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

A Mommy for Christmas-Cathy Gillen Thacker

A Mommy for Christmas

Cathy Gillen Thacker

Harlequin American, Dec 2009, $4.99

ISBN: 9780373752904

 

In Fort Worth, Texas, neighbors Travis Carson and Holly Butler are there for each other when it comes to raising their respective children.  Both are single parents whose kids are used to being supervised by either parent.  They even share the same nanny.

 

Widower Travis’ daughters four year old Sophie and three year old Mia send a letter to Santa asking him to bring them a mommy for Christmas that shakes their daddy to the core.  Holly’s three years old twin boys Tucker and Tristan ask Santa for something more practical, a spaceship big enough to fly them away.  Meanwhile Holly’s former husband Clifford Baxter who rejected all rights to the kids suddenly wants to spend quality time with his twin offspring whom he ignored.  These are the impetus for Travis and Holly to explore how they really feel beyond friendship.

 

This is a terrific holiday second chance at love family drama filled with a strong cast.  The story line is character driven by the good, the precious and the shallow as events caused by the ex and the kids lead to love.  Readers will enjoy this entertaining Christmas tale.

 

Harriet Klausner

 

Power Play-Nancy Warren

Power Play

Nancy Warren

Harlequin Blaze, Nov 2009, $4.99

ISBN: 9780373795062

 

Regretting saying yes to being a bridesmaid at Cousin Leanne’s wedding, massage therapist Emily Saunders returns home to Elk Crossing, Idaho.  She is staying at the Elk Crossing Lodge along with the ugliest dress in creation, pumpkin colored and shaped like it was grown in the field.   Bed bugs attack her.

 

Cop Jonah Betts is in Elk Crossing for the over thirties Old Timers Hockey League tournament.  He and his horde of players have left no rooms available for Emily and others forced out of theirs.  Due to further incompetence, Emily and Jonah share a room.  They are attracted to one another, but he promised her he would not make the first pass while they share a room; however if she makes that first pass, he will shoot for the hat trick with her.  Instead she places him in the penalty box.  Neither expected a Power Play by an unknown killer.

 

This is a super contemporary romance with hockey and homicide to round out the amusing comedy of errors.  The story line is a fast-paced lighthearted frolic that readers will enjoy unless they recently purchased a bridesmaid dress.  Readers will enjoy this fine Idaho caper especially the final resolution of what to do with Big Orange (except for fans in Syracuse or Denver) in a state rooting for blue as in the Boise State field.

Harriet Klausner

Hot Spell-Michelle Rowen

Hot Spell

Michelle Rowen

Harlequin Blaze, Nov 2009, $

ISBN: 9780373795079

Paranormal Assessment and Recovery Agency psychic Amanda LaGrange hates her skill as she believes her father deserted the family when she was a child because he loathed her abnormal ability.  Empathic Jacob Caine only recently learned of his uncanny talent and relishes using it to help others.

 

They are attracted to one another, but her self-loathing leaves them with no chance to explore a relationship between two people with extraordinary skills as she sees it as a curse and he believes strongly both of them have a special gift.  Although she prefers not to work with him because she knows she wants him but distrusts relationships as men leave, they unite to investigate an alleged haunted house.  There they meet two ghosts who were lovers in life, but murdered and trapped by a curse until someone frees them.

 

This is a fascinating paranormal romance as the modern day couple become “cursed” so must resolve the mystery of the ghosts to free themselves.  The story lien is entertaining although Amanda’s constant self deprecation after a while turns into a super whine.  Still fans will believe in ghosts and the ghostbusters as Michelle Rowan enahcnts her fans with a Hot Spell.

 

Harriet Klausner

Christmas Diamonds-Devon Vaughn Archer

Christmas Diamonds

Devon Vaughn Archer

Harlequin Kimani, Nov 2009, $5.99

ISBN: 9780373861392

 

Her mother dumped her as a child on her grandmother who raised her with love.  However, though beautiful and intelligent interior designer Paula Devine has a résumé of losers so has given up on a romantic relationship like that of her grandma whose husband proposed on Christmas.

 

Diamond jeweler Chase McCord misses his wife Rochelle who died two years ago.  He hires Paula to redecorate a room in his home.  However, before they meet formally, they encounter one another over cappuccinos in a cafe in Silver Moon, Washington which she, tired of trite males, rips his skin for staring at her.  After he takes her down a peg or two, they meet formally in his office.  As she works the renovation, they are attracted to one another, but he has doubts due to his feelings of deserting Rochelle and one of her ex boyfriends seems to have her on a string.

 

This is a fabulous holiday romance between a terrific female weary of the gender game and a wonderful somewhat fickle widower who is not afraid to exchange barbs.  This pair makes a fine couple, but their respective pasts haunt them more than the ghosts visiting Scrooge.  Readers will enjoy this fun tale as diamonds are a woman’s second best friend after the love of their life.

 

Harriet Klausner

 

A Conflict Of Interest-Anna Adams

A Conflict Of Interest

Anna Adams

Harlequin SuperRomance, Nov 2009, $5.50

ISBN: 9780373783434

Dr. Maria Keaton testifies against a teenage client Griff Butler accused of murder in court, but his lawyer accuses her of having an affair with his client.  She is suspended over the accusation of sexual misconduct.  Her peers kick her to the curb and her reputation torn to shreds as she is temporarily barred from practicing psychiatry.

 

Maria turns to Judge Jake Sloan, who was hearing the Butler case.  He has doubts about her professionalism, but quickly turns around convinced she is innocent except for being a good citizen.  As they begin to fall in love, he pulls back when he learns she was his daughter Leila’s shrink.

 

A Conflict of Interests is a great contemporary romance as Anna Adams looks deeply at psychological issues, court proceedings, and extended family.  Her mom and sister, and his daughter as well as Griff enhance the relationship between the lead couples as he is a control freak and she is an independent freak; their underlying respective philosophies of life are total opposites. Fans will relish Ms. Adams strong tale with a fabulous twist to the Butler case.

 

Harriet Klausner