Review: Riding Wild by Jaci Burton

It has been said by those far wiser than I that " . . . the course of true love never runs smooth." That seems to be the case in a number of Jaci Burton novels of which this is one. Written as the first in her biker series know as the Wild Riders, this novel introduces readers to the undercover governmental agency formed to infiltrate biker clubs and gangs and to be virtually un-noticed as they seek to do their jobs.

Mac Canfield was a lone wolf type of guy who had been well on his way to spending most of his life in prison for grand theft. Approached by Gen. Grange Lee to be a part of this new undercover agency, Mac agreed to do so in exchange for a clean slate legally. Little did he realize that the General would be the father he never really had, give him opportunities educationally, and help him to transform his life and move in a different direction. Now he was a thief, but he was stealing back items and commodities stolen from the government and which weren't able to be retrieved by legitimate means.

Mac's high school sweetheart, Lily West, was from a wealthy home, used to a life of luxury, bent on determining her own direction in life, but having to work constantly against a parent who was equally determined to plan out her life. She is now living in Chicago, working as a private investigator, after several years in law enforcement where even the long arm of her father's influence kept her from doing her duty as she saw it. A robbery at one of Chicago's museums brings Mac and Lily together--Lily's investigations firm had been hired to determine the effectiveness of the museum's security system and staff. Once again she finds Mac stealing, believing that he is just a involved in crime as he was ten years earlier. But in order to keep Lily from finding out what he really does, Mac is instructed to sort of kidnap her, take her on an extended road trip on his Harley, and dump her somewhere out of sight and harm's way. Once again Mac is going to have to abandon the only woman he has ever loved, just as he did 10 years earlier.

It seems to me that the core ideas that drive this story are the inability to trust after having their initial trust broken. Also, this story is about what it means to really believe in someone, looking beyond the externals of one's life situation and recognizing the true nature of someone as intrinsically good, honorable, and caring. Lily has waited all her life for her father to see her as she really was, a grown-up and one that actually possesses a brain. Her father has never seen her as anyone other than an extension of himself and a pawn on life's "chess board" to manipulate and control. Mac realizes belatedly that he has not been much better, as he drove Lily aware 10 years earlier, thinking that she would be better off without him. He even went so far then as to tell her that he didn't love her. Now he had to face her anger and the indifference she used to guard her heart.

This is a very warm and engaging love story, lots of hot loving, but a re-discovery of a love that had never really died but which needed to be claimed by two adults who were now mature and in tune with their inner selves. Ms Burton, as always, writes beautifully, with that realistic touch that puts the reader smack dab in the middle of the story with its nuances, action, and surprises. The plot is not necessarily unique, variants of which have been used by suspense fiction writers for years. But there is something unique about a "bad boy" living right and serving our country in quiet hidden ways that grabs the imagination. In Burton's hands, such a story line blossoms into a beautiful novel.

So grab your leathers and climb on for a wild ride with the Wild Riders. And I know for a fact that all this series will take readers to places they may never have been and give all of us a view of life on the wild side. I give this book a rating of 4.75 out of 5.

Review: Dare to Love by Jaci Burton

Since when is it OK for a parent to determine the spouse of a child and to arrange their adult life? We might be surprised at how often such a thing happens, especially in those social circles in our country thought to be "upper class." We don't like to think there is a class system in the United States, but believe me, there is! And this kind of parental manipulation is often found in families where it is more important to keep the family name going, to keep the family fortune intact and only shared with the chosen few, and to make sure that children don't "disgrace" their socially aware parents.

Such is the basis for this novel by Jaci Burton. A smart, classy, good-looking, sexy and highly successful attorney is caught in just this kind of relationship with her father. She is a partner in their law firm, and her father has her husband all picked out. Funny though, that Lucy Fairchild just simply detested the man her father has chosen. But that doesn't seem to be the entire jist of this story. Burton dares to uncover the true self-interest in this father's machinations and the lengths to which he will go to get what he wants. Is this his way of showing true and authentic father-love to his daughter? That, it seems to me, is the core question behind this story along with the question of whether or not Lucy is willing to allow her dad to decide her future for her.

