Under The Mistletoe

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Book Review, Jill Shalvis, Lucky Harbor, Under The Mistletoe

Under the Mistletoe is the newest installment in Jill Shalvis’s Lucky Harbor series and provides long-time readers a quick update, while giving new readers a tantalizing glimpse into her wonderful little town. Mia, who first appeared in The Sweetest Thing, is coming home for her aunt Chloe’s Christmas Eve wedding and asks her boyfriend Nick to come with her. Nick refuses, leaving Mia to wonder where their relationship is heading.

When I hear that Shalvis has released a new book, my first response is “Gimme, gimme, gimme!” and this one didn’t disappoint. It’s short, less than 100 pages, but packs a lot into a short space. It’s not as detailed as one of her longer novels, which is to be expected, but it is still full of heart and fun.

Both Mia and Nick have some issues resulting from their childhood – Mia was adopted and Nick spent his in foster homes. Mia reacts by needing to have people close to her but Nick is the opposite, wanting his space. Both have to evaluate where they want their relationship to go when these opposing needs collide.

Under the Mistletoe will bring readers a little Christmas cheer all year long. Those who have read Shalvis’s earlier stories will love getting an update on Maddie, Tara and Chloe. If you haven’t visited Lucky Harbor, this is a good place to get a quick taste. You’ll likely find yourself heading out to get her backlist.

The Bridegroom Wore Plaid

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Book Review, Grace Burrowes, The Bridegroom Wore Plaid

Grace Burrowes begins a new historical romance series with a bang. In order to help his clan, Ian MacGregor, the Earl of Balfour, must marry an heiress. Genie Daniels’s parents want a title for her. The match should be perfect, except it is Genie’s penniless cousin, Augusta, that Ian can’t resist.

The Bridegroom Wore Plaid is a thrilling story, full of intrigue, danger, love and heartache. There isn’t much of a mystery – readers are given the villain right away and his reasons are made obvious – but the way it plays out is still very thrilling and the ending is quite satisfying.

Ian is all you could want in a sexy Scottish hero. He’s loyal, dedicated to his family, hard working, and handsome. He’s willing to sacrifice his own happiness but he won’t make anyone else suffer if he can help it. Some may be uncomfortable that he’s trying to woo one girl while secretly seeing her cousin, especially because they believe it can lead nowhere, but there has been no agreement made to actually wed Genie. They are just supposed to be getting to know one another to see if they would suit. Ian is desperate for her money but he is too honorable to intentionally hurt her.

Augusta has had a hard life as the family’s poor relation, since the death of her family. Spending time with Ian, though, reminds her of the person she used to be and helps her grow into someone more. She’s smart, interesting, and pretty. She cares about those around her and only wants to see them happy.

There are a handful of secondary characters that add depth and interest to the story – Ian’s brothers (Con and Gil), their sister (Mary Fran), Genie, Genie’s sister (Hester), their aunt (Julia), Genie’s brother (Matthew) and Mary Fran’s fun-loving daughter (Fiona). The developing relationships among them don’t get a lot of detail but Mary Fran and Matthew have a novella coming soon, so there might also be ones in the works for the others. Regardless, they provide some added emotion to an already heartwarming story.

If you like a little suspense and heat in your historical romances, The Bridegroom Wore Plaid is a perfect choice.

An Infamous Marriage

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An Infamous Marriage, Book Review, Susanna Fraser

A couple wed because of a death-bed promise, a romance destroyed during its first tender moments by infidelity … Can they make their relationship work? Jack Armstrong joined the army young and has spent most of his adult years in foreign lands. Home on leave, he finds his childhood friend dying and makes a promise to marry the man’s widow before heading back to his post in Canada. Years later he has returned, only to find a furious wife waiting for him. Because of their unusual beginning, Elizabeth didn’t necessarily expect her husband to forgo other women, but she did expect him to be discreet. She’s been living with scorn and pity for years because of his actions. Can he do anything to win her forgiveness … And her love?

An Infamous Marriage is a regency treat. It takes place in the country, far from the glittery London ton, and centers around a gentleman farmer turned soldier during times of peace and war. A good historical romance gives readers a glimpse of the time without boring them or leaving them to feel like they’d spent time in the classroom. This one is no exception. Susanna Fraser shares small snippets of North America during the beginning of the 19th Century as well as life of English country gentry. The ending brings us to Waterloo and, though there is some artistic license, it paints an intriguing, personal picture of the time leading to Bonaparte’s defeat. My only real complaint is that we are introduced to characters and then not provided their fate. I can only hope there are other stories for them in the works.

