365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #340

Baby & the Beast - Laura Wright
Silhouette Desire
Silhouette Books, 2002
ISBN: 9780373764822
Reissue - Mills & Boon Desire, 2011
eISBN: 9781408942505










My rating

From the back cover:

"Caught in a raging snowstorm, imminent mother-to-be Isabella Spencer had never imagined that Michael Wulf, the sensual hero of her teenage fantasies, would come to her rescue. Now Isabella was ensconced in his high-tech mansion, secretly craving the touch of this reclusive millionaire who'd long ago closed off his heart.
Opening his home to his childhood friend - now an alluring woman - was dangerous enough. And when Bella gave birth to an adorable baby girl, Michael found himself yearning to play the part of father...and Bella's passionate husband! 
Was it possible for this lone wolf to shed his solitary ways and open himself up to love?"


I bought this recently from the Mills & Boon website - there is a bunch of backlist books from most lines reissued in ebook form on there! (Also available, as far as I could determine, on Amazon and other UK ebook stores).

The heroine Isabella is travelling back to her home town hoping to make a new life for herself and her baby when her car breaks down in a snowstorm. She is rescued by the hero Michael, whom takes her to his home to recover. Michael has never forgotten the love and shelter Isabella and her father gave him as a teenager when they took him in after he had run away from the children's home he had been living in. Looking after Bella is a way for him to finally repay the debt he believes he owes them, but he wasn't expecting to be snowed in with her, or that he would have to deliver her baby when Bella goes into labour. And he definitely wasn't expecting to find the grown up Bella so alluring. Bella has always been a little bit in love with Michael, and she is really proud that he has made such a success out of himself, but she fears that he hides himself away too much, afraid to open his heart after the trauma of his childhood. She wants him to open up to her, but Michael can't and fears that he is growing too attached to Bella and her little girl, wishing that they belonged to him, so his only way of dealing is to push her away.

This is a very quick and easy read, but enjoyable all the same. There is a lot of emoiton written into the story, from both the hero and heroine's individual backgrounds, and their developing relationship. The book has a nice flow and the love between the characters built slowing, and that made it feel very real. The hero is a wonderful character, so well developed he is open and warm yet also complex, he definitely deserves his happy ending. My only complaint is that the 'black moment' came from Michael overhearing a couple of bitchy women gossiping about him - for me, it felt a little too trivial to make an impact.
This book is a much gentler style of Desire than some of the more recent ones, and I actually prefer this type (the older ones).

A very pleasing book, well written with a genuine-feeling love story.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #307

 

The Return of Luke McGuire - Justine Davis
Silhouette Intimate Moments
Reprinted in Harlequin Showcase 2-in-1
Harlequin, 2011
ISBN: 9780373688258


My rating

From the back cover:

"Luke McGuire was everything shy Amelia Blair had been fascinated by as a girl but too terrified to go near. And now here she was, the only person in the whole town decent enough to give him the time of day, caring enough to stand up for him...brave enough to get close. 
Luke didn t need the town s nasty stares to know that Amelia was off-limits. But then, reformed or not, he d never been one to abide by the rules. He only hoped that the quiet beauty would fall for the man he had become instead of the one he used to be."


This is the second book in the Showcase 2-in-1, as above.

The hero Luke has been gone from his home town for eight years, and has no desire to ever go back. Having grown up as an unwanted child of a teenage mother, his unhappiness was reflected in his juvenile delinquent behaviour. However, when he gets a desperate letter from his younger brother David, whom is also getting the same emotionless treatment from their mother, he decides to go back to try and help. The heroine Amelia has also been trying to help David, especially to try and stop him from getting into trouble. When Luke arrives and meets Amelia, there is an immediate connection between them, and Luke soon realises she is the only one who will give him a chance, ignoring his childhood reputation. Their combined efforts to help David are not very successful, but as they spend time together they begin to fall for one another. The passion between them is fierce, but neither of them know if they can offer the other anything long term.

