FEARLESS

By Diana Palmer
HQN (2008), 315 pages, $24.95 (hardcover)

Warning: Don’t read this book without a box of tissues nearby.
Of course Diana Palmer fans don’t have to be warned.
“Fearless” is another book with ties to Jacobsville, where the rugged hero is set to foil the bad guys but isn’t able to thwart love and the heroine draws the readers’ complete support and sympathy.
Rodrigo was the “loser” in love in “Outsider,” when Sarina and Colby reunited and found their happily-ever-after. What readers didn’t fully realize in that book was how devastated Rodrigo was when his DEA partner, Sarina pursued her bliss with Colby.
Glory is a typical Palmer heroine, a damsel in distress type who has hidden depths and is stronger than she appears. An abusive mother left Glory crippled, but loving – and rich – step siblings came to her rescue. Despite a genetic heart condition, Glory has emerged as a tough assistant district attorney who is forced into hiding when a nasty drug lord she’s prosecuting threatens her life.
She hides at her step-siblings farm in Jacobsville – where Rodrigo is working uncover trying to capture the same drug lord.
So their “courtship” begins cloaked in lies, with neither able to reveal their true identities. Rodrigo decides to marry Glory, but immediately regrets the hasty decision. He treats Glory horribly, and says hurtful things to her that will have you grabbing for those tissues.
Of course, that’s Palmer’s trademark and the appeal of her books: The hero unwittingly hurts the heroine, then feels totally guilty about it and seeks to make amends. In this case, Rodrigo doesn’t know about Glory’s ties to her rich step-family, her successful career or the heart condition that makes her frail. So a few health scares and harsh assumptions puts Rodrigo squarely on that grovel path.


Overall rating: 4 of 5 hearts. Typical Diana Palmer: A bit corny, but delightfully romantic with pages that will make you cry and smile. Misunderstandings are such wonderful setups for groveling and it’s fun to watch Rodrigo stumble and fall – and then find solid ground again.


Hunk appeal: 10. Like all of Palmer’s heroes, Rodrigo is a bit rough at times, treating his heroine less than gallantly and making her, and the readers, shed tears. But like all of Palmer’s heroes, he adequately makes amends, feels suitably guilty and fixes everything in time for the happily-ever-after.

Steamy scene grade: XXXX. A bit moreso than many of her books.

Happily-Ever-After: Good. Perhaps Rodrigo overdoes it a bit, but he had a lot to make up for. He could have cleared up things a bit more satisfactorily verbally, but his actions spoke loudly. A short “epilogue” is a nice touch.

Also this week …

A WHOLE NEW LIGHT

by Sandra Brown (1989, paperback) – 4 of 5. "A Whole New Light," by Sandra Brown is being re-released in paperback. It’s one of the author’s oldies but goodies, a pure romance where love prevails. Cyn, her deceased husband, and Worth were best friends. Two years after her husband's death, Cyn discovers her feelings for Worth are changing. It's like Worth told her, he suddenly saw her in "a whole new light." It takes some time (nearly the entire book) for the couple to accept and deal with their changed relationship. But by the end, they appreciate their love and embark on a sweet happily-ever-after.

SOME LIKE IT WICKED

By Teresa Medeiros
Avon Books (2008), 384 pages, $7.99 (paperback)

