Contemporary Romance

BOOK REVIEW: Free Fall by Catherine Mann

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This book is my all time favorite book by this author.  It is part of the Elite Forces series.  It works well as a stand alone book.

Pararescueman Jose Cuervo James is 100% committed to his job and leaves no room for anything else.  He is also a recovering alcoholic who can’t seem to come to terms with his past.  Stella Carson is an undercover Interpol agent hoping for the “white picket fence” some day.  She became an agent in hopes of finding out what really happened to her missionary mother who died in Africa.  They are brought together on a high-risk rescue deep in the African jungle.

The author focuses  on the mission of rescuing Stella and her fellow hostages and preventing an attack on the US Embassy and First Lady of the United States.  Stella and Jose’s romance develops slowly as we learn about each of their pasts with all their flaws and imperfections.

The author writes an intriguing, captivating story with very likable characters.  The story is fast-paced and filled with edge of your seat suspense with a few surprises thrown in.  You feel like you are in the middle of all the action.  There are subplots that keep the story moving and your interest piqued.  It’s a book you just can’t put down!

Today’s Romance Novels

/ Linda / 1 Comment

Today’s romance novels are not the bodice ripping, sex saturated, moaning and groaning, air head woman vs. chest beating man, empty stories of the 70’s and 80’s.  Today’s romances have evolved to complex plots, with smart, savvy heartsheroines and sensitive, flawed heroes.  The old romance books had the domineering man “rescuing” the passive woman.  Today you’ll find strong, independent women who sometimes do the “rescuing”.  While most of today’s books have the “happily ever after ending”, some stories end up “happy for now”, or “satisfied with my live as is”.  Most romances today don’t center around just the two main characters.  You learn about their families and friends, the town they live in, the world around them.  Today’s romance reader is smart, educated, thoughtful, and complex.  Today’s romances run the gambit from historical England, to the wild American West, to the military, to small town life.  They can be inspirational, suspenseful, other worldly and a whole host of subgenres – so many that everyone will be able to find the right fit for their reading pleasure.  It is a bit deceiving to label a book “romance”, when it fits quite nicely as a “literary” novel.  Below is a list of just a few of the romance subgenres.

  1. Medieval
  2. Historical (England, Scotland)
  3. American Historical
  4. Western (Contemporary)
  5. Western (Historical)
  6. Contemporary (Serious)
  7. Contemporary (Humorous)
  8. Suspense
  9. Thriller
  10. Military
  11. Paranormal(Vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters)
  12. Paranormal(Ghosts, witches)
  13. Futuristic/Fantasy
  14. Regency Romances
  15. Victorian Romances
  16. Inspirational(Historical)
  17. Inspirational(Contemporary)
  18. Erotic
  19. Chick Lit
  20. Romantic Mysteries

The Library has an excellent selection of mass market romance paperbacks located on the main level near the front windows.

Which is your favorite genre?

BOOK REVIEW: Three Sisters by Susan Mallery

/ Linda / 1 Comment

This is a story about three very different women who live in three very distinctive homes on the same street.  Because theirs are the only homes on the street, they are thrown together to forge a very special bond.

Andi is jilted at the altar in Seattle and decides to make a drastic change in her life by buying a rundown home on Blackberry Island.  Being a pediatrician, she plans to have her practice on the main level, and live on the floors above.  Of course, the contractor she hires is single and sexy, but has his flaws too.

Deanna is the “perfect” mom, “perfect” wife, “perfect” homemaker.  But by being perfect, she’s in danger of losing herself and her family.

Boston is an artist who married her college sweetheart.  The death of their six month old son puts her marriage in jeopardy.

The stories of these three women and the men in their lives are intriguing, relateable, poignant, and compelling.  The author weaves emotional tales of love, tragedy, courage and friendship.  I felt so connected to the characters, that I actually cried at the end!

Top 15 Authors of 2012

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dollar signMost authors will tell you, it’s very hard to earn a living as an author.  There are, however, a few exceptions to the rule!  Forbes Magazine came up with the 15 top earning authors of 2012.  Results are based on computations by the Forbes staff.

1.  James Patterson – $94 million
2.  Stephen King – $39 million
3.  Janet Evanovich – $33 million
4.  John Grisham – $26 million
5.  Jeff Kinney – $25 million
6.  Bill O’Reilly – $24 million
7.  Nora Roberts – $23 million
8.  Danielle Steel – $23 million
9.  Suzanne Collins – $20 million
10. Dean Koontz – $19 million
11. J K Rowling – $17 million
12. George RR Martin – $15 million
13. Stephanie Meyer – $14 million
14. Ken Follett – $14 million
15. Rick Riordan – $13 million

Do you have a favorite?

BOOK REVIEW: When Summer Comes By Brenda Novak

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This is a beautifully written contemporary story of two strangers who meet in the middle of the night.  A cliche? Yes.  But, the story is anything but a cliche.  This is book three of the Whiskey Creek series.  It’s a little helpful to read them in order, but they can also stand alone.  Whiskey Creek is a wonderful, small town where most of the residents were born and raised there.  This series centers mainly on a group of high school friends now in their 30’s.

We are introduced to a professional photographer, Callie, who is in need of a liver transplant.  She has decided to keep her illness from family and friends and has moved from town to the farm of her late grandparents to sort out what’s left of her life.

Levi McCloud is a former martial arts champion and military vet now turn drifter.  His motorcycle breaks down not far from Callie’s farm.  While pushing the bike, he is viciously attacked by two dogs and seeks help at Callie’s door.

It was very interesting to watch these two characters’ relationship develop.  The author weaves a touching, emotional story about taking risks, forgiveness and letting your heart lead the way to a better life.  I thought I was going to encounter an overused, worn story line with predictable scenes, but instead was totally drawn into a dramatic, believable story that I just couldn’t put down.