On the flip side is Jake Dalton, construction boss for a project close to Lucy's office, and who challenges her to a new life experience. Little does she realize that he is a business owner, well-educated, industrious, but wearing a hard hat and work clothes instead of a business suit and tie to work. In many ways this story is a contemporary Pride and Prejudice and pairs these two who have come from different strata of society, but who both have been searching for someone to complete their lives.

This is another well-written Burton story that is built around authentic human experience and which probes some of the relational problems modern people encounter. It also challenges the "class system" that automatically excludes some people from being accepted and welcomed, simply because they didn't attend a particular school, be involved in a particular short list of career choices, or wear clothes that seem acceptable. In other words, they are outside the boundaries set by social snobs. Lucy must expand her understanding of people and come to some kind of crossroads in her life journey where she is open to new experiences and honest about old relationships. As always, there are surprises and some unexpected developments in the story that keep the reader interested and moving forward.

I was quite drawn to Jake and Lucy--both curiously vulnerable in their own way. Both were strong but had not investigated those inner strengths by living "outside the box" of familiar surroundings and people. Now each must open their eyes to not only their own strengths, but the authentic understanding of one another. In which direction will their lives go?

This book has been around for a couple of years, but it is worthy of our interest or even of being re-read if the reader has visited it once already. I think it is as good as anything she has written and will remain on my "favorites" list for some time to come. I give this book a rating of 4.25 out of 5.

There's No Place Like Home . . . Well, Maybe One or Two Other Places . . .

Well, it's home again after a jaunt into out of the way places which are daily wrapped in the balmy breezes of the Trade Winds. We arrived home from Maui late Saturday evening and believe me, Los Angeles International Airport didn't smell nearly as good as those warm breezes at Kahului.





I had to laugh at my daughter--we traveled with her and her hubby--as she went out on the "lanai" or balcony right before breakfast to breathe deeply and marvel at the richness of the landscape all around our time-share resort. When she came back in, she commented: "Just another crappy day in Paradise." We were also amused when one of the airport people asked us if we had a good time during our time in the Islands, and we asked him if anyone ever complained. He had to admit that he had never met anyone who had a negative comment about their time in Maui.





I have to admit that it was just different for me. In past years we had visited and stayed on Kauai and Oahu, for an extended time on one occasion. Both those islands just have their own pace of living and just a unique feeling. Kauai is very laid-back, and it rains for anywhere from 20-30 seconds throughout each day. The island is the wettest place on the planet with 500 inches of rain annually. Oahu is far busier--with three military bases, the famous Diamondhead, Waikiki beach and a larger population. They also have an island-wide bus service which means that we didn't have to rent a car while there. Not the case in Maui. The roads have been improved--even some four-lane roads in some places in Kahului and Lahaina. But it is different in that there are two volcanic mountains--Haleakela and Iao--so that getting anywhere means going around one mountain or the other.



The photo above is the Iao Needle--remnants of the extinct volcano and believed to be a holy site. The Needle was also used by warriors to scope out the approach of enemy invaders. This valley was the place where the king of Maui and his warriors met King Kamehameha for a terrible battle that eventually unified the islands under the one king.

This beautiful shot of Molokini is really a small volcanic crater that is now one of the most popular places for snorkeling. The waters are particularly clear out in the middle of this inlet. Our daughter and her hubby were hoping to do some snorkeling, but hubby broke his shoulder just a few weeks ago and so couldn't really handle the physical stress, even though the shoulder is healing well.

So we drove the Hana Highway--an eight hour trip with more hairpin curves than a beauty shop, and about half-way through the trip I thought: "I am SO ready for this to be over!!" Then the next day we ascended Haleakala volcano and viewed the crater -- nearly 10,000 feet elevation. It was cold and the air was thin. But the view was absolutely breathtaking.

So we return to the grind--going to the office, taking care of grandkids, reading, reading, and more reading, and now lots of reviews to write after being off the computer for a week. Thanks for those of you who stopped by -- hope you all have your "day in Paradise" somewhere in the South Pacific or other wonderful tropical places on our beautiful planet.

Bye, for now . . .

Taking a Break . . .