I’m not a fan of infidelity in my romances but in this case it works. The marriage is more like a technicality, something on paper and not in spirit. It gives Jack someone at home to take care of things and Elizabeth has someone to support her. She isn’t as upset of Jack’s actions as she is by the gossip it creates and I enjoyed the conflict that arose from it, painful as it was at times. Their developing feelings are handled smartly and the realization of their love, and all the fallout it could bring, is very sweet.

This is Fraser’s third novel and packs quite a punch – full of heart and wit and fire. I’m looking forward to hunting down her other two novels and will definitely keep an eye out for future projects.

By the Book

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Book Review, By the Book, Mary Kay McComas

Ellen Webster feels like the poster child for the adage about nice people finishing last.  In a single day, she loses a parking space, her place in line at the store, and a promotion, plus she finds out that the woman she trained at work makes more money and her friend is interested in the guy Ellen wants to date.  Spotting a booklet titled ”Have It Your Way, Getting What You Want”, she decides she’s had enough.  She’s going to start standing up for herself.

By the Book is a lovely little story.  As with McComas’s story Ms. Miller and the Midas Man, it was written in the mid-90s but it doesn’t really affect the book.  Ellen has to learn what is important to her and the kind of person she wants to be.  She’s sweet, caring, and giving, but she feels like she gets taken advantage of.  She’s also tired of never getting the guy.  All the women at the bank have noticed the mysterious stranger who is running the store across the street.  Can she turn her new attitude into a date with the hunky new guy?  Although readers will realize where the book will lead them, Ellen’s journey is quite enjoyable.

Jonah Blake has his own issues.  His father left him alone at military school while he traveled the world as a photographer.  Now, years later and after no contact with his father, Jonah is in town running his father’s camera shop while he is in the hospital following a stroke.  Jonah has long-held bitterness and anger directed at his father for his abandonment.  He finds himself attracted to Ellen and her generosity, but has not found an opportunity to meet her.  He finally gets his chance and her very big heart works its magic on him.

By the Book brings readers an endearing tale of a woman who just needs to realize that being a good person doesn’t mean that she can’t also be happy.

Ms. Miller and the Midas Man

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Book Review, Mary Kay McComas, Ms. Miller and the Midas Man

In Ms. Miller and the Midas Man, Augusta Miller has spent her life feeling like a disappointment.  Since the age of 4, she’s been on the path to being a world-renowned violinist.  But an injury forced her to quit.  Now she teaches music in a small town elementary school and gives violin lessons on the side.  She’s looking to make a safe, comfortable world for herself and she doesn’t believe it can include her sexy next-door neighbor.  In order to be closer to his daughter, Scott Hammond takes the job of high school principal in his home town and moves into his childhood home.  He’s fascinated by his gorgeous neighbor and it’s apparent that, though she doesn’t want to, Augusta also feels the attraction.  Can Scott help her overcome her past and take a chance on a long-term relationship?  Can she get over the fear that she will somehow disappoint him too?

Originally published in 1998, this story does nothing to show its age.  The characters are entertaining and funny, but Gus’s insecurities and Scott’s reaction give it heart.  I was a little confused by the depth of her issues, based on the reasoning provided, but, as is often the case, childhood feelings are deeply rooted and can seem inflated when seen with adult eyes.  Once I accepted it, the story moved quite well.  Scott is perfect, of course – kind, caring, hard-working, smart, handsome, and funny.  He’s a good father, a dedicated principal, and a sexy mate.  He doesn’t have any issues left over from his divorce, which is refreshing.  The conflict in the story comes solely from Gus but it is handled nicely.

Ms. Miller and the Midas Man is a sweet story of a woman coming to terms with her worth, finding the ability to trust in herself, and believing that she is enough to be happy in love.

Twice the Trouble

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Book Review, Judy Griffith Gill, Twice the Trouble

On the first day of second grade, Maggie Adair receives a call that her daughter has been fighting.  She’s stunned, because her daughter is usually a quiet student.  New to town, widower Dr. John Martin also gets a call that his daughter has been in a fight.  He’s not surprised, since his daughter is somewhat volatile, until he finds out that she’s on the receiving end.  When the two arrive at the school, they are amazed to find out that their girls have been mixed up because they look exactly alike.  Apparently Jolene and Andi are twins separated at birth and adopted to different couples.  Is this a chance for these two families to be one?  Maggie was burned by love and John has secrets of his own.  Can they overcome their pasts and create a future?

