Review: Checkmate

Checkmate
by Jean Hackensmith

Caryn Deaver survived a nightmare... and now he's back.

Caryn's ex-husband bound her and their children hand and foot, locked them in the
bathroom, and set the house on fire. They managed to escape with their lives, and
Dan Hamilton was sentenced to eighteen years in prison for the crime. He's out now,
though, and the rules in his sadistic game allow Caryn only eleven moves before she dies.

Zach Riker, Cheyenne's Fire Chief, was the first paramedic on the scene eighteen years ago. He saved Caryn's life. Now she is his life, and he'll stop at nothing to protect the woman he loves.

Wow. Okay... so just... wow.

This was one of the BEST suspense novels I’ve read in I don’t know how long. I’ll state right off that this is not so much a romance as a suspense. There are a H/H, but the romance is fairly fully developed. At the beginning of the story Caryn and Zach are living together and are very much in love. It seems everything is rosy, right up until Caryn gets a threatening note from her ex-husband, Dan, newly released from prison for almost killing Caryn and their two children eighteen years before.

I was nearly as nervous as Caryn! The reason behind the notes from Dan is simply to terrorize Caryn, Zach and the two (now-grown) children. Each note is accompanied by increasingly escalating and threatening activities leading to the inevitable murder of Caryn and everyone she loves.

Checkmate: Eleven moves left.

Zach does everything he can to protect the woman he loves. His best friend, Brian (who is also the police chief) helps as well. But Caryn’s ex-husband is also an ex-cop, and he knows how things work. Despite all the various protections, Dan still manages to get through, still manages to frighten them, still manages to get close enough they believe they are in danger of being murdered.

Caryn’s children move. Phone numbers are changed. Guards are placed at her work. And, yet, Dan still gets to her, time and again.

Checkmate: Four moves left.

Do NOT pick up this book unless you want to finish it in one sitting. This book is non-stop excitement. Even when things aren’t happening, you expect them to be, and it’s frightening to think of what these people are going through.

Is it a perfect book? Of course not, and that's why it's not a "Best Book", but it's darn close. The author head hops (though, it’s fairly seamless, to the point where even I – a POV purist – wasn’t thrown from the story), there are some bits of dialogue that sounded a little “off”. Sometimes I think character motivation didn’t ring entirely true. But despite these small glitches (and they ARE small), this was absolutely the most enthralling book I’ve read in months. If I were a Hollywood executive, I’d option this book for a movie immediately. It’s really that good.

If you’re a fan of non-stop action with enough romance to satisfy your heart, I highly recommend you give this book a chance.



Review by Poppy



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Review: Lost Souls

Lost Souls
by Lisa Jackson

Twenty-seven-year-old Kristi Bentz is lucky to be alive. Not many people her age have nearly died twice at the hands of a serial killer, and lived to tell about it.

Her dad, New Orleans detective, Rick Bentz, wants Kristi to stay in New Orleans and out of danger. But if anything, Kristi’s experiences have made her even more fascinated by the mind of the serial killer. She hasn’t given up her dream of being a true-crime writer–of exploring the darkest recesses of evil–and now she just may bet her chance.

Three girls have disappeared at All Saints College in less than two years. All three were “lost souls”–troubled, vulnerable girls with no one to care about them, no one to come looking if they disappeared. The police think they’re runaways, but Kristi senses there’s something that links them, something terrifying.

She decides to enroll, following their same steps. All Saints has changed a lot since Kristi was an undergraduate. The stodgy Catholic university has lured an edgy new professor to its campus and gained a reputation for envelope-pushing, with classes like the very popular “The Influence of Vampirism in English Literature” and elaborately staged morality plays that feel more like the titillating entertainment of some underground club than religious spectacles. And there are whispers of a dark cult on campus whose members wear vials of blood around their necks and meet in secret chambers–rituals to which only the elite have access.

To find the truth, Kristi will need to become part of the cult’s inner circle, to learn their secrets, and play the part of the lost soul without losing herself in the process. It’s a dangerous path, and Kristi is skating on its knife-thin edge. The deeper she goes, the more Kristi begins to wonder if she is the hunter or the prey. She’s certain she’s being watched and followed–studied, even–as yet another girl disappears, and another. And when the bodies finally begin to surface–in ways that bring fear to the campus and terror to the hearts of even hardened cops like Detective Bentz and his partner Reuben Montoya–Kristi realizes with chilling clarity that she has underestimated her foe. She is playing a game with a killer more cunning and blood-thirsty than anyone can imagine, one who has personally selected her for membership in a cult of death from which there will be no escape.

