Non-fiction Books

It is excellent book for adventure and romance. It really intrigued me. This book is highly recommendation.

Talk about your tortured hero's. Dominic Maitland, Duke of Avon is the poster boy. Not only was he born crippled, his entire family dies (except father) in a horrible accident and his father abandons him to a harsh school without an allowance. So basically he has lived all his life without love and only relys upon himself. He decides the only life for him is that of a spy/informer of military strategems for England in her war with Napolean. Lady Harland's father, a general, is one of the few people privy to his secret activities. And so the romance begins or not with Dominic and Emily. Dominic does everything ( including some very hurtful things) to keep her away even though he's madly in love. He believes that his handicap will be passed on to his children and so has decided never to marry, but Emily will not be denied and so a rollercoaster begins. There are so many ups and downs in this book. Just when you think all will be well -BAM!- a huge misunderstanding or a crule twist of fate intervenes.

This is a wonderful book. After what these characters have been through, you really feel their deep love in the end. Just magical.

Emily, Lady Harland, has lost two brothers and a husband to the war against Napoleon. Her surviving brother is paralysed, an invalid. Her father, a general, is still involved in the war effort although they're now back in London. So when she hears the idle, indolent and supercilious Duke of Avon mocking the English troops and suggesting that Napoleon should have been allowed to run free on the Continent, she is furious - and lets him know her views in no uncertain terms. And when he informs her that the severe limp she sees him walk with is only an affectation, she is incensed and dismisses him as a worthless fop. Only, once he leaves, she notices that there is blood on the handrail where he had walked...

Dominic Maitland, Duke of Avon, is indeed a cripple, and has been since birth. He is also up to his neck in the war effort himself behind the scenes: he decodes encrypted messages and is in charge of a network of couriers. The night Emily meets him, he has just come from a rendezvous with a courier which went badly wrong, and he was nearly killed. His business with her father is to establish the source of a leak in the war office, for which her father is responsible.

Avon has long decided never to marry, and never to fall in love. After all, who could love a cripple like him? And anyway, his father always told him that his crippled leg was hereditary - so why have children only to pass that on to the next generation? Furthermore, he detests feeling pitied, so he avoids friendship - the person he is closest to is Moss, his valet, who is more like a father to him than his own father was.

However, he is deeply attracted to Emily, and she to him. He tries to scare her off by indicating that all he wants from her is sex - but she refuses to be completely scared off. And when Avon starts spending a lot of time at her home, working with Devon, her brother, they are thrown more into each other's company - and then when Emily and her father save Avon's life and he has to stay with them in order to recuperate, feelings grow even stronger and he finds it impossible to deny what he really feels for her. But he still won't marry her... and then things get worse when, under severe stress and worry, Emily says something unforgivable to him about his limp. Can these two ever forgive each other and find love?

This is an amazing, gripping and so well-written book - Gayle Wilson is a real find! I would put this on a par with the better long Mary Baloghs, and I'm now off to get hold of as many other Gayle Wilsons as I can. Excellent!

wmr-uk

I don't usually care to see books released again, but this is certainly an exception! I loved this book and scoured the used book stores when it was first released to buy a second copy to loan to friends. It was too good not to share, but too good to risk losing. Avon is a hero to die for--great strength of character and intellect hiding a wealth of strong emotion. Very sexy combination. I sympathized with the heroine so deeply when she voiced something she wished with all her heart she could call back. Excellent story, excellent romance, and great conflict. These series books have such a short shelf life, I'm glad that more people will get a chance to enjoy this story.

If you pick up this book, you are going to fall in love with the hero. Never has a book provoked so much emotion! This book is a keeper that can be read and enjoyed time and again! This is the first book of a three book series. The Gambler's Heart and The Heart's Wager are just as wonderful! Gayle is truly gifted. This book is going to be re-released in December 2000 - I recommend it to anyone who loves dangerous romances that are full of love and emotion.

If you've read the first book, "The Riddlemaster of Hed," I'm sure you've already read the whole trilogy, or are going through it. So I can't truly give you a recommendation for this book - you must start at the beginning - this trilogy is much too intricate to miss the start. You'll find yourself absorbed and awakened. Enjoy it.

