Ace Thompson, the preacher’s son, owns the most popular bar in Copper Ridge, Oregon. The once bad boy leONE NIGHT CHARMER
Maisie Yates
Harlequin May 2016
Ace Thompson, the preacher’s son, owns the most popular bar in Copper Ridge, Oregon. The once bad boy left town after high school, did the rodeo circuit and other things before he decided to come back to his home town. His bar has made him a good living, and he wants to expand his business opportunities. He is buying an old empty flour mill with a view of the Pacific Ocean and plans to turn it into an upscale restaurant and micro-brewery. He asks his best friends, Jack Monaghan and Eli Garrett, if they would like to go into business venture with him. They both say yes and Jack has a favor to ask of Ace; would he please give Sierra West a job.
Sierra West is from a very wealthy family and Ace met her a few nights ago when she was very inebriated and had been left to her own devices at his bar by her so called friends. Ace ends up taking her to her brother’s home in the early hours of the morning. He has Ms. West pegged as a spoiled, do nothing young woman, and he really doesn’t want to offer her a job, but Jack has asked as a personal favor. Over the next few weeks, Sierra proves herself to be more than just a pretty face. The lady has some excellent suggestions for his new project and is also a very hard worker at the bar. Ace is fighting a losing battle with his standing rule: Don’t get personally involved with the hired help!
The amazing Maisie Yates gifts her readers with a superb tale focusing on family heartbreaks and separations. When Ace and Sierra get together, it seems that all their familial problems work themselves out. ONE NIGHT CHARMER is a terrific romantic tale that also brings many of our favorite characters into the mix.
After losing her boyfriend, her job, and her apartment Mia has no other options than to leave the Big Ap
SUDDENLY IN LOVE
Julia London
Montrose April 2016
After losing her boyfriend, her job, and her apartment Mia has no other options than to leave the Big Apple and return to East Beach and live with her parents. She works in her Uncle John and Aunt Beverly’s home interior shop as a “gofer”, and is making sure things are going right on a large renovation project.
Brennan Yates – aka Everett Alden, lead singer of the successful musical group Tuesday’s End – wants out of the limelight after his friend Trey dies. He is hiding out at Ross House, the historic mansion he bought for his mom in East Beach, staying drunk and smelling rank. Mia is helping her aunt the decorator by taking pictures and measurements at the mansion, while it is undergoing a complete renovation; Aunt Bev will be putting in a bid for the decoration. When she sees Brennan on the property she tells security that a bum is on the premises. She is unaware that the new owner, Nancy Yates, has a son, much less that he is a famous entertainer.
Mia and Brennan develop a tenuous relationship. He enjoys the fact she is unaware of his fame. Brennan encourages Mia’s art aspirations, and honestly likes the fact that she dances to her own tune when it comes to opinions of her lifestyle. Mia seems to stabilize Brennan, and he is doing wonders for her poor self image. When Brennan is offered to personally write the score for an upcoming movie, Mia’s faith in him is just what the doctor orders. The bad news is that he will have to live on the West Coast while the film is in production, and Mia refuses to relocate.
Julia London can add another touching story to her outstanding repertoire. The protagonists are strong, but flawed, and complement each other in every way. SUDDENLY IN LOVE has just the right amount of humor, conflict, and romance to satisfy every reader of this genre.
Neurosurgeon Maggie Sullivan feels like she is going to break into a million pieces due to all the personal problems she has encountered and her hecti
Neurosurgeon Maggie Sullivan feels like she is going to break into a million pieces due to all the personal problems she has encountered and her hectic surgical schedule. She takes a leave of absence and goes to visit her father, Sully, at Sullivan’s Crossing, his campground and country store for hikers located outside of Denver and on the Continental Divide trails. Sully has kept his daughter’s room ready for her since she was a child visiting during the summers; Maggie lived with her mom, Phoebe, and new husband, Walter, in Chicago the rest of the year. Before his retirement Walter, was a very prominent neurosurgeon in Chicago, but now he and Phoebe live in Denver to be near their daughter.
