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Review Date: 8/30/2011
This is a ridiculously sweet story. Damien Hunt and Victoria Kendal are the children of family members who co-own a textile mill. Victoria is being raised by her old fashioned grandfather, who doesnt think that women have any place in business. Damien is a decade older than Victoria, but is desperately attracted to her. She falls for him and agrees to marry him. When she informs her grandfather he cant help but gloat that his plan to have her and Damien wed so that he can manage the mill has come to fruition. Hurt and outraged that Damien only wanted her for the business, Victoria flees to London where she becomes a model. Now her grandfather is dead, Victoria is back at the mill, and her grandfathers will says she must marry Damien in order to inherit her half of the company. Victoria is angry, Damien is determined to marry her, and despite further misunderstandings and more running away the end works out beautifully.
Review Date: 8/30/2011
Erin Cassidy is a 23 year old stain glass window designer who is living with her parents and younger brother to help take care of the family after her mother's recent stroke. The big stain glass project she is working on, however, is ruined by Tony Hart, the quarterback of the professional Colorado football team. Neither are predisposed to like the other given that Erin has a number of negative attitudes about sports players and Tony isn't interested in good girls only looking for marriage. Once Tony hires Erin to design a window for his home, however, the sparks between the two begin to fly.
I really enjoyed the concept of this story and Tony was a pretty great guy, if a little too good to be true. Erin was a bit of a pill though. She did have some good qualities that kept me thinking that she was alright as a person, but the way she stereotyped all athletes and cheerleaders was annoying and I kept thinking that Tony should stop wasting time on her. Erin manages to redeem herself in the end and the story has a satisfying conclusion.
I really enjoyed the concept of this story and Tony was a pretty great guy, if a little too good to be true. Erin was a bit of a pill though. She did have some good qualities that kept me thinking that she was alright as a person, but the way she stereotyped all athletes and cheerleaders was annoying and I kept thinking that Tony should stop wasting time on her. Erin manages to redeem herself in the end and the story has a satisfying conclusion.
His Mistress By Marriage (Harlequin Presents Extra, No 10)
Author:
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
10
Author:
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
10
Review Date: 8/30/2011
The book is actually better than the blurb on the back makes it sound. The heroine and her fiancée have a big misunderstanding, so she dumps him and leaves to take up her career in the world of fashion. Several years later she's engaged to someone new, but must hurry back to England to help her brother who is in the hospital. She runs into her old fiancée who acts like a jerk, but mostly because he's trying to get her to admit why she really ran out on him all the years ago. There are parts of the hero/heroine's relationship I despise... mostly when she acts like a doormat, but the secondary characters are well done and the 'misunderstanding' is a bit more believable than most. There is something slightly unsatisfying about the end of book and I think it's old fiancée's forgiving attitude - but overall worth the read.
Review Date: 5/24/2012
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed this book until about half way through when Caroline and Blake Ravenscroft showed up, and then everything went downhill. I found it unrealistic that Caroline and Elizabeth would form such a quick attachment to each other. I found the Ravenscrofts' interference more annoying than amusing. And I thought that Elizabeth and James weren't as cute or fun once their primary interactions weren't with each other. Instead Quinn seemed to use them to provide the straight lines for the Ravencrofts to make wise-cracks. I would have really enjoyed seeing this story play out without having to make room for characters from a previous book who only detracted from the primary plot.
Review Date: 8/30/2011
Caitlin Seabright sets up a date to get pregnant with one of her friend's cousins. However, she mistakenly ends up sleeping with someone else, who just so happens to become her client for the next month.
Despite this improbable beginning, I really enjoyed the growth of the hero in this book. He goes from being a self-serving, attention-seeking, disorderly mess, to someone who can be counted on and admired. The heroine is not quite so likeable, but has less issues to overcome than the hero.
Despite this improbable beginning, I really enjoyed the growth of the hero in this book. He goes from being a self-serving, attention-seeking, disorderly mess, to someone who can be counted on and admired. The heroine is not quite so likeable, but has less issues to overcome than the hero.