Out of all three books this one is, to me at least, the least attractive one. Don't get me wrong I mean it's an excellent read and you'll burn through it just like the other two but this one spends so much time with the girl that I really would rather read about the main character, so to speak. Might be wrong but its just my opinion.

I would highly recommend this book, and indeed, the whole series, to any fantasy reader. Admittedly, I have not read all of Ms. McKillip's offerings, but I have read extensively in this field, and I found this to be a highly moving, intelligent, and succinct trilogy. Heir of Sea and Fire is especially integral to the reading of the series, as it is, after all, the second and middle book. I just want to ask, who flubbed up and let this one go out of print, while leaving the first and last in print? What a loss!

The heir of sea and fire referred to in the title is Raederle, Morgon of Hed's betrothed, and the main character of this second book in McKillip's 'Riddle-Master' trilogy. She struggles against her shape-changer heritage, but gradually begins to tap into its power in order to protect Morgon. "Heir of Sea and Fire" begins in the spring of the year "following the strange disappearance of the Prince of Hed, who had, with the High One's harpist, vanished like a mist in Isig Pass..."

Raederle has reason to believe Morgon dead, since the land-rule of Hed has passed to Morgon's brother, Eliard. Or was land-rule ripped from Morgon while he was still alive? In a key passage, Raederle asks the High One's harpist, "What piece of knowledge did the Founder expect to find beneath the knowledge of when the barley would begin to sprout or what trees in his orchard had a disease eating secretly at their hearts?"

The importance of the question lies in the inability of the harpist to answer it.

As with all quest fantasies, this book has some long, relatively dull journeying to be gotten out of the way. Characters get seasick, lost, confused. It rains a lot. Raederle keeps losing jeweled pins out of her hair. Plus I'm not nearly as fond of the Morgol and her guards as is the author, and they don't add much to the plot. Perhaps in the years following the publication of this book (1977), we have all become used to spear-wielding maidens. And battle scenes are battle scenes no matter how much they're juiced up with magic.

But there are also some great visuals in "Heir of Sea and Fire," especially in the sequence where Raederle calls up the dead of An and bargains with them to protect the man who is journeying across their land. I really feared for her life because of the bargain she made with the dead Kings, even though I've read a million fantasies and the heroine never dies--at least not until the end of the trilogy.

This book is a worthy heir to "The Riddle-Master of Hed." You will definitely have to keep reading through to the end of the trilogy, which is "Harpist in the Wind."

In most trilogies, the middle volume is the weak one, tying beginning and end together with too little plot. Patricia McKillip skillfully avoids this pitfall in "Heir of Sea and Fire," the second slim volume in her Riddlemaster trilogy, and the story of Raederle, the second most beautiful woman in An.

A year has passed since Morgan of Hed vanished at Erlenstar Mountain, and suddenly the land-rule passes to Morgan's brother -- a sign that Morgan is dead, that the harpist Deth has betrayed him. As he was the Star-Bearer, assorted people are extremely upset. And a few refuse to believe that it can be true.

Raederle's father is one of them; after he leaves, his daughter meets the Morgul of Herun, and her brother in Caithnard. There she teams up with the Morgul's daughter, Lyra (whom Morgan met in "Riddlemaster") who is angry at Morgan's supposed death, and eager to accompany Raederle wherever she goes. They set off on a ship, going to Erlenstar Mountain, and soon find that aside from Raederle, Lyra, and Lyra's fellow guards, they also have Tristan of Hed stowed away (who is promptly seasick).

Raederle finds out that Morgan has recently appeared, kept captive by the mysterious and evil Ghisteslwchlohm, and betrayed by Deth -- who is now on the run from everyone. But as Raederle's questions are answered, more pop up. She encounters a shapechanger, and then runs into Deth camping in the woods. Answers about the High One, about Morgan, and about her own abilities and heritage begin to come to light, as the dead of An begin to blaze back into existance. Raederle must bargain with fate and a dead king, using only her newfound powers and a crowned skull, to save Morgan -- and the rapidly unraveling world.

