to spare. It all means little without the love of her life. Trevor has returned from deployment in Afghanistan a haunted man, emotionally distant and unwilling to connect—except in bed. Then even that fragile thread snaps. Brokenhearted, she is forced to call off their wedding and, after a few months’ separation, try to move on.

With every aspect of his life spinning out of his once-legendary control, Trevor Wyatt convinces himself that Megan is better off—and safer—as far away from his demons as possible. Until he comes back to town for his brother’s wedding, and discovers Megan is dating.

Suddenly realizing what he’s thrown away, he vows to breach the fortress she’s built around her heart. They come together in a cataclysm of rekindled passion that unleashes the very demons he never wanted her to witness. Back to square one, Megan realizes she must take the ultimate risk to slip past Trevor’s defenses. Give him control in the one place she can. The bedroom. The seductive move is one she prays will be the first step in helping heal him and their love.

Stories about the returning vets from the Middle East conflicts are becoming more plentiful as the United States remains embroiled in the Afghanistan fight. Yet is seems that we as a society continue to have this insane perception that war is glory and that our vets must have the strength to "suck it all up" and return to their normal lives if they are these heroes we have made of them, covered in the glory of war. But that's not the way it plays out in numerous situations and the divorce rate, the sense of loss over relationships that have bit the dust is phenomenal.

This story captures those truths as it brings two people together who truly and dearly loved each other and still do, but the distance caused by the turmoil and wounds of the spirit ultimately drove them apart. The wedding coming up the following week should have been theirs. Megan is a delightful woman--an accomplished business woman and attorney, who knows how to take care of herself. Trevor is an Army officer and one who has taken his leadership responsibilities seriously. In their two year courtship they had easily and lovingly shared power between them, appreciating one another's abilities and empowering one another to live fully in their shared love. That is, until Afghanistan. Trevor had returned a year ago and the quiet, the secrets, the refusal to share anything except sex drove them apart, and cancelling the wedding, breaking the engagement was merely the official ending of a relationship that had ended months earlier.

How do you convince someone whose life feels like it is completely out of control? This is the dilemma Megan faces when she finally faces the fact that she can't go forward with her life without making one last attempt to re-claim what she and Trevor shared. This story is gritty and edgy, with family and friends in abundance, but with a hero who is an isolated island of misery and inner wounds, overwhelmed with his inability to move past the pain, the nightmares, the sense of survivor's guilt, the knowledge that Megan is the one person he needs in his life and he can't face what he might do to her if he claims her. It is not a long novel but is one that will get to the heart of the problem so many people have faced in the face of war and injury, physically, emotionally, and psychologically. Now that our troops are coming home from Iraq, our society needs to face up to our wounded warriors and their deeper needs. This story is one that reminds us of their humanity, their need for understanding and not pity, their strengths that have been compromised by grief over the loss of comrades, often in circumstances that cause them to feel that they have failed.

This story was published December 2010, but it is one that bears reading and carries an important message to families and friends left here at home. It cost Megan a great deal to find her possible solution, but for her the payoff was the important issue. This story does indeed embrace some light BDSM but it is not really about these practices. Rather, it is about finding a way to heal someone whose healing is more important than anything else. It is about giving and serving and being available however the one who is loved really needs. It is about the empowering quality of authentic love and about the fact that we all may, at some time in the future, have to help ourselves or someone we love accept the inevitable evils of war and its damage, and then find a way to walk forward together. I give this story a rating of 4.25 out of 5.

Better Late Than Never: Of Noble Birth by Brenda Novak

2012-01-02T08:00:00.000-08:00

This was the FIRST historical romance written by author Brenda Novak over twelve years ago but through a strange set of circumstances and coincidences, its publication was delayed. Yet its story is such a feat of good writing and story development. So I am reviewing it here in the hopes that those who really love historical romance will find it and add it to their library. I got it through All Romance eBooks and I am so glad I did. I immediately went back and got the next historical romance by this author and I am about half way through that one.

He Was a Man Who Took What He Wanted.
And He Wanted Her.

To escape her cruel stepfather, seamstress Alexandra Cogsworth envisioned sailing far from England . . . though not as a captive aboard a pirate's ship. Pirate Captain Nathaniel Kent's strategy for exacting revenge on his cold-hearted father involved taking a valuable hostage . . . not a seamstress he mistakenly thinks is his half sister.

Yet fate has designs of its own, landing them both on board the Royal Vengeance. At sea, Nathaniel intercepts and plunders his father's ships, all the while tormented by his illicit hunger for the tempting prisoner he thinks is his blood relation. And although Alexandra wants no part in this terrifying voyage, to reveal her true identity to the handsome, blue-eyed Nathaniel would invite danger. Not only would she become worthless cargo, but the revelation would surely unleash what she and Nathaniel have been fiercely battling—a rising undercurrent of impossible desire that could sweep them away for good.

Some reviewers have stated that they thought there was so much in this novel because it was a first work and thus contained every thought in the author's head. I see it differently. I think it is one of those novels that brings the strands of several people's lives together and weaves them into a literary tapestry. First there is the heroine--a young woman who has been abused systematically by a stepfather who is still grieving and continues to be so very angry that the woman he loved has died. Alexandra is too great a reminder of that long departed spouse and in his alcoholic haze, his anger comes out as ever escalating abuse. The only option is to leave and in that process she collides with the hero, a man whose agenda is very different than his.

Nathaniel Kent is the oldest son of a duke but was born with only half an arm. Rejected as deformed, he was raised by the housekeeper until she tried to again bring into his father's household but to no avail. Now as a grown man, Nathaniel is determined to bring his father down by pirating his father's ships. His agenda causes him to mistake Alexandra for his half-sister, a woman who he seeks to kidnap in order to force his father to release one of his crew being held hostage. And the story goes from there.

Add in an unexpected clash with his half-brother, a conspiracy to kill Nathaniel by his father and brother, treason, hanging, and so forth. It is a story that is about the tangled web of hurt, anger, disappointment, and political and legal manipulation. It's a novel that is the feast for the mind--it's for really thinking readers and those who get turned on by complicated and involved storylines and plots.

Ms Novak has written over 40 novels in the years since this novel was first written and there are a large number of those novels that have been translated into a goodly number of languages. Suffice it to say that this is a novel well worth the time and effort to read and one that will probably become a favorite for many. I give it a rating of 4 out of 5.

Welcome, 2012!!

2012-01-01T07:41:00.000-08:00

A Happy, Happy New Year to all my followers,

friends, family, and all who stop by to visit.

May this year be filled with sufficient challenges

to keep your mind and heart engaged,

with sufficient joys to salve the hurts and bruises of living,

and sufficient good memories that will remain as

treasures of your heart to be tucked away

and brought to mind in the future.

Many, many blessings to you all!!

Love in All Forms: Calvin's Cowboy by Drew Hunt

2011-12-30T16:03:00.000-08:00

Calvin Hamilton reluctantly returns to his home town of Parrish Creek, Texas, to sell his parents' house. Finding the place in need of repair he hires John "Brock" Brockwell to renovate the house before putting it on the market. Brock bares a passing resemblance to Gary Cooper, especially as he often wears western clothing. Calvin has always had a weakness for cowboys.

Time has reversed the two men's fortunes. In high school Brock was the big man on campus, his popularity allowing him to hide his true nature. Calvin was a nerd, bullied by most of the jocks for being perceived as gay. Now Calvin is a successful New York advertising executive, and Brock is a divorced father with a teenage son who faces financial ruin, unable to pay his late father's hospital bills.

Can Calvin put past bitterness behind him and help the cowboy with whom he is rapidly falling in love? Will the deeply closeted Brock be able to admit he has feelings for Calvin? Or will pride, fear, distance, and the past prevent them from building a future together?

I don't often read M/M fiction but from time to time I find a book that I enjoy and which I feel has merit, both in its writing as well as the nature of the story. I really can't remember why I was drawn to this book, but I know that I found it to be one of the most enjoyable I have read in some time.

This story has a natural feel, a gentle flow, and characters that feel and sound incredibly authentic and real. These two main characters have a past, one that goes all the way back to their high school days when Calvin was small for his age, was a book worm or geek, and John Brockwell was the Big Man jock with the well-heeled dad and the popularity that went with his athletic prowess. Now "Brock" is broke, his pockets so empty he barely has money for food, has a truck that may or may not start, is two months behind on his rent. He married because the girl in question got pregnant and it was his family's policy that marriage in that case was absolutely demanded. Now Brock's son lives with him and he is trying to find a way to keep body and soul together.

Calvin is now the wealthy advertising executive in New York City, co-owner of his own firm, with plenty of money to spare. He has returned to his hometown to sell his parents' home where he grew up, and Brock's company is given the sizeable contract to renovate and refurbish the house in preparation to sell it. In the course of their negotiations and getting re-acquainted as mature men, it becomes evident that Brock is gay but has not come to peace with his orientation. Calvin has been "out" for years. While some reviewers have seen this story as being without the "conflict" that is an important part of any novel, I maintain that the conflict is two-fold: first, there is immediate conflict between the two men over their past history and over Brock's issues with Calvin who tries to relieve his financial pain; second, there is very obvious conflict over Brock's sexual orientation. In spite of their strong attraction to one another, Brock is continually worried about anyone finding out about his new involvement with Calvin. This inner struggle also translates into the questions Brock has to face about his financial woes as well as how this will impact his future relationship with his son. I have a hard time seeing this story as being conflict-free.

This is a warm and intimate look-see into the new relationship between these two men who have grown into fine human beings and who have moved past the silliness and petty behavior of high school immaturity. It is evident that Brock is very different now than he was in his high school days as he owns up to his destructive behavior as well as his willingness to overlook the bullying and meanness of others. Calvin's attraction to Brock is a bit of a difficulty initially since he has been misused and emotionally abused by past lovers who saw him as a well-heeled ticket to future success rather than as a person with whom they wanted to share their lives. Yet it is a credit to Brock that he refuses to take undue advantage of Calvin even though he could have easily done so. I was deeply touched by Calvin's efforts to re-connect with Brock even before he became aware of his sexual attraction to the man. Calvin was just a really good man whose sensitivity to others was an indication of his sterling character.

This story is a reminder to everyone that human love comes in all sizes, shapes, and genders. It is a reminder that how people love is far less important than their willingness to allow love to be an important part of their human experience. The flow of the story is gentle as is the ending. It is far more true to life than many novels I have read and I applaud Mr. Hunt's effort to give us characters that are so real. I give it a rating of 4 out of 5.

Love or Career? Exclusively Yours by Shannon Stacey

2011-12-28T15:32:00.000-08:00

It's the fourth day of Christmas and I have enjoyed this week between Christmas and the New Year's celebrations. It always has seemed just a little more relaxed with the two major holidays like bookends enclosing this eight day period. It has also meant a good bit more time to do some reading and reviewing and I have been spending time catching up on both. Here's a review of a book I read about a year ago and thought it was wonderful. Now it has been released as a published book rather than just an ebook, and hopefully more readers will discover the beginning of this delicious family series.

When Keri Daniels' editor finds out she has previous carnal knowledge of reclusive bestselling author Joe Kowalski, she gives Keri a choice: get an interview or get a new job.

Joe's never forgotten the first girl to break his heart, so he's intrigued to hear Keri's back in town--and looking for him. Despite his intense need for privacy, he'll grant Keri an interview if it means a chance to finish what they started in high school. He proposes an outrageous plan--for every day she survives with his family on their annual camping and four-wheeling trip, Keri can ask one question. Keri agrees; she's worked too hard to walk away from her career.

But the chemistry between them is still as potent as the bug spray, Joe's sister is out to avenge his broken heart and Keri hasn't ridden an ATV since she was ten. Who knew a little blackmail, a whole lot of family and some sizzling romantic interludes could make Keri reconsider the old dream of Keri & Joe 2gether 4ever.

The choices women face in today's world are significantly more complicated than in former days. Even as I was finishing high school and college, women were beginning to make a stand for better opportunities outside the home, better educational opportunities, and better pay for their contributions to business and commerce. But that increased level of personal and professional opportunity has come at a price. Choices between having a full and fulfilling personal relationship and following a demanding career path has been a rather significant struggle for many women. In this story the author never backs away from investigating Keri's dilemma--one that has been present in her life and emotions from those days when high school came to an end and with it her relationship with Joe. She walked away and didn't return until now when her publication is insisting on an exclusive interview with a man who is now well known and whose privacy will only succumb to someone Joe knows--someone who shares a past with him.

This novel is the beginning of a series that highlights several members of the Kowalski family. Joe and Keri have moved on -- or have they? Their past may very well be poised to make an appearance in their present, something Keri isn't terribly anxious to have happen, largely because there is still that old struggle over a woman's independence and the right to follow a career dream. This novel is fun to read, and the introduction to the Kowalski family is done beautifully. The characters are very well crafted so that readers really know the various family members. The interaction within the family circle is delightful, even some of the snafu over kids, the upsets the teens experience, and some of the issues that become important for Joe and Keri.

This is a book worth reading and if it is already in your library as an ebook, it's worth re-reading! I know I have gone and re-visited the entire series and found each to be just as delightful and satisfying a read as it was the first time around. This is one book all real and genuine romance fans need to have in their possession. I encourage you to make it one of your literary friends. I give it a 4.75 out of 5 rating.

This novel has been re-released by Harlequin in December, 2011.

It's Almost The First Day of Christmas

2011-12-24T16:19:00.000-08:00

It's almost here -- the First Day of Christmas. It is almost time to do whatever the Christmas Eve traditions are in our families. In my hubby's family, my mother-in-law would always make oyster stew, white cornbread, and candle salad--a flat piece of leaf lettuce, a half of a banana standing upright, a little bit of mayo/cream cheese mixture that had been colored with red food coloring, with 1/4 of a maraschino cherry in the top like a flame. We have continued that tradition for many years, even though my in-laws are both gone now. It is not only now our families tradition but it is a way of remembering so many years when they were still with us and when our kids were little.

We always opened our presents on Christmas eve--my dad started that. He always said that Christmas Eve was for us, and Christmas Day was for Jesus--it's his birthday anyway. So we got to have our oyster stew supper, then we all had a mug of hot chocolate, we would gather around the Christmas tree, my hubby would read the Christmas story out of the Gospel of Luke, and then we would open presents. We always handed the gifts out, one child at a time. Everyone had to wait while that person opened their presents. This started when my sister and I were young--we only got two or three presents. One from my parents, and one from each of my grandparents. It just made the presents last a little bit longer. Even now, with our grown-up kids and our in-law children and grandkids with us, we still take the time to enjoy each person's presents. I think everyone likes being in the spot-light for just a little while.

I heard a wonderful song the other day and the lyrics really impressed me.

Doyou remember me
Isat upon your knee
Iwrote to you
Withchildhood fantasies.
Well,I'm all grown up now
Andstill need help somehow;
I'mnot a child
Butmy heart still can dream.
Sohere's my lifelong wish
Mygrown up Christmas list:
Notfor myself
Butfor a world in need.
Nomore lives torn apart
Thatwars would never start
Andtime would heal all hearts
Andeveryone would have a friend
Andright would always win
Andlove would never end.
Thisis my grown up Christmas list.

It's my sincere wish that all of you and yours will experience true joy and peace during this Christmas season, and I continue to hope that we will all take some time to find ways to help those who have so little and share some of the great prosperity that we all have experienced.

Merry Christmas to you all!!

The KISS Method for Christmas -- It's A Gift To Be Simple . . .

2011-12-19T09:36:00.000-08:00

I couldn't stop laughing when my sister sent me this photo . . . how creative and yet, I have to won up to the fact that as I gaze at some of the Christmas lighting excess in our community, I would have wanted to do something just like this. While I think these folks wanted all the next door visitors to have a good laugh, it did indeed make the point that the big electric bills weren't going to be coming to their house. In this case, as far as their bank account was concerned, simple really was the way to go.

Yet there is also the annual decisions to make when the holiday approaches. For me, lots of Christmases have come and gone, and for some years we have had the house decorated inside and out. A couple of years ago my hubby and I were so busy with family and community and church we ended up having Christmas at our daughter's house and didn't even get the Christmas tree out of the closet--yet, we do have an artificial tree. I guess I'm one of those "save a tree" people in a very real sense, but I also remember the annual "pain in the vacuum cleaner" we had every year growing up when we were trying to vacuum up all the dead tree droppings off the living room rug. I will admit I missed the tree. I have some old fashioned, Dickensonian houses that I have accumulated through the years and we did put those out on the book shelf, but I missed the tree. I love Christmas trees. One year I left ours up until April . . . it was almost an Easter tree that year.

But there is also that part of me that knows that my faith is rooted in the belief that Christmas is really not about presents and commercial sharing. I want to do my part for our nation's economy, and I do like getting a present or two--who doesn't? Yet, there is that reality that most of the time hubby and I are getting things for each other all year, and at our age, what is there that we really need? He's always buying me jewelry that he thinks I will like, and I am always trying to find clothes that will delight him. He isn't a clothes horse by any stretch of the imagination, but I know that he really gets a sparkle in his eye when he puts on one of his beautiful suits, picks out a cute tie, and "gussies up." At Christmas--and his birthday is also five days before Christmas--trying to find something he really needs or wants is very nearly impossible.

