Contemporary Books

I love that the main character has such a hapless way about her and a self-deprecating wit. And it's a wonderful lesson about judging books by their covers... which is ironic - because I first picked this book up at a 1/2 price book store because of the dog on the cover. Ever since I read it, I've watched for her next release and this is still my favorite of the first two. I'm looking forward to reading her newest - "Just One Of The Guys".

This book was wonderful. The story was great and I had never laughed out loud so much while reading a book. Very clever writer. Catch of the Day by Higgins is also good but not as good as this one.

Kristan Higgins is one of the greatest treasures of an author I have discovered in years!! This was a smash hit of a debut novel imo and it literally left me gasping in laughter. Millie was so REAL that she seemed to leap right from the pages. It takes a top notch author to create a character so vivid. I found myself relating to her so well in so many ways. Well, except for the hookup with the ex BIL. Ick! lol On to my next Higgins novel. I'm confident I'll strike gold twice. An author this good and so snappy and fresh surely cannot be a fluke.

WOW what a good book! Kristan Higgins is on my short list of favorite authors. This book is funny,witty & so well written.

I really liked the book, but I feel that the author spent too much time writing about Millie's relationship with Joe. I kept skimming through the parts with Joe, which was a big part of the book. I wanted to know more about Sam and Millie's interactions. It is a little strange to fall in love with her ex-brother-in-law, but once you start reading, you get sucked into the plot.

FOX RIVER takes place in Ridge's Race a mythical town in Loudoun County Virginia. Loudoun County does exist and there are many beautiful scenic estates on huge tracts of land. Fox hunting is centuries old and is mostly the sport of a wealthy and privileged group of individuals. This story brings in the beauty of this area and some interesting information about fox hunting.

Emilie Richards weaves a fascinating tale about a group of close friends and neighbors who suffered from the after effects of the brutal death of Fidelity, a popular young woman who they all knew well. To make matters even worse, Christian Carver, a well-liked twenty-year old is accused of the crime and sentenced to life in prison. Christian had lived on the fringe of society since his father had been a horse trainer for wealthy Peter Claymore. The story begins nine long years after the killing. Some facts surface and a serial killer in Florida, admits to killing Fidelity and gives information to collaborate his story. Peter Claymore never gave up on Christian and always provided legal help for the young man. He's delighted that Christian is free and offers him a home and a job.

This story follows Christian as he is released from prison and tries to pick up his life. He has to face his former girlfriend, Julia who was so overcome with the death of Fidelity that she did not completely stand by him at his trial. She married shortly after Christian was imprisoned and has a daughter. Julia, is blind after a fall from a horse, but the doctors feel that her blindness is emotional since no physical case can be found. Julia's mother, Maisy Fletcher always believed that Christian was innocent of the crime and welcomes him back with open arms. Christian is still haunted by the past and wants to know more about Fidelity's murder.

This book also hosts a story within the main story. Maisy Fletcher who is a very unusual woman, tells Julia that she is writing a manuscript and would like to read it to her in the evenings. Julia is not enthusiastic about it but allows her mother to read a chapter or two each night. Soon, she becomes immersed in the story and wants her mother to write faster. I don't usually care to follow two stories at once, but the author handles it in a skillful way and it works very well in this book.

If you like fox hunting, you'll like this book. However, if you aren't really interested in it, you will be a little bored with sections of this book. I would have liked it more had she focused on the characters more and the fox hunting less.

After a fall from her horse, Julia Warwick is diagnosed with hysterical blindness. An embarrassment to her husband, he has her committed to an institution where he tells her she will get well. It only takes days for Julia to realize that the last thing that will happen in the clinic is her getting better. When her mother, Maisy, offers a home to her and her eight year old daughter, Julia accepts. Back at her childhood home, Julia tries to heal so she can hopefully get her sight back. When Christian Carver suddenly returns to her life she knows nothing will ever be the same. For he is the one man she loved with all her heart and the one man she let down.