Again, unfortunately, I found this book rather boring. I really liked the plot idea, but boy was it dragged out. The relationship between the hero and heroine develops nicely, but I don't think there was enough focus on it to really make and impact, and they didn't actually spend a lot of time together. The small town attitude (i.e. once a bad seed, always a bad seed) is written very well, and definitely one of the most interesting parts of the book.

Overall, this isn't a bad book but, in my opinion, it could do with being a bit shorter!

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #306

Nighthawk - Rachel Lee
Silhouette Intimate Moments
Reprinted in Harlequin Showcase 2-in-1
Harlequin, 2011
ISBN: 9780373688258


My rating

From the back cover:

"Esther Jackson need Craig Nighthawk's protection. The father she'd helped put away for murder was now seeking her out, so against her reclusive nature, she welcomed the darkly handsome Nighthawk into her home, hoping he could keep her safe. 
Craig knew all about fear and isolation. After all, he was still being tried and convicted by the people of Conrad County for a crime he hadn't committed. All he wanted was to be left alone. Until he met Esther, and discovered in her loving arms a peace he would safeguard at any cost..."


I have had this Showcase 2-in-1 on my bookshelf for ages and thought I would give it a go.

The heroine Esther meets her neighbour Craig, the hero, for the first time in the two years she has lived there , after one of his sheep gets into her garden. At first Esther is nervous around him, her brutal father whom crippled Esther and killed her mother has given her a lifetime of being weary of men. But she soon relaxes around him and they form a tentative friendship. Craig is intrigued by Esther, but doesn't want to become too involved with her, believing he has nothing to offer. But for some reason he can't stay away, especially when Esther's worst fear is realised - her father is out of prison and looking for her. Esther is petrified when her father makes contact, and with the law powerless to to stop him she relies on the support and protection Craig offers her. Esther begins to realise that she can't spend her whole life in fear, and her blossoming feelings for Craig help her become stronger. Even though he wants her, Craig still thinks he and Esther can never be together. So while he helps her come to terms with her fear, he also tries to push her away.

I really thought I would like this one a lot more than I did. But, I found it a little boring. The plot is really interesting but, in my opinion, far too dragged out. The lead-in to the 'big event' made it seem like this would be a suspenseful book, but I was let down. I was very intrigued by the author's use of a Native American hero, and this certainly added another layer of tension to the book, and love story. But it focused way too much on the racial/social differences between the hero and the "white man", I get it.
The sexual tension between the hero and heroine is plentiful, and really helps this book along, there were so many stops and starts to their relationship that I almost wanted to cheer when they finally got together!
I have to say that the bits I enjoyed most in this book were there actions, or should I say antics, of the animals!

An enjoyable book, but a tad boring.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #298

Cowboy Pride - Anne McAllister
Silhouette Desire
Silhouette Books, 1996
ISBN: 9780373760343
Reissue - Harlequin Treasury, 2011
eISBN: 9781459279094









My rating

From the back cover:

"'BRENNA NEEDSA A HUSBAND,'
Jed McCall's nephew Tuck told him. Pregnant and alone, Brenna Jamison was back—trying single-handedly to run her father's ranch. 
'WE NEED A WIFE,' 
Tuck said. If footloose cowboy Jed McCall didn't do something drastic, he would lose custody of the boy. But marriage? 
'WHY NOT?' asked Tuck. There were reasons that only Jed knew. And marrying Brenna—becoming a father to her child—would be like jumping from the frying pan into the fire."


This is another book from the Harlequin Treasury line, and one that came highly recommended.

