Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Ok but Not Great) 『The story was ok, but not very exciting or attention grabbing. The development of the friendship between all the people was great. The romance between Emma and Jack was all right but not as developed as the previous book and not what I come to expect from Nora Roberts. I will purchase the other books because of the friendship development.』
(Worth waiting for!!!) 『I am a huge fan of Nora Roberts, and especially enjoy reading any of her series. After reading Visons In White, I pre-ordered Bed of Roses as soon as it was available, and read it the day it arrived! It a wonderful, feel good story, and I will now axiously await the next in the series.』
(Love it!) 『I love, love, LOVE this series! Can't wait to see what happens next. . . Thank you, Nora Roberts!』
(Disappointing) 『I loved Visions in White and had great expectations for the second book in NB's Bride Quartet, Bed of Roses. But I'm afraid I have to agree with the reviewers who said that Emma is annoying and the conflict between the two main characters was not enough to sustain the reader's interest in the story. The hero and heroine, Jack and Emma, actually bored me. The plot, what there was of it, bored me. I found their fight at the end ridiculous and if I felt any sympathy, it was for the much maligned Jack. Emma definitely over-stepped her boundaries and behaved like a spoiled toddler when he reacted in a way that seemed totally justified to me. In the end, I just didn't understand why he would want to marry her.』
(ho hum) 『I waited seven months for Bed of Roses after loving Vision in White. Lacks the umph of the first book. If Bed of Roses had been the first book, I probably wouldn't have continued with the series. The biggest conflict 2/3 of the way into the story is family friend Del's problem with his best friend and his sister's best friend dating. His issue with their dating is disturbing ... he's got stalker tendencies but I can't tell for sure if it's for Jack or for Emma or maybe both.』 『Since she was a little girl, Emma Grant has always loved romance. So it’s really no surprise that she has found her calling as a wedding florist. She gets to play with flowers every day and work with her three best friends in the process. She couldn’t ask for a better job.
And on the surface, Emma’s love life seems to be thriving. Slim and sultry, she brings color into every room she enters, just like the arrangements she creates. Men swarm around her, yet she still hasn’t found Mr. Right. And the last place she’s looking is right under her nose.
But that’s just where Jack Cooke is. He’s been best friends with Parker’s brother for years, which makes him practically family. The architect has begun to admit to himself that his feelings for Emma have developed into much more than friendship. And when Emma returns his passion — kiss for blistering kiss—things start to get complicated at Vows.
Jack has never been big on commitment. Emma yearns for a lifelong love affair. If the two are to find common ground, they must trust in their history— and in their hearts…』
price：$28.00
Brilliance Audio on CD Unabridged Lib Ed
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Disappointed in "Death") 『I actually read an advanced copy of this latest book in the series a month or so before it came out and had been anxiously waiting for the time it was officially released to see if others had the same response that I had to it. I read the book in about a day and a half, but by the end, I really felt disappointed.I agree with those who were unimpressed with the weak plot. It had a regurgitated feeling about it. Been there/read that. And after the big build up to Louise and Charles's wedding in previous books, I wanted a little bit more about them and their wedding ceremony (I was disappointed not to get more of a description of Eve and Roarke's wedding ceremony when it finally happened, too!!) In any case, I ended up going back and reading some of my favorite titles from the series -- Naked, Portrait, Judgment, Glory, Immortal,etc. -- I guess to compensate for my dissatisfaction with "Kindred." It has never occurred to me that some of the books in the series are being written by someone other than Nora Roberts, but I don't think it's beyond the realm of possibility. If it's true, however, it is a real cheat to the fans and followers of this series. I've been reading it since the very first one, and I'm sure I will read future ones, it's just unfortunate that the quality of the writing has become so sporadic that buying the book won't guarantee me that I will have a good read as I once again visit old "friends." Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb has found a basic formula for writing her books that have clearly worked more than well for her. But I think that one of the reasons I stopped reading the books she writes under Nora Roberts -- after being a devoted follower for many years -- is that it became too formulaic and predictable. It felt like she had become afraid to mess too much with what had made her so successful. I really don't want to see that happen with the In Death series. We know what she is capable of when writing it. All I can say is don't play it safe. Don't screw it up!』
(dissapointment in death) 『my first thought here is that this book was written by somebody else i love the "in death " series and while i like some more than others ive never read one this ...... flat first anybody whos read theese books (SPOILER STOP READING NOW IF YOUVE NEVER READ ANY JD ROBB BOOKS ) know that charles monroe proposed to louise during the book strangers in death (***** book great read ) they mentioned the planning of the bridal shower during salvation in death and had a hilarious bachelorette party for louise in the last book promises in death the wedding is mentioned but there is only one seen between louis and eve about the preperation and its short and .... boring then at the very end of the book we get a rushed four page epilouge that barely mentions the whole plotline as for the plotline a flat deflated bore theres no change in the points of view and no humor i expected to see a book like born in death that tied mavis giving birth to bella with the mystery cop element of the story (if youve read born in death you know what i mean ) maybe something titled VOWS IN DEATH with a serial killer killing brides maybe a woman charles was sleeping with as an lc jealous that he quit maybe thinking he should be with her and not louise (killing other brides to thow off the nypsd) just a thought』
(Not great, but very good) 『J.D. Robb's latest "In Death" books have been getting better. This one was very good, and worth the hard cover price. Not as great as "Strangers in Death" but one of the top three of hers. Good plot.』
(Totally "Mag!") 『This is Dallas at her best, totally "mag!" Got to be the best one yet in the Death Series. (and to think, I almost didn't get it because of some of the reviews!) Glad I didn't listen. I loved this book. It is not any more gorey than any of the others in the series. Well done, J.D. Robb! 』
(Same Ole Same Ole: If You read Other Books You read This One) 『There is nothing new or interesting about this book. Same theme. Same tempo. Same characters. Same "type" of crime, which seems that Eve should be head of a Special Victims Unit rather than homicide since all she gets are rapes. Same conversations with everyone. Same emotions with Roarke.
