Romance - 1999 Books

Years before Tucker Townsend had promised to marry Ginny Brown. Now he's back in town after having been engaged to some one else and broken that engagement. Ginny is still single and still waiting, much to the annoyance of at least one of the towns bachelors. He has not come back to claim Ginny. Instead he has come back to ask her help in finding his way back to God.

"What do I read Next" is an excellent resource. Every question I had about genre, its success, and its latest trends were answered. The authors were incredibly thorough. The 700+ page book is divided by genre, such as Mystery, Romance, etc., then dissects each genre by category. It defines each subgenre and category. It classifies each text that has been publshed that year. Next the author analyzes each genre. The latest novels are identified and described. The genre is examined by category to explore the latest trends, developments, reviews, and other issues concerning romance. I loved this book because it provided a wealth of information for Final Paper. I would definitely use it again.

In Canmore, Alberta, Royal Canadian Mounted police officer Kelly Shannon kills Danny Mizzoni. Kelly cannot cope with using force even if it saved the life of her sister. For the next two months, Kelly sees five year old Danny and three year old Amanda struggle to survive as their widowed mother drowns in alcohol and to make matters worse is pregnant.

Danny's brother Mick, editor of the Canmore Leader, tries to help his niece and nephew, but twenty-four hours is not enough time. Guilt-laden Kelly needs to help the children so she offers a deal to Mick in which they forge a marriage of convenience to support the youngsters. Love enters the equation between the adults, but she wonders if he could forgive her killing his sibling.

The underlying premise to A CONVENIENT PROPOSAL is well written as angst-laden Kelly struggles between what was and is the right thing. Readers will feel sympathy to her and the two children, empathy towards Mick, and anger directed at Sarah for "abandoning" her children and placing her fetus at risk. The plot falls short because the key relationships between the children and Mick and Kelly never fully surface. Still the latest Shannon Sister tale (see A SECOND-CHANCE PROPOSAL for the debut tale) shows C.J. Carmichael's talent to raise the conscience of her audience.

Harriet Klausner

In one horrible instant, RCMP officer Kelly Shannon chooses between the life of Danny Mizzoni and the life of her sister. She shoots Danny, husband and father of two young children, as he holds a gun to her beloved sister's head. Subsequently, officers learned that Danny carried an illegal handgun, and thousands of dollars of illegal drugs were found on the property. Kelly knows that she had fulfilled her duty as an officer of the law. Nevertheless, in the aftermath, Kelly suffers deeply for the moral decision she made in taking a life. Adamant that she will not return to police work, Kelly finds herself cast adrift in guilt and hopeless concern for Danny's fatherless children. Day after day she parks nearby, watching the children who do not receive adequate care from their alcoholic mother.

The children's uncle, Mick Mizzoni, finds Kelly watching the tiny bungalow that houses the fatherless children. They often work together when he comes to her for police information for the small town newspaper where he is an editor. Kelly has always half hoped he would ask her out, but Mick's coolness makes her think that she is not his type. Now with his brother's death between them, it is only the lives of the two children that bring them together. Kelly is convinced that the children need more than a busy uncle and an alcoholic mother. Mick does what he can, doing laundry, ensuring that the children eat, but with their mother drinking and pregnant, there's a limit to how effective his help can be. Mick needs a wife to help with the children, and he needs to bring the children home with him. Then Kelly convinces him that she can be the wife he needs. It couldn't make for a more explosive situation.

CJ Carmichael tackles an emotion-laden plot with flair in A CONVIENENT PROPOSAL. Child custody issues, alcoholism, and death bring this unlikely hero and heroine together in a marriage of convenience that quickly gives way to love. The plot is impressively convincing, given that the Kelly shoots Danny, falls in love with his brother, and wants to mother his children. The alcoholic Sharon is likewise a remarkable character, falling into the self-pity and destructive behaviors common to a practicing alcoholic; yet Carmichael's tone maintains an evenhanded compassion even as Sharon's behavior spirals into negligent behavior. Mick is a terrific hero, cleaning kitchens and washing clothes without complaint. His strong desire to give Danny's children what he never had - clean clothes, regular bedtimes and mealtimes - makes him vulnerable and strong all at the same time. Indeed, the masterful characterizations in A CONVIENENT PROPOSAL make this one a keeper. Very highly recommended.

