Steadfast Soldier

WYATT, CHERYL

STEADFAST SOLDIER

Rescuing people is his job but the one person pararescue jumper Chance Garrison can't seem to help is his own ailing father, who refuses his much-needed physical rehabilitation. That is, until Chance hires unconventional occupational therapist Chloe Callet. To his surprise, Chloe and her sweet black Lab, Midnight, work wonders. And not only on the elder Garrison. Chance just may have met the woman who can get through his own toughened exterior. Can he persuade the lovely Chloe to take a chance -- on him?

CHERYL WYATT DOESN'T JUST USE WORDS TO TELL A STORY, SHE CRAFTS WITH THEM. HER PACING, DETAIL AND DIALOGUE DELIVER A TIGHT PLOT WITH IMPRESSIVE IMPACT. SUCCINCT WORD CHOICE STILL PACKS A WALLOP WITHOUT ROBBING THE READER OF AN EMOTIONAL CONNECTION WITH HER CHARACTERS.

AND CHERYL EXCELS AT CHARACTERIZATION. SHE CREATES THOUGHT-PROVOKING PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO FIND THEIR WAY THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES.

AS A ROMANTIC HERO, CHANCE GARRISON IS SUBLIME. CHERYL CONTRASTS HIS STRENGTHS WITH FEARS AND EXPOSES VULNERABILITIES THAT MAKE HIM BELIEVABLE AND VERY, VERY APPEALING. CHLOE CALLET HAS HER OWN BRAND OF STRENGTH BUT IS ALSO EMOTIONALLY FRAGILE. AT THE BEGINNING OF THE BOOK THEIR NEEDS AND DESIRES FOR THE FUTURE ARE DEFINITELY AT ODDS. PART OF THE JOY OF THIS READING JOURNEY IS DISCOVERING HOW CHERYL STACKS THOSE ODDS IN THEIR FAVOUR TO ENSURE A HAPPILY EVER AFTER ENDING.

THE ROMANTIC CONNECTION BETWEEN CHLOE AND CHANCE IS IMMEDIATE, BUT FRAUGHT WITH COMPLICATIONS. THAT DOESN'T STOP THE SLOW SIZZLE THAT GRADUALLY FANS INTO A DEEPLY-COMMITTED, GOD-CENTERED LOVE.

DEFINITELY AN INCREDIBLE READ THAT TRANSPORTED ME STRAIGHT INTO THE PAGES OF THE BOOK AND I DIDN'T WANT TO COME OUT!!! FROM PLOT, TO CHARACTERIZATION, TO ROMANCE, STEADFAST SOLDIER IS TOTALLY CAPTIVATING.

Letter Perfect

HAKE, CATHY MARIE

LETTER PERFECT

If her own two feet don't end up tripping her, Ruth Caldwell's mouth is likely to get her into equal trouble. But Ruth has the best of intentions. Truly. It's just that her attempts to live up to her mother's expectations of how a lady should act have often yielded...well, less than impressive results.

Josh McCain is speechless when he sees Ruth step off the stage in Folsom, California. Sure, it looks like she's been sleeping in her gown for the past week, but with a crown of riotous curls and those deep green eyes, she's certainly the most beautiful woman he's ever met.

But attraction is not all that causes sparks between Ruth and Josh. With Ruth's legitimate claim to an inheritance, the Broken P Ranch's future is suddenly precarious. And when Ruth's 'accidents' -- going beyond even her normal bumbling ways -- seem to take a sinister turn, Josh must decide where his loyalties lie.

CATHY MARIE HAKE HAS THE GIFT OF CREATING STRONG, INDEPENDENT AND INTELLIGENT FEMALE CHARACTERS -- AND THEN SHE TURNS THEIR WORLD UPSIDE DOWN AND THE RESULT IS ALWAYS A CAPTIVATING READ! AND YET, NONE OF HER BOOKS (I'VE READ THREE -- ALL HISTORICALS) ARE IN ANY WAY REPETITIVE.

I WAS CAPTIVATED BY RUTH CALDWELL FROM THE VERY FIRST PAGE AND WAS QUICKLY IMMERSED IN HER STORY -- ESPECIALLY WHEN IT TURNED SURPRISINGLY SUSPENSEFUL.

JOSH MCCAIN DIDN'T STAND A CHANCE AND IT WAS FUN TO WATCH HIM REACT TO RUTH'S ANTICS BUT HAKE GAVE HIM A SENSE OF HUMOUR AND READING DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE TWO HAD ME LAUGHING OUT LOUD.

THE SUSPENSE WAS SOLID AND BROUGHT TO A STAND-UP-AND-CHEER CONCLUSION AS TRUTH COMES TO LIGHT. FANS WHO LOVE A BLEND OF HUMOUR AND MYSTERY ALONGSIDE A SWEET ROMANCE WILL LOVE LETTER PERFECT.