There is just no growth. No one seems to grow, especially not Eve. She is still uncomfortable and apparently unknowledgable about basic things involving love and relationships, which is shocking for a grown intelligent accomplished woman.
Disappointing.
I wish I had not wasted the money.』 『When the newly promoted captain of the NYPSD and his wife return a day early from their vacation, they are looking forward to spending time with their bright and vivacious sixteen-year-old daughter, who stayed behind.
Not even their worst nightmares could prepare them for the crime scene that awaits them instead. Deena has been brutally murdered in her bedroom, and her body shows signs of trauma that horrify even the toughest of cops, including our own Lieutenant Eve Dallas, who is specifically requested by the captain to investigate.
When the evidence starts to pile up, Dallas and her team think they are about to arrest their perpetrator; little do they know that someone has gone to great lengths to tease and taunt them by using a variety of identities.
Overconfidence can lead to careless mistakes. But for Dallas, one mistake might be all she needs to serve justice.』
price：$12.45
Delacorte Press
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (If I had written the book......) 『I, like so many readers and reviewers, waited long years for this book. Overall I liked it very much. I live in upstate New York and I will never think of the historic battle sites in quite the same way. To cut to the chase here, I agree with so many others regarding the end of the book. While suspense is nice and keeps us readers coming back and waiting for the next book, it did seem like Diana was tired and just tried to get the book done...I say done versus finished. Many of the scenarios at the end of the book seem like throw-ins for some sort of needless excitement. There are other concerns but so as not to ruin someone's read... I liked the story very much as I feel like I know these characters but Diana did not do a good job with the last 100 pages or so. As disappointing as that is, waiting 4 years, perhaps, for the next book is even more disappointing. I am going to be outlining the story line and questions in the back of my book so that when the next one comes out I will have a quick review ready. That is assuming in 4 years that I remember that I have done that!!!』
(Editor oh editor, where are ye?) 『As the next installment of Diana Gabaldon's wildly successful Highlander series, the current, "Echo in the Bone" should be titled, "Annoy Me to the Bone". Does this woman have an editor? I literally slapped the book when finally done with the 8 millionth page, screaming, "You didn't! How could you do this to me?" The "cliffhanger" nee "let me rope you in to make sure you buy the next behemoth" is unbelieveable and with so many dangling particples of story line as to resemble a giant squid engulfing the next sucker. So many superfluous characters, scenes, excrutiating details, I yearned for a red editing pencil myself. The book is not for first time readers (nee suckers) of Ms. Gabaldon's. I wanted to love this book. Being from Boston, and a Revolutionary War history buff, it was fun to read some of the details of southern and Philadelphia imaginings but I found myself skipping pages (and pages, and pages) of useless minutiae, and wanderings of other characters--William, Rachel, Lord John Gray. Frequently, the dialogue between characters is so unbelieveable, and at times unnecessarily crude between main characters Jamie and Clair to be laughable (not in a good way). Wait for the next one before getting this, and be ready to self edit by skipping whole parts of chapters. Maybe I'll get Ms. Gabaldon an editor for her Christmas stocking.』
(Please don't leave me like this!) 『I've just finished reading the book...the first book I've had the opportunity to read for pleasure in years... on a much needed island vacation. I saved this book until I could give it my full attention, knowing how lost I get in the lives of the characters.
I felt like the book was moving in slow motion...until I realized there weren't many pages left and wondered how all the loose ends would be tied up. I was dismayed coming to the end, which seemed to be written on a hurried deadline without too much consideration. What? That's it? Am I really to wait years before these story lines are played out? Perhaps you could leave Lord John to his own novels and focus on the main characters to cut out some fluff. Jem is in a tunnel for the next several years for Pete's sake!
』
(Disappointed) 『
I love the Outlander series, but I must tell you this book was about 300 pages to long. Very wordy, random, to many additives about nothing -- all over the place, and so many loose ends. At times it was just totally "off the wall"! (my thoughts were, where did this come from, or where is that going - never to find out) To much William getting lost in the fog, on and on and on ... to much John Gray and Hal who, all of the wounded all of the time. Jem the gold, the guy after the gold, Rogers five times Great-Grandfather, the confession at the Murray table when Claire tells them where she's from, telling Michael about Pairs in ten years, how not so devastated Claire was when finding out about Jamie, the John Gray sex, it was all so bizarre! And what was up with the ending? I feel like I started five different books, but did not finish one.
DG, as a great story teller had lots to tell about, with Claire&Jamie, homeless, gold, ending the war, Ian, The Hunters, Fergus and he's roots, Dottie, the sick brother, Jenny, old Ian dying, the trip back to Scotland, letters to Brie. Hopefully it will not take 4 years to put this Potpourri together in the next book.』
(Needs more focus) 『I love much of DG's work, but there are now a couple of books in the series that I can live without: "The Fiery Cross" and this one. I really hope she regains her narrative focus in the next one. As for the ending....my reaction was not good. I almost wish I hadn't read it. And please, let us hope the next one is the last one. And that she drops all the multiple story lines and focuses on Jamie/Claire and Roger/Bree. She is trying to write too many books at once, and it isn't working.