Christian Carver spent nine years in prison for a murder he didn't commit. When he was released after someone else confessed to the crime, Christian thought he would be able to go on with his life. He didn't expect to feel doubt about the confession, but he knew that until he knew exactly who murdered Fidelity, he would not have closure in his life. Then there is Julia whom he has never forgotten and soon learns to forgive. He just doesn't know if they have a chance for a life together even though he wants nothing more than to be with her and Callie for the rest of their lives.

In her normal fashion for writing, Emilie Richards delivers heartwrenching emotion and characters that will stay with you long after the last chapter has ended. Not only did we have Julia and Christian, but we were also brought Julia's mother, Maisy, who I loved from the first page. I can never put her books down and I look foward to the next one.

This was a beautiful story, very exciting, riveting at times, I wish it would have gone on and on! This was my first Emillie Richards book and I have ordered many more of hers. This book wove a web of many stories within stories about a Virginia family and their good times, bad times, sad times and happy times. There was never a lull in the story like some books I've read. The ending was just right also. Do yourself a favor and pick up this book today!

Ever since I read Richards' Prospect Street, I have been on the hunt for her earlier books. And this is one of them. Once again, she proves to be an author that I really would love to read more of. I don't have an idea why she's labeled in the romance section of the bookstore ~~ she hardly touches on the romance of relationships, she writes more about strong women and their journies in life. This book is just as good as Prospect Street if not better.

Julia finds herself blind after a horseback riding accident ~~ though all the specialists said that there were no physical cause for it. She returns home to Ashbourne with her daughter, intending to make her separation from her husband temporary. With the love and support of her mother, Julia begins to find her way back to life again. Her former lover is released from jail after evidence shows that he did not murder Julia's best friend ~~ and chaos erupted. Julia finds herself on the road to recovery ~~ but had to endure a lot of secrets that had lied dormant for too long.

Also, in this story is a novel that Maisy, Julia's mother, had written ~~ so this makes this book unique ~~ a novel within a novel. I was entranced from the first page to the last ~~ and I loved every moment of it. It's a mystery novel too ~~ and keeps you on your toes throughout the book.

I wish I had discovered Richards sooner ~~ her books are hard to find in the local bookstores ~~ and/or out of print ~~ because I am really enjoying the depth she brings to each woman in her stories. She makes them come alive and real ~~ like you and me. If you like an intriguing story that is full of descriptions and mystery ~~ this book is for you. It's a wonderful addition to anyone's library!

8-25-03

I loved all of these stories. They're so well-plotted and written, and Karin does such a great job of conveying laughter and tears. There was tenderness and anguish and just the whole range of emotions.

As a woman of increasing years, my favorite was "Hot Flash." Hate them during, but after...things can be good.

This wonderful book contains follow-up stories to Karin Kallmaker's first 10 novels and reads like a labor of love for all her readers, and probably the author too.

This book is worth the price of admission if only for one beautifully written story that I re-read on a regular basis. `Wild Things Are Free' is a jewel. It is the most perfect short story I have ever read (and I minored in English is college and have been reading for 30 years). Not to give any of the story away it takes place 5 years after the last page of `Wild Things'. Each paragraph and each sentence is perfect. The emotions are so strong it is as if the reader were in the bodies of the characters.

In Every Port's story starts 23 years after the novel ended and is a real delight, I picked up so many special moments when reading it a second time.

Touchwood is my favorite Kallmaker novel and the story takes up 5 months in Louisa and Rayann's most happy future.

Paperback Romance picks up 9 years after the novel ended , I enjoyed the short story more the second time I read it. I think I needed more Carolyn and Alison when I first read it.

Car Pool takes place 10 years later and gives a nice dose of the humor and love that is shared by Shay & Anthea.

Painted Moon picks up 8 years after the last page and gives the reader a nice POV from Lee.