Lost Souls is one of Ms. Jackson’s most riveting works to date. Though part of the New Orleans series, it only briefly touches upon Detectives Bentz and Montoya. This is very much Kristi’s story and those of us who follow the series and like the characters get to see her in a deeper way.

Kristi (and her shrink) think it’s time she moved out on her own and moved on with life after the harrowing experiences eighteen months before. So, she takes a baby step and goes back to college to finish her degree. The fact there have been disappearances that may or may not be runaways only adds interest to her decision.

Add to the mix the fact that her old boyfriend, Jay, from ten years earlier is now, in addition to his work at the police lab in New Orleans, teaching a night class at the college—a class Kristi is taking—ups the ante, because it’s obvious that even though they broke up, the chemistry is still there.

Kristi becomes more and more convinced something is wrong, something the police cannot—or will not—see. With Jay’s ties to the police department, he’s the obvious choice to ask for help.

The action, once you get into the book, was fast paced. The beginning was a little slow, dealing with Kristi leaving, getting set up in her apartment—but once she started classes and investigating, things picked up. Ms. Jackson gives you many suspects to choose from and, I have to admit, I didn’t know the guilty party until the end.

I enjoyed getting this look at Kristi and being able to see things more from her point of view. I REALLY liked Jay—now he’s the kind of professor I wished I’d had while I was in college!

Once again, Ms. Jackson has shown us the evil that lurks in the heart of man. I’m already looking forward to her next outing. She is definitely an auto-buy for this reader.



Review by Rose



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Review: Where There's Smoke

Where There's Smoke
by M. J. Fredrick

Is there such a thing as being too close, knowing each other too well?
Lauren Stokes put a lid on her attraction toward her best friend Seth Escamilla years ago. She’d never be his type of woman, so why torture herself? When sexual awareness strikes during a friendly football game, she’s stunned. He’s guilty for injuring her and looks after her, but Lauren resorts to wisecracking to distance herself from him. Seth’s confused by the new emotions swamping him. This is Lauren, his best friend, someone he has fun with, not someone he has fun with! He doesn’t plan to settle down, and he won’t risk their friendship when they have no future. They resist the new attraction, and the efforts of their families to push them together. When a wedding loosens their inhibitions, keeping the new aspect of their relationship a secret is harder than they would have thought.

From the opening paragraph to the very end, I loved this story. I was on an emotional rollercoaster the entire time!

I can't say enough about Seth — he's a fireman, a sexy beefcake, and he sings and plays guitar in a band. The man has got it going on, but he also gets it on with many women. He's honest about it, though, so I give him credit for that, especially when it is revealed why he follows this pattern. The intensity of his feelings for Lauren is so romantic and his desire to protect her at all costs pulled at my heartstrings. I felt his anguish as he makes tough decisions and even though I disagreed with his choices, I understood his motivation and it pulled me that much deeper into the torment of their situation.

Lauren has been best friends with Seth forever, but of course, she's had a crush on him for a good part of that time, unbeknownst to him. She sees herself as plain, making Seth out of her league from her perspective. Lauren's guarded hopefulness when she detects that Seth has finally noticed her as a woman instead of just a pal is so sweet and I warmed to her right away. Even though I wanted them together, I could respect how she tried to fight the attraction that was growing because she valued the friendship too much to risk it. I would have a tough time resisting temptation with a dish like Seth in front of me, so her initial restraint is admirable!

The story surrounding their two families causes sadness for all concerned and the traumatic events compliment and support the personal trials between Seth and Lauren. Even with all of the drama, there are many lighthearted moments that enhance their relationship and helped me get to know them better. I knew from the beginning that they belong together, and I thoroughly enjoyed the individual struggles necessary for them to finally come to that conclusion too. Warm, playful and emotive, Where There's Smoke is an enchanting romance that I couldn't put down.



Review by Chamomile

Review: Payback in Wayback

Payback in Wayback
by Lynda J. Coker

After spending twelve years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, Corey Donovan is bent on getting a little payback. He’s headed for Wayback, Texas, the place where it all began. And who better to start with than the recently widowed Tiffany Covington.