Just a few days away, that's all. Just got on a plane a couple of days ago and am now "suffering" in Maui. Beautiful scenery, wonderful weather, and time to relax and unwind. I'll be back in a few more days with some reviews and such. Have my eReader and some print books with me -- we are driving alot and doing the sights, so the reading has to be fit in with the activities. Still, hope all the kids are back in school and getting along well, moms are glad for a few hours of quiet, and the back-to-school and teacher conferences have been OK. Missed Grandparent's Day at my granddaughter's school for the first time in eight or nine years--just too much going on and finally had to admit I couldn't be in two places at once. Go figure . . . Keep your eyes on the prize--making that "To Be Read" pile decreasing.

Be back soon . . .

Review: Lost and Found by Katie Jamieson

Krissa has always been the responsible one. Driven to fulfill her mother's abandoned dreams, to make her husband Derek happy. She has brought that single-minded determination to the one dream she has for herself--a child. Except she and Derek can't conceive, and Derek refuses to consider using a stranger's sperm. The result? Guilt that her desperation is causing their marital rift.


The last thing they need is a long-term house guest, but Derek's best friend Nate, a nomadic phootographer recovering from a career-threatening eye disorder, has nowhere else to go. Nate thought his friends' home would be a temporary haven from the grief that has dogged his heels since his wife died. Instead he is in the middle of a marriage in meltdown. Soon their friendship develops an underlying hum of forbidden sexual tension. When Krissa proposes a wild idea--that Naste be their sperm donor--Derek has an even wilder proposal: bypass the fertility clinic and accept Nat's donation straight from the source.


At first Krissa believes she is on the fast track to having her dream. But it quickly becomes clear that when the heart gets involved, and secrets are revealed, the simplest of arrangements can become entangled beyond belief. . . or repair.

This is another very good novel from Kelly Jamieson and is a contemporary look-see into the workings of an upscale Southern California suburban couple living "the life." With a mansion overlooking the Pacific Ocean near beautiful Santa Barbara (and it really is beautiful there), with successful careers that put both Krissa and Derek into the business fast lane, these two are the envy of many. Yet their marriage is in very real trouble. Their efforts to have a baby--something Krissa doesn't think she can live without and which Derek has a rather ho-hum attitude toward--have put severe strains on their relationship. The efforts toward procreation have cost them intimacy and Krissa's single-minded determination to achieve this greatest of all desires has overshadowed nearly everything in the couple's life.

Krissa is woman who will do whatever it takes to make the people in her life happy--even if it means taking responsibility for their unhappiness. She is giving and vital, creative and hard-working, seeking to be a successful business woman as well as keeping a spotless home and being a great cook. The news that Derek is sterile devastates her. Her grief is made even more upending when she hears from Derek that he will not adopt nor accept a child from an anonymous donor. Now what can Krissa do?

Derek's character seems OK at first, but as the novel progresses, his weakness and self-centered thinking begins to "shine through." He uses almost any excuse to "do his own thing" and while he seems to be honestly in love with his wife, he demonstrates that love only when it is convenient for him. He appears to welcome his best friend from college, yet he really doesn't go out of his way to be very welcoming. That he leaves to Krissa.

Nate is troubled and still reeling from the death of his wife and unborn child two years earlier. Yet there is something "off" in his continuing emotional separation from friends and family. He is only at Krissa & Derek's home because he needs a neutral place to recover from a case of botulism that has affected his eyesight. It is a slow healing and thus Nate is in this home for weeks. Then he is invited to be the "sperm donor" for Krissa & Derek--an awkward situation at best.

Ms Jamieson has dealt with the issues very well here, IMHO. The strains in the marriage are evident almost from the first when Derek finds out he is sterile, leaves the doctor's office, disappears for hours, comes home drunk, smelling of perfume and cigarettes. There is no thought on his part that Krissa is also in emotional pain. Somehow Derek's hurts always take precedence. We are also aware that there is a growing attraction between Nate and Krissa--Nate can see so much that is being "stuffed" down by Krissa as Derek rides rough shod over her dreams, feelings, and efforts to make the marriage work. The story moves along -- there are no dead spots in this telling. From time to time I did get a bit weary with the internal dialogue on the part of a couple of the characters, but I recognize that there are some weighty issues being considered here and thus people are perhaps more introspective than in a light-hearted romance scenario. All the characters have the touch of authenticity and each is unique in their own way. I almost had a feeling that they were iconic--that each was representative of a type of person we probably all know. Thus, this circle of friends and family are truly representative of an entire slice of culture and living.

