second chances

REVIEW: The Maverick Preacher by Victoria Bylin

Dear Mrs. Bylin, Until recently, Readers looking for a western set, historical romance have had to hunt. Now there seems to be a growing number to feed our need for American historicals on the western frontier. But while some still feature the standard gunslinger, yours offers something different. A Bible slinging hero who’s already fallen(…)

REVIEW: He Calls Her Doc by Mary Brady

REVIEW: He Calls Her Doc by Mary Brady

Dear Ms. Brady, After I bought your book, I pulled it up on my Sony and began to read the opening scene. Which is where I stopped, more than a little afraid that I wasn’t going to be able to read a book which seemed to be headed towards over sensationalism. A screeching vehicle bringing(…)

REVIEW: The Boyfriend’s Back by Ellen Hartman

REVIEW: The Boyfriend’s Back by Ellen Hartman

Dear Mrs. Hartman, After the A grade I gave the last book of yours I read, I had high hopes for this one. Perfect heroine and slacker hero find love fifteen years later despite having to overcome the mistaken images they’ve maintained of each other over the years? Okay, I can go with that. Heroine(…)

REVIEW: To Beguile a Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt

Dear Mrs. Hoyt, Your books work for me. What else can I say? I believe in these characters. I believe in the circumstances you place them in. I believe the ways you make them act. I want them to find happiness and when they do, I’m thrilled. When Jane sent out a DA email asking(…)

REVIEW: Jessie’s Girl by Amber Scott

REVIEW: Jessie’s Girl by Amber Scott

Dear Ms. Scott, I’m so glad that The Powers That Be at Liquid Silver offered me a chance to read your novel. And so sorry it took me seemingly ages to get to it. But the book is more than worth it to read. I only wish the title didn’t bring to mind 80s heart(…)

REVIEW: The Secret Wedding by Jo Beverley

REVIEW: The Secret Wedding by Jo Beverley

Dear Mrs. Beverley, You keep writing these Georgian novels and I can guarantee I’ll keep reading them. Witty, historically well researched, filled with characters I want to root for. Yep, I’m happy. But why did the release information that accompanied the book say it’s a Regency? Ten years ago young Lieutenant Christian Hill tries to(…)

REVIEW: Her Cattleman Boss by Barbara Hannay

REVIEW: Her Cattleman Boss by Barbara Hannay

Dear Ms Hannay, I’ve been meaning to try one of these Harlequin books set Down Under. High fives to Harlequin for publishing these Australian set books by Aussie authors that remain Aussie in feel and speech. Years ago, Kate Brodie met and fell in love with Noah Carmody while visiting her Uncle’s cattle ranch. What(…)

REVIEW: Montana Creeds: Dylan by Linda Lael Miller

Dear Ms. Miller, Despite the fact that I’ve heard of your name since I got back to reading romances, I’ve never tried any of your books. Can’t say why since I don’t recall any horrible press or bad reviews. I guess it’s just a case of never having picked one up. When Jane sent a(…)

REVIEW: She’s Got It Bad by Sarah Mayberry

REVIEW: She’s Got It Bad by Sarah Mayberry

Dear Ms Mayberry, Jane has given some of your books rave reviews and since Jane knows her contemporary authors well, I was looking forward to trying you. The tattoo artist heroine working her hero into a sweat then enjoying some hot sex sounded like just the book to try. Liam’s had a hard life until(…)

REVIEW: The Devil Inside by Kate Davies

REVIEW: The Devil Inside by Kate Davies

Dear Ms Davies, I’ve always enjoyed westerns – the genre is the first that I began reading when I came back to romance – and cowboys so a modern version of this old faithful attracts me as well. And given that I’ve started watching PBR events, your book was a timely find. As Chris LeDoux(…)

REVIEW: Posh Doc Claims His Bride by Anne Fraser

REVIEW: Posh Doc Claims His Bride by Anne Fraser

Dear Ms. Fraser, Jane stated her intention of stretching her Harlequin boundaries so I decided I could yank mine a little more as well. Jane loves the “Presents” line but asshole Mediterranean heroes crossed with blonde doormat heroines just isn’t my thing. When I saw your book listed in the “Medical” line, I thought I(…)

Thursday Afternoon Haiku Moment: A Sonnet for Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ What I Did For Love

(Based off of Shakespeare’s famous sonnet) Shall I compare thee to the A Grade? Thou art more grating to my skull A good contemporary should be a lively parade But I find this book amazingly dull. Sometimes the heroine whines about life And the hero pretends to be a jerk Round after round of endless(…)

REVIEW: What I Did For Love by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

REVIEW: What I Did For Love by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Dear Ms. Phillips: I count you as one of my favorite romance authors. I practically camp out at my local bookstore whenever your books are released. Needless to say, I was pretty excited to get my hands on this one. Georgie York is best known for her role as the spunky Scooter Brown on America’s(…)

REVIEW: Viking Warrior, Unwilling Wife by Michelle Styles

REVIEW: Viking Warrior, Unwilling Wife by Michelle Styles

Dear Mrs. Styles, Yeah, finally book two in your Viking series. Or at least book two over in North America. I still don’t understand how Harlequin and Mills and Boon decide when to release what where. Greater minds than mine must be at work here somehow. Sela and Vikar have a past. A bad past(…)

REVIEW: A Man to Rely On by Cindi Myers

REVIEW: A Man to Rely On by Cindi Myers

Dear Ms. Myers, This book isn’t sunshine and rainbows. Scott and Marisol have both been forced to take classes in the school of extremely hard knocks. So I’d advise any readers who just want a happy, pep-me-up after a hard day at work to save this for a time when they’re looking for something with(…)