“Some Like It Wicked” is a charming story that proves once again that love can conquer all.
Catriona is orphaned as a young girl and sent from Scotland to live with her British uncle. She dreams of returning to the Scotland her father romanticized with tantalizing stories, and returning her clan to its days of glory.
But when her uncle threatens to marry her off to “the next man who walks through that door and asks for your hand” Catriona knows her dreams are in jeopardy. And since she knows who that next man will be, she’s especially worried.
So, she devises a plan.
When she was younger, she met Simon, a dashing soldier who made a lasting impression on Catriona. She followed his military career, harboring a crush on the man who was deemed a hero during a sea battle.
But Simon considers himself a fraud, and returns home to act in the most un-hero-like manner possible. Still, Catriona seeks him out to be her hero.
It just takes him a while to fill that role properly.
Catriona’s plan is to marry Simon, then use her dowry to pay him to escort her to Scotland, where she hopes to be reunited with her brother. Strictly a business arrangement.
Right.
The trip to Scotland is long enough for the two to have some uncomfortable moments trying to resist the growing attraction between them – an attraction that started building the day Simon met the young Catriona in her uncle’s barn.
But the trip isn’t long enough for the couple to succumb to love. That comes a bit later after a few disappointments, a revelation or two and a transformation for Simon.
“Some Like It Wicked” isn’t as fairytale-ish as many of Medeiros’ novels, but it is well written and charming with witty, touching and tender moments. It probably won’t be your favorite Medeiros book, or your favorite of the summer, but it’s a fun story that you won’t regret spending time with.


Overall rating: 4 of 5 hearts. An easy read about a young girl chasing her dreams, and discovering love trumps all. You’ll appreciate Catriona’s spirit and while Simon is disappointing at times, he triumphs by the end.


Hunk appeal: 10. It’s more like Simon emerges as a hero. He’s spent years in self-destruction mode, but Catriona knows the prince she glimpsed years earlier is still in him somewhere. She just doesn’t know how deep that prince was buried. Her faith in him wavered somewhat, but she was rewarded for her trust.

Steamy scene grade: XXXX. Simon has his moments.

Happily-Ever-After: Good, if perhaps a bit drawn out. Simon does transform into a suitable hero, but is it too late? It’s good to see him have to fight for the woman who has loved him most of her life. When she finally tells him that she would wait for him “forever and a day” he replies, “You’ll never have to wait for me again because I’m never going to leave you.”

Also this week …

Before the Scandal: The Notorious Gentlemen (Avon Historical Romance)

by Suzanne Enoch (2008, paperback) – 3 of 5.

This is a book that will keep you turning the pages with the hopes that the bad guys will get their due and the hero will get his heroine.
And of course, he does. And they do.
Phin’s sister tricks him into returning home, after he spent years away fighting in a war. His guilt over bad behavior that resulted in his brother losing the use of his legs kept him away, as well as his belief that his family didn’t want him around.
When he returns home, he discovers his family’s friendly and helpful neighbor isn’t as friendly and helpful as they think. In fact, he stumbles upon a plot to run his family out of their ancestral home.
Of course, he foils that. And wins the love of long-time friend Alyse as well. It’s difficult to say which was the biggest challenge.
It’s a good book with a likeable hero and a suspenseful-enough story.

NO CHOICE BUT SEDUCTION

Pocket Books (2008), 361 pages, $25 (hardcover)

Even if “No Choice But Seduction” wasn’t a Malory book, it would be a delightfully fun and engaging story guaranteed to leave readers smiling.
But add a substantial presence of beloved Malorys such as James, Georgina and Anthony, and you get a book certain to be savored and cherished by the hoards of Malory fans.
Once again, it’s actually a Malory in-law that shares the lead. Georgina’s brother Boyd is the third to find marital bliss thanks to their connections to the Malory family.
“No Choice But Seduction” has a few twists that will keep you guessing, but it’s the charisma and wit of the characters that will keep you charmed.
Like his brothers, Boyd owns a ship and is on the sea as much as he is on land. But he’s thinking of retiring, and settling on land – in fact, since his sister lives in London he’s thinking of migrating from his American home to there. And, he’s ready to get married and live happily ever after, like his brother Warren (he doesn’t know about Drew’s wedded bliss at the beginning) and sister.
As he stands on the deck of his boat bound for England, he sees Katey board his ship as a passenger. And he decides she would make a good wife.
Problem is, Katey isn’t interested.
After growing up in a small American village, Katey is ready to explore the world – and can do so, thanks to a sizable inheritance. Marriage doesn’t fit into her plans, and recognizing her naivete when it comes to men, she decides the best way to thwart any plans of seduction is to declare herself married.
That works. At first.
Katey soon finds herself embroiled in a bit more adventure than she bargained for, and Boyd doesn’t exactly play the role of knight in shining armor for her. In fact, he casts himself more as the villain in the piece.
Despite her vow to avoid Boyd, Katey ends up spending a lot of time with the man, trying to ignore her growing attraction. Boyd, of course, doesn’t want her ignoring it and continues to try to arouse it.
And her.
Even if you’ve never ready a Malory book, you’ll enjoy this one. While fans of the series will appreciate subtle references to past books, those who haven’t read them won’t be left in the dark.
But bet you’ll want to read more Malory books when you’re done.





