Julie Garwood: The Secret

The Secret
Series: Highlands' Lairds, Book 1
Author: Julie Garwood
Original Release: May 1, 1992
List Price: $7.99

Read: December 28-28, 2009
My Rating:


Author Homepage | Amazon.com

SUMMARY (from back cover)
Judith Hampton was as beautiful as she was proud and loyal. Her dear Scottish friend from childhood was about to give birth, and Judith had promised to be at her side. But there was another, private reason for the journey from her bleak English home to the Highlands: to meet the father she had never known, the Laird Maclean. Nothing prepared her, however, for the sight of the Scottish barbarian who was to escort her into his land . . . Iain Maitland, Lord of his clan, a man more powerfully compelling than any she had ever encountered.

In a spirited clash of wills and customs, Judith reveled in the melting bliss of Iain's searching kisses, his passionate caresses. Perplexed by her sprightly defiance, bemused by her tender nature, Iain felt his soul growing into the light and warmth of her love. Surely nothing would wrench her from the affection and trust of Iain and his clan . . . not even the truth about her father, a devastating secret that could shatter the boldest alliance, and the most glorious of loves!

Rachel Gibson: Tangled Up In You

MY REVIEW

Tangled Up In You
Series: Writer Friends, Book 3
Author: Rachel Gibson
Release: July 31, 2007
List Price: $7.99

Read: October 5-7, 2009
My Rating:


Author Homepage | Book Page | Excerpt | Amazon.com

SUMMARY (from back cover)
Maddie is determined to uncover the untold story about the town's sordid past - her past. As a child, Maddie lost everything, and now she's back at the scene of the scandal - a local establishment that's always belonged to the Hennessys - determined to uncover the truth, and nothing is going to stand in her way. Especially not a black-haired, blue-eyed Hennessy.

Everyone in Truly knows that the Hennessy men are irresistible, and the current owner, Mick, is no exception. His late father was a skirt-chasing heartbreaker who ended up causing disaster for two families. So far, Mick's managed to keep the ladies in line, but when he claps eyes on Maddie, with her luscious curves and tempting lips, he can't resist getting tangled up with her.

But Maddie is keeping secrets, not the least of which is her true reason for being in town. And when Mick discovers what‘s really going on, there is going to be a whole lot of trouble in Truly.

SERIES: Writer Friends

1. Sex, Lies, and Online Dating - Lucy Rothschild and Quinn McIntyre, detective
   
2. I'm In No Mood for Love - Clare Wingate and Sebastian Vaughan, international journalist
   
3. Tangled Up In You - Madeline Jones and Mick Hennessy, ex-military and current bar owner
   
4. Not Another Bad Date - Adele Harris and Zach Zemaitis, high school football coach
   

Gibson's four-book series follows the happy-ever-after of four friends living in Boise, Idaho who are all writers. They each write in different genres: Lucy writes murder mysteries, Clare romance, Maddie true crime, and Adele science fiction.

MY OPINION
Tangled Up In You is a decent read; got it from the library and am glad I didn't buy it. Not a waste of time, but not a reread. Gibson has definitely written better (i.e. See Jane Score, Truly Madly Yours, and It Must Be Love)!!

Julie Garwood: Gentle Warrior

MY REVIEW

Gentle Warrior
Author: Julie Garwood
Release Date: December 1, 1990
List Price: $7.99

Read: July 12-13, 2009
Rating:


Author Homepage | Amazon.com

Another great Garwood romance with a fantastic cast of characters, though hero was a little too much at times

Setting: 1086, England

Gentle Warrior is another great Julie Garwood medieval romance. I had to give it four stars instead of 4.5 or 5 because at times the hero, Geoffrey, was a little too caveman-like for me. Actually, it wasn't even really caveman-like - he was just too forceful, angry, badly tempered. Overall, he was generally a good hero though, and the other cast of characters was absolutely terrific. The subplot (was kind of a mystery, but not really) was interesting and as it was central to the plot and how the story develops, it didn't feel like an add-on and detractor from the romance. The resolving it was completely anti-climactic - twice you feel like you'll get some big to-do ... and then don't. Still a good read, though, that any Garwood and/or medieval historical romance fan should at least check-out from the library.