Since it is March now and too early for the hikers, Cal is the only person on the grounds and lives in his camper. He helps Sully out when necessary and seems to be just passing time until hiking season starts. Maggie isn’t sure she trusts him, but Sully does. Just a few days after Maggie’s arrival Sully suffers a major heart attack and Maggie insists on staying by his bedside during his hospital stay. Cal has volunteered to keep Sullivan’s Crossing going, and does a commendable job. After Sully’s release, Cal and Maggie develop a good and very comfortable rapport that eventually turns into a physical relationship. They share their doubts and fears, and their unhappy pasts.
When the weather finally clears enough to start hiking, Cal takes off for an indeterminate length of time, but promises Maggie he will return. This time apart gives them both time for introspection about the future. Maggie must decide whether to wait at the Crossing or return to her practice in Denver.
WHAT WE FIND is an exquisitely written tale about two wounded souls that find each other and eventually share feelings of tranquility and healing with a deep and abiding love. Robyn Carr is a true genius with a talent for an engaging style, credible characters and extraordinary narratives.
Slater Carson, award winning documentarian, is at home on the family’s ranch in Mustang Creek, Wyoming putting the finishing touches on his latest fil Slater Carson, award winning documentarian, is at home on the family’s ranch in Mustang Creek, Wyoming putting the finishing touches on his latest film. Slater loves his career, but it’s really good to be back at the ranch. As he is winding up an exhausting day he gets a visit from an unknown woman that is insisting she must see him immediately. His energy level perks up when a beautiful redhead – and he has a fondness for redheads – walks into his office with a teenage boy in tow. It seems that Grace Emery’s mutinous stepson, Ryder, has stolen some property belonging to Slater, and she has dragged him in to return it.
Grace is divorced from Ryder’s father, Hank, who is career military. The young man had no one else when his dad was deployed again so Grace left her job in Seattle as a cop and accepted the job in Mustang Creek as manager of the Bliss River Resort and Spa. She is crazy about the teenager, and is willing to help him in any way possible, but his attitude is wearing her down. Slater is so impressed by Ryder’s admission of stealing that he offers him a job at the ranch mucking out the stalls and anything else that needs to be done.
ONCE A RANCHER is the launch of a new series, the Carsons of Mustang Creek, starring brothers Slater, Deke, ranch manager, and Mace, vineyard and winery, and costarring Blythe Carson, the matriarch; Raine, Slater’s ex-girlfriend and Daisy, their nine-year-old daughter. It doesn’t take Slater long to woo and win Grace and Ryder. However, Grace has a stalker that is making things dangerous for anyone Grace gives her attention.
Linda Lael Miller is an award winning author and fan favorite. ONCE A RANCHER is a beautiful romantic tale that is chock full of appealing characters, witty repartee, and family dynamics. Hurry and get your copy of this one because it truly is “Miller Time.”
The Cowboy Way: A Creed in Stone CreekPart Time Cowboy (The Montana Creeds) By Linda Lael Miller HQN February 2016
The Cowboy Way: A Creed in Stone Creek by Linda Lael Miller
Steven Creed, a distant cousin of the McKettrick clan from Indian Rock, has adopted five-year-old Matt St. John; and has purchased fifty acres of farm land and the dilapidated house that was part of the original O’Ballivan estate in Stone Creek. Matt’s parents, Zack and Millie St. John, were longtime friends of Steven’s and named him guardian of their son in their Wills. Steven and Matt are starting a new life together, swearing to be “pardners to the end”. In his prior life Steven was a corporate lawyer in Boston, but for the past few years he was with a Denver firm and specialized in criminal law alongside Zack St. John. Steven is financially independent and doesn’t have to work. However, he loves the law and opens a pro-bono public defender’s office in Stone Creek.
Melissa O’Ballivan is the County Prosecutor and dislikes all defense attorneys. That is she did until she and Steven were introduced, and truly the earth moved for both of them. Melissa’s brother Brad loans Steven and Matt his tour bus to live in while their house is being renovated. Brad was a C&W super star until his marriage to Meg McKettrick. Matt makes friends at the day camp and is counting down the days until Stone Creek Rodeo Days parade.