Now our family does the annual name exchange, usually one of the daughters puts us all together with a drawing just after Thanksgiving. We include the long-distance parts of our family as well, knowing that it means that they will probably not get our gifts to them until after Christmas. However, we Americans don't pay much attention to the "Twelve Days of Christmas" which, by the way, begin on December 25. So we always soothe our sense of "being late" with the fact that the gift will arrive sometime during those twelve days.

Last night, on the Family Channel, we watched "The Polar Express" again. What a great story. I remember when we went to a little church annually, not far from our daughter's home, the priest always pulled out that book and shared it with the congregation as his Christmas Day homily. It is about believing in those things we can't see--friendship, caring, and even in the spirit that is Christmas, whether or not we refer to that spirit as "Santa Claus." It was a fun reminder that keeping our holiday observances close to those kinds of realities--the ones we can't see--that will make the holiday live in our hearts. For Christians it is about remembering whose birthday it really is. For Jews it is about a faith that carried them through a time of great persecution to a victory over their enemies. And for many others it is about remembering that our loved ones and friends, our authentic relationships are what keep us grounded and focused on realities that make us truly human.

It is indeed a gift to be simple--as the old Shaker hymn reminds us. I trust that this will be a gift we can all claim this year.

An Oldie But STILL A Goodie: Haunted By Dreams by Norah Wilson

2011-12-16T11:20:00.000-08:00

John Deadmarsh had loved Cassandra Ashe once, a long time ago. As a student in Toronto, he'd wooed the mysterious Maliseet beauty to his bed, only to have her steal away while he slept, taking his heart with her. When he runs into her seventeen years later in sleepy Fredericton, New Brunswick, the betrayal stings like it was just yesterday. Cass would like nothing better than to steer a wide berth around this tall, dark and dangerous reminder of her youthful mistake. But John, now a psychologist, is treating Cass's young friend Nikki. Their mutual concern for Nikki puts them in frequent conflict. From the first encounter, it's obvious the attraction is still there.

To Cass's dismay, so is all that loaded emotion from that long-ago summer. Even more disturbing, she sees that John is just as haunted by the events of that summer as she is. How can she continue to deny him the truth about why she left him? But if she tells him the truth, what will it mean for the fragile new bond that's growing between them?

It isn't often that many of us find such delightful treasures unless we are the kind of book lovers who haunt used bookstores. I do love the old stuff almost as much as the new books that are appearing at an unbelievable rate. I find, though, that I get caught up in waiting for the next batch of new books and as a reviewer I am usually inundated with stacks of them. Once in awhile I begin researching an author and find a treasure like this book and am reminded of all the great reading that is "out there" that I have missed because of being taken over by the "new book craze."

This is a story that caught my interest largely because the two main characters meet after seventeen years. Yes, that's right, seventeen years. Seventeen years of pain, remembered shared delight, questions, anger, and most of all, that empty feeling that comes whenever one allows those painful memories to remind each one that something that was so very special got put aside almost before it had a chance to become the wonder it was destined to be. Cass is now 34, divorced but still very close to her ex. He is a warm and caring man who loved Cass in his own way until he met his soul-mate. He was prepared to honor his marriage vows and it was Cass who realized that something was dying inside her husband and set him free to be with his true love. Our hero John is now 40, a licensed psychologist and professor at the local university, a man who could never really face marriage to someone other than Cass, and it is in the pursuit of her long-held dream of becoming a social worker with First Nation families that she and John meet after nearly two decades. The anger and hurt surface immediately in the form of sarcasm and inuendo of a not very nice sort. Through a strange set of circumstances, they continue to meet and those encounters force them both to sort out their feelings.

This story is full of surprises for the characters as well as for the reader. At first I felt the animosity between Cass and John was a pit protracted, but when I thought about the nearly two decades of pain and questioning and, in Cass's case, carefully burying some important truth about that long-ago experience, I began to see their difficulties in moving beyond the anger. It is also a novel that exposes readers to the extensive difficulties First Nation peoples continue to encounter because of their color and their racial origin. Canada struggles with prejudice against people of color as much as does any other country. As Cass encounters the low self-esteem, the social problems, the lack of good housing and educational opportunity for her own people, she realizes that being adopted into a white, middle-class family has insulated her from so very much.

So this is really a wonderful love story about second chances as well as a very skillful social commentary on the realities endured by Canada's original inhabitants. Thus, it is a beautiful literary expression of Ms Wilson's writing skill as revealing some of her own concerns about some of these social ills that have plagued a really wonderful country for a very long time. I hope you will consider this novel and enjoy it as much as I did. It is really worth going back and re-claiming this book that first appeared a decade ago.

In future days I will be reviewing some of Ms Wilson's newer work. Hope you stop back by often.

I've Been Over At "The Island" For Three Days and Now I'm Back with A Book Review I Hope You'll Read

2011-12-06T07:57:00.000-08:00

As a guest blogger over at Desert Island Keepers and had fun writing in that genre for three days. It's a fun place and right now there are posts from Vanessa Kelly as a guest blogger.

I have been reading lots the last couple of days as I have been dealing with a repeat bout of vertigo. The Dr. doesn't seem to know how to get to the root cause so am just taking antihistamines and--would you believe--sea sick pills. They seem to be working but having the room spin every time I make a quick movement gets old really fast. So I want to share a review of a book that I really enjoyed and kept me relatively immobile for quite a while.

Out spoken and independent, Lady Alexa Bingham enjoys the heady freedom of making all her own decisions, even though the challenges of overseeing her family's country estate are daunting. But when a chance encounter with London's most notorious rake awakens a secret longing for adventure, she accepts her aunt's invitation for a Season in Town . . . only to find that breaking the rules of the ton has serious consequences.

The Earl of Killingworth uses his rakehell reputation to hide the fact that poverty has forced him to work for a living. As the owner of a gambling den and brothel, Connor has no time for glittering ballrooms or innocent young ladies. But after a reckless wager leaves him with a new business partner, he is forced to take a risky gamble . . . Will the cards fall in their favor?

Alexa and Connor begin to play a dangerous game of intrigue and deception as they seek to outwit a cunning adversary who wants to put them permanently out of business. But if they are not careful, it is the flames of their own fiery attraction that may destroy them.

The "crisis" in this story is initially the subtle but effective attack against the hero. Connor Linsley, Earl of Killingworth, is another one of those aristocrats who inherits an empty bank account and properties that make financial demands when there is not money, thanks to the gambling habit of his father. As a whiz at card games, he uses that skill to eventually become the owner of a gaming hell and brothel, one that is known as The Wolf's Lair. Connor then becomes known as the Irish Wolfhound, thanks to his mother's Irish heritage and it in the upper reaches of the brothel, of all places where Lady Alexa and Connor first encounter each other's independent spirit, their razor wit, and their mutual loyalty to those who are important to them. The kiss they exchange (Connor's "payment" for the information Alexa wants about her brother's whereabouts) begins as Connor's way of putting Alexa off, exposing her to the rough ways Connor has come to expect in his occasional romps with the fairer sex. However, it doesn't put either one of the "off" -- it becomes the kiss that Connor simply can't forget.I have been reading contemporary romance mostly in the past several months so it was fun to go back to my original passion: historical romance. Cara Elliot was an author I had encountered a while back so was delighted to read and review this newest book in a new series. I think she is a truly gifted writer who knows her stuff when it comes to telling a story in a way that keeps the reader's interest while teasing that interest forward.

This relationship seems to be a background story at first, because the initial action of the book is taken up with Connor's concern over the fact that someone is trying to "do him and his business in." Not only did a very skilled card sharp take him "to the cleaners" but the safe in his office was robbed almost immediately afterward, followed by an attack on both him and Lady Alexa. It is during his recuperation that these two begin to find their attraction to one another is more binding than they thought initially.

This is a well-written historical that takes in the ways of the ton as well as exposing the reader to the less refined levels of English society. It is also a mystery and the threads of that story are woven skillfully throughout the love story between Connor and Alexa. It's not a short read and it is not a simplistic story. It is very up-front about Alexa's resentment against a society that puts women in a display case and allows men to essentially do whatever they want as long as they pretend to be upstanding and proper. It explores that sense of independence and while it clashes with society and the expectations of friends, it also allows Alexa to be free with her concern, use her skills as a "country-bred miss" in helping Connor, and brings Alexa's mind into the story as well as her heart.

I make no bones about liking this kind of novel. I think it is a treat for the mind as well as for the heart. It is one of those stories that deals with the deeper and darker issues that make us truly human, that have been at the heart of human efforts to define individuals and societies historically, and which makes the heart of modern women glad. The freedoms that women enjoy today were hardwon by many who chafed under the yoke of social expectation. Alexa could be the poster girl for women who want to be esteemed as much for their mind and abilities as they do for the cut of their gown or the way they execute a dance step. I hope you'll consider making this novel a part of your "to be read" stack of books.

I give this novel a 4.25 out of 5.

Too Wicked to Wed was released in November under the "Forever" imprint.

Let's Talk Turkey . . . Being Thankful for More Than One Day

2011-11-27T15:28:00.000-08:00

Well, turkey day has come and gone, and this year I didn't have to cook dinner for my entire tribe. We actually had Thanksgiving Dinner at someone else's home, and that was really neat and lots less work! One inevitable downer: no left-overs!! And I think the second best day of the year is the day after Thanksgiving with all the turkey left-overs. Yummmmm!! Hot turkey and gravy sandwiches; turkey pot pie; my mom's turkey croquettes; turkey hash; and on and on. Hubby and I would bake a turkey every month if we would think about it more often. We LOVE turkey.

But in truth, the food on Thanksgiving Day is really secondary, and perhaps more this year than for lots of years past, I am more aware than ever that my life is lacking a healthy portion of gratitude. Of course, I am thankful for friend and family--most of the time, that is. The kids and grandkids can be a bit wearing from time to time. What I am realizing is that I don't often stop and express thanks for the little things in my life--and some of the big ones, either. Like a good job, even at my age, lots of opportunities to read good books and to communicate with other readers, bloggers, authors, and people who share in that particular obsession. I am thankful for a hubby of long-standing -- a man who now is retired and who regularly tries to micro-manage my life, but who is always there to support and fit in, even if he really doesn't fully understand sometimes where I'm "coming from." I'm thankful for my health--something I have taken for granted for most of my life. Good genes and I think some good health practices early in my life are paying off now.

The real issue is that being thankful really does change the overall outlook people have in their everyday lives. It has even been known to change the body chemistry--changing the negative into the positive, and helping to move individuals through some rather overwhelming difficulties. "Counting Your Blessings" may seem as innocuous to many as counting sheep to overcome insomnia. But the anecdotal evidence shows that it really does work, makes a difference when some difficult happenings, situations, circumstances, etc. are threatening to overwhelm and upend.

So it is my sincere hope that all my readers and "followers" had a truly blessed and restful Thanksgiving Day holiday, didn't get too frazzled by "Black Friday," and are looking forward to the coming days, weeks, and months of living with thankful hearts and spirits.

Love Those Men In Blue: "The Night Is Darkest" by Jayne Rylon

2011-11-22T08:00:00.000-08:00

Some secrets refuse to stay hidden.

Lacey Daughtry's perfect weekend is interrupted by tragic news of her brother's murder in the line of duty. Plagued by a rash of mysterious phone calls, she turns to her brother's best friends and fellow officers for protection-and comfort.

Spending time in close contact with Mason and Tyler, the two men she's dreamed of since her first girlhood crush, seems like the answer to a prayer. Especially when they begin to explore the desire she's harbored for so long. But the partners are holding out on Lacey. Determined to suppress the most extreme facets of their lust, they agree to settle for sharing the woman they crave while concealing their desire for each other. Until Lacey cracks their resolve, unleashing a torrent of emotions that threatens to distract them when they can least afford it.

Their blossoming relationship is complicated by secrets. And the only way to evade the killer threatening their lives is to bare their souls in the darkest hours of the night. Or everything will come crashing down, just before the dawn.

I recently read a couple of books written by Ms Rylon in collaboration with Mari Carr (The Compass Brothers Series: Northern Exposure, Southern Comfort) and really liked the style and content of the stories. So I looked up this author as an individual writer and discovered some additional books and this series entitled Men in Blue. (I had read and reviewed several of her books previously from Ellora's Cave for The Book Binge.) This first book was released in 2009 but is one that is very much rooted in contemporary times and places, is really about three people who have been friends for years, who are mourning the death of a much loved brother and friend, and who are keeping secrets from each other--at least they think the others are clueless. Like so much else in their long-standing association as friends and lovers, that assumption is wrong also. Mason and Tyler have been secret lovers for quite a while, have "wanted" Lacey as their third for even longer, but have agreed that their pursuit of her will be conducted as if they are just best friends. It's a small town with some fairly accomplished gossips and some highly judgmental people. Add in Mason's unwillingness to accept his attraction to Tyler, and you have a pretty good level of conflict on every front.

Lacey knows that she is seen as "the little sister" of their friend who has just been killed in the line of duty. She can't seem to get them to see her as a grown woman with a serious love for them and the need to have them in her life. They also don't realize that she has been aware that their friendship is closer than just "best friends" and that this reality certainly doesn't "turn her off." That is one of their greatest fears. She is being stalked but hasn't shared that with them either as they seem to be avoiding her.

This is not your simple boys-meet-girl kind of story. It isn't a simple menage tale where two men grab the girl and they are off for hot sessions of threesome sex. It is a story that is full of the conflicts the men feel over their attraction to each other, their worry about being open in acting on that attraction, their worry that Lacey might run from them if she knew, their conflict over her being their friend's "little sister," and their most urgent concern that Lacey won't be able to deal with their "dark" and kinky needs. There is also the mystery about who might be stalking Lacey, or perhaps the slowly emerging clues that the death of Lacey's brother might not have been accidental at all.

At its most basic, this novel is about discovering the depth and breadth of relationship--the grandeur that Mason and Tyler need to discover in their own love for each other, the maturity and acceptance that Lacey has for them both as lovers and her own dark needs that they can fulfill, and their need to come clean with each other and live in the open as honest lovers and friends. There is also an entire circle of "men in blue" that form a kind of extended family for these three, all of whom are accepting of them as individuals as well as a triad. As they discover each other they are going to be challenged to discover the authenticity of their friends' caring for them as well.

This novel is really beautifully written as the strands of each of these people's lives are woven together alongside the mystery that has engulfed them. Their discovery of the perpetrator, their sense of betrayal at who this is, their recognition of their ability to move beyond a very limited view of life and relationship are the factors that shape and form the context of a story that is full of surprises and which never leaves the reader bored or at loose ends. It is a worthy beginning to a trilogy that will draw the reader into the lives and experiences of a circle of friends--all of whom are different but equally talented, whose own experiences make the reading just that much more interesting. I loved the book and was so pleased to know that the experiences of these characters would continue on through books two and three. I give it a rating of 4.25 out of 5.

My Feelings Exactly!! "Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy" by

2011-11-20T08:00:00.000-08:00

Garrett was sure his obsession with Tessa would be the death of him. He'd watched her patiently for a very long time. Okay, so "patiently" wasn't exactly a good description. He'd run off every man within a mile of her for years. He knows her habit of skinny-dipping in the lake that joins their properties, and this time, he plans on taking advantage of it.

Tessa thought Garrett was out of reach. He's ten years her senior and always has a horde of slim blondes hanging off him. She's short, curvy, and black. Definitely not his type. Too bad no one told Garrett that. Now, Garrett is determined Tessa will be his, and this is one cowboy who won't take "no" for an answer.

While this story isn't a part of Cara North's Country Music Collection, I still noticed the book because of the title and its reference to a current contemporary country/western ballad. It is one of those stories that is tense and filled with less than optimum relationships right off the bat with characters that must struggle with the social barriers of race, color, and an age gap. It is about a cowboy who has never veered away from his wanting Tessa even though to most people it looked like he was a player--he always had the cute blonde salivating over him. Perhaps that is how he dealt with the issues he had to confront about their differences. His heart and his libido paid little attention to the social difficulties. They wanted Tessa.

I have always enjoyed interracial romances because they, like so many stories, take the reader away from the comfort zone most WASPs live in and they pose some scenarios that challenge every reader to be open to new possibilities. I have always thought that it takes a very determined couple to live outside what many would see as "norm" -- within their own racial structure and finding life partners within that context. Love is not aware of color barriers or even age gaps. Ten years is a lot of years--they make little difference initially, but eventually they make far more of a difference. Men simply don't live as long as women--at least, that is the national average--and those kinds of age differences can separate lovers eventually in the course of growing old. Don't get me wrong--I don't think that should make any difference in deciding who will be one's life partner. It's just the reality folks have to face.

