Tag Archive | book

Resort mixup leads to romance

His Island Bride (The Bride Series)
– Shadonna Richards

Jessica and James had the same idea: Go to Jamaica for a relaxing vacation. They did not plan on going together. Through a mix-up at the resort, they were put in the same room. Since the resort and all other neighboring resort were booked, Jessica and James were left with no choice but to share the room.

Jessica, who at home has been unlucky in lover, is pondering her mother’s suggestion to agree to an arranged marriage. James has been too busy with business to contemplate having a relationship. Since they have been thrown together and there is a strong mutual attraction, they decide to enjoy each other in Jamaica.

This was a sweet novella romance. The love scene was written well and not too graphic. I was happy about the way the story it ended.

This is worth buying if you want a short story. Some might say that you have to suspend belief in reality but I belief have to do that for most romance novels/novellas. Who really reads books like these for their realism? That is not to say that I like a corny, contrive story. I thought this story was original enough not to be mawkishly sentimental.

Already Home is more of a lust story

Oct29

Already Home (Sons of Chance) is a very short story about Hutch and Trina. They had a crush on each other for years but did not act on it. They are two very busy people who seem to want to make the relationship work, but in the end I do not know if they would really make it. I think my hesitant attitude is because there is not much character development in this story. I am okay with short love stories, but there has to be something substantial there in lieu of the chapters of history and build up. That was something this story did not have. There is definitely potential, but it was not as strong as I think it could have been. Since this a Harlequin Blaze story, there is a little heat but it is not as steamy as some other books that I have read.

The ending did not give me the “happy ever after” feeling. I felt it was a hookup between friends who found each other mutually attractive. And that cause the story to lose some of its romance for me.

Since Already Home (Sons of Chance) was free at the time I purchased it, I cannot complain too much. Plus it was mildly entertaining. It is worth a couple of dollars, you want to buy it. Just realize that this story is realistic with a dose of cautious optimism.

Compromise and change equals love story?

Sep17

A Compromising Affair (Arabesque) – Gwynne Forester

Scott Galloway is an ambassador who has finished one assignment and wants to find a wife before taking his next assignment. Denise Miller is a philanthropist working for an organization that helps children of immigrants (important later). Since Scott decides that he wants a wife, he begins to direct his attention to Denise (I still do not know how I feel about the man being on the prowl- seems like he is getting married for the wrong reason). They have a mutual attraction, but Denise has a lot of hang ups that prevent her from committing to a serious relationship.

Scott’s interim assignment was heading the immigration division which caused additional problems with their relationship. The organization, that Denise works with, made some statements that differed with the government’s official policy. Someone made the comment that Denise should publically support Scott. I did not agree with that.

Denise should not be forced to change her opinions in order to conform with her boyfriend. To me that was saying that two political figures could not have a successful personal relationship if they support different policies.

Her friends keep telling her to get it together because Scott is everything she wants. Scott wants her to trust him so that their relationship can progress. Knowing what Denise was dealing with emotionally, I did not like the fact that Scott was so pushy. I understand he was on the fast track to get a wife that fit into his career timeline, but I do not think that was fair to Denise.

As the book progressed, so did my frown lines. There is pressure from all directions, but is the relationship that what she really wants? Do they have what it takes as a couple to have a lasting happy marriage?

Maybe I am overreacting but the moral of this story to me seemed to be this: A woman has a job until she meets the man she is going to marry. Then she compromises and changes to do what he wants.

Since I am used to a different type of romance novel where the main characters revel in their differences while giving into to their love for each other, I admit that this may be an overreaction. Check out A Compromising Affair (Arabesque) and let me know what you think.

Thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat

Sep17

All For One – Ryne Douglas Pearson

This is a thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire book.

The story begins in the Prologue with Joey Travers, Elena Markworth, Bryce Hool, Micheal Prentiss, Paula Jean Allenton, and Jeff Bernstein taking a bat to Guy Edmond. It seems that this is a particularly gruesome display of violence. And the premise of the book is that these children create a pact to stick to their story so that none of them will be arrested for Guy’s death.

In the course of the story, we understand why each one would have reason to kill Guy if they did. He was evil and spiteful. Calling him a bully does not fully describe the extent to which he went to terrorize the other children in the school and neighborhood where he lived. He destroyed people’s property, played cruel practical jokes, humiliated, and demoralized others. After his death, he was gone, but the emotional and physical scars haunted those who had suffered by his hand.

Yet it is a police detective’s job to find a killer. No one should be killed because of vigilante justice.

We know it is not right, but it is difficult to want to find the killer of a horrible person whose main delight was in the intimidation of others.

During the reading of the book, I had so many questions.

Did the children kill him?
If so, who will be the one to break and tell the police?
What will happen to them if they are guilty?
If they are not guilty, who really did it?

The author creates a story that engages the reader in such a way, that there is angst and anxiety for the children. These are children that are having to deal with repressed memories of torment and oppression by a devious individual. I sympathized with his victims. I could understand why some of them were celebrating his death and treating the murder suspects with, what some would call, misplaced gratitude.

But does that make their actions justified?

My mind said no, but my heart said maybe. In the end, in All For One Pearson answered all of my questions and provided a somewhat satisfying explanation to all events.

Jared has a fake fiancee but it all works out

Jul31

Jared’s Counterfeit Fiancée – Brenda Jackson

Jared Westmoreland is a divorce lawyer who has sworn off marriage because of all the failed marriages that he has seen. When a couple is going through a divorce, it brings out the worst in people.

Dana was on the short end of a broken engagement when her ex-fiancé realized his attraction was not for females. In the end that was the best thing for her. Because of that failed engagement, she met Jared. Tall, dark, smart, attractive, and most of all STRAIGHT!

As usual there is a little misunderstanding that keeps the main characters together. In this case the little misunderstanding at a family gathering leads to the erroneous belief that Jared and Dana are engaged. His mom is thrilled to say the least. Extenuating circumstances cause them to continue the charade. Somewhere along the way, they realize their feelings were not entirely for show.

Another Westmoreland man who swore to the single life has found a woman he cannot seem to live without.

This book is funny but has its steamy moments. I like the characters and how they ended up together.

It is worth it for you to get this book Jared’s Counterfeit Fiancé