So, for all you Outlander fans, read this book but don't expect her best. And let's hope for better from the next one!』 『Diana Gabaldon’s brilliant storytelling has captivated millions of readers in her bestselling and award-winning Outlander saga. Now, inAn Echo in the Bone, the enormously anticipated seventh volume, Gabaldon continues the extraordinary story of the eighteenth-century Scotsman Jamie Fraser and his twentieth-century time-traveling wife, Claire Randall.
Jamie Fraser, former Jacobite and reluctant rebel, is already certain of three things about the American rebellion: The Americans will win, fighting on the side of victory is no guarantee of survival, and he’d rather die than have to face his illegitimate son–a young lieutenant in the British army–across the barrel of a gun.
Claire Randall knows that the Americans will win, too, but not what the ultimate price may be. That price won’t include Jamie’s life or his happiness, though–not if she has anything to say about it.
Meanwhile, in the relative safety of the twentieth century, Jamie and Claire’s daughter, Brianna, and her husband, Roger MacKenzie, have resettled in a historic Scottish home where, across a chasm of two centuries, the unfolding drama of Brianna’s parents’ story comes to life through Claire’s letters. The fragile pages reveal Claire’s love for battle-scarred JamieFraser and their flight from North Carolina to the high seas, where they encounter privateers and ocean battles–as Brianna and Roger search for clues not only to Claire’s fate but to their own. Because the future of the MacKenzie family in the Highlands is mysteriously, irrevocably, and intimately entwined with life and death in war-torn colonial America.
With stunning cameos of historical characters from Benedict Arnold to Benjamin Franklin, An Echo in the Bone is a soaring masterpiece of imagination, insight, character, and adventure–a novel that echoes in the mind long after the last page is turned.』
price：$10.20
Schuster Audio
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (tear jerker....read with tissues) 『As other reviwers indicated, this is a different book for sandra. i think the connection to a farewell to arms resonated with the tone of the story as well as the time period. i will happily cry my way through other books like this. reading sandra continues to be worth my time.』
(good historical fiction) 『Brown departs from from her recent stories by delving into historical fiction. Though this book contains some mystery, suspense and a bit of romance, the approach is less direct and not as much the focus as some of her other books. By that I mean that there is romance, but it simmers and brews before coming to its inevitable conclusion. There is some mystery about a few characters and suspense leading up to a large incident. The story moves along at a quick pace and though at times disturbing it is an easy read.
Given that the story takes place in the 1930's, Brown portrays her characters to match the times, so their conversations and thoughts seem appropriate to what I have learned about the depression era. There are some surprises with the details of certain actions, such as the government cattle program and how people responded, which made for interesting reading. A bit of the story is predictable, especially toward the end, which is why I gave it four and not five stars. The very end though is satisfying for the reader.』
(truly wonderful story!) 『I haven't read any other of Brown's books before Rainwater and read it in two days. As other reviews mentioned, the characters have stayed with me. I only wished Ella and David had the opportunity to see each other while he was in jail. It ended too quickly after he was arrested...still, I loved it.』
(Brilliant) 『Read this book. Sandra Brown has written a beautiful and brilliant story that will transport you to a small town in Texas in 1934. Her characterizations and dialogue are true to the place and time. This story reminds one of Harper Lee. I hope Sandra Brown has more like this one coming.』
(Could not put this book down.) 『RAINWATER is by far one of the best books I've read by Sandra Brown. I wasnt sure I would like the story being set in depression era. I was hooked from page one.
Amazing story! 』 『The year is 1934. With the country in the stranglehold of drought and economic depression, Ella Barron runs her Texas boardinghouse with an efficiency that ensures her life will be kept in balance. She also cares for her ten-year-old son, Solly, a sweet but challenging child whose misunderstood behavior finds Ella on the receiving end of pity, derision, and suspicion. David Rainwater arrives at the house looking for lodging but Ella senses that admitting him will bring about unsettling changes. However, times are hard, so Mr. Rainwater moves in - and impacts her life in ways Ella could never have foreseen.
The changes are echoed by the turbulence beyond the house walls. Friends and neighbors now face financial ruin and in an effort to save their families from homelessness and hunger, are forced to make heart rending choices. The climate of desperation creates a fertile atmosphere for racial tensions and social unrest. Conrad Ellis -- privileged and spoiled and Ella's nemesis since childhood -- steps into this arena of teeming hostility to exact his vengeance and demonstrate the extent of his blind hatred and unlimited cruelty. He and his gang of hoodlums come to embody the rule of law, and no one in Gilead, Texas, is safe. Particularly Ella and Solly.
In this hotbed of uncertainty, Ella finds Mr. Rainwater a calming presence. Slowly, she begins to rely on his soft-spokenness, his restraint, and the steely resolve of his convictions. And on the hottest, most violent night of the summer, those principles will be put to the ultimate test.』
price：$6.00
Brilliance Audio on MP3-CD
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Worst Book Ever!) 『I bought this book on compact disc for a road trip with my mom and sister. We listened to this audio book for over nine hours. We are all very angry we wasted that time. I don't read much Danielle Steel, but I have enjoyed some of her older works. Danielle Steel, bless her heart, should stop writing now. Southern Lights had no real plot and no true antagonist. Please do not waste your time, I am very sorry I did.』
(Where are the twists??) 『This book starts out very well. Bad guy arrested for a horrendous crime. Alexa's (main character)daughter gets threatening letters from someone.Because Alexa is prosecuting attorney of bad guy in jail. Daughter is wisked away to daddy's whom she has no relationship with. New wife hates daughter. Bad guy goes to prison, daughter comes home. That is about as exciting as it gets. There was so many openings for twists and turns in this book. But it was simply this dry and boring. I kept thinking oh he didnt do it, someone else is writing the letters, someone else is setting the guy up for the crimes.... but alas NOPE』
(A disappointment!) 『I actually found myself skimming over pages in this book. I thought there was a lot of unnecessary redundancy used just to fill the pages. Not sure I'll read Danielle Steel again.』
(NOTHING INTERESTING!!) 『Well, at first I was surprised, Steel was going a different direction in this novel. However it ends up she just drove in circles!!!!
