Loose Change 2001
Louis McKee
Marsh River Press
M233 Marsh Road, Marshfield, WI 54449
No ISBN, $4 plus S&H
Karla Huston
Reviewer
Philadelphia's Louis McKee's poems slip into your ear so easily, so quietly that you don't realize
their
full impact until you're finished and left shivering with a sense of loss, wondering what happened.
Many of them deal with failed love, doomed love, the narrator a man who--like you--has been left
to
wonder what has happened. Yet in these poems, there is always hope that the next "Plane to La
Paz"
will bring fulfillment of many wishes, carry the narrator-and reader--off to new dreams, balance
you
both somehow in fresh expectation.
McKee's language is simple; his word choice is careful, but never cautious. He is a man in love
with
language, a man whose poems love many women, sometimes just because they are women. He
begins with "Ancient History," a poem about the beginning of language and sexual discovery. He
ends with "Lake Effect," a poem in which the narrator finds that what he needs is behind him,
another loss of sorts but a homecoming as well. What unravels between are twenty-one poems,
stunning in their imagery, their clarity.
Some poems exult in love and lust, both gratifying and unexpected. In one the poet imagines a
woman walking bare-assed across a Jersey beach, he too stupefied by the sight or her to even
write
haiku. In another the poet falls in love with a woman for her politics, the pronunciation of her
hard
"g-s". In a third, the poet hopes that the husband of the object of his desire takes care:
"let him tend, then, to his tasks/ for both, for all our sakes."
Some poems shudder with loneliness and loss. In the title poem, "Loose Change," the narrator
pays
fifty cents for poems written by other poets-a way to buy time before he has to go back to his
troubles. What he gets, he fingers like coins in his pocket, something to carry him away, act as a
talisman against pain. Many of these poem start in simple images, but loss fills them, a kind of
wistful regret, maybe. Still they often end well, the possibility of the unexpected trembling, like a
kiss that still burns in the morning. In the poem "Revision," the only thing that matters anymore is
the memory:
"The moon will tell you that it is a short story words were said that couldn't be taken back,
couldn't
be changed. The differences between what two people thought and what was said is a wildfire;
you
can see it burning like moonlight on a peaceful river, the white moon given to easy shadows."
The sexual nature of these poems is neither shy nor self-conscious. In "The Nurturing" the poet
shows how he-with the blessings of his best friend-samples the breast milk of his friend's wife.
This
simple act creates a rebirth for the narrator. "So it was mindless really, when/I pulled away, a
different man now,/coming through a different childhood. ." In the poem "The Flower Show," the
poet teases the reader with sweet flower images juxtaposed against the undressing his lady for
love-making--those "shy petals, shy nipples, soft hearts." All it takes is five couplets to make her
fall
in love.
McKee is a writer of tremendous gifts. Each poem pays tribute to words, his manipulation of
image
and a sense of touch. McKee's words distill experience, no matter how tender, how troubling. The
poems find their centers in language and in memory. Each poem is constructed out of what the
poet
knows, the substance of his experience-that and the emotional context of that experience. In spite
of
the longing, the loss, these poems somehow make sense.
The Million Dollar Mermaid: An Autobiography
Esther Williams with Digby Diehl
Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 14th fl., New York, NY 10020
0684852845 $26.00 1-800-223-2336
Jim Sullivan
Reviewer
This movie star-crossed life story of Esther Williams goes from her birth on August 8, 1922 up to
the present day and her fourth and most recent husband. She had qualified with her outstanding
swimming ability for the 1940 Olympics. Sadly, that world competition was canceled because of
World War II. Even so, in the summer of that year, she became the swimming star of Billy Rose's
Acquacade Show at the San Francisco Exposition. There she performed feats in the water with
Johnny Weissmuller.
In the Acquacade, Esther's swimming talent was noticed and Hollywood soon came calling.
Despite
many attempts by studio moguls, including Louis B. Mayer, to get her on their 'casting couch,' she
managed to zig-zag her way safely around it. Still, she would manage to eventually get star billing
at
MGM Studios in her swimming films. Among them were Neptune's Daughter, Dangerous When
Wet, and Million Dollar Mermaid. They made the studio lots of money for which she's admired
and
honored.
Her private life has less in it to revere. Specifically, her choice in husbands was the pits,
particularly
her third mate, Fernando Lamas. If Billy Crystal, the comedian, read this bio, he might remark
about
Fernando, "You don't look so mahvelous!" For Lamas, she gave up her career. In exchange, he
agreed not to fool around with other women.
He would, of course, demand the show business limelight. His narcissism was deplorable but
understandable. Esther's subservience, on the other hand, isn't even fathomable. Why would she
accept Lamas' dictum, for instance, that her children couldn't even live in the same home with
their
mother? And why did she go along with that for 22 years?
Esther's attachment to Lamas, and all that she put up with from him right through to his death, is
astounding. She refers to that relationship of over two decades as being 'tethered' to Fernando.
Being chained mind, body, and spirit to Lamas would be a more accurate description. And what
makes this even more unbelievable is that before those two got together, Esther was perhaps the
most self-assured, rational, and assertive female star in all of Hollywood.
After reading about Esther's love affair and marriage to Lamas, this reviewer was reminded of
lesser
known women who also made great sacrifices for their men. That young mother in the Carolinas
who sat her own kids in the back seat of her car, put it in gear, and let it drive into a lake where
her
children drowned comes to mind. And she'd done that allegedly because her boyfriend at the time
said he didn't want her if she had kids. The same unreasoning may exist between women and their
pimps. The female loves her man so much that she's willing to turn tricks as a prostitute to earn
him
money. Esther, naturally, didn't go that far. But they would all seem to be of the same
mindset.
"Fernando died on Friday, October 8," [1982] she writes. "He had family with him always; he was
never alone. To the very end, I honored the commitment I'd made to him so long ago in Cypress
Gardens to set aside Esther Williams and take care of him like the mother he'd lost when he was
four. It wasn't always easy, but I kept my promise until his final death."
A courageously revealing, well written autobiography filled with juicy tidbits about other movie
stars
too, like Gene Kelley, Victor Mature, Jeff Chandler, Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Lana Turner,
and
more. Highly recommended.
A New Attitude
Charlotte Hughes
Mira Books
ISBN #1551668637, $TBA, http://www.divorcedoc.com
David John Berndt, Ph.D.
Reviewer
This comic romance is an uplifting book that demonstrates what you can do after you feel you've
lost everything, and need to start over. Ms. Hughes message is both powerful and funny, and her
characters are quite memorable. Her secondary characters are full of southern charm and wit. Ms.
Hughes has won several awards. Her suspense novels for Avon won her two Maggie awards, and
another nomination. She is clearly a versatile writer, and her turn to comedy is welcome. Marilee
Abernathy is a tad upset when her minister husband, Grady, leaves her for the town floozy. To
make
it worse her 15 year-old son goes with him to the Pleasure Palace, blaming his mother for the
breakup, and for being overprotective. Marilee tries to commit suicide, with tragic-comic results.
Sam Brewer, whose come home to stay with his mother who is sick, comes to Marilee's rescue.
Marilee knew Sam from high school and he had a reputation with the ladies and is handsome and
charming and full of himself. Sam always had an eye for Marilee but then she married Grady.
Marilee's fun and frisky friends rally around her, and help her get her new attitude, and a new life.
It
isn't an easy thing to do but Marilee finds out she can do a lot more than she thought she could.
She
can play the piano and sing, so gets a job at a nightclub part time, and a second job at a friend's
funeral home. Some hilarious situations arise that will surely leave you laughing. Others are quite
touching. Sam and Marilee explore ambivalently their mutual attraction and friendship. Marilee's
efforts to win back her son are realistic and heartwarming. A New Attitude is an excellent read,
full
of humor and southern charm.
Cindy's Bookshelf
The Crooked Birdcage
Lynda Lee Roux
Domhan Books
9511 Shore Road, Suite 614, Brooklyn, NY 11209
ISBN 1583459391, hardcover $19.95, paperback $13.95, eBook $7.00, 182 pages
Security expert Jon Nicolson's contradictions leave Samantha Burnes baffled. He seems at once
attracted and repelled by her, and Samantha would like to know why. Certainly their unfortunate
introduction didn't go well, but she's learned to appreciate noisy children and ragged dogs. Since
Jon
entered her carefully controlled life, it seems to have taken a dive into chaos. Jon has a secret with
the power to destroy his budding relationship with Samantha. Even as he knows he should
withdraw, he can't seem to resist the allure of this feisty lady. As they approach the brink of
destruction, their love shimmers and sparkles with newness and beauty. But with criminal forces
coming between them, even love may have difficulty finding the way. As an American, I get big
kick
out the setting for The Crooked Bird Cage. Planting tulips that bloom in September, language
choices, and attitudes that vary so drastically from my ordinary expectations make for an
interesting
read. While the plot would have benefited from more fleshing out, the interplay between the
characters was terrific. Interfering neighbors, well meaning parents and charming children
combine
with a strong hero and heroine to create a entertaining read. The Crooked Bird Cage comes
recommended.
Faith, Love, And Overcoming My Battle With Addiction
Dr. Dale
American Book Publishing
325 East 2400 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84115
ISBN 1930586515, $18.00, Paperback, 228 pages
A must read - Very highly recommended
Dr. Dale is an osteopathic physician and assistant professor of family medicine at the Ohio
University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He is the father of four daughters and the husband of
a
loving woman. He is also an addict and alcoholic. This is his story. Through a childhood bound by
extreme poverty and laced with abuse through his college years, Dr. Dale explores the events and
the reactions that led to his decision to turn to chemicals. He doesn't hide behind his dysfunctional
family, but he does explore his relationships with family members and friends. Obsession and
compulsion, ego and self-destruction each take a turn in the development of his disease. From
living
on the streets to living out of a van, Dr. Dale's odyssey culminates in medical school. He takes
seven
years to complete what most medical students do in four, while struggling to fulfill his
responsibilities to a wife and children. Yet rather than gaining the success his graduation should
have
given him, Dr. Dale squares off with his addiction. Scripts, sample drugs from the cabinet,
happenstance and coincidence nurtured his disease. As denial gives way to desperation, he finally
seeks the treatment he needs. If you've ever attended an open meeting for AA, you might have
heard
a speaker share "how it was, what happened, what it's like now." That's exactly what Dr. Dale
presents in Faith, Love And Overcoming My Battle With Addiction. Dr. Dale's words leap off the
page with a self-honesty that can't help but touch the reader's heart. Having attending many
twelve-step meetings, I felt as if I had stepped back into one while reading Dr. Dale's story. While
his tale is far from unique, it is a story many addicts and alcoholics will identify with. Very highly
recommended.
The Slam Club: How To Stop Miserable People From Making You Miserable
Michelle Beaudry
The Wellness Institute and Selfhelpbooks.com
c/o Wellness Institute, Inc.
Heritage Office Park, 1007 Whitney Ave., Gretna, LA 70056
ISBN 1587410818, $TBA, 167 pp., Self-Help, July 2001
Something everyone should read -- Very highly recommended
Malcontents and hostile gossipers thrive in our society, gathering to compulsively denounce other
people, places or things. These people are members of the Slam Club, according to author
Michelle
Beaudry, who one day realized she was a card carrying member of the club. She decided to
change:
"I wanted contentious people out of my life without creating more contention." Beaudry observes
that healthy people want facts; slammers prefer stories. Slammers are easy to identify: They are
always right. They do not accept nor give apologies. They are competitive in every area of their
lives. Slammers also pick at their targets behind their backs. Nothing is ever their fault and blame
is
their strongest tool. To be hurt by a Slammer, however, one must also be a Slammer. Like
voodoo,
it only works if you believe. Beaudry also demonstrates how it possible to be around members of
the
Slam Club with participating yourself. Further, she shows how Slammers are not necessarily
abusers.
An Abuser's actions directly affect the physical or psychological well-being of the victim.
Slammers
engage in hateful, hurtful small talk. Although Slamming may be subtler than abuse, it still affects
the
quality of work or home and tasks left unfinished. And, like abuse, Slamming hurts people.
Michelle
Beaudry brings tremendous self-honesty, energy and humor to her nonfiction The Slam Club.
Anecdotes from her experience with Slamming bring life to this self-help book, lending it her
comic
voice, yet allowing the truth of her statements to ring through. Readers will quickly find
themselves
recognizing the slamming that frequently occurs in their presence in the guise of ordinary
conversation. Readers who are slammers themselves will easily come to realize the damaging
effect
their behavior has on others. A wonderfully written, concisely presented tool that everyone should
read, The Slam Club comes very highly recommended.
Sweet Success
Susan Mallery
Pocket Books
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10020-1586
ISBN 0743405951, $TBA, Mass Market Paperback, 336 pages
Be ready to approach chocolate with reverence and awe - Very highly recommended
Contemporary
Romance.
At thirty, all that Allison Thomas can claim is a gourmet chocolate shop and a cat, even if she is a
great rescuer of people and pets. Further, she's not sure which is worse, her mother's frequent
desire
for grandchildren speech or the makeover speech. When the new handyman Matt Baker shows up
to
install shelves in her shop, he's not terribly amused by either Allison or her mother. Then he learns
that Ali's food is more than sustenance, it's an experience. A single truffle leads to his downfall as
Matt sees Ali handling challenges the same way she handles chocolate-delicately but with
command.
Ali tells Matt that he doesn't eat her food, doesn't talk much, and doesn't play well with others.