Review Date: 5/24/2012
This book starts off really interestingly with an unlikely representative of a self-made millionaire CEO being given his proxy vote to decide which of his three grandsons should have control of his company. There was plenty of snark and twists with the out-of-her-depth proxy not letting the three grandsons push her around. But I thought it became too unrealistic when millionaire dies, leaves a surprise will, and instead of the grandsons throwing tantrums or demanding explanations, they all just fall in line. The book went downhill from there as one of the grandsons quickly falls in love with the proxy and sets out to 'save' her from her desire to help everyone but herself.
Review Date: 5/25/2012
Mark Senior, a 35 year old businessman, is blackmailed into marrying Dana Payne, a seventeen year old innocent girl. He refuses to touch her because it would be taking advantage of her. Once Mark becomes jealous of his brother, Brendon, and Dana taunts him about his inability to perform sexually he rapes her. Minutes later feeling bad about his behavior, Mark makes love to Dana tenderly to demonstrate that sex can be pleasurable. Their relationship becomes more loving until Brendon and Mark's ex-girlfriend show up raising doubts between the Mark and Dana once again.
A Night With The Society Playboy (Harlequin Presents, No 2778)
Author:
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
9
Author:
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
9
Review Date: 8/30/2011
Ava Haliburton has returned home for her brother, Damien's, wedding. She's spent the last ten years in college and graduate school in the United States. She has just been dumped by one of her professor's who saw career advancement as more important than her relationship.
Caleb Gilchrist, Damien Haliburton's best man and business partner, has spent the last decade living the good life and not thinking about how when Ava ran off all those years ago, she left him behind after he begged her stay. Now that she's back, he's can't decide whether to stay away from her or be with her one last time in the hope that it will purge her from his mind.
This story is about how Ava and Caleb deal with each other during the three days following the wedding. It is a smart, funny story that is romantic, emotional, and charged with great sexual tension, without slipping over the line into unbelievable and maudlin. One of the best Harlequin's I've read in a long time. I'm going to go looking for other books by Ally Blake to see if they live up to this one.
Caleb Gilchrist, Damien Haliburton's best man and business partner, has spent the last decade living the good life and not thinking about how when Ava ran off all those years ago, she left him behind after he begged her stay. Now that she's back, he's can't decide whether to stay away from her or be with her one last time in the hope that it will purge her from his mind.
This story is about how Ava and Caleb deal with each other during the three days following the wedding. It is a smart, funny story that is romantic, emotional, and charged with great sexual tension, without slipping over the line into unbelievable and maudlin. One of the best Harlequin's I've read in a long time. I'm going to go looking for other books by Ally Blake to see if they live up to this one.
Review Date: 8/30/2011
Interesting story about a step-brother and step-sister who end up falling in love and marrying after their parents are killed in an airplane crash. There are all sorts of well done aspects to the book including dealing with some cross-cultural issues, a very ALPHA type hero who actually handles the heroines job well. A misunderstandings about former boyfriends/girlfriends that actually make sense and don't make everyone involved look like idiots or stupidly jealous characters. A few of the characters are a bit over-the-top and unbelievable, but generally a enjoyable story.
Review Date: 8/30/2011
In this story Lauren's twin sister Meg is missing and when she goes to find her she ends up falling for her newly married sister's hot and sexy step-son, Drew. Only there are a couple of problems. First, she's engaged to a very stable if uninspiring man. Second, someone is trying kill her after she is mistaken for Meg.
The plot of this story is really interesting and not your typical romance storyline, but there are few parts of it that really didn't work for me. I disliked how fast Lauren switched her affections from her fiancée to Drew. I also thought that Lauren and Drew's desire to find their missing family members, not to mention the threats to their life might have put a little more of a damper on their desire for each other. I just couldn't get past these two problems enough to really get into the story.
