Hero’s Tribute-Graham Garrison

Hero’s Tribute

Graham Garrison

Kregel, Oct 2009m $13.99

ISBN: 9780825426858

 

Michael Gavin is a hero in his hometown of Talking Creek, Georgia.  He was quarterback of the high school football team and played at the University of Georgia.  He was given the Medal of Honor for his distinguished service in Iraq.  Parents in Talking Creek always use Michael as the epitome of a person being all they can be; in other words a hero.

 

However everyone is shocked when Michael learns he has cancer; the townsfolk are there for him and his family whole sadly wondering why bad things happen to good people.  As he nears death, Michael asks sports reporter Wes Watkins to deliver the eulogy at his funeral.  Wes is stunned as he and Michael are strangers, but agrees.  He begins digging into the life of the local hero with an ulterior motive of using the story as a ticket out of town to the bigger gigs.  However, Wes begins to uncover some shocking secrets in the life of the paragon revered by his town.  He ponders who Michael truly was and if he tells the entire truth with what he learned what that says of him as he would push the statue of Mr. perfect off the pedestal.

 

Michael dies in the very beginning of the book, but readers see who he is through the filtered lens of different people especially his family, the townsfolk and the reporter as each provides their perspective.  Character driven, fans will appreciate this terrific insightful look at a Hero’s Tribute as to be human means to have flaws, but it takes Amazing Grace to move past them to greatness.  With a final twist at the eulogy that will leave readers stunned and wanting to join in on the four song tribute, Graham Garrison provides a strong Christian tale.

 

Harriet Klausner

 

Starstruck-Julie Kenner

Starstruck

Julie Kenner

Harlequin Blaze, Dec 2009, $4.99

ISBN: 9780373795123

 

Alyssa Chambers is on a business trip to Dallas where she hopes to make contact with rich Russell Starr at the opening of his newest hotel as she wants to obtain his business.  She persuades her friend Chris Hyde to allow her to accompany him to the festivities in which he has an invitation.

 

Alyssa is attracted to Chris, but writes him off as a potential mate because his friendship is important to her.  She also knows his work as a freelance writer means his income is sporadic but mostly none.  However, something odd happens at the gala, a magical need of two hearts beating as one.

 

Starstruck is an enjoyable heated contemporary romance starring two friends falling in love.  The story line is fast-paced from the onset as Chris knows what he wants for Christmas while Alyssa hesitates as his friendship means so much to her.  The plot may sound sub-genre typical, but Julie Kenner insures her readers will enjoy this couple’s best Christmas as each discovers their love for one another.

 

Harriet Klausner

 

Christmas Male-Cara Summers

Christmas Male

Cara Summers

Harlequin Blaze, Dec 2009, $4.99

ISBN: 9780373795154

 

Legend has it that the famous Rubinov Diamond causes incredible desire between people.  At the National Gallery, Police Lieutenant Fiona Gallagher scoffs at the myth as a romantic hooey.  However, she looks across a crowded room just before Christmas and her eyes meets that of a stranger; they connect.

 

Army Captain D.C. Campbell runs police security at Fort McNair.  He finds himself unable to stop staring at Fiona.  When the diamond is stolen, the military police officer and the civilian cop team up to try to recover the purloined gem.

 

With the National gallery and the rest of DC as a backdrop, they were “Strangers in the Night exchanging glances”, but instead of dancing the night away, they team up to chase a thief and fall in love.  Fans will enjoy this entertaining police procedural romance as the legendary Rubinov Diamond works its magic on two cops in time for Christmas.

 

Harriet Klausner

The Christmas Present-Tracy Wolff

The Christmas Present

Tracy Wolff

Harlequin SuperRomance, Dec 2009, $5.50

ISBN: 9780373716074

 

In San Francisco, Diego Sanchez who spends time at Rafael Cardoza’s Helping Hands community center is accused of murdering his pregnant teenage girlfriend.  Rafael believes Diego who swears he is innocent, not because the lad says so but because he knows how much Diego loved Esme.  He needs to find a good criminal layer but that costs money.

 

Rafael rescues divorce attorney Vivian Wentworth from a gang of teens.  A mutual friend Richard sent her to defend Diego pro bono though criminal law is far from her specialty.  Rafael thinks he should kick her back to uptown designer clothing where she belongs, but she refuses to quit.  Instead she works extremely hard to prove Diego is innocent while also persuading Rafael to escort her as they work the mean streets seeking expert witness.