Tiffany Covington is both thrilled and afraid when she learns Corey Donovan has returned to Wayback. She’s ready to repay old debts, the question is...will Corey accept her currency of exchange?

Lynda Coker puts the spurs to the romance in "Payback in Wayback," part of the 'Wayback Texas series.'

Thirty-one year old Corey has a past he can't forget, a torment of loneliness he lives with, and a perfectionist's attitude that keeps him on the job long after the rest of the guys are enjoying home cooked meals. He finds solace in his music - he's a guitar player and singer at the local night club, Telli's - until the night the devil's daughter shows up at the foot of his stage.

Tiffany is as he remembers, but perhaps, not as he expects. Emotions ricochet faster than bullets for both of them. They might have been reckless in the past, and neither will make that sort of mistake about another person again - or will they? And its not exactly about just the two of them anymore, either. One young bull-headed bull-rider proves just who's kid he is, (as if there were any doubt.)

Zippy dialogue and unexpected happenings make this a big story squeezed into some flashy tight jeans! Series follower's will enjoy a familiar stop at the Blue Bug Saloon, and the regular visit to the Saturday night rodeo.

This is a romance with the punch of 101 proof Wild Turkey. Have another round!



Review by Snapdragon

Review: Winter Wonders

Winter Wonders
Anthology by Cindy K. Green, Joann Carter, Meg Allison, and Muncy Chapman

SNOW KISSED by Cindy K. Green
Today is one of those days Logan Reilly wished he'd stayed in bed. Not only does he have to deal with the annoying Winter Wonderland Carnival but his close friend, that whimsical lover of snow, Holly Armstrong, was leaving town forever. The question is why didn't she tell him and why today of all days does he realize he loves her? Can he change her mind and make her stay?

SMUGGLER OF THE HEART by JoAnn Carter
Disheartened and tired, Samantha Warren returns to Vermont during the winter break. Her passion for history rekindles after finding an old smuggler's chest hidden in her grandparents' attic. Will she be able to return to New Jersey without her heart being smuggled like the chest once was? Or is it already too late?

GWEN'S RESOLUTION by Meg Allison
For Gwen Josephs, the New Year held no more nights reading novel after novel. Even if she had to go it alone…or would she?
Enter Tad Smith, a man in the right place with the right plans. Just another coincidence in a string?
Maybe. Or maybe it's fate.

MAYBE FOREVER by Muncy G. Chapman
When Margy Mayfield gives shelter to a near-frozen man during the worst blizzard of the season, her tender heart rules over her sensible head. But what if this stranger turns out to be the escaped prisoner reported loose in her area?

This brief 79 page book is a compilation of four short, sweet, winter romances. All four tales were enjoyable, easy reads. It's definitely a curl-up-with-hot-chocolate-and-relax-by-the-fire sort of book that leaves one with a warm and agreeable aftertaste - you know, the type where you close the cover with a dreamy smile and a satisfied sigh.

#1 SNOW KISSED by Cindy K. Green
What will push a man to declare his love and fidelity better than the threat of losing the one he loves? In this short piece, Cindy Green plays on the long standing, but somewhat stagnant rela-tionship between Logan and Holly and brings their building emotions and uncertainties to the forefront. Holly is planning on leaving town for good. Will Logan let her go, or will he step out and tell her how he really feels? I especially liked the way the author makes the characters and small town situation seem real and down to earth, then smudges and softens the edges with a gentle snow and a gentle realization of love.

#2 SMUGGLER OF THE HEART by JoAnn Carter
Samantha has left her God and the man she loves to pursue her passion: teaching history. Pla-gued by emptiness and a growing lack of passion and ambition, Samantha returns to her small hometown in Vermont for a visit. She's been away 7 years, but Ms. Carter does a credible job of reconnecting the heroine to her roots via a historical old box that had been used for smuggling in the Vermont Mountains - a box with a very romantic story attached to it. The ending seemed like it was going to be predictable, but I was pleasantly surprised by the subtle - and definitely romantic - twist.

#3 GWEN'S RESOLUTION by Meg Allison
Folks, I am a consummate sceptic in the "love at first sight" arena, but Meg Allison's beautifully woven story has softened my stance. She paints a wonderfully believable portrait of being in the right place at the proverbial right time and falling in love. Gwen is determined to stop sitting home alone, feeling sorry for herself. She's going to be bold and brave by celebrating New Year's Eve on her own. Her plans are changed, however, once she meets Tad.