The heroine Brenna has returned to her family home newly widowed and pregnant. She desperately misses her late husband, whom was he best friend although she never loved him - she has always been in love with her teenage sweetheart Jed, the hero. Jed has also never had anyone else touch his heart and has never forgotten Brenna. But even though she is back he doesn't want to see her, that will remind him of his shame over his betrayal and reasons he ended their relationship ten years ago. However when he discovers she is pregnant, and after he gets over his all consuming jealousy, he can't seem to stay away. Jed is also having problems, he has pressure from social services around his custody of his nephew and needs to show a more settled existence. His nephew suggests that Jed marry Brenna and Jed asks her, surprising himself. Even more surprising, Brenna agrees. Now they both have what they wanted all those years ago - to be together -  but Jed refuses to open up or allow anything remotely intimate to happen between them.

This is an incredibly emotional and touching story. The writing is pretty much flawless, it's so evocative and descriptive. The plot is also very brave of the author, but beautifully done. The hero and heroine are wonderful characters, both their past and presents are full of tension and pain, yet they so belonged together. I really couldn't see how these two would get their HEA. The hero's secret is shocking, but well thought out. I particularly liked that his secret was linked to a, er, 'problem' that makes his reasons a little more understandable (I asked my husband for his opinion on it!).

I have read a lot of Anne McAllister's Modern/Presents and I'm not crazy about them, from this books example I much prefer her style in these Desire's.
I loved this book, thoroughly recommended.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #291

Just One Look - Mary McBride
Silhouette Intimate Moments
Silhouette Books, 1999
ISBN: 9780373079667
Reissue - Harlequin Treasury, 2011
eISBN: 9781459259171










My rating

From the back cover:

"SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER HER 
One look at the rugged, denim-clad, 100% man in her doorway told Sara Campbell she wasn't dead yet—only dreaming. She'd met detective Joe Decker just yesterday, when he'd scooped her off the pavement after the South Side Ripper had tried to kill her, and held her hand until she woke up. Now he was back to protect her, because Sara, all alone in her mansion, was the only living witness to the maniac's face. But she couldn't remember that face! And that meant she was in danger, with only this one man to keep her safe. But even if he kept the maniac from harming her, what would happen to the heart that was already his?"


This is another book I got from the Harlequin ebook store.

The heroine Sara is driving home when her car is hit and she is attacked and knocked unconscious. When she wakes up in the hospital she finds the hero Joe, a detective, sitting by her bed side. Joe informs Sara that she was attacked by a serial killer and her action of pulling away his ski mask before she was hit means she is the only surviving person to have seen his face. Unfortunately for Joe, Sara can't remember anything, she also refuses to go into protective custody admitting she suffers from agoraphobia. Joe is frustrated by Sara's lack of cooperation and he is initially insensitive towards her problem. But he is determined to catch the killer and protect Sara, so he virtually moves in with her. As he gets to know her he begins to fall for the strong woman that she is underneath her fears. But with the threat against them never far away, Joe knows he can't act on his feelings fearing his guard will drop and the worst could happen.

I enjoyed the book, it is well written and interesting, with plenty of spark in the central relationship. I liked that the suspense plot didn't overshadow the romance, but it was no less exciting. The hero is a good character; very 'normal' and his crankiness was quite amusing! I was intrigued by the idea of the agoraphobia heroine, but it didn't work for me. It seemed rather half-hearted - the heroine actually went out quite a bit but a true agoraphobic would not be able to leave their safe place.
There wasn't really an explanation of motive for the culprit, it just didn't make sense. Oh, and the culprit was pretty obvious from early on in the book.

But the author's writing style is funny and flows nice, and this is an enjoyably oldie!

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #255

Daddy By Accident - Paula Detmer Riggs
Silhouette Desire
Silhouette Books, 1997
ISBN: 9780373760732
Reissue - Harlequin Treasury, 2011
eISBN: 9781459271616








My rating

From the back cover:

"MOTHER-TO-BE 
Despite the screech of tires and the shattered glass, pregnant Stacy Patterson was aware that sexy Boyd Macauley had gotten her out of her car accident alive. But she had no money, no place to go, and too much pride to ask for help—until Boyd came to her rescue again. 
FATHER-BY-PROXY 
Boyd had vowed never to let another person get too close, yet fragile Stacy needed a place to stay. By day they prepared for the birth of her child, and by night they gave in to their overwhelming passions. He'd vowed that it was strictly temporary—but was he only fooling himself?"