I found this story to be so readable and enjoyed it a lot. I hope some of you will check it out. I give it a rating of 4 out of 5.

There's More To Me Than Just Being A Mother: "One Hot Mama" by Cara North

2011-11-18T08:00:00.000-08:00

Rafe decides that it is time to make his move on Layla. Layla adores the man, but she has secrets too dark and too risky to let herself fall for him.

For a man who knows everything about women, he doesn't know anything about Layla and to earn her trust he has to do more than win over her children.

The is the third in the "Country Music Collection and a story which now features the third brother in the family--a man who has always been the peace-maker, the one who has stood in the gap when difficulties make family life uneasy and tense, and who now is drawn to a single mother with two kids. His efforts to draw her into any kind of relationship continually fall flat, and even the relationship he has established with the kids--they absolutely adore Rafe--doesn't seem to make much difference when it comes to bringing Layla and Rafe closer to where he would like to be.

As has been the case in the first two books, the story is edgy and real, the characters are not gilded with literary smooze, and the story smacks of contemporary life. The background characters are, in many cases, persons readers have met in the first two books, and their stories continue on just a bit. Certainly Layla is now in a quandry because the real stories of her past are in danger of being revealed. Yet she craves the relationship Rafe's brothers have managed to have and she wants security for herself and her kids.

This story is one of those novels that grabs your emotions and just doesn't let go until the last word is read. Even then I found it difficult to move away from the story and kept on thinking about the characters long after I had finished the book. I find that is true of the really good ones. If nothing else, the characters and their story connected with me on some level.

I think Cara North is a very accomplished writer and have enjoyed her style and her use of the language. Readers of contemporary romance fiction will like her writing and will find that her stories are compelling and worth the time and effort to read. I give this book a 4.25 out of 5.

Back Up Ten And Punt: When Things Get Hairy in the Locker Room

2011-11-16T15:01:00.000-08:00

I guess having lived for decades with a high school sports coach and having a son who is a football coach has finally rubbed off on me. If you don't believe me, then you'll probably have trouble believing that one of my thrills at being in Chicago recently was seeing Soldier's Field--the venue where the Chicago Bears play. I have heard about, been party to, and had my entire weekend taken over by sports, namely football. In the days when thee was only a single 13" TV in our living room, the kids and I got lots of other stuff done. Dad, of course, had taken over the TV for the entire weekend.

Most recently I have been shamed and saddened by the happenings at Penn State--the hurt that was revealed after being covered up for 13 years and the fall-out that is affecting the university now. I am most ashamed when I hear commentators speaking about the great damage done that day for Penn State. Oh Hello!! The hurt happened years ago and it wasn't just to the university. The loss of a beloved coach has to feel harsh and is difficult for lots of people the consider that such an action to fire Joe Paterno and the college president has to make lots and lots of students and alumni very upset. I know this is a hot button issue and I'll probably get scalded for my writing about it, but I am upset about lots of stuff pertaining to this situation.

First, I realize that Mr Paterno reported the illegal activity to the Athletic Director in the late 90's, but my understanding is that at the time Pennsyvania had a mandatory reporting law. That means that the coach had an obligation to report the information received to the law enforcement officials. That's not what happened. And perhaps the greatest sadness about this entire affair, apart from the damage done to the victims, is that Joe Paterno decided to protect his legend instead of making sure that a staff member was prevented from doing any harm to more youngsters. I know that sounds harsh and judgmental, but when people begin to believe their publicity and allow their public persona to be what they protect instead of seeking justice for those young boys, then there is something seriously wrong. I also know that college football is a force with which to be contended in our society and that influence is supported by millions of dollars worth of TV exposure, the whole NFL scouting machine, and the flow of those media dollars into the coffers of university and college athletic programs. And as beloved as Coach Paterno may be to the Penn State students and alumni, he became a part of the cover-up as soon as he opted out of his mandated reporting responsibilities.

This situation, like many others of the same kind, are full of wounding and scalding sadness--not only for the victims, but for lots of friendships and relationships that get caught up in and ground to powder by the the inevitable fall-out that will happen sooner or later. For those victims, it is justice long delayed. For the coaching staff and college administration it is a powerful wake-up call to honesty and transparency. Strangely enough, I am impelled to send prayers to everyone that will be ultimately touched by this tragedy. No matter how grand the football aura may be, no matter how legendary the coach, the sanctity of and respect for the human person of any age, much less a child, can never take second place.

No, I Haven't Died!! I'm Really Home, Finally!

2011-11-09T20:02:00.000-08:00

What an incredible privilege to be able to travel throughout our beautiful country and experience the beauty that we so often take for granted! Train travel affords a unique view of what is often seen from roads and freeways. Train tracks are most often in a different part of the town and wind their way through meadow and hill a far piece from the roadways. And I continue to sing the praises of train travel--quiet, long periods of time to read, knit, sleep, listen quietly to music, meet people from all over the country, and see some of the most beautiful scenery on the planet. What's not to like??

I continued my journey through Cara North's "Country Music Series" of novels and continue to find her writing very much to my taste. Book Two, She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy is another compelling story about a very different situation: a marriage that is on the rock even before the

marriage begins. Now admittedly we read of such happenings now and then among celebrities--i.e. the rece

Kardashian fiasco is a case in point. But I don't often encounter it in romance fiction. This book deals with such a scenario in a way that is edgy and seems to "go for the throat." It is visceral and gutsy and the characters are hurting big time. There were times when I wasn't sure this book could come up with a resolution. It almost read like a Greek tragedy.nt

Ms North has a wonderful way with a story. I hope that those of you who really like contemporary romance--straightforward, gutsy, and a healthy dose of eroticism mixed in--will take a look at this series. It caught my eye because I like the songs that are referenced in the titles, and while each is a stand alone novel, I would recommend starting with book one since the family and secondary characters are fascinating and really hold the reader's interest. Be prepared to feel the hurt, disappointment, passion, fear, and complicated relationships that are the stuff of real life. I think you'll be glad you indulged.

Never fear: I'll be posting some interesting reviews shortly. I am trying to catch up with some reviews I owe The Book Binge so right now I'm spread kind of thin. Those of you who checked in and found me absent, thanks for your faithfulness. Hopefully we'll all be back together and sharing some of the stuff that we have been reading in the past 4-6 weeks. Let me hear from you. I really love all the comments I receive.

Reading On The Train: "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off" by Cara North

2011-10-24T09:42:00.000-07:00

If you have been checking in from time to time, you know that hubby and I are on our BIG annual train trek, spanning the United States, moving from train to train, and having a ball doing it. Lugging suitcases around can be tiring, but at our age we don't get enough exercise anyway, so that has been all to our good. Moving from West to East, arriving in Boston, trekking North to Portland, Maine, then journeying South to Washington, D.C. and visiting friends who live nearby in Virginia, moving into my home state of Georgia and renewing friendship with long-time friends (that we met and got to know 49 years ago) near Atlanta, and now we are sitting a spell in the home of our oldest daughter who lives in Alabama. Hubby and daughter conspired to drive me to Nashville where we explored really old and unusual cars at the Lane Automobile Museum--absolutely a hoot and trip down memory lane--and an afternoon at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Special displays highlighting the talents and careers of Chet Atkins and Hank Williams, Jr were only a small part of the fun and really encountering a music genre that is uniquely American.

All that train riding makes time for computer games (that's hubby's thing), knitting afghans for church and friends, and, of course, READING!! As many of you have come to recognize, I like some of the older publications I missed out on in years past, and the two novels of Cara North I recently discovered were a treasure uncovered, to be sure. The titles caught my eye be

cause I really love country music and particularly liked the fun titles of these quirky songs.

Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off is a fun contemporary erotic romance about two people needing each other for different reasons and finding out that together they are one insatiable force. Bethany Dodson is running from her past and her fiancé. She needs a new last name and to get lost fast! Jack Johnson needs to marry a woman to get his inheritance so he can stop working on other ranches and rebuild the one he shares with his two older brothers and younger sister. When he meets Bethany, his goal is basically to get some action then get on searching for a wife. But Bethany kills two birds with one stone and the next thing he knows he's the one getting drug down the aisle! What they discover is more than just surface needs. They take each other to new heights in and out of the bedroom, push boundaries, and even fall in love!

What's a girl to do when she has everything money can buy, enough money to float a boat in her underwear drawer, and absolute certainty that she means nothing at all to her parents or the man who is "scheduled" to marry her? Why, she goes to Las Vegas, of course. She needs someone to marry her, give her a new name, let her begin a new life, and then he will be free--that is, if he wants to be free. In the same way, Jack Johnson needs a woman to marry, one who isn't a gold-digger, who can "put out" for at least three months, and who will gladly divorce him in three months--that is, if he is willing to let her go.

Thus the story of Bethany and Jack begins, tossing back shots of tequila, allowing their physical attraction to draw them into each other's sphere, daring one another to marry, and signing on the dotted line--temporarily, to be sure. Yet as life has a way of snookering us into surprises, so the attraction that these two explore and enjoy becomes the hook that seems to keep them connected as their respective stories unfold.

This story explores the healing power of love for a woman who knows her own mind, who has a killer education and plans to use it, and a curvy, voluptuous body she thinks of as fat. Yet Bethany is typical of many women who have incredible talent and learning but who are stunted by the disregard, disrespect, and actually be used rather than appreciated by the people who should have loved her best. Just the simple hugs Jack is willing to share, the fact that a gorgeous man seems to really be turned on by her body as well as her mind, has Bethany beginning to believe that she is loveable and can be valued for herself alone.

I found this novel to be so enjoyable, not really light-weight as it deals with some substantive issues that are unfortunately alive and well in the experience of a multitude of today's women. The loving is warm and inviting, the sex is incredible, and the story of how a relationship that began under less-than-optimum circumstances all combine to make a novel that is a joy to read and, might I add, re-read. Published in 2007, Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off is still contemporary and pertinent to the world of today's women. I highly recommend it as a novel that will warm your heart, massage your libido, and engage your mind as well. Don't miss this one. I give it a rating of 4.25 out of 5.

On The Road Still . . . Reflections of an Amtrak Traveler

2011-10-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

If you have been checking in, then you know that
we are on our Amtrak trek across the United States, and we are now in Virginia where we are visiting some long-time friends with whom we served in the Army nearly 50 years ago when we were all stationed in Berlin. It was a weary world then as it is now, and we were in the midst of what was then called "The Cold War." We have stayed in touch through the years, but this is the first time we have been together in nearly 16 years. Renewing old friendships is such fun, especially when we were surprised with the information that our friends were celebrating a wedding anniversary. We celebrated by driving along the ridges of the Blue Hills of Virginia at the Skyline National Park. The colors were spectacular--hills dotted with yellow, orange, and red trees. All testified that the winter was coming and were showing off their beauty in a last blast of glory.

Now we are off to Atlanta where we will re-connect with another couple who were stationed with us in Berlin. Perhaps being several years behind the Iron Curtain (as the boundaries of the Soviet Union were then called) can cause people to forge friendships that have better-than-average strength, a tensil strength that lasts for years afterward. We will be moving on in a couple days after that to visit with family, spend a couple of days in New Orleans, then journey to Chicago and after a couple of days' sojourn there, journey home via the California Zephr.

Hope all of you are staying well and getting your flu shots, the relatively new pneumonia shots, and updating your immunity regularly. Adults aren't usually good at that so we do well to look to our own health even as we are trying to care for those around us. Keep on keeping on, and I'll be updating you again soon. Until next time . . .

There Ain't Any Such Thing As A Werewolf!! "Cry Wolf" by Angela Campbell

2011-10-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

Andrea Lockhart's job as a reporter for cheesy tabloid The Naked Truthisn't exactly where she thought her journalism career would end up. She's determined to make the best of it, but when her editor sends her to Woodbine, South Carolina, to investigate a werewolf sighting, Andrea decides the ridiculous assignment will be her last. Until she meets Sean Hunter.

The last time she saw Sean, he had just beat her out for the position of editor of their college newspaper, and told her she'd never make it as a reporter. Given his grand ambitions, she's shocked to find him editing theWoodbine Weekly. Once they start competing for leads on the werewolf, Andrea becomes determined to break the story first—she can't let Sean beat her again.

As they each get closer to finding the source of the rumors, the only thing more surprising than the truth are the feelings Sean is able to stir in her, feelings she thought she had left behind...

We've all seen them . . . those sensationalism-filled news "rags" displayed by the check-out stands in grocery stores and other retail stores. Some of the head-lines are so bazaar that it is more a source of comedy than information. No one really takes the tw0-headed baby seriously! Yet there are people who continue to work for these organizations and they continue to flourish because customers continue to buy their craziness. No serious journalist would work for one of those publications--or so we think.

Yet in this novel that is exactly who is writing for a tabloid called The Naked Truth. Andrea is an award-winning journalist who has been writing for some of America's most respected news organizations, but who now finds herself as a feature writer for a tabloid. And her most unwelcome story to date: getting the "naked truth" about the werewolf sightings in a small community who has reported these for years. All because she laughed out loud at the ludicrous nature of the assignment. Now it is hers.

Adding to the crazy nature of this assignment is the shock of finding herself hanging upside down in a hunter's snare, being rescued by a young reporter on the local weekly newspaper along with his editor who turns out to be her chief competitor from college and an old college crush who "crushed" her with his scathing words about her appearance, wardrobe, and general unsuitability as an aspiring journalist. Those old verbal wounds are still very much alive in her heart and mind, and now she finds that he not only doesn't remember her but she has to rely on him for some of her contacts connected to running down this story.

This is a book that is about werewolves but in a strong sense isn't really about that phenomenon. It is more about the people who are struggling with the issue of whether or not such a creature exists, whether to debunk the legend, dealing with those in the community who will not be moved from their conviction that such a "monster" exists, and the human element in confronting this issue--the old love-interest, family, getting over old wounds, dealing with unscrupulous journalists connected with the tabloid, preserving one's own integrity professionally, and so on. There is so much going on in this book, yet I had the feeling throughout that the author really had it all under control and was going to make it all come together. The story really centers around Andrea Lockhart's own inner struggle as a professional, dealing with the old emotional hurts even as she is getting re-acquainted with the source of those hurts--a man who has clearly changed as much as she has in the ten years since they first knew each other. Her challenge is to balance those old hurts and feelings with what she is learning about him now and who he has become.

I found this novel to be more about the people involved in the story than just about the "werewolf" stuff. And because of that it was a very good reading experience. My entire interest in all romance fiction is exploring the human relationships, the struggle with the human thought process and the issues that influence the way people determine their choices and how they proceed on their life journey. Andrea is like so many others: just trying to do her job, not really sure she can look forward to any kind of private life that will be fulfilling. The hurts of her recent past have cast a pall over any hopes and dreams she may have had. How can she get around those, how can she hope to have a life that is fulfilling and connected to others when any connections from the past have been so disappointing?

Contemporary romance fans will enjoy this book with its many background characters and its interesting story line. Add in the "spice" of the paranormal and you have a unique story that is worth the time and effort to read and enjoy. I give it a rating of 4 out of 5.

This novel has an expected release date from Carina Press of 10/31/2011.

Whew!! I Made It Home In One Piece

2011-10-07T15:33:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it? Rain in Los Angeles? Lots of rain in Los Angeles? Well, I'm here to tell you we had buckets of rain on Wednesday, and as usual, the LA drivers took that as a sign that it was a good day to drive even faster than normal. On my way home from a hotel near the Los Angeles airport where I was reading ordination exams for our denomination, the freeway was crowded, as always. But wonder of wonders, the traffic moved along fairly well . . . UNTIL . . . I got closer to home, nearly to the junction between Fwy 5 and 14, and everything came to a stop!! It took two hours to go about 3-1/2 miles -- two accidents were on the side of the freeway only about 400 yards apart. So in addition to the emergency vehicles weaving in and out of bumper to bumper traffic--always seems like a miracle to me that they can even manage to get anywhere--we had all the professional "lookey loos" who think it's the best show in town and they have to see it!! So in addition to having a fried brain from reading 37 not-really-well-written exams in three days and commenting on each answer, I was almost comatose from sitting in the car and moving 10 inches at a time, breathing car fumes, and truly coming to the conclusion that I was never going to see my hubby ever again!!

We're nearly ready to launch ourselves on our Fall 2011 Train Trek back to the East Coast, traveling to Chicago, along the Great Lakes, to Boston, then on to Portland, Maine, back to Washington, D. C. to visit some long-time friends, then on to Atlanta (more long time friends), to Alabama to visit with daughter #1, then to New Orleans where we will veg out for a couple of days, back to Chicago and two days down time, and then home on the Amtrak California Zephr to Northern California and south on the Amtrak Capitol Corridor to Bakersfield where we will take an Amtrak bus to Newhall, pick up our car, and literally race down Fwy 405 to attend an election seminar for election workers for the November 8 election. Restful, huh?? My hubby is a train nut, and he is so excited because he will be riding on 5 -- get that? 5 trains he has never ridden on ever before. Be still my foolish heart!!