Overall rating: 5 of 5 hearts. It’s a fun, witty and engaging read. It does lack the passion that many of Lindsey’s books usually have, but the story takes off on other tangents that makes up for that.


Hunk appeal: 10. Like most of Lindsey’s heroes – even the Malorys – Boyd does falter a bit toward the beginning. But his transgression isn’t as bad as most, and he doesn’t take as long to express remorse and try to make amends. He’s love-struck and acts accordingly during most of the book.

Steamy scene grade: XXXX. Definitely love-struck.

Happily-Ever-After: Good, even though it lacks the punch that Lindsey’s books usually offer. There’s no grand reconciliation, no scene where the hero makes amends for his earlier transgressions. It’s a sweet and happy ending, though.

Also this week …

THE GOLDEN VALKYRIE
by Iris Johansen (1983, paperback) – 3 of 5. This oldie from the author who has since evolved into more suspense-laden novels is an easy, sweet read for someone looking to fritter away few hours on the beach or by the pool.
It’s been re-released with a new look, but it’s the same engaging, simple and old-fashioned type love story that is wonderfully predictable.
Honey is a private investigator. Prince Lance blackmails her into becoming his bodyguard, openly using that as a ploy to seduce her
Of course eventually, Honey decides she wants to be seduced. But she fears that she’s just another notch on the bedpost for the playboy prince known as “Lusty Lance.” While she’s trying to steel her heart so it won’t break when he moves on, she doesn’t notice that Lance shows no sign of leaving.

INTO THE FIRE

Ballantine Books (2008), 477 pages, $25 (hardcover)

Suzanne Brockmann definitely writes a different sort of romance.
The author has evolved through the years, from writing more traditional romance novels to her current series where the love stories take a back seat to suspense, and sometimes social statements.
Which may appeal to many readers.
And not to others.
“Into the Fire” is a rather convoluted story that reads quicker than you might think when you first pick up the rather heavy 477-pager. But bouncing around among five different storylines sometimes gets frustrating.
There’s the main story, featuring Murphy and Hannah.
Flashbacks to Murphy and Hannah’s past.
Izzy and Eden’s story.
Sophia and Dave and Decker.
Nash and Tess.
Granted, Brockmann does a good job of weaving the stories together and blending them at the end. But still, switching to five different storylines can get a bit annnoying at times.
And then there’s the aspect of it not exactly being an uplifting story.
Readers of Brockmann’s latest Troubleshooters series will remember Murphy, whose wife Angelina was tragically shot and killed in “Hot Target.”
So, part of this story is showing how devastated Murphy was when he lost his wife. Which is a definite downer. Hannah was Angelina’s best friend, and a long-time friend of Murphy’s as well. They get together and live happily-ever-after, but the getting there is rather depressing much of the time.
The other stories? Well, Izzy and Eden have a very weird and quick courtship before getting married, and it does not end happily-ever-after. Perhaps it will in a later book?
The Sophia-Dave-Decker triangle takes an interesting turn at the end, but who knows if it’s a permanent situation?
And we just won’t talk about Nash and Tess, the heroes from “Flashpoint,” because it will ruin the surprises there.




Overall rating: 3 of 5 hearts. The good points? The book is well-written and this one doesn’t hit you over the head with social statements. The characters are engaging and several from past books make appearances. The bad? Too many different storylines, and dealing with Angelina’s murder is just too depressing.