This is another book from the Harlequin Treasury line.

At the beginning of the book the hero Boyd is witness to a car accident that leaves the heroine Stacy injured and her estranged and violent ex-husband dead. Boyd helps her to stay calm but when he realises she is heavily pregnant he is reminded of his trauma when he lost his wife and unborn child. Even though he doesn't want to get involved, Boyd finds himself drawn to Stacy and offers her help, which even though she tries to refuse he knows she desperately needs. Stacy struggles with her emotions over the recent events in her life, but knows she needs to stay strong for her beloved unborn child. The light in her otherwise bleak recovery is Boyd, and Stacy can't help but fall for him. She accepts Boyd's help and as they spend time together they begin to grow closer and closer. But Boyd can't let himself give in to his growing feelings for Stacy as he can't get over his thoughts that he is betraying his wife's memory.

Wow, this book is very angsty but still totally enjoyable. The relationship between the hero and heroine develops gradually and so beautifully, it feels real and is enthralling to read. The hero and heroine are two brilliant characters, both individually and together, and they are written with real depth. I do feel that the heroine 'got over' the death of her ex-husband a little too quickly, but there was enough backstory given to accept this. Boyd is a wonderfully complex hero, but at times I was confused over his feelings towards his past marriage - sometimes it was the perfect marriage and nothing could hold a candle to it, and other times it was a mismatch relationship that had more downs than ups. It is a little confusing to me.

Overall, this is a very emotional and enjoyable book.

I have one big complaint though - there is a lot of errors in the text of this book, which is very off putting. This seemed to be errors from when, I presume, the text was scanned in and character recognition. One example that is almost constant throughout is that the letters r and i when together were mistaken for an n, so we had charity being chanty and Mario being Mano etc. There are other mistakes but it would take me a while to go through them all! This needs a proof read, mistakes like this are very disappointing.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... book #239

Whose Child? - Susan Gable
Silhouette Superromance
Silhouette Books, 2006
ISBN: 9780373712045





My rating



From the back cover:

"Lexie swore she would protect the child she carried - even though she wasn't really her mother.
To give her friend David the child he'd dreamed of, Lexie had agreed to be a surrogate mother, but that was before she learned the truth about his wife...
Four years ago, when Lexie was pregnant and on the run, she found safety in the little town of Mill Creek. Since then she's had a good life, raising Sarah and immersing herself in the community, but never quite forgetting what she's done. Then David finds them and announces he wants his daughter back..."


I have been wanting to read this book after I saw it on the author's website, I managed to track down a used copy.

The hero David has been searching for the heroine Lexie for four year and has finally found her. He goes to confront her and bring back the daughter he has never even met. Lexie is terrified to see David again, and knows that he is there to take her beloved Sarah away from her. Lexie had run away four years ago in desperation after David refused to believe her after she had found out some very worrying information about his wife. She managed to find a community that accepted her and stay hidden, and raised Sarah as her own. David is overwhelmed when he finally meets his daughter, and promises never to be away from her again. Although he has long since realised that Lexie was telling the truth all those years ago, he will never forgive her for depriving him of the first four years of his daughter's life. He and Lexie were once best friends and he can't help noticing the changes that the last four years have caused, and not all of it for the better. He also can't deny that she has been a wonderful mother to Sarah, and surprisingly that he finds the new Lexie very alluring. David asks Lexie to marry him, but even though she is desperate not to lose Sarah Lexie has always loved David and knows that he will never love her, so she says no.

