WILD ROSES

By Hannah Howell
Zebra (1997), 308 pages, $6.99 (paperback)


In this Hannah Howell classic romance, you find yourself mumbling several questions to yourself:
Does Harrigan really not know he’s totally in love with Ella?
Would a man in love really leave his soul mate alone in a home where he suspects she may be in danger while he scrounges up evidence?
Would that same man really go have a drink with his friend after he suspects an evil uncle is taking his true love to her death?
But in the end, you realize the answers – and the aggravation – really don’t matter. Because all is well that ends well.
And “Wild Roses” ends well.
Harrigan is hired by Ella’s evil uncle to track her down in Wyoming and bring her back, by force if necessary, to Philadelphia. Ella tries to convince Harrigan during the trip that her uncle is no good and will kill her if Harrigan hands her over to him.
Harrigan does his best to not believe that.
He also does his best to ignore what he feels for Ella, even though everyone who encounters them even briefly can figure out that they love each other.
Like Ella said at the end, “I fear I wasn’t as strong a fighter as you and had to face the fact that you had stolen my heart fairly early in the game.”
That made some of the things Harrigan did to Ella even worse.
Not that Harrigan was unforgivably horrible. He gagged Ella, forced her to come with him and refused her pleas not to return her to her uncle. But he explained his reasons and was mostly a gentleman, as well as loving and protective in his way.
But then he turned her over to her uncle.
Obviously on the trip from Wyoming to Philadelphia, the two embark on a passionate affair. Which again, makes Harrigan’s actions even worse.
The book does drag on somewhat, and the ending takes too long to wrap up – probably because Harrigan does some rather convoluted thinking that is supposed to explain his actions – or inactions.
But in the end, he does save his damsel in distress – both from the dastardly deeds of her uncle and from a lifetime of loneliness and heartbreak.


Overall rating: 3-plus of 5 hearts. It’s a timeless, tear-producing, make-you-sigh pure romance, that just drags a big in a couple of places. It’s the sort that makes you want to yell at the hero on one page, and almost feel sorry for his turmoil on another.

Hunk appeal: 10, with definite 10-plus moments – and definite cad moments as well. Harrigan is an honorable man, trying to do the honorable thing and restore the family business he feels responsible for losing. In that vein, he does mistreat Ella, at times rather abominably, and does some things that just doesn’t make sense for a man in love to do. He does continuously feel guilty, which is somewhat of a consolation.


Steamy scene grade: XXXXX. Which also spoke well of Harrigan….and not.

Happily-Ever-After: Good. Harrigan makes amends for his earlier misbehavior, and makes Ella happy.


Also this week…..
IT HAD TO BE YOU, by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (1994 paperback) 5 of 5. This must-read classic began Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ delectable Chicago Stars’ series, and was recently re-released. Phoebe inherits a professional football team from her father, whom she hadn’t seen for years. He wasn’t a nice man. She immediately clashes with coach Dan, who thinks of Phoebe as a slutty, blonde bimbo. He quickly learns that first impressions can be very, very wrong. This is a read again and again sort of book, with a fairytale ending and scenes that will become embedded in your mind. Phoebe and Dan’s happily-ever-after is also witnessed in future Chicago Stars’ stories – a must read series.

NOT ANOTHER BAD DATE

By Rachel Gibson
AVON BOOKS (2008), 377 pages, $7.99 (paperback)

For every woman who has had her heart broken by her first love, this one is for you.
For all the times you dreamed of the guy bumping into you years later, being dazzled by your beauty, charm and success and regretting more than anything in his life that he let you go…..
“Not Another Bad Date” is for you.
Adele is the last in her small group of writer friends to find her soul mate. (And we’ve read about all the others in previous books.)
Or perhaps she did find her soul mate while she was in college, and lost him.
Zach was a college football star, and Adele was on the outer fringes of popularity. Still, after he broke up with his head-cheerleader girlfriend (a snob who had made Adele’s life miserable in high school) he was drawn to Adele and they embarked on a brief, yet passionate, affair.
Until ex-girlfriend told Zach she was pregnant.
So being a good Southern gentleman, Zach married his ex. And broke Adele’s heart.
Fourteen years later, Adele – who has inexplicably had three years worth of really bad dates – comes back to her small hometown to help her pregnant sister and teen-aged niece. And discovers her niece’s best friend is Zach’s daughter.
Like most of Rachel Gibson’s books, this one is a lot of fun. And this time, part of that fun comes from an “otherworldly presence.” One that is not only responsible for Adele’s bad dates, but whose mortal self was responsible for her heartbreak.
That would be Devon, Zach’s deceased wife.
Devon wasn’t the nicest woman on Earth, and is given a couple of chances to redeem herself and earn a spot in heaven. She’d rather torture Adele though, even though her worst efforts turn out well for Adele and Zach.
Eventually.
When Adele discovers the parentage of her niece’s friend, she panics and tries to escape before seeing Zach. She had been at the hospital all night with her sister, had a coffee stain on her sweater and suffice it to say didn’t look her best.
But she doesn’t escape, and as she watches Zach approach she thinks, “At one time or another, every woman alive fantasized about running into an ex and making him sorry he’d dumped her. …she’d had them a time or two about Zach Zemaitis, but she’d always pictured herself sizzling hot, not looking like crap with coffee down her sweater.”
Adele resists Zach as long as possible, certain that he will shatter her heart again if she gets too close. And, because of the machinations of Devon, he does. But he comes to his senses and gives Adele the ending she deserves.