Hunk appeal: 10, with shades of minus. You feel sorry for Murphy at the beginning when he’s drunkenly trying to get over his wife’s death, but you’re also quite annoyed with him. When he snaps out of it, it just never quite reaches his full hunk potential.

Steamy scene grade: XXXXX, well, some potential.

Happily-Ever-After: OK. Some storylines end well, some don’t – end well or end at all?

Also this week …

NATURAL BORN CHARMER
by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (2007, paperback) – 5 of 5. The main characters in this book, Dean and Blue, are definitely not perfect.
But they are perfect for each other. And isn't that what counts? Perhaps they don't always react the way we'd like them to. Perhaps their neuroses get in the way a bit. But then again, perhaps it's those neuroses that make them entertaining, engaging and interesting.
"Natural Born Charmer" was released a few weeks ago in paperback, the latest in Phillips' Chicago Stars series about football players, or those associated with them. But you will love it even if you haven't read the other books.
Dean is the star quarterback for the Stars. It's offseason, and he's driving to his farm in Tennessee for a quiet vacation. Then he sees a two-legged beaver walking down the road.
And that should tell you all you need to know about the book.
Blue is wearing the beaver costume and isn't happy about it. She's less than appreciative when Dean offers her a ride. That doesn't mean she turns it down. And that ride leads to a longer ride, which leads to sharing what ends up being Dean's rather bizarre vacation.
And that leads to...well, it's a romance story. Use your imagination.
The story has snappy and witty dialogue, not just between Dean and Blue, but between Blue and her aging, crotchety friend. In fact, the supporting cast is another of the many great things about this book. Each character is, well, a character. They'll make you laugh, they'll make you want to throw the book at them, and they might make you cry just a little, all because you'll really like them. But remember, it all ends happily-ever-after.

DEATH ANGEL

Ballantine Books (2008), 341 pages, $26 (hardcover)
This is not your normal and beloved nice-boy-meets-nice-girl-and-overcomes-obstacles-to-savor-their-love-happily-ever-after sort of book.
Oh, the hero and heroine overcome obstacles all right. The biggest two being their own immorality.
Yes, Linda Howard has definitely given readers a very different sort of romance, and some won’t really appreciate it.
Others will be shocked that they like it.
Drea is the heroine, a woman who has suffered hard times and who used her good looks and smarts to live a life of luxury. Unfortunately, she did that by become the girlfriend of a drug lord.
Of course, it’s hard for Simon to criticize Drea for her “career choice,” since he meets her though his job – an assassin for hire.
The scene where Drea and Simon realize they have “feelings” for each other is rather sordid, and while they may reflect on it fondly later on, chances are you won’t.
The part that will make this work for many readers is the turnaround both characters do after being blessed with a miracle.
The redeeming part of the book is that it’s well-written (of course) and Drea and Simon, while unscrupulous initially, do become rather likeable. And Simon’s ultimate devotion to Drea is rather satisfying as well.
Another positive aspect of “Death Angel” are the bits of surprises sprinkled throughout the book, which makes it hard to summarize without ruining some of those.
So in a general, non-spoiling sort of way, here it is: Drea decides to leave her boyfriend and her life of crime-by-association. Unfortunately, she does that by stealing from drug-dealing boyfriend. Boyfriend hires Simon to kill Drea.
Does he? That’s one of the surprises.
Drea manages to start a new life, but Simon finds her.
The rest….well, miracles do happen and both Drea and Simon experience a whopper. They’ll never be nominated for sainthood, but their attachment to each other makes the final 50 pages or so a pleasure to read. Unfortunately, there are about 250 pages before you get there. Fortunately, while they’re not terribly romantic, they are intriguing enough to keep your interest. And with the promise of a satisfying romance at the end, that may be enough.







Overall rating: 3-plus of 5 hearts. If you can get past and forgive the hero and heroine for their immorality, it’s still a bit frustrating that it takes about 250 pages for them to really begin their relationship. But once they engage, they make up for lost time.