When she offers him food twice in one day, Matt simply pegs her for a meddler. But then, Matt's
a
mass of contradictions. Well spoken and well educated, Matt's something of a mystery. He
carefully
keeps to himself; worried Ali might learn his secrets. Despite that fact that he doesn't want
rescuing,
Matt finds himself falling into a comfortable routine as he becomes part of Ali's small town. Too
bad
he believes that there's no way to make peace with what he's done. Author Susan Mallery brings
her
customary verve to Sweet Success. She sweetly captures the contradictions of living in a
delightful
microcosm of life: small town mentality, cosmopolitan troubles, and a cast of characters straight
from everyone's backyard. In addition to zany primary characters, the secondary characters are a
riot, especially the flawless, perfectly coifed mother who has a rather large pig as pet - a pig that
likes a treat with her morning coffee. The kind of mother, that is, that flat out declares to Matt,
"You're not happy material," after confiding secrets of her love life from thirty years before. Rick,
Ali's gay brother is also great for a load of laughs and quaint observations. A lovely, light read
guaranteed to bring the satisfaction of really great chocolate, Mallery's latest offering is a Sweet
Success. Very highly recommended.
The Witness
Ginna Gray
Mira Books
225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9
ISBN 1551668327, $TBA, Mass Market Paperback, 377 pages
When Carlo Giovessi executes a man for stealing drugs from him, a witness unwittingly puts her
life
on the line. Pianist Lauren Brownly hears her own death ordered when mob boss Carlo realizes
she
hasn't left the nightclub. She reports the killing to the Denver PD believes she's Carlo's mistress.
Now the FBI steps into the case, planning to keep Lauren safe until she can testify. Agent Sam
Grey
Wolf Rowlins is assigned to the case. Sam sets aside his previous investigation into an insider
turned
rogue to assume care of Lauren. The Bureau has been investigating Carlo for years, but every
time
they got close, something went wrong from tapered evidence to dead witnesses. Extreme
coincidence suggests the truth to lie with a corrupt agent. When a plane crash-lands Sam and
Lauren
miles from civilization and obviously pursued by FBI agents gone bad, they must hike through
knee-deep snow and blizzard conditions to reach safety. As they learn to rely upon and trust one
another, the ember of attraction lead to a fiery passion even the deepest snows can't drown. Sam's
antagonism and aloofness toward Lauren, unfairly earned, can initially alienate the reader, but the
feelings his ill humor conceal will sway even the hardest of hearts in The Witness. This richly
textured plot keeps the pages turning quickly, as Lauren and Sam's traitorous emotions and
survival
skills keep them alive. The vividly realized characterizations, including fascinating secondary
characterizations, give The Witness a fascinating depth. Further, Lauren's path to learning
independence as she redefines her immediate past and her immediate future leads to terrific
character
growth. Highly recommended.
Unforgivable
Tina Wainscott
St. Martin's Press
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
ISBN 0312979088, $6.50, Mass Market Paperback, 368 pages
Secrets and shadows -- Very highly recommended Romantic Suspsense
A man filled with secrets and shadows, "Spooky" Silas Koole has watched Katie Malloy from a
distance for years. Ever since the day she trusted him enough to ask for help, Silas has kept tabs
even as she married another man and established a quiet life in the backwoods with her
veterinarian
husband Ben. When the townsfolk realize that there's a serial killer in their midst, they
immediately
assume that Silas must be guilty. After all, an illegal search links him to many of the killings, and
produced graphic pictures and text that indicate his guilt. Worse, his supernatural ability to
empathetically connect to the illusive killer has him doubting his own innocence. Ben has loved
being Katie's hero from the day when she was nine and brought in a damaged kitten until now.
When
her mother died in a shocking suicide, he'd found the child a place to live and waited for her to
grow
into womanhood. He married her at eighteen, loving the innocence of the woman-child. At
twenty-seven, she finds herself as dependant upon Ben as she had been as a child. But she feels
terribly guilty for not being the woman he needs. Especially when Silas can stir womanly needs
Katie
has never acknowledge, and seems to know about her than she knows about herself. Author Tina
Wainscott exchanges her usual romance for an over the top suspense novel that will keep the
reader
avidly turning the pages. Rich characterization and a fluid plot result in a memorable tale of love
and
murder. Indeed, Unforgivable delivers a graphic, insightful look at the thin line that separates the
good from the evil that lurks within all of us. The truly disturbing context and careful
manipulation
of people and events gives the reader an unexpected and frightening look from behind the eyes of
a
killer whose actions are unforgivable. Wainscott's prose reflects an empathy for each of her
memorable characters that makes Unforgivable a must read! Very highly recommended.
Night Of The Blackbird
Heather Graham
Mira Books
225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9
ISBN 1551668122, $6.99, Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages
Divided loyalties - Very highly recommended Romance
Kelly's Pub, a family-owned establishment in Boston, becomes the center of a family reunion and
possible terrorist plot during a St. Patrick's Day celebration. When her mother calls warning that
her
father's health isn't well, TV producer Moira Kelly changes her plans and brings she show to
Boston.
The plans for the pub and her family provide insight for viewers into the way of the Irish from
recipes to lore. When Moira learns that a certain Belfast politician plans to celebrate the holiday
with
Bostonians, she also decides to invite him to her show. Soon Moira finds herself thrust into
danger
and intrigue, as she learns that "Blackbird" represents more than the name of the band or Kelly
invented beverage, it also seems to be a code word linking pub patrons to political ideologies and
dangerous plots. In addition to professional concerns, Moira also finds her loyalties challenged in
her
private life. She brings her new love, Michael McLean to Boston, despite the fact that her old
flame
Daniel O'Hara is also visiting her family. Torn between stability and passion, Moira struggles with
her common sense and her heart. Worse, she also feels her loyalties challenged by her brother's
frequent mysterious absences, secrets whispered in the darkness, and new revelations about
Danny's
past. Add a killer of prostitutes that seems connected to the conspiracy, as well as her father's best
friend's death, and Moira finds herself in imminent danger. Heather Graham strikes the perfect
balance between romance and suspense in Night Of The Blackbird. While terrorist plots may be a
bit
difficult to read in the wake of the recent US bombing, for those with an appetite for intrigue,
Night
Of The Blackbird will prove quite satisfying. The complexity of plot, richness of historical detail,
and
multitude of suspects keeps the reader enthralled. Further, the heroine struggles with first
generation
Irish-American, including family idiosyncrasies, political entanglements and multiple loyalties,
thereby adding tremendous richness of this nvel. Combined with a beautifully written love story
and
thought provoking philosophical asides, Night Of The Blackbird comes very highly
recommended.
Many Lives, Many Masters
Brian L. Weiss
Fireside Book
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
ISBN 0671657860, Paperback, 219 pages
Very highly recommended Reincarnation/Spirituality
Trained in the scientific method, Dr. Brian Weiss graduated from the Yale University School of
Medicine where he also completed his residency in psychiatry. Currently Chairman of Psychiatry
at
the Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami, Dr. Weiss had always followed the conservative paths
of
his profession; that is, until remarkable patient entered his office and profoundly changed his life
both professionally and privately. Catherine arrived at the Department of Psychiatry seeking relief
from chronic fears and anxieties. Eighteen months of intensive psychotherapy did not eliminate
Catherine's anxiety and panic attacks. Using hypnotherapy to regress Catherine to the beginning
of
early trauma, Dr. Weiss had unexpected results. Catherine spontaneously moved beyond her birth
into this life to account previous lives. Their resulting explorations of Catherine's previous lives
not
only healed her anxiety disorder, but resulted in spiritual lessons for Dr. Weiss. Between the
recounting of various lives, Catherine would pause and wait. In those quite moments while she
would wait for the next lifetime, another voice would come forward. The voice of the Masters,
those who guide souls from one lifetime to another, began speaking to Dr. Weiss, sharing
knowledge, for "by knowledge we approach God." The voice of the Masters, over the following
months, imparted to Dr. Weiss his role as teacher. The result was a complete spiritual
transformation
that eradicated all of his fear of death and dying. Brian L Weiss's Many Lives, Many Masters has
sat
on my shelf for the better part of a year. I went looking this morning for the book I planned to
review today, and couldn't find it. I later realized that the cats knocked it between bed and the
nightstand. On impulse, I picked up this book instead; only a few pages in I realized why. In the
devastating aftermath of this country's grief, finding answers and comfort is difficult, even for
those
far removed from the personal tragedy. Within the Weiss' words lie comfort, an understanding of
he
divine plan and the lessons we come to this planet to learn. Weiss' spiritual awakening touched my
heart profoundly in the wake of the terrorist bombing, as the voices of the Masters remind us, no
tragedy is pointless. Within the event lie important lessons. Very highly recommended.
Girls! Girls! Girls!
Charley Scholl
Charley Scholl Productions
9240 County N, Marshfield, WI 54449
ISBN 0965549801, $8.99, 98 pages
Darkly fascinating -- Highly recommended for Ages 9-12
Three sisters, ages 10, 11, and 12 join their parents for a fantastic cruise to celebrate their
mother's
graduation from college. Ordinary trip preparations include a shopping expedition in which the
oldest daughter praises her mother for allowing her the freedom to grow up when she chooses a
bikini for their planned days in the sun. But the ordinary quickly gives way to extraordinary when
the
oldest two sisters over hear a couple's whispered conversation. The couple are planning a
shipboard
wedding, fleeing the woman's dangerous and demented ex-husband Larry. At the hotel where the
family stays before boarding the ship, the sisters see a mysterious man following the loving
couple,
and quickly deduce him to be the dangerous Larry. When they see him again aboard ship watching
the wedding, conducted by the captain, the girls overhear Larry's threatening mutterings. Soon the
entire ship is danger as a hurricane blows in just as Larry blows up two decks of the ship. The
three
girls wind up in the same boat as the now drunken Larry and an old woman with a heart
condition.
They must be willing to do anything to live to see their parents again. In a modern day Robinson
Crusoe tale for girls, Charley Scholl presents an amazing resourceful and unorthodox tale in Girls,
Girls, Girls. Told from a preteen perspective with a slant toward their amazing capabilities, this
tale
of adventure demonstrates the remarkable abilities of young girls. Not for the weak at heart, this
is a
story of empowerment in the face of severe adversity. Some readers may find the story a bit
improbable or darker than their ordinary taste, but for the strong hearted, this is a book not to be
missed. Highly recommended.
The Feelings And Imagination Of A Barefoot Boy Still Inside My Head!
Richard W. Carlson, Kevin Carlson (Illustrator)
iUniverse.com
5220 S 16th, Ste. 200, Lincoln, NE 68512
ISBN 0595181317, $TBA, 101 pages
Imaginative! Very highly recommended for Ages 9 - 12
Author Richard W. Carlson Jr. Brings echoes of maturity to freshly imaginative short stories and
poetry in The Feelings And Imagination Of Barefoot Boy Still Inside My Head. The sparkling
ingenuous voice of remembered youth sparkles, recapturing the best of childhood and strongest of
memories in a startling original record certain to please young readers. The rhythm and rhyme
keep
the tempo steadily on high, recreating runaway frogs, black eyes, broccoli and walking barefoot
with
equal vividness. Accompanied by simple, yet skillfully drawn illustrations (by the author's younger
brother), this marvelous lark comes highly recommended.
Jeremy Grabowski's Crazy Summer In Stormville!
Richard W. Carlson
iUniverse.com
5220 S 16th, Ste. 200, Lincoln, NE 68512
ISBN 0595173438, $TBA, 120 pages
Fast paced adventure -- Highly recommended for Ages 9 - 12
1978 in Stormville, New York finds Jeremy Grabowski wondering if he's going to survive another
crazy summer. Absolute frustration with his brother and sister leaves Jeremy wishing that he'd
been
born an only child. His mother cautions him to be careful what he wishes for. Worse, now he finds
out that his family might be moving to Arizona. Jeremy doesn't want to move, even if his dad
promises they'll have their own swimming pool. Stormville's a fun place to live, even if a girl likes
him, his brother and sister drive him crazy, and the worst bully ever lives just down the road.
Author
Richard W. Carlson Jr draws from his own childhood experience of living in Stormville, New
York
to create Jeremy Grabowski's Crazy Summer In Stormville! Written from the perspective of a
ten-year-old, this fun tale will be immediately appreciated by that age-range, though the rest of us
may have to remember being ten to "get it." But once you've got it, Carlson has a knack for
sweeping you away in the madcap adventure with extreme enthusiasm, when living for the
moment
was the only way to live. Jeremy's friends and family are vividly realized, with political and
historical
background that will keep adults entertained as well as preteens. Jeremy Grabowski's Crazy
Summer
In Stormville! is highly recommended.
Heaven Sent
Rachel Wilson
Jove/Berkley Publishing Group
375 Hudson Street, Sew York, NY 10014
ISBN 0515131814, $TBA, Mass Market Paperback, 336 pages
A wonderful afternoon's read! Highly recommended Historical Romance
Callie Prophet might be the bane of Aubrey Lockhart's existence, but she is also his daughter
Becky's salvation. When Aubrey looses himself too deeply in his own grief over his beloved wife
to
be emotionally available to his child, it is the town's post mistress who answers the child's letters
addressed to her mother in heaven. And it is the same woman who gives up her job for an
opportunity to become Becky's nanny. While she doesn't meet Aubrey's preconception of a nanny
(they should be gray headed, hard of hearing and matronly), Callie does know how to bring
laughter
back into the child's life. Too bad Aubrey's own life can't be resolved so easily. Now his wife is
dead,
his daughter's in the clutches of a mad nanny, and a huge black cat named Monster is determined
to
wreck havoc upon his home. Callie sometimes believes she's been left on the marriage shelf simply
because she doesn't control her deplorable behavior. Outspoken, bodacious and daring, Callie
doesn't hold her tongue in the face of wrong doing -- be it a child who's neglected by a father or a
society matron bent upon passing along ruinous gossip. Further, it was letters that brought Becky
into her life, and love letters Aubrey wrote to his deceased wife that caused her to fall in love with
him. Too bad it could be letters that also destroy her chance at love before she's truly experienced
it.