Gwen and Tad are both depicted with depth and gentleness. And Ms. Allison didn't overshoot the brevity of the story by trying to take them beyond the beginning of their relationship - a be-ginning that promises to bloom into "Happily Ever After".
I think this may have been my favorite of the four stories!

#4 MAYBE FOREVER by Muncy G. Chapman
Margy is alone in her farmhouse during a raging snowstorm. The radio news gives the warning that a dangerous inmate has escaped from the State prison and is on the loose. Later in the even-ing the inevitable happens and a strange man starts knocking on her door. Is it truly a motorist in need, stranded in the storm, or is it the criminal seeking refuge - or something more sinister?

This was an agreeable story, with a plot that had great potential for suspense. However, the author could have kept the reader guessing a little longer before revealing if the traveler was the hero or the villain! Margy was well protrayed as someone who had been burnt by love before and is now struggling to make ends meet - both financially and emotionally. The hero comes across convincingly and believably chivalrous. The villain was satisfyingly greedy and nasty. The ending was more or less realistic and left the reader with a sense that love was going to bloom, despite the snow.



Review by Black-eyed Susan

Review: Dealer's Heart

Dealer’s Heart
by Cyndi Whitten

Cole doesn't know Abby is a poker champion, and that is something he should know before he bets his winning horse, Dealer's Heart, in a card game of Ma Ferguson. Will Cole forgive Abby when he finds out the truth or does he have an ace up his sleeve named revenge?

Dealer’s Heart is a light, funny, quirky novel with unique characters, wacky situations, and even a stray hurricane--and I really liked its offbeat charm. From the opening pages, when I realized Abby’s situation was not at all what it seemed, I was hooked. And the first time she spoke to her cat--and the cat answered her--I knew I was in for a fun read.

The heroine, Abby, is a horse trainer who just happens to be a poker champion. She’s slightly disaster-prone and sometimes a little crazy, but I really liked her humor and sparkle. She’s a bit out of the ordinary for a romance heroine: she needs glasses and contacts to see anything; she’s not above fleecing a man at cards; and not even the prospect of a headless specter daunts her. But I appreciated that she’s also charming, spirited, and never at a loss for words. In fact, her repartee with the hero is sharp, sexy and often laugh-outloud funny.

The hero, Florida rancher Cole Hannible, is described as tall, dark-haired, green-eyed, and in need of a shave. That yummy description alone was enough to put me on his side--but I also liked that he’s strong and dependable, and matches Abby’s quirky sense of humor with his own. What I didn’t like was that some of his actions seemed closer to frat house pranks than a romantic hero’s actions ever should be but that was a minor problem, outweighed by the sexy, tension-filled attraction between Cole and the heroine.

I also found the story a little underwritten at times--I occasionally had to re-read passages to figure out exactly what was happening--but, I still enjoyed the fun and mayhem of the plot and was definitely never bored. So, if you are looking for something light and frothy but chock full of sexy romance, you will enjoy Dealer’s Heart.



Review by Hydrangea

Review: Absolute Fear

Absolute Fear
by Lisa Jackson

For the past three months, Eve Renner has struggled to remember the night she was nearly killed and her lover was tried for murder. She remembers getting the anxious call from a friend from her past: “Meet me at the cabin. I’ve got evidence.” She remembers seeing that friend lying in a pool of blood. And she remembers a horrifying glimpse of her lover Cole Dennis’s face as a gunshot plunged her into darkness. Now, her memory and emotions scarred, Eve has returned to New Orleans to forget the past. But the past will not be forgotten. Eve’s shattered memory has helped Cole walk on murder charges just as a new series of killings begins.

The latest murders are bizarre and baffling. The victims are killed in ritual fashion, a series of numbers tattooed into their bodies. 212. 101. 111. 323. There is no clue to their meaning, no connection to the victims except one: Our Lady of Virtues Hospital, the crumbling old asylum that was once the scene of unspeakable madness. For Eve, it was a second home as a child. Her father was a doctor there and she spent hours exploring its secret chambers, hidden rooms, and forbidden passageways. Somewhere in its decaying rooms lies the key to a terrible crime, a betrayal beyond imagining whose echoes are now being felt with vengeance--a crime that seems to lead to Eve herself. And the only man she can trust with the search is Cole, her former lover and, just possibly, a cold-blooded killer.