Hunk appeal: 10. Simon makes some choices in the first 200 pages or so that aren’t exactly sterling hero type decisions. But, he does redeem himself somewhat by becoming obsessively devoted to Drea.

Steamy scene grade: XXXXX, and not all very romantic.

Happily-Ever-After: Good. Again, the last 50 pages are romantic enough, with Simon saying and doing all of the right things to prove his love for Drea. Like the rest of the book, the ending may be appreciated by some readers and abhorred by others.

Also this week …

AFTER THE KISS, by Suzanne Enoch (2008, paperback) – 3 of 5. This is the first of a trilogy about “notorious gentlemen,” but in this segment, the hero is the likeable one despite his penchant for robbing houses.
Sullivan is a war hero, who returns home from fighting Napoleon to discover his artist mother recently deceased. All of his possessions, included his mother’s paintings, had been taken away by his father, who never acknowledged Sullivan as his illegitimate son.
So, Sullivan decides to recover the paintings.
Isabel discovers him doing so in her home one night. The spoiled, nasty brat decides to blackmail Sullivan, trying to turn him into a servant while she decides whether or not to report him to the authorities.
Isabel isn’t very likeable. She becomes almost tolerable by the end, when Sullivan finds a way to make their impossible love, possible. But Sullivan, and his friend who is destined to be the hero in the third book, are likeable enough to make up for Isabel and make it a worthy read.

TRIBUTE

G.P. Putnam’s Sons (2008), 451 pages, $26.95 (hardcover)
Warning: Do not begin this book late in the day – unless you plan to pull an all-nighter. Because once you start “Tribute,” you won’t want to put it down.
Which, of course, makes it no different from any other Nora Roberts’ book.
“Tribute” is precisely what readers have come to expect from Roberts’ annual hardcover books: A good idea spun into a captivating story with engaging characters that will quickly become a favorite.
Cilla is the granddaughter of a bigger-than-life movie star, who famously committed suicide at her farm house retreat in Virginia. Cilla earned her own fame and fortune as a child TV star and heroine of a few horror movies.
But by the time Cilla arrives at her grandmother’s Virginia farm, she’s a carpenter intent on restoring the house and grounds where grandma once burnt cookies and allegedly romped with Steve McQueen.
Across the street lives Ford, famous himself in comic book circles as the creator, artist and author of a super-hero series. He doesn’t know “an Allen wrench from a Crescent” and tells everyone he stays away from tools for the good of mankind. He has firm opinions on what kind of kryptonite is more deadly to Superman and has an “active dislike of Jar Jar Binks.”
And he meets his soul mate the day he saunters across the street to check out Cilla.
Cilla’s grandmother had legendary parties at her farmhouse and was a celebrated presence in the small town. People there were either awed by her, or hated her.
Cilla encounters both groups.
Apparently one in the latter group doesn’t want Cilla to bring the house back to life, and she starts getting harassed, to escalating degrees. Roberts’ does a great job of making Cilla self-sufficient enough to handle the nastiness herself, but turning Ford into an acceptable knight-in-shining armor as well.
The dialogue between Ford and Cilla is snappy, witty and just plain fun. And Roberts’ inserts enough light-hearted scenes to balance the suspense.
In summation, this is a must-read. Which should really come as no surprise.



Overall rating: 5 of 5 hearts. Nora Roberts does it again, meshing compelling characters with an intriguing story that will keep you from being able to put the book down. The romance is more fun that sweet, but there’s enough sweetness to elicit a few “ahhs.”

Hunk appeal: 10-plus, in a non-traditional sort of way. Ford is basically a geek, or nerd. He likes Star Wars, comic books and knows about different types of kryptonite. But he’s always there for Cilla, understanding and appreciating her.

Steamy scene grade: XXXX. Really appreciates her.

Happily-Ever-After: Good. Cilla and Ford are actually well on their way to happily-ever-after before the suspense portion of the book is solved. You’re likely to be a bit surprised when the identity of the villain is revealed, but not that the story ends well.