Ms Jamieson also has built some twists and turns into the story, some of which are truly a surprise. They were the sort where we would usually respond: "OMG, I wasn't prepared for that!" The ending will please most of the readers, but I think the author used creativity in getting the reader through the conflict to the story's conclusion. There are some great love scenes and the threesome that exists for a couple of weeks between Krissa, Nate, & Derek is very erotic. But there are "lows" here, too. Tears, betrayal, disappointment, grieving--all make an appearance.

So this is not your "pie in the sky by and by" kind of love story. There are troubled people seeking some sort of positive direction for their lives. How they manage and whether or not they are successful is the stuff at the core of this story. I can't tell you why--can't put my finger on the specific quality that I liked so well about this book. It just comes together so well and I think the author accomplished what she set out to do. I can't believe there isn't a romance fan "out there" that won't love this novel. I give it a rating of 5 out of 5.

Review: Turn It On by Vivian Arend--Book 1 in the Turner Twins Series

Pushing the sensual limits can set off all kinds of alarms!

Inheriting her grandmother's home is a dream come true for web designer Maxcine Turner. She is looking forward to a little freedom from the constant demands of her beloved, crazy mob of a family. When vandals expose just how vulnerable she is living alone, she seeks help.

Ryan Claymore's well-thought-out-life was wrenched out from under him when responsibility for his special-needs half-brother landed on his shoulders. Going from military man to business man hasn't been easy. He counts himself lucky he has found Maxine to trade his security-system knowledge for her website expertise. The red-hot chemistry that sizzles between them comes from out of the blue, and they both fight a losing battle to resist. Even the secret Ryan hides isn't enough to keep Maxine from working her way into his heart--and his bed.

But something else might tear them apart--whoever seems determined to destroy her home, and her sanity along with it.

Vivian Arend is well-known for her varied and creative subject matter in her literary works but I have read mostly paranormal stories from her. Now we have a contemporary romance/mystery that brings an interesting cast of characters into the mix and makes for a tale that is neither simple or single-layered.

Suffice it to say that Maxine is awash with relatives. Her twin, called Junior, is protective and not very happy that she has decided to move out of his home into her own, much less into an old house that was given her by her grandmother. Actually, the house was given to the family, and no one else wanted it, neither did anyone seem interested in selling it and splitting the profits. Maxine was delighted since this was a house full of memories and family tradition and the last thing she wanted was to see it leave the care and keeping of someone in her family. The acts of vandalism started almost from the moment she decided to renovate and move in. Thankfully, the insurance paid for most of the damage, but the necessity of an alarm system was the reason she and Ryan came into contact initially.

Ryan is a man who has made his way in the world believing that his main career would be the military. Now, after being made aware of a half-brother he did not know existed until recently, he has left his military commission and begun using his communications expertise in a security systems business. He has also not really planned on any kind of long-term relationship. Yes, he has had women in his life, but none seemed to be for more than temporary companionship. Now, he is once again finding that Maxine has piqued his interest and having been without female companionship for quite some time, he begins to fantasize about her ending up in his intimate embrace. Little does he realize that he is entering into a mad and crazy family world that will puzzle and almost overwhelm him. On the other hand, he keeps the presence of his half-brother a secret even from Maxine. What will be her response? Will this cool her interest in him?

Both these people have considerable "speed bumps" in their emotional lives. Ryan is focused on caring for his half-brother--a teenager with the understanding and competency of a 6-year-old--and getting his business off the ground. Is there really time and room in his life for even so pleasant a diversion as Maxine? Maxine, on the other hand, is captive to the wishes and demands of various members of her family. Even having moved into her own home, she still hasn't managed to find the magic word "NO" when presented with projects of activities or additional responsibilities. Because she works at home, her relatives believe that she is always available. Will Ryan accept the demands they make on her, especially when they cut into the time she can spend with him?