If the plot follows convention a bit too predictably, then these remarkable characters become the
breath of fresh air in Heaven Sent by Rachel Wilson. As his overwhelming grief abates, the hero's
ability to laugh and to enjoy his daughter again can't help but touch the reader's heart. Further, the
heroine's irrepressible spirit and determination to help the grieving child provide the perfect
counterbalance to the hero's gloom. The pivot point, the six-year-old child that brings this couple
together, is perfectly captured in both her newfound happiness, and her terror of the horrible
great-aunt who threatens her home. This great-aunt is marvelous villain, as isthe Monster cat that
manages to wreck his own brand of havoc. Indeed, this extraordinary cast of characters results in
a
read that comes highly recommended.
How to Survive Your Bipolar Brain (And Stay Functional)
Bob Bradley
Emerald Publishing
9700 Almeda Geonoa #502, Houston TX 77075
ISBN 1885373430, $TBA, paperback, 147 pages
An excellent resource -- Highly recommended Psychololgy
Bob Bradley doesn't promise a cure for bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression), but he
does promise to share how to become functional. With an illness that deprives the patient of
families,
jobs, friends and sometimes their life, functional is good: "If a manic-depressive can stay out of
the
hospital and functional, that's success." Dispelling myth and heresy from fact, Bradley carefully
details what it feels like to be manic-depressive. With shared incidents from his own experience,
Bradley describes the dark demon of depression as well as the manic highs. His key to
successfully
living with his illness lies with treatment and exercise. Making and loosing several fortunes and
then
declaring bankruptcy led to hospitalization and diagnosis. Self-acceptance, that is, acceptance of
his
illness and his limits, also are key to recovery. While some of the information Bob Bradley
provides
in How To Survive Your Bipolar Brain may seem repetitive, perhaps repetition is the one of the
tools for coping with this illness. Reading the same advice, from several perspectives reinforces
the
importance of remaining on medication, for example. Indeed, Bradley provides insightful, sensible
suggestions for functioning well with bipolar disorder. His tone, while light and self-deprecating,
never belies the seriousness of the message; that is, the message clearly imparts wisdom with the
surety of someone who has lived the hells and heavens of this illness. As the spouse of a man with
bipolar disorder, I found Bradley's text highly informative, and recommend this book to anyone
seeking an understanding of this devastating illness.
Change Of Heart
Jack Allen
Burping Frog Publishing
6654 Harding, Taylor, MI 48180
ISBN 0738867306, $TBA, Paperback, 318 pages
Very highly recommended Fiction
Nothing is ever routine with Navy Intelligence operative Joshua McGowan, who lives by his own
code of honor. His newest partner considered him as passive as an old head of lettuce until the
bullets began flying and Josh did his Bruce Willis imitation. In the flicker of a moment, Josh goes
from lettuce to a bloodthirsty killing machine intent upon his mission. But when the heat of the
moment passes, Josh can't help wondering how he gets into these messes. Josh McGowan began
his
service in a Special Forces outfit, where he interfered with the function of the KGB making an
avowed enemy of Colonel Mironov, the KGB controller for many Soviet operatives Josh
encountered in the field. During the Cold War, Colonel Maronov had been a thorn in the side of
Josh's boss. With the end of the Cold War, enemies become allies as Colonel Mironov promises
the
location of Valeria Konstantinova with the provision Josh is the man to bring her in. Valeria
knows
the location of Dr. Otto Jones, an explosive expert who is aiding the Communist Party in its effort
to
overthrow Russia's new democratic leadership. The CIA freed Valeria from prison and smuggled
to
the Siberian coast. Now Josh must bring her back to the States. Valeria Konstantinova is a serious
threat to the security of the Communist Party. If she were to share what she knows with western
intelligence agencies, the Party would be set back a hundred years. During her short service to the
KGB and directed by Mironov, she slept with more than twenty of the most powerful men in the
Kremlin. A whore for the KGB, she is determined that her service is done, and she wants nothing
more than to slip away with the man she loves. Unfortunately, Mironov plays a dirty game,
planning
to double-cross the United States and use Valeria to resurrect Communist Russia. Novelist Jack
Allen presents the sleuthing world with Change Of Heart. An action packed thriller, Change Of
Heart keeps the heart pounding rapidly and keeps the pages turning swiftly as it moves from the
murky depths of Soviet waer to exotic Tokyo to the heart of the Kremlin. Espionage, betrayal of
friend and country, and power provide strong motivation for this plot-driven spy thriller. Josh is
no
James Bond, with women clutching his elbows and supreme self-confidence. Instead, he's a
refreshingly original hero with attitude, vulnerabilities, and no love life. The Joshua McGowan
series
will continue wit the following upcoming releases: An Innocent Among Them, Widow Of
Calcutta
and The Lennox Conspiracy, as well as Breathe Of The Flesh. Outstanding within its genre,
Change
Of Heart comes very highly recommended.
Let Down Your Hair
Linda Jones
Love Spell/Dorchester Publishing
276 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10001
ISBN 0505524511 $TBA Mass Market Paperback, 368 pages
A heady blend of eroticism and innocence -- Very highly recommended Fairie Tale Romance
It seemed so simple. Roland Connor intended wreck revenge on the woman his enemy holds
dearest.
Daniel had debauched his sister, leading her to her grave. His plan is perfect. He'd seduce the
innocent woman destined to be Daniel's wife. He'd teach her harlot tricks, and maybe late one
night,
when she lies in her husband's arms, rather than calling out her husband's name, she'll call out
Roland's name instead. He didn't know she'd teach him to love. Kept like Rapunzel in her tower,
far
removed from the mundane necessities of life, Rachel Summerville accepts her aunt's dictate that
her
only job in life is to be pretty and to marry well. Despite his misgivings, Rachel plans to marry the
man her aunt selected for her. Then she meet's one of her aunt's guests. Roland's insolent smiles
and
hopeless importance awakens the woman within. Even knowing that he's a gambler, a horse thief
and a con man, Rachel allows him to teach her the pleasures of life. She descends a rope to his
waiting arms, and together they walk the streets of San Francisco, attending the symphony and
tasting the forbidden. Even as she gives Roland her heart, she knows she will marry another. Once
again author Linda Jones creates a naughty, sensual romance that will hold readers entranced.
Combining the faerie tale elements of Rapunzel with the horrors of Jack the Ripper, Let Down
Your
Hair becomes a tale both uncommonly fresh and sharply original. This sensual journey of a young
woman's awakening sexuality combines eroticism and innocence in a heady blend. As Rachel
learns
to let her hair down, they share a joint lesson in life and in love. Let Down Your Hair is a
delightful
read, coming highly recommended.
Gabriel's Fate
Emma Craig
Love Spell/Dorchester Publishing
276 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10001
ISBN 0505524295, $5.99, Mass Market Paperback, 368 pages
Clashing beliefs -- Very highly recommended Romance
Gabriel Caine was born in a family of revivalists, which he considered in the same light that Emma
Craig considers clairvoyants. A strange bond to share, indeed, this disbelief in the gifts and beliefs
of
one's family. But Emma's prickly and non-trusting nature doesn't allow for men to enter her life,
and
Gabriel willingly accepts whatever bond he can find. Too bad the only other bond they share is a
desire to locate murderer Ivo Hardwick. With his roguish, dark looks, Gabriel's accustomed to
women simpering and smirking over him. But Gabriel prefers a challenge, and Emma meets that
challenge perfectly. Beneath that haughty exterior, he believes she has character and heart, which
he
intends to reveal. He also intends to uncover Emma's carefully guarded secret. He knows she
intends
to kill Hardwick, but he doesn't know why. Further, his under cover assignment to the Pinkerton
Agency requires that he bring Hardwick back alive. Emma Craig creates a fascinating and daring
blend of spiritualism and the occult in Gabriel's Fate. By treating psychic gifts as blessings from
God,
the spiritual battles of these wounded and disbelieving characters lends strong motivation to the
tale.
The secondary characters, including a tarot card reading aunt, a Russian midget, and a Chinese
pub
keep the reader entertained with their antics and audaciousness. In addition, Craig's heroine
breaks
romantic standards with her concern for extra pounds on a figure the hero considers lush.
Consequently, with powerful conflict and strong motivation, Gabriel's Fate comes very highly
recommended.
Dark Fire
Christine Feehan
Love Spell/Dorchester Publishing
276 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10001
ISBN 0505524473, $TBA, Mass Market Paperback, 390 pages
Evocative and intense -- Very highly recommended Love Spell Romance
A dangerous, dark fire burns in Carpathian men. More animal than man, they are predators. Each
Carpathian man must find the light to his darkness, or risk losing the color and emotions that
prevent
them from slipping over the edge into becoming a vampire. Once Tempest enters his life, Darius
may
display a perfect tranquility, but beneath the surface fierce emotion seethes. There is only one
woman for each male. Accustomed to having his own way, Darius meets his match in Tempest.
He
expects deference to his every wish. She is accustomed to being utterly independent. As they
share
thoughts and memories, Darius comes to understand Tempest also share the same aching
loneliness
concealed in his own soul. Audacious, defiant, and tempestuous, Tempest lives up to her name
with
her rebellious attitude and stirring up of trouble. As she learns to calm the fury of her mind,
however, Tempest discovers the power of her own psychic gifts, as well as the pull of fate.
Destined
to become Darius' life mate, Tempest struggles against the mesmerizing pull of his presence, the
seductive danger and sheer magic of his voice. She doesn't understand that she puts color in
Darius'
world, igniting passion and emotion long forgotten over endless centuries. Indeed, it seems every
time she goes out, trouble has a way of finding her, whether it be vampire hunters and injured
animals. Christine Feehan brings texture and richness to her latest saga of Carpathians in Dark
Fire.
As sparks ignite between these strong willed, multifaceted characters, Darius knows he's met his
life
mate because she's literarily put color back in his universe. Tempest isn't nearly so trusting of fate,
exerting her fierce independence and proving the strength of her mettle. Yet Darius ignites a dark
fire every time he touches her, providing a scintillating, sensual read. Further, watching Darius
learn
to cope with long forgotten emotion following centuries of icy control makes for evocative,
intense
entertainment. As a new fan of this series, this reader found obvios ties to previous books, but still
feels the strength of the novel allows it to stand alone as well. Very highly recommended.
If I Were An Eagle
D. L. Hale
Direct/American Publisher
325 East 2400 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84115
No ISBN, $TBA, Paperback
Disappointing Historical Fiction
The first installment of a trilogy, If I Were An Eagle tells the story of Karen Quincy. A vivacious,
attractive young lady, Karen yearns for popularity and love, filling her needs in the arms of her
boyfriend. She uses friends, lies and opportunity to escape her strict home and spend time with
Hank. But when he goes off to college, Karen finds herself left behind. Karen's family reflects the
strict morality and staunch religious fervor of her era. Dancing, dating, and especially public
shows
of affection are forbidden. Karen's rebelliousness leads to a break with her family when they learn
of
her pregnancy. Hank has disappeared from her life, leaving her to face devastation alone. She
decides upon an abortion during a time when it was both illegal and very dangerous. Following
her
doctor's referral, Karen makes the arrangements. Since the novel begins with her labor, she
obviously has second thoughts. Author David Hale brings his own knowledge of the foothills of
the
Great Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee to If I Were An Eagle, beautifully capturing the deeply
spiritual cultural of these staunchly religious family, and the times which shape their world.
Unfortunately, this reviewer was badly distracted by frequent misuse of punctuation, word
choices,
and other editing flaws, making the task of completing the book difficult. As with many books
that
are a part of the new glut of works available on the web, a critique group and a good editor could
have turned this manuscript into something extraordinary. Instead, it is best left languishing in the
slush pile.
Daniel's Ride
Michael Perry, author & Lee Ballard, illustrator
Free Will Press
P.O. Box 12130 San Francisco, CA 94112
ISBN 0970177194, $TBA, Library Binding, 32 pages
Very highly recommended Ages 6-Up
Daniel eagerly awaits a promised ride in his older brother Hector '63 Impala convertible "complete
with spider hydraulics and gold wire wheels." Together they celebrate the first weekend of
summer
vacation. They turn up the volume on their music and cruise, transforming the Impala into "a
funky
barrio carnival ride." They join the cool cars cruising the beech before visiting the cousin. When
the
ride is over, Hector promise the car to Daniel if he finishes high school and plans to go to college.
Author Michael Perry brings his street-savvy writing style to children's books in Daniel's Ride.
With
the lyricism gained with his musical background, and an intense understanding of what motivates
children, Perry creates a fun, hotrodding tale of sun, brothers and cars certain to delight young
readers. Crisp, believable, readable dialog combine lends the story vibrant energy and promise.
Very
highly recommended.
