Passion and emotion are equally powerful in author Kate Walker's poignant romance, "The Italian's Forced Bride". Domenico Parrisi never gave his heartPassion and emotion are equally powerful in author Kate Walker's poignant romance, "The Italian's Forced Bride". Domenico Parrisi never gave his heart, and no woman ever walked out on him. What he started, he brought to a halt when the time came. He worked hard, building his own fortune in the computer industry, and when he had time, he played just as hard as he worked. When he met Alice Howard, he never expected that she would be the exception to the rule. On a working holiday in Florence, Italy, Alice met Domenico at the restaurant where she waitressed. The chemistry was instant and combustible, and an immediate, highly passionate affair ensued. Domenico made it clear from the start that he had no interest in marriage--he had no interest in commitment. Alice tried to listen, letting her body do the thinking, but her heart had a louder voice. She fell in love, and then fell prey to vicious gossip about Domenico and his "other woman". She left him and returned to England. Two months later, she sends word that she must speak with him, and soon he is angrily ringing the bell to her small cottage. Their meeting is fiery, passionate, and then changes all together when he discovers she is pregnant. He insists that they marry, but before the ceremony can take place, their child is lost to a miscarriage. Will the emotion which so often was hidden by the passion between fully bloom into a lasting love? Domenico is much more than the hard-edged business mogul known to the world, but can he let go of painful childhood secrets and trust his heart to Alice? Does she have the courage to once again take a chance on loving him? The title, "The Italian's Forced Bride", doesn't really do justice to this compelling romance from talented author Kate Walker. If you love heart-felt romance blended with sizzling passion, then you will very much enjoy this book. ...more
One of my favorite ghosts is "Dev" from a paranormal romance with an unusual twist: "Hundreds of Years to Reform a Rake" by Laurie Brown. A modern carOne of my favorite ghosts is "Dev" from a paranormal romance with an unusual twist: "Hundreds of Years to Reform a Rake" by Laurie Brown. A modern career woman is thrust back in time into the glittering Regency period and the arms of an unscrupulous rake. Josephine Drummond is a professional paranormal researcher (aka, a ghostbuster) hired to prove that the ghost of Lord Deverell Thornton, the very handsome Earl and a notorious rake in his time, haunts the crumbling Waite Castle. But the ghost drags Josephine back to the Regency period to help him try to prevent the swindle that impoverished the Earl and threatens to turn his castle into a most undignified modern-day tourist attraction. Josephine has to contend with being a modern career woman trying to navigate the complex social scene of the Regency period, make sure no one discovers her real identity and unmask a charlatan. But all of these are easier than resisting her undeniable attraction to the Earl, who is clearly determined to sweep her off her feet. Very good read!...more
"THE OPPOSITE OF LOVE", by Julie Buxbaum, takes one an emotional journey right along with Emily, the young lawyer who tells her own tale. Like most of"THE OPPOSITE OF LOVE", by Julie Buxbaum, takes one an emotional journey right along with Emily, the young lawyer who tells her own tale. Like most of us, Emily has compartmentalized deep emotional issues and functioned fairly well on a day-to-day basis. What proves to be her undoing, and ultimately her salvation, is the the tenderness with which she is loved by the good-hearted Andrew. When she realizes that Andrew is beginning to think of a permanent commitment, Emily immediately ends their relationship. Things begin to unravel for Emily without Andrew, and she must face many long-postponed issues before she is free to reach out for the joy which awaits....more
BURNING BRIDGES by Anne Krist is a powerful love story which reminds us that real love is imperfect and complex, but well worth having. Sara and Paul BURNING BRIDGES by Anne Krist is a powerful love story which reminds us that real love is imperfect and complex, but well worth having. Sara and Paul were young lovers kept apart by manipulation and self-doubt. Sara believes Paul was killed in Vietnam, and he never knew that she bore his child. Decades later, Sara receives recently discovered letters written by Paul from Vietnam. Her mother had blocked most of the letters they had written to each other. Her father had told her that Paul had been killed in the line of duty. Sara decides to visit Paul's parents to tell them that they have a grown daughter. When she reaches his family's farm, she finds Paul himself! Many deep emotional issues are faced before the love which Paul and Sara have always felt for each other burns old bridges and builds new ones into the future. ...more
"FORGET ME KNOT", by Sue Margolis, is a naughty bit of British fluff, infused with humor and amorous escapades. The heroine of the story, Abby, runs a"FORGET ME KNOT", by Sue Margolis, is a naughty bit of British fluff, infused with humor and amorous escapades. The heroine of the story, Abby, runs a successful flower shop, but her life is filled with people who are not always whom they would appear to be. Her fiance, Toby, is impeccably gorgeous and increasingly remote. She meets an attractive and kind young man, Dan, when they become stuck together in an elevator. He seems to be a regular Joe, struggling to complete the low-budget film he wrote, directed and produced. He's definitely sexy, sweet, and creative. Is there more to him than meets the eye? Homosexuality, religion, race, and social classes are tossed around like dice. You'll rethink some of your own feelings toward unconventional people as you laugh all the way through this lighthearted tale.