Romance Book Reviews
The Further Observations of Lady Whistledown by Julia Quinn, Suzanne Enoch, Karen Hawkins and Mia Ryan
Avon Books, December, 2002Paperback, 400 pages
ISBN: 0553583913
Subgenre: Historical
Ordering information:
Amazon.com
The irrepressible Lady Whistledown, gossip columnist
to the ton, is back in this wonderfully entertaining
anthology from several of today's best Regency
romance authors: Julia Quinn, Suzanne Enoch, Karen Hawkins
and newcomer Mia Ryan. Each story is introduced by
Lady Whistledown, and concerns events occurring before
Valentine's Day, 1814. In an especially clever twist,
all four stories include the same skating party, providing
a multiple viewpoint of the events from each of the featured
couples. The books opens with "One True Love" by
Suzanne Enoch, a wonderful story of a woman who has
been betrothed since childhood, but resists going through
with the wedding. But when her errant fiancé learns he
has a rival, he rushes to her side for some long-overdue
wooing. Next up is "Two Hearts" by Karen Hawkins,
a traditional Regency tale of a woman who is very much on the
shelf and the charming rake who is determined to win her
affections. The third story is from newcomer Mia Ryan,
"A Dozen Kisses," a very funny and passionate story of
a woman who meets a handsome lord. The only problem is that
he is the man who has just evicted her and her mother from her
lifelong home. The last story is from the talented Julia
Quinn, and is entitled "Thirty-six Valentines." Miss
Susannah Ballister's reputation is in shreds when she is unceremoniously
dumped by the man that the ton thought was
going to be
her husband, after a very public courtship. But then his dashing older brother
steps in to save the day, with very entertaining results.
Anthologies are sometimes uneven in quality, but happily, that is not the case here. All four stories are absolute charmers, with enough wit, style and romance to thrill any historical romance fan.
Hot Pursuit by Christina Skye
Dell, February, 2003Paperback, 488 pages
ISBN: 0440237599
Subgenre: Contemporary
Ordering information:
Amazon.com
Novelist Taylor O'Toole, who readers may remember from
Christina Skye's last novel, My Spy, is adept at creating thrilling mysteries
in her books, but lately it seems like her life
rivals anything her fictional characters have faced.
During a freak rock climbing accident, Taylor
suffers some minor injuries, and she is assigned
a watchdog: Navy SEAL Jack Broussard, who
knows (as Taylor does not) that there really is someone
who is determined to kill her. Taylor fights Jack's
protection at every turn (she's pretty stubborn by nature)
but Jack is no pushover himself. And he is determined
that Taylor stay alive.
Hot Pursuit is another fabulous entry in Christina Skye's steamy Navy SEAL series. Jack and Taylor have incendiary chemistry together and the love scenes really spark. Tall, dark and Denzel-like Izzy Teague also makes an appearance as the tech wizard who provides back up for Jack -- perhaps he deserves his own story soon? This is another "do not miss" romantic thriller from the talented Christina Skye.
The Secret Hour by Luanne Rice
Bantam, February, 2003Hardcover, 335 pages
ISBN: 0553802240
Subgenre: Women's Fiction
Ordering information:
Amazon.com
Attorney and single father John O'Rourke is representing
accused death row inmate and confessed killer Greg Merrill,
much to the fury of the local community, who opposes
John's efforts to save Merrill's life. Johns
life gets considerably more complicated when Kate Harris
enters his life. Kate's sister is missing, and wants
John to find out if Merrill is responsible. John
must respect the attorney-client privilege, but he
is powerfully attracted to Kate. And Kate
seems to be just what John and his two children
need -- a wife and mother. As Kate and John delve
deeper into the mystery of Kate's sister's disappearance,
it becomes clear that there is another killer at large --
and that he will stop at nothing to keep his secrets.
Luanne Rice delves deep into the themes of love, family, sisterhood and the madness of a killer in her latest exciting thriller, The Secret Hour. Ms. Rice effortlessly evokes readers' emotions, as the gripping story unfolds. From the mind of a ruthless and twisted killer to the tortured yet determined John and Kate, who hope to find healing and hope in their new love, this is Luanne Rice at her very best.
Return to Book Reviews Index
More from Writers Write
Stephen King Quotes
quotes from the master
quotes from the master
Grammar Tips
improve your writing
improve your writing
Writing Prompts
spark your creativity
spark your creativity