I thought the author raised two very interesting and sensitive issues - the issues of surrogacy and whether it is DNA or love that really makes you a parent - and she did it brilliantly. The book manages to be sad and upbeat all at the same time, and is a very absorbing read. The hero and heroine are written with honesty, and feel three dimensional. There are also some great secondary characters that add depth to the story. I was really happy that the heroine decided to stay within the community that accepted her openly instead of giving it all up, that would have felt very shallow. The only thing I would change is taking away the random sections of POV from one of the secondary characters, I don't feel the book needed it.
This is a really touching book, that draws you in and has you really invested in the outcome, I know I was virtually holding my breath at times!

Very enjoyable.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... book #215

Stormwatch - Dixie Browning
Silhouette Desire
Silhouette Books, 1985
ISBN: 9780373486540






My rating




From the back cover:

"SHE'D LOST HER RENEGADE PLAYER
But Willy Silverthorne Faulkner had kept on going-now sadly widowed, but still possessing that same lazy, loose-jointed walk that drove men wild. Her independent life on the Carolina coast suited her languid leanings just fine.
Then into her life of ease dropped Bainbridge Scott. Angry, surly and rude, Bain was like a bear with a wounded paw, lashing out at anyone who ventured too close. But Willy refused to be baited. Somehow he'd found his way into her heart. His rare and sudden smiles ignited her, telling her that this was love ...but Willy, of all people, knew how devastating love could be."


This is another of the really old Desire's that I found second hand.

The hero Bain has rented out the heroine Willy's island cottage for some rest after he was seriously injured during an undercover operation. He takes out his frustration and surliness on Willy but she is not bothers but it and her very relaxed nature soon helps him relax. Willy finds herself drawn to Bain, and tries to help him as much as she can, which is sometimes met with Bain's irritation. Spending time with Bain makes Willy realise how lonely she has been in the last few years since her husband passed away. But as much as she enjoys being with Bain, she struggles to let herself go enough to give in to the passion between them. Bain realises that he is falling for Willy and, just as she helped him, vows to help her love again.

I found this book a little odd at first, especially when it comes to the authors way of describing (apparently the heroine walks as though she has "ball bearings in every joint", now I don't know about you but the mental image I get from that is very odd!). But the book is enjoyable, with a slightly different plot and it is interesting. I especially liked the heroine, she is written with a nice blend of sadness and looseness that works really well in the story. The very gradual nature of the relationship is fantastic, it adds a nice flow to the book.
I felt like I knew the two characters and was really cheering them on to find their HEA. Oh and in case you were wondering, the heroine's name is short for Wilhelmina, phew!

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... book #207

Cowboy Dreaming - Shawna Delacorte
Silhouette Desire
Silhouette Books, 1997
ISBN: 9780373760206





My rating




From the back cover:

"STRANDED:
When Melanie Winslow returned to the Colorado ranch where she was raised, she never expected to find herself stranded in a mountain cabin with Cody Chandler. The rugged ranch manager was the answer to every daydream Melanie had ever had about strong, sexy cowboys...
WITH A SEXY COWBOY:
But this one was real, with a kiss that made Melanie's heart beat faster, and a smile that hinted at the most intimate things. The trouble was, the last thing Melanie intended to do was fall in love with an untamed cowboy-no matter how perfect he seemed. If only her heart felt the same way..."


This is another old books from the Desire line. I must admit that I didn't think I would like it as the blurb just didn't appeal to me, but I really enjoyed it. Apologies for the cover image, I had to photograph my copy of the book as I could not find a good quality image online.

At the beginning of the book the heroine Melanie returns to her father's ranch for the first time in ten years, hoping to get closure on her estrangement with her father. She is surprised by all the changes made to the ranch, especially the new manager Cody, the hero, whom seems to be very close to her father, something that makes her a little suspicious. She was also not expecting to find that her father is terminally ill. Cody is also very suspicious of Melanie and her motives for returning now, when her father is gravely ill, and feels anger towards her for her lack of contact with her father over the years, something that has caused his good friend hurt. Melanie and Cody end up spending a lot of time together and they form a tenuous friendship as well as a mutual attraction. Melanie begins to realise that she has been wrong about her father all these years and now has to face the he will soon be gone, she turns to Cody for comfort and their passion for one another soon grows deeper. But with the secrets and suspicion still between them someone is bound to end up hurt.