Also this week …

THAT SUMMER PLACE, by Debbie Macomber, Susan Wiggs and Jill Barnett (1998, paperback) – 4 of 5. This three-story anthology is tied together by a rental house used by a trio of couples on a San Juan Island off the coast of Washington.
The stories are all pure romances, easy reads and will make you want to spend some time at Rainshadow Lodge.
All three couples meet (or are reunited in one case) on the island. In Barnett’s story, Catherine takes her daughters back to the house where she spent several summers with her family – and fell in love with Michael. The house is a bit run down and more dilapidated than it was when she was younger, but Michael isn’t.
After that opening story, the house is renovated and becomes Rainshadow Lodge, a charming escape for the next two couples. Macomber has Beth and John sharing the house due to an unexpected series of events. And finally, workaholic Mitch summons free-spirited Rosie to the island and house for business, which soon becomes pleasure – and lifelong love.

RETURN TO SUMMERHOUSE

Pocket Books (2008), 425 pages, $7.99 (paperback)
Three more women get the chance to find the answers to “what if” in Jude Deveraux’s “Return to Summerhouse.”
Three strangers convene for a few days in Maine, sent there by their therapist. Each woman had experienced trauma, and each is struggling to return to their happy lives.
Amy has a 10-plus husband and two wonderful sons, but struggles to deal with a miscarriage.
Zoe awoke after a car wreck with amnesia, and discovered an entire town hated her. But she doesn’t remember why.
Faith is a recent widow who still has to deal with a domineering and unpleasant mother-in-law.
The three women meet Madame Zoya, and get the chance to go back in the past and change their destinies. Amy returns to the 1797, to save the life of one of her husband’s ancestors. She takes Zoe and Faith along with her, and while they’re each entitled to their own trip as well, both discover the keys to their destinies on that trip to 1797.
Long before readers come to care about the characters, you’ll become intrigued by their stories. You’ll find yourselves impatient to uncover the women’s secrets, and eager to read their happily-ever-afters.
It’s a different sort of book that still manages to offer enough romance in an easy read that is most definitely appealing. It’s the sort of book that will linger in your mind for years, the kind you’ll recommend to friends.




Overall rating: 4 of 5 hearts. Deveraux does a masterful job of blending the women’s lives, and turning the trip back to 1797 into a happy existence in 2008. While the characters grow on you, the story captures your attention right away.

Hunk appeal: 10-plus. We’ll call Stephen and Tristan (you can decide if they’re the same) the only real heroes, and both were understanding and loving men. But while romance played a part in all three women’s lives, it was really a story that didn’t dwell on the hunks.

Steamy scene grade: X. Actually, more like PG.

Happily-Ever-After: Very good. Lives that needed fixed are – even if it’s only a tinkering. They leave the summerhouse happy, and happier.

Also this week …

HIGH NOON, by Nora Roberts (2007, paperback) – 5 of 5. With her new hardcover due out next week, “High Noon” is now available in paperback. This is a high intensity, well developed and superbly written story that will ensnare you from page one and won't let you go until the final page. Nora Roberts does a masterful job of entwining Phoebe and Duncan's romance while spinning a suspenseful story of an evil man's plot to destroy Phoebe. This book is actually more of a suspense novel than a romance story, but romance readers won't feel cheated.
There are two scenes in the book that may be very disturbing to many readers, and may need to be skipped due to the graphically violent nature.
In the first, Phoebe gets attacked in the stairwell of her precinct. You'll see it coming, and just skip ahead.
Much later, Phoebe's ex-husband gets kidnapped and chained to a grave. Skip ahead.
Otherwise, be sure to read every word. Despite Phoebe’s distractions of work, of being stalked by a madman intent on killer her, dealing with an eccentric family, being a single mom and being manipulated by a dead relative through her will, she finds time to secure her future with her soul mate – who is pretty understanding about all the stuff in Phoebe’s life. The characters are well-developed and come alive right away. The dialogue is quick and witty in times, insightful and emotional at others.
It's simply a well-written book with an intriguing plot and unforgettable characters.
If you didn’t read it in hardcover, get it now.