Wow, where to begin? Well, for one thing, Patricia McKillip delivers a wallop in book two of three, explaining many of the things she brought up in "Riddlemaster" and starting the buildup to the huge climax in book three (which I am now twenty pages into). This book (thankfully) does not end on a cliffhanger like "Riddlemaster"; also, if you are looking for an immediate answer to the cliffhanger previously shown, then you will be frustrated enough to give the Great Shout.

In addition, we are given another character who is as realistic as Morgan: Raederle, the second-most beautiful woman in An. Her looks are only brought up a couple times, as it's her strength, brains, and search for the truth and for Morgan that catch the reader -- and are most often displayed. The explanation for her growing power and the use she makes of it is as breathtaking as Morgan learning how to become a tree or a vesta. The scenes where she dangles the crowned skull to get that dead king to bargain with her was priceless, and the climax is shattering. McKillip's skill in describing magic grows even further; the descriptions of what Raederle is doing are like poetry. In addition, she does not remain a static character as she learns shattering truths and encounters strange people; she grows more mature and stronger.

We don't see Morgan much, though we hear a lot about him, and his sudden growth of power. More we see of Raederle and Lyra, who is fleshed out from the more shadowy character from "Riddlemaster." It's a rare gift to write strong women convincingly. Deth remains strange and ambiguous -- he betrayed Morgan, yet makes no excuses for himself. Other characters like the Morgul and Morgan's siblings are more absent (though what Tristan does is a bit unforgettable).

McKillip's writing is a bit more flowery than in "Riddlemaster," more descriptive and dreamy in parts. We get a few more puns on "Hel," such as that the Star-Bearer's path was leading straight into Hel. (Hel being a region)

Overall, an astounding piece of work and a worthy sequel to "Riddlemaster." I'm itching to read more of "Harpist in the Wind."

This book is about a boy named Henry Reed who went to a place called Grover's Corner for the summer. He and his friend, Margaret Glass, thought about different ways to earn some money. They decided to create a babysitter's service. This book is good because it helps kids learn about the different ways to earn money for the summer. It also helps kids learn how to babysit different types of children. I loved this book. I hope you will read it.

This was the first Henry Reed book I ever read, shown to me by my mother. Right away I got into the story, though I hadn't read the preceding books in the series. I couldn't keep my eyes off the predicaments of Henry and his best friend, Midge, as they went through their problems and misadventures while looking after children. Told from Henry's point of view in a diary format, he tells a story well and with bits of humour inserted in there additionally. Keith Robertson has made a good character.

Henry Reed, the thin and studious boy who likes to address problems in a logical manner, has set his sights on continuing his fledgling business. Reed and Glass, Inc. made Henry and his sometimes-obnoxious friend Midge Glass some money last year, and after a survey of the neighborhood, Henry discovers that there is a need for baby-sitters in the area. The bulk of the book focuses on the adventures that Henry faces as he tries to run a business with as many problems as rewards.

Even though this might seem like a somewhat dull premise, the character of Henry Reed is so indomitable that he maintains our interest throughout. Children will be impressed with his ability to apply his skills to seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and also with the way that Henry manages to earn respect from the adults that he meets. His intelligence and Midge's creativity lead to amusing solutions for outwitting the children that are determined to be disruptive.

The book is presented as Henry's journal, which allows us to experience the events through Henry's eyes. This works fabulously.

The Henry Reed series was captivating to me as a child in the early eighties, and remained a favorite of mine for many years. Anyone who gives it a chance will fall in love with it.

This book, like the other books in the Henry Reed series, is very enjoyable. Kids of all ages will enjoy Henry's adventures in babysitting. These books are timeless in their ability to provoke laughter and create a sense of fun for the reader.

Anyone who has ever babysat before will be all-too-familiar with the trials Henry and Midge have to suffer through in this third book of the Henry Reed series. Keith Robertson does it once again with wacky babysitting scenarios everyone can identify with. You'll be cheering by the end of the book -- I guarantee it.