In one horrible instant, RCMP officer Kelly Shannon chooses between the life of Danny Mizzoni and the life of her sister. She shoots Danny, husband and father of two young children, as he holds a gun to her beloved sister's head. Subsequently, officers learned that Danny carried an illegal handgun, and thousands of dollars of illegal drugs were found on the property. Kelly knows that she had fulfilled her duty as an officer of the law. Nevertheless, in the aftermath, Kelly suffers deeply for the moral decision she made in taking a life. Adamant that she will not return to police work, Kelly finds herself cast adrift in guilt and hopeless concern for Danny's fatherless children. Day after day she parks nearby, watching the children who do not receive adequate care from their alcoholic mother.

The children's uncle, Mick Mizzoni, finds Kelly watching the tiny bungalow that houses the fatherless children. They often work together when he comes to her for police information for the small town newspaper where he is an editor. Kelly has always half hoped he would ask her out, but Mick's coolness makes her think that she is not his type. Now with his brother's death between them, it is only the lives of the two children that bring them together. Kelly is convinced that the children need more than a busy uncle and an alcoholic mother. Mick does what he can, doing laundry, ensuring that the children eat, but with their mother drinking and pregnant, there's a limit to how effective his help can be. Mick needs a wife to help with the children, and he needs to bring the children home with him. Then Kelly convinces him that she can be the wife he needs. It couldn't make for a more explosive situation.

CJ Carmichael tackles an emotion-laden plot with flair in A CONVIENENT PROPOSAL. Child custody issues, alcoholism, and death bring this unlikely hero and heroine together in a marriage of convenience that quickly gives way to love. The plot is impressively convincing, given that the Kelly shoots Danny, falls in love with his brother, and wants to mother his children. The alcoholic Sharon is likewise a remarkable character, falling into the self-pity and destructive behaviors common to a practicing alcoholic; yet Carmichael's tone maintains an evenhanded compassion even as Sharon's behavior spirals into negligent behavior. Mick is a terrific hero, cleaning kitchens and washing clothes without complaint. His strong desire to give Danny's children what he never had - clean clothes, regular bedtimes and mealtimes - makes him vulnerable and strong all at the same time. Indeed, the masterful characterizations in A CONVIENENT PROPOSAL make this one a keeper. Very highly recommended.

I'm fussy, but love funny books. Sophie is spot on with this laugh out loud book. People at the beach must have thought I was insane, but it was very funny! Loved it! Nothing life changing, just sweet entertainment. Well done Sophie!

The Shopaholic series is fabulous, but in the Undomestic Goddess Kinsella takes a different turn on learning a life lesson in a fun, fluffy way.
In this book Samantha is high powered lawyer living in the city who has been working her way toward a partnership in her law firm. When this seems in grasp, her life takes a turn. She runs off the the country and is mistaken for a housekeeper, and she does not tell anyone else otherwise. In this new life she makes for herself she realizes what really is important is spending time with friends and family and having time for yourself.
This one will have you taking a step back and examining what you really want out of life.
A funny and uplifting read, I could not recommend it more!

and all of her other books (Can You Keep a Secret and the entire Shopaholic series) so I figured this one would be just as good. It is good and I did like it, but not nearly as much as I enjoyed CYKAS and the Shopaholic series. I would really give this book 3.5 stars, but that's not possible and I don't think it was bad enough for 3 stars so I bumped it up to 4.

I did not like the ending of the book whatsoever. It left me thinking - okay, what's next? What did they decide to do? I would love to have some sort of closure, but it didn't happen at all!

However, it's still a good story and worth checking out!

Samantha Sweeting is a Type-A, workaholic lawyer for the most prestigious law firm in London, Carter Spink. For seven years, she has put in long hours, worked through the night and basically gave up her life for the firm. Samantha thinks it has been worth it because she's about to become a partner.

On the morning her partnership is to be announced, she discovers a memo that was buried on her desk. The deadline was weeks ago and she is frantic. Samantha never misses a deadline nor does she make a mistake. In just a matter of minutes, the life that she knows is over. Feeling out of control for the first time, Samantha escapes her office and finds herself on a train to the country. She has no idea where she's headed; all she knows is that anywhere has to be better than facing the other partners at her law firm.

She stops at the first house she comes to, only to rest and ask for a drink of water, when she is mistaken for an applicant for the housekeeper position. Soon Samantha finds herself working as a housekeeper. Only problem is Samantha doesn't know anything about cooking, vacuuming, chores, etc. Little does Samantha know, this will put her on the path she's been striving for.

When Samantha accidently learns information regarding the day she was to become partner, she has a choice to make: return to her old life or stay with the one she is just starting to make.

The UnDomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella (Hardback Edition)
Review by K. Haney
If this is your first encounter with Sophie Kinsella's joyous writing, you will not be disappointed and will be eager to read more of her work. For those fans of the Shopaholic series, this book will be another addition to your collection of fabulous, fun reads in the Kinsella style! However, be warned that Samantha Sweeting is not Becky Bloomwood. Although Bloomwood from the Shopaholic series is great fun and addictive reading, with Samantha Sweeting, Kinsella brings more depth to the main character.
Sweeting is a lawyer nearing her 30's and on her way to becoming a partner in a prestigious law firm. However, her work is her life spurred on by an over achieving mother and what Samantha has thought is the life she really wants. When she discovers a crash-and-burn mistake she made at her Carter Spink Law Firm, and that it will cost the firm dearly, she flees London with no thoughts in mind as to where she is going or what she will do.
This is what brings Samantha Sweeting to a tiny suburb of London and to the home of Trish and Eddie Geiger. The Geigers mistake Samantha for a housekeeping job applicant they had been expecting. In her frantic need to get away from the problems in London, Samantha goes along with the mistaken identity and takes the job thinking it will at least give her a place to stay for a few days to think things through. She fails to consider the fact that a housekeeper is expected to cook and clean, something that is low on Samantha's list of qualifications. Cooking to her means "order in", and cleaning is something that miraculously has happened when she gets home from the firm and the help has taken care of things. With the reader's imagination allowing for a few impractical and unreal situations, Samantha is able to fool the Geigers with her quick thinking and chicanery.
Things go fine for a bit until Samantha encounters a wise and dreamy gardener who is not so blind to what she is doing. With "creative" genius, Samantha keeps things going in the house for a while but the gorgeous and clever gardener becomes a problem as she finds herself attracted to him. The hilarious situations, quirky almost believable characters, and a Samantha that you care about, is what Kinsella creates in The Undomestic Goddess and what makes for an enjoyable, funny, and light read that will entertain you and keep you turning the pages to find out what happens to Samantha.

Summer was very calculating and conceited. Every time Blake paid her a compliment, whether on her appearance or talent as a chef, Summer would say things like, "I know."

Juliet Trent wasn't bad but I just couldn't fathom this Italian, Carlo, as a leading romantic hero; he was buffoonish in the first story (and I'm Italian).

I can't believe I'm writing this about a N.R.'s book, but both these stories were not even remotely interesting.

old books from 1985/6 now together in one book because there is a relation between characters.
her new books are much better and this was a disappointment.

When Summer first met Blake in her apartment, she came off very sweet and charming in her looks, yet within days she turned standoffish in a flirty way, didn't do a thing, even kiss Blake, it seemed, without first thinking in what way she could manipulate him. She just became unlikable.
Sorry, I didn't even try to read the second story.

I cannot see how a talented author can create near-masterpieces in some stories, while others, like these two stories, don't even make the characters even half-realistic. She tried to make Blake cool, I guess, and Summer nice one minute and arrogantly sure of her good looks the next.
The 2nd story with Juliet was so-so.

I read Woman of Substance years ago and loved it... it is still one of my favorite books. I was really disappointed in this book even though it does follow the timeless paperback romance formula... main character has glamourous career and flits through life with no financial worries, barely noticing the Aubusson rugs, silk curtains and priceless antiques that grace every room she enters ... stops eating and shrinks to nothing at the first sign of stress, orders filet of sole for every meal. I liked BTB descriptive style in Woman of Substance, but it gets to be so ridiculous in this book that I felt manipulated as a reader. The main character opens the refrigerated pantry at the luxurious chateau that she is staying at for free, and BTB goes through every item in it, just to have the character fix the classic meal that all of her rich and glamourous characters throw together on the fly, the omelet. (Almost every other author of this ilk has their characters making an omelet or a salad in the unfortunate situation that they find themselves having to scrounge through the fresh, organic contents of a well-stocked refrigerator, or maybe after a brisk walk to the farmer's market since they just happen to be in the South of France) But wait! Just as you were beginning to be a little envious of Val, it comes out that she has a problems, just like you and me. Lying men, mean parents, forced inheritance of a vast fortune that she doesn't want, the agony of making a the decision about how much time to take off after recovering from tragedy... she just doesn't know what to do while sitting in the stately New York apartment that she inherited from her kindly grandparents.