Embrace in Motion takes place 3 months after that story closed and gives us all the payoff (laughs and all) that we knew these characters deserved.

Making Up for Lost Time's story I enjoyed reading more the second time, I don't know what my expectations were but the story was a surprise and I liked it tremendously when I read it again.

Watermark's story was terrific - a real WOW. It picks up one year after the close of the book and really packs a punch.

We get a double story for Unforgettable. Cinny and Natalie were very strong in my mind at the end of the novel. Their story is picked up from Natalie's POV and had tremendous impact for me. We also have Angel & Rett 2 years later showing how perfect they are for each other.

Sigh ... just a wonderful collection that can easily be read without re-reading the novels.

The stories are a delight and the prose wonderfully fulfilling, no surprise there, it had been like this at the first.

karin kallmaker could not have picked a more appropriate title. as a huge fan of hers this book just made me want to reread all her other wonderful books. if you are a fan of hers this book is a must have or must read.

For those of you out there who are fans of Kallmaker's, you MUST read this book. It's so much fun to see where your favorite characters end up. If you haven't read any of Kallmaker's books yet, read the other ones first and then get this one.

These stories are not really sequels, but continuations of and additions to all of Kallmaker's novels published to this point.

Most of them give more information about what happened to the lead characters in the novels. The first exception is Come Here
which expands on the characters of Judy and Dedric who are adjunct characters in Touchwood and Watermark. An excellent piece of erotica. The other is Unforgettable, That's What You Are which fills in and continues the stories of Cinny and Natalie from Unforgettable.

All of the stories give us information about events that follow the end of the novels.

A second piece of erotica (different from the well written sex scenes in most of the pieces) is Smudges which helps us explore the continuing physicality of the relationship between Lee and Jackie.

If you've ever wanted to know "What's next?" after you've finished a novel, this is a book for you.

I read another story by Ms. Alers and it was pretty good. But, when I started reading the Hideaway Series, I was blown away...Martin Cole, Matt Sterling and Joshua Kirkland were all that and then some! However, lurking in the background was Martin's fine younger brother David.

In this story, David's love of music and his woman, Serena was brought to life and all I can say is "have mercy!" From his graying hair to the earring in his left ear, David Cole is one hot brother. In the midst of drama and life threathening circumstances, Serena Morris was the woman to nurse this man back to health and then love him. Who could ask for more?? As with all the stories in the "Hideaway" series, this book is filled with passion and romance.

"Hideaway" is an excellent series and I'm looking forward to more Cole/Sterling/Kirkland adventures.

Can Ms. Alers go wrong!! Great, Excellent book. She has a way to make the characters come alive. Serena was tempting to David and David was tempting to Serena. Good match.
Read the book. It is worth the time.

I don't know what it is but they're all just so sexy. I read the Hideaway Saga last year and was afraid that I'd never find David's story but when I did manage to find it,I had to have it. This book only helped me to see why I love these books so much. I've since purchased the other books about the sons and daughters of the series with the exception of two: Homecoming and Harvest Moon.

Although the women of this series are all wondeful women,I keep coming back b/c of the men. They're all so passionate,strong,beautiful men that would give up everything to protect their families especially the women they love more than life. It's a beautiful thing to read about it and I think that's why this series stands out. It's also not often you read about incredibly successful African-American families. I love these books so much and I love the men even more.

I READ HOMECOMING AND RENEGADE COULD NOT PUT THESE BOOK DOWN
I REALLY HAVE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE COLE FAMILY.AS YOU READ
IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE SITTING AND THE MOVIES AND IT BEING PLAY OUT ON THE BIG SCREEN THE LOVE AFFAIR BETWEEN THE COLE MEN AND THEIR WOMEN ARE A ONCE AND A LIFE TIME LOVE. WHICH EVERY FEMALE WOULD DIE FOR.ROCHELLE ALERS IS A VERY GIFTED AND BLESS
WRITER HER WORK SHOULD BE ON THE BIG SCREEN.

