Hunting Down the Horseman by B.J. Daniels

Walking into the middle of a series can be a little tricky-even when it is a Harlequin series.  Faith Bailey is one of three sisters living in Whitehorse, Montana. What few people know is that her passion in life is trick riding, or performing different stunts on her trusted horse.

Jud Corbett is a stunt man on the set of a movie being filmed near Whitehorse, Montana. The film is destined to be a flop if they can even get the film made after all the “accidents” that have befallen key players. After Jud stumbles across Faith practicing her stunts he talks her into taking the place of the injured regular.  Will each find another passion in each other’s arms?

Giggle. I just had to write that last line. I am a fan of romance and one of its biggest advocates-but that just makes it more fun to joke with. Hunting Down the Horseman is part of the Whitehorse Montana-the Corbett’s series in the Harlequin Intrigue line of romantic suspense. What struck me about it was how much more of a romance story with some intense situations it was to me than straight romantic suspense. Don’t get me wrong-I liked it. But it has made me stop and do some more self-evaluation on what I think romantic suspense is. Daniels tells a good story that uses the Montana setting to bring the romanticism of the open West to readers who will enjoy the adventure. Characters are well drawn and relatable. 2009, 211 pages.

What I Did For Love by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Ahhhhh.  What I love about Susan Elizabeth Phillips is that I can count on her for a light and funny story that grabs me and pulls me in quickly with characters I can’t get enough of and doesn’t let go until I’m sadly finished with the book. There aren’t any big surprises and as I’m typing this I’m realizing I just described the appeal of the romance genre. Interesting!

Georgie York is America’s sweetheart actress who lets those around her dictate almost every aspect of her life. When her perfect husband dumps her for an Angelina Jolie type actress she is devastated and humiliated.  When her former co-star and teen crush shows up and wiggles his way into being her pretend husband-really anything can happen. But, just maybe, Georgie might find who she really is and start carving her own path-one she believes in, even if no one else does. 2009, 404 pages.

Finding Home by Georgia Beers

Sarah has had a bad year. Her longtime girlfriend left her for a man and she has been unable to heal and move on. Instead she has become a rigid career woman with no balance. Natalie appears to just be a free spirit that has no worries and spends her days serving coffee and a local restaurant. But there is more to Natalie and she wonders what the sexy business executive across the counter is really like. When a fluke accident brings the two together to care for a dog they both love, maybe just maybe, love will blossom.

Sometimes I feel like I’m writing a movie trailer when I pull a summary out of my head. I even come equipped with that lovely, low booming voice. This was a fairly quick read with some character development. You could feel the conflict in the characters but you didn’t dive deep into understanding their life situations. The frame could be set anywhere and the storyline is one of humor, regret and second chances. Didi I like it? Parts of it hit home in a sad way but for the most part I enjoyed this simple love story. 2008, 240 pages.

Heart of Texas, Volume 1 by Debbie Macomber

Heart of Texas, Volume 1 is a reprint combining two of Macomber’s previous romance titles: Lonesome Cowboy and Texas Two-Step.  In Lonesome Cowboy, Savannah is content with her life growing heirloom roses and helping her brother Grady run the family ranch.  Love just isn’t in the cards for her and she is at peace with this until Laredo Smith comes along.  He has a past and lots of secrets, but is that enough to keep them apart?  In Texas Two-Step, Ellie is beginning a new life in Promise after the death of her father. Her best friend for years, Glen Patterson, has always been there for her but is it possible there is something more?

I realize that I sounded just like the back cover of the book with my summary, but it makes my point. Both of these titles are very representative of a gentle romance. The classic romance formula beats loud and clear throughout both novels. What readers enjoy about a Macomber romance is the simplicity of everything. The town is usually small, cozy  and everyone knows everybody. The characters are recognizable and comfortable in the ease it takes to get to know them and care about them. And, above all, she tells a nice, gentle story that wraps around the reader. Is it possible to say that Debbie Macomber excels in literary warm fuzzies? I think so.  2007, 440 pages.