This is about a woman, Alexa (lawyer) who is trying a criminal for murder and rape. Ok...so what? Nothing interesting happens during the preparation, or duration of the trial. Her daughter is sent away after a few threatening letters. Ok...so you would think that idea goes somewhere...wrong. Dead end. Daughter goes to live with Dad in the South. To sum that portion of the book up, dad married a witch of a woman who isn't happy the daughter is there. So? And.......nothing more. They meet other family members...zzzzz.
The trial is over and near the end Alexa meets a senator. WOw...the excitement is overwhelming. But as with the rest of this book, nothing interesting happens here either.
All in all nothing ever happens of interest. This was one BORING book!!!!』
(Vintage Danielle Steel) 『I enjoyed this book as a long time Steel fan! The core issue of the story, the trial and safety of the main character's daughter was excellent, but the last couple of chapters of the book where the main character suddenly has a romantic relationship felt very rushed, not enough meat to it to make sense. It almost felt like an add-on to satisfy the usual successful Steel formula. Still woth a read though.』 『Eleven years have passed since Alexa Hamilton left the South behind, fleeing the pain of her ex-husband’s betrayal and the cruelty of his prominent Charleston family. Now an assistant D.A. in Manhattan, Alexa has made a name for herself as a top prosecutor while juggling her role as devoted single mom to a teenage daughter.
But everything changes when Alexa is handed her latest case: the trial of accused serial killer Luke Quentin. Alexa prepares for a high-stakes trial . . . until threatening letters are addressed to her beautiful seventeen-year-old daughter, Savannah. Alexa is certain that Quentin is behind the letters— and that they are too dangerous to ignore. Suddenly she must make the toughest choice of all — and send her daughter back to the very place she swore she would never return to: the place where her marriage ended in heartbreak . . . her ex-husband’s world of southern tradition, memories of betrayal, and the antebellum charm of Charleston.
Now, while Alexa’s trial builds to a climax in New York, her daughter is settling into southern life, discovering a part of her family history and a father she barely knows. As secrets are exposed and old wounds are healed, Alexa and Savannah, after a season in different worlds, will come together again — strengthened by the challenges they have faced, and with Savannah now at home in the southern world her mother fled.
A novel that will catch you off guard at every turn, Southern Lights is Danielle Steel at her electrifying best.』
price：$10.20
Random House Audio
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Do not buy or borrow...) 『I'm a fan of Linda Howard, but I gotta say, this book is a complete joke. Don't even waste your time or money. Not only is it too short (finished it in under an hour), it's completely unrealistic. You literally need to check logic at the door if you read this book.
』
(Was really looking forward to a good read but was let down) 『Linda Howard is one of my favorite authors so I was really looking forward to spending a nice evening with a great read. When I picked up the book I was disappointed that it was a short story masquerading as a hard-back novel but bought it anyway because I have always enjoyed her books.
I guess I should have read the reviews first... The characters were flat, the story was formulatic, and after finishing the book I felt like I had just wasted an hour (it is really short!) and $16. Now I still have the evening wide open and am wishing I had tried out a new author instead of going with a story that felt like a twenty-year old first draft that was found in the bottom of a desk drawer and freshened up for quick publication.』
(Sad little book from a great author) 『I am sad that Linda Howard released such a lacking book. I usually love her books and eagerly await the next. The characters were unsympathetic, the plot skimpy, and the cost was too high for such a short and disappointing book. C'mon, Linda! You can do better!』
(Such a disappointment) 『 I have always enjoyed Linda Howard's books and looked forward to Ice coming out, but like the other reviewers' I finished it in a couple of hours, couldn't figure how the couple fell in love, the plot seemed unlikely, and there was no suspense of any kind. It was such a disappointment.』
(undeveloped) 『Seemed more like a bad Lifetime movie than a book,disappointed I shelled out the money.』 『’Tis the season for mistletoe and holly, Santa . . . and suspense. And the gift that keeps on giving isIce: premier thriller author Linda Howard’s breathless tale of a man, a woman, and a battle for survival against an unforgiving winter–and an unrelenting killer. Oh what fun it is to read.
Gabriel McQueen has only just arrived home on holiday leave from the service when his county-sheriff father sends him back out again with new marching orders. A brewing ice storm, and a distant neighbor who’s fallen out of contact, have the local lawman concerned. So he enlists Gabriel to make the long haul to the middle of nowhere, and make sure Lolly Helton is safe and sound. It’s a trip the younger McQueen would rather not make given the bitter winter weather–and the icy conditions that havealways existed between him and Lolly.