I really enjoyed reading 'Her Daughter's Father' You get caught up in the book and can't wait to find out the ending (don't look). I even have a signed copy of the book (thanks Anna). I can't wait for more of her books, though she knows it is very hard to keep up with my reading.

Her Daughter's Father was a thoroughly satisfying read. Jack is a delight!

A wonderfully emotional and satisfying read. I loved it!

I read SuperRomance for great characters and emotion-driven stories. "Her Daughter's Father" has all this and more. Anna Adam's characters draw you in from page one. You'll cheer with their victories and gasp when they stumble. And, most important of all, you'll turn the last page and wish you could see what these wonderful people will do next. Buy this one and dive in. I garuntee you'll enjoy the ride!

This emotional story was incredibly well-written and had me hooked from the first page. Unlike some romances I've read in the past, where only the hero & heroine really come alive for the reader, every character in this book was three-dimensional. When telling a friend about the story, I felt like I was describing real events that happened to real people. When I finished reading Her Daughter's Father, I felt like calling everyone in my family to tell each of them that I loved them (which will make more sense when you read the book and see all the family members and how hard they're trying to communicate with each other) I can't wait to read more Anna Adams!

I have to admit that Linda is my former sister in law, and that although she and my brother are no longer married, she is still a special person to us all. I am therefore not a totally unbiased reviewer. That said, I continue.

From the very first time we met, Linda has always wanted to be a writer. We share this in common, which is probably why I admire her so much. Although it has taken her a lot of hard work and through many an interesting detour, I think that much that she has learned in her own life has in fact made her a very good writer. This, her first book, illustrates that. I am generally not given to reading narrative prose. (You can tell this from my other reviews). I haven't the patience for it, probably because I work in a surgical ICU in a teaching hospital and that introduces me to more than my share of emotional ups and downs and heart tugging stories. So when I read Linda's book, I did so as a "critic" rather than a devotee of the genre.

Her Sister's Secret is well plotted and consistent throughout, with wonderfully descriptive passages that bring Arizona and the southwest vividly to mind. Linda has had a wide range of professional experiences, and I can see that she has enlisted a number of her interests to create real characters in real situations. Just as her main character Whitney, Linda worked on a degree in photography (at the University of Minnesota) and has done some first rate work: I possess several of her photos framed and on display in my own home. Just as the main romantic character Rhys Gannon, my brother was, off and on, a motorcycle enthusiast, though not as skilled or as knowledgeable as Rhys. Linda worked as a social worker for several years and has knowledge of some of the social tragedies that divide families and motivate the types of distrust that the central characters exhibit She also has children of her own to whom she is very devoted and for whom she has made personal sacrifices, so she understands the decisions one makes for the benefit of loved ones. This makes the narrative ring true. It's poignant not saccharin. Whitney, Rhys and Morgan (the sister) and the ancillary characters are real people caught up in real dramas who learn real lessons. A wonderful first book.

Linda Style weaves a compelling, can't-put-it-down romance with a colorful cast of characters, and super plot twists.

The setting is a picturesque Arizona mountain town, the story is full of family secrets, and the impetus driving the two main characters is a delightful little girl named SaraJane, who must be rescued from her uncertain fate, at any cost.

Whitney, the heroine, goes into devious mode to find the little girl. She comes up with an ingenious lie to get close to her. Throughout the entire story, she is creative, clever, and talented to boot. Did I mention she's gorgeous?

The hero? Linda Style puts a new spin on the word "bad boy." You can't help falling for Rhys Gannon, the man with the cobalt eyes and the loud motorcycle! He's bad, no wait -- he's good -- aw heck, even when he's bad, he's good!

If you like the combination of dangerous man, adventurous woman, get out the hankies and the chocolates, because this romance is one you will never forget.

I'd LOVE to see this book made into a movie. Hollywood, are you listening?

-- Eve Paludan, author of 3 editions of The Romance Writer's Pink Pages

Linda Style has penned a marvelous tale of love and family that will bring tears to your eyes and joy to your heart. Definitely a keeper!