Overall rating: 4 of 5 hearts. It’s just pure fun to read a Rachel Gibson book, and “Not Another Bad Date” is no exception.
Hunk appeal: 10-plus. Even though Zach shattered Adele’s life years before, he did have a compelling reason. And he has his moments when Adele returns to his life. He’s patient, thought he does jump to a wrong conclusion. Still, that just sets him up to be dashing and romantic at the end.
Steamy scene grade: XXXXX. Pretty much defined their entire courtship.

Happily-Ever-After: Very good. For every woman who has dreamed of having a man chase her across the country to apologize, this one is for you.

Upcoming…..

While September has been a bit slow in the romance world, the next few months promise better.
In October, look for “Mr. Cavendish, I Presume,” by Julia Quinn, a sequel to “The Lost Duke of Wyndham.” Also in October, Carly Phillips has “Lucky Charm,” Fern Michaels releases “Collateral Damange” and Susan Krinard has “Come the Night.”
Heather Graham starts a trilogy in October, with the next book coming out in November, and the final in December. In order, the books are “Deadly Night,” “Deadly Harvest,” and “Deadly Gift.”
J.D. Robb fans are in for a huge treat in November, with the release of “Salvation In Death,” and the anthology, “Suite 606,” which has an Eve and Roarke story, along with tales by Mary Blayney, Ruth Ryan Langan and Mary Kay McComas.
And Nora Roberts will release the final installment of her Sign of Seven Trilogy, “The Pagan Stone,” in December.
Also in December, Iris Johansen has “The Treasure,” and Beverly Barton “Dying for You.”
Of course, the Christmas romances will begin hitting the shelves in October as well.

HEART OF STONE

By Diana Palmer
SILHOUETTE BOOKS (2008), 219 pages, $4.99 (paperback)

There’s a reason why fans start smiling when they see a Silhouette Book with Diana Palmer’s name on it.
And, a reason why they smile even brighter when they see it’s a “Long, Tall Texan” story.
Those who have read the multiple books in this series (Jacobsville, Texas is definitely blessed with many hunky cowboys) know what to expect, which is why we snatch them up quickly and find a place to hide and read.
When you read one of Palmer’s books you know that:
1) You’re going to need tissues,
2) You’re going to sympathize with the brave heroine who has suffered tragedy and heartbreak,
3) You’re not going to sympathize with the hero who despite being hunky and the love of the brave heroine’s life, is unreasonably hostile and/or nasty to said heroine for much of the story,
4) The story is going to end well with the heroine, and hero, blissfully happy.

And if they’re blissfully happy, so are you.
This is a quick and easy read, full of emotion that will have you smiling and crying. If you don’t have at least a sniffle or two while reading a book by Diana Palmer, you may need emotional counseling.
In this tale, Keely is an innocent 19-year who has been in love with her best friend’s brother for years. But Boone barely acknowledges her existence and Keely is sure her love is destined to be unrequited.
Her belief is solidified when Boone starts going out with his ex-fiancee, the dastardly Misty.
Of course, not all is as it seems.
Keely harbors secrets that makes her think a future with any man is impossible. But when her criminal father and his friend return to town and threatens her, suddenly unrequited love is the least of her problems.
Of course, Boone comes to the rescue. In both cases.
There are brief glimpses of some recurring characters, including Sheriff Hayes Carson, Cash Grier, Cag and Tess Hart and Officer Kilraven.

Overall rating: 4 of 5 hearts. Is it sappy? Absolutely. Predictable? Totally. Corny? Of course. And that is why readers love Palmer’s “Long, Tall Texan” stories. Shoot, even the name of the series is sappy and corny.

Hunk appeal: 10. Boone isn’t nearly as cruel and nasty as some heroes are in the beginning of the book, but he’s bad enough that watching him make up for it is satisfying.

Steamy scene grade: XX. He makes up nicely.