But there’s no talking back when your dad is the town’s top cop. And there’ s no turning back when night falls just as Gabriel arrives–and discovers that the weather outside isn’t the only thing that’s frightful. Spotting strangers in Lolly’ s home–one of them packing a weapon–is all it takes to kick Gabriel into combat mode. And his stealth training is all he needs to extract Lolly from the house without alerting her captors. But when the escape is discovered, the heat–and the hunt–are on. And the winter woods are nowhere to be once the ice storm touches down, dropping trees, blocking roads, and trapping the fleeing pair in the freezing dark.』
price：$92.97
Brilliance Audio on CD Unabridged Lib Ed
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Vision in White) 『Another good series by Nora Roberts, romantic, dreamy, possible. Looking forward to reading the next three.』
(sweet and back to basics) 『I thought this book was a sweet, simple romance with a really sweet guy as the hero of the novel and a nice friendship going between the four girlfriends. I am not sure why people gave the book such poor reviews. I'm at least glad Nora Roberts is focusing on the romance rather than something paranormal.』
(Love Nora Roberts but...) 『I love Nora Roberts. I haven't read her books in awhile and while searching my kindle, I found this book. I have to say for me, it was a bit of a let down. This was a fun and easy read but very predictable. That being said it was a quick read with a ton of detail. The detail Nora Roberts uses makes you feel as though you are there. If you are looking for a quick read or a happy book, this is for you. I do look forward to reading the rest.』
(my first Nora Roberts book, but definitely not my last!) 『This was the first book by Nora Roberts I've read and I have to say that I will probably read more by her. Mackenzie Elliot is a partner in a wedding planning business with her 3 best friends. They all live on the same estate where the weddings are hosted and each partner has a different job (Mac's is the photographer). She ends up running into a high school friend, who had a huge crush on her back then, during his sister's wedding planning. Basically, it is a light, quick, fun romantic read :) I enjoyed this book, although the parts where Mac's selfish, careless, spoiled mother came in really bothered me!』
(A comfortable and humorous contemporary ramonce) 『Vision in White was a very pleasant change for me. I have been reading and reviewing a number of novels recently that are filled with stressful situations, violent murders, and gratuitous offensive language. This was a nice breath of fresh air. As others have noted, the story - and the series - revolves around Vows, an upscale wedding planning company run by four women who have been practicing wedding planning since they were pre-teens. Mac Elliot is the photographer in the group, and she meets Carter, the male protagonist when he literally knocks himself out at the door to her studio. Roberts' characters seem real, and the situations reflect that reality. Some situations stress them, some are quite humorous, and occasionally there are the superb word pictures that Roberts' does so well. For example, Carter's description of high school as "...a war of politics and personalities set off by the cannon fire of hormones" took me back almost 60 years to my own high school days, as well as reminding me of my children's teen years. This is a great book to read while you sit on a deck overlooking the beach and relax.』 『#1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts cordially invites you to meet childhood friends Parker, Emma, Laurel, and Mac– the founders of Vows, one of Connecticut’s premier wedding planning companies.
After years of throwing make-believe weddings in the backyard, flowers, photography, desserts, and details are what these women do best: a guaranteed perfect, beautiful day full of memories to last the rest of your life.
With bridal magazine covers to her credit, Mackensie“Mac” Elliot is most at home behind the camera – ready to capture the happy moments she never experienced while growing up. Her father replaced his first family with a second, and now her mother, moving on to yet another man, begs Mac for attention and money. Mac’s foundation is jostled again moments before an important wedding planning meeting when she bumps into the bride-to-be’s brother…an encounter that has them both seeing stars.
Carter Maguire is definitely not her type: he’s stable, and he’s safe. He’s even an English teacher at their high school alma mater. There’s something about him that makes Mac think a casual fling is just what she needs to take her mind off dealing with bride-zillas and screening her mother’s phone calls. But a casual fling can turninto something more when you least expect it. And with the help of her three best friends – and business partners – Mac must learn how to make her own happy memories…』
price：$6.99
Thorndike Press
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Disappointing book) 『I had a newsletter from Debbie Macomber assuring me that I would love this book, that she laughed and cried when writing it. I didn't crack a smile thru the whole book, and certainly didn't tear up. I found the entire book to be silly and disappointing. I like a lot of what Macomber writes- her house number series is interesting and I like the continuing characters in it. I liked the Dakota series also. But the Christmas books never do it for me. I read a whole lot of books every year, and Macomber's Christmas books just don't seem like she puts the effort into them. I'm so glad I got the book out of the library, rather than investing in it.
Holly in south jersey』
(The Perfect Christmas) 『 I haven't read the complete book at this time as I'm sving it for Christmas reading. MS Macomber's books are always good reading.』
(predictable fluff) 『This isn't up to the standards of most of Macomber's Blossom Street series. Mildly enjoyable for a quick read, but very predictable, and as someone else mentioned, Harlequin-ish. I hope her next one has more to it.』
(Excellent Macomber Read) 『Classic Macomber Christmas story, but very good nonetheless! A quick easy read, very enjoyable.』
(Nothings perfect. . . but) 『Nothing is perfect, but this book is the perfect way to spend an afternoon. A quick read, the ending is completely predictable, but I still loved this book. Sweet, funny, touching and delightful.』 『What would makeyourChristmas perfect?
For Cassie Beaumont, it's meeting her perfect match. Cassie, at thirty-three, wants a husband and kids, and so far, nothing's worked. Not blind dates, not the Internet and certainly not leaving love to chance.
What's left? A professional matchmaker. He's Simon Dodson, and he'sverychoosy about the clients he takes on. Cassie finds Simon a di[fb03] cult, acerbic know-it-all, and she's astonished when he accepts her as a client.
Claiming he has her perfect mate in mind, Simon assigns her three tasks to complete before she meets him. Three tasks that are all about Christmas: being a charity bell ringer, dressing up as Santa's elf at a children's party and preparing a traditional turkey dinner for her neighbors (whom she happens to dislike). Despite a number of comical mishaps, Cassie does it all—and she's finally ready to meet her match.
But just like the perfect Christmas gift, he turns out to be a wonderful surprise!』
price：$5.12
Delta
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Good start to a series) 『I won't rehash the plot, because others have done that.