SUMMARY (from back cover)
In feudal England, Elizabeth Montwright barely escaped the massacre that destroyed her family and exiled her from her ancestral castle. Bent on revenge, disguised as a peasant, she rode again through the fortress gates ... to seek aid from Geoffrey Berkley, the powerful baron who had routed the murderers.

He heard her pleas, resisted her demands, and vowed to seduce his beautiful subject. Yet as Elizabeth fought the warrior's caresses, love flamed for this gallant man who must soon champion her cause .. and capture her spirited heart!

THE HERO, Geoffrey (27)
What bothered me about Geoffrey were his actions and thoughts that seemed to be relics of the 80s historical romance heroes, though to be clear there are *traces* of this - not the full-fledged real thing: there are no rape scenes that are supposed to pass as love scenes and Geoffrey never hits Elizabeth nor is he ever physically threatening/cruel, so don't worry about that; if any of those things had happened, regardless of what else was in the book it would have earned an automatic one star from me (or 0 if that was possible). The book was originally published in 1990, though, and I think that's why this hero is so much more borderline than Garwood's other heroes that were written later.

Basically, Geoffrey was a little too ... warrior-like. I know he's this big, bad knight, but normally Garwood's trademark heroes are big, bad warriors - who fall under the spell of some gentle courageous woman and become big teddy bears who can still be warriors in battle. Geoffrey took a little too long (IMHO) to show his teddy-bear side and in the beginning, I wasn't even sure I was going to be able to warm up to him at all - he is so dictatorial, so authoritative, and practically a tyrant ... yeah, basically nothing very romantic, dreamy, or sigh-inspiring.

There are many humorous moments, however, when Geoffrey and Elizabeth clash and as readers we are able to enjoy them all the more since we're privy to both of their thoughts. It's sweet - and at times quite funny - to watch their relationship develop: the confusion they feel over their feelings for one another, the teasing that quickly develops between them, and the battle of wills that takes place between these two strong and stubborn people.

THE HEROINE, Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a standard Garwood heroine - she's strong, courageous/brave, intelligent, gentle, compassionate, affectionate, friendly. One minute she'll be saving her husband's vassal with her bow and arrow and then by jumping into a lake even though she can't swim, and the next she'll be hiding her tears from her husband because he's being gruff or shouting at her or acts somewhat meanly in an attempt to avoid the fact that he's in love with her. Basically: standard Garwood.

Elizabeth isn't too weepy though, and considering that when we first meet her she has recently witnessed the massacre of her entire family (save her baby brother), one can't help but feel admiration for how she acts and the inner strength she displays. Instead of being completely despondent, as would be wholly understandable, she's intent on avenging her family and taking revenge on the man responsible for their deaths, while also doing her best to protect her younger brother, who is in danger since he's the heir to their father's holding and was one of the intended targets of the massacre.

OTHER CHARACTERS
Garwood rounds out her cast of characters with her usual wonderful additions - the hero's soldiers, whom we like almost immediately and treasure for their kindness to the heroine. There is also Geoffrey's vassal, Roger, who adds humor and gentleness to many scenes. Elizabeth's grandfather, Elslow, was absolutely wonderful and I'd be surprised to meet a reader who wouldn't want a grandfather like him - he's funny, witty, so sweet and gruffly affectionate with Elizabeth and her younger brother, and just all around fantastic.

BOTTOM LINE
Overall, Gentle Warrior was a very enjoyable - and often laugh-out-loud humorous - read that I would definitely recommend. Despite my annoyances with Geoffrey, the hero, it will be added to my reread shelf and should not be missed by medieval historical romance fans.

OTHER JULIE GARWOOD BOOKS
Other great medieval historical romances of hers include Honor's Splendour (one of my favorite historical romances of all-time) and The Prize. Garwood also has a wonderful Regency series, "Crown's Spies": (1) The Lion's Lady; (2) Guardian Angel; (3) The Gift (another one of my all-time favorites); and (4) Castles.