This book touched my soul, what a beautiful and passionate romance. Every one deserves such a wonderful romance. Rochelle Alers outdid herself this time!

We join Maggie O'Neill back in Indiana, in the mystical gift and antique shop Enchantments, where she works for a witch, Felicity Dow aka Liss. And Liss really is a witch - a practicing witch in an established community that is blithely aware of the paranormal happenings around them. At least, most of them seem to be immune, but many are starting to notice the increase in crime and accidents that are plaguing the community. When a local Amish craftsman is found dead next to his bicycle with his head bashed in, residents are shocked. Not only was this gentle and talented man killed, but his was the third murder in six months in their small community. Are there supernatural forces at play, or has the town simply run out of luck?

Maggie is quite excited to be attending the annual craft fair put on by the county. Normally Liss attends alone, but this year Maggie is getting a break from running the store to help find some new merchandise. While browsing, they visit the stall of an Amish woodworker they are friends with, and Liss falls in love with an armoire decorated with patterns and bright colors not normally seen on the shaker style furniture normally produced. The armoire had been donated to the auction taking place later that day, so the two women plan to attend in hopes of winning. But the armoire's decoration is credited to another Amish craftsman, Luc Metzger; one like Maggie has never before seen. His craft work is just a beautiful as the man himself, an uncommon trait among the simple Amish people whose faith is foremost in their community. And when the ladies' man is found dead after supposedly doing `one more job' to help earn money for a farm for his wife and children, Maggie can't help but wonder where he'd been.

Maggie and hunky friend Marcus come upon the nighttime scene of buggies that have discovered the body on a darkened stretch of road, and Maggie has to decide whether or not she is comfortable with the paranormal side of her life in order to help discover why there was a strange hex tacked to a tree not far from the body - on Amish property. Maggie's sometime boyfriend, Tom the detective, is also having a difficult time with the peculiar aspects of the crime, but mostly with Maggie's involvement with people he considers questionable because they are not considered mainstream. So we are able to follow Maggie's personal journey into unfamiliar territory that is considered taboo to her Catholic religious background, and also her journey on how to trust her heart and instincts.

I am really enjoying the Bewitching series by Alt. We are seeing characters develop with the paranormal aspect - especially some who are new to the subject or fear reprisal if outed, which I think are normal reactions people would have in real life. The cozy series is engaging, and there is enough mystery to keep you guessing throughout the story. I eagerly await the next in the series, but I have one question: How does Abel charge his cell phone?

i give this author a thumbs up. this is a delightful mix of magic and fun.

Third in the series, this book once again brings us back into the cozy world of small town Indiana. Being from Indiana myself, I can relate to Hoosier prejudices and such. However; after the initial murder, it seems the plot is shelved until after halfway through the book. Maggie spends her time dickering about her love interests. It's gone beyond romantic tension and is dangerously close to entering the annoying. Make a decision and move on! The ending to this book was not quite as satisfying as the other two books but I'm most definitely looking forward to November when number four is released.

a great read...mixes seers from different traditions gracefully. i hope to see many more.
star santa cruz ca

As the third book in the series, Madelyn Alt has managed to show you characters that grow and you start to feel attached to them. This is the key to good story telling and Ms Alt has it down.

There is a natural progression, since Maggie is hesitant to jump into Wicca and everything paranormal, this story shows Maggie, and the reader, that even "wholesome" folks such as Amish may have sides we don't understand and thus are afraid of. Bringing us back to the fact that any spiritual path is only as good as the individual's intent. So Maggie has more to contemplate by the end concerning her spirituality.

The characters are truly delightful and the plot is credible. The romantic tension that begun in book 1 has been developed and continues in this one, making me scream for the next installment to find out how this and that turns out!