There were times I felt Claire was more than a little TSTL in her actions, but when I look at the original publication date, there was a lot more of that kind of stuff written then, labeled "strong, feisty heroine." So this allowed me to give Gabaldon a pass on that. Jaime is at times adorable and you want to smack him upside the head.
Overall the story is good, the characters strong, and I definitely liked how Claire was pulled in two impossible directions and being forced to make a decision to basically save her life. That was well-done, and I don't blame her in the least, and I definitely don't view her decision as "cheating."
The first part of the book draaaaaagged for me, and I'm glad that I followed the advice of others and stuck with it. Lots of history "info dumps" that probably could have been handled elsewhere in the story without making the early pace suffer so much. If you can stick with it until she gets to the stones, then the ride takes off. I think we could have used less history and clan politics and more action/storyline.
READER WARNING: while depicted off camera, there is a m/m rape in this book that some may find objectionable and disturbing. Because of the way this was handled (I think that yes, while showing how brutal the other character was, it detracted overall from the story.) and because of the other points I've listed, I can't give the book a full five stars, but a solid four.
If you can make it through the first part of the book, it's well worth reading. I do plan on trying to continue with the series.』
(History, Science, and Romance all in one book!) 『I think one of the most unique things about this book is the fact that you can't group it into one specific genre because it encompasses a group of them. It's historical fiction, science fiction (time travel), romance all in one, and I think these different aspects found in the book make the overall story more interesting and readable. If you like reading any of these particular genres, this book is right for you. I personally think that this is one of the better historical fictions that I've ever read (I would rate it in my top 10), and I especially enjoyed the time travelling aspect of this novel. This book is long (over 800 pages), but even if you usually don't have patience to read through long books like this, I would still recommend it. You will miss out on a good read that includes both a well-written story and the ability to enjoy learning something at the same time if you don't give this book a chance.
I'm looking forward to reading the second book in the series!』
(love it. love the history, the herbal medicine, the characters.) 『this is an interesting and engaging series. okay, with the first book you have to meet the characters and get to know them and maybe you might get tired of physical descriptions of sex, but there it is. in subsequent novels in the series, the descriptions taper off - maybe on the assumption that you got the idea in the first book that they are attracted to each other. nothing against it, it was just nice to get on with the rest of the story. i read the whole series in about a week (on vacation). the books are long (i don't think the author could have included all the information or made it as engaging if they were shorter), but the stories are so interesting in their descriptions of history, herbal medicine, life at the time, people, and places that the whole thing just goes by too quickly.
i have never reviewed a book, but i enjoyed this series so much i want to share it. thank you to the friends who shared it with me. i have also never had the desire to re-read a series, but this one is the exception. i expect to find interesting information that i missed the first time around. if you like history, romance, challenge, and a little time travel thrown in, you will enjoy this series.』
(Disappointed!) 『Something must be wrong with me!
I read this book and did not like it much. I finished it, so for that reason alone I gave this two stars, but I was VERY disturbed by the end.
Since this book is considered the number one romance of all time, I really expected that I would like it, but I was very disappointed. 』
(Outstanding historical and romance novel) 『I read this novel a couple of months ago with my bookclub of four ladies and was swept away with the story along with the other ladies in my bookclub. I have the whole series except for the newest book and was so glad to finally read it when one of the ladies in my bookclub picked it as a selection. I just love Jamie and Claire and since I am a historical novel buff I love the historical element of the novel also. It is a very long book to read but I was so taken into the story that it was hard to put down and do things like sleep or eat or work. Our book club group was so taken with the story that we are reading the second book in the series(Dragonfly in Amber)in December outside of our regular bookclub selections just for the fun of it and then will read the third book in the series (Voyager)for one of our book selections next year. If you love romance and historical history you will be swept away like I was with the story of Jamie and Claire and then you will want to continue with the rest of the series. Happy Reading!』 『The year is 1945 and Claire Beauchamp Randall, a former British combat nurse, is on holiday in Scotland with her husband, looking forward to becoming reacquainted after the war's long separation. Like most practical women, Claire hardly expects her curiosity to get the better of her. But an ancient stone circle near her lodgings holds an eerie fascination, and when she innocently touches one of the giant boulders, she's hurtled backward in time more than two hundred years, to 1743.
Alone where no lady should be alone, and far from the familiar comforts of her other life, Claire's usual resourcefulness is tested to the limit. The merciless garrison captain so feared by others bears an uncanny resemblance to the husband she has just left behind. Her own odd circumstances expose her to accusations of witchcraft. And the strands of a political intrigue she doesn't understand threaten to ensnare her at every turn.
But of all the perils her new life holds, none is more disquieting than her growing feelings for James Fraser, the gallant young Scot she is forced to marry for her own protection. Sworn by his wedding vows to keep her from harm, Jamie's passion for Claire goes beyond duty. As she struggles with the memories of another lifetime, she is forced to make an agonizing and fateful choice, and learns ultimately that a man's instinct to protect the woman he loves is as old as time.』
『InOutlander, a 600-page time-travel romance, strong-willed and sensual Claire Randall leads a double life with a husband in one century, and a lover in another. Torn between fidelity and desire, she struggles to understand the pure intent of her heart. But don't let the number of pages and the Scottish dialect scare you. It's one of the fastest reads you'll have in your library.
While on her second honeymoon in the British Isles, Claire touches a boulder that hurls her back in time to the forbidden Castle Leoch with the MacKenzie clan. Not understanding the forces that brought her there, she becomes ensnared in life-threatening situations with a Scots warrior named James Fraser. But it isn't all spies and drudgery that she must endure. For amid her new surroundings and the terrors she faces, she is lured into love and passion like she's never known before.