The Cinderella List

BAER, JUDY

THE CINDERELLA LIST

Wanted: One smart, kind, thoughtful -- and totally gorgeous -- man! Since she was a child, Marlo Mayfield has kept a list of traits her Prince Charming must possess.

After a series of bad relationships, Marlo's beginning to lose hope that her ideal man exists. But when she caters a party for Jake Hammond, Marlo realizes he could be the man she's been waiting for. There's only one problem: Jake is super wealthy, and Marlo's not sure she fits into his blue-blooded world. But Jake is determined to show Marlo that with a little faith and a lot of love, he just might be the one.

THIS IS A LOVELY, CLASSIC PURE ROMANCE. IT HAS TRADITIONAL LINES AND JUDY HAS FLESHED OUT THE CHARACTERS NICELY. I REALLY LIKE IT WHEN AN AUTHOR INCLUDES HER OWN INTERESTS IN A BOOK SINCE IT LENDS AN AIR OF AUTHENTICITY TO THE STORY. JUDY'S LOVE OF HORSES AND HER TRAINING IN EQUINE-ASSISTED PSYHCOTHERAPY PROVIDES A NICE BACKGROUND TO THE ROMANTIC PLOT LINE. A VERY NICE 'ESCAPE' READ.

Forevermore

HAKE, CATHY MARIE

FOREVERMORE

There is no one quite like Hope Ladley. A veritable dandelion in the wind, she blows from one farm to the next, roaming the Texas countryside as an itinerant cook. When she rides her mule, Hattie, onto the Stauffer farm, Hope knows this is the place the Lord wants her to be.

Jakob Stauffer, though grateful for a cook to assist his pregnant sister and young daughter through the harvest, is baffled by Hope's unconventional methods as she gets things done around the farm. Yet he can't deny the way her sunny disposition and unstinting love make changes of a different kind...even within his own heart.

HOPE HAS TO BE ONE OF THE MOST INNOVATIVE AND CHARMING CHARACTERS I HAVE EVER MET!!!!! SHE CAPTIVATED ME FROM THE FIRST PAGE AND HELD ME ENTHRALLED RIGHT TO THE END. AND ALL THE WHILE I READ, I MARVELED AT CATHY MARIE HAKE'S INCREDIBLE IMAGINATION.

HOPE MANGLES IDIOMS AND HER SPEECH IS PEPPERED WITH THEM. IT'S INCREDIBLE THAT CATHY CAME UP WITH SO MANY, BUT THEN SHE FINDS A WAY TO TWIST THEM INTO HILARIOUS FAUX PAS THAT IRONICALLY MAKE SENSE AND LETS HOPE BLITHELY SPEW THEM THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE BOOK. BRILLIANT. BRILLIANT. BRILLIANT. NOT ONLY FUNNY AND ENDEARING, BUT SUCH A CLEVER WAY FOR THE READER TO CONNECT WITH A CHARACTER.

I LOVE THE WHOLE PREMISE OF HOPE BRINGING A HEALING CHANGE. SHE'S A MAGICAL CHARACTER -- KIND OF LIKE A MARY POPPINS ON A GRANDER SCALE...AND MAYBE A FAIRY GODMOTHER WITH COMMON SENSE...NOT TO MENTION AN AMELIA BEDELIA FOR THE OLDER SET. I DON'T THINK MY DESCRIPTIONS CAN DO JUSTICE TO HOPE. SHE'S EXCEPTIONALLY UNIQUE. PERIOD.

THIS IS A DEFINITE MUST-READ FOR HISTORICAL LOVERS -- AND IF HISTORICALS AREN'T YOUR THING -- MAKE AN EXCEPTION. YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED.

Texas Pursuit

SMITH, DEBRA WHITE

TEXAS PURSUIT

Tired of waiting for the right man to start a family, Tanya flew halfway around the world alone to adopt her son. On the return flight, she was seated next to a man named Maurice and endured hours of his comments and innuendos. Once they landed in Dallas, he started stalking her -- sending gifts, leaving voice mails, following her everywhere...finally forcing her to move,

Maurice hires private detective Sonny Mansfield, whose intentions were good when he agreed to help a client locate his missing "ex-wife" and kidnapped "son". But watching Tanya with her little boy, Sonny realizes he's made a terrible mistake by inadvertently leading danger back into her life.

Joining forces to defeat the madman, Sonny and Tanya can't deny the attraction they feel for each other. But their love will be short-lived if they aren't able to escape Maurice for good.

ENJOYABLE MYSTERY/SUSPENSE. THE TAUT PLOT MAKES THIS A PAGE-TURNER BUT THE DEVELOPING ROMANCE BETWEEN SONNY AND TANYA MAKES YOU SAVOR EVERY LAST WORD. THE SECOND IN A SERIES BUT IT WASN'T CONFUSING TO READ FIRST. KUDOS TO DEBRA FOR MAKING IT READ LIKE A STAND ALONE. I'LL DEFINITELY BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR TEXAS HEAT (THE FIRST OF THE SERIES WHICH IS OUT NOW) AND LOOK FORWARD TO THE THIRD BOOK WHEN IT IS PUBLISHED.