Steven’s father, Davis and step-mother Kim raised the twin cousins Brody and Conner Creed on a ranch in Colorado after their father’s death. Steven spent summers with them growing up. The brothers had a falling out years ago and are not speaking to each other; Conner helps Davis run the ranch and Brody is on the rodeo circuit.
THE COWBOY WAY - A CREED IN STONE CREEK introduces newcomer Steven Creed into the Stone Creek series with an outstanding story that centers on single parenthood, a very lovable little boy and an adopted dog. How could it get any better? Why, by giving Steven an intelligent, loving lady love and lots of new extended family members. Linda Lael Miller creates stories that readers thoroughly enjoy, and satiates the story lines with wonderful characters, great wordplay, and spicy romance. THE COWBOY WAY - A CREED IN STONE CREEK is an excellent book.
My Kind of Wonderful (Cedar Ridge) By Jill Shalvis Grand Central December 2015
Bailey Moore has spent the majority of her life not knowing how much time she has left to live. She was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma in junior high school and started chemo therapy. Her best friend, Aaron, was always there for her and at one time they were engaged. However, she has a newfound future and Aaron has a newfound woman. Bailey’s “bucket list” is very eclectic. She wants to ski in the Rockies and she wants to paint a mural.
Bailey advertises her artistic talent on eBay and her free services are grabbed up by Carrie Kincaid, the slightly confused matriarch of the Kincaid siblings: Gray, Aiden, Kenna, Hudson, and his absentee twin, Jacob. The Kincaid’s own the Cedar Ridge Ski Resort and Carrie wants a huge family inspired mural on the side of the lodge; one that skiers will see as they are coming down the mountain. Bailey wants no fee; just room and board on the week-ends while she is painting. She has a job in Denver, and it is about two hours to Cedar Ridge.
Hud takes care of everything and everyone but Hud. He manages on about three hours of sleep at night between his jobs at the lodge, a law officer, and training ski patrol applicants way before the sun comes up. Plus he visits his mom daily. Carrie really wants the mural as their family is unique; she also believes the children are teenagers most of the time. All the rest of his family wants the mural so Hud agrees. Mainly he just doesn’t trust himself to be around Bailey. There is a deep attraction, but there is just no time in his life for a woman, or so he believes.
MY KIND OF WONDERFUL is exactly the kind of romance that Jill Shalvis writes so beautifully. Bailey is a stubborn woman that doesn’t want pity or help in most cases. Her bucket list doesn’t seem that important when she believes she has found the man of her dreams, but Hud just can’t believe in happily ever after. Outstanding characters sharing witty repartee and Ms. Shalvis’s spot on narrative produces a story that is a one sitting read.
Devin Shaw is filling in as an attending physician at the Lake Heaven Hospital emergency room when a manEVERGREEN SPRINGS
RaeAnne Thayne HQN October 2015
Devin Shaw is filling in as an attending physician at the Lake Heaven Hospital emergency room when a man comes in with a very pregnant woman and a couple of frightened children. The woman, Tricia Barrett, recognizes Devin as a friend from High School. The big man with her is her brother Cole. Devin remembers Cole as being rather wild during their high school days and then he went on the professional rodeo tour after graduating. Tricia slipped on the ice and twisted her ankle which brought on false labor pains. She is carrying twins that are not due until after Christmas. An examination reveals she is trying to go into early labor which would really be dangerous because at least one of the twins might not survive. Tricia is put on forced bed rest for the next few weeks until it is time to deliver. She moved in with her brother two months ago and has been helping out with the children.
The children belong to Cole. His ex-wife was killed with one of her boyfriends in a car accident. Even though Cole had fought for rights to see his children, his requests had been denied because of his past. He now has custody of a ten year old girl and an eight year old boy who really don’t know their father, and now their newly found aunt, won’t be at home with them.
Cole is a bachelor trying to make a go of his ranch all by himself, and at the same time a name for himself training horses. Both are a full time job and Cole knows nothing about children. However, when Devin tells her sister, who happens to be the Mayor of Evergreen Springs, about Cole needing help with his children, the word is quickly spread throughout the community and Cole ends up with two freezers stuffed with homemade meals. On Devin’s days off she offers to watch the children while Cole takes care of some business with his horses. She also is responsible for him finding an older woman who makes an excellent nanny. A mutual attraction between the protagonists isn’t enough for Cole. The cowboy doesn’t feel he deserves someone like Devin, but the lady doctor doesn’t see it that way.