The only reason I did not give this book five stars is because I am REALLY careful about doing that with any book . . . BUT I loved this book! I loved the two women, Shelley and Mai, and wanted, especially, to know everything about Mai's former life in Vietnam and how she'd handle going back there after so many years. I also loved the way the author did Mai's dialogue in such a way that I could understand the limitations of her English and yet not not want to laugh at her. Mai simply fascinated me. Another aspect of this novel that I really respected was the way Sachs writes about children, especially 2-year Hai Auo. He is such a realistic picture of a child that age! Cute, but also capable of emitting a "scream that sounds like an electric drill." Sachs so expertly captures a toddler's personality (his fickleness, bouts of crying, clinginess, etc.) that I felt like that child was in the room with me. I wanted to adopt him myself! Finally, I loved reading about Vietnam (a country that's always fascinated me) and I have already purchased a copy of Sachs' memoir of living in that country. Can't wait to read and review that one, too!!!

If You Lived Here: A Novel
I was drawn to Dana Sachs' novel "If You Lived Here" because one of its settings is Wilmington, North Carolina, where my son lives. But the moment I picked up this wonderful book and started to read, I felt myself gently guided into a world much more complex than any locale. The two main characters, Shelley Marino, a mortician's wife who desperately longs for a child, and Mai, a Vietnamese entrepreneur who owns an Asian grocery in Wilmington and who fled Vietnam and carried a desperate secret with her, have become as real to me as my own family.
Both of these women and the other characters who people this novel walk off the pages and stand before me in flesh and blood. And the story Ms. Sachs tells exposes their hearts in a way that very few books ever have for me. And I am an avid reader who, at the age of 60, has a hard time finding anything new under the sun! Today, it takes a very rare and exceptional book to move me. Ms. Sachs is a wordsmith beyond compare. Not only did I love the path she carved for me, but I found myself savoring the way she used words to exactly tap and reveal her character's souls.
Shelley and Mai are two very strong women who, despite different cultures, forge a wonderful friendship which carries them both on a journey to Vietnam and on a journey of healing and discovery. I simply opened my own heart to them and, while reading their story, I felt suspended from my own life. That is how compelling this book is.
I also received a special bonus while immersed in this story. I am old enough to have lived through the years of our war with Vietnam, and I had a front row seat to its horrors on television newscasts. My myopic view of Vietnam hasn't changed since I was a teenager. In fact, I had put "Vietnam" aside as a memory and as a country which no longer plagues us.
Ms. Sachs, with her beautiful words and her heart's investment in her story, has changed my vision! Her story is so well told and so consuming that she has managed to draw me in another direction entirely.
I plumbed the depths of two women's lives. I struggled with Shelley's husband Martin until he finally opened up and told his story. And when Shelley and Mai and Martin and other characters forgave each other and themselves, I wept and forgave too.
But while doing so, I awoke to the story of Vietnam. The flickering black-and-white images of destruction and human pathos from my teen years have permanently been replaced. I have now discovered, through Ms. Sachs' eyes, a Vietnamese people with beautiful souls and a Vietnam of greens and reds and yellows and blues as palpable as the country right outside my own front door. What a gift! What a release!
Tonight I will settle down into my pillows and start reading Ms. Sachs' memoir of her time in Vietnam, "The House on Dream Street!" I am now hungry to hear more!

This is a must read for anyone who has adopted--or who has given a child up for adoption (trust me).

This author swept me up in her story from the beginning......twirled me around on her journey.....and put me down gently....all while keeping my heart and mind in the hearts and minds of all innvolved in the story. I loved this book!!!!! Sachs can certainly write...with knowledge, reality....and imagination! What more does a GOOD novel need!!! I need more from her!!!

Adoption is a special way of understanding feelings of other people. When you start this process you need support and help. The reactions of people around you make it clear who really cares for you who loves you
This is what happened to the two women in the novel

Quick, name the ten top novelists from Nicaragua. Give Up? Well extend it then to the top ten from anywhere in Latin America.

