Romance Book Reviews
Page One of TwoBurning the Map by Laura Caldwell
Red Dress Ink, November, 2002Trade paperback, 288 pages
ISBN: 0373250215
Subgenre: Women's Fiction
Ordering information:
Amazon.com
To most people, Casey Evers looks like she has it all:
a new job at a top law firm, a devoted boyfriend and
a nice family. But Casey is not even sure she wants to
be a lawyer, and spend her days taking endless
depositions, and defending medical malpractice suits.
And her boyfriend John is nice, but is he perhaps a
little boring? Before she settles into this predictable
life that she has chosen for herself, Casey agrees to
head off to Rome and Greece for one last fun trip with
her best friends, Kat and Lindsey. Suddenly, Casey finds
herself on an emotional roller coaster. She, Kat and
Lindsey just can't seem to get along, for one thing. Her friends
accuse of her of changing since she met John. And
Casey finds herself attracted first to an Italian man
and then to an Irishman -- whom Lindsey also finds attractive.
Between picnicking at the Roman Coliseum after dark and
partying all night on the Greek island of Ios, Casey realizes
that she really can't
escape from herself, no matter how far she travels.
More importantly, she realizes that it's time to make
some important decisions about her priorities in life.
Burning the Map is a fast, funny and heartfelt journey into a young woman's life. With all the choices which women face today, readers will certainly be able to identify with Casey's inner (sometimes hilariously neurotic) dialogue as she muses over her future. The backgrounds of Rome and Greece are vividly portrayed, as are the characters of Kat and Lindsey. Ms. Caldwell also explores the theme of the importance of female friendship in women's lives. This is a fast-paced, funny and sexy novel which is sure to garner first-time author Laura Caldwell a devoted following.
My Favorite Bride by Christina Dodd
Avon, September, 2002Paperback, 384 pages
ISBN: 0060092645
Subgenre: Historical
Ordering information:
Amazon.com
Samantha Pendregast was rescued from the streets of
London and a life as an infamous pickpocket by
Lady Adorna Bucknell, the owner of the
Distinguished Academy of Governesses. Fired from her
last post because she dared to cross her despicable
employer, Samantha accepts a post in far northern
England as governess to six children. The children's
father is the handsome, but rather forbidding
Colonel William Gregory. A widower, Colonel
Gregory hasn't a clue how to raise children, being
more used to barking orders on the parade ground
than teaching little girls how to behave around
company. Samantha has a real knack with children,
and she has a growing fondness for her employer.
But he is quite the martinet, and doesn't think
that Samantha is wife material. Then again, he does
find her amazingly competent and very attractive.
As sparks fly between Samantha and William,
intrigue also lurks around the corner: can these two
hard-headed individuals finally find true love?
In this latest charming entry into the governess brides series, Christina Dodd takes the basic plot from The Sound of Music and gives it a wonderful, unique spin. Samantha and William have so much chemistry between them that their scenes are an absolute joy to read. The dialogue is witty, the children are funny and the espionage subplot only adds to the excitement in this delightful and passionate romance.
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