The plot of this story is really interesting and not your typical romance storyline, but there are few parts of it that really didn't work for me. I disliked how fast Lauren switched her affections from her fiancée to Drew. I also thought that Lauren and Drew's desire to find their missing family members, not to mention the threats to their life might have put a little more of a damper on their desire for each other. I just couldn't get past these two problems enough to really get into the story.
Review Date: 5/24/2012
Holly is running away from her duties as princess of Morenci. The expectations of being heir to the throne give her no pleasure and don't allow her to fully experience life. The place she decides to run to is Heart Island in Michigan. This is the island that she spent five summers as girl and where she developed a crush on Nate Matthews. Now that she is back and Nate grown up, she's curious whether her crush could develop into something more and what would happened to her royal expectations if it did.
Review Date: 8/30/2011
Not awful... but the entire plot of a judge letting someone just out of law school defend someone in a capital murder case and only give her 2-3 weeks to prepare for it is so unbelievable that it takes away from other aspects of the story.
Review Date: 8/30/2011
Motorcycle gangs, Marxist rants, a horse-stud farm, and the unlikely story of a landed aristocrat falling for the orphaned niece of his butler. An interesting story with a great basic love plot in spite of all the weird distractions
Review Date: 9/5/2011
City girl Kim Forsythe unexpectedly inherits a 20 acre farm. Despite her lack of knowledge about running a farm, she is tempted to quit her job in Sydney and move to Australias north coast. Two things, however, stand in her way. First, the farm lies in the middle of Rafe OSullivans property and he desperately wants to purchase it. And, second, there might be a more recent will in existence that gives all property to Rafe. Kim decided to brave these impediments and moves to the farm. This throws her constantly into the path of Rafe and his family, as Kim finds she needs a lot of guidance in running the property and dealing with the livestock.
Although Kim is attracted to Rafe, she doesnt want to become just another one of his conquests. Rafes constant presence, however, means that Kim cant help falling in love in spite of the fact shes certain he doesnt return her feelings. It takes a flood, the finding of the lost will, and the pursuit of Kim by another man before Rafes intentions become clear to both Kim and the readers.
This is a very cute and well written story. Allyne at times pushes Kims character toward snide and ungratefully, but continually drags her back from the brink of being obnoxious through her heart-felt apologies and sincerely good intentions. One of the best parts of the story is the teasing and loving relationship demonstrated by the OSullivan brothers and sisters, which makes them all so easy to like.
Although Kim is attracted to Rafe, she doesnt want to become just another one of his conquests. Rafes constant presence, however, means that Kim cant help falling in love in spite of the fact shes certain he doesnt return her feelings. It takes a flood, the finding of the lost will, and the pursuit of Kim by another man before Rafes intentions become clear to both Kim and the readers.
This is a very cute and well written story. Allyne at times pushes Kims character toward snide and ungratefully, but continually drags her back from the brink of being obnoxious through her heart-felt apologies and sincerely good intentions. One of the best parts of the story is the teasing and loving relationship demonstrated by the OSullivan brothers and sisters, which makes them all so easy to like.
Review Date: 5/24/2012
I enjoyed this story of opposites attracting and not throwing a bunch of immaterial things in the way of their relationship. Sure there are a few struggles and hang-ups that need to be overcome, especially on the hero's part, but in the end he comes through. Great story for a fast read.
Review Date: 8/30/2011
Helpful Score: 1
This is another solid story by Starr Ambrose. I really enjoy how her books are not just about two characters falling in love, but also have some action that brings them together. I really like Janet's character, who had just gotten out of the one of the worst marriage's in history (her ex tried to have her killed by Columbian drug dealers) and is questioning her judgment about men. Although she is attracted to Rocky, the hero, from the beginning of the story it takes her awhile to work through her relationship issues.
I think my one criticism of the story is that Rocky is just too perfect. He's an ex-thief, but he has a fairly good (if implausible reason) for the actions that landed him in jail, he's cute, he smart - going after his law degree, and he has no hang-ups. I would have liked to see a bit more struggle or over-coming on his part.