Bloodsworth Island
Jeff Slate & David Rearden
America House Book Publishers
Post Office Box 1109, Frederick, MD 21702
ISBN 1588513513, $TBA, Trade Paperback, 344 pages
When free thought's eliminated -- Recommended Suspense/Thriller
Dr. Marcus Gallagher holds virtually omnipotent power over Bloodsworth Island in the
Chesapeake
Bay. His followers are a carefully assembled group of doctors, a "body" thoroughly indoctrinated
into his principles. Hs myriad principles rely upon eliminating free thought and complete
dedication
to his dream of eliminating disease. Rigid control of the doctors in his employee insures that no
one
on the outside knows of the methods Dr Gallagher intends to employ while taking funding from
the
Federal Government to further his research. Rather than healing those plagued with debilitating
disease, such as Cystic Fibrosis, he plans to eradicate the population who carry the genes for such
disease. Human testing has already begun. The book begins with Gene Nolan, one of three
doctors
sent to Orani tribe in the Ecuadorian rain forest. The doctors inject each tribe member with an
immunization that actually kills with great rapidity. When a doctor challenges what they are
doing,
the Paladin Alfred injects the dissenter with the killing shot. As he dies, he breaks one of the
Principles, he tells Gene that no one leaves "the body" alive. When Gene asks their leader Alfred
about what happened, he's reminded of the seventh principle; that is, "Components of the body
would be told whatever they needed to know." The overly done theme of research scientists
playing
God-like eugenics achieves a new freshness in the hands of authors Jeff Slate and David Rearden.
These authors combine many of the strongest elements of our culture to new ends, constructing a
dangerous and destructive world. The echoes of Big Brother watching, keeping the "body" in line
with careful observance and control seems all too plausible in this information age of easy
tracking
and recording. Likewise, the echoes the rituals and rites that have brought clarity and insight to
many religious followers give this fascinating novel chilling spiritual overtones. In addition, the
Orani
tribe lends a chilling lesson as their systematic destruction ends with their villae burning,
destroying
all evidence in a frightening echo of the Holocaust. The simplistic plot could have used a few
more
twists to fully satisfy this reader. In addition, the author's tone sounds more like a reporter giving
the
facts rather portrayed the expected emotion; however, it still makes for a fascinating read.
Recommended.
A Woman's Relationship Survival Guide If He's Worth It
Patrisha Stauss
1st Books Library
2511 West Third Street, Bloomington, IN 47404
ISBN 158721475X, $TBA, Paperback, 404 pages
An extremely useful tool -- Highly recommended Self Help
Honestly evaluating a relationship can be one the greatest challenges a woman can face. We seem
to
know when things are well; it's when things don't feel quite right that the self-honesty becomes far
more difficult. Patrisha Stauss makes the task of evaluating relationship far simpler in A Woman's
Relationship Survival Guide (If He's Worth It). Stauss aids readers in showing women how to
make
their partner aware of their feelings and how to better understand them, including their likes,
dislikes
and the reasons for their reactions. Laid out as a survival map, A Woman's Relationship Survival
Guide leads the reader through paths intended to strengthen the inner self. She allows the reader
the
opportunity to examine several alternatives, and to accept the consequences of each path.
Following
the opportunities available, women will learn to take responsible for their decisions and their own
happiness. Stauss provides practical advice and practical solutions to begin the path to
independence
and responsibility. She also provides advice on how to minimize the struggles between the
differences that separate the sexes. A Woman's Relationship Survival Guide is geared toward
women in unhappy relationships seeking solutions. While many women in our culture have
learned
to successfully live as independent women, many others are still struggling with the cycle of
dependence handed down by tradition and history. While she does suggest that there are times to
draw the line and move on, Stauss does not offer this advice lightly. Instead, she shows the reader
how to take control of the inner self and learn how to work around and accept men's behaviors
and
attitudes. A number of useful resources are also included. An extremely useful tool for women in
crisis over their relationships, A Woman's Relationship Survival Guide is highly
recommended.
To Charm A Knight
Linda Kay
Zebra Books/Kensington Publishing Corp.
850 Third Avenue, New York NY 10022
ISBN 0821769901, $5.99, Mass Market Paperback, 352 pages
Her knight in rusty armor --Very highly recommended Historical Romance
When he bought Castle Avondel with an eye to renovation, medieval junky H. Walter Harrington,
IV never expected to encounter an ancient curse that causes plaster to crumble as soon as it dries,
or
stones to fall no matter how carefully stacked. So he hires the proprietor/wizard of Any Time Any
Place to sweep himself and his personal assistant Victoria Desmond into the thirteenth century so
that he might end the curse. Unfortunately, the medieval text upon which they rely holds several
inaccuracies, including the date they need, and the identity of the invaders of Castle Avondel.
Instead of correcting the curse, H. Walter finds himself kidnapped by Sir Ranulf, the lord who
seized
the castle lands and reputably killed the lord and lady of Castle Avondel. Now Victoria must
rescue
her boss by finding Aethelwyn's Amulet. The amulet is rumored to be magic, insuring protection
to
the castle. Unfortunately, in the thirteenth century women must have a knight to champion their
cause, and the knight who presents himself to her aid doesn't meet the typical knightly code.
While
he might champion the virtues of honor and courage, he also needs a bath and he needs to polish
his
armor. Sir Perceval, as he presents himself, actually has his own agenda. His name is actually
Gareth,
and King Henry supports his quest to restore Castle Avodel to himself, the rightful heir. Readers
who enjoyed To Tame A Rogue will delight in Linda Kay's latest time travel romance, To Charm
A
Knight. With unusual characterizations that ignore impossibly perfect romantic standards of
beauty,
this heroine and hero are convincingly real. Victoria's plain features and Gareth's rust armor
insures
characters that readers identify with as well as fantasize about. Yet Victoria's bold, sassy approach
and her determination make her a terrific heroine, even as she clashes with subservient roles of
medieval women. A delightful read destined for the keeper shelf, To Charm A Knight comes very
highly recommended.
The Miner's Daughter: The Dream Maker
Alice Duncan
Zebra Books/Kensington Publishing Corp.
850 Third Avenue, New York NY 10022
ISBN 0821768808, $TBA, Mass Market Paperback, 352 pages
Dreams do come true -- Very highly recommended Historical Ballad Romance
Under the unforgiving sun of the Mojave Desert, Mari Pottersby has learned the art of survival.
Mari
has lived alone for the last months, since her father died, trying to continue her father's dream of
striking it rich with Marigold Mine, her namesake. A woman accustomed to harsh living and hard
work, Peerless Studio's offer to use her mine for the price of $5,000 seems too good to be true.
And
the invitation to become the leading lady for the same pay likewise seems unbelievable. Tony
Ewing's father is an investor with Peerless Studios and Tony's been sent along to protect that
investment. The last thing he expected was a hot hellion that captures his imagination, rubs him
the
wrong way, and refuses to back down to anyone. Further, Mari's illogical loyalty to her father's
dream, her lack of respect for Tony and his money, and her smart mouth at once fascinate and
appall
him. As she gains polish, Tony finds that his fascination becomes quite dangerous to his heart.
Once
again author Alice Duncan masterfully creates a fiercely independent, slightly offbeat heroine the
reader can't help but love. What Mari lacks in propriety she makes up with her bodacious attitude.
Mari sharply contrasts with the very wealthy, polished hero, resulting in memorable
characterizations that demonstrate Duncan's style at her best. When combined with the unique
background of the early days of motion pictures, the result is as hot as the Mojave Desert used for
the setting. The Miner's Daughter comes very highly recommended.
No Place For A Lady
Deb Stover
Zebra Books/Kensington Publishing Corp.
850 Third Avenue, New York NY 10022
ISBN 0821770918, $TBA, Mass Market Paperback, 352 pages
A must read -- Very highly recommended Historical Romance
Molly gave up the green isle of Ireland years ago to become a lady's maid when fate intervened in
her dreams. In service to a selfish, spoiled woman, Molly endures careless abuse at the hand of
her
lady. But fate intervenes again when Lady Elizabeth becomes pregnant as the result of a tryst in a
carriage with a mysterious man with strikingly green eyes. Now she will forsake the glitter of
London to become a rancher's wife in the wilds of Colorado. Molly holds her own dreams of
Colorado, the land where her father disappeared many years ago. The journey is uneventful until
the
final leg when highwaymen overtake their carriage. The Lovejoy Gang robs them, and murder
several witnesses, including the driver who dies in Molly's arms. Lady Elizabeth is kidnapped by
Lovejoy to be held for ransom. Molly doesn't know the driver Slim is actually her father, and his
well-meaning aid results in great confusion. As she lays wounded nearby, Molly and Lady
Elizabeth's
identities are reversed. With a concussion and dosed with laudanum, it takes a while to correct the
mistake, by which time she's married to Dirk Ballinger, Lady Elizabeth's betrothed. The high
mountains and passes of Colorado are No Place For A Lady in Deb Stover's latest achievement.
Webs of deception and delightful conundrums result in a passionate romance with marvelous
depth.
The secondary plots weave a complexity that reflects and strengthens the main plot with powerful
characterizations and startling details. Indeed, Stover is a writer of graceful imagination and
intense
passion, creating masterful work romance lovers will find enchanting. Sexy and irresistible, No
Place
For A Lady comes very highly recommended.
Grand Design: The Hope Chest
Karen Fox
Zebra Books/Kensignton Publishing Corp.
850 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022
ISBN 0821769030, $TBA, Mass Market Paperback, 352 pages
A whimsical escape -- Recommended Ballad Historical Romance
There's something winningly whimsical and marvelously magical about the premise of the power
of a
hope chest and equinoxes winging characters across time to find healing and love. A hope chest
found in the historic Chesterfield, now undergoing renovation provides the focal point for this
series.
In Karen Fox's Grand Design, the third book of the Hope Chest miniseries, it's the nameplate from
a
portrait that carries frustrated artist Cynda Madison back in time to find her love. Cynda Madison
finds a strikingly handsome face beneath the years of filth in a portrait she's been commissioned to
restore. Her own artwork lacks the sweeping passion apparent in every brush stroke, leaving her
wishing for such bold zeal. When she's swept back in time, Cynda immediately recognizes Prince
Dimitri Karakov from the portrait, finding the living man even sexier than the portrait. Her
warnings
of danger, however, fall on deaf ears when she tries to warn him that he's to die on December
12th.
Duty comes before pleasure for Prince Dimitri Karakov, even when it comes to Cynda. He
wearies
of the husband hunting vixens at the Chesterfield, where he's accompanying his grandmother while
she takes in the healing waters. Cynda brings a welcome respite with her forthright, direct speech
and lack of flirtatiousness. While she's much too forward for a servant, her intelligence and
quick-wittedness makes her irresistible. When his younger brother shows interest in Cynda,
Dimitri's
unprepared for his overwhelming jealousy. Too bad he's been pledged since birth to a proper
woman
for a Prince. Readers who enjoyed the previous two installments of this miniseries as well as fans
of
author Karen Fox's Prince Of Charming will thrill to this newest offering, Grand Design. As in
Prince Of Charming, Fox brings her love of painting to Grand Design, when a portrait wings this
heroine back in time. With her characteristic ingenuity, Fox paints a blend of the fantastic and the
mundane, bringing enormous passion to her canvas in this portrait of love. Faorite secondary
characters of this miniseries seamlessly connect the novel to the other parts of the miniseries, in
addition to introducing two willful, strong-minded main characters. A playful, lighthearted read,
Grand Design is perfect reading for an afternoon. Recommended.
Hot Blooded
Lisa Jackson
Zebra Books/Kensington Publishing Corp.
850 Third Avenue, New York NY 10022
ISBN 0821768417, $6.99, Mass Market Paperback, 464 pages
Stunning -- Very highly recommended Romantic Suspense
Police find prostitutes murdered in the New Orleans French Quarter, strangled by a rosary with
sharpened beads. The bodies are left with their legs splayed, their hands poised as if in prayer, a
hundred dollar bill with the eyes blackened out left on the bedside table. In the background, the
radio
softly plays. Radio psychologist Dr. Samantha Leeds returns to work after a disastrous two-week
vacation in Mexico. She finds a message on her answering machine a admonition that she must
pay
for her sins. In the mail, she finds a mutilated publicity photo. Threatening phone calls to the radio
station follow, all warning her that "I know what you did you're not going to get away with
it .You're going to have to pay for sins." Police detective Rick Bentz discovers the link between
the serial killings and Samantha. As the threats continue, Samantha realizes the killer knows too
much about her and must be close to her. She can't trust anyone, not even her sexy new neighbor
Ty
Wheeler, who holds secrets of his own. Then a woman calls claiming to be from Samantha's past;
a
woman Samantha knows died nine years ago. As killings become less random, moving closer to
Samantha's inner circle, police warn she's becoming a target. Fans of police procedural-thrillers
will
thoroughly enjoy Lisa Jackson's Hot Blooded. This riveting, fast-paced plot keeps the reader
guessing as Jackson casts her spell of psychological terror. The dark atmosphere and intense
suspense, along with masterful characterization, result in a stunning conclusion. Look for the
sequel
next year, Cold Blooded, which promises a return of some many of the characters from . Very
highly
recommended.
Lottie And The Rustler: Bogus Brides
Linda Lea Castle
Zebra Books/Kensington Publishing Corp.
850 Third Avenue, New York NY 10022
ISBN 082176831X, $TBA, Mass Market Paperback, 320 pages
The light and shadow of emotion -- Highly recommended Ballad Romance
Dressmaker Lottie chooses her bogus 'husband" from a wanted poster. She believes herself much
more clever than her sisters, who fabricated their husbands out of thin air. At least her husband
truly
exists, even if he's in prison serving a very long sentence. Hiding behind her married status, Lottie
creates a satisfying life, although in the dark of night she occasionally imagines what it would be
like
to let her steely control slip and do something shocking and wild. Indeed, Lottie's always had a
fascination with the dark side of life, craving adventure and excitement, that's she holds tightly in
check until she meets Shayne Rosswarne. When he's released, Shayne heads straight to McTavish
Plain, in the North Dakota Territory where he plans to kill a man. When he arrives, however, the
town greets him as Lottie's husband. Rather than revealing the truth, he plays the hand he's dealt;
pleased with the woman he's "married" to. A little seduction of his enemy's sister-in-law should
make
revenge all the sweeter. But Lottie's not what Shayne expects in a woman. She's fire and hot
current
with a heated connection to him that challenges his desire for revenge and concept of honor.