Happily-Ever-After: Very good. The great thing about Palmer’s books is that the ending is actually not at the ending. Boone reveals his secrets and his true feelings for Keely. She responds in kind, and they drift into their blissful ending.

Also this week …

REFLECTIONS AND DREAMS
by Nora Roberts (2001 paperback) 4 of 5.

"Reflections and Dreams," has been re-released – again. Actually, it's two books under one cover -"Reflections," the story of retired dancer Lindsay Dunne falling in love with Seth Bannion, and "Dance of Dreams," the tale of Ruth Bannion (Seth's niece and Lindsay's student) falling in love with dancing legend Nickolai Davidov.
In "Reflections" Lindsay is an appealing character whose bluntness and openness is endearing. While she lures Seth to love with no effort, it takes a bit more for him to admit it.
"Dance of Dreams" happens five years later. Seth and Lindsay are blissfully happy with their two children in Connecticut, while Ruth has fulfilled her dream of being a famous ballerina. She finds that falling in love with a dancing legend isn't easy - especially when he loves her back.
Note: Ruth and Nickolai make a brief return appearance in "Considering Kate," the Stanislaski book Roberts' released earlier this year. Check out pages 200-208.

TO CATCH A THIEF

By Christina Skye
HQN (2008), 372 pages, $6.99 (paperback)

“To Catch A Thief” is vintage Christina Skye.
Which is good. And bad.
Skye blends a character and setting from her older (and better) Draycott Abbey series, with a recurring Navy SEAL from her newer, Code Name/Foxfire series.
It would have been better if she’d just stuck with the Draycott storyline.
Not that there is anything wrong with Dakota. But the Foxfire shtick of surgically and experientially enhanced heroes just doesn’t do it for many readers.
At least in this case, it’s a bit more subtle.
Nell is an art restorer, and a serious mountain climber. But while those become valuable assets to the crusading good guys in the story, that’s not what brings her to their attention.
That would be her father, a former (maybe) art thief.
As is often the case in Skye’s tales, the plot is a bit contrived and sometimes frustrating to follow as she alludes to secrets and mysteries. And the entire super secret Foxfire organization with its quirky human experiments and unlikable leader is just hard to take.
Anyway, back to our story. A valuable piece of art is stolen from a museum, and our secret agents discover that the plan is to use it to fund a nasty terrorist group. They suspect Nell’s father of the robbery (and the murder that went along with it) and initially, believe that Nell was an accomplice.
It doesn’t take long for the skeptical and cynical Dakota to doubt Nell’s involvement. But that doesn’t let her off the hook. Dakota and his cohorts use her to locate her father. But even once they find him, they’re not done using her. Dakota isn’t happy about it, but his supervisor insists on using Nell to train Dakota for wall climbing.
Of course the more they’re together, the more their feelings for each other grow. And of course, Dakota becomes another Foxfire operative to break the organization’s rule about no personal involvements.
Oh, the Draycott connection? That would be Nicholas Draycott himself, and part of the story takes place at Draycott Abbey – where Adrian the ghost and his ghost cat Gideon reappear, so to speak.

Overall rating: 3-minus of 5 hearts, a bit more if you’re actually a fan of the Code Name/Foxfire series. Despite the irritating Foxfire bit, the characters are appealing – including recurring mystery man Izzy. If you're looking for authenticity, a story about how Navy SEALS really work, you don't read this. But if you're looking for a light read where a strong hero unwittingly falls for a strong heroine, you’ll probably like it.

Hunk appeal: 10. Dakota finds himself having to choose between “duty and emotion” a couple of times – the “duty” being the mission and his job, the “emotion” being Nell. Would have been nice if he had chosen Nell at least once. Other than that, he was pretty solid, but like his pals from other books, he loses points for being a human experiment.

Steamy scene grade: XXXX. Definitely solid.

Happily-Ever-After: Good. As is often the case with Skye, the ending dragged out somewhat, but when it finally ended, Nell and Dakota were living happily-ever-after.


Also this week …


INNOCENT AS SIN

by Elizabeth Lowell (2007 hardcover, 2008 paperback) 4-minus of 5.

Sift through way too detailed accounts of various guns, African upheaval, the criminal workings of third world counties, political corruption and banking, and you’ll actually find a pretty good romance.
Rand is a reluctant operative for St. Kilda Consulting, who has been looking for the man who caused his brother’s death. He is assigned to investigate the bad guy’s personal banker. After reading Kayla’s dossier, Rand is convinced she’s a victim, not a crook. And when he meets her, he’s even more convinced.
And smitten.
So while trying not only to survive once in a world of evil but to stop it, the couple embraces their rather instant attraction. Their banter was fun, and their instant devotion to each other endearing.