After reading this book you will almost certainly put Gioconca Belli on this list. The Inhabited Woman is Lavinia, a modern woman of our time, she becomes 'inhabited' by the spirit of an Indian woman warrior and she joins the revolution against a violent dictator.

At least semi-biographical, Ms. Belli joined the revolutionary Nicaraguan FSLN in 1970 until forced to leave the country in 1975. After Somoza was ousted and th Sandinistas came to power she entered Government service to 1986 when she resigned in to write full time.

Una escritora increible para una historia verdaderamente emocionante donde el presente con su guerra civil en Nicaragua y el pasado con su Conquista espan~ola tienen aspectos en comun, se unen, se cruzan, se mezclan, pero todo tiene siempre sentido. Es una de las novelas mas intensas que haya leido de toda la literatura hispano americana. Lo aconsejo a todos los latinos.

This is a book that is a must because it helps to understand (or at least to have another point of view) about latin american "guerrillas", but also about the subtle and not so subtle differences between men and women, that havent changed so much in hundred years. Going back to the past (to the spaniard invasion)and forward to our days, Belli knits a unique beautiful story of two eras distant in time, but very close in their needs. Not perfect in its "literary structure", but an original, passionate and enlighten story.

As a retired English teacher longing for a "good read". I was delighted from the first chapter of Inhabited Woman. The concept of one woman from one period/culture being a factor in another woman's life sent a tingle through me. As I read on, I was excited in the insights gained by the main character. As she struggled with choices, I found myself rethinking my life and values. The characters are well drawn and the plot complex enough to be interesting. Furthermore, the author's use of langauge and images is sometimes almost poetry. BRAVO!!

Gioconda Belli is one of Nicaragua's most highly regarded writers. Her poetry and fiction have been published in Spain, Mexico, Germany, Denmark, Holland, Finland, Greece and Turkey. She currently lives in Los Angeles. THE INHABITED WOMAN was awarded "Best Literary Work of the Year" by the Union of German Publishers and Editors.

"[It] is a passionate story of love, courage, solidarity and death, where reality and legend blend harmoniously. The lives of the characters are intertwined with the destiny of a country and the struggle of a people for dignity. There is so much truth in this book, that it is impossible for the reader to remain indifferent. This is a story that needed to be told and Belli does it with talent." --Isabel Allende

"THE INHABITED WOMAN is engrossing, reading like an action adventure...[it] opens on a stunning, magical note..." --The Daily News

"THE INHABITED WOMAN revitalizes two literary genres that in recent years seemed to have lost their grips on the imagination of new writers and, as a matter of course, readers-magic realism and social realism." --The Hartford Courant

Being a fan of JAG I was surprised and excited when I found out there was a TV Tie-In book for the series. I promptly ordered the book and wasn't quite sure what to expect, having read a fair amount of Tie-Ins that were nothing like the series they portrayed. Happily, I was well pleased with my choice!

I feel that Robert Tine really captured the feel of an episode of JAG. The characters were well-drawn and right on par with the ones I've grown to love through the show. The dialogue and thought processes of the characters were spot-on except for Harm's penchant to revert to heavy cursing -- something I felt was completely out of character for someone who is so good at expressing himself.

The action was fast paced and exciting, I was kept guessing and completely immersed until the very end. This story line would certainly make a wonderful episode of JAG -- one I'd love to see. There was just enough humor thrown in -- namely Harm being shifted from one place to another -- to lighten the mood while still advancing the plot.

Mr. Tine also captured the chemistry of Harm and Mac perfectly -- right down to the way they play so well off one another. And as a bonus -- Harm even gets to fly! That, in my opinion, is always a plus!

There were a few disappointments such as one quite confusing place where some sentences seemed to have been left out of a pretty important scene and there were a few typos spattered throughout that could have been caught through tighter proofreading.