Author
Linda Lea Castle pens a charming conclusion to the Bogus Bride trilogy with Lottie And The
Rustler. Castle's prose sparkles with fun and whimsy combined with dark passion, resulting in a
marvelous contrast of the light and shadow of emotion. Indeed, the wrestling of emotions in this
hero, as he struggles to let go of the very resolve that kept him alive for years, creates tremendous
tension. A novel of self-acceptance and transformation, Lottie And The Rustler combines heat,
sensuality and love in a memorable read. Highly recommended.
Her Leading Man: The Dream Maker
Alice Duncan
Zebra Books/Kensington Publishing Corp.
850 Third Avenue, New York NY 10022
ISBN 0821768816, $5.99, Mass Market Paperback, 352 pages
Add this one to your keeper shelf -- Very highly recommened Historical Ballad Romance
Film director Martin Tafft grows increasingly disillusioned with the industry. When he began in
1904, he believed that the brilliant creation of motion pictures would be the salvation of humanity,
spanning the differences between people to allow them to see the commonalities. Instead, the
industry deteriorates into a slough of immorality and decadence. He still has hopes that when
"talkies" come into their own actors and actresses will be forced to spend their evenings learning
their lines rather than wildly carousing the town. Martin's newest leading lady Christina is made of
a
different ilk than most actresses seeking stardom. She sees acting as a means to an end. Rejected
from scholarships because she's female, she intends to earn sufficient funds to pursue her dreams
of a
medical degree. To protect her reputation and run interference, she brings her Grandmother to the
set as a chaperone. The elderly Mrs. Mayhew, Gran, provides marvelous comic relief with her
high-spirited ways and obnoxious remarks. Christina calls her an Egalitarian because "she treated
everyone like dirt." Although Christine prides herself on her independence, it helps to have
someone
with a reputation for hardhead ness and a nasty disposition on her side. Martin's latest project is
an
Egyptian epic based on the bible. But when his loathsome lead breaks his arm trying to ride a
camel,
Martin finds himself stepping into the part. Despite the strong chemistry between Martin and
Christina, he's not prepared for her out spoken ways when states that she wants to make love with
him. Rather than flattered, he's outraged because he considers her perspective to be repetitious of
the deterioration of the morals of the industry. He doesn't perceive her outspokenness to be a
natural
part of her independence and honesty. Now they must act together in the roles of lovers, and as
the
heat increases on screen, it likewise threatens a conflagration off screen. Especially when their
passion takes control, but the moralistic Martin wants marriage and the deermined Christina wants
a
medical career. The entire Dream Maker miniseries has been a huge success, culminating in The
Leading Man. Indeed, the early years of the motion picture industry with its rapid changes has
provided a fascinating background beautifully captured by author Alice Duncan's talented pen.
Further, Duncan has a flair for creating both unconventional and unorthodox characters that really
grab the imagination. Christina, like each of her predecessors, possesses strength of character and
a
gentle vulnerability that makes her markedly appealing. Martin, who's been a background
character
of each book, finally gets the story he so richly deserves. His concerns regarding the moral
character
of his industry span the decades, making him a surprisingly contemporary hero. Very highly
recommended.
Every Move She Makes
Beverly Barton
Zebra Books/Kensignton Publishing Corp.
850 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022
ISBN 0821768387, $TBA, Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages
He'd been the guy every girl wanted and every parent feared -- Very highly recommended
Romantic
Suspense
When Spring Creek, Alabama's worst bad boy finally makes parole after fifteen years of
imprisonment, someone's eager to send Reed Conway back to those steel bars. Indeed, perhaps
the
same someone who framed him for the murder of his abusive stepfather, Junior Blalock, in the
first
place. While everyone in town knew the evil intent of his stepfather, Reed was one who badly
beat
the older man, and it was his knife found at the murder scene with only his fingerprints. Judge Ella
Porter was only a teenager when Reed was convicted. Her father was a DA then, moving onto
becoming a senator while she now presides in Spring Creek's court. Shortly following Reed's
release, Ella receives sexually titillating, anonymous letters richly reminiscent of the letters Reed
sent
her to taunt her father fifteen years ago. Despite Reed's prostrations of innocence, when letters
escalate into danger, the whole town seems determined to convict Reed a second time. As Ella
and
Reed join forces to discover the true killer, they find themselves drawn together in firey passion.
Obviously, someone watches Every Move She Makes, and will stop at nothing to keep Reed from
uncovering the truth behind his conviction. Southern small town corruption and secrets come to
light in Beverly Barton's Every Move She Makes, revealing the hidden passions of love and
murder.
Intricately plotted, Barton presents a risk cast of suspects, from a senator to a mechanic, cutting
across economics and politics a blistering combination. As tension builds between Ella and Reed,
they find themselves torn between past and present, truth and lies, danger and passion. Very
highly
recommended.
A Stranger's Kiss: Midnight Mask
Maria Greene
Zebra Books/Kensignton Publishing Corp.
850 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022
ISBN 0821771035, $TBA, Mass Market Paperback, 316 pages
Second chances -- Recommended Ballad Historical Romance
Rafe Howard had been a hard, thoughtless man before he returned to England after the war
against
the French. He suffers from amnesia, recalling only vague, illusive dreams. A chance meeting with
the Midnight Bandit kept him from pursuing the little he gleaned from his dreams. Believing his
daughter dead, Rafe returns to his home to a hostile wife who refuses to live with him and blanket
animosity from his contemporaries. Rafe has lost everything, including his daughter, his wife
Andria,
and his memories. Soon, however, he realizes their daughter is not dead. A mysterious woman
had
been planted in his life with false information. But the question remains as to why anyone would
cause such pain to the grieving parents. Andria misses the powerful, special connection she had
shared with her husband. But after a child died that they had loved as their own, the pain seemed
to
eat at their relationship. Even the birth of their daughter wasn't enough to keep them together. In
the
last months they had been together, suspicion and false blame replaced gentle love and tender
caresses. After Rafe left and her child disappeared, Adria visited every orphanage in London
desperate to find her daughter. Resigned to her grief, Andria's life becomes touched with havoc
once
again with Rafe's return. She'd prefer to deny her feelings for the man she married after he caused
so
much pain. Author Maria Greene pens an irresistible historical romance in A Stranger's Kiss.
Revenge and true love provide powerful motivation in this tale of betrayal and redemption. Part of
the Midnight Mask miniseries, A Stranger's Kiss reads beautifully also as a stand-alone. Sketching
the deepest of emotions with grace, Greene creates moving and memorable characters.
Unfortunately, the distrust between the characters results in a tense reading experience.
Recommended.
Deep Midnight
Shannon Drake
Zebra Books/Kensington Publishing Corp.
850 Third Avenue, New York NY 10022
ISBN 0821768379, $TBA, Mass Market Paperback, 478 pages
The opulence of Venice's Carnivale conceals a danger in the night that will lead book reviewer
Jordan Riley through its decadent streets and to New Orleans seeking answers. A tarot card
reader
warns Jordan of deep midnight, the true dead of night, when all light fades and shadows even fall
in
darkness. Jordan can't trust anyone, especially the mysterious Ragnor, who insists that she must
trust
him. She sees a dead man's visage on mannequins, wolves in shadows, and hears the whisper of
wings in the night. Ragnor tells her that she should simply go home to the United States. Jordan
accompanies her cousin Jared and his wife to an extravagant party given by Contessa della Triste.
The highly respected Contessa gives huge sums of money for the renovation of the ancient
buildings
of Venice and for orphans. She employees Jared in some mysterious business, and holds him
responsible when Jordan witnesses the enactment of a play in the second floor ballroom, which
proves to be no enactment at all, but a macabre feeding frenzy on the innocent. A mysterious man
dressed a wolf rescues her, helping her to flee the residence. When Jordan goes to the police,
however, to tell what she witnessed, no one believes her. They say that she's over wrought, still
suffering from the grief of loosing her fianc‚ the year when he was killed by a cult. The Contessa
sympathetically forgives her brash tales, blaming an over stimulated imagination and grief over the
past. Shannon Drake pens a compelling tale of the supernatural in Deep Midnight. Vibrant
costuming and hedonistic pleasure conceal an ancient evil and a history of revenge. The prose
flows
as gently as the water of Venice canals, rich with nuance and promise. Some may find the first half
of the novel unnecessarily slow, though it truly reflects the unhurried pace of the Carnivale itself.
Rich descriptive passages and detours into darkened corners become a reflection of the ancient
streets of Venice with its dangerous, darkened side streets. As tension builds, and the impossible
provs all too real, Jordan never backs away from the pursuit of answers, even when it leads
unexpectedly to her own past and answers that seem impossible. The slow pace won't suit
everyone's taste; nevertheless, this new fan finds Drake's view of the world fascinating. Highly
recommended.
Stolen Hearts: Hope Chest
Laura Hayden
Zebra Books/Kensington Publishing Corp.
850 Third Avenue, New York NY 10022
ISBN 0821769057, $5.99, Mass Market Paperback, 320 pages
It will steal your heart -- Very highly recommened Historical Ballad Romance
There's something winningly whimsical and marvelously magical about the premise of the power
of a
hope chest and equinoxes winging characters across time to find healing and love. A hope chest
found in the historic Chesterfield, now undergoing renovation provides the focal point for the
Hope
Chest miniseries. In Karen Fox's Laura Hayden's Stolen Hearts, the forth book of the Hope Chest
miniseries, it's the chain to a stolen emerald necklace that wings the King of Thieves back in time
to
discover love. The King of Thieves known as only Delagatto is a twenty-second century Robin
Hood, who redistributes the wealth of those undeserving to those in true need such as orphans. At
thirty-eight, he's growing tired of being a cat burglar, of researching his marks, planning his strike,
and executing his theft. But honor ties him to a family legacy, and he cannot retire without
fulfilling
the pledge. Like his father and his grandfather, Delagatto vows to find and steal back the family
heirloom that had been taken from their royal family a hundred years ago. His need to prove his
skill,
and the promise of the heirloom, lead to his passage back in time. Planning to leave on the next
train
after completing her two-year contract as a maid at the Chesterfield Hotel, Emily Drewett
receives a
telegram warning her not to come home due to a quarantine. With no money and no place to go,
she
accepts a generous offer to spend the holidays in a luxurious room compliment of the hotel
owners.
The upcoming Christmas masquerade ball will provide the opportunity for her dress in borrowed
finery and flirt outrageously with handsome young men. While it might be the emerald around her
neck that draws Delagatto, it's her stunning green eyes that threaten his heart. As she disappears
among the masked and bejeweled, Delagatto makes plans to purloin the jewel later.
Unfortunately,
he doesn't know the beauty's identity. Laura Hayden's Stolen Hearts provides a terrific edition to
the
Hope Chest Miniseries. Perhaps it would have benefited from an ealier release as it doesn't update
previous characters. And Karen Fox's Grand Design indicates a renovation of the old Chesterfield
Hotel, while Hayden indicates further deterioration. Those small details aside, Stolen Hearts is a
marvelous read. While in previous books of the miniseries, it's the women who travel back in time,
in
Stolen Hearts it's the man who moves backward in time. And this is no ordinary hero, but a man
of
his own code of honor. An imaginative, sparkling edition to the Hope Chest miniseries, Stolen
Hearts will steal the reader's heart. Very highly recommended.
A Reason To Live: The True Story Of One Woman's Love, Courage And Determination To
Survive
Billy Hills & Dale Hudson
Front Street Publishing
2458 Cherry Street, Dubuque, IA 52001
ISBN 0970842406, $TBA, Hardcover, 311 pages
"May God have mercy on your soul." -- Very highly recommended True Crime
The condemnation was neither a surprise nor was it undeserved because Ronal Raymond Woomer
committed one of the most heinous strings of crime ever perpetrated in the state of South
Carolina.
Through the careful gathering of facts, the deliberation and the sentencing, the criminal showed
no
remorse. Yet his horrific actions changed a number of lives forever. The plan seemed simple.
Skaar
and Woomer would get directions from coin dealer Whitehead and drive to the small town where
John Turner lived. After robbing the old man, they would leave him dead, take his coins back to
Whitehead and get paid. If all went well, this would only be the first of a series of crimes. High on
drugs and alcohol, Skaar and Woomer not only carried out their intended crime, but also went on
a
murdering spree that would leave bodies in three counties. In addition to theft and murder, they
would commit kidnapping and rape. When on the verge of apprehension, Skaar commited suicide,
leaving partner Woomer to take the fall. The worst didn't pass with the conviction and sentencing
of
Woomer for victim Wanda Summers. Wanda is a woman of remarkable courage, more concerned
during the perpetration of the crime for her friend that for herself, and afterward more concerned
for
her daughter and husband than for herself. But with much of her face destroyed, Wanda not only
had
to survive an attempted murder and testify against her perpetrator, she had to recover afterward.
While press and well meaning supporters hale the time of recovery as getting back to normal,
Wanda
still had to endure surgery and deeper emotional healing. Grueling and intense, recovery was
slow.