I was lame and sore in every muscle when I woke next morning. I shuffled to the privy closet, then to the wash basin. My innards felt like churned butter. It felt as though I had been beaten with a blunt object, I reflected, then thought that that was very near the truth. The blunt object in question was visible as I came back to bed, looking now relatively harmless. Its possessor [Jamie] woke as I sat next to him, and examined me with something that looked very much like male smugness."
Gabaldon creates characters that you'll remember, laugh with, cry with, and cheer for long after you've finished the book.--Candy Paape』
price：$13.59
Brilliance Audio on MP3-CD Lib Ed
Not yet published Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (A great ending to a wonderful series) 『Susan Mallery finishes up her series of the Titan sisters with Hot on Her Heels, which is actually Deputy Dana Birch and their half brother and antagonist Garth Duncan's story and it's a roller coaster ride full of action, romance and drama. In this read Susan keeps us up to date the the goings on of the three sisters and their partners while bringing us this wild ride of a romance. Her story is the ongoing Titan World drama starring the insufferable Jed Titan patriarch and classic jerk and his relationship or non-relationship with his three daughters, in walks his long lost illegitimate son Garth who's story has been hinted about through out the series and finally gets it's due in this installment. Her dialogue is witty and shows a sense of humor even in the toughest of times. And her words paint pictures for the reader of the scenes they portray. The characters are larger than life, exciting and sometimes scary. Her hero and heroine in this read are the most unlikely of matches which makes it that much more interesting and she gets to the romance through a series of actions that will make the read keep turning the pages without stopping. The romance is hot and steamy and yet she let's you see the intimate sides of these two people and how vulnerable they really are and how the up bringing they had really made them the way they are. The love scenes are sizzling and will leave you breathless and fanning yourself and yet it's very sweet and the intense feelings these two have for each other come across on each page devoted to them. So if you're ready to be wowed by the rich and famous and brought to your knees by love, to be brought to tears, and to laugh out loud, to meet unforgettable characters, then this is your read. This is the fourth book in this series and I would highly recommend that it be read in order.』
(Lukewarm on the eyes) 『After reading the prior three Titan sister books, Under Her Skin (Lone Star Sisters), Lip Service (Lone Star Sisters), and Straight from the Hip (Lone Star Sisters) I was hoping for more from this one. The whole series seemed a bit forced and contrived and I was hoping for a bit more insight from this one as to why Jed became the man who was willing to sell and/or kill his daughters to reach his goals. Nor does the book do a believable job of showing the reader how Garth became a good person.
In the prior three books, Garth had orchestrated an ugly, cruel campaign against Lexi, Skye and Izzie, the Titan sisters. He has smeared their reputations, tried to ruin their businesses and this hot shot business man who has made gazillion dollar deals somehow misses the fact that their father (also his father) hates them and could care less about what happens to his daughters.
Dana, Lexi's best friend and an honorary adoptive Titan sister, has been recruited by the sisters to keep an eye on Garth. She is a cop, but seems remarkably inept in this book in shadowing techniques, finding information out, and generally performing comparable police duties as a recruited private eye.
Both Dana and Garth have a lot of hurt in their pasts. Actually they reminded me a bit of Roarke and Eve in J.D. Robb's In Death series. However, Mallery never quite fleshes their characters out to support the story and the romance. Garth has been pretty awful in books one through three and you get a small glimpse in Izzie's story Straight from the Hip that all may not be what it seems with Garth, but there wasn't enough to justify this book excusing his behavior inspite of Izzie wanting to save him from himself.
This book also touches upon Jed Titan (the father) and what made him the cruel and evil human he was, but again, there didn't seem to be enough there to have turned him into a man who would set an explosion and not care if he killed one of his daughters.
I had high hopes for this book, but in the end it was average.
』
(Emotional, sexy read with a relatable heroine) 『I loved this book! Dana, the heroine, is fantastic. As a police deputy, she's tough and keeps her defenses up at all times, but Mallery shows through Dana's thoughts that she's not as confident as she appears. I was able to connect with Dana emotionally right from the start. I understood who she was, why she made the decisions she did. She is fiercely loyal to her friends, so she's prepared at the beginning of the book to hate Garth, who was mean to her friends in the first three books. It's very confusing to her to realize that Garth isn't the bad guy she'd thought he was. And that she's attracted to him.
Garth was a fabulous hero, too. He's strong and determined to reach his goal of making sure Jed Titan can never hurt anyone again. Ever since his mother's injury when he was in high school, Garth has been forced to stand against the world alone. Now that his half-sisters have decided to bring him into the family fold, Garth maintains his tough exterior but on the inside, there's a hopefulness that really touched me.
These two characters were made for each other. They share so much in common - abuse in their past, the sense of always being on the outside, looking in - that you know they understand each other in a deeper way than anyone else ever could. Their relationship reminds me in some ways of Eve and Roarke in the Nora Roberts J.D. Robb books. These characters aren't perfect people. They're flawed in a way that makes for a compelling read. And when Mallery shows how they're willing to make sacrifices for each other, I was moved to tears. (Dana's sacrifice made me laugh. I won't say more than that; I don't want to spoil the book for anyone.)
This is a happy ending I believe in! Highly recommend this book.』
(Ho Hum, snore) 『Mallery has really lost her touch. This was just an ordinary book as were all the previous three in this series. Typical ending. Wonder if any other reader just never felt the outrage that Mallery tried to instill about Jed. Too overdone - no reasoning and no buildup. Without that, the "suspense" never formed and, therefore, the relief or satisfaction when Jed was brought to justice never formed either.