EVERGREEN SPRINGS is a warm and poignant tale of family dynamics; self-deprecation and doubt; and forgiveness. RaeAnn Thayne has created characters with substance and believability. This is a very good and evenly paced tale, and Ms. Thayne’s narrative is so crisp it had this reader looking for a log fireplace to sit by while enjoying the story.
Madeline Krug manages a very successful wedding gown store in Fool’s Gold, California. Madeline’s partner
MARRY ME AT CHRISTMAS Susan Mallery HQN October
Madeline Krug manages a very successful wedding gown store in Fool’s Gold, California. Madeline’s partner Dellina is pregnant and has asked Madeline to plan a wedding for mega-movie star and hunk, Jonny Blaze’s younger sister Ginger. Madeline has a big crush on Johnny – as do most of the women in Fool’s Gold – and hopes she act like a professional – and not a groupie – and help him with the wedding. Jonny is tired of living a celebrity’s life and is quite happy in Fool’s Gold. Everyone has granted him his privacy except two older women who want a picture of his naked butt for their local TV show; they are having a contest for their viewers to match the bottom to the person.
Jonny’s sister is the only family he has and he wants to go all out on her wedding. However, Madeline has been in contact with Ginger, via email, and knows that Ginger wants a very simple wedding. It’s up to Madeline to talk Jonny out of what he wants for his sister.
An early blizzard hits Fool’s Gold while Madeline is going over wedding plans with Jonny at his mountain top home, thus making for dangerous driving. The next morning the snow plows don’t get there in time for her to leave. Jonny is drawn to Madelyn because she has always been a professional with him, plus she is a very beautiful woman. There have been a lot of long, passion filled looks between the protagonists during this unexpected time together. Needless to say that Mother Nature gives this couple a big shove that turns into a hot relationship.
Susan Mallery has struck twenty-four carat gold with the Fool’s Gold series, and MARRY ME AT CHRISTMAS is another readerlicious installment by this resourceful author.
Tilda Morrison is a police woman in the small town of Icicle Falls, Idaho and like most womCHRISTMAS ON CANDY CANE LANE
Sheila Roberts
Mira November 2015
Tilda Morrison is a police woman in the small town of Icicle Falls, Idaho and like most women she wants a husband, a home and children, but she hasn’t been able to find a man who isn’t in awe of her abilities. Devon Black keeps flirting with her, but she considers him a trouble maker. Tilda has broken up too many barroom brawls that seem to attract him. She buys a total make over, repossessed house in a very nice neighborhood on Candy Cane Lane and is immediately told she the covenants decree that she has to decorate her front yard during Christmas season. Tilda thinks this is stupid but agrees to put up some lights when she has time. Devon surprises her by putting up her Christmas lights, and offers to help her do some work in her new home. One day Tilda is going to notice that Devon has really cleaned up his act.
Ivy Bohn lives next door to Tilda; she is recently divorced and has two small children. Ivy owns a Christmas shop in town. Ivy and Tilda knew each other in high school, but didn’t have much in common. Their neighborhood relationship is about the same, but the incidents they are involved in provide a lot of humor to this story.
Maddy Donaldson is the self-appointed welcome wagon lady and chairman of the neighborhood Christmas extravaganza. Each year all the residents put up lights and lighted candy canes (that can be purchased at her husband’s hardware store). When the rest of Icicle Falls come to view the decorations they are met at the entrance by “Mrs. Claus” and a real candy cane. Maddy owns a unique spice shop, and is the mother of two children; her teenage daughter is playing the guilt card over her mother’s working full time and helping others the rest of the time.
Someone is destroying yard decorations and Maddy feels that it is Tilda’s job to find the culprits. The lady cop is not going to get any peace until she does. In the meantime Devon Black is always there to help her out when she needs -- but won’t admit she needs -- help.
CHRISTMAS ON CANDY CANE LANE is another entertaining visit to Icicle Falls, Idaho, home of some of the most interesting people you will ever meet. Love, humor, laughter, and the holiday spirit spill from the pages of this clever story by the talented Sheila Roberts.