The Doctor's Perfect Match

HANNON, IRENE

THE DOCTOR'S PERFECT MATCH

Prescription for romance. His Nantucket neighbour is tring to fix him up with Marci Clay? First of all, Dr. Christopher Morgan doesn't date. Not since his last relationship ended in tragedy. And second, he and the pretty waitress with the secretive past come from two different worlds. Worlds that he will not let collide during the few weeks she has left on the island, Besides, Marci seems as wary of him as he is of her. Until he discovers a special cure for the sadness in her emerald green eyes: a heaping dose of faith, trust and love.

THIS IS AN EXCEPTIONAL READ! IRENE HAS AN INCREDIBLE TALENT FOR CREATING IMAGES WITH HER WORDS --THEY BREATHE LIFE INTO HER CHARACTERS AND RELATIONSHIPS. AS USUAL, IRENE CHALLENGES HER CHARACTERS (AND READERS) TO DELVE DEEPLY INTO THEIR FAITH. A BEAUTIFUL TESTAMENT TO HOW FORGIVENESS BRINGS HOPE.

Love on a Dime

JAMES, CARA LYNN

LOVE ON A DIME

Newport, Rhode Island, 1899, is a place of shimmering waves, sleek yachts, and ladies of leisure. Of opulent mansions that serve as summer cottages for the rich and famous. Home of railroad magnates and banking tycoons -- dashing young men and the women who inspire them.

But it's not the place for lady novelists. Especially not those who pen disreputable dime novels. This poses a problem for Lilly Westbrook, because that's exactly what she does.

No one in Lilly's social set knows she pens fiction under the nom de plume Fannie Cole. Not her family or the wealthy young man about to propose to her. And especially not Jackson Grail, the long-lost beaut who just bought her publishing company...and who stirs her heart more than she cares to admit.

But Lilly must put aside her feelings and follow the path that will maintain her family's social stature and provide the financial security everyone is depending on.

Now Lilly faces a double-dilemma. Can she continue to protect her secret identity? And will she have the courage to choose the man who will risk it all just to win her heart?

THIS IS A WONDERFUL STORY ABOUT A YOUNG WOMAN WHO IS AT ODDS WITH RESTRICTIONS PLACED ON A YOUNG LADY OF QUALITY IN THE 19TH CENTURY. LILLY IS FIERCELY LOYAL TO HER FAMILY TO THE POINT OF NEARLY LOSING HERSELF AS SHE STRIVES TO BE THE PERFECT DAUGHTER, SISTER AND FIANCEE. THE TROUBLE IS THAT THE REAL LILLY ISN'T AS PROPER AND MALLEABLE AS EVERYONE THINKS! WRITING DIME NOVELS ON THE SLY PROVIDES LILLY WITH AN OUTLET FOR HER CREATIVITY AND IMAGINATIVE NATURE BUT SOON THREATENS EVERYTHING SHE HOLDS DEAR.

LILLY IS A MULTI-FACETED CHARACTER. I LOVED THE CONTRASTS IN HER. SHE HAD LEARNED TO PLAY HER ROLE SO WELL THAT SHE WAS IN DANGER OF BELIEVING IT. I WANTED TO SCREAM AT HER AT TIMES, SHAKE SOME SENSE INTO HER AS SHE SEEMED RESIGNED TO FOLLOW A FUTURE THAT REALLY HELD NO APPEAL TO HER. SHE WAS SO DETERMINED TO PLAY THE ROLE OF DUTIFUL DAUGHTER THAT SHE IGNORED THE FACT THAT SHE WAS MISERABLE. SHE HAD THIS MISGUIDED IDEA THAT WHAT SHE WANTED DIDN'T COUNT. I ENJOYED WATCHING THIS 'LOST LILLY' FIND HERSELF WITH THE HELP OF HER FORMER SUITOR, JACK.

I LOVED THE INNOVATIVE DIME NOVEL ANGLE! WRITERS AND READERS OF INSPIRATIONAL ROMANCE CAN DEFINITELY RELATE TO THE TIMELESS DEBATE ABOUT THE WORTHINESS OF THIS TYPE OF LITERATURE. AND LILLY'S DIME NOVELS REVEAL A REBELLIOUS STREAK AS SHE FIGHTS AGAINST COMPLETELY CONFORMING TO SOCIETY'S DEMANDS.

JACK HAS ALL THE ELEMENTS OF A SWOONWORTHY HERO. REPENTANT, DETERMINED, BESOTTED AND BOLD. A SELF-MADE MAN WHO DISCOVERS HE NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OR HE COULD LOSE HIMSELF IN HIS NEW-FOUND WEALTH.

THIS BOOK IS ABOUT FINDING A BALANCE WHILE KEEPING GOD AT THE CENTER. A FANTASTIC DEBUT NOVEL.