Tag Archive | romance novel

He loves her but does she really love him?

Aug6

Convincing Alex  – Nora Roberts


 

Main characters:

  • Alex – detective investigating the murders of prostitutes by a serial killer 
  • Bess – story writer for a soap opera

Alex meets Bess when he arrests her for prostitution. She is not really a prostitute, but she is trying to do some research to help with character development for the soap opera. In the course of the story, we come to know that Bess is a big hearted, generous person always looking out for her friend’s happiness, even when her latest friend happens to be a prostitute she met during her brief time on the streets.

The attraction between Alex and Bess is very apparent to both of them. What is not helping things is the fact that they have to spend a lot of time in each other’s company because she still needs to do her character research. Alex is a born skeptic when it comes to how Bess feels about him because of what he has read in the weekly tabloids about her romantic history. Plus, he feels like she is from another world and does not see how they could have a normal relationship.

Nevertheless, Alex falls head over heels in love for Bess. It is frustrating for her because she does not know what to do to convince him that she feels the same way. After all, how many broken engagements has she had?

This was an interesting twist to the romance novels that I am used to reading. I cannot remember another novel where the man was the first to declare his love and refused to want the woman to do the same. While I was reading, I was wondering what could Bess do and what her options would be if she is trying to declare her love to someone who is so emotionally involved but distanced at the same time.

Adding the stress of a serial killer to the mix, and this book belongs in the suspense romance category!

Buy Convincing Alex (The Stanislaskis)today!

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

This wary widow gives me mixed emotions

Jul30

The Wary Widow – Jerrica Knight-Catania

Chloe is a widow in London to be with her cousin’s Elizabeth “Lizzie” acting in the capacity chaperone. Lizzie is engaged to Andrew. But things to do not turn out as expected, when sparks fly between Chloe and Andrew. Chloe is in a situation where her heart and mind are waging war because she knows that whatever she chooses, there will be definitely casualties.

I do not usually enjoy stories where one person is already in a relationship at the beginning of the story. I know it should make me feel better to know that two people married for love instead of settling for a lackluster mediocre union. I was also annoyed at what all it took for Andrew to finally decide on an socially acceptable way to marry Chloe. I think he was playing with fire by indulging his desires to be with Chloe before he had things totally worked out with her cousin. He should have thought about the implications of his actions.

If I am reading a story where there is some sort of love triangle, I like it better knowing that the person who is cast aside so the two main characters can follow their heart is a very unlikable character. In this case, I felt sorry for Lizzie. She was an unsuspecting victim in this situation who ended up with hurt feelings. Although in time she will see that everything happened was for the best, she has a lot of feelings of hurt and betrayal to deal with first.

That was the only negative of the story for me. I thought Chloe was a sweet girl who deserved to find someone special since she lost her husband. Her and Andrew’s romance might not have started in the best way, but I think that they could possibly have a stronger relationship because of all that they went through to be together.

I realize that I am talking about these characters as if they are real people. I think that says something about the author’s ability to weave a story that seems so real that the reader is at the point of emotional involvement.

Check out the book for yourself and let me know what you think – The Wary Widow: The Wetherby Brides, Book 3