One of the most chilling true crime novels of our time, A Reason To Live will haunt the reader
long
after the last page is turned. A Reason To Live is a testament to both the strength of human spirit
and to the power of evil. The combined talents of Billy Hills and Dale Hudson bring the criminal
events, the trial and the consequences vividly to life without dwelling too deeply or too log in the
grotesque atrocities committed, simply allowing the facts to speak for themselves. Despite the
tragedy, the horror of disfigurement and the loss of life, these authors maintain their focus not on
the
criminal but on the victims and that their families, bringing their voices to the forefront, unlike
typical true crime novels which focus on the criminal. The end result is powerful and persuasive,
striking at the heart of the weakness of our criminal justice system thereby standing up for victims.
A
Reason To Life is one of those remarkable novels that change the way we perceive justice and
rights, as well as the way we prosecute criminals. Very highly recommended.
The Calamity Janes
Sherryl Woods
Silhouette Books
300 East 42nd Street, New York, New York, 10017
ISBN 0373484399, $TBA, Mass Market Paperback, 304 pages
Sherryl Woods continues this delightful miniseries, The Calamity Janes, with a single title release
by
the same name. Five friends share an enduring friendship, begun in high school, self-named for
their
penchant for broken hearts and troubles. Though their lives are widely divergent now, these
women
are still as close as sisters, despite their infrequent contact. In this forth installment, top Denver
attorney Emma Rogers struggles with pressures from work, family and the past. Competitive
Emma
is on a career fast track despite a divorce and motherhood. Too bad she rarely has time for dinner
with her six-year-old daughter Caitlyn. Her ex had assumed she'd sacrifice her career to be a stay
at
home mother after a failed birth control fluke. But Emma hadn't cooperated. She hadn't excelled
in
law school only to walk away. Despite her ex's manipulations designed to sabotage her career,
including the ultimate of betrayals, Emma was steadfast in her goals. The trouble is, years later
she
can't help wondering if she's making a mistake to allow the nanny the pleasure of raising her
daughter. Enjoying their first vacation in two years, Emma and Caitlyn return to Winding River,
Wyoming for Emma's class reunion. Her immediate antipathy to the town's new newspaper
publisher
Ford Hamilton only results in friends and family's speculation and hope that she'll return to the
slower paced town for keeps. Indeed, she's surprised to realize Ford easily matches the excitement
she's only found before in court. But she's very uncomfortable that he's as adept at zeroing in on
the
hidden motives and the hearts of matters as any good prosecutor. She'd best find a quick defense
before she gives away her heart and her future. In this single title release of the Calamity Jane
series,
author Sherryl Woods dazzling gift for storytelling excels, as references to other books in the
series
enrich the narrative without inhibiting the flow. Heroine Emma's struggle with her inward
expectations lends depth, giving voice to many career mom's concern. Hero Ford Hamilton's
persistence and perseverance in spite of Emma's protestations makes for enduring reading.
Readers
will also find themselves smiling at grandparent's efforts to charm their grandchild complete with
pony and kitten. Very highly recommended.
The Taming of Jackson Cade: Silhouette Desire, 1393
B. J. James
Silhouette Books
300 East 42nd Street, New York, New York, 10017
ISBN 037376393X, $3.99, Mass Market Paperback, 182 pages
Jackson Cade has to be beyond desperate to enlist the aid of veterinarian Haley Garrett. Only the
mad screams of his prize stallion and the lack of any known remedy forces Jackson to call Haley.
Shocked when the call comes, she disregards her elegant black dress, trading heals for practical
boots and gloves, as she rushes to the emergency. Even Jackson's hostile attitude isn't enough to
dissuade her from the stallion in obvious crisis. Now Jackson has nightmares of that night and
seeing
Haley crushed between the mad horse and the wall, lying on the floor beneath flaying hooves.
Combined with the memory of undressing her, as he prepares Haley for a doctor's examination, he
can't get her out of his mind. But Jackson long ago vowed to avoid professional women like
Haley,
despite his screaming hormones. Author BJ James provides some unexpected twists in The
Taming
Of Jackson Cade. These unusual, memorable characters will capture the reader's heart and
imagination, lingering long after the last page is turned. A delightful read, The Taming Of Jackson
Cade comes highly recommended.
This Perfect Stranger: Intimate Moments No 1103
Barbara Ankrum
Silhouette Books
300 East 42nd Street, New York, New York, 10017
ISBN 0373271735, $TBA, Mass Market Paperback, 251 pages
Dark overtones and secrets -- Very highly recommended Contemporary Romance
Until he meets Maggie Cortland, Cain MacCallister hasn't wanted anyone in his life since he lost
Annie, which scares the hell out of him. Reckless, dangerous, self-contained, Cain can't seem to
leave the past behind. But Maggie makes him want to forget the hurt of the past, making him
forget
to guard his secrets and his heart. She makes him want things a man like him, he believes, doesn't
deserve. A drifter, he only comes to her ranch because he's hungry, and someone said she might
need help. He doesn't intend to stay; there's no stopping when a man runs from the past and
memories. Maggie considers the secrets that Cain keeps carefully guarded part of a packaged
deal.
She respects his silence, his reticence, his ability to work, and his determination. And while she
knows he can never remain a permanent part of his life, she also accepts the time they share
together. She needs to be married if she wants to save the ranch. A thousand acres isn't too much
to
pay for a six-month marriage, even if it proves to be anything but convenient. Even her dark
foreboding that this stranger could be dangerous for her doesn't dissuade Maggie from her plan.
She
won't let the town bully, Laird Donnelly, get what he's always wanted. Author Barbara Ankrum
brings creative flair to This Perfect Stranger. A number of romances have recently centered
around
men who spent time in prison, but Ankrum boldly creates a hero who justifiably served time for a
crime of passion before his sentence was forgiven. Such strong characterization daringly separates
This Perfect Stranger from the competition. Further, this heroine is no shrinking violent, taking on
dangerous men and a hurtful past as she uncovers the truth behind the threats and her husband's
death. A strongly plotted, memorable read, This Perfect Stranger comes very highly
recommended.
Sleeping with the Sultan: Silhouette Desire No 1391
Alexandra Sellers
Silhouette Books
300 East 42nd Street, New York, New York, 10017
ISBN 0373763913, $TBA, Mass Market Paperback, 185 pages
A carefully orchestrated plot brings together chance and opportunity, leading actress Dana
Morningstar to playing the role of a lifetime. When she and Sheikh Ashraf initially meet at fund
raising event, sparks of attraction become transparent to onlookers when the Sheikh kisses her in
front of a room full of people. Despite the sizzle, they both walk away, never anticipating another
encounter. Then her sister calls and Dana agrees to meet the men who hold her sister's gambling
debt. She lacks the funds to pay the debt huge debt herself, and refuses to ask their father and risk
the shock of his youngest daughter's behavior leading to another heart attack. Now Dana has
orders
to help these men collect a supposed debt with the Sheikh by informing them where and when
they
can serve a subpoena. Further, Dana has her own agenda with the Sheikh, and what she plans to
say
to him is not on any casino owner's agenda. Author Alexandra Sellers once again demonstrates
her
masterful storytelling skills, weaving together the gilded world of privilege spanning two
continents
with extraordinary characterizations and a marvelous plot. The elaborate world of fund raising
and
gambling where extravagant sums change hands creates a dazzling background for this unlikely
love
story. The clash of culture and values results in an entertaining tension, thereby presenting a plot
both impossible yet highly probable. An intriguing web of deception and lust, Sleeping With The
Sultan comes highly recommended.
The Renegade Steals a Lady: Intimate Moments No 1104
Vickie Taylor
Silhouette Books
300 East 42nd Street, New York, New York, 10017
ISBN 0373271743, $TBA, Mass Market Paperback, 248 pages
Sizzle and suspicion -- Very highly recommended Contemporary Romance
She's a lowly canine cop. He's a renegade cop gone wrong. Once the department's best narcotics
detective, Marco Angelosi lost his job, his freedom, and very nearly his life for a woman who
seems
to have wanted only a single night's pleasure. He underestimates their connection. One
tumultuous
night, in which they share an intimacy so profound that neither can shake the effects, connects
them
forever despite her refusal to see him again, even despite his arrest. Only two things could keep
Paige Burkett from Marco: prison and death. Prison's already failed. He'd been sentenced to four
years for theft and tampering with evidence. He could have gotten less time if he had shown
remorse
or offered an explanation; instead, he stoically accepted his sentence. In fact, Marco cut a deal
with a
drug lord to protect Paige; now his partners have reneged on the agreement, setting up the
accident
that should have killed him. Worse, his former officers comb the field for Marco, planning to
return
him to prison. Marco had charmed her, bedded her, and beguiled her; now Paige has lost her heart
and soul to the renegade cop. The juxtaposition of the secretive fugitive and the man who carves
planes for children and bounces babies on his knees isn't lost on Paige. He's a man of shadow and
light, and Paige fears she will always feel this chemical, electrical connection. Despite the facts
that
he shot at her and kidnapped her, Paige can't stop her feelings for Marco, or her determination to
do
her duty and turn him in. Vickie Taylor's The Renegade Steals A Lady weaves a tangled web of
deception and corruption as this sexy hero protects his lady. Remarkably conceived, dazzlingly
executed, the result is a complex tale of cops gone wrong that will keep the reader guessing till
the
end. Suspicion and lust give strong characters both motivation and conflict, resulting a sizzling
read.
These are memorable characters that live in the reader's heart and imagination long after the last
page is turned. Add a terrific dog, and The Renegade Steal The Lady comes very highly
recommended.
Jacob's Proposal: Silhouette Desire, 1397
Eileen Wilks
Silhouette Books
300 East 42nd Street, New York, New York, 10017
ISBN 0373763972, $TBA, Mass Market Paperback, 186 pages
Sensual - Very highly recommended Contemporary Romance
Devotion to the woman who treated them as a mother motivates three handsome bachelors to find
wives quickly in Eileen Wilk's Tall, Dark, & Eligible miniseries. Ada's experimental treatment is
exorbitantly expensive, but they'll do anything to prolong her life. To pay for her treatment, they
must fulfill the rules of their trust. Jacob West, nicknamed the Iceman, promises to be the first
brother to marry. Now he just has to find a bride. Too bad the first woman he asks turns him
down.
But his new assistant is promising. Claire McGuire, the woman rumored to have driven Ken
Lawrence mad, accepts the temporary position as Jacob's assistant. Maybe the mansion's
outstanding
security system will keep her safe. Memories of the scandal, the gossip, and the trial haunt her.
But
knowing events could repeat themselves keeps her ever vigilant. She finds her boss to be a
highhanded, irritatingly sexy man, and now she can't help wondering just how much danger she's
living with as well. The debut of Tall, Dark, & Eligible miniseries Jacob's Proposal demonstrates
author Eileen Wilks' remarkable skill. With a deft touch she combines romance and danger,
forcing
her characters to reevaluate their priorities and the their feelings. Sensuality plays a strong role,
entangling these characters in memorable play of emotions. Very highly recommended.
The Renegade Steals a Lady: Intimate Moments No 1104
Vickie Taylor
Silhouette Books
300 East 42nd Street, New York, New York, 10017
ISBN 0373271743, $TBA, Mass Market Paperback, 248 pages
Sizzle and suspicion -- Very highly recommended Contemporary Romance
She's a lowly canine cop. He's a renegade cop gone wrong. Once the department's best narcotics
detective, Marco Angelosi lost his job, his freedom, and very nearly his life for a woman who
seems
to have wanted only a single night's pleasure. He underestimates their connection. One
tumultuous
night, in which they share an intimacy so profound that neither can shake the effects, connects
them
forever despite her refusal to see him again, even despite his arrest. Only two things could keep
Paige Burkett from Marco: prison and death. Prison's already failed. He'd been sentenced to four
years for theft and tampering with evidence. He could have gotten less time if he had shown
remorse
or offered an explanation; instead, he stoically accepted his sentence. In fact, Marco cut a deal
with a
drug lord to protect Paige; now his partners have reneged on the agreement, setting up the
accident
that should have killed him. Worse, his former officers comb the field for Marco, planning to
return
him to prison. Marco had charmed her, bedded her, and beguiled her; now Paige has lost her heart
and soul to the renegade cop. The juxtaposition of the secretive fugitive and the man who carves
planes for children and bounces babies on his knees isn't lost on Paige. He's a man of shadow and
light, and Paige fears she will always feel this chemical, electrical connection. Despite the facts
that
he shot at her and kidnapped her, Paige can't stop her feelings for Marco, or her determination to
do
her duty and turn him in. Vickie Taylor's The Renegade Steals A Lady weaves a tangled web of
deception and corruption as this sexy hero protects his lady. Remarkably conceived, dazzlingly
executed, the result is a complex tale of cops gone wrong that will keep the reader guessing till
the
end. Suspicion and lust give strong characters both motivation and conflict, resulting a sizzling
read.
These are memorable characters that live in the reader's heart and imagination long after the last
page is turned. Add a terrific dog, and The Renegade StealsThe Lady comes very highly
recommended.
The Truth About Tate: Intimate Moments No 1425
Marilyn Pappano
Silhouette Books
300 East 42nd Street, New York, New York, 10017
ISBN 0373244258, $TBA, Mass Market Paperback, 251 pages
Lies, deceptions and charades - Recommended Contemporary Romance
Alabama reporter Natalie Grant lands the chance of the lifetime when US Senator Boyd Chaney
asks
her to write his biography. Tenacious in her efforts to dig up the past, the senator's exploits lead
her
to an affair the senator had thirty years before with Lucinda Rawlins and their illegitimate son.