This is a very enjoyable book, it has plenty of spark and sizzle between the hero and heroine, a beautiful setting, some very emotional moments, and a beautifully crafted love story. The heroine Melanie is very well written, what I liked most about her was that she was humble and admitted to her mistakes. The pain she felt when she learned the truth and when she lost her father was heartbreaking, and really added depth to this story. Cody is also a great character, so open and honest, a great hero!

This is an emotional, passionate, and tender book and really enjoyable - the blurb is very misleading!

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... book #205

Affair of Honour - Stephanie James
Silhouette Desire
Silhouette Books, 1983
ISBN: 9780340341704





My rating




From the back cover:

"A QUESTION OF HONOUR
Icy silver eyes held her captive until Ryder Sterne decided that his lovely prisoner wasn't a trespasser after all. But the electric encounter between the daredevil writer and beautiful philosophy professor Brenna Llewellyn had just begun.
Ryder lived life in the fast lane, and Brenna had landed on the inside track. In his embrace she could almost forget the career crisis that had driven her to this mountain cabin retreat.
Suddenly she faced a new challenge: a lover who demanded commitment and took absolute possession - giving her no choice but to abandon all logic ... for love."


This is a really old book that my husband found second hand in a charity shop - he bought it as he thought the cover is hilarious!

The hero Ryder and the heroine Brenna meet when Brenna mistakes his cabin for the one she has rented and attempts to climb in the window. They immediately find a common ground in their interests and they end up spending a lot of time together over the following days. Brenna is not interested in a relationship, and very much concerned over her future after one of the professors she works with stole her ethics research and she has been advised to ignore it so not to jeopardise her career. Ryder is an ex-marine and believes in honour and helps Brenna to come to terms with her feelings and decide what to do. After they spend the night together Ryder makes it clear to Brenna that he wants a forever with her, but Brenna struggles with her confusion over both her feelings towards Ryder and her future career.

I enjoyed this book, it was entertaining and full of passion between the hero and heroine. The whole story took place over a period of only a few days but the author made it seem like it was much longer, especially the depth of feeling in the development of the relationship. The passion is also interspersed with moments of warmth, intrigue, and fun. Both characters are likeable and well written, there is a nice balance between them.

On an irrelevant-to-the-story note, the font the format of this book uses is something similar to Comic Sans, and it's a little difficult to read... picky, picky!

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... book #201

Dante's Stolen Wife - Day LeClaire
Silhouette Desire
Silhouette Books, 2008
ISBN: 9780373768707

N.B. The above details relate to the North American release of this book.



My rating




From the back cover:

"They called it The Inferno—the all-consuming desire that scorched a man just once in a lifetime.
Millionaire Marco Dante felt its flames the moment he set eyes on Caitlyn Vaughn. Nothing could keep him from having her—not even her engagement to his twin brother! So he posed as her true fiancé, stealing her away for a rushed wedding and a breathtaking honeymoon. But then he had to face his new bride when she discovered his masquerade—and somehow find a way to turn her blazing fury back into white-hot passion..."


This is a book I bought back in may while I was in NYC, and I found it in a used books store.

The hero Marco is instantly drawn to the heroine Caitlyn when they first meet, he feels such a strong reaction towards her that he believes he has experienced an old family legend know as 'The Inferno', and knows that he and Caitlyn belong together. However Caitlyn believes Marco to be his twin brother Lazz, and when Lazz meets Caitlyn he also wants her so contrives to keep Marco and Caitlyn apart. Six weeks later Marco has realised what Lazz has been doing and knows he has to act fast to claim Caitlyn as his before Lazz gets a chance to propose. Posing as his brother he meets with Caitlyn and whisks her away. Caitlyn is glad that the intense passion she felt towards Lazz that first time they met has returned and does not realise that it is Marco until after they are married and shared a night of intense passion. She is devastated when she realises the truth, and finds the whole idea of 'The Inferno' very hard to believe. Yet she does realise that what she has with Marco is nothing like what she had with Lazz, and agrees to think about giving their marriage a chance.