Teresa Medeiros: Touch of Enchantment

MY REVIEW

Touch of Enchantment
Series: The Lennox Family Magic Series, Book 2 (of 2)
Author: Teresa Medeiros
Release Date: June 2, 1997 / August 25, 2009 (reissue)
List Price: $7.50 / $5.99

Read: July 8-9, 2009
Rating:


Author Homepage | Book Page | Excerpt | Amazon.com | Amazon.com reissue

Setting: 1254, England and Scotland (most of the book); not-too-distant future, New York City (briefly at the beginning and end)

SUMMARY (from back cover)

~ A Lovely Scientist With No Taste For Magic ~

Heiress Tabitha Lennox considered her paranormal talents more a curse than a gift. So she dedicated her life to the cold, rational world of science. Until the day she examined the mysterious amulet her mother had left her and found herself catapulted seven centuries into the past - directly into the path of a rearing black charger ridden by a chain-mailed warrior.

~ A Fearless Knight With No Time For Love ~

Sir Colin of Ravenshaw had returned from the Crusades to find his castle in ruins, his enemy poised to overrun the land where generations of Ravenshaws had ruled. The last thing he expected was to half trample a damsel with odd garb and even odder manners. But it is her strange talent that will create trouble beyond Colin's wildest imaginings. For everyone knows that a witch must be burned ... but it is Colin's heart that is aflame, over an enchanting woman he must not love, yet cannot live without.

COMMENTS
An absolute delight to read! I'm not normally a paranormals fan and have never read any involving time travel, however I like Medeiros' HR books and so have read two books she wrote involving vampires (After Midnight and The Vampire Who Loved Me - the two books that make up her Kane/Cabot Vampire Series). I bought the two books involving the Lennox family figuring I'd give them a try.

The first one is set in the present time period, so although I definitely plan on reading it, I skipped to the second book, Touch of Enchantment, which is set in medieval times. Since the heroine is the one going back in time, it creates all these fantastic (and hysterical!!) situations, since, obviously, how women are viewed and treated has changed drastically over the past 700+ years.

I just knew this book was going to be entertaining and funny once I read Tabitha and Colin's first encounter. She finds herself transported to this meadow, has no idea where she is, and after having a little confrontation with Colin on his horse, he basically collapses on top of her (he's been injured and is bleeding from the shoulder):

  "Tabitha blinked. She'd never been the sort of woman to fall for a pair of bedroom eyes. His gruff words reminded her why.
  'Whose woman are you?'
  Her dismay erupted in outrage. 'Why, of all the arrogant, politically incorrect, blatantly chauvanistic---'
  He behaved exactly as she would have expected an arrogant, politically incorrect, blatantly chauvinistic male to behave. He clapped a gauntleted hand over her mouth, stifling her words. She glared at him, tasting leather on her lips.
  'I asked you a simple question, lass. Do you belong to any man?'"
(page 36)

Then, when she says no, "his gaze softened, becoming both tender and predatory" and when he leans in to kiss her and she pushes him off (mostly because a past experience makes her afraid she'll turn him into a frog), his response to her accusation of "'You were going to kiss me!'" is: "'I know,' he muttered, eyeing her warily. 'Delirium must be setting in.'" Lol. Those are just a few of the funny exchanges - some of which had me literally laughing out loud (and had my family asking me what in h*** I was reading that was making me laugh so hard).

MAIN CHARACTERS, Colin (24) and Tabitha (23)
Although it's the Middle Ages, Colin as a character is not written too overbearingly or as an extreme version of the alpha-male. He's actually very sweet, honorable, and just completely sigh-worthy. I just loved every interaction between him and Tabitha, who is just as fantastic a heroine as Colin is a hero. Tabitha has felt an outsider for so much of her life; although her parents are wonderful and have always tried to give her the best, she has felt awkward and unusual ever since she was young. She loses herself in her work and doesn't have much of a social life (or any, really) to speak of. Watching the pair fall in love is an absolute treat, so I suggest you go out and buy a copy or check one out from the library, and settle in for a nice long read.

THE LENNOX FAMILY MAGIC SERIES
Although it's a "series," there are only two books that make it up: this one, and Breath of Magic. Breath of Magic comes first and is the story of Tabitha's (this book's heroine) parents, Tristan and Arian Lennox. Their book is a contemporary romance, with Arian coming forward in time (she was born in 1669).

Books by James, Mullins, and Hawkins

I've continued to wallow in my historical romances and have read a good number of new ones, as well as revisiting some of my past favorites. Below are three books that I've had for awhile and finally read for the first time; I'll add the rest of the books later.