Now
rancher Tate Rawlins takes the place of his half-brother in an effort to protect his unconventional
family from scandal, hoping to convince Natalie to abandon her expose. Natalie's contract to write
the biography stipulates that she secures the cooperation of the every one of the senator's six
ex-wives, nine children, and seven grandchildren. J. T. Rawlings is the only hold out. She must
convince him to cooperate. She already messed up once, loosing her career, her father's respect
and
her self-respect. All destroyed by the person she loved. This is her opportunity to redeem herself.
Now she knows to not care for anyone or anything but the story. However stubborn J. T. Rawlins
proves to be, she vows to be more stubborn. She won't leave until she gets the story. As the more
cool headed of the two brothers, Tate volunteers to handle the reporter while his mother and
half-brother complete previously arranged plans to visit grandparents, especially since their
grandfather was recently injured. Lying about his identity violates his morals, but leaving his
family
exposed to the reporter violates them even more. So when Natalie appears on his doorstep, Tate
isn't prepared for the spark of attraction between them, nor is he prepared for her tenaciousness.
Not
only is he going to hell for lying, he's going to suffer a fierce attraction to her while on earth.
Tate's
questions to Natalie form an interesting introspection in The Truth About Tate. As she searches
for
answers to the senator's past, Natalie learns more about the truth about herself than she does her
subject. It does seem odd that Natalie doesn't catch onto the deception early in the novel as she
examines family pictures, and misses the occasional slip. If Nataie had done her research, and paid
attention to what the senator told her, she should have realizes which J.T. Rawlings is the elder
brother. Even if the Senator didn't have a picture, Tate had been a football star who gave up a
promising career to care for his son. Newspaper photo should have revealed the sham to the
reporter. Despite the thinness of the subterfuge, however, it does make for an intriguing plot.
Recommended.
This Perfect Stranger: Intimate Moments No 1103
Barbara Ankrum
Silhouette Books
300 East 42nd Street, New York, New York, 10017
ISBN 0373271735, $TBA, Mass Market Paperback, 251 pages
Dark overtones and secrets -- Very highly recommended Contemporary Romance
Until he meets Maggie Cortland, Cain MacCallister hasn't wanted anyone in his life since he lost
Annie, which scares the hell out of him. Reckless, dangerous, self-contained, Cain can't seem to
leave the past behind. But Maggie makes him want to forget the hurt of the past, making him
forget
to guard his secrets and his heart. She makes him want things a man like him, he believes, doesn't
deserve. A drifter, he only comes to her ranch because he's hungry, and someone said she might
need help. He doesn't intend to stay; there's no stopping when a man runs from the past and
memories. Maggie considers the secrets that Cain keeps carefully guarded part of a packaged
deal.
She respects his silence, his reticence, his ability to work, and his determination. And while she
knows he can never remain a permanent part of his life, she also accepts the time they share
together. She needs to be married if she wants to save the ranch. A thousand acres isn't too much
to
pay for a six-month marriage, even if it proves to be anything but convenient. Even her dark
foreboding that this stranger could be dangerous for her doesn't dissuade Maggie from her plan.
She
won't let the town bully, Laird Donnelly, get what he's always wanted. Author Barbara Ankrum
brings creative flair to This Perfect Stranger. A number of romances have recently centered
around
men who spent time in prison, but Ankrum boldly creates a hero who justifiably served time for a
crime of passion before his sentence was forgiven. Such strong characterization daringly separates
This Perfect Stranger from the competition. Further, this heroine is no shrinking violent, taking on
dangerous men and a hurtful past as she uncovers the truth behind the threats and her husband's
death. A strongly plotted, memorable read, This Perfect Stranger comes very highly
recommended.
When I Dream of You: Special Edition No 1419
Laurie Paige
Silhouette Books
300 East 42nd Street, New York, New York, 10017
ISBN 0373244193, $TBA, Mass Market Paperback, 248 pages
Treasures of the heart - Highly recommended Contemporary Romance
Kyle Herriot's grandmother used to tell him that one day he'd find his treasure - now he's coming
to
understand that his grandmother was referring to treasures of the heart. But the Windoms and the
Herroits are enemies, and Kyle certainly can't be attracted to Megan. Even as Kyle feels his
morality,
his need to hurry before life passes him by, he still tries to deny his growing attraction for his
neighbor andenemy. Their grandfathers had been enemies. Kyle's not so sure what his father's
relationship was with her mother Bunny. He doesn't suspect his father of infidelity, but there was
something between them the day they died, together on the sailboat. At eleven, he'd seen them
just
before they set out, never to return. Nevertheless, a lot of secrecy had gone into the case. His
mother believed she had been cheated upon. Megan's grandfather had been a proud old man
determined to squelch gossip. Now they are working together, delving into the murky depths of
the
water and the past to bring to light the truth of the day they each lost a parent. Megan has no
memories from before her mother's funeral. Doctors say it's not uncommon for trauma to interfere
with memory, but she still longs to know what's been left in the mist of the past. Nightmares serve
as
a constant reminder of the loss of her mother in the mysterious accident. And to now desire the
enemy seems like a betrayal of her family and all she holds dear. Carefully portrayed tumultuous
feelings, torn between loyalty to family and needs of the heart, lend Laurie Paige's When I Dream
Of
You deep characterizations. As these wounded people find their way toward redemption, the
challenges they face draw them together in an abiding love. Unable to deny their feelings, the past,
or themselves, they learn lessons of self-acceptance and forgiveness, making When I Dream Of
You
a touching tale. An excellent conclusion to a terrific series, When I Dream Of You is highly
recommended.
Some Kind of Incredible: Silhouette Desire, 1395
Katherine Garbera
Silhouette Books
300 East 42nd Street, New York, New York, 10017
ISBN 0373763956, $TBA, Mass Market Paperback, 184 pages
Two years ago, Nicholas Caden's wife died from cancer. Their relationship had never contained
the
kind of passion that curled his toes anyway, so his vow to never marry again seems logical. Nick
throws himself into his work, instead, devoting long hours to making Colette, Inc. a success. But
now the company risks a hostile takeover, and he risks unemployment. Suddenly the only thing in
his
world that feels solid is his administrative assistant Lila Maxwell. Even if he's not a forever kind of
guy, Lila offers life, and he wants to share it, if only for a while. Lila left behind sunny Florida for
Indiana for a chance to start over, without rumor dogging her every move. She has a wonderful
apartment at Amber Court, a job she loves, and a boss to die for. But when Nick suddenly begins
to
look at her as if she's a scrumptious dessert, and her job is threatened by the take over, life
becomes
very unstable. A steamy encounter of Nick's desk leaves her reeling with emotional intensity of
their
lovemaking and a possible pregnancy. Now she wants to be the one to teach him to trust his heart.
But the question remains as to the damage she may receive to her own heart. I admit to being a
bit
torn about reviewing Some Kind Of Incredible, simply because this is the era of political
correctness.
Most corporations forbid relationships between a VP and his administrative assistant simply
because
he's the boss and holds unfair advantage over his employee. Fears of sexual harassment lawsuits
rule
our era. Indeed, at one point the hero briefly entertains and rejects the impulse to fire his admin
simply to make his life simpler after he's incurred incredible emotional complications.
Furthermore,
the heroine worries throughout the book about her reputation if anyone learns she's dating the
boss.
Nevertheless, this is the substance of genre fiction, and fantasy shouldn't be ruled out because it is
politically incorrect. And author Katherine Garbera is a master of the forbidden encounter on
company property, as she demonstrates in SomeKind Of Incredible. Highly recommended.
The Woman for Dusty Conrad: Intimate Moments No 1427
Tori Carrington
Silhouette Books
300 East 42nd Street, New York, New York, 10017
ISBN 0373244274, $TBA, Mass Market Paperback, 250 pages
Sharp edged and vividly realized -- Very highly recommended Contemporary Romance
One moment firefighter Dusty Conrad and his brother are scaling a set of stairs, seeking out a fire,
his brother quizzing him about the flash point of pair of the socks. Then a careless, stupid mistake,
a
back draft, his brother dies, and paramedics whisk wife Jolie to the hospital with third degree
burns.
Dusty resigns from the department, and asks Jolie to resign as well. He can't attend another
funeral
of a loved one, especially when she purposely places herself in danger. She refuses. So Dusty
walks
away from the tie that bound him to the woman he loves, but threatened to choke him in the end.
Six
months later Dusty returns to Old Orchard because Jolie hasn't signed the divorce decree. It's
supposed to be a quick process. Quietly slip into town, pick up the papers, and quietly slip away.
Then everyone greets him as if he'd only been gone a day. Worse, his hot reaction at seeing Jolie
reminds him of everything he's lost. And he sees his brother's widow; bringing to mind the pain he
wants to leave behind. He can't compete with the adrenaline rush of fighting fires, or the
emotional
risk of loosing another to that vicious red monster. Surely with him gone, Jolie would be relieved
to
be able to live, as she wanted without someone questioning what she was doing. Tori Carrington
creates powerful conflict in The Woman For Dusty Conrad. In a marvelous reversal of traditional
roles, where men ordinarily risk their lives and women wait helplessly at home, Carrington creates
a
loving couple that risk their lives together on the job. It's the man who has second thoughts,
survivor's guilt, and the inability to maintain such a risky lifestyle. Jolie never backs away from the
job she loves and the responsibility she's accepted in her small town. Even her eventual
compromise
doesn't lessen her power or responsibility. Further, Carrington captures the sharp edge of emotion
held in check, maintaining a careful tension throughout the novel as these characters battle the
blazing inferno of their hearts as well as life and deah issues. Once again Carrington demonstrates
a
remarkable ability to seamlessly blend the male and female points of view in a powerful narrative
that never backs away from either's emotions. Indeed, this writing team has become a master of
vividly capturing fierce emotion. Very highly recommended.
The Marriage Conspiracy: Special Edition No 1423
Christine Rimmer
Silhouette Books
300 East 42nd Street, New York, New York, 10017
ISBN 0373244231, $TBA, Mass Market Paperback, 249 pages
An intensive read -- Highly recommended Contemporary Romance
The Atwoods have too much money and too much power, which corrupted their only son. Joleen
believed Bobby's silken lies until he'd wanted nothing to do with his child, abandoning Joleen
when
she learned of her pregnancy. Now her son Sam is eighteen months old. Six weeks ago Bobby
died
in a power skiing accident. In spite of the past, she'd contacted his parents to tell them that they
have
a grandson. Their response is to offer her money for custody. When Joleen refuses, they threaten
court, counting on political favors to win them the child. Dekker recently learned that he's the
Bravo's missing heir. Now a millionaire, he immediately steps in to help Joleen when he learns of
the
Atwood's threats. The stability of marriage and the money to hire the best lawyers should protect
the
child. He warns Joleen, however, that he's emotionally dead when it "comes to man-woman love."
A
bitter marriage with a woman who couldn't be satisfied and eventually left him widowed resulted
in
becoming absolutely numb. The only woman Dekker lets close to him is his beloved childhood
friend
Joleen. She's always touched the parts of him he keeps silent, hearing the things he can't always
articulate. Joleen's feelings move from tender goodwill to defensiveness when their act of their
marriage, and a couple of kisses, awaken a powerful yearning. In her mother's words, she wants
magic, passion, and excitement. And she wants it with Dekker. When he said that neither of them
were in the market for a grand passion, or possibly ever would be, she didn't want to confess that
she wants the passion he believes impossible. Christine Rimmer's special talent for creating
emotional vulnerable characters once again sparkles in The Marriage Conspiracy. These are
imperfect, believable people struggling with their feelings and the past. Secondary characters,
even
those only sketched at the wedding, for example, also shimmer with plausibility and humor. With
a
heart stopping threat regarding custody, as well as healing old wounds, The Marriage Conspirac
results in intensive read that comes highly recommended.
Heart Of A Hero: Intimate Moments No 1105
Marie Ferrarella
Silhouette Books
300 East 42nd Street, New York, New York, 10017
ISBN 0373271751, $TBA, Mass Market Paperback, 251 pages
Trust is a difficult thing to learn -- Highly recommended Contemporary Romance
Her heart is carefully protected as her child, but that's not enough when a kidnapper takes former
Las Vegas showgirl Dakota Armstrong's two-year-old son. Dakota believes the child's
grandfather, a
man of dangerous connections and unfathomable power, has stolen her son. Now Dakota must
learn
to trust again if she wants him back. Indeed, only the heart of a hero will be enough to earn her
trust,
or her love. Russell Andreini of ChildFinders, Inc. believes in miracles. In fact, he's made a career
out of making miracles happen. ChildFinders, Inc. has never failed to find a missing child, no
matter
what it takes, or what the parent can afford for their services. So when a scream in the night leads
Rusty to the apartment beneath his where he finds a stunned mother, he rushes to her assistance.
Never mind she fears anyone's help. To help Dakota find her son, first Rusty must earn her trust,
and
extract her carefully guarded secrets. Author Marie Ferrarella creates a powerful story of trust,
healing, and love in Heart Of A Hero. These are passionate, believable characters bound by a
common quest. Rusty's enormous, generous heart reaches beyond Dakota's carefully constructed
walls, teaching her to trust without once undermining her hard won strength. With a marvelous
plot
with a surprising twist at the end, readers won't be able to put it down. Highly recommended.