So as I am able to get internet access during the next month, I will post some pics and info about where we are traveling. Until then, enjoy the cooler weather and we hope that all of us who need the rain will continue to be blessed.

Friends: Our Greatest Treasure!

2011-09-29T08:27:00.000-07:00

Hubby and I have been working to finalize the arrangements for a cross-country train trek that he and I will be taking in mid-October when during which we will be visiting with two families who have been friends for over forty years. Actually, we all served together back in the late 1950's-early 1960's when we all were stationed in Berlin, Germany. We were a part of what was then referred to as the "German-American Community" and worked in a setting that was not segregated from the German establishments around the various military offices. It was a very unique setting and we had wonderful opportunities to get to know people we would ordinarily not have met. Planning this trip has sort of turned our thoughts back to those days, made both hubby and I realize that we have encountered some very special people in our life, many of whom we have had to bid farewell or whose lives have taken them in different directions.

Added to the remembrances engendered by all this trip planning is some thought brought on by a discussion I had with a local friend about holding grudges. I guess the direction of our thought was along the lines of: "What is really most important? Holding the grudge or keeping the friend?" I found it a question I hadn't considered often in recent years. As one who really doesn't hold grudges, I haven't thought much about what really is going on. But I have realized in recent days that two of my really good friends are mad at each other and, in my humble opinion, are holding grudges about really silly stuff. Obviously, it isn't silly to the two of them, but really, is the grudge so important that they are willing to sacrifice a long-time friendship so they can hold on to their particular "take" on a given situation? I'm worried about them, and yet I know I have to stay out of their way.

This, of course, has moved me on to thinking about the value of friends in my life. I am presently counseling with a lady who seems to have a talent for choosing people as friends and acquaintances who are absolutely toxic for her. They continually disappoint her and have, in fact, had some destructive influence on her and her life. She is so needy, and so lonely. Made me realize just how precious to me my friends have been throughout my life. Thanks to Facebook I have been able to connect with some friends of the past (although their lives are so different now and we really don't have nearly as much to share these days). I will always treasure the times we spent together. I choose to believe that they were there when I needed them, and hopefully, I met a need in their life as well.

Of course, I also remembered people I thought of as "friends" and realized later on that they were acquaintances or people I worked with, but that they had not investment in my life as a true friend would have. Those experiences taught me a lot about being insightful about the people in my daily life--are they co-workers I value but don't have much to do with my life outside of my job? And I realized that the number of true friends I have had in the past and have now are a much smaller number than I first assumed. All the more reason to treasure the true friends I have.

Lastly, I can't have any commentary on "friends" without acknowledging my very best friend who happens to also be my hubby of many decades. He has stayed with me through thick and thin, through kid troubles, money troubles, job troubles, and with his irrepressible sense of humor, made me laugh when I least felt like doing so. I am truly blessed to have him in my life.

Hang on to your friends . . . they are our greatest treasure!

When Is The Pain Going To End? "Becoming Three" by Cameron Dane

2011-09-21T09:26:00.000-07:00

Deputy Jace Maxwell looks out for Sarah Tennison, and wants her. Although the fiery feisty woman is a friend, he knows he can’t have her. Because as much as he craves Sarah, he also lives with a secret, fierce attraction for men. And Sarah just won't understand.

Sarah has suppressed her love for Jace, knowing he only sees her as a chore. Enter cowboy Jasper Simmons. Jasper is as sweet and gentle as Jace is hard. Sarah tries to keep both men separate in her mind, but can’t stop fantasizing about being tangled and sweaty in bed with both of them.

When Jasper finds a dead woman nailed to a tree, he is thrown into contact with Jace. The proximity unearths an attraction neither of them had felt before. Seeing Jace with Jasper in an emotion-filled situation gets Sarah wondering if her roommate is keeping secrets. Then Jasper admits to Sarah he once had a crush on another man, Jace suddenly kisses her in a shocking lapse of control, and suddenly Sarah's fantasies are taking on a vivid reality. Will sweet, awkward Jasper be the key to two becoming three?

This novel is the 6th book in a series and the majority of the novels are M/M stories. However, the author has brought other romantic relational configurations into the saga of the Hawkins Ranch which figures prominently in connecting all the characters throughout these stories. The other consistent ingredient is that all the characters are either involved in ranching or law enforcement. So it is in this story. This novel was released in 2009, but I encountered it recently and found it to be a compelling read.

Both the male characters in this story are very masculine, especially Jace who is alpha in his way of relating to both men and women. His relationship with Sarah is very complicated since Sarah's brother, presently serving in the military in the Middle East, really "gave" Sarah into Jace's care and protection when he was deployed. Now it has been a number of years, Sarah has grown into a mature, sexy, strong-minded woman, and Jace is having a very difficult time maintaining the "big brother" relationship with her.

Along comes Jasper, a kind-hearted, caring, gentle but strong-minded man who fell for Sarah when she was just 18 years old. Now, four years later, Jasper feels he can make his move. He has issues of feeling unworthy because of his roots, his lack of superior education and talking skills, as well as a brother who is incarcerated for rape. Yet his heart has belonged to Sarah for so long and he knows that her attraction to him is of long standing and such that he is confident that they have something special brewing.

This is a story of discovery and growth, of coming to terms with one's own issues and acknowledging oneself honestly in all the facets of being--inner strength, comfortable in one's skin, sexual orientation, etc. For Jace, he knows he needs to be in a multiple partner relationship but he has been deeply hurt by couples who welcome him initially and then discard him in the end. He is bi-sexual but has kept his "secret" from anyone in his small community. Keeping all this important stuff about himself under wraps has spawned lots and lots of tension that has impacted his relationships. For Jasper, he struggles with feeling good about his abilities, his growth past his feelings of inferiority, moving forward after some poor adolescent choices, and acknowledging that he is "good enough" to be Sarah's lover. For Sarah, she has had to face her attraction to Jasper but she also knows that Jace is important to her in a romantic way. She also has to find a way to move Jace away from the "big brother" feelings so that he can be open about his feelings for her.

This is also a story that contains a parallel murder mystery involving a serial killer and one that has invaded their small community. Jasper finds the first body, nailed to a tree in a back pasture on the Hawkins Ranch, reminiscent of a crucifixion. Ultimately suspicion falls on almost everyone involved with the Ranch and most of the town's citizens. As a sheriff's deputy, Jace is also deeply involved in the investigation. Jasper's brother, the rat-fink nasty guy who has always lorded it over Jasper and who is now, once again, attempting to use Jasper & Sarah's romance--threatening to do harm to Sarah--as a means of blackmail and such. So this entire murder mystery story line adds a good deal of complicated, messy factors into the story, and I, for one, think it just makes the novel a whole lot better.

The real issue, though, is the way these three people discover that their mutual attraction can be forged into a relationship that will meet all their needs. It is tense, hot, sexy, and very revealing as the layers of propriety are peeled away and each of these three must make some critical decisions about their future as a person and as a part of this triad. They all struggle, and that struggle is the core of the story. It is almost as if everything else swirls around the central action which is the almost inevitable way these three come together. But don't get me wrong--it isn't smooth, easy, or simplistic. Lots of heavy emotion, lots of self-doubt, lots of worry about the social ramifications, lots of concern each carried around over how they are perceived by each other and the wider community. It's a messy story, but let's face it--life is messy!

I first read Cameron Dane when I bought Ride, the fourth novel in this series about the town sheriff and his compelling attraction to a woman who was a semi-professional bull rider. Boy did he struggle with the whole idea of a woman involved in that part of Rodeo. Liking that book a whole lot led me to this present novel and I am delighted to have found it. I think this author--who writes lots and lots of M/M novels--has managed to translate her considerable understanding of human nature and relationships into engaging stories. She also manages to write the love scenes in such a way that they are not contrived--as if the story makes opportunities for sex--but rather allows the sex to be a natural outflow of the story and the relationships.

All in all--this is a really terrific book and one that is on my favorites list. I give it a rating of 4.25 out of 5.

Gone for Awhile, But Hopefully Not Forgotten

2011-09-19T11:23:00.000-07:00

It's been a while -- just a busy month, I expect. Got a bit sidetracked with Labor Day, got a couple of fairly hefty bags of books to read and review, and two knitting projects that are driving me crazy with some deadlines to get those done. Add in the fact that hubby and I are getting ready to be gone for a few weeks in October, with all the pre-preparation for my job that such a trip entails, and the blog has sunk down to the bottom of the "to do" list.

I apologize to followers who may have been checking in--just haven't gotten around to writing anything much.

So what have I been doing?? Well . . . daughter Tracy and I went to a So. California bloggers get-together that was great fun. Hubby just shakes his head.

"How can you find so much to talk about that involves books and for so many hours?"

What can I say? Get a group of gals together in the same room, surrounded by piles of books, mutual love of books, and well . . . the hours just fly by.

And then I have been reading, reading, reading . . . in between knitting, knitting, knitting. I have written some reviews for The Book Binge and made an appearance on Desert Island Keepers but just yesterday I remarked to hubby that I had a "ton" of reviews to write. It reminded me that I hadn't posted anything on this blog either.

So here are some of the books I have been plowing through in the past few days:

Exclusively Yours by Shannon Stacey. Such a fun book! I was so impressed with the sense of relationship mixed in with family, fun, romance, and rib-tickling humor that this author brought into this story. I had not read anything by this author previously, but I found it to be a wonderful reading experience. I had to get the rest of the series--these characters were just too engaging to be satisfied with

only one book.

The setting of this book is a kick in itself. Romance in the midst of a family camping trip? Way too much togetherness and far too little privacy. Yet they make it work and these two former lovers have some significant challenges in working out their issues.

Prism by Nikki Soarde. This is a MM/F story that brings together three different people, all friends from college years, but whose lives have gone in different directions. Clay and Dax have had an intense attract

ion to one another and they have lived together for a number of years--an "open" relationship that has been compromised a time or two as one or the other of the men has "strayed"into another affair, but they keep coming back to one another. Now their friend Sydney has arrived from Paris, hurting, disillusioned, and newly divorced. Both men are faced with their attraction to her and their latent, long-buried desire to bring her into their relationship as their "third." It is a very erotic, steamy novel that has been around since early 2010 but which is still a great read from Ellora's Cave.

A Forever Kind of Love by Shiloh Walker This is another premier work that illustrates Ms Walker's ab

ility to make characters jump off the page. This story is about loving and loss, about living and dying, about the pain of shattering hearts and grieving over what can never be, about disappointment and betrayal and accepting the truth that those who should have loved just don't. It is not an easy story and was one of those that had me in tears. Walker's ability to make words come alive in the mind and imagination is unsurpassed.

Jace by Sarah McCarty A complicated, engaging story that is a continuation of the Shadow Wranglers series. As I had not read the first two books in the

series I was somewhat lost when encountering ideas and happenings and characters that were carry-overs. That being said, it was a delightful read for anyone who likes paranormal romance and who is a Sarah McCarty fan. It might be characterized as a love-lost-love-found kind of story, but there is far more to it than that. Embracing the tensions that have existed between the vampire community and wolf-shifters, this story also deals with the deep wounds caused by unscrupulous scientists who have imprisoned a wolf-shifter in the attempt to use her as a breeder. Now rescued, Miri and her vampire mate have a lot of baggage to wade through as they seek to find their way back to one another while discovering the location of their lost baby daughter--a child daddy didn't even know existed. Add in the tensions between the two communities and you have a multi-layered story that keeps the curiosity of the reader never quite satisfied. As always, this author manages to make a really good story rise to the level of a great one with characters that are compelling and the knack of bringing fictional characters assume life-like quality. Just a truly terrific story!!

This barely makes a dent in the pile -- lots more books I could talk about, but this is just a smattering of some of the interesting books I have been enjoying. Thought I would give you some in differing categories of romance fiction. Some are more recent than others. But anyone who has been following this blog knows that I like to pull up books that have been around for awhile.

Thanks for stopping by.

Labor Day 2011 -- Is It Your Job Or Your Life?

2011-09-05T07:46:00.000-07:00

Labor Day -- Whoopee!! A three-day weekend!! The Last Blast before the Fall activities begin again! So Labor Day has become in American tradition. W inhen I was a kid no one went back to school before the day after Labor Day, so even though we were delighted to have another holiday, and the adults were glad for a day off work, we school kids were aware that early on that Tuesday after Labor Day we were going to be kicked out of school, force-fed our breakfast, dressed, spit-shined, and sent off to meet another academic dictator and a room full of kids who may or may not turn out to be friends.

Nowadays Labor Day means many different things to many people. Here in the small community where I live they still start school the day after. But throughout Southern California schools are starting at many different times and there is no longer a summer vacation in some districts with year-round school schedules. Yet there are still family picnics, company get-togethers, celebrations of one kind or another, a beer-burger fest in backyards, traveling to visit family or friends, accidents, drunk driving, and all the good and not-so-good that comes with holiday observances.

This Labor Day I have been thinking about what it means to us as human beings to work. My daughter and I were talking of this just this past weekend as we traveled to one of our So. Calif. Blogger get-together days, about what jobs and careers mean to people.

My grandmother (from Western Kentucky) always made a point of reminding me to " . . . never forget who my people are." It took me some adult living to recognize what I think she was trying to tell me. In our society it is common, when being introduced to someone new, to first inquire: "And what do you do?" This is especially true of men. More and more it is becoming obvious that we as a society see people based on what they do rather than who they are. It was one of the realities that crashed in on my hubby the first time he lost his job. For quite some time he was very depressed. At first I thought it was because of the financial crunch. Later he admitted that it was because he felt worthless, not living up to my expectations or those of "society" or being a "real man."

In truth, judging people according to their job or career is, in my opinion, very demeaning. I like what I do, feel that is what I should be doing to use my gifts and talents productively, but I would hate to think that is all I am. Surely I am more than what I do! I think of some women I have known that were single moms, worked endless hours doing two low-paying jobs, often thought to be at the "bottom" of the social ladder. Yet, they were some of the best people I have ever known. Giving, caring, considerate, responsible, selfless--all the qualities that make a person a stellar human being. In the eyes of many they were just human "flotsom & jetsom." What does that say about our society that can dismiss these wonderful women as "disposable?"

My hope is that my life is lived in a way that testifies to who I am rather than what I do. I often spend time reminding myself that while I may be married, be a mother and grandmother, active in a career, that I am who I am and I am a career person who happens to be a woman, who is also married with children and grandchildren. While these activities certainly enriched my life and I am deeply grateful to have found my life partner and brought four wonderful people into the world and made richer by far with the lives of six delightful grandkids, I am who I am as a person and that is who I trust the world can see.

There is a genuine possibility that this may all seem irrelevant to many. In my counseling life, however, I find that many persons get tripped up in their self-image because they confuse their jobs with who they are. I like to think it this way: my vocation or calling is to be the best human I can possibly be; my occupation allows me to make a living and pay my bills. There is a significant difference. This Labor Day reminds me that my most important labor is to continuing working on me while, at the same time, I continue earning a living.

Hope you all are having a wonderful holiday!!

The Road To True Love Is Full Of Potholes!! "Getting Lucky" by Kayla Perrin

2011-09-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

In just four short months, lucky–in–love Annalise is going to become a mother. But before she hits the delivery room, she's got one last piece of business to take care of: hooking up her single girlfriends with a pair of sexy brothers on a special weeklong getaway.

Lishelle and Claudia are more than ready for some no–strings–attached flings. And soon Lishelle and gorgeous, insatiable Kwame are setting the sheets on fire. Even back in Atlanta, the sex is amazing. So why is she still so bothered that her ex–boyfriend—the one she dumped—is getting married?

Meanwhile, Claudia can't get enough of Rohan's expert toe–curling, scream–inducing moves. But introduce him to her high–maintenance society friends? Puh–lease. Sure, he's funny, smart and devoted—but without movie–star looks or a matching bank balance, he's hardly Claudia's ideal man. If that makes her a bitch, fine. She has an image to maintain.

But when tragedy strikes, it soon becomes apparent to the friends that they need to rethink what's truly important in life. Because while a hard man is good to find, it takes more than luck to keep him!

I noticed that the reviews on Goodreads were all over the charts, and while I work really hard to not be influenced by other reviewers, I was surprised at the wide response to this book. I checked them out after writing this review and found the comments really interesting. That being said, I have to say that I found this book very interesting. I like stories that are introspective and deal with the negatives in human relationships as well as the positives. These three women who have formed this almost sister-like bond are really the kind of friends we would all like to have--those who love us no matter what we do or what our particular idosyncrasies may be. Each woman was facing a few issues that were clouding her judgment and that clouded judgment directly affected the way each related to the love interest in their lives. That the issues were, in the final analysis, curiously similar is a fact that few of us can perceive, especially when we are so invested in a given set of attitudes. So it was with each of these women.