This is another fine Arend story with only one flaw that I can see: it is just too short. All her stories are novellas or slightly longer, and I would love to see her sink her writer's teeth into a novel-length tale that will tax and stretch her writing and story-telling abilities. It is full of fun and witticism, sexy encounters and intensity, family interaction and caring, an authentic sense of responsibility while caring for the disabled. It is a story that is fun to read, but the mysterious acts of violence keep the reader perched on the edge of the seat. Not easy to weave these multiple characters, story-lines and all that goes with it into a finished literary tapestry. So I recommend this as a very good story and hope that not only Arend fans will enjoy it, but that it may be an additional joy to those who just love a really, really good love story. I give this book a rating of 4 out of 5.

Review: No Longer Mine by Shiloh Walker

One woman, one man, and a love that won't let either of them go. . .


Born on the wrong side of the tracks and dealt a fair share of hardship, Nikki Kline never gives up a fight. Even when her reason to keep going is ripped from her, Nikki tries desperately to hang on. But when the man who broke Nikki's heart comes back into her life she doesn't know how much she can take. Especially since that man seems determined to win back her damaged heart.


Wade Lightfoot is a man who knows he's made more mistakes than most. As much as he would like to repair the damage he has done to those he loves, Wade also knows there is no going back. But when he sets out to put things right the last thing he is prepared to find out is that he had a son--a son he will never get the chance to meet.

When the truth is out and all the old wounds are bared, it seems impossible that Nikki and Wade will find their way back to each other. But true love is an undeniable force that even past hurts can't destroy.

In her dedication to this re-released story, the author comments:

"This book went out of print sometime in 2005 or 2996. Since it has been out of print I've had a number of readers ask me if I would ever release it again. My initial response was NO--capital letters, italics, bold font and all. It ws my first attempt at a full-length romance. It is not one of my better attempts either. It is rough, the characters are a ittle overdone, and sometimes I don't like either of them very much. But, like many writers' first attempts, it does have a special place in my heart, and part of what makes it special is the story itself. So while I know some of the flaws with this story, I knowI can fix some of them, fixing a lot of them would actually be changing the story."

There is no doubt, after reading this novel, that it is evident that in the succeeding years Ms Walker has honed her writing skills and put a great deal of work into refining her considerable talent. Yet I have to own up to being drawn into this story because it is rough, edgy, with emotions that are raw and in-your-face, and there just isn't much joy here. Yet there is an underlying grit in all these characters, especially Nikki's family, for coming through the hardships of poverty and social avoidance, their father's alcoholism, and her personal disappointments and wounds. Wade has also had to "live with the consequences of his choices" in a daily encounter with the hurts his mistakes have caused, not just to him and to Nikki, but to people who were also as undeserving of hurt and these two people.

There were times while reading this novel that I didn't think the pain would ever end. It was almost like a Greek tragedy: the longer it went on, the worse it got. And perhaps that is why I just kept on reading, because I was convinced that these two really nice people just couldn't end up bearing the brunt of all they had done or endured without some sort of redemptive force brought about by their love for each other. I think those of us who have lost a child--whether through accidents or sickness after birth or miscarriage--understand that there are holes in our hearts which may never be filled. It is a credit to the human spirit that even the deepest hurts can be healed to some degree. And this was my hope, even in these fictional circumstances, that kept me glued to the pages.

Ms Walker has given us a novel that forces readers to deal with the pain in these lives, just as we often have to endure pain in the lives of friends and family members, or even in our own experience. Writing is never easy--it is hard work--and writing about gritty, rough, and uncomfortable circumstances, whether caused by one character or another, takes a kind of literary fortitude. This story never lets up and while the plot is not necessarily inspired--we all have endured the fall-out that mistakes force on us or those we love--it is important that we encounter characters such as these. I know that I have learned much from the important people in my life. But I must admit that good fiction has been as instructive, or perhaps more so, than all the "reality" lessons I have encountered.

So I hope if you have not already done so, you will get a copy of this novel and settle in for some unsettling reading--reading that will hopefully increase the "human quotient" in each of us. I give this novel a rating of 4.75 out of 5.