I think my one criticism of the story is that Rocky is just too perfect. He's an ex-thief, but he has a fairly good (if implausible reason) for the actions that landed him in jail, he's cute, he smart - going after his law degree, and he has no hang-ups. I would have liked to see a bit more struggle or over-coming on his part.
Review Date: 5/24/2012
I was looking for a light romantic read and was led astray by this book's summary into thinking it might suit my needs. However, by the time I was about 1/3 of the way through the book I could not continue it. My inability to read further had nothing to do with the Meredith's rather narrow emotional range or Cy Harden's inability to control his 'lust' or even Cy's mother's failure to decide whether or not she hoped Meredith had an abortion or gave Cy's child up for adoption. My growing aversion for the story was fueled by the author's inability to remember and maintain key essential points of the plot!
For Example: Meredith was initially run out of Billings, Montana by Cy's mother claiming that she had stolen money and had an affair with her accomplice in the crime. However, the author can't seem to make up her mind whether or not Cy ever found out that Meredith was really innocent. The story starts out with him saying he has found out, but later on he says he hasn't found out, but then a dozen pages later he again says he knew it from the start. Heaven forbid I had continued reading... he probably would have forgotten and remember another 1/2 dozen times.
The author also provides contradicting information in the story on whether or not Cy knows Meredith's real age - he doesn't at first but later he does. Meredith doesn't to know whether or not Cy was never committed to her or whether they were engaged. If this isn't enough to disuade you from reading then please be prepared for characters who have startling bouts of amnesia - Cy for example is forced to remind his mother several times that he has given Meredith a job as a waitress at his resturant (even AFTER the mother has dined there).
For Example: Meredith was initially run out of Billings, Montana by Cy's mother claiming that she had stolen money and had an affair with her accomplice in the crime. However, the author can't seem to make up her mind whether or not Cy ever found out that Meredith was really innocent. The story starts out with him saying he has found out, but later on he says he hasn't found out, but then a dozen pages later he again says he knew it from the start. Heaven forbid I had continued reading... he probably would have forgotten and remember another 1/2 dozen times.
The author also provides contradicting information in the story on whether or not Cy knows Meredith's real age - he doesn't at first but later he does. Meredith doesn't to know whether or not Cy was never committed to her or whether they were engaged. If this isn't enough to disuade you from reading then please be prepared for characters who have startling bouts of amnesia - Cy for example is forced to remind his mother several times that he has given Meredith a job as a waitress at his resturant (even AFTER the mother has dined there).
Welcome Home, Bobby Winslow (Welcome to Destiny, Bk 1) (Harlequin Special Edition, No 2145)
Author:
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
4
Author:
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
4
Review Date: 5/25/2012
Bobby Winslow has returned to his hometown Destiny Wyoming to recover from a race car crash that almost killed him and came close to ending his career. He is shocked to discover upon his return that his former girlfriend - the one who dumped him so she could go off to New York to become a model - has also returned to Destiny and is now a cop. The passage of time, however, has not dull ed Bobby's desire for Leeann. Unfortunately, a tragic event from Leeann's past makes it hard for her to ever imagine loving anyone again, even Bobby
Review Date: 5/24/2012
Two sex therapists on a book tour together end up having a great time between the sheets. Their different views of what comprises a healthy relationship, however, seemingly makes it impossible for them to have more than a brief fling.
This lively story (which also contains good smut) does a nice job providing two characters who have issues, but have pursued successful lives and developed life theories they think provide the answers to their problems. It isn't until meet each other, that each questions whether or not their theories are really the key to happiness, especially if it keeps them apart.
This lively story (which also contains good smut) does a nice job providing two characters who have issues, but have pursued successful lives and developed life theories they think provide the answers to their problems. It isn't until meet each other, that each questions whether or not their theories are really the key to happiness, especially if it keeps them apart.
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