The main problem I had with this book is that I couldn't relate to the character of Val. BTB tries to make the case that Val is a person of integrity by stating it ad nauseum, but the novel starts with Val sleeping with a guy that tells her that his wife is a shrew and they are separated, so when that situation unravels it is difficult to feel the sympathy that BTB tries to generate. I don't have any problem with flawed characters, but if the author is going to state this character has integrity than don't have the character sleeping with someone who is still married, that is pretty basic. I finished the book because I don't like to review books unless I have read them to the end, but this bland tale just didn't do it for me.

Wow...I can't believe how many negative reviews this book is getting. I actually listened to it, and that always makes for a book to be at least a bit more interesting. I can see how people would get bored with it, it is long-winded, but how many authors aren't like that?

I think people are just too used to the 21st century non-stop action and/or 3 minute sound bites excitement and drama, and they can't just calm down and listen to a good description of a beautiful house in France or England. I won't be able to go there anytime soon, but the descriptions have definitely transported me right in the heart of those fairy tale homes and landscapes. I think it's time for some of you to go back to the 18-19th century classics and remind yourself of the descriptive pages of those books.

I definitely recommend this book to be listened to by a reckless driver while actually driving. This book has definitely calmed me down and I have become a much responsible driver. Try it!

While on assignment in the Balkans, Valentine, a war photographer and her co-worker and love, Tony from England (considered as good as the famous Robert Capa), they were caught in the crossfire, and he was killed. She stayed on in Paris as a matter of integrity. As she was recuperating from her injuries, she discovered that he had told her lies to coverup the truth of his background and past. With him gone, she struggled to find a place where she felt that she belonged in this life as she'd already decided not to return home to New York.

She was always on the fun to find her purpose in life. Some secrets break your heart if you let them. Others can set you free. It took some time for her to come to terms with herself and her own unhappy childhood. Her mother had kept an important secret from her also. With Jake, their longtime friend and photojournalist, she could verbally grieve Tony's untimely death and, as in 'The Piano.' she realized that she had loved the wrong man. Fate had intervened and she and Jake were like Eddie and Elizabeth in 1958 after the death of the man they both had loved. It was a question of trust.

After being so deceived by one, could she let down her guard to trust another man. She could keep running from her past or love the man she's with. He is offering her the opportunity of starting a new life with someone w ho truly loves her and is able to understand her deep grief of losing the one she had loved with all her heart. Foolishly, he felt that he is man enough to fill the hole left in her heart and soul. Her inspiration to live had hit the dust, so how can she ever feel complete again. I could not stick a Band-Aid on my psychic wounds and hope they would evenetually heal. Who could deal with a woman like that? She was just a younger vresion of hre irrational mother but not willing to make the same mistakes.

She must now make her own decisions and work out a new life for herself in her career by her own rules. Never underestimate the power of a determined woman and her ability to develop a sudden change of heart. You can love many men; the tragedy is when they don't love you back. Ms. Bradford has written several books about strong women. I loved her first 'A Woman of Substance' and its sequel, 'Hold the Dream.'

If this is your first Barbara Taylor Bradford book, you may never pick up another one. I, on the other hand, like to give an author the three strikes rule, so won't hesitate to try something else, but it won't be very soon. If you want to read one of her novels, do NOT start with this one like I did. This is very boring--like snails serving as soap stars--not to mention slow and predictable. I listened to the entire thing on cd, but think it was mostly because I liked Ms. O'Karma's narration--she has an appealingly smokey voice like Carolyn Jones from the Adams Family. It still couldn't save this story with its endless self-serving "what-about-ME!" mantras and Valentine's overly moralistic attitude. I'm the same way, and I bore myself!

You knew from page one where this story was going, and the dialog was as insufferable as the descriptions of everything from food and clothing to moths reproducing on peeling wallpaper. "I was a war photographer and my mommy was mean to me" resounds every other page, yet she wants to get away from all of that. Nothing's worse than a character or real person who brags, then turns around and screams "Look at me, look at me...How DARE you look at me?!"

I saw on the cover it said something about the New York Times bestseller list, so I kept reading (for a while) since I thought it must have something good in it to get on the list. Well, it never did! It's just a bunch of ridiculous long-winded drivel that couldn't get to the point. The author dragged out the most boring unimportant acts for pages upon pages upon pages, and nothing ever happens. The LONG descriptions are of something like Val whining ad nauseum how she doesn't want to go to this memorial service, or Jake acting crabby on the plane, or how Val sat around for hours looking at Tony's picture in her apartment, etc. Anyway, I don't know how it got on the NY Times list, that's for sure!