As forgotten memories begin to surface, bodies are found and each twist leads to another terrifying piece of the puzzle. Someone is watching, planning, luring her back to the ruins of Our Lady and the shocking truths hidden there—someone who has been waiting for this moment to strike. He is deadlier than she could ever have imagined and closer than she knows. For the sins of the past must be revealed, the crimes brought to justice, and the price paid—in blood.

Lisa Jackson’s Absolute Fear continues the New Orleans series, brings back Detectives Bentz and Montoya, and allows us to revisit Our Lady of Virtues Asylum. Even though it’s not strictly necessary to read the other books in this series first, I would recommend it since so many elements from the previous books are revealed in this book.

In Shivers, the first OLoVA story, the villain promises that things weren’t over—“no matter what else happens, tonight is just the beginning.” In Absolute Fear that promise is fulfilled.

Eve Renner, adopted daughter of the head of Our Lady of Virtues Asylum, used the hospital as her playground along with her best friend Roy Kajak. She discovers his dead body and is nearly killed herself, and there is a strong suspicion in her mind that her lover, Cole, may be the guilty party. However, the murder of her father the same way Kajak was killed proves to Eve that, even though Cole may be hiding secrets, being Kajak’s killer is not one of them. She still has problems trusting him completely though.

Eve soon recognizes that someone is out to terrorize her, if not something worse. She and Cole, along with the police, try to discover who is behind the murders and what they have to do with Our Lady of Virtues and the true identity of Eve herself.

Absolute Fear is full of twists, turns, layers and relationship knots. Just when you think things are going to be solved, Jackson throws another spanner in the works. One weakness with the book is there are some elements that are not tied up at the end as well as they might have been. In fact, one entire subplot concerning her brothers could have been left out, in this reviewer’s opinion—unless Jackson is planning on bringing this cast of characters back together again at some future date. Even this, however, does not detract from the on-the-edge-of-your-seat suspenseful ride Jackson takes us on.



Review by Rose





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Review: Somewhere Between Love and Hate

Somewhere between Love and Hate
by Mary Eason

When Lili Fraser first agreed to help her father sell his antiquities gallery, she had no idea she was walking into a carefully prepared trap. The plan for revenge, orchestrated by Damon Bortelli, had taken years to perfect but only one night in Lili's arms to destroy.

Somewhere between Love and Hate is seemingly about a high-stakes business deal and one man’s quest to avenge his father’s betrayal and death. But really it’s an in-depth character study of the hero and heroine and how their irresistible attraction to each other changes everything. The novel moves between the power corridors of Manhattan, a seaside Connecticut mansion, and the snow-covered mountains of Colorado (via private jet, of course!) and along the way, the reader is treated to a spicy, tension-filled romance that never drags or disappoints.

Lili Fraser, the heroine, has her world turned upside down early in the novel as she finds out that her family situation is not what she thought it was. I admired her grit and resiliency as well as her willingness to do everything she could to save her father from the hero’s revenge. Sometimes, toward the end of the novel especially, Lili struck me as a little passive and weepy--especially for a lawyer--but for the most part, she matched well with the hero, and her loyalty to her father made her a likeable character I easily sympathized with. And I certainly understood her powerful attraction to the hero and fell in lust and love with him right along with her.

The hero, Damon Bortelli, is the classic alpha male. Rich, powerful, and handsome and with just enough ruthless determination to make him formidable but not so much I ever felt the heroine wasn’t safe with him. At first, Damon seemed like one of those ‘tall, dark and dangerous’ heroes of old--almost one-dimensional in his controlled manliness--but as the author reveals his character, the reader sees his conflicting desires and understands there is much more to him than lust for revenge. I really enjoyed watching the progression of Damon’s character throughout the novel as he slowly comes to realize that Lili’s presence has changed everything, including his priorities.

One reason I’m not giving this story a higher rating is that the first two chapters are chock full of back story. It felt a little like the beginning of a TV show where they try to catch you up on what happened in previous episodes. I’m not sure why the author would open the story this way, but it was a little strange to spend ten pages reading the characters’ thoughts about what has just happened rather than reading the events in ‘real time.’ Other than that distraction, though, this is a well-written contemporary romance that delves deep into the characters’ lives and carries the reader along on their emotion-filled journey to love.



Review by Hydrangea

Review: And There Are Girls You Marry

AND THERE ARE GIRLS YOU MARRY
by Tina Gallagher

Ten years have passed since Dan broke Sabrina's heart and crushed her faith in men. Now he wants her back, but can he get her to see beyond his old playboy persona to the man he's become?