Zoe Stone and her dog Oreo live alone in the large and run down home that she, her brother Wyatt and her sister Darcy inherited from their grandparents; her siblings have moved in with their respective fiancées. They are unaware that Zoe is truly in a financial bind due to a bad decision made a few years before that cost her everything. Zoe needs cash to fix up the house and is willing to rent a room to Parker James, a friend of Wyatt’s.
Parker is on a medical leave of absence from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He is actually a Resident Agent in Charge of tracking down illegal wildlife operations and other criminal groups. He is recovering from broken ribs sustained when a poacher tried to run him down. Parker has been ordered not to pursue the poachers, but he found out that Tripp Carver, aka the Butcher, is the man who killed Parker’s partner and tried to kill him, and Carver is in the Idaho Bitterroot Mountains with his associates.
Zoe and Parker feel a sexual pull immediately. That could be because of the kiss Zoe landed on him thinking he was someone else. Parker is reluctant to take advantage of his friend Wyatt’s sister, but it is getting thornier the more they are around each other. Zoe is a private pilot and works out of a small airport, and she also gives flying lessons. Parker hires her to fly him over the mountain area until he spots Carver’s base. Zoe is unaware of his undercover job or that he is looking for criminals.
Zoe has reason to distrust me, especially ones she hasn’t known for a long time. Parker makes this decision just disappear overnight. He is slowly doing a lot of repair jobs around the house, and this man even fosters orphaned kittens. Will her feelings for him be strong enough to keep him with her?
Parker is a loner, but has an Achilles Heel – his much younger sister, Amory, who has Down’s syndrome. He helps her to establish more independence than their parents’ think she can handle. His other role in life is his job. He never wants to marry or have a family because of the travel and dangers inherent in his position. Zoe is really causing him to rethink this role, but when the time comes that he can leave Idaho and report back to D.C. he does without looking back.
ALL I WANT has it all – great plot, super characters, emotion, humor that keeps a smile on your face, and sensuality that makes your heart go pitty-pat really fast. Jill Shalvis interweaves the story threads smoothly making ALL I WANT a warm fuzzy yarn that seems much too short. This “Animal Magnetism” series is so much fun – kudos to Jill Shalvis!
After living in New York City for the past seven years, Charlotte Morgan is returning home to Mustang Creek. She could hardly wait to leave this small town, and now she can hardly wait to get there from the Cheyenne airport and risks driving in dubious weather conditions. Charlotte’s life hasn’t been going very good lately; she had to put her beloved aunt Geneva in assisted living in Mustang Creek via telephone and email, and then learned that a stranger named Mrs. Millicent Klozz was staying in Geneva’s house. Next, she was laid off from her job with an advertising agency. She believed she had found the love of her live via the internet, a veterinarian from Idaho working in Connecticut, but Jaxon Locke had to return home after his father suffered a heart attack.
Jax noticed on Face Book that Charlotte had left the New York City firm. She didn’t say what she was going to do, but he would wager that she would return to Wyoming. It is just a coincidence – maybe – that Jax has taken a job with his friend Nate Cameron to work in his veterinary practice in Mustang Creek.
Charlotte and Jax are on the road at the same time fighting a raging blizzard and trying to make it to Mustang Creek. Nate had called Jax and told him that he had reserved the last room in town and how to get there. Another coincidence – maybe – that the protagonists arrive at the motel at the same time, and that Jax has a big double room and the couch in the lobby is the only bed left for Charlotte. He’s generous and she agrees to share his room. The next day he is hunting a place to live and winds up at Aunt Geneva’s large home, where a sweet little lady named Mrs. Klozz insists that he rent one of the spare bedrooms.
CHRISTMAS IN MUSTANG CREEK is just the right story to kick off the Yule season. This is a heartfelt tale of family, friendship, and love. Linda Lael Miller’s characters are warm and likeable; Millicent Klozz is a terrific character and adds a lot to the story. Ms. Miller’s pacing, dialogue, and narrative is beautiful and CHRISTMAS IN MUSTANG CREEK can easily be read in one delightful sitting. Your friends would be thrilled to find this in their Christmas stocking.