16 Lighthouse Road by Debbie Macomber

Debbie Macomber is best known for her gentle romances that are driven by her well-developed characters. 16 Lighthouse Road is no exception as Macomber introduces us to the residents of Cedar Cove, Washington-a sleepy town on the coast where everyone knows everyone. Each main character is given a voice in rotating chapters. Readers spend time getting to know them and their most intimate struggles from the lose of a baby and the destruction of a marriage to older folks finding the courage to love again. A light read, readers may find themselves hooked on the series that is now on its 6th title. The title for each is the address of the main character of each book. 2001, 384 pages.

Private Pleasures by Bertrice Small

I always end up reading the raciest romance novels on the recommendation of my patrons. Bertrice Small is no exception and I rank this title as one of her steamiest. Nora has been the ultimate housewife and mother for years when her loser husband leaves her for a younger woman. He strips her of everything and is determined to leave her destitute and homeless. Nora is devastated though not surprised by his behavior and struggles to find her independence when her friends turn her on The Channel-a cable channel she can request from the local cable company that wisks her away to her wildest fantasies come to life.

Fans of Bertrice Small may be unsettled by this contemporary romance and the depth of character development and historical setting is lacking. The tough topic of divorce and betrayal is juxtaposed with the freeness of sexual abandon. 2005, 320 pages.

Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot

Lizzie has a tough time with relationships and her current romantic endeavor is not looking much better. Her romantic trip fantasy to England to spend the summer with her boyfriend full with crumpets, tea and lots of sex in his flat is shattered by a reality of living with the parents, a problem with money and *gasp* did he really say Lizzie was fat? Taking a chance, Lizzie heads to France to spend the summer with her best friend who is catering a wedding in a fabulous chateau. Little does Lizzie know that the stranger she just poured her out to on the train is really the chateau’s owner. Is Lizzie’s luck about to change? A quick, romantic romp through the south of France will give the reader a touch of the exotic. Characters are easy to relate to and full of humorous situations. 2006, 308 pages.

I Went to Vassar For This? by Naomi Neale

Cathy Vorhees is a modern New York gal that has it all. She is thriving in the fast paced world of advertising until she screws up a presentation and is unceremoniously fired. After the unlikely event of an exploding mircrowave, Cathy finds herself stuck in 1959. Somehow she has replaced the life of a Cathy Voight who looks just like her but is a woman of questionable character who is mean to her friends, sleeps with married men and cheats her way to the top at work. Not sure of how to get back home Cathy throws herself into this new world of sexual harassment and where a woman’s reputation is all she has. Her new landlord Hank just might make it all worth it.

Neale writes a fast paced novel that focuses on the trials and tribulations Cathy faces in 1959. This does have an unexpected sobering effect on the reader when one realizes how far women’s rights have come. The setting of 1959 is integral to the setting and cannot be duplicated. 2006, 342 pages.

Too Perfect by Julie Ortolon

Amy is scared to travel and after making a bet with her two best friends, embarks on a Caribbean cruise as a nanny. However, Amy finds herself stranded on the island of St. Barts when she misses the boat. Determined to hold up her end of the bet, she stumbles upon a job working as a housekeeping in a private residence where the owner never reveals himself. Known to the islanders as La Bete, or the beast, Amy is determined to bring Guy out of his shell. What she doesn’t know is that Guy is really Byron Parks- a billionaire that is known more for his lack of caring about anything except himself. Can Amy show Byron what life can really be or are they doomed from the start?

This romance is told from two viewpoints, Amy & Byron. However, most of the story comes from Amy. The tone is a mixture of light romance and facing the fears that hold you back from truly living. The pace is somewhat fast. The setting of St. Barts adds a touch of tropical flair but for the most part brings little to the actual storyline. 2005, 295 pages.

#3 in the perfect series. Almost Perfect, Just Perfect and Too Perfect.

Queen of the Universe by Barbara Plum

Kelsey has found the perfect man in Finn, a cop that is completely gaga for her. Kelsey just cannot believe that he truly loves her and her five-year-old son and will support her in all her ambitions. See, Kelsey has big dreams of being on National TV and becoming a star. But when her life takes a few unexpected turns and she shies away from telling Finn the truth-will the perfect man be able to overcome Kelsey’s obstacles?

Quick pace and one dimensional characters. Readers may find their mouths wide open at the odd situations such as drunken driving, sexual harassment & lying that are perfectly acceptable behaviors. The setting is not integral to the story-could be set anywhere. The novel is meant to be humorous and light. 2005, 345 pages.