Linda Style has written a fantastic novel that touches the deepest emotions. A real page turner, Her Sister's Secret will pull you in and keep you rooting for the fresh, unique and believable chracters. Run, don't walk, to buy this one. Look for many more to come from this exciting new author.

I loved this book! The characters were real and unique, the conflict was compelling, and the story was a page turner. I couldn't put it down--except to reach for tissues for the last few pages. A wonderful story and a talented writer.

...Miller's plots almost manage to seem plausible, and the stories always are captivating. HERE AND THEN is no exception to her series of books. It is touching and riveting and hopeful, even though it clearly is make-believe.

THERE AND NOW WAS MY FIRST BOOK BY LINDA LAEL MILLER THAT I HAVE READ. THAT WAS YESTERDAY! TODAY, I HAVE READ HERE AND THEN THE STORY ABOUT ELIZABETH'S COUSIN RUE WHO SEARCHES UNTIL SHE FINDS ELIZABETH. THEY HAVE BOTH FOUND THAT THEIR GRANDMOTHER WAS NOT FANATICIZING ABOUT 'THE PAST'. IF YOU AREN'T INTO THESE BOOKS FROM PAGE ONE, THEN YOU JUST DON'T LIKE TIME TRAVEL. THESE WERE MY SECOND AND THIRD TIME TRAVEL BOOKS TO READ. I HAVE GONE TO THE BOOKSTORE TODAY AND BOUGHT ABOUT 60 MORE TO HAVE ON HAND TO READ! ENJOY!
I ALSO BOUGHT ALL LINDA LAEL MILLER BOOKS THAT THEY HAD.

Linda Lael Miller never fails to write well. She pulls of this set of Time Travel series just as well as her vampire set. Time travel is difficult to write, but I found "Here and Then" steamy and suspenseful, and impossible to put down. What a well-written plot! You develop alot of real feeling for the characters. This is exactly what I feel a romance book should read like. A definite recommendation for romance readers that favor time travel and the other supernatural.

This book starts during the middle of the book "There and Now", when Elisabeth places a call to her cousin Rue. After receiving a mysterious phone call from Elisabeth, Rue goes to their aunts house to find out what is happening to her and ends following her back in time to 1892. Nevertheless, she ends up becoming Marshal Haynes suspect for the house fire that caused the disappearance of Elisabeth and her family during 1892. I do not want to spoil the story so if you want to find out what happens you will have to read the book. However, I can tell you that Rue and the Marshall went back and fourth through time a few times.

I've never been one for sci-fi literature or any types of novels that suggest unrealistic events, but this book made me believe that it is possible to cross back to the past! I'd read the book to which this is a sequel, and couldn't wait for this book to come out. I went to the store weekly to check to see if it was out. I snatched it up and soon as it hit the book shelves. It did not disappoint! But don't read it until after you read the first book!

This book was one of my daughter's all time favorites as she was growing up. I've now given it to her to read to her first child, due in November!

Wonderful book for toddlers. Teaches the pure joy of giving and plants the seed to look for ways of helping others. It is fun interactively - counting, hide & seek Herman, colors & shapes and problem solving.

This was a book I had my mother read to me hundreds of times when I was young and 15 years later, I found it again. A classic.

Herman the Helper was my favorite book as a little girl, and I was thrilled to find it at Amazon. The illustrations are so colorful and inviting; I used to spend hours with this book. The story is also upbeat and very charming, so if you have kids, or if you still feel like one, you'll love Herman!

I was young when I first heard the story of Herman the Helper. I liked the way the pictures and words made me feel so good inside. Although the book was on loan from the library and had to be returned, my persistent parents looked everywhere for the book and finally located it in California. The book made its way back home with them in NY, and I still have it, 20 years later!

Actually very good. I recommend this book.

Mostly this is the story of Shaw, who is headed for the priesthood before he is derailed by the search and rescue of his twin brother, and Merritt, a woman who is strong for her whole family. It could be really trite, but it isn't. Langan writes in good situations, maintains tension, and gives side plots enough depth to enhance the whole without doing too much going-to-be-a-series junk. The romance is very well developed. It's a love that is reasonable and believable, and the outcome (sex) is satisfying.