 

This is an engaging legal thriller romance with a delightful lead couple from opposites sides of Geary Blvd falling in love while trying to defend a Hispanic teen from a murder rap.  In many ways Diego owns the story line as he has no time to grieve his loss as the system is ready to lock away a poor Hispanic not caring whether he did the brutal deed.  The Christmas Present is a strong tale with a deep social commentary bringing profoundness to the holiday season.

 

Harriet Klausner

Baby Under The Mistletoe-Jamie Sobrato

Baby Under The Mistletoe

Jamie Sobrato

Harlequin SuperRomance, Dec 2009, $5.50

ISBN: 9780373716043

 

Soleil Freeman and West Morgan are the last couple one would expect to see paired up.  He is career military; she is biracial teaching inner city children how to grow things on her farm.  Before his latest deployment, they heated up the sheets.

 

However, now she is carrying his offspring, but though a bit frightened of being a single mother, her biggest concern is what to do about the father.  Her hesitation to inform him abruptly ends when he comes home on leave and looks her up as he still wants her.  When he learns she is pregnant, he knows he wants both of them as he loves her and his unborn.

 

This is a timely contemporary romance as the fully developed lead couple tests whether love can overcome racial and social differences.  Fans will root for this couple to make it together as Soleil and West are attractive amiable lead protagonists.  Jamie Sobrato provides a wonderful tale that insists love can break down artificial barriers.

 

Harriet Klausner

A Mother’s Secret-Janice Kay Johnson

A Mother’s Secret

Janice Kay Johnson

Harlequin SuperRomance, Dec 2009, $5.50

ISBN: 9780373716029

 

Near San Francisco, Kane Construction company owner Daniel Kane is stunned to learn he has a four year old son.  He is outraged that his former girlfriend Rebecca Ballard never informed him about Malcolm; just like his mother concealed who his father is from him.

 

He vows at a minimum he will be a father to Malcolm, but also knows he wants Rebecca in his life although he is angry with her.  On the other hand, Rebecca never stopped loving Daniel, but fears his childhood hurts still haunts him and will never allow him to be a good father to Malcolm or a caring husband to her.

 

The solid cast especially the lead male makes for a deep contemporary romance as the child is the man.  Daniel wants Rebecca and Malcolm in his life, but also fears having hem in his life.  Rebecca knows here beloved carries baggage that prevents him from loving others.  Fans will relish this poignant second chance as Daniel needs to embrace not run from love.

 

Harriet Klausner

Flowers for Elvis-Julia Schuster

Flowers for Elvis

Julia Schuster

Bell Bridge, Apr 2009, $14.95

www.bellbridgebooks.com

ISBN: 9780982175613

 

Single woman Willard gives birth to twins; one is white while the other is black.  She knows that in the Eisenhower era in Mississippi she, the kids and her lover would be lynched.  However, the black child Olivia dies, but instead of the newborn’s soul going to heaven she remains at the portal to watch over her sister whose life will be difficult.  Willard’s sister Genevieve is also pregnant and the Mother Superior orders her to keep her niece (though she doesn’t know it is her sister’s child) saying she had twins.

 

Over the years Olivia’s spirit watches over her twins whom she loves equally.  They do not have an easy life because Genevieve is a bit touched, ignoring her children as they grow up; providing a terrible home-life due to drinking, stealing and turning tricks.  As a young teen Louisa gets pregnant and her lover refuses to leave his wife. Louisa stays with him as his mistress; she has several miscarriages.  Her twin Anna Beth tries to be supportive and though their lives are stretched neither breaks.  However, their attitude towards their mom is different as they have given up trying to reach the horrid woman.  Their spirit sister Olivia tries to console them as she knows God has a plan for each of them.

 

The poignant story line focuses on a dysfunctional suburban civil Rights Era dysfunctional Mississippi family.  The narrator Olivia tells the tale of her sisters and like readers learns late in the plot what her purpose is and why God cannot take her to him at this time.  Genevieve suffers from mental illness but little is understood about her illness. She is self destructs believing her patron saint is Elvis and she almost destroys the twins she neglects.  Flowers for Elvis is a touching tale made stronger by a unexpected spin.