Maya Farlow has moved back to Fool’s Gold, giving up a career in television production. She is working for Mayor Marsha Tilson as the communications dMaya Farlow has moved back to Fool’s Gold, giving up a career in television production. She is working for Mayor Marsha Tilson as the communications director for Fool’s Gold, and trying to get two elderly women to tone down their contests being held on the cable access show. The current contest that Eddie and Gladys are holding now is guess who the naked male butt being shown on screen belongs to?
Maya is also assigned to make a video campaign promoting Fool’s Gold slogan: A Destination for Romance. A second video will be to lure tourists by promoting all the wonderful activities that are held year around. Both videos will be put on the town’s website as well as being used for commercials on the internet and television. Mayor Marsha has enticed Delany Mitchell, a successful documentary film maker to help with the films. Ten years ago Maya and Del were high school sweethearts and planned a future together. Then Maya backed out of the relationship and left town. A confused and broken hearted Del also left Fool’s Gold soon after that. They will be collaborating on the videos. At this first meeting they both play it cool, even though they each have very conflicting emotions.
Maya’s best friend and confidante is Elaine Mitchell, Del’s mother. Elaine has always treated Maya like a beloved daughter. She shares a personal secret with Maya that Maya doesn’t want to keep, but she does. Elaine is planning a very large sixtieth birthday party for her famous husband, and she seems to be running on fumes. Having Del home will mean all five of her sons will be at the party.
THRILL ME is a story of dysfunctional family relationships, and how children are affected. Maya’s mother blamed all of her misfortunes on her daughter; Del’s father could not accept that Del had no artistic talent like three of his brothers did. Susan Mallery has penned an emotional story with an underlying them of learning to forget and forgive. THRILL ME is an awesome and poignant romantic tale with brilliantly drawn characters, moving story threads and humor.
Blake Smiley has built a custom home and training center in Thunder Point next to the mansion of Winnie Banks, an ex-Olympic skater and the mother of
Blake Smiley has built a custom home and training center in Thunder Point next to the mansion of Winnie Banks, an ex-Olympic skater and the mother of Grace “Izzy” Banks, also a gold medal skater. Sadly, Winnie has ALS. She is very fortunate to have a terrific nurse and companion in Lin Su Simmons. Lin Su is a single mom and her teen aged son, Charlie, has allergy and respiratory problems and she curtails his activities like a mother lion with her cub. Charlie is quite a character, and smart as a whip. He googled Blake and by the time the athlete moved into his new home, Charlie knew everything to know about the famous “Iron Man”. It doesn’t take long for the two to become good friends and Blake is trying to teach Charlie some techniques for coping with his asthma. This does not sit well with Lin Su.
Lin Su is an Amerasian, and has some sad memories of her mother before she was adopted by a wealthy American couple with two older daughters. She was rejected by the young man that got her pregnant, and her adoptive parents more or less kicked her out. Life hasn’t been easy for Lin Su and Charlie. Blake respects Lin Su greatly, especially the way she loves Charlie, but disagrees with the way she is protecting him and denying him the normal life of a teen. Charlie was the buffer between their disagreements, and Lin Su acquiesced to the males. Blake also helped them out of a dangerous situation at their rented trailer.
Yes, the sparks literally fly between the protagonists, but they eventually ignite into a smoldering passion. Everything is going smoothly until Charlie uncovers some family issues Lin Su didn’t want anyone to know about.
WILDEST DREAMS is another extremely satisfying story dealing with family issues and romance. Robyn Carr knocks out the ninth feel good tale of the fantastic characters living and loving in Thunder Point, Oregon. Old friends are there to greet us, and the first new resident is born in this issue.
After a horrible tragedy in the Danville family ten years ago, Lily Danville thought she was leaving Cedar Ridge, Colorado for good. Lily is back and she is jobless, and homeless, and discovers she only has one true friend in the world, Jonathan. Lily sent out numerous resumes, but it seems that the prank that got her fired as manager of a Chi-Chi hair salon in San Diego has caused her to be blackballed in all the better salons in this part of the country. Her longtime friend, Jonathan, has opened a shop in the Cedar Ridge Resort which is owned by the Kincaid family. Lily just doesn’t know if she can be able to see Aiden Kincaid on a regular basis. He was part of the reason she left home.