In the background, the plot is not bad at all. The characters are strong, the motivations make sense, and I found myself caring enough about their problems that I was really trying to predict when and how the "evil" character would strike. The identity of the evil character won't be a surprise, but I was pleased that I couldn't completely anticipate the ending.

Don't get me wrong, it IS cheesy, and because it's a romance, it is required to have unrealistic sex.

If you can just get past the overwhelming cornyness of the opening chapter and ignore the accented dialogue, it's an engrossing story. I guess historical Scotland is not really my schtick, but it was easy enough to pretend like it was just a fantasy novel and the story+love was plenty strong enough to make any setting acceptable.

I absolutly loved this book. It kept me interested the whole time and had some twists I didn't expect. I loved Mrs. Langan's writing style. After I finished reading it the first time, I picked it right back up again for a second round.

For the sake of his twin, Shaw Campbell would storm the gates of Hell. Yet his brother was not in the hands of the devil, but of Merritt Lamont, a female firebrand who would defend her family's honor to the death... and readily take Shaw with her! In these vengeful times of clan warfare, Merritt knew there were few men she could trust. Yet there was something in the eyes of Shaw Campbell that spoke of a man of peace. A man who could all too easily capture her troubled heart

this book concerns two clans/families at war--the Campbells and Lamonts. When his brother goes missing he sets out to find him and what he discovers about the Lamonts and the events around Sutton Campbell's disappearance lead to a mysterious Black Campbell who is revealed at the books climatic ending.

This book has a perfect mix of romance, action, adventure, and mystery. I was totally drawn into the awesome characters that Langan portrayed so excellently.

I found Highland Heaven at a garage sale. Intrigued by the cover art and back synopsis I bought it. A week or two later I finally got down to seriously reading it. After the first few chapters I found myself being drawn in more and more to the story unfolding. The characters are what really grabs one's imagination. The story is great as well with action, adventure, and romance being intertwined with each other masterfully.

I would love to see this made into a movie; I think it would be pefectly adaptable to the screen.

This is one great book, and will definately spark the imagination and appeal to the romantics as well as the more action oriented.

I found this book packed with exciting adventure. Shaw is torn between defending his family, his land, and the one he comes to love verses remaining a man of the cloth about to take his vows. Will he pick up a sword and fight? Read the book and find out! It's a super read.

Of all the books I've read, this one has become my favorite. I could really relate to Cristina, and I loved the fact that she was portrayed as a beautiful woman even though she did not fit the CONVENTIONAL image of beautiful women. I thought Ms. Crosby did a wonderful job of rounding out her characters, giving them layers, which made them people I cared about. I am looking forward to reading more by Ms. Crosby soon.

This was a great book on many levels, but the one thing that made me enjoy it, was the fact that the female character was described as being a size 14-16 and felt comfortable with it. This is a refreshing approach to romance, when it seems that main characters are always super-model thin! This is a wonderful addition to "The Lone Wolves" series and a must read for any Susan Crosby fan.

The cover is all wrong for this book. The heroine, Cristine, is a plus-size redhead while the hero, Gab, is Hispanic. Yet, by the cover you would have not thought that. This book was HOT!You come to care for both characters in a short time.
For anyone who is tired of reading books about skinny women who get their man and want to read a story about a plump and beautiful woman get her man, this is for you.

The cover is all wrong for this book. The heroine, Cristine, is a plus-size redhead while the hero, Gab, is Hispanic. Yet, by the cover you would have not thought that. This book was HOT!You come to care for both characters in a short time.
For anyone who is tired of reading books about skinny women who get their man and want to read a story about a plump and beautiful woman get her man, this is for you.

Heroine: generously-curved

  Venture capitalist and gallery owner Gabe "Romeo" Marquezis is determined to mete out his own brand of justice against power-rich-money-poor Senator Chandler and his wealthy-but-shady business associate Richard Grimes. His plan? To seduce lovely socialite Cristina Chandler and destroy any possibility of the two families merging through matrimony. 
 