I was sad to note the absence of a picture section toward the middle as I've seen in other TV Tie-Ins -- it would have made a nice addition to the book.

All that aside, I still rate this book 5 stars because it kept my attention as well as the actual program does and the fact that I will read this book again. Mr. Tine certainly did his research, I could actually see the actors who play these parts in my head as I read.

Despite the few errors and the brief slip-up on Harm's character it was a good, solid read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I'm completely looking forward to the next JAG novel by Robert Tine -- Clean Steel -- and hope that there are plans for other Tie-In novels for this spectacular television program.

Great stroy and a suprise twist at the end

I found this book to be very fun to read. I am a JAG lover and felt that Mr. Tine, expressed the characters true to how they are shown on TV. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read or lover of JAG.

The story is exciting and would be a wonderful base for an episode of JAG ( next season perhaps *hinthint*'Cleverness and fairness of the JAG lawyers are shown with much perfection. Some well hidden, but deep friendship showing moments, are given, too. *shipperheartbeatinghere*
A big must for all the JAG Fans out there :)

The book is very good. It stays true to the series. This story would make a good episode.

anything Rochelle Alers writes is a masterpiece... all the books from this series makes you wish for a family like this...they are beautiful all around. thank you ms. Alers...

This is a good read, great plot and characters. Nice to catch up with the first generation of the Hideaway Legacy. I like the cultural references to the Native American culture in this series - quite educational. However I did not understand Sara's reason for breaking up with Salem you would think 2 people were not involved in the bedroom so why did she not take some responsibility especially after promising his mother that she would never hurt him, she breaks up with him cos he forgets to use a condom! Fickle woman! (I roll my eyes)
Anyway I look forward to reading Christopher and Emily story its quite obvious since Harvest moon they gonna get together-:o)

"Just Before Dawn" is Sara Sterling's and Salem Lassiter's story. Sara's much deserved vacation back home on her parents' ranch turns out to be much more than she ever envisioned. Sara and Dr. Salem Lassiter began casually dating, which later turns into a serious venture.

Although, Sara has been dating other men, it has been a while since Sara has thought of actually becoming involved with a man. After having overcome an "eyeopener" involving the man she was engaged to be married to, Sara has shied away from becoming emotionally involved.

The romance department has not treated Salem any better. He has been "burned" by love, but is it now time to throw water on the ashes and smother the fire, then go on and find new love? Can that new love be with Sara?

Salem and Sara seemed to be drawn to each other, their lives seem to be entwined. A new and greater love awaits for them, but they must first overcome some mishaps in their lives.

Sara has learned some things about Salem's past, but she must determine the truth involving them. Also, Sara's life is not free from obstacles. Her life is embroiled in danger and intrigue. Can they survive the dangers that await them and live a life of true love that awaits them "Just Before Dawn"?

Another great one, Ms. Alers!

"Just Before Dawn" is Sara Sterling's and Salem Lassiter's story. Sara's much deserved vacation back home on her parents' ranch turns out to be much more than she bargin for. Sara Sterling is a woman who has it together inside and outside of the courtroom. Salem Lassiter is a preimer vet. when they bring their dynamte lives toghether what can you expect accept for an expolsion.

So go ahead and turn off your phone and put the kids to sleep and get ready for a ride u will never forget.

Wow! I am definitely not taking this book to the resale book store!

Rochelle is a great writer. I love the way that she weaves the historical and cultural information into the stories.. I have already checked into visiting New Mexico and Arizona.

Previously I did not read romance novels.They turned me off because I thought that they were a sappy waste of pulp. But.... I was looking for much needed interracial fiction one day, and the book Vows popped up. I read a few pages and was immediatelly hooked. I then had to get another and another. I finally found my way to Just Before Dawn. By theis time, I felt that I knew the characters. I felt that they could have been my relatives.. I started to see myself in some of their personalities.

Plus, the sexxxy Salem character had me hotter than pepper pudding by the time my husband got home from work.