I really enjoyed Twice the Trouble.  It is fast and somewhat short (a little over 150 pages), a perfect fit for the more hectic holiday season when you can only steal a few moments to read.  It is similar to Gill’s Summer Lover in that it is a re-release of a story originally published in the 1990s.  It doesn’t really show its age,  just a couple of spots where you might go “huh?” until you remember it is an older story (like Michael Bolton on the radio or a car phone instead of a cell phone).

It is also similar to Summer Lover in that it moves very quickly.  The romance between Maggie and John doesn’t take long to develop, although they do a good job of fighting their attraction for a while.  Both have their reservations about getting involved, most notably the fact that the girls are sisters and could be hurt if things don’t work out, but it flows very well.  Both Maggie and John are believable and interesting.  Their reasons for not getting involved, and their struggles about it, make for an interesting read.

In Twice the Trouble, Gill gives readers likable main characters, adorable little girls, and a few quirky small town citizens to liven things up.  If you’ve got some time in between shopping, cooking and wrapping, kick your feet up and slip into this enjoyable tale of two people deciding if they are ready to take a risk on love.

Summer Lover

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Book Review, Judy Griffith Gill, Summer Lover

The attraction between Gray Kincaid and Donna Mailer is instantaneous and undeniable.  But can Donna trust him?  Ten years ago her world was shattered by his father and half-brother, forcing her to leave home.  Now his father wants to buy her family’s campground and appears to be willing to do just about anything to get it, regardless of legality.  For Gray, Donna is his ideal woman.  Can he convince her that he’s nothing like his family?  Or will a decade old secret ruin everything?

Summer Lover is a fast, enjoyable read.  It came in at a little over a hundred pages and moved quickly.  I had some trouble with the dialogue, mostly early in the story, because Gray seemed to move too quickly and be a little pushy.  I did get past it and I think that it was partly due to the book originally being published in 1992.

I liked the plot – I thought I’d figured out how the secret would play out, but it took a little bit of a turn toward the end that was fun.   I did have issues with the way it was resolved with Gray’s father.  I felt that there could have been more detail to explain his actions and how things were going to proceed.  Overall, though, the rest of the story was engaging enough to make up for it.

The characters were fun, once I got past my initial reaction to Gray.  He overcame any negative feelings I had quickly, showing a charming, caring side to his personality.  There have been difficult moments in Donna’s life and she’s understandably wary of getting involved with Gray.  She’s somewhat sheltered because of her past and Gray has to deal with getting through her shields.

I think that for some the story may move too quickly – the book covers just a few days – but it delivers a good light read with a bit of a bite.  The time spent while Gray and Donna get to know each other is sweet, with the secrets and revelations adding some depth.

My Kind of Christmas

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Book Review, My Kind of Christmas, Robyn Carr, Virgin River

Angie LeCroix came to Virgin River to visit her Uncle, Jack Sheridan, and decide what she wants to do with her life following a severe car accident.  She is immediately drawn to Patrick Riordan, the youngest of the Riordan brothers, who is also visiting so he can evaluate his life after his best friend dies in battle.  Both are convinced they just need some time to themselves, that is until they meet and decide they just want time alone together.  But, of course, the Sheridans and Riordans can’t help getting involved.

My Kind of Christmas is the newest in Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series.  Although it can stand alone, it will be like a holiday visit with old friends for those that have enjoyed earlier books in the series.  If this is your first, no worries – you’ll feel right at home and will want to spend more time in Virgin River reading the previous stories.  Although Carr’s little town isn’t as quirky as Jill Shalvis’s Lucky Harbor or Susan Mallery’s Fool’s Gold, it does have a lot in common with them – it’s a town full of people with big hearts, who give everything they have, creating a place that is extremely appealing even during the hard times.

Angie has a delightfully blunt charm.  She’s young but she’s had a serious, life-altering event and it’s caused her to take a closer look at where her life is headed.  Paddy is a little misguided but it is understandable for all he’s been through.  The emotional roller coaster he’s on, one of guilt, anger and grief, would play with anyone’s mind.  Once they meet, the two are inseparable – giving so much to those around them, helping each other work through their issues, and deciding where to they want to go after this break from their normal lives.  The supporting cast is wonderfully nosey, entertaining and caring.  Guaranteed to entice new readers to run out to get the rest of the series and get to know them even better.