After a "chance" meeting at an art exhibit, Gabe puts his scheme in motion by offering to paint Cristina's portrait. But as artist and model become intimate, the unthinkable happens to this world-weary Casanova: Cristina not only gets inside Gabe's bed but also his heart. Will the financier play against the odds, carry out his destructive plan, and risk losing the only woman he has ever loved? 

What worked for me:
Gabe was very well-depicted as the smooth, gorgeous man that no woman can tie down but whom every woman wishes she could. And I loved Cristina's portrayal as a woman on a journey of self-discovery, yearning to break free from the mold her parents had crammed her into. The sexual tension between the two characters was absolutely delicious!

Size-wise Cristina was lushly-built, having put on some weight after coming to the decision that being thin was not for her.

What didn't work for me:
      There's a reason why I don't usually read category romances; namely that they are so darn short! :^) But on the plus side "His Seductive Revenge" is part of a series, so perhaps I'll catch a glimpse of Gabe and Cristina in book two or book three.)

Overall:
     A great read! If you savor sexual tension between your protagonists, you'll love this story. Be aware that there are some pretty steamy scenes toward the end.  

The high point is that after 14 years of emotional ebuse they still love each other.
But Shay was too weak not to strike out at Easy and had affair after affair with any man. Yuck!

Both are 34 and emotionally wounded, they still want each other but have a lot to work out.

Easy Rafferty ran off with Shay Stephens three days before her marriage to Gutherie Harris [CATTLEMAN'S PROMISE] and has felt guilty ever since. So he decides to make all concerned suffer.

Only a crash in which he injured himself, severly, and also his horse, Gambler brings him back to Heartbreak, Oklahoma. Now he fears facing his horse and other people because of his scars.

Gutherie and Olivia's little daughter, Elly boldly invades Easy's space and offers friendship. Happly to see the tykes back again.

Easy learns of Ethan James' betrayal to Gutherie, his half-brother. We also meet Sheriff Reese Barnett who has dated Shay off and on. I like the way Grace Prescott was woven into the story as the 25 year old shy, much abused daughter of Jed Prescott, owner of Heartbreak's only hardware store. Now what was she up to??

Excellent story except for the moral issues [or lack thereof]- such questionable main characters, but in keeping with everyone's thought process.

Read it to continue the collection but --- Am looking forward to Ethan's story in ROGUE'S REFORM [I think is the name]

This is one of the best books I've ever read-in any genre! Easy, a wounded ex-rodeo cowboy is back in town. Shay, his former best friend's former fiancee is waiting for him. She wants to know why he left her after they ran off together. He wants to be left alone. She wants to bring him back into the world. And although he throws up all of his defenses, Shay's love for him and his for her won't let him keep her at arms length.

Wow! This story absolutely knocked my socks off! The characters engaged me right from the start. It made me laugh - when Easy holds up his maimed hand to count the women he's been with - oh my! And more than once, Pappano had me in tears for these two wonderful, wounded characters. This is a must-buy, keeper-shelf book!

This is a romance from the days of old. Not to be mistaken with old-fashioned, it can definitely hold its own against anything released in the genre today. What I mean by old-fashioned is that there are no hooks, she isn't a virgin, no-one's secretly pregnant, and our hero is neither a billionaire nor devastatingly handsome... and they're not even pretend married!

But the couple is good together. They are both strong and intelligent and caring, especially caring. They care for each other and their friends and even their relationship. Easy is a jerk, but you can feel his motivation and you know what drives him. Shay loves her man and precious little can sway her from that, she's willing to work through the pain for the pleasure of being with him and we celebrate when he does the same for her.

By the end of the book I cared about these two, I wanted it to work forever, and I believe it will. They had a past and it wasn't filled with the usual mis-understandings ... they knew exactly what they did to each other but weren't mature enough handle it until now. I'll be hunting for the rest of Ms. Pappano's books.

I usually like Marilyn Pappano's work, but this is really good. I stayed up all night fascinated by this book -- great characters, great writing! Can't wait to see the next in the series.