 

Harriet Klausner

Lute Player-Norah Lofts

Lute Player

Norah Lofts

Touchstone, Dec 8 2009, $16.00

ISBN: 9781439146071

 

Blondel the lute player loves Berengaria the wife of his sire, King Richard the Lionhearted although he does not act on his regard for several reasons and not just because he would be executed.  He knows the woman he cherishes above all else loves her husband and beside he is the king’s companion and would never be disloyal.  Berengaria’s hunchbacked sister Anna Apieta is attracted to Blondel while Richard loves Crusading and men.

 

When Richard heads off for Jerusalem, Blondel accompanies him mostly because of his love for Berengaria.  After they failed, he returns home with his monarch until the king is captured in France.  He continues home not sure how to break the news to the woman he loves.

 

The Lute Player is a terrific medieval fiction in which the audience obtains a less romantic but totally human view of King Richard the Lionhearted and the Crusades through the eyes of four people impacted by the monarch and the war.  Besides the title player, the audience learns how the queen and her sister feel as well as the ruler’s mother Eleanor of Aquitaine.  With a strong antiwar message as the horrors come home to roost to those on the home front, Norah Lofts provides a super historical showcasing the effect of the Third Crusade on Richard’s mother and wife.

 

Harriet Klausner

Prodigal Father-Kara Lynn Russell

Prodigal Father

Kara Lynn Russell

Five Star, Dec 2009, $25.95

ISBN: 9781594148231

 

In Green Bay, three and a half years ago Scott Lind left his wife Beth who had miscarried shortly before he vanished.  He never emailed or called her or his parents.  Now he is back in town praying Beth will give him a second chance.  He starts his search for her at his father’s car dealership where he hopes his dad will help him.  Instead, he is shocked to find shy Beth selling cars as he assumed she went back to her estranged parents and school.

 

After his angry cousin punches him, he persuades his wife to have coffee with him to talk.  His father arrives and yells at him about being irresponsible deserting his pregnant spouse.  Scott is stunned as he did not know his spouse was pregnant again and gave birth to a little girl Risa who has Down’s syndrome.  He explains to her he inherited a resort in Spruce Point from a late friend a few hours to the north and wants his family to join him there.  Beth wants to say no as he left once before and fears he will harm Risa, but she sees how good he is with her daughter.  Although her father in-law wants her to kick his son to the curb, she decides to take a chance on love.

 

Although his inheritance simplifies Scott’s self esteem issue by giving him what he perceived he needed before he left, this is a terrific second chance at love family drama.  His wife expects Scott to leave again when the going gets tough.  He knows he must overcome his wife’s doubts though he proves good with Risa.  Fans will enjoy this fine tale as the Prodigal Father returns home to win back his wife only to learn he has a daughter to win over too.

 

Harriet Klausner

The Mating Game-Barbara Raffin

The Mating Game

Barbara Raffin

Five Star, Dec 2009, $25.95

ISBN: 9781594148248

 

Ten years ago they met in high school.  He was a hunk and she was the too tall, too skinny and too shy.  Clay Davidson made a bet that he could score with Kelby Richards, but when he had the chance in his mother’s Winnebago, he fled.  She later learned of the wager that just added to her broken heart as she knew he could not even make love to her.

 

His action towards “Stretch” upset Clay who ran away because he became frightened of his feelings towards Kelby.  He changed how he treated people because of her.  At a dog show in Wisconsin, they meet and he begs her for a second chance, but she refuses.  He still sees the hurt in her eyes.  His mom kidnaps his dog Pirate to persuade Kelby to breed with her canine Chancey.  They sign a contract, but Stretch makes it clear one heat season only and she is not part of the deal.  However, she fails to see the fine print he put on the contract.

 

This is an entertaining second chance at love romance as Kelby sees a second chance not to atone for what he did as a teen to Stretch, but to prove his love for her that he failed to understand back when they were in high school.  The support cast enhances the tale whether they are four legged or two legged as each in their own way causes havoc.  Fans will enjoy Clay’s efforts to persuade Kelby that men like him stay (unlike him in high school or her father) though his lone regret at his desperate second chance is using his pet Pirate as a matchmaking stud.

 

Harriet Klausner