Tina Gallagher weaves a wonderful web of words to tell a story about love, trust, and forgiveness and brings home how hard they are to regain when once they are lost.

The idea that a person is a product of his or her rearing is a strong thread in this story. Dan McMullen’s father’s philosophy that there are girls you have sex with and there are girls you marry sets Dan up for years of heartache. Dan’s father practiced that philosophy and pounded it into Dan when he was a teenager. It was a lesson he learned well and paid dearly for in adulthood.

Sabrina Kelly, a physical therapist, wants to make partner in the rehabilitation clinic where she works. When the chance comes, she discovers that old feelings from her college years must be dealt with before she can move on. Dan was the love of her life in college but via the big mouth of a so-called friend, she learned he had sex with other girls while saying he wants to marry her. It broke her heart and destroyed her trust in him. Now, in order to make partner she must become his personal therapist until he is rehabilitated to the point he can return to his professional ball team.

The inner thoughts of Sabrina and Dan take the reader on a journey that reveals the depths of pain and misery they have both endured the past decade. Ms. Gallagher’s writing gives such well-developed characters the reader feels like they are personal acquaintances. One wants to shout HURRAY each time a hurt is healed and good feelings come.

The secondary characters are so entwined with the hero and heroine that they seem absolutely necessary to the story. Of course, little, eight-year-old Lexi is the catalyst that works again and again until the satisfactory results is realized.

AND THERE ARE GIRLS YOU MARRY is a novel hard to put down until one is sure the old problems are resolved and happy-ever-after is a certainty.



Review by Camellia

Review: Don't Tell Mother

Don't Tell Mother
by Tara West

Raised under the shadow of her popular and spoiled brother, AJ Dawson struggles to get any kind of compliment from her mother. She can’t escape her troubled home-life at school, when she is forced to deal with a lot of the same issues. Her immature coach is determined to turn the team against her, her teammates are bent on losing every game, and the rest of the school population cowers in her presence. AJ’s mounting frustration could turn her into a ticking time bomb, and she knows the first step to solving her problems is to gain acceptance from her mother. Easier said than done.

Her relationship with her mother goes from bad to worse when AJ’s new green-haired boyfriend knocks on the door. She knows she’ll have to clean up her guy if she wants to earn Mom’s respect. But AJ’s secret ability to foretell the future is driving her and her mom further apart, and if she doesn’t tell her mom about her horrible vision soon, her brother will die.

This is a very charming story that has a few different plot lines going on, each providing a feel-good message to warm your heart.

It's told from AJ's point of view, in the first person, so I got to know her well. She's your average junior high student, except she's got a little 'extra'. And she has issues — with her mother, her boyfriend (or 'BF'), her basketball teammates and her coach — and boy did it make me glad I'm not in junior high anymore! I think the way she relates to her mother and her assumptions on the state of things between them is both poignant and realistic, especially when she realizes that things need to change and tries to make that happen. She learns things about herself, about how others see her, and I saw this — in addition to everything else that happens — as a turning point for her, in growing from a little girl into a woman.

AJ's mother's behavior toward her seems unfair, but I began to realize some of her motivations as some of the family dynamics are revealed. Although the turning point for her mother is her dramatic and effective, I wish she had come to believe in AJ's abilities on her own, rather than needing proof. I think it would have made the events following that much more impactful.

AJ as well as teammates learned much about themselves from dealing with a ditzy coach and I think this was one of the best messages in the story. AJ is really committed to doing well in sports but starts to doubt herself because of her affect on others. I really appreciated how her dedication is later validated by her friends.

Bob is her BF, and he is very different. When Bob is first introduced, I wasn't crazy about him. Granted, all I really knew was that he has green hair. But as his character is developed, I really, really liked him. He is honest and kind, and though his family struggles, he has such a bright, positive attitude; I couldn't help but adore him. He gives AJ just what she needs without requiring much back. What a sweetie!

Don't Tell Mother has it all — a little suspense, a little romance, some extra-sensory abilities, and more than one moral to the story — and is perfect for both the young and the young at heart.