I really enjoyed this book, it has a very interesting and original plot. The connection and chemistry between the hero and heroine is sizzling. And speaking of the hero, oh, he is wonderful! So romantic and tender, yeah he did a bit of a shitty thing in tricking the heroine, but they way he treated her and their relationship is lovely. It makes a really refreshing change to have a heroine whom is logical and sensible and the hero being the one that is more romantic and open to love.
The plot line of the hero stealing his twin's fiancée as he wants her so much is brilliant and well executed by the author. This works fine on it's own and I kinda wish the whole 'Inferno' idea wasn't included as it took the book in a paranormal direction, which just isn't my thing.
But I can overlook this as the love-story is simply wonderful.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... book #166

A Real Hero - Jean Brashear
Silhouette Superromance
Silhouette Books, 2005
ISBN: 0373711905





My rating




From the back cover:

"A man who can't walk away from trouble - and a woman who's nothing but!
Travelling incognito, Zane MacAllister, Hollywood's hottest heartthrob, has at last eluded the rabid gossipmongers who trail him and now he has the time and space to sort through his life and see what he's become.
And then he comes upon Roan O'Hara, pale, thin to the point of starvation, a woman at the end of her rope. She's determined to survive the harsh winter and her grit and vulnerability compel him to stay and help her out. This woman has secrets, and so does he. But just when they're about to come clean with each other, the outside world catches up..."

Staying with older books, I was really looking forward to reading this one. The blurb sounds intense, and it certainly was!

The hero Zane is a world famous, and gorgeous, movie star but he is feeling dissatisfied with his fame and 'LA' life. His feelings are worsened when his ex girlfriend commits suicide after battling a drug addiction. Zane escapes on a road trip to his family home and to spend some time alone on the journey. He has also dyed his hair and grown a beard to avoid being immediately recognised. Stopping for gas in a small mountainous village he comes across Roan, the heroine. He notices how fragile and defeated she seems and wants to help her, especially when he finds her passed out on the side of the road. He helps her with some repairs to the dilapidated cottage she is living in, as well as trying to get her to open up.
Roan is trying to get through each day and battle her demons. She has had a hard life; growing up with an alcoholic mother, a disastrous marriage and the death of her baby all led her to a drug addiction and suicide attempt. She has chosen life but it doesn't make it any less hard for her to get through each day. She doesn't need or want Zane's help, but he insists. They grow close but with Roan's past problems and Zane keeping his true identity secret, any relationship between them is a disaster waiting to happen.

Phew, this is quite a tough book to read; it is intense, emotional and heartbreaking. It's certainly not a light read. The author has written a very, very flawed heroine but she never makes it seem like the character blames circumstance for her problems or wallows in self pity. I admired the bravery of the heroine and really responded to the fact that the author has taken a risk with this book. The hero is also a good character, although his 'do-gooder' needs got a little annoying. What I like most about this book is the journey that both the characters have been on and then go on together. There is some fantastic character growth, and the relationship between them is built slowly but beautifully. It is very satisfying. The ending felt a little forced though.

Have those tissues handy, this is an emotional book!

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... book #165

Undercover Cowboy - Beverly Bird
Silhouette Sensation
Silhouette Books, 1999
ISBN: 9780373077113






My rating





From the back cover:

"Sworn to serve and protect
Secret agent Jack Fain had chased his arch-enemy around the world to a small ranch in the middle of nowhere...and to captivating Carly Castagne. Now Jack was the only thing that stood between the killer and this innocent woman.
Jack's job description didn't include and undeniable attraction to Carly or a fatherly bond with her adorable daughter. Personal involvement would only raise the stakes of the game. But suddenly Jack wasn't just trying to catch a killer, he was protecting the woman he had fallen for. And just one mistake could cost them their lives...and their hearts."