Read: May 26-27, 2009
Title: His Wicked Ways
Author: Samantha James
Release Date: September 1, 1999
List Price: $6.99
Amazon.com | author homepage | excerpt

My Rating:


Summary (from back cover):
The last member of his once powerful clan, Cameron MacKay has but one mission: to find Meredith, the last daughter of the Clan Munro and child of his sworn enemy, and force her to provide him with an heir. But after kidnapping Meredith from the priory where she sought refuge, the brazen and fearless Highlander finds himself intoxicated by her tender beauty ... and enchanted by the manner in which she boldly bargains for her freedom. Now, more than ever, he is determined to bend her to his will.

Long ago, Meredith vowed never to trust any man - for she has seen how they cause pain to those they profess to adore. And before she will submit to the powerful, dangerous desire this remarkable warrior inflames within her, MacKay must abandon his wicked ways forever ... and embrace the passionate love that lives in the depths of his hardened heart.

TAGS
hero: soldier/warrior -- heroine: abused/raped -- location: Scotland -- plot: revenge -- sexual abuse/rape -- time period: medieval


Read: May 27-27, 2009
Title: A Necessary Bride
Author: Debra Mullins
Release Date: February 25, 2003
List Price: Retail unavailable - buy used
Amazon.com | author homepage

My Rating:


Summary (from back cover):

AN UNEXPECTED ATTRACTION

High-spirited Margaret Stanton-Lynch intends to enjoy the Season without the hindrance of an unwanted romance. Meg refuses to be tied down before she fully explores what life has to offer, though she must admit that Justin St. James, the dashing Earl of Rathmore, has a most deliciously appealing air of dangerous mystery about him. Not enough, however, for the lady to seriously consider his ardent proposal of marriage.

A NECESSARY BRIDE

In Justin's eyes she's perfect, with wit, charm, and sensuality galore - and she seems unperturbed by the wrongly deserved, very dark stain on Justin's reputation. A marriage to this exquisite lady would assure his young ward Emily's entrance into Society. Besides, his heart pounds wildly every time Meg is in his presence. Justin fears tenderness and passion may not be enough to hold her, but he's determined to try - for life would be empty indeed if he allowed this enchanting free spirit to fly from his arms forever!

TAGS
hero: outcast -- location: England -- time period: Georgian


Read: May 28-28, 2009
Title: The Abduction of Julia
Series: Related Untitled Series, Book 1
Author: Karen Hawkins
Release Date: April 1, 2000
List Price: $7.99
Amazon.com | author homepage | excerpt

My Rating:


Summary (from back cover):

What can a respectable Regency miss do when kidnapped by a nobleman intent on marriage? Why, marry him, of course.

Julia Frant has secretly loved Alec MacLean, the wild Viscount Hunterston from afar. So when he accidentally snatches her instead of her lovely, scheming cousin for an elopement to Gretna Green, Julia leaps at the chance to make her passionate dreams come true.

Alec's in no position to quibble: if he doesn't marry by midnight and live scandal-free for a year, he loses his inheritance. At least marriage with do-gooder Julia will guarantee his fortune. But as his plain brown wren transforms herself into an elegant swan, Alec suddenly can't stay away from his last-minute wife - and when he kisses her, the inheritance is the last thing on his mind. Unfortunately, scandal can occur from the best of intentions ... and Julia is never short of good intentions!

My Comments:
This book would get a solid 5 stars if it weren't for that the ending comes up and hits you like a wall that suddenly appears while you're going 60 mph on the highway ... would have liked to catch my breath after everything works out with "the obstacle" subplot (guessed the truth early on but was still well done and a nice twist) and enjoyed the at-last get-together and "I love yous" of the H&H - although it was jarring, I wouldn't complain if she had at least then given us an Epilogue, but nothing! Regardless: great read and had several laugh-out-loud moments - one in the middle of the book where I literally had to put the book down and wipe tears from my eyes because I was laughing so hard.

NOTE: Since writing the above, I've learned that the reprint edition of this book (the second cover pictured here) has a rewritten final chapter and an added epilogue ... so maybe this new reprint would be five stars in my book - we'll see!

TAGS
hero: arrogant/dictatorial -- location: England -- heroine: companion -- heroine: shy/wallflower -- time period: Georgian