Seeing Lily again, after ten years, causes a powerful punch to Aiden’s solar plexus. She left without a farewell and truly broke his heart, and judging by his reaction today, his heart hasn’t mended. Their initial meeting is a classic piece of comedic scene and dialogue. Lily is such a lovable character, but carrying around too much baggage.
Jill Shalvis continues the Cedar Ridge series with her wonderful romantic and appealing characters. The Kincaid brothers – married Gray and single Aiden – are concerned because Char, their mom, is starting to date. After their sleaze ball father abandoned them years ago the family worries too much about her, and she’s tired of it! The Kincaid’s and Danville’s go back many years. Aiden wants it back like it was before.
SECOND CHANCE SUMMER is a very good story. There is plenty of love, laughter, deep and long lasting friendships to keep this lively tale moving along at just the right pace...more
If Hallie Hartley had not forgotten some papers she left at home, she would have been cheated out of a wonderful opportunity by her beautiful, unscrupulous stepsister, Shelly. Shelly and her mother had treated Hallie abysmally, and now that Ruby is dead she thinks Hallie should continue putting Shelly in first place. But, this trick that Shelly almost got by with has Hallie kicking her stepsister to the curb. When Hallie walked into her house she was shocked to see the famous architect Jared Montgomery talking to Shelly about her inheritance on Nantucket Island. Shelly and Jared have been corresponding, with Jared believing he was making a deal with Hallie. Hallie refuses to file any charges against her stepsister and accepts the deal that has been made in her behalf by deceit. She is to return to Nantucket with Jared today in a private plane; accept ownership of a house left to her by an unknown relative; and become the private physical therapist for a cousin of Jared’s, James Michael “Jamie” Taggert.
Shelly is beautiful, and she has sent Jamie portfolio pictures of herself, including one full length shot in a bikini. Hallie isn’t a dog, but compared to her stepsister – there is no comparison, so when Jamie meets the real Hallie he is stunned. Hallie believes it is because she isn’t a Shelly clone when in fact Jamie sees beneath the surface to the inner beauty and selflessness of Hallie, and falls in love at first sight. Hallie doesn’t know this, naturally, and goes into a defensive mode that takes her a long time to release.
Hallie’s house is like a dream come true for her. It’s a small, two-story with large, furnished bedrooms upstairs that have their own bathrooms. All of the accoutrements throughout the house are delicate and inviting, and the gardens are breathtaking. It also comes furnished with match making spirits, and dear, dear Edith, the elderly woman next door.
I didn’t want EVER AFTER to end, but because of Jude Deveraux’s smooth writing and even pace I couldn’t slow down my reading. All of the characters, including some we have met before, are outstanding. The clever dialogue and bon mots will keep a smile on your face. The relationship between Hallie and Jamie is simply delightful and the time travel story threads are superb.
Jude Deveraux is truly a maestro in the Romance genre with a wicked sense of humor and a tremendous talent for the written word.
Becca “Bex” Stuart is training for an endurance race when she runs near Tate Calder, a widower, watching Ben and Adam, his two young sons, playing in Pioneer Park. Tate, as usual, looks really good – neat and clean – and Bex is sweaty and probably smells a little ripe. Tate and his boys have recently moved to Mustang Creek, Wyoming. Her two BFFs, Hadley and Melody, are both married and pregnant; these friends think Bex should join them in their state of wedded bliss. She meets her friends for lunch and gets a surprise when their husbands join them and have Tate and his boys with them. Tate and Bex have met each other briefly a few times, and they both admit to themselves that there are some mighty strong currents arcing between them.
Bex’s sister, Tara, is having marital problems, and leaves her six year old son Josh with Bex while she “goes to find herself.” Josh doesn’t have time to wonder what has happened to his parents as he is part of a very loving group of adults and two little boys, with dogs, around his age to play with.
