Reviewed by Stacy Ahlgren
Publisher: Avon
41/2 stars

The perfect daughter. The perfect prom queen. The perfect wife. Jenny Tolliver’s been the good girl all her life, and it’s gotten her nowhere. Now that her marriage has been busted up by her cheating ex, she’s decided it’s time to regroup and rediscover herself. This summer she’s headed back to her hometown of Destiny, Ohio, to the very lakeshore cottage where she grew up, to figure out what life holds in store for her next.

She never dreamed the answer would be Mick Brody, Destiny’s #1 hellraiser. He comes from the wrong side of the tracks (or in his case, the lake), and he’s landed in hot water more times than he can count. He’s exactly the kind of guy Jenny’s always kept her distance…

This Duchess of Mine by Eloisa James
Reviewed by Stacey Agdern
Publisher: Avon
5 Stars

I’m not sure of the responsible party, but whoever decried the prologue as a literary device is responsible for an epidemic of misguided flashbacks.  Scenes beyond scenes that alter an author’s trajectory can make a reader feel disoriented if not entirely seasick.

Well used flashbacks can be a wonderful illustrative tool, but too many of them suggests the need for a larger fix.  For some authors, the answer might involve splitting the story into two parts-the before and the after.  For others, the problem might be solved with a prologue.  At bare minimum, it’s crucial that the author pays attention to the reader’s ability to follow the story, because, quite simply, a reader won’t adore what they can’t follow.

The larger…

Good Morning From new Native American Romance Author, Gen Bailey!  Otherwise known as Karen Kay.  To start off the blog let me tell you first why there is the name change from Karen Kay (I’ve written 15 books under the name of Karen Kay).

My last eight books — and particularly my last 4 — have been very paranormal. This book from Berkley/Putnam is not. It is a straight historical Indian romance. The pacing in the book is faster than what I usually write, plus I’m writing about a completely different time period than I usually write.

Now, this book was so different that my editor thought it should have a different name. Thus, Gen Bailey, the author came into being. The name comes from my family. Bailey is in reality my last name. Gen…

Reviewed by Kati Dancy
Publisher: Aspen Mountain Press
4.75 stars out of 5

Seth is aggravated when his regular massage therapist, Linda is unable to keep their regular appointment. That is, he’s aggravated until David shows up. David is wiry and adorable, and gives Seth the very best massage he’s ever had — that is, until Seth does something inappropriate at the appointment. David leaves in a (justifiable) huff and Seth worries that he’ll never see him again.

Seth’s life is complicated. He’s mourning his sister, Nikki, who died unexpectedly of advanced ovarian cancer, leaving him custody of his darling six year old niece, Molly. Seth is bewildered by Molly’s girly needs for pink or purple everything and her fascination with My Little Pony. Seth is a high powered executive, who works very hard,…

Reviewed by Gannon Carr
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
4 stars

Who can’t remember those angst filled teen years when the least little thing seemed a matter of life and death.  Jennifer Echols has written an outstanding young adult novel that captures that time and all those emotions.  Meg is a troubled teenager in a small town in Alabama.  She wants nothing more than to leave home after graduation and never look back.  Until then, she seems destined to stir up trouble.  One night, she and her boyfriend and two of their friends decide to hang out on the railroad bridge outside of town, drinking and making out.  What they don’t count on is the police showing up and putting the kibosh on their teenage shenanigans.

Officer John After cannot believe that these four foolish…

I know I spend most of these reviews raving about the various heroes in my favorite books. Hmm, could that perhaps be one of the reasons these books are among my favorites? I don’t think the two facts are unrelated!

But seriously the hero of AS YOU DESIRE is on my all-time favorites list. I don’t know anyone who reads this book who doesn’t fall under the spell of the gorgeous Harry Braxton, archaeologist, Egyptologist, romantic hero.

He’s not at all your typical romance novel hero. For a start, shock, horror, he has BROWN HAIR! Yes, I know, I know, I can hear you gasping with astonishment. He’s really smart and genuinely tortured. He’s also gallant and constant and passionate. He’s a dashing scoundrel with a wonderful, self-deprecating sense of humor and…