Now, he buys Rochelle Alers books for me!

Favorite scene with Cynthia/Cyn-
Discovering the password and being caught and all that follows.

Favorite scene with Jake-
Emotional, thinking Cynthia/Cyn may be dead.

Together-
Hiding behind the crates and making love while trying not to get
caught.

LIVE A LITTLE--Nancy Warren

Cynthia Baxter decides to spice up her life, so she buys a copy of Raunch magazine's fantasy issue and surprises her fiance with handcuffs and a fantasy. Unfortunately, her fiance--soon to be her ex-fiance--gets a call and rushes out, forgetting her. That's how Jake Wheeler comes to find her naked, handcuffed to her bedposts. Jake needs help...a sexy little account is just what the FBI needs. And Cyn? Well, she might be just what Jake himself needs.

Nancy Warren's Blaze Romance, Live a Little, will occasionally have you laughing more than a little as she spins a hot tale of love.

Accountant Cynthia Baxter would like to learn to live a little. Her six year engagement to a doctor more concerned with patients than his personal relationships drives her to desperate measures. She purchases the September issue of Raunch Magazine, which categorizes its fantasies into Boudoir Beginners, Intimate Intermediates, and Erotically Advanced. She'd even highlighted her favorite fantasies. But Walter leaves her naked and handcuffed to the bed while he leaves to deliver a baby. Hours later, a neighbor finally comes to the rescue. But meeting FBI agent Jake Wheeler under such conditions does not fulfill her fantasy.

At first, Jake Wheeler assumes Cynthia's prone position resulted from a working girl's day gone bad. Her trash looks juxtapose an oddly innocent expression in her eyes, driving his libido over the edge, even if he has sworn off wild women with revolving bedroom doors. However, when he realizes that Cynthia's an accountant, Jake convinces her to volunteer to help him crack a drug smuggling operation by accepting a new job with his quarry. Cynthia leaps at the opportunity for change and excitement. She transforms herself into Cyn the Bold and prepares to plunge into the world of black ops, spies and danger. Even as Jake suspects that the sophisticated sex-pot routine is fake, it's too late to withdraw from a very dangerous situation-both undercover and under the covers.

Now this is what a Blaze should be! Sexy, daring, and bold with a dash of levity, LIVE A LITTLE! lives up to my highest expectations. The heroine doesn't waste time protesting her innocence, the hero doesn't struggle over needless issues, and the plot never slows. Indeed, the dangerous plot echoes the dangerous eroticism of a handcuff fantasy, resulting in a terrific read. Pleasing, tempting and erotic, LIVE A LITTLE! comes very highly recommended.

Cynthia Baxter decides to spice up her life, so she buys a copy of Raunch magazine's fantasy issue and surprises her fiance with handcuffs and a fantasy. Unfortunately, her fiance--soon to be her ex-fiance--gets a call and rushes out, forgetting her. That's how Jake Wheeler comes to find her naked, handcuffed to her bedposts. Jake needs help...a sexy little account is just what the FBI needs. And Cyn? Well, she might be just what Jake himself needs.

Nancy Warren's Blaze Romance, Live a Little, will occasionally have you laughing more than a little as she spins a hot tale of love.

I was surprised to read all of the wonderful feedback for the book. I'm all for fairy tales but this was so way out there even I couldn't believe it. I am fairly certain that no FBI agent would enlist the services of a complete novice because they hoped said novice would sleep with the boss and discover his secrets. Nevermind that the FBI agent has completely misjudged Cyn, the main character, forming the opinion that she is faast and loose simply because he had to rescue her while she was handcuffed naked to her bed (OK - that was good). I enjoyed reading about Cynthia's change from reserved to sexpot, that was fun. Unfortunately, the context in which it played out was ridiculous. Igave this 3 stars for the well written sex scenes (and there are quite a few) but the plot? 1 star would be pushing it.