I also have to admit to a prejudice against books written in the first person. Just has never been a writing format that I read very much. Don't know why. Just have never liked it very well. Yet in this particular book it seemed intrinsic to the story as each chapter was a part of the story told from the perspective of one of the friends. I do want to state that I think some kind of short introductory statement would have clued in the reader as to who the speaker was. I have to read several paragraphs on a couple of occasions to figure out whose voice I was reading. Nevertheless, this was a story that needed the varied perspectives and it gave dimension to the tale by being able to view situations and attitudes and behaviors from the viewpoint of the three women. The dynamic between the best friends was not always easy, and they knew each other so well that they were often seemingly reading one another's minds. Not true, but it is a symptom of that kind of close, long-term relationship. I also enjoyed the level of honesty between the three--yes, they manipulated a bit, and yet the care they exercised in sharing news or opinions testified to their foundational respect and love for one another.

This was a very erotic book yet the sex did not overwhelm the story. The love relationships of each woman, their love for and patience with one another transcended any issue or happening. The female perspective of the men in their lives was sometimes quite humorous. And the writer did a wonderful job catching the unique character and personality of each character. While this is fiction through and through, it had the sense of reality that made it relevant to contemporary life and experience.

So I recommend this as a really delightful interracial love story as well as an insightful study of the friendship and relationship between three very different women. I give this story a 4 out of 5.

This book was released in August, 2011.

This Jungle Is REALLY Scary! "Daring" by Dee Davis

2011-08-31T07:00:00.000-07:00

NOWHERE IS SAFE

Lara thought working a world away would heal her. Yet volunteering to treat the sick and injured in revolution-torn central Africa can't stop the shattering memories of losing the man she loved. A night with sexy security officer Rafe Winters seems the perfect temporary escape-until insurgents attack her clinic and Rafe becomes her only way to survive . . .

Rafe knows all too well that this beautiful young doctor is the insurgents' real target: Her knowledge of America's espionage system makes her a valuable prize. Helping her flee jeopardizes his hidden agenda-but her unexpected trust in him sparks a desire to protect her that he can't ignore. Now as their merciless pursuers close in, Rafe and Lara's only chance for escape will put everything they've sworn to protect-and their newfound love-on the line . . .

This is a compact and action filled novella that is really and "in between" story in a larger series of novels. As I have not previously read any of this series I was delighted that I could get the gist of this story as a stand alone work. Even though I am not usually a fan of novellas, this story is so well written that with a lesser number of pages the author has crafted a story that brings characters to life, makes the love scenes come alive, and the action and danger quiver with suspense and emotion. Even full-length novels don't manage that always.

Lara's deep hurt is at the core of this story as she has tried to heal her own wound by caring for the hurting and wounded in a part of Africa that is being torn apart by civil war and armed conflict. There are always quite a cast of characters in any situation such as Lara found herself, not the least of which are the mercenaries, the soldiers of fortune, the adventurers, the greedy, the disenchanted with life in general. Rafe was one of those men who was affable and fun but who gave off waves that broadcast his self-interest. His primary concern was himself, or so it seemed. Lara needed involvement with him like she needed another hole in her head. Yet Rafe's charisma, his sex appeal, his aura of danger and devil-may-care attitude lured her into a night of passion, an encounter that made her aware that she really couldn't live all the rest of her life without love.

However, Rafe is not all he appears to be, and Lara also has forgotten that as a former medical officer with a governmental agency, she is ripe for the picking by those who want her knowledge of the American espionage system. As they fled the clinic's attackers, Lara and Rafe are put in an emotional and physical pressure cooker, one that will separate the real from the fake, reality from what is hoped for. And what is really at stake is Lara's ability to trust and Rafe's innate integrity.

This is a beautifully written work that will keep the reader on edge and delight lovers of action and suspense. I think I will be going back and reading the novels in this longer series. If they are as good as this novella, then they will be a great reading experience, to be sure.

This novella was released by Grand Central Publishing on 01 July 2011.

He's Not Going To Break My Heart Again!! Her Kilt-Clad Rogue by Julie Moffett

2011-08-29T14:50:00.000-07:00

Englishwoman Genevieve Fitzsimmons never expected she'd return to the wilds of Scotland. And she certainly didn't expect to become governess to the son of Connor Douglas, the man with whom she shared her first kiss and her first heartbreak. The man who still intrigues her…

For Connor, duty means everything. Years ago, it forced him to break Genevieve's heart and marry another woman—one who made him miserable. Now a widower at odds with his son, he's determined to put his heart first.

As Connor and Genevieve begin to find their way toward a future together, they can't escape the past. Someone is bent upon revenge against Connor and his feelings for Genevieve make her the perfect target.

In this newly revised novel released by Carina Press, lovers of historical romance will encounter the unlikely situation of an English governess being hired by a Scottish laird. The political relations between England and Scotland were never easy, sometimes worse than others. In this short novel the heroine is known to Connor Douglas, the clan laird, a man recently widowed and trying to raise a resentful and rebellious son by himself unsuccessfully. But as is so often the case, behind the obvious reasons for hiring Miss Genevieve Fitzsimmons, there is far more to the story and it is that "back story" and personal history between these two that is the setting for this historical romance. Because romance it is--frustrated and heart-breaking though it may be. On Connor's side, he has endured a marriage that was arranged for him at his birth. That it was massively unhappy is evident by his wife's suicide--a happening for which Connor is blamed by some. On Genevieve's side, there is the long, ten-year history of having been forgotten, rejected, left with nothing but broken promises, and a determination that even though she is destitute and must accept this position, she will NOT allow Connor to break her heart once again. Ten years earlier they had spent several weeks together at her grandfather's English estate--Connor's father and Genevieve's grandfather were business associates--and both had declared their love for one another. Yet Connor returned to Scotland and married another. She'll teach his son, save some money, and then she'll be out of there!!

As always this story is shrouded in the prejudices of the Scottish against the English and this is most evident in the son's attitude toward Genevieve right from the start. But this lady is thick-skinned and basically a loving and compassionate woman who recognizes the sadness in this boy, the loss of his mother, the constant attempt to win his father's rare approval, and his intrinsic loneliness. She manages to win over others in the household as well as finding a way to get along with Connor, a man who mystifies her, whose rather cool reception puzzles and hurts, and even the housekeeper who seems to genuinely like her. Through it all she guards her heart while trying to find the truth of Connor's wife's suicide. Enter another Scottish beauty who is obviously trolling for a husband and whose sights are set on Connor. The story is an interesting insight into the politics of courtship as it was in that century.

Amid all the ups and downs, the kindnesses and misunderstandings, the welcoming demeanor of some and the overt rejection of others, Genevieve's story and her hopes and disappointments of the past and for the future form the core of the story. Her growing connection to Connor' s son and his father are the truly grand parts of the book. That she is resented by the hopeful bride-to-be is right up front. But hidden behind the scenes is an enemy who will put her life in serious danger in the hopes of bringing life-long misery and sadness into Connor's life as retribution for his wife's unhappiness and subsequent death.

There's lots going on in this short novel but it is a very well written story and the author has used an economy of words that is a testimony of her writing skill. I did not get the sense that the resolution of the crisis was hurried or that the story was brought to an abrupt ending. I had a sense that the characters were well developed and the revelation of the enemy was a complete surprise. I love a well-guarded secret! I also appreciated the good grammar, good editing, and the obvious care in preparing the manuscript for publishing. So all in all, this was a fine reading experience and one I was delighted to experience. I give it a rating of 4 out of 5.

This book was released by Carina Press on 01 August 2011.

What's A Girl To Do? Casting Call for Love by Melodee Aaron

2011-08-26T11:16:00.000-07:00

Erotica and Sex has been in the news ever since it started years ago and Roland Westwood is about to make a movie that will blow all pornography away showing erotica in a different way. Roland is determined to show that his movies, especially his next one Destiny will be completely different from porn. The problem is there is no one that meets his expectation of what the leading character of the whole series Elektra should be like has come forward to audition. Just when he’s about to give up an angel comes his way, blowing his breath away and for the first time making him feel love for the first time. As a man in love for the first time, Roland is determined to not let romance interfere with his movie business. Or can he?

This is it; the big break Valerie has worked hard for. The problem is it is for an erotica movie. She’s worked in a couple small parts like movies and commercials so this one is kind of freaking her out . She knows that if she lands this job her name will bring success if only she can get past the sex scenes. What she didn’t count on was the attraction to its director. Valerie knows it looks wrong to have a romance with him only because of their age difference. People talk and they’re definitely talking like she is a gold digger and slept her way into the lead. How can she prove to everyone that she is the right person, and how can she prove to Roland that her love is real?

I received a request to read and review this book and was surprised to see that it had been published four years ago. In doing some research, I found that this author has a number of books to her credit and even though she is new to me, has developed a following among romance fans. So reading this book was something of a stretch in that its subject was right at the edge of the adult movie industry, highlighting a film maker in Roland Westwood, a movie mogul who had come up through the ranks of the adult movie world, made it big, and was now planning to film a series of films that were completely in a different direction. Still rated NC-17 and shown only in specific adult theatres, Roland wanted to film stories--real scripts that told a story, that had plot and story line and literary substance, yet erotic and graphic sex. Yet the sex was not the thing; the story was the thing.

Into this situation comes a young actress that has experienced a small amount of success in stage productions, small film parts and commercials. Yet now her finances were exhausted to the point that she was living in her car and that was about to be repossessed. Together with her faithful cat as a companion, Valerie was making the rounds, following up every lead given her by her agent, and still finding that unless she agreed to sleep with the casting directors, her auditions were curiously lost. She almost didn't show up for the auditions at Midnight Interludes Studios. But the reality of her personal situation forced her to take a chance. She found out that Mr. Westwood never slept with potential employees but was a man who treated all the actors with respect and professionalism. What she hadn't anticipated was the electric reaction both she and Roland experienced the first time they shook hands.

This story is filled with a cast of characters that is as varied as Hollywood and as challenging as any group of human beings can be. When Roland found out about the repossession threat and the fact that Valerie was homeless, he immediately loaned her the funds to get her car out of hock, tried to find her weekend accommodations, and ended up taking her home to his San Bernardino mansion when not hotel rooms were to be found. His staff treated her with kindness and she found Roland to be a gentleman. He never expressed any inappropriate intentions toward her. Yet their attraction continued to grow and eventually they became lovers.

This story is really an inside look at the dynamics between people during the making of a film, the stresses that are an ever-present factor in keeping actors focused, film crews coordinated, support services in place and available as needed, and managing the personal issues that can often rupture a good shoot. The envy and mean-spirited words that were directed toward Valerie when her relationship with Roland became known were hurtful and threatened the future of the project. Valerie proved to be a balanced, mature young woman in her responses, in the way she handled her relationship with Roland and with the other actors, and her innate kindness and generosity even toward those who would do her harm personally and professionally. She ended up making some friends out of those who appeared to be her enemies initially.

The love story between Roland and Valerie is a warm and winsome one, filled with kindness, gentle caring, authentic respect and affection, and, of course, steamy sexual encounters. Yet it is delightful to watch this man, aged 46, who discovers love for the first time in his life, and who ultimately has to decide if the opinion of society about the 20 year difference in age will decide his future. As Roland's love keeps surrounding Valerie, she blossoms as a woman, and as Roland makes professional possibilities available to her, previously undiscovered talents are made evident such as Valerie's ability to sense the right actor for parts in an uncanny way. That she never demands any kudos because of her relationship with Roland is a testimony to the inner integrity that makes her who she is and makes it possible for Roland to come to trust her and their love for each other. This kind of trust is also a new experience for him. The reader watches him relax and allow himself some joy in his life perhaps at a whole new level.

I found this novel to be extremely interesting and one that had all the ingredients of a love story, an expose on the movie-making industry from one studio's point of reference, and a lesson on how to handle a room full of egos. Any one of these factors would make this a good book, but having all three definitely made this a very satisfying reading experience. And in the final analysis, this was a wonderful treasure to uncover amid all the new publications that are appearing daily. I give this book a 4 out of 5.

Ooooooo! Book Sales!! Be Still My Foolish Heart!!

2011-08-24T07:42:00.001-07:00

Yes, a Book Sale, and if you were born with the "Book Buying Gene" as I was, then your heart speeds up and your hands start sweating, and your skin starts tingling with ripples of excitement running up and down your body. Sounds erotic, I know, but really, it's simply that known and well-loved response to the words "Book Sale."

All Romance eBooks newsletter reports that three publishers are having fabulous sales right now and they appear to be worth checking out.

First, Samhain Publishing is presently offering a 30% discount on books until 31 August. I have to be honest and report that I am not sure if this is on

all their titles or on selected books, but it's worth checking out. Some of my favorite authors' books are published by this publisher and I am delighted to have a sale that helps ease the assault on my pocketbook. I think there is a California discount department store who asks: "Why pay full price?" My sentiments exactly!! If you have been lusting after something located at Samhain, you might want to check this sale out.

Second, Breathless Press is a new publishing entity that has only been offering books for a couple of years. I think their 25% discount on all their titles is in celebration of their second anniversary and one worth looking at. I have read and reviewed some of their books and as always, the quality of the story is more dependent on the author. But I think their romance titles are consistent with others offered by most romance fiction publishers.

The discount isn't over the top, but let's face it: 25% is 25% and with the price of books nowadays, not insignificant. All Romance eBooks carries quite a number of their titles as does Fictionwise, Books a Million, and several other ebook vendors. I have no doubt that many of you know more about this publishing house than I do, but my exposure to the authors and books I have read have all pretty much been fine.

Lastly, Ellora's Cave is offering a fabulous cache of sale ebooks now known as "The Vault" which features books on sale from 50 cents to 1.50 and some of those are also 50% off. I have visited The Vault and found some surprising treasures. Some were books I would have never dreamed would be put on sale and was delighted to pick them up as such a discount. A number are ebooks that were published some years ago and are being taken out of the full priced line-up. I have been delighted to find work by some of my favorite authors that I would have missed.

Is it my imagination, or is Ellora's Cave far more prone to publish novellas? If not, I apologize, but with my current feeling that most novellas are too expensive anyway, I was delighted to find that some of the novellas I refused to buy at full price are now available for less than a dollar. Even found some full-length novels that had a few years on them available for less than a dollar.

So, my friends, I know it is the end of the month, and if you are like me, that means less book dollars available. But at some of these prices, I think I am going to hunt around for a hidden slush fund in the old family budget and see what I can come up with. Even if you don't buy much, I just love to scroll through the books and see what's there. I like 99 cent stores and second hand stores, too. Happy shopping!!!

Groan!! Another Birthday Whether I like It Or Not!!

2011-08-22T13:45:00.000-07:00

Yes, my birthday was this past week and while I still, in the secret places on the inside of me, still look forward to being wished well, I also dread the reality of another year added on to the old bones and that sense that "time marches on" that just keeps getting stronger every year.

But the best parts of this year's birthday observance was two-fold: 1) I was really blown away by all the thoughtful remembrances that were expressed on Facebook by friends, relatives, and past students, some of whom I haven't seen for over 30 years. I was shocked to say the least. Made me remember them again and our times shared, but it also helped me to feel that the time invested in their education and development as persons was not lost. (Teachers often get that feeling.)

2) My two kids that live locally, along with "chipping in" from my two daughters that live in other localities, gave me a very nice birthday dinner out. Along with all the fun and sharing that goes on with kids, kids-in-law, spouse, and grandkids, they presented me with a beautiful 3rd generation Kindle 3G with a cover the color of my birthstone--the peridot. What fun, and even though they teased me lots about staying up all the rest of the night to load books onto the Kindle, I really didn't do that. However, I did spend some quality hours loading some ebooks I already had in my document file that I know I want to keep at the ready--the Kindle is reported to hold 3,500 book--but to also download the latest batch of Net Galley books I had chosen for reviewing. I am still learning my way around the download process and all its mysteries and still trying to find ways of doing it quickly. I guess it's a matter of learning the steps and doing them often enough that they become second nature.

Last, I can't help the nostalgia that inevitably creeps over my spirit when I look back on my life and realize all the places I have visited, the rather substantial number of localities where I lived during my life, and the friends I made there, some of whom I have never seen again. Would you believe, I was even thinking about a couple of old boyfriends, still picturing them as I knew them, and experiencing the shock when I realized how old they would be now, and wondering what they were doing and where they are. Not wanting to "hook up" again, mind you. But they were both really nice guys and were very good friends and we shared lots of good times together. Like lots of my past girlfriends and college friends, they were important at a certain time in my life. I guess birthdays just bring on that kind of remembering. I happens every year.

To all my followers and visitors who celebrate August birthdays, "Happy Birthday" and many, many more!

The Clash of the Cultures: "The First" by Saadia Ahmed

2011-08-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

Reena Jamil doesn’t do taboo. She’s a simple girl from a conservative Pakistani family who wants nothing more than for her to settle down and marry a nice Pakistani guy. But, unknown to her family, she falls for a white guy - something that would shock her parents. Deeply in love, yet torn over her familial duty, Reena must decide whether to pick love over obligation.