Tate and Bex begin dating and everything is so easy and good between them. The possible difficulties in taking their relationship to the next level loom. Tate knows he could easily fall for Bex, but has to consider how his children would be affected if they loved her also and the relationship fell apart. Bex knows if she could give her heart to anyone it would be Tate. Having Josh, Ben, and Adam with them gives all a happy glow. Surely, this familial feeling could be the key to everyone’s heart and happiness.
Linda Lael Miller concludes this series with a wonderful and poignant story. THE MARRIAGE SEASON is good reading with great characters that have a sizzling chemistry. Ms. Miller is a fantastic wordsmith that fills her tales with passion, humor, heartache, and love, and seems to always leave the reader very satisfied....more
Soraya Lane begins a sizzling hot trilogy about the uber-wealthy and handsome King Bro THE DEVIL WEARS SPURS Soraya Lane
St. Martin's Paperbacks July 2015
Soraya Lane begins a sizzling hot trilogy about the uber-wealthy and handsome King Brothers of Texas. The youngest of the brothers, Ryder, left the family’s ranching, land management, etc. behind to rodeo, and he is one of the best there is at riding broncos, groupies and bulls! He is in Texas Rodeo waiting for his next ride when he sees a beautiful woman in the crowd at about the same time she notices him. Chloe and Ryder are staring at each other and grinning like old friends. When Ryder gets thrown off the bull he was on, he finds Chloe in the crowd and asks her to dinner; she says no. This is a shock and a first for the good looking dude. He ends the evening in the back room of a bar playing in a high stakes poker game against a not-so-nice guy named Brent Parker. Ryder is flying high and taking everyone’s money. He notices the waitress serving his table, and lo and behold, it’s Chloe. Parker also notices Chloe and Ryder’s interest, and gets as obnoxious and chauvinistic as possible, which he knows will punch Ryder’s buttons.
Ryder challenges Parker to a quarter of a million dollars round of poker. When he is dealt a fantastic hand, he ups the ante. Parker calls the raise, but wants Ryder’s third of his Texas ranch thrown into the pot against several of Parker’s smaller ones.
Chloe and Ryder have a very push/pull connection. Strangely, Ryder thinks this beautiful stranger could be the one that could rope and brand him, but she sends such mixed signals. Chloe is totally besotted with this cowboy, but he is definitely not in her future. When she honestly believes she can walk away from him, she will give in to the enticement he holds over her. Chloe can help Ryder out of a horrible mess, but she has her price.
Soraya Lane has a smooth style of delivering THE DEVIL WEARS SPURS. Ms. Lane’s writing is skillful and her plotting is clean with just enough twists and temper. This first story in the Texas King series is truly hotter than a blazing six shooter!
Regan Summerside is very ambivalent toward Attorney Walker Boone. Her thoughts range from doing
DEMISE IN DENIM
Duffy Brown
Berkley Prime Crime April 2015
Regan Summerside is very ambivalent toward Attorney Walker Boone. Her thoughts range from doing evil things to him because he represented her ex in their divorce and really took the lady for all she had. Lately, however, those thoughts are strictly prurient, and she is desperately trying to clear his name for killing a man. Walker was last seen zooming off on Regan’s pink moped after he had given her a kiss-to-die-for and the keys to his classic cherry red Chevy convertible.
The deceased, Conway Adkins, has so many enemies it would be difficult for the police to pick one in particular. Unfortunately, Boone’s gun did the man in, and the lawyer was also standing over the body that was in a claw foot bathtub. However, one strong argument in Boone’s favor, is Conway left Boone a very valuable piece of property; of course that could also be a viable reason to kill the man who was also Boone’s father that had abandoned him as a child.
DEMISE IN DENIM brings back all of the residents that have lived in this part of Savannah from the beginning (see, read, and enjoy ICED CHIFFON), and they are all just as clever and unconventional as ever. Regan’s luck goes from bad to pitiful starting with a bully of a detective that is out to get her, to some of her best customers trying to put her out of business. And, Boone is going to probably kill her when he surfaces because she hasn’t taken very good care of his pride and joy – his classic Chevy. The punishment won’t start immediately, though, because there’s a beginning to what could be a beautiful romance.
Duffy Brown has penned a delightful and chaotic mystery that is pure entertainment. It’s possible you will have a smile on your face all the way to the very bombshell of an ending.