Promises, Promises: Intimate Moments No 1109
Shelley Cooper
Silhouette Books
300 East 42nd Street, New York, New York, 10017
ISBN 0373271794, $TBA, Mass Market Paperback, 251 pages
Three months after her best friend died, Gretchen Montgomery received a tape made by Jill. On
the
tape, Jill extracts three promises: take the money Jill left her out of the safe money market
account
and spend it on frivolities; enter a piano competition; have a wild, crazy affair. So Ms. Practicality
CPA finds herself embarking on a new life style. New clothes, new cosmetics and a new sports car
lead her to propositioning the sexy doctor next door. Too bad he flat turns her down. Dr. Marco
Garibaldi likewise always honors his promises. He's seen the strain being a doctor place on a
family
life. So he's made a couple of promises to himself: never loose touch with the human side of his
job;
never marry. When he weakens on his promise, he thinks of his best friend and the struggles he
and
his wife face. Ironically, his best friend convinces him to baby sit his seven month old so he and
his
wife can take the weekend for time together to hopefully save their marriage. Marco's inadequate
baby skills lead to Gretchen's assistance and his change of heart regarding an affair. What
Promises,
Promises lacks in substance, it compensates with frivolity. This delightfully pleasant read results in
first-rate escape fiction. As promises draw Gretchen and Marco into experiencing life and learning
to
risk their hearts. As this couple struggles with the stress every couple faces, they do so with pain,
with humor, and with grace. These appealing characters result in a delightful afternoon's read.
Promises, Promises comes recommended.
Her Boss's Baby: Silhouette Desire No 1396
Cathleen Galitz
Silhouette Books
300 East 42nd Street, New York, New York, 10017
ISBN 0373763964, $TBA, Mass Market Paperback, 184 pages
From misfortune to joy - Highly recommended Contemporary Romance
With a childhood plagued with emotional abuse and guilt, Jonas Goodfellow distances himself
emotionally from the women in his life. He was an illegitimate child, the cause of his mother's
disastrous marriage to his cruel stepfather. Yet somewhere beneath the pain, the desire for a
family
must still lurk, because when he was established as one of the missing Fortune heirs, he couldn't
resist the impulse to meet his estranged family. Unfortunately, someone tampered with the bottle
of
wine he brought along to celebrate, and he landed in prison, accused of attempted murder. Tara
Summers remembers all too clearly the night five years ago when Jonas bailed her out of jail. She
never expected to return the favor. But when word came of the disastrous reunion, she
immediately
rushes to his aid, in addition to orchestrating the necessary arrangements for him to continue his
business while confined to Texas. Tara's determined to use the opportunity of sharing a hotel suit
to
make Jonas see beyond the twelve years that separates them. She's grown up and she wants him.
It's
too bad that when Tara gets him to bed, she also gets a pregnancy and a man who fears
commitment. Author Cathleen Galitz continues The Fortunes of Texas miniseries with Her Boss's
Baby. The characterizations are a delightful contrast. Tara is a lovely combination of youthful
exuberance and mature wisdom. Jonas is a damaged man, who must grow beyond the belief that
the
word family is synonymous with the word viper. Indeed, emotions rule this tightly crafted plot,
resulting in a novel that is at once intense and beguiling. Her Boss's Baby comes highly
recommended.
Hard to Handle: Intimate Moments No 1108
Kylie Brant
Silhouette Books
300 East 42nd Street, New York, New York, 10017
ISBN 0373271786, $TBA, Mass Market Paperback, 250 pages
The light and shadow of emotion -- Highly recommended Contemporary Romance
Meghan Patterson represents the exact kind of trouble Detective Gabe Conally tries to avoid with
secrets in her eyes and lies on her lips. His fascination is purely business, of course, since her
nephew
is a valuable witness. Never mind the first kiss backfires, failing to prove there isn't any attraction
between them. Few women elicit an emotion response him, beyond the obvious, but Meghan
touches parts of him that he has never shared with anyone. Soon he finds himself offering to
investigate the case involving Meghan's sister, despite the fact that the case is closed, in exchange
of
her nephew Danny's assistance in an ongoing investigation. Meghan believes the Chicago police
are
responsible for her sister's death and will do anything to protect Danny from the same fate. Her
sister
had been telepathic, a gift she'd passed to her son. Further, Meghan guards her hard won privacy
carefully. Gabe's presence brings her pain, anger, and regret too close to the surface. She finds his
intensity unnerving even as she fights her growing desire for this irritating, persistent man. Her
sister's death appears to be tied to another case Gabe's working, and Meghan finds herself drawn
into Gabe's world despite her protestations. Kylie Brant brings two cynics who believe the only
person they can trust is himself or herself together in Hard To Handle. While he was a juvenile
delinquent and she was from a wealthy family, they both know the meaning of pain and betrayal.
The
growth of these characters as they begin the difficult job of exposing vulnerabilities and risking
further hurt makes them endearing and believable. Further, outrageous, sizzling heat always
threatens just beneath the surface to erupt in tumultuous passion, refusing to allow them to simply
walk away. In addition, the inclusion of a five-year-old telepath lends Hard To Handle an addition
challenge, resulting in a vividly unique read. Very highly recommended.
Fortune's Secret Daughter: Silhouette Desire No 1390
Barbara McCauley
Silhouette Books
300 East 42nd Street, New York, New York, 10017
ISBN 0373763905, $TBA, Mass Market Paperback, 186 pages
Lively and entertaining -- highly recommended Contemporary Romance
Pilot Guy Blackwolf will brave even the most miserable storm in the wilderness of Alaska to fulfill
a
favor. But it turns out to be Holly Douglas who performs a rescue, pulling his from his downed
plane before he can drown. He'd come to Alaska to change her life, and she saves his instead.
When
she learns why he's there, however, she may just take him right back out to Twin Pines Lake and
drown him after all. Holly takes Guy home with her because there's no place else for him to stay.
The cozy apartment offers her refuge from the small town, trailer park existence she left behind in
Texas. Here no one judges her, or sets impossible standards. Therefore, she doesn't welcome
Guy's
news, when he finally reveals it, that he's there to find a missing heiress. She'd prefer to go right
on
missing. This fiercely independent doesn't take well to most women's fantasy come true of rags to
riches in Fortune's Secret Daughter. With a determination to create a life on her own terms, this
fiery
woman meets her match in this sexy hero that also equals most women's fantasies. With a fun, fast
paced plot and excellent characterizations, Fortune's Secret Daughter is a fun addition to this
miniseries. Highly recommended.
Fugitive Hearts: Intimate Moments No 1101
Ingrid Weaver
Silhouette Books
300 East 42nd Street, New York, New York, 10017
ISBN 0373271719, $TBA, Mass Market Paperback, 248 pages
A very pleasant read -- recommended Contemporary Romance
Children's book author Dana Whittington wouldn't have found him if the wood box hadn't been
getting empty. On her porch, covered with snow, was a man that she pulled into her remote cabin
before he could quite freeze to death. With the phones out and roads closed, she's alone with this
stranger. Pushing aside proprieties, she strips him and gets his unconscious body warm, realizing
that he looks like an old fashioned desperado. As they come to know one another, Dana's
impressed
by his obvious love of his daughter. She's terribly shocked to later learn she'd harbored a fugitive
who had been serving a life sentence. Seven months of helpless, frustrated anger characterizes his
life. Remy Leverette is not a murderer, despite what they say. Friends have turned their backs on
him, so he doesn't dare trust the truth to a stranger. He can't forget the sight of his wife on the
bedroom carpet as if she had passed out again; then he smelled the copper scent of blood. He
worries that his daughter would grow up as he had, always trying to atone for his father's sins.
But
he refuses to leave a legacy of shame for his daughter; instead, he's determined to prove his
innocence. With no where else to go in the frigid Canadian winter, Remy returns to the resort
where
Dana works on her books, slipping into the main building and hoping to conceal his presence.
When
she discovers Remy, Dana cannot bring herself to betray the man who thinks so much of his
daughter, or even her own heart. The honest, down-to-earth warmth and motivations of the
characters in Fugitive Hearts by Ingrid Weaver results in a very pleasant read. Although the plot is
markedly predictable, the quality and depth of characterizations can't help but touch the heart.
Even
the cat Mortimeter, who stars in Dana's children's books, makes his presence delightfully known
through the narrative, as he tolerates the antics of his humans with grace. Recommended.
Dateline Matrimony: Special Edition No 1424
Gina Wilkins
Silhouette Books
300 East 42nd Street, New York, New York, 10017
ISBN 037324424X, $TBA, Mass Market Paperback, 251 pages
Teresa Scott is a waitress at the Rainbow Caf‚ in a small, Arkansas town where she meets Riley
O'Neil. He's a reporter who enjoys disconcerting people with off-the-wall comments. She's
cautious
in her interactions with Riley because he doesn't need any encouragement from a woman who
doesn't date. She insists that she finds his teasing more annoying than amusing, despite her
attraction
to the reporter. When Teresa realizes that he's already chummy with her children, she can't help
wondering how that ever happened. Especially with a guy who claims to not like children. Fear of
rejection keeps Riley from submitting one of the fantasy novels he's written to a publisher. That
same fear has always kept him from issuing invitations to women he knows will be accepted. So
now
he wonders why he finds himself pursuing a woman who consistently declines. Especially when he
learns she has children. And especially when he has no intention of every marrying. Worse, he
even
rents her the duplex next door, insuring that they see one another frequently, and resulting in
intimacies he didn't quite predict. Author Gina Wilkins offers a terrific conclusion to her miniseries
Hot Off the Press. Dateline Matrimony concludes the underlying secondary plot while never
taking
the emphasis from the burgeoning romance between Riley and Teresa. Riley's an unlikely hero,
not
necessarily because he's forsworn marriage or dating a woman with children, but because he's
mouthy, irritating, and won't take no for an answer while still remaining charming, funny and
honest.
Indeed, Dateline Matrimony's crisp dialogue and fiery characterizations result in a strong read.
Highly recommended.
Cowgirl Be Mine: Special Edition No 1428
Elaine Nichols
Silhouette Books
300 East 42nd Street, New York, New York, 10017
ISBN 0373244282, $TBA, Mass Market Paperback, 250 pages
Mandy Thomson lives in the moment, thriving on fast horses, dangerous bulls and wild parties.
Just
before the gate rises, she looks up to seek Jake. She hasn't seen him in ten years, since she walked
out on him when she was seventeen. Seeing him there momentarily breaks her concentration,
bringing back a flood of memories before Mandy single-mindedly focuses on the most important
ride
of her career. She experiences almost six second of total exhilaration. Then, in less than a second,
the Brahma bull she's riding dies, a ton falling on her legs. In those moments before loosing
consciousness, she relies on Jake as a guardian angel. He is her lifeline until medical help arrived.
Then she doesn't see him again. The following three days Mandy lays comatose, and her mother
signs the consent form for a leg to be amputated below the knee. They were young and in love.
Then
a tragic car accident deprived Jake Miller's father of both legs. Jake accepts full responsibility for
his
family and his family's box company, growing up quickly despite his youth. He trades his college
football scholarship to care for his family. He'd wanted forever with Mandy, but she wanted
excitement, rodeos, parties and fun. She feared being bogged down with the kind of responsibility
Jake faced. Ten years later, Jake has an apartment already equipped for a handicapped person's
needs, and Mandy's brother brings her there to live. He loves her bravado, determination and
brash
words that always cover her fear or insecurity. Neither of them is prepared for the feelings that
return as if the ten years had never been. And as Mandy learns to accept her outward wounds, so
must Jake learn to heal his internal scars. First time author Elaine Nichols pens a strong, deeply
evocative romance in Cowgirl Be Mine. Mandy's an unexpected heroine whose superficial life
must
be stripped away to expose the feelings and desires long hidden. In a genre where heroines are
never
handicapped and frequently adhere to stereotypes, Mandy's fun loving partying lifestyle proides
refreshing verve, especially when she is juxtaposed with a much too serious hero. This remarkable
author bears watching, as Cowgirl Be Mine promises a marvelous future for this author. Highly
recommended.
Cassidy and the Princess: Intimate Moments No 1007
Patricia Potter
Silhouette Books
300 East 42nd Street, New York, New York, 10017
ISBN 0373271778, $TBA, Mass Market Paperback, 248 pages
Seductive, sexy and exciting - Very highly recommended Contemporary Romance
It turns personal when the serial killer's fifth victim miraculously escapes. The killer began with
prostitutes before attacking ice skating champion Marise Merrick. Now nothing will stop him
from
killing her before she can identify "The Rose Killer". Marise determinedly becomes the bait to lure
the killer into the open, but not before his stalking escalates to chilling proportions. Detective
Cassidy MacKay has pursued The Rose Killer for eight months. But budgets don't allow a lot of
resources for a killer who preys on prostitutes in the city of Atlanta. International athletes,
however,
garner a lot more attention. The first moment he meets Marise's eyes, there's an odd flash of
recognition that seems to bind them despite his vows to never give his heart away again. He can't
help being impressed by this strong, gutsy, courageous woman who won't back away from helping
to capture this killer despite the risk to herself. Marise takes great strides toward overcoming long
held guilt when she decides to stay in Atlanta to aid in the apprehension of The Rose Killer. For
the
first time she acts on what she wants; that is, to help capture a killer, and to remain in the
company
of the detective during this frightening time. Unfortunately, her mother and skating partner seems
more concerned with getting her back in competition than with her well-being. Accustomed to
making decisions based on her partner and her mother, her choices sets into motion a whole chain
of
events that lead to independence as she learns to leave the "ifs" behind. She learns to accept that
she
wants more than her partner and mother want. Rather than gold metals and international acclaim,
she'd rather have a family and a home. Author Patricia Potter writes with a dignity and poignant
assurance that touches reader's hearts in Cassidy And The Princess. Juxtaposing the glittering
success of an ice princess with the dark, brooding detective, Potter creates a tale of opposites
who
come to share the same goal. While the underlying plot, to capture the seial killer, binds the pieces
of
this story together, it never overshadows the richly presented love story. Secondary characters are
also marvelously presented, resulting in a multifac