Meanwhile, her best friend, Sofia Azeem, is facing her own romantic struggles. She’s in love with her best friend from high school - but the feeling’s not mutual. Or is it?

Reena and Sofia each have soul searching to do. Should Reena choose the man she loves or accept a guy her parents would approve? Should Sofia wait for her feelings to be reciprocated or should she move on? Will each woman get a happy ending?

Its premise is a clash of cultures but The First is also a story about relationships, friendship, love, marriage, new beginnings, and most importantly, a story of hope. Saadia Ahmed’s unique cultural perspective makes this romance novella a fun and insightful read.

The transition from student to productive adult is never easy and each year there are college seniors who must face the real world where they will be absorbed into the work force, using their talents and expensive education, or find that the time and energy they expended on one college major is of little use when needing to earn a living. Add in the pressures on women especially, throughout the world, regardless of culture or tradition, to marry and become mothers. Here in the United States that pressure is more subtle but it is still very much present. In the case of the main character in this novella, Reena's conservative, traditional Pakistani parents believed that was her main calling in life.

This story is really about two Pakistani girls--Reena and Sophia--both wanting a productive life, both wanting to know genuine love in their futures, and both facing the demands of their families. Reena's first love was a young man who was not Pakistani and not Muslim, a college senior like her, and a person with whom she fell in love as he did with her. He had introduced her to his family but Reena did not reciprocate, knowing that her family would not accept him as suitable for her to marry. She also refused to be sexually intimate with him, believing that if he really loved her he would be willing to wait until they were wed. Brian's decision to break up with Reena was based on his awareness of their cultural differences and his disappointment that their relationship was not moving forward on more intimate terms. As Reena grieved deeply, Brian's roommate--a Pakistani man who acknowledged being attracted to her for a long time--comforted her and was instrumental in setting up a meeting with their families. It was during this gathering that Raheel proposed and Reena believed that her future was secured and destined to be spent with a man who loved her.

Several years later it became apparent that Raheel's attitude toward Reena had changed in that he seemed to be reverting more and more to the traditional view that a wife should stay at home and raise their children. When Reena failed to conceive, they sought medical advice and found out that she was infertile and it wasn't long before their marriage came to an end, partly because of Raheel's growing disregard for her, but also because Raheel's mother campaigned for a divorce so he could marry someone who would give him children.

All during Reena's life experiences, her best friend Sophia had been having her struggles. During her college years she had been separated from the young man she believed she loved but who appeared not to reciprocate her feelings. Should she just give up and look elsewhere? In a last ditch attempt to find out, Sophia posted a video in the internet, directed at her young man, declaring that he was the only one for her. Imagine her surprise when he shows up at her home, declaring his love for her and desire to marry her, and they begin their life together. However, marriage is not a smooth road for Sophia either. Wanting a baby so badly, Sophia allows herself to become pregnant without really talking this decision over with her husband. There are some rocky days during her pregnancy because he is understandably negative about this development in their life together, but when their daughter was born, Sophia and her husband realized how special this new life was and rejoiced in her birth.

It is not my intent to re-tell the whole story, but suffice it to say that this is a story about love, friendship, heartache, disappointment, old loves, new beginnings, and life's surprises. It is also about the ongoing struggle many immigrant individuals experience as they must assimilate their old way of life with the new culture in which they live in America--the degree of that assimilization varies from culture to culture and person to person. In Reena's case she decided to remain in the United States rather than return to a more conservative way of living, knowing that if she even returned for a visit she would not have been allowed to return to the States. This is a first writing effort and the author's writing style and ability are certainly very readable and will only improve with time and experience. This novella is an insider's view of life for two Pakistani women and the challenges they face as they move into the adult world within a foreign culture. I think the novella format just a little too brief for the story this author wished to tell--I had the feeling that she was having to skim over the top of Reena and Sophia's stories. There was sort of a "bare bones" quality to the narrative that I would have liked to see expanded and enriched with fuller character development and dialogue.

I was delighted to read and review this initial literary offering by this author and am looking forward to reading what she writes in the future as she matures in her writing style and story telling skills. And here's to remembering our "first love" and all that relationship meant to each of us. It will always be a very special time in my life and one that is the kind of memory we like to re-visit from time to time. I give this novella a rating of 3.5 out of 5.

Will I Ever Find A Way To Stop Hurting? "The Healing" by Wanda E. Brunstetter

2011-08-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

Seek a fresh start with Amish widower Samuel Fisher as he journeys from Lancaster County to Bluegrass Country, hoping to find a balm for the grief he’s carried with him. Will this single father, burdened by yesterday’s memories, discover a new and perhaps better life in Kentucky, the land of tomorrow? Esther Beiler, who helps watch Samuel’s children, develops a crush on Samuel and a true affection for his kids. Can she win his heart, or has she already lost it to an English woman? How will God untangle star-crossed lovers when jealousies and misconceptions threaten to tear them apart?

Set in Western Pennsylvania and Kentucky, this second novel in the "Kentucky Brothers" series picks up the saga of one family--actually a blended family of sisters and brothers as they deal with the crises of living. The story of Titus Fisher was told in the first novel The Journey wherein he found a way of beginning a new phase of his life by accepting the invitation of friends and relatives to move to Kentucky to an Amish community where he could find work and get away from his home community where memories of a disastrous failed romance were almost more than he could bear. At the end of that first book, Titus' brother Samuel had just found his pregnant wife Elsie dead after she fell down the basement stairs. She was pregnant with their fifth child.

Samuel is a deeply spiritual man whose love for his wife was all-encompassing. He is a very good provider and loves his children dearly, but now that Elsie and their unborn child is dead, he is finding it almost impossible to remember the grief of his children for their mother as his sense of loss overwhelms him. He is aware of and grateful for the support, prayers, and expressions of caring from his Amish community. But everywhere he looks he sees reminders of Elsie and his heart feels like it is being repeatedly assaulted with her loss. He decides to accept the invitation of his brother Titus to move to Kentucky over the objections of his parents and close friends. He can't remain where Elsie's memory is always staring him in the face.

Esther Beiler is a woman who first makes her appearance in The Journey as a woman Titus was initially interested in as a possible wife. But it soon became apparent that they just didn't suit, and Esther's heart remained untouched. Now her parents have moved back to Pennsylvania and she is left behind to care for their house and to find work after the sale of her parents' store. And opportunity to care for Samuel's children opens up and she is delighted. She has longed for a home of her own and children to care for, and being with Samuel's brood has filled an empty space in her heart. Even though she is aware of Samuel's deep grief, she sees in him so many qualities she wants in a life partner and before she knows it, her heart is engaged.

As always, Ms Brunstetter's books give the reader a genuine taste of life, but life through the context of the Amish faith and lifestyle. Simple though their way of life may be, it is still real life with real people whose faith sustains them and guides them directly in their choices and decisions. Both Samuel and Esther are forthright in their desire to have their lives testify to living according to what they believe to be God's will for them. And it is inspirational to see them struggling to make sense of life crises that are all too common and yet, their constant faith in a loving God keeps them grounded. Samuel is like so many who have lost spouses who are deeply loved--can finding a new love be a form of betrayal to the spouse now gone? He must come to a new understanding that human beings can never promise "forever" as we have no control over the future and only God can claim "forever" as a quality of life.

This is a warm and wonderful story of love that is lost, grief that must be endured, lives that must move on, caring and loving that can never afford to wane, and the healing power of prayer, support, friends, family, and one's devotion and faith in God. Interwoven in Samuel and Esther's story is the continuation of Titus and Suzanne's courtship as Samuel's needs and concerns almost overwhelm their relationship and place some significant pressures on their future life together.

No matter what one's faith practice or belief, these stories set within the Amish context are so very readable, wonderfully entertaining, filled with graceful and loving people, and instructive as to an alternate way of approaching life's dilemmas. They are the kind of stories we can proudly give to your teens and know that there is still real living involved without the dark and negative approach to problem-solving. Add in the fact that this author has been engaging the interest of readers for years with over 85 published novels and you have a novel that is well worth the time and effort to read, is instructive and entertaining, and leaves the reader--me, anyway, feeling like I deeply satisfied. I highly recommend this book and give it a rating of 4.5 out of 5.

This novel is due to be released 01 September 2011.

Are You Playing Me or the Game? "The Game of Love" by Jeanette Murray

2011-08-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

It isn't football season in America, but already we are hearing all kinds of rumblings of contract problems and such between owners and players. One would think that those player-millionaires could come to some agreement with those owner-billionaires, especially when so many people in the United States are struggling just to keep their cars and their houses. Yet those pro athletes have their unique problems and their lives after the NFL are often quite different than what they anticipated. Here is a story that involves a hero who has left the pro ranks to return home to coach his high school football team. Meeting and managing his attraction to the new tennis coach (our heroine) may still turn out to be his most challenging gridiron experience yet.

Chris St. James is ready for normal. After walking away from her pro tennis career and a toxic relationship with a star hockey player, she's starting a new life as a teacher and tennis coach in a small town. Now all she needs is an average guy to share it with.

Brett Wallace is no average guy. Forced to retire from the NFL after an injury—and suddenly single after being dumped by his status-conscious wife—he's returned to his hometown to coach the varsity football team. Wary of women interested only in his celebrity, Brett finds Chris's indifference to his former career refreshing.

The last thing Chris needs is to get involved with another pro athlete, but she can't deny the sparks that fly between them. So she agrees to a purely physical, no-strings-attached affair. But the rules of the game change when she falls for him…

There is no getting around the fact that Christ St. John had a really gi-normous chip on her shoulder that effectively kept her distanced from just about everyone at the school where she was the new tennis coach, except the girls she was coaching. There it seemed that she had an inspired connection with them which seems to have been born out of her own experience. She wanted them to have fun, a vital ingredient missing in her own experience growing up with parents who were set on her being a top ten in the world tennis pro. That she never made that ranking served to create a very hefty chasm between her and her parents, even as she was learning to live her own life and fight off the efforts of her parents to draw her back into pro sports and back into a relationship with a man who had used and abused her the entire time they were together.

Brett Wallace was a fine athlete and was esteemed, not only for his past NFL playing prowess but also for his good work with the local football team. That his team garnered most of the resources the school set aside for team sports was an irritant Chris St. John couldn't seem to get her head around, and it was on that initial battle field that she and Brett locked horns. He was prepared to move on but his attraction to her just seemed to grow and in spite of her bad experience with her ex and her determination to stay away from pro athletes, Chris recognized that her attraction to the handsome football coach was out of the ordinary for her and certainly unexpected.

I think this story highlights the unique "hang-ups" that pro athletes develop because of the extreme attitude of adoration our culture has heaped on them, the maddening frenzy of the sports media, the easy availability of sports "camp followers" who simply want the bragging rights for having had sex with a pro athlete, and the false set of values that living in the lap of luxury and celebrity can manufacture. Both Chris and Brett had their share of wounds that grew out of their involvement with professional sports. For Chris, she became the emotional punching bag and media arm candy for a self-absorbed tennis pro, sacrificing her self-esteem and her career to his ambitions. Brett met and married during his NFL playing days, but his wife's idea of enjoying the fruits of her husband's labors in the fast lane of city living just weren't going to materialize in his little home town. She had not qualms about bidding him adieu and moving on. Both Chris and Brett had to rebuild their lives alone while licking their wounds. This is often more difficult than many realize and to those who have not experienced this, may seem childish and unnecessary. But wounds are wounds, and while it is easy to say: "Get over it and over yourself," in Chris's case, there was more going on in the baggage from the past that she was carrying.

That all being said, I was just a little impatient at their inability to communicate honestly regarding their fears and hang-ups, especially when their relationship had reached the level it had by the time the crisis occurs. No one wants to put the cabosh on a good thing, but both had already had experiences that should have taught them that being honest and up front early on can more often than not prevent the kind of misunderstandings that stood to torpedo their relationship. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the story and even though I get tired of adversarial exchanges between the main characters, Brett and Chris didn't drag out their discord to ridiculous lengths and I was very glad about that. I like people to get along, and when authors bring discord into their stories I can understand the reasons most of the time. Often it all just seems so childish. In this case, Chris was a truly damaged woman trying to recoup her sense of self so I gave her a good bit more slack in that department.

This is a very readable and enjoyable romance novel and another offering by Carina Press. I found it kept my interest and the narrative moved me steadily through the story. I have not previously read any other writing by this author, but after reading this novel am going to look for additional titles to read in the future. If you like a good love story with some professional sports thrown in, then you will like this novel. I give it a rating of 4 out of 5.

This novel will be released by Carina Press on 29 August 2011.

Are You Sure You Have The Right Girl? "Viper's Kiss" by Shannon Curtis

2011-08-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

Librarian Maggie Kincaid yearns for excitement—but being accused of espionage is not what she had in mind. Wanted by the police, the FBI and the criminal element, Maggie goes on the run—and runs straight into sexy Luke Fletcher. Unfortunately, when Luke pulls out the handcuffs, it's not because he has something kinky in mind...

Security expert Luke is intent on seeing the murderous spy known only as Viper brought to justice. The un-spy-like behaviour of his fugitive makes him suspect he's apprehended the wrong woman. Just as they give in to lust, new evidence convinces Luke that Maggie's not as innocent as she claims to be.

Devastated by Luke's inability to trust her, Maggie runs again. She's determined to clear her name, and if that means tracking down a notorious spy even Interpol can't seem to locate, then that's exactly what she'll do.

In a world where terrorism is rife, it is no surprise that authors have made that venue a part of a new and riveting novel published by Carina Press. Author Shannon Curtis has crafted a novel that embraces a very different kind of love story with the edgy and suspenseful story of a university librarian who is smart, sassy, and trying to keep her life together in the face of her mother's terminal cancer and the overwhelming costs of meeting those medical challenges. It is a complete shock when she is arrested and accused of espionage and a few other crimes, taken cuffed and humiliated out of the university library by the Seattle police. She is then abducted from those detectives (who are murdered in the wreckage of their police car), abused and beaten by her new captors, until somehow she is able to escape through some McGiver-sorts of ingenuity. However, the FBI then nabs her, and it is here that she meets an agent whose personality and his killer physique begin to make an impression on her libido, in spite of her difficult circumstances.

This story is about trust, about the inadequacies of so-called eye witness identification, a problem that is even a difficulty among law enforcement, and one which snagged Maggie Kincaid to the degree that she could never convince her captors completely. Even though she found that she had given her heart to her captor--she was a bit worried about Stockholm Syndrome--even his ability to trust was not immune to an incorrect interpretation to the "intelligence" they were receiving about this international terrorist known as "Viper."

This is a story that will keep the reader on pins and needles all the way through. There are surprises throughout the text so there is no "getting comfortable" when the reader thinks the clues have presented a solution. No such easy solution is available and even when it seems that all will be well, havoc breaks out once again. It just keeps on getting "better and better."

So if you like a romance that is woven throughout with a suspense espionage terrorist theme, then you will love this new novel. I have not encountered this author previously, but I loved the book, enjoyed the writing style, and would be delighted to read another book from this author. I give it a rating of 4.25 out of 5.

This novel was released in July 2011 by Carina Press.

Short vs Long: The Story Is The Thing . . . Musings on The Kinds Of Books I Like To Read

2011-08-09T08:00:00.000-07:00

Well, the first week in August is almost past, and I was thinking about some things that keep popping up as I read and review books, not only for this blog but one or two other blogs. I suppose these come under the rubric of "pet peeves" but actually that is only a part of it. So as I get the old book bag out and look at what is there, I realize that I am still facing some of these issues.

Short stories and novellas: I have never really liked short stories!! Years ago when I first began my love affair with books, I decided that short stories may have been fine for the author but they just didn't please me at all. Too short. Too little information about the subjects, characters, protagonists, etc. And it always seemed that the stories ended before I was ready to have them end. I have to admit that that opinion hasn't changed very much. Now I realize that short stories are not easy to write, that they do indeed pose a particular problem of the brief format that challenges a writer to be concise, efficient with word use, etc. Yet, it still seems that most short stories don't finish the story. It seems that just as I am really getting into the story, figuring out what the characters are doing, what kind of people they may be, the story ends. It may be a piece of brilliant writing, but somehow I am almost left unsatisfied.

A novella is a bit better--there are a significant number of additional pages and most of the time the stories are more fully expanded, the plot and story line more fully developed, and the crisis has more pages to play out. Yet there is often a sense that I need to know more, get to know the characters better, and really get involved in their experience. This is especially true when the writing is really good, when the characters really jump off the pages, when the action of the story is such that the reader--me--feels almost totally absorbed in the story. So it would appear that these feelings about the length of a literary piece are more about me than the format--it is just my own difficulty when I want books and stories to keep on going.