The "relationship" was so predictable as to be snooze worthy.
So much potential. So little accomplished.』
(Love, family, acceptance, revenge) 『Author Susan Mallery has crafted an emotional and very moving book, the last in her Lone Star Sister series, HOT ON HER HEELS. It was the two characters who drew me into this incredible story, Dana and Garth. Like all of Mallery's books, the message is about family, friends, trust and love as only she can pen.
In the first three books one is introduced to the head of the Titan family Jed and his beautiful and spirited daughters, Lexi, Skye and Izzy, the three women who took Dana into their home and made her part of the family due to an abusive father. What was so wonderful to read throughout all three books was the love and support the four of them gave each other. So in the end, Hot on Her Heels was about trust, love, family, belonging, believing in those around you and in yourself.
Hot on Her Heels is Garth and Dana story, one that for me personally was an emotional roller coaster. However, Susan's character development the bantering between the girls and Dana's smart mouth to Garth had me howling with laughter. The authors humour shines though and it's no wonder that Hot on Her Heels hit #5 on the New York Times Best Seller list this past week.
Throughout the series there are two apparent factors Jed and his illegitimate son Garth who vows to take down Jed because of what he did to Garth's mother, Kathy. Garth's plan is to get to Jed through his daughters so in each book it focuses on each sister, their father and their half brother with Dana in the wings ready to take Garth down. In the end, Garth plans to legally destroy Jed, take his business, home and all assets, everything making sure he goes to jail.
For Dana, Garth was the evil one, he messed with her friends the Titan sisters and she would take him down. She agrees to follow Garth and find out what he's up to and is amazed also to learn that the youngest Titan sister Izzy is determined to reform Garth, love him and make all of the sisters forgive and bring him into the family. They've learned it's not Garth to fear but their father Jed. The sisters agree with Garth's but want Dana involved in the investigation to make sure everything is legal.
The story is fast paced in the beginning and things begin to happen quickly, Jed pays Dana a visit, she is run off the road and her rental car shot at. Garth decides to move Dana into his condo because now like his sisters she needs to be protected. Dana's not sure what to think of the situation because he unsettles her and she likes being in charge. She's tough, determined and not like the women he's used to....no make-up, no designer clothes like his sisters and he knows she's hiding something from her past. But he also realizes in the end what he wants is someone who stands up to him, someone who is a challenge.
Garth was a wonderful addition to the book because at first you hate him and then you forgive him for the way he treated his sisters. Watching him struggle with the "family thing", learning to interact with his sisters and their husbands was humorous to read and then so was his relationship with Dana as it became more intense and serious. Could this woman who didn't trust, who was strong be in danger of loosing her heart? And how about Garth, would he take down his father, become a part of a family and would he let his guard down and let Dana in?
Towards the end of the story, as a reader who loves a happy ending, I began to wonder would Garth and Dana find their happy ever after? As much as they seem to be a great couple with incredible chemistry, there are many obstacles they both face. Dana struggles with the fact that the women he has dated are models, socialites who wear designer clothes where she hasn't worn a dress in years. With the love and support of the Titan sisters, they help her with some of those issues. However, it's constant in her mind that Jed reminded her she would never fit in because she was "white trash". Then on top of everything else she meets Garth's ex-fiancé and again questions her place in his life. Does she dare take a chance, risk heartbreak and when she figures it out, tell him how she feels?
But the same applies to Garth because for most of his life he has had to trust himself and has only had one friend he could count on. Like Dana he has a past, one that left both physical and mental scars plus a mother because of a tumour would never be the same as Jed Titan refused financial help years earlier. Vengeance at what cost and would it is worth it? For Garth, love doesn't factor into the equation as he tells his sister. Prepare yourself, there will be lots of tears shed while reading this love story, especially in the final chapters.
Again, Susan Mallery has written such a beautiful, intense and wonderful story. It's undoubtingly one I will cherish and long remember.
Behind the Book (A Border's Interview)
Question: Scene you like most and would never cut:
"Hmm...I'm not sure there's one scene in particular that I love the most, but there are a lot of scenes that I loved. The first kiss ranks high, of course. The realization that the heart is in danger, that sort of combination of panic and giddiness.
The scenes that mean the most to me are those scenes that show internal growth. Love changes a person, and I like to see those changes. One of my favorite scenes in HOT ON HER HEELS comes about midway through the book. Dana has never been a girly-girl. She prides herself on her toughness and her ability to take care of herself no matter what happens. She doesn't do dresses or high heels. But then Garth invites her to be his date for a fancy benefit.
Despite her best intentions, Dana is falling for Garth, which feels as scary to her as falling backward from the roof of a Dallas skyrise. She wants him to like her, wants almost desperately for him to look at her with that special fire in his eyes that a man gets when a woman dresses up for him. For the first time in her life, she wants to be feminine. So she calls the best fashion expert she knows, Lexi Titan. Pregnant Lexi takes great delight in playing fairy godmother to Dana's Cinderella. That scene was a lot of fun to write... and the scene in which Garth sees Dana in her finery was probably even more fun!" Author, Susan Mallery 』 『Dana Birch vowed never to put herself at the mercy of a powerful man. She became a deputy so that she could take care of herself, and protect those she loved. Especially her best friends, the Titan sisters.
Twenty years ago, Garth Duncan swore revenge on Jed Titan for abandoning Garth and his mother. Now he’s back to fulfill that promise, even if Jed’s daughters get caught in the crosshairs. All that stands between him and his goal is Dana, her gun, and a growing passion that can’t be denied...』
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