Review by Chamomile

Review: Ethan's Chase

Ethan’s Chase
by Bronwyn Storm

Still wounded from a disastrous love affair, advertising executive Ethan Phillips has spent the past five years outwitting Cupid with a series of dekes and fakes. Who knew the tricky cherub would get wise? Rather than piercing Ethan’s heart with an arrow, he douses it with amaretto-flavored milk. A quick visit to the drycleaner and a stern lecture on the dangers of gorgeous, charming women, and he figures he’s made another clean getaway.

But when the sexy woman turns out to be Chase Logan, his new systems programmer, Ethan’s got no where to run. Her charm, humor and intelligence soon have his heart racing and his libido revving. Suddenly, the man who spent his time running from Cupid, is now looking to borrow a few arrows. Ethan’s ready to give chase and pursue love. Will he catch the heart of his programmer or just be left catching his breath?

Millionaire Ethan Philips has sworn off women. After a disastrous relationship that leaves him wounded, he has refused to get into any relationship. However, his interest is piqued when he has a run in with a woman and her coffee. But that is not enough to push him into the dating game again. After all, look where his interest had landed him last time. This time he is going to make sure that his heart remains locked tight. But his two friends working with destiny has different plans. When the woman with the coffee lands in his office, what will he do? When clues show that she is directly responsible for an information leakage, will Ethan trust her?

Chase Logan cannot believe that she spilled coffee on a man on the streets. And she is even more shocked and embarrassed when she realizes that he is the owner of the company she is planning to place a bid for a consultant job. She wins the job because of Ethan’s friends and reluctantly agrees to it. Added to the job stress, her personal life is a nightmare, as a competitor tries to defame her and her business. Can she lean on Ethan during this time?

Ms. Storm creates a plethora of colorful characters in this novel. Even though her characters follow the usual roles that are in stories, she adds her own twist and a fresh outlook to them. For instance, one of Ethan’s friends is a computer geek and is personified as absent minded and geeky. However, she adds a sparkle to his character by pairing him with a woman who is beautiful and not at all geeky. The story moves quickly, however, it is an emotional roller coaster. One minute things are looking up, the next both the main characters are unsure about the other. But I believe that this roller-coaster created a very good story. The author also added an element of suspense to this story by introducing a stalker that does not seem to do anything wrong and hence cannot be caught. This made the pages turn even faster! I would definitely recommend this book to anyone and am looking forward to more books by this author.



Review by Jasmine

Review: Holly and The Millionaire

Holly and the Millionaire
by Margaret Tanner

Fleeing from her ruthless English in-laws who are intent on stealing her child, Holly Kirwan boards a flight home to Australia and meets Justin Devereux. They are instantly attracted to each other.

Justin doesn’t want a permanent woman in his life, particularly one with a baby in tow. Holly, still grieving for her soldier husband who was killed in Iraq, doesn’t want to be disloyal to his memory.

Can the young widow and the commitment shy tycoon ever find happiness together?

Holly and the Millionaire is a touching story about a young woman's struggle to survive and to find love. I was so involved in Holly and Justin's journey that I could not put this book down.

Holly is simple yet complex at the same time and I absolutely loved her. She is strong and sad and feisty and honorable and vulnerable and determined and loyal, and she just wants to love someone and someone to love her. I was so affected by her plight that my stomach was in knots with all of the turmoil that Holly goes through. She is continuously barraged with challenge after challenge but she lifts her chin and carries on. I sensed a quiet desperation motivating Holly, and I was moved by her dedication to her daughter and her willingness to do whatever necessary to care for and protect her. Even though she has fairytale dreams about her situation, her strength impressed me as she pulls herself back and is able to stay rooted in reality.

Justin could have been one of those characters that annoyed me, but he didn't. He behaves like a jerk a lot, but the author wisely gives his point of view when he's doing it so I knew why he was being a jerk. Not that it was always a good excuse, but because of the way his story is told, I felt like he was a friend that sometimes behaves badly rather than just an idiot trying to hurt Holly. Tainted by ill will toward women due to events in his past, he wrestles with his feelings for Holly, but this made me more sympathetic to him and gave me a clearer understanding of why he did some of the things he did and I had no choice but to like him. The growth of this man is amazing as the story progresses. His change occurs slowly and realistically and I was totally wrapped up in his metamorphosis from selfish playboy to committed family man.

I really, really enjoyed this book. Holly and Justin are richly developed and I felt like I knew them both well. Heart-wrenching, sensual and thoroughly romantic, Holly and the Millionaire is a treasure to be savored.



Review by Chamomile