The cost of novellas and short stories: Here we are touching a sore point with me. I know that publishers need to make a profit and authors need to get paid for their work. That is the way the system works and I certainly support that wholeheartedly. My beef is that with the advent of electronic books, publishers have greatly reduced costs--not printing, paper, binding, and distribution costs like when print books are involved. Just press a button, make sure the credit card goes through, and the online purchase is over. Yet when a publisher charges the same price for a novella (15,000-25,000 words) that they do for a print novel I find in a store, I get a bit irritated. I started with some series from a particular publisher and realized that each segment of that series was only a novella. So I have finished those series but have refused to spend that kind of money since then. I don't know if others have these same issues, but I buy lots of books and find myself insisting more and more on value as well as wanting the latest book from writers.

Anthologies: I never used to read anthologies. In a number of cases, I read the part written by a favorite author and found that the others stories in the collection just didn't seem to resonate with me at the same level or intensity. I have to confess that such has not been my recent experience. I have found several anthologies recently that have been a total joy and I have really liked all the stories. Perhaps I am mellowing in my old age, but I find that I am more open to reading collections that contain writings by authors I have not previously read. It also may have something to do with the fact that I have read and reviewed novels by new authors and have discovered some who really "push my buttons." So, in the final analysis, anthologies may not be quite so bad or unwelcome as in previous times.

Novels and Super Novels: Now you're talking!! Give me a book with lots of pages, lots of information about the context, lots of time to allow me as the reader to get to "know" the characters, to get the situation and crisis in the book straight in my mind, and to feel that I have had a chance to really enter into the world the book is presenting. My applause to authors who allow their imaginations create worlds, localities, situations that may be fictional but are unusual in more than one way. Perhaps that is why I like paranormal romance. Futuristic fiction is another matter--often the worlds are so complicated that I have to use lots of time and energy keeping the localities straight and then I seem to lose the story.

The bottom line: I really love to read and consume an amazing number of books and such. I just thought I would vent a little--hope you don't mind.

The Cop and the Psychic: "Soul Deep" by Jenny Penn

2011-08-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

Two people, destined to be lovers, destined to die.

Abigail Wize knows the past, knows the future, but can she convince Tucker before it?s too late?

Tucker Simpson is a hard man, a cynical cop and he?s not interested in any psychic?s visions. More than willing to die to catch a murderer, Tucker isn?t about to risk his heart and time is running out.

Short stories are generally "not my thing" but once in a while one comes along that blows my doors off and I felt I really wanted to share it with all of you. I am a non-stop fan of Jenny Penn, and while I usually gravitate toward her full-length novels, I decided to go with this short story and I am ever so glad I did.

The psychic could not only read into the future but she had a unique gift to read the past--past lives, that is. And because of this she was in the wrong place at the wrong time, as far as the police were concerned. Her explanations played out like a "cock and bull" story, and a hardened, cynical detective like Tucker wasn't buying it. What he was "buying" was Abigail's beauty, her sexy body, and his response to both. And while in law enforcement circles Tucker's method of "interrogation" would not play well, this is fiction, after all.

Abigail certainly had few if any problems with Tucker's methods--she loved to be dominated by a sexy Alpha male, and yet, in the bottom of her heart, she knew what was coming and her joy in these love affair was tinged with the knowledge that they were playing out the same scenario that they had lived out in several past lives. Tucker wasn't listening to her warnings now anymore than he did in ancient Scotland, during the American Civil War, during World War II, etc. Tucker can't seem to get enough of Abigail, even though he eventually comes to believe that she has no part in criminal activity. She knows when their week together ends. She knows what Tucker is going to walk into.

This is a compelling and entertaining short read that is chock full of romance, suspense, some psychic phenomenon, and tantalizing flashes of their past together. In typical Penn fashion, this story forces the reader to intellectually "stay awake" so that one doesn't miss any tidbit that is important. When the format is so brief, there's lots that is stuffed into a very small space. If you haven't read any of Jenny Penn's paranormals or her erotic contemporary romance, you owe yourself that treat. And this is a great way to be introduced to her writing. I give this short story a rating of 4 out of 5, simply because of its length rather than any other negative factor. Sure would have liked to read this story in an expanded version.

Three Is Definitely NOT A Crowd: "Sold" by Elizabeth Raines

2011-08-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

Lyrianna Seebré steals black market vaccinations from a drug kingpin to aid dying children. Captured in a raid, she’s wrongfully convicted and sentenced to forty years of hard labor. Upon arrival at the penal colony, she’s selected to be auctioned off to the male settlers of the newly colonized ocean planet, Pagonna. What is she willing to sacrifice for her freedom?

Settlers Carter Verdel and Brandon Hunt have created successful water-pod and island farms on Pagonna. The only thing missing from their lives is a woman. Able to afford only one concubine even when they pool their funds, they attend the annual auction, hoping to find someone to share their beds—and perhaps even their lives.

The men purchase Lyrianna, but can they overcome her resentment and win her love? And when the kingpin comes to Pagonna, seeking revenge against Lyrianna, can Carter and Brandon protect her?

Let me state, up front, that Sci-Fi is just not my usual segment of romance literature. I find that I get confused and lost in the complicated names, fictional planets, odd-ball solar systems, etc. that wonderfully creative authors manage to concoct. I just can't keep it all straight. "But what to my wandering eye should appear . . . " but a futuristic erotic romance novel that isn't cluttered up with all the aforementioned stuff. Book Four in the "Wicked Missions" series, Ms Raines has told a beautiful love story that is clearly a menage relationship but which isn't bogged down with contextual difficulties, at least for non-Sci-fi type readers like me.

My first thought while reading this book was that no matter how far into the future we project ourselves, we just can't seem to escape the bad guys. It would appear that Greed rears its ugly head no matter how advanced the technological world becomes and people like Lyrianna are there to try to reverse the damage these unscrupulous people do. For her trouble, she is arrested, accused of crimes she hasn't committed--admittedly she stole, but she stole from the thieves, but that doesn't seem to contribute to her innocence. Instead, she is not allowed to mount a defense, sent to a prison far out in space, knowing she will be truly old and truly gray when released, providing she even survives. Somehow, so kind of positive Fate intervenes and upon her arrival at the prison, she is shunted off instead to be auctioned off as a "concubine" for men who have come to Pagonna to make a living, but because of the very few women present on the planet, have gone without female companionship for a very long time.

We meet Carter and Brandon, two men who have settled in Pagonna as island and water-pod farmers, meeting their sexual needs as lovers, but both knowing that they need a woman to complete their "family." If no other way is open to them, they must buy a woman at the auction. They are so far from the city where the auction is held that it takes many hours to travel there. Pooling their funds, they are able to only buy one female, and it is during the auction that Lyrianna catches their eye, primarily because she comes across as a strong-minded, not-easily-tamed female, the kind of woman many men present had little interest in acquiring. Carter was intrigued. It would take a strong-minded, inventive person to survive in the isolation in which he and Brandon lived. And so, Lyrianna comes to live with them, resenting this turn of events in her life, and prepared to resent and make miserable the men who have bought her.

Perhaps the main reason this novel "clicked" with me is because it is more about the relationship than about the futuristic surroundings. Certainly the story would be significantly different if in another setting, but when all is said and done, it is the relationship between Carter, Lyrianna, and Brandon that make this story shine and which give it the drive that makes it compelling and one that holds the reader's interest. There is no doubt that these two men were prepared to woo her to their way of life, convince her to let go of her resentment of her situation, honor their agreements with her for the future, and enjoy her favors as long as they could. What none of the three planned on was how different, how expanded, how enriched their lives would be by this new family configuration. The innate goodness of these two men, their genuine care for each other and for Lyrianna effectively cut through her anger and resentment. Their willingness to make efforts to notify her family of her whereabouts was another factor in convincing her that they were good people.

Readers will find here a story that is truly a love story, and sci-fi fans will find satisfaction in the futuristic context. The bottom line is that this is an erotic story and won't bore anyone. It is full of hot loving, some action-packed scenes which could certainly become "nail-biters" for some, and a bit of mystery at how this will all work out for these three people. They are all three aware that their relationship initially has time limits. But can they pull off "forever" or is that what any of them want? This story is beautifully written, with characters that are clearly defined and strong enough to stand on their own, a heroine who knows how to kick butt with the best of them, and strong men who are willing pull up stakes, carve out a new life for themselves, and even risk bringing an unknown woman into their home--one who, as far as they knew, was a criminal. Gutsy to the max!! Readers will be hooked from page one, and I know I read it all in one sitting. So don't miss this one. The other stories in this series are equally fine. I give this book a rating of 4.5 out of 5.

You Don't Seem Anxious To Marry Me: "Never A Bride" by Amelia Grey

2011-08-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

Her name is on everyone’s lips…

When he left for America six years ago, the handsome Viscount Stonehurst never suspected that he would return home to England to find his lovely fiancée embroiled in the scandal of the decade. The woman he planned on making his wife has been kissing every man in London…except him!

But scandal doesn’t matter in search of the truth…

Engaged and then abandoned, Mirabella Wittingham is determined to find the man who drove her cousin to suicide, even if it means ruining her reputation and disgracing herself in the process…When her plans go awry, Mirabella has no choice but to turn to her long-lost fiancé for help. But can she trust the man who deserted her so many years ago, or is he destined to fail her yet again?

This is a fun historical romance from Sourcebooks that is a re-issue of a novel that was originally published in 2001. As is often the case the crisis in the story is caused by an infraction against the ironclad social rules that governed polite society in Regency England, when men could pretty much do whatever they chose, and women were considered tarnished, fallen, soiled, unmarriagable if caught in an innocent kiss, walked about in broad daylight without a chaperone, or allowed anyone of the male persuasion to glimpse their ankles. Sort of lopsided, eh? Well, our heroine is tired of waiting for an absentee fiancee--six years is a long time to wait for the man who agreed to marry her but has been long overdue in claiming his bride.

As in all really good stories, there are a couple of story themes in this novel. One is the question of whether Mirabella and her fiancee will ever marry, whether they will even remain engaged, and what would happen if the engagement would be called off. Second, there is the personal determination Mirabella has to find the man who has compromised her best friend and who walked away from her when she was pregnant and without support or family to stand by her. The issues in this book become critical when these two story lines collide--Lord Stonehurst turns up at a ball without informing Mirabella or her father that he has returned from America and it just so happens that he catches Mirabella in the arms of another unmarried gentleman. What Lord Stonehurst does not know is that she is trying to find a man with a prominent scar on his neck, one of the very few clues that her best friend has given in her journal to the identity to the man her friend calls Prince Charming. By kissing a man and running her finger inside his cravat during the kiss, she could feel the raised ridge of the scar. Unfortunately, Lord Stonehurst doesn't even want to hear that explanation.

This is such a delightful novel that brings in all the usual ingredients of Regency historicals yet all are merged together to make a fun story. It is not an unusual plot, but the characters that Ms Grey has created have the sense of being unique even in a social situation that forms the context of all Regency romance. Of course, Lord Stonehurst finds that his father has handled the family finances poorly so there is the need for money. Thus, he will have to find another fiancee who has money. Even though Mirabella is absolutely enchanting, is probably the first aristocratic woman he has responded to with anything more than respect, her indiscretions and her penchant for kissing gentlemen makes her unacceptable to him to be his future countess. Eventually, Mirabella has no alternative but to confess the reason for her all the kissing, thus involving Lord Stonehurst in the search for the man with the scar on his neck.

I liked Mirabella because she was proper in most aspects but not afraid to make her opinions known and to speak frankly about her issues and feelings. She also had an extraordinary sense of holding her own in difficult circumstances, a complete rejection of the usual weeping miss kind of response to upsetting news, and a woman whose loyalty to her father and to her friends did not evaporate under pressure.

Lord Stonehurst was an unusual man in that he had the "pluck" to step outside London, outside English society even, go to America and work hard--manual labor--to build his own fortune instead of hoping for or depending on his family inheritance. Thus, even though he was prone to take the "normal" stance regarding Mirabella's unwise actions, there was a part of him that was willing to find another resolution to the dilemmas that faced them both. He was a man of kindness and sensitivity who was willing to allow Mirabella to break the news of her indiscretions to her father herself instead of marching in and acting the disappointed bridegroom.

And I liked the fact that this was a romance within a mystery, with a hidden protagonist and a search for a scoundrel who had hurt a woman who was victimized. It is a very readable story and put together so well that it is one of those books which make it easy to lose track of time. I doubt if many current romance readers have read this story before, so now is a great time to pick up this fun entertaining novel and spend some time with a good book. I give it a rating of 4 out of 5.

What Have We All Been Doing This Summer?

2011-08-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it? It's August already, and the summer is slipping away quickly. I got a shock yesterday when I my two youngest granddaughters told me that they were starting school in about 15 or 16 days. Where did the summer go?

Of course, those of us who live in more temperate climates have more extended warm seasons than those in the Northern portions of the United States. Even so, there are still the confines of school dates, vacation allowances at work, $$$$ to buy the plane tickets, rent the hotel, pay for the gas, reserve the camping space, etc. For our family that was far more the issue than time.

Our summer has been a bit different--we took a train trip in March which combined some time with one of our daughters who lives in Missouri with a week I took connected with my job. Since hubby and I usually travel by train is was a good time to travel as the trains weren't quite so crowded. With the economy as it is, and with gas prices what they are, train travel is looking much more attractive, especially to families and for those who buy the train pass for a specific period of time rather than for a specific destination. We are planning a trip, hopefully, in September, but we are still working on that.

So far we have been just hanging out at home, participating in a few backyard barbecue gatherings with friends, celebrating July 4th with a big church activity during the community parade, and just trying to stay cool. Thankfully, we haven't had to battle the high heat we usually have with HIGH HUMIDITY which used to almost make me physically ill it was so oppressive--I was raised in Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa. So I appreciate the low humidity of the So. Calif. High Desert, although I don't like the dry winters and the occasional drought. Can't have it all, I guess.

So what are you planning or what have you done? Trying to get in some quick weekends or camping outings before school starts? Why not "chime in" and share some of your summer activities.

It's Not The Winchester Mystery House! "The Mistress' House" by Leigh Michaels

2011-07-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

First in a smart, sexy, Regency romance series intertwining three love stories from an awardwinning, bestselling author.

A rakish Earl buys a love nest and winds up falling madly in love with and marrying the lady he installs there. Because of its proximity to the Earl, and his rakish reputation, the next two ladies who move into the house after that can't avoid a scandal, but each one is on her way to true love...

He's a rake, alright. In fact, he is such a libertine that he is often referred to as a rakeshell. He has money, position, time, opportunity, and he has no plans to marry any time soon. Yes, he must do so eventually, but like so many in the English aristocracy, marriage is for the purpose of producing a legitimate heir, while before marriage a man could indulge all his urges freely without social restraint or condemnation (within certain boundaries, of course). It is to the Earl of Hawthorne that his "man of business" comes with the suggestion that a small but very proper house should be acquired close by the Earl's principle residence, so as to allow the Earl to flit back and forth between his home and that of his mistress with far greater ease and freedom from being witnessed by the London gossips. Capitol idea!! (as the British would say.)

Thus No. 5, Upper Seymour Street becomes the Earl's property and the future home of his mistresses. This story is, in my opinion, beautifully crafted to almost make The House the center of the novel because it is one of the most important factors binding all three of these women in this book. The novel is not really a single story. Rather it is the continuing story of the house, the three women who come to live there for varying reasons, and how their personal stories unfold. All are connected with the Earl in some fashion. And in stories 2 and 3, it is somewhat comical that the Earl is relatively unaware of what is going on right under his nose.

This story really highlights the inequity in Regency society between women and men, the loose interpretation of the social rules that is allowed for men, and the lengths to which some women must go in order to claim their right for a certain level of independence. Going behind the scenes, manipulating and conniving, all are the actions of a social group who is not given freedom to interpret the social rules--the psychologists call that illegitimate behavior. And Regency England was rife with it. In fact, it was considered humorous, those who practiced it best were congratulated, and it was expected by those (the men) who ruled society. They may refer to the old dowagers as "queens of the ballroom," but we know who was really in charge in that male-dominated society. Thus these three women were reduced to scheming and plotting in order to have some semblance of living according to their own dictates. Perhaps that is why, even though there is a part of me that deplores their need to do so, I was delighted to see the ways these three women went about setting up their "challenges" to society in order to gain a life they wanted, especially relationships that were based on love and not money or social ambition.

All social comment aside, this is a fun novel, one that will be a joy for lovers of historical romance, and written by an award-winning author who has an impressive writing and publishing history and who really knows how to tell a good story. I especially appreciate the good use of language, good editing, good grammar and sentence construction. I recently read a book that was a very good story, but what a pain to have such poor editing and publishing handling of that manuscript. Not so here, and Sourcebooks has done a wonderful job in producing a fine piece of romance fiction. I give it a rating of 4.5 out of 5.

You Better Not Make Me Mad!! "Discovering Her Wolfen Heritage" By Missy Martine

2011-07-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

Determined to make a new life for herself, Maddie Bowers travels to her late grandfather's cabin in Wyoming. When she was a little girl, she was first introduced to her grandfather's wolf and is delighted to find the wolf still living in the nearby woods, and that the wolf remembers her.