This is a book my husband found for me on a secondhand book stall. I remember that this type of Silhouette Sensation books were some of the first romance books I read when I discovered the Mills & Boon/Silhouette/Harlequin range, the bright pink covers appealed to my teenage self!

The hero Jack is a burnt out secret agent, whom for the last 11 years has been trailing an assassin known as Scorpion. After almost being killed he is ready to give it all in, until he hears that Scorpion has seemingly done his last job, and Jack knows exactly where is heading. The heroine Carly is a down on her luck rancher. Trying to keep her ranch running as well as dealing with her sometimes obnoxious 11 year old daughter as a single mother and tax debts, she is forced to open up her ranch to tourits. Jack follows Scorpion to Carly's ranch, neither of them are expecting to find a bunch of tourists ready to experience a cattle drive, so they both blend in. Jack knows why Scorpion is there; he has come to collect Carly, his wife, after leaving her 11 years ago. Carly has no idea that one of her tourists is her ex husband, as well as being unaware of his 'occupation'. Jack decides to keep close tabs on Scorpion by staying close to Carly, and despite needing all his awareness in order to finally get Scorpion, he finds that he can't stop his growing feelings for Carly and desperatly wants to protect her with his life.

I was intrigued by the plot of this book, it sounded very exciting. Unfortunatly it wasn't as exciting as I was hoping for. The 'action' didn't really happen until the very last chapters. But that's not to say that I didn't like it, as I did. I loved the whole dude ranch/cattle drive idea (although I did keep thinking of the move City Slickers!). Carly is a really well written heroine, I liked her spunk and independent spirit in spite of her vulnerable situation. I didn't really respond to Jack, he had way too many issues. I got a little frustrated at the whole 'tracing the assassin' thing. In my opinion the plot has quite a few holes in it and it dragged on a bit too long.

There isn't really much romance in this book either, but there is enough to satisfy. It also has some nice plot twists that kept me interested. An OK read.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... book #160

A Fair Breeze - Ann Hurley
Silhouette Desire
Silhouette Books, 1987
ISBN: 9780373505883





My rating




From the back cover:

"SMOOTH SAILING
The little New England town of Fairharbor seemed like the perfect place for Leah Mackey to sit back and relax, when she wasn't dealing with an obnoxious ten-year-old, as gossipy neighbor or a houseful of kittens - or scouting the area for local artisans. Jonathon Jericho Wardwell was one of those artisans.
In Jonathon's hands, wood magically became sleek model ships that collectors would pay top dollar for. Only Jonathon wasn't interested in selling his boats. He was interested in Leah. And those same magic hands had Leah purring with pleasure. But there were rough seas ahead, and only time would tell if their love could weather the storm."


The heroine Leah is a divorcee with a 10 year old daughter. She has moved to the small town of Fairharbor for the summer in order to scope out from local artisan craft people for her boss's upcoming gallery exhibition. She meets the hero Jonathon when he comes to do some carpentry work in the house she is staying in. Leah is having a tough time dealing with trying to make a new life for herself after her divorce, building a new career and her at times badly behaved daughter. She and Jonathon strike up a friendship and they quickly become closer and eventually lovers. Jonathon tells Leah he loves her, Leah cares deeply for him but is afraid to get hurt again. With Leah's insistence that she will only be around for the summer and Jonathon's reluctance to tell her about his past it doesn't seem like there can be a future for them.

I enjoyed this book but it took me a little while to actually get into it. The writing style is difficult to grasp at first, it feels very 'old', if you know what I mean. But the story really shines through and this made it easier to accept the writing style. The story itself is quite simple and the love between the characters is wonderfully uncomplicated with the passion between them being no less sizzling. In fact the passion level surprised me for a book written in 1986!
Don't be put off by the boring and misleading blurb, this is a wonderful love story. No point of view from hero though...

Passionate, warm and satisfyingly simple.

Xx