Remus has known Maddie was his mate since she was young. But a tragic accident and a cruel doctor kept them apart. Now that she is back, it's up to him to help her control her secret abilities and accept the truth about her heritage. The love between Maddie and Remus will be threatened by a jealous woman and Maddie's brother's partnership with the evil doctor that kept her confined for so many years. Can Maddie and Remus realize their destiny before it's too late.

I really love paranormal romance and I particularly like shifter novels. When I read the publisher's blurb for this book I was delighted because there are lots of shifter novels out there, but it seems to me--and I could really be off base with this opinion--that lots of shifter books are getting all mixed up with other stuff--demons, vampires, oddball "weres" of one sort or another.

This novel is a straight forward wolf shifter story and it turned out to be a really delightful book and a story that I enjoyed.

This is a story that is, in every sense of the word, a romance between a reticent, not-very-confident young woman and a kind, understanding, sort of patient Alpha. He has been waiting for Maddie for years and has been aware of the trials through which her family put her simply because they were freaked out by her telekinesis. Instead of celebrating her gift and supporting her efforts to learn how to control it--what ever happened to putting a child like this in touch with others who have the same gift--they turned to a doctor who filled their heads with negative information and promises to help Maddie learn control. Control? Drugs, you mean. Now she is on her own, thanks to the efforts of a conscientious attorney, but her brother is still listening to the doctor who wants Maddie back in his clinic and under his total control--because of her telekinetic abilities? Heck no! He wants to study her DNA as a possible shifter.

Remus Wind River is a wonderful man. Friend to her grandfather, caring and judicious Alpha to his pack, Remus has worked behind the scenes to make a safe place for Maddie so that he could claim her as his mate. He wants to claim her only after she chooses him, after she develops affection and connection to him, and not out of hand as his inner wolf is demanding. He is man who knows about her heritage--her grandmother was a shifter--and he understands her fears. He listens to her and he speaks carefully so that she is not frightened. Even though he and his brothers know that the dominant female of his pack has been trolling for Remus for quite some time and resents his assertion that the "little human" is his mate, this wiley female wolf is determined to get Maddie out of the way so she can be Alpha-Femm.

There's lots to like in this novel--deep sense of family and community, a beautiful and endearing love story between Maddie and Remus, the loyalty of the pack to Maddie, even though she is human as far as they know, and the sense of being special that they give her as Remus' brothers work together to keep her safe, the sense of empowerment that gradually become a reality for Maddie through Remus' love and because he manages to convey to her that she is special. Even in paranormal stories there are lessons to learn as we see this story unfold. There is always a reminder that even good people make serious mistakes, like Maddie's brother who would never let go of his over-protective stance, his fear that Maddie would be judged "weird" by society. In his inflated concern, he was used to hurt the person he was supposedly trying to protect. There is always the reminder that often the people we least expect to do so can help, can be allies in tough settings. A new member of Remus' pack was an important factor in helping Remus and his brothers to keep an eye on the jealous woman who was seeking to hurt Maddie. And don't forget that it is one's own inner sense of worth, of having a right to one's own place, to live as an equal, to express fully who we are will ultimately the difference in the way we live, in the choices we make, in the validity and fulfilling qualities of our relationships. Certainly Maddie found that out, even as she was able to be in touch with her "inner wolf" for the first time when her life was on the line.

This is one of those books that is fun to read the first time and it is equally enjoyable the next time through. Well-written, with characters who stand out, whose edgy qualities make them worth remembering, and with a story that is not so simplistic that it could have been told in 20 pages. This is a story that involves Maddie's past, her present, and her future. And at the center of all that is her relationship with Remus. Lovers of paranormal romance will find this to be a very good reading experience. It is a book that has been around for a few years, but it is still fresh and contemporary. I give it a rating of 4 out of 5.

Those Nice Words are Coming Out of The Mouth That Trashed Me? "Playing Dirty" by Susan Anderson

2011-07-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

When old enemies are thrown together, all bets are off…

Way back in high school, golden boy Cade Gallari publicly revealed he'd slept with "fat girl" Ava Spencer to win a bet. Now a decade older and a head turner with her own concierge business, Ava isn't the gullible dreamer she once was— and she plans to prove it when Cade, hotter than ever, breezes back into town with an offer she can't refuse.

A documentary film producer, Cade is shooting a movie about the mysterious mansion Ava inherited. And he wants her as his personal concierge. She's certainly professional enough to be at his beck and call without giving him everything he wants. Like another shot at having her in his bed. But Ava doesn't count on Cade's determination. Because he's never gotten over her— and he's not above playing dirty to score a second chance at a red–hot future…

I can't even begin to innumerate the people to whom I have spoken over the years who have been deeply hurt or profoundly influenced by unkind words, pranks, hurtful actions that were directed at them during their high school years. We were so vulnerable and trying so hard to be "cool." We all wanted to be thought of as fashionable, acceptable as a person people wanted to like, popular, or at least have a few friends who would gather with us around our lockers or meet us in the lunch room. But the saddest of all, I think, are those individuals whose wounds have continued to fester and whose present-day lives are judged by those feelings and impressions from years ago.

Such was the case with Ava Spencer, Seattle's premier concierge, who made life easier for many people, who could have your new house primed, cleaned, and waiting for you when you moved, who could plan and execute a party in less time than it takes to tell about it, who knew all the right people and who could make things happen in a millisecond. Yet Ava's present life, as successful as it may seem, was still colored by the actions of an insensitive and unthinking young man who had been her "crush" in high school and who, for a few short weeks, had seemed to really like her--I mean, REALLY like her. He was her first--not a very memorable first, in truth, but she was happy to give him her virginity. Yet the next day, in the school cafeteria, Cade accepted payment of a winning bet that he would sleep with "the fat girl." Not to be outdone, Ava scored a verbal comeback that haunted Cade for years, but his betrayal and the deep disappointment that went with it never went away completely.

One of the joys of high school, however, was Ava's friendship with two other girls who became her sisters on so many levels. And it was out of that friendship, along with being taken under the wing of one of Seattle's legendary citizens, that Ava and her two friends inherited a historic mansion that was one of Seattle's showplaces. Now a film company wants to use the mansion to tell the story of that legendary lady, and guess what? Cade, Ava's old nemesis, is the director. He wants her as his concierge for the documentary along with some interviews with her and her two friends for the film. To put it mildly, this is perhaps the most difficult challenge of Ava's adult life so far.

Susan Anderson has brought us a novel that peels away the layers of these two people--who they were, who they have become, and how they are challenged to see one another within the stressful context of filming a documentary. Cade is shocked to find out that "the fat girl" has now become a strikingly beautiful woman, one who certainly has his attention and who reminds him that those few weeks he and Ava spent together as lab partners and as close friends in high school were, in reality, some of the best weeks in his school experience. Ava is interested to learn that Cade is a highly successful film director, that all his documentaries have won serious acclaim for him, that he is a man of purpose and organization, and one who has never stopped trying to apologize for his foolishness. Both are challenged to see each other with new eyes, but that isn't easy when the old impressions and opinions hold such sway. Add in Ava's mother with her constant criticism and Cade's belief that Ava will never forgive him, and you have a messy, witty, sparkling, constantly-on-the-move kind of novel that is next to impossible to put down.

I really liked the comraderie between the three friends, their involvement in each other's lives, just like sisters, their willingness to listen to one another, and their open and honest sharing about feelings, friendships, and their relationships with their significant others. Add in that sense that the friendship of this legendary lady was a factor in helping all these young girls grow into kind, generous, caring, strong young women and people worthy of being loved and giving love in return. Ava ultimately learns that Cade had some very distressing happenings in his life right about the time that he was so unkind to her. She also realizes that he has lots of holes in his life just as she has. I really also liked that not only were these two challenged to let bygones be bygones and move toward friendship, but they had to deal honestly with the attraction that had never gone away, that had persisted all the way back to high school days. Ava is sexy and gorgeous; Cade is sexy and gorgeous. How can these two ever get past the past? It is, in every sense, the core issue in the book.

This is a novel that can be classified as a "feel good" kind of book. It deals honestly with the messiness of human relationships, brings in the factor of parents and home and how that affects all of us, happily or otherwise, and how the strength and loyalty of friendships can endure and often be the single factor that keeps a person balanced. Of course, Ms Anderson is a writer whose books have captured the interest of readers for some time now, and with her wit and writing expertise, she crafts plot and story and characters that mesh flawlessly. I give this novel a rating of 4.25 out of 5.

The Long & Short of It, Through Thick & Thin, Harlequin Thrives!

2011-07-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

I LOVE to read! I love books and magazines, newspapers and journals. I just simply love to read. When I was a kid and knew that my mother wouldn't allow one of my books at the breakfast table--had to hurry so I wouldn't be late for school--I read the cereal boxes, often they were the same cereal boxes I had read the morning before. But I read them again anyway--I just loved to read. I can clearly remember the first book I brought home from school in first grade and the absolute sense of "over the top I felt when I could read and pronounce all those words flawlessly remains fixed in my memory. It was probably one of the "Dick & Jane" books. Of course, there were only about 20 words in the entire book, but when one is six and acquiring a new skill, who cares how many or how few words are in a particular book?

I was probably the school librarian's favorite student--I was in the library all the time, every night, turning in books, checking them out, straightening out the card catalogue, straightening out the bookshelves, and never, never keeping books beyond their due date. What a kid! In fact, my very first job was as a student helper (for fifty cents an hour) at the Public Library which happened to be right across the street from the high school and about six blocks from my house--on the same street, in fact. By this time I had consumed all the Sue Barton, R.N. books, the Nancy Drew books, books full of Greek mythology, novels like Quo Vadis, The Robe, Giant, A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, A Many Splendored Thing, The Silver Chalice and Ivanhoe, along with the F. Scott Fitzgerald books. All this was, of course, in addition to literature assignments for book reports and English Literature which was a required course for all college prep seniors.

Then the years of early marriage and having kids hit. OMG, noise, diapers (cloth ones, mind you), and babies everywhere. My hubby and I had four kids in five years and by the time the last baby was born, I hadn't been in a bathing suit for five years, owned very few outfits that weren't maternity clothes, had two sets of shoes because some days my feet were swollen and some days they weren't, and was absolutely positive I was going to be pregnant forever. There were several years when I was never out of the house except to go grocery shopping (is it any wonder that I still think of grocery shopping as a personal time activity?). It was especially difficult when we were living in the Chicago area and the snows for several years were quite deep. But . . . the sanity of this woman was saved by Harlequin. Yes, Harlequin romances. . . you know, those short novels that came every month, four at a time, and which all started to read the same and filled with characters that had the most incredible names. In the midst of diaper washing and bottle fixing and wiping kid noses and rocking babies, I had my Harlequin romances--doors to other worlds, entree into other people's situations and circumstances, and a way of using personal time--the miniscule amount I had--that sometimes was even better than grocery shopping.

I've always wondered if the survival of Harlequin has been, in large part, because there were so many people like me, who were literally "tied to the mast" with family responsibilities and who found those little short novels a way of escape. When my kids got older, I scheduled a "Mother's Reading Day" every month. By this time I was teaching my girls to cook a bit, so I would give them all tasks for that day, prepare the main dish ahead of time with directions for getting it on the table, make sure they were all well and away at school, and then I would retreat to my bedroom, hunker down in my comfy bed with a stack of those short novels, and forget the world. Everyone in my family knew that no one came through my door unless it was a genuine emergency. I have to say that I was a much nicer person after that "day off." I firmly believe it was my salvation in more ways than one.

Now Harlequin has a number of imprints and a large number of authors writing for them. I know of several who have a separate pen name for their Harlequin writing contracts, and there are some authors who write lots of books for them. I have reviewed a number of books that are published under one of the imprints and most of them have been really good. I know there are reviewers who don't pay much attention to their Super Romances, but I have found them to be very good reads, not expensive, and written by some very good authors.

And so . . . Harlequin Thrives. I, for one, am thankful that during those lean years there were fictional books available to me for a very small price. Yes, I know, I love libraries and I use our Los Angeles County Library all the time. But in those years, when getting out of the house was like outfitting an army in snowsuits, having those books come to my door in the mail every month was a delight. I think I looked forward to them more than I ever did my membership packages from the cosmetic club. After all, why would I really need cosmetics? I never went anywhere. I still buy Harlequin short novels at the used book store near us, and I still am delighted when I can review one of their books. I hope that all of you can look back and see how good books have brought a lot of fun and joy into your life. Until next time . . .

Run, Run, As Fast As You Can: "Catch Me" by Lorelie Brown

2011-07-22T14:14:00.000-07:00

Arizona Territory, 1882

Maggie Bullock's father needed expensive medical care and if that meant stealing from their friendly swindling banker, so be it. Once her father was on the path to recovery she would face the consequences. The whole thing was surprisingly easy until she's kidnapped by bounty hunter Dean Collier.

Collier is tired of tracking down worthless scum. He's afraid he'll lose his last scrap of humanity and become a stone-cold killer, just like the men he brings to justice. He jumps at the chance to become sheriff of Fresh Springs, Arizona. The one condition—capture Maggie.

He figured it'd be easy. Until beautiful, loyal Maggie breaks through defenses he'd thought cemented. His feelings for her run the range from fury to confusion to love, but if he doesn't bring her in someone else will. Can there be a future between a sheriff and a fugitive?

The presence of law enforcement in the Territories of America's West was spotty at best--depending on the town having a local sheriff or possible a U. S. Marshall who rode the trails from town to town. Often the local townspeople took it upon themselves to solve their crime problems with a poorly planned lynching or by getting up enough collective backbone to run a gang out of town. The use of bounty hunters was far more common in those days even though we know they exist today, usually to apprehend bail jumpers. In this story, there appears to be a simple case of a bank robber who must be caught and returned for trial. But don't kid yourself: there's lots more going on than that!

The main characters are both people who have experienced loss, who have had to learned to adapt to the harsh realities of living in the Western Territories and who have had to find a way to keep their humanity intact. The bounty hunter is hardened, not only by the revenge killing of his wife and son, but by the self-inflicted hurts of the past five years. His sense of failure at protecting his family from angry criminals has never left him, and as a result, he cares little for the quality of his life or the people around him. Now he has one last chance to redeem a life that has gone sour. By apprehending Maggie Bullock, Dean can be assured of being made sheriff, a position he feels is one that will prevent him from going over the edge into the darkness that threatens his soul.

Maggie, on the other hand, has simply done the only thing she could do: she has found a way to pay for expensive medical treatment for her dad by robbing the local bank. Owned and operated by a man who had always appeared to be a close friend of her father's, Maggie was astounded when her plea for a loan to pay medical expenses was turned down and done in such a way that Maggie thought she caught a glimpse of the bank owner having some fun at her's and her father's expense. Now she has taken that same man's gold and traveled to a special new clinic in Texas where her father is showing definite signs of improved health.

Obviously riding side by side on horseback for three weeks, camping out each night, occasional baths in flowing streams with little privacy--all served to break down the walls Dean had built against giving in to any sort of attraction to Maggie. Didn't work!! Before it was all over, they found that each had gotten "under the skin" of the other. The one overriding issue was, though, that Maggie faced a lengthy prison sentence in the Yuma Prison, a fact that put the kabosh on any kind of relationship.

But as I intimated at the beginning of this review, there is more here than meets the eye. Somehow there is the sense that all is not well in the friendship between Maggie's father and Mr. Masterson, the banker. This becomes even more evident when Masterson sends one of his "guards" to travel with Maggie & Dean, and turns out to be a man with little conscience, no respect for Maggie or any woman, and a man prone to solve all his problems with violence. It also appeared that Maggie would not be safe from Masterson's "personal attentions" (ahem! we know what that means, don't we?) until the circuit judge arrived for a trial.

This novel is full of twists and turns, keeping the reader wondering how this is all going to work out for Maggie, wondering if there was any hope at all for a romance and a future for Maggie & Dean, and that niggling suspicion that there was trouble afoot before it was all said and done. Even though Dean has been scarred by his loss, he is put back in touch with his humanity more than he realizes as he is exposed to Maggie's unwavering loyalty to her father, her open and honest expression of her attraction for him, and her acceptance of her fate. He shares parts of his personal history with her that he has never shared in five years. I found the account of their growing relationship to be compelling reading, flowing so well toward what appeared to be inevitable conclusion when they arrived in Maggie's hometown.

There are lots of surprises in this story, so much so that I never really figured it out ahead of time. The ending is a complete surprise, and the resolution of Dean & Maggie's story was totally unanticipated by me. Ms Brown captivated me with her storytelling ability, the way she kept the narrative moving forward, the clearly delineated characters, and dialogue that was so well done that it not only exposed the nature and personality of the characters to the reader but also intimated that something sinister was waiting just around the corner. This is a delightful historical romance filled with color, passion, a bit of mystery, and that sense of family and community that marked life in the Old West. Lovers of historical romance would do well to get this book. I give it a rating of 4.25 out of 5.

This novel is being released by Carina Press during July 2011.