For my more serious side

Please visit my other blog for my more serious side:

http://evysbooks.blogspot.com/

I started my own challenge and hope I can read all those books by the end of the year!

Once upon a Valentine by Holly Jacobs

So, here is Holly's final book in the Trilogy (though I hope she finds a mate for Judge Bradley). Could Heidi be that person?

Ok, lets get down to business. Carly is newly divorced from her husband since she caught him cheating with his secretary on their couch.......a couch she bought. We won the infamous couch in the divorce settlement and decided to torch it. Well, that didn't go too well as she ended up burning up her shed and the neighbor's shed and got arrested for arson. She was ordered to do community service by Judge Bradley (Alan) who as it turns out, is the brother-in-law of Chuck, the officer that Carly has to work with.

Chuck is oh so nice but has a rule that he won't date a woman after 6 weeks. He did want to go out with Carly (though she has a wild side). Carly is also a bit wary of men after the drama with her ex.

I liked Carly and found her to be strong, witty, compassionate. She spent all her life jumping through hoops for her husband and I liked that Holly "allowed" her some time to find herself or her "color" as she mentioned in the novel. With kids around my kids age, I know it had to be tough and the ex (whom I won't even mention his name) is such a hard as.. for not wanting to spend time with his kids.

Here is where Chuck steps in. Clever Chuck. He totally wins Carly over as he is patient and kind and totally likes spending time with her kids. I love a man who will take the kids to a game so mom can study for her boards.

Friendship: Carly, Michelle and Samantha formed a strong bond of friendship which I totally enjoyed. Being married with kids is a sure recipe for being frazzled and sometimes missing out on friendships with other women. We need that to stay sane.......kudos to Holly for penning this lovely trilogy and I do hope I get to read about Andy and Heidi real soon.

Once upon a Christmas by Holly Jacobs

Book 2 in the Holly Jacobs Trilogy.

Are three people about to get their Christmas wish?

When her nephew announces he's going to find his father, Michelle Hamilton never dreams the man's actually going to show up at her door! Only a paternity test will determine whether Daniel McLean has a legitimate claim. But that doesn't stop the much-too-appealing potential dad from throwing Michelle's well-ordered world into upheaval.............

My thoughts are that Michelle is so very uptight! Well, I guess I would be too if some guy suddenly appears in my nephew's life and saying he will play the role of "Dad". First order of the day would be a background check then I would do my own snooping around. In any case, Daniel is a courageous human being for taking on Michelle and Brandon without knowing whether or not he is Brandon's dad. I liked him immediately.

Brandon is more than a typical teen --- I like that he respects his Aunt enough to do what she asks but makes his own decision on a very important topic. I was happy that Michelle found the love that was seemingly lacking from her life at such a young age and hopes that she will have children with Daniele.....that would be a whole 'nother story.

I enjoyed this book as the characters are warm and inviting and shows the ever growing friendship between Michelle, Samantha and Carly.

Once upon a Thanksgiving by Holly Jacobs

Three women from Erie Elementary were thrown together on the social committee because they missed the first PTA Meeting. As it turns out, there worked well together and would become great friends.

This book centers around Samantha. Divorced with 4 kids, three of whom are boys, missing the attention of their dad. Dad.....well he had to go find himself and after he found girlfriend Lois, she helps him rekindle the relationship with his kids. Typical of some guys to be able to take time out to find themselves when times re tough.

In any case, they got in trouble at school and had to go to the principal's office. Mom (Samantha) was called in to discuss her boys behavior and found she was attracted to Principal Remington. Turns out they both went to Erie Elementary school (Sami as she was called) was about 2 years behind Harry.

Theirs was a relationship seemingly doomed from the start as Harry vowed not to get involved with a woman with kids yet he cannot stay away from Samantha. Sami on ther other hand knew that Harry was just the interim Principal and would be returning to Columbus after the Thanksgiving Holidays.

Without re-writing the entire book, Stan (Samantha's older son) got over himself and even their dad is doing much better thanks to his new love Lois. Samantha and Harry got their happy ending with Harry staying on as the new principal at Erie Elementary and Samantha finally accepting herself, extra weight and all.

Its a heart warming book deserving 3.5 stars.

His Mistress, His Terms

Trailer: Rich, gorgeous playboy Alex Fitzgerald initially hires Merrow O'Connell for her interior design skills. But soon Alex is determined to break his number-one rule and have the Irish beauty in his bed. She's perfect mistress material! Merrow can't argue with the boss. But she's learned not to let anyone get close and has vowed to stay unattached. So what will she do when the billionaire playboy suddenly wants her to be more than just his mistress?

Thoughts: Not sure why it took me over a month to read this book. I guess I was distracted with several others that caught my eye (as usual) but anyways.....I thought it was a good book. It was not written like a typical HP with the hero fighting his feelings. Alex and Merrow spent a passionate night together and met some time later when he hired her to work with him on a project. Alex was very must pursuing Merrow who was attracted to Alex but wanted to keep her distance. Alex didn't strike me as being cold and distant.....he was very much in the relationship and in love with Merrow the whole time. Merrow is the one that did the running and tried to protect her heart. In the end, Merrow is the one that confessed the love she was feeling first and that really irritated me. I wanted Alex to come clean.

Let me hear your thoughts on this one if you have read it. Still looking for Lynn Graham

Pregnant by the Millionaire by Carole Mortimer

I promised to write about Lynne Graham's lately trilogy but I picked up a book written by Carole Mortimer and couldn't put it down. Here is the trailer:

Hebe can't believe she's ended up in her handsome boss's bed. But it seems Nick Cavendish just needed to be with someone on the anniversary of his young son's death.....

Its no wonder I didn't read this novel previously.....I didn't want to read about death....HPs are supposed to be fun. Well it started with Hebe (kinda strange name for the herione) who worked at an Art Gallery owned by Nick. He was hurting from the death of his young son three years prior so he seemed distant and cold. He bumps into Hebe one day and was attracted to her beauty. Needless to say........Hebe was in his bed that night and was pregnant six weeks later.

I enjoyed reading about a heroine who had a college degree, a decent job, was smart and was adopted. This gave the reader a hint of an underlying storyline ...... finding her birth parents!!! I also liked the fact that Nick fell in love with Hebe early on in the story. Many of the harlequins lead us to believe the hero "holds out" with emotion right til the very end. Not so here.

Regrets? Yes, that the writer didn't give more of an explanation as to why Nick's previous marriage failed.......granted, she did explain that the relationship broke down after their son died but I wanted more details.....

Overall, this book is a keeper. I really like the depth of emotion that Nick feels and enjoyed reading the novel from his perspective.

Now, I better go find the trilogy I promised.....toodles.

Ruthless Tycoon, Innocent Wife by Helen Brooks

Helen is no newcomer to the Harlequin line and she has proven that she can keep her readers captivated while providing a fresh, new perspective to her story.

Marianne Carr will do anything to save her home and ruthless businessman Rafe Steed knows it! He has a score to settle with the Carr family, and after one meeting with this delicate beauty he decides he will have the house.........and the girl! Against her better judgement, Marianne is attracted to Rafe's powerful sensuality. But she is saving herself for her wedding night and Rafe is definitely not the marrying kind! Yet what this tycoon wants, he usually gets.....

My thoughts:
I liked this book because it shows the heroine (Marianne) strength of character. She really wants to sleep with Rafe as the attraction for him is so powerful. Unlike some of the other HP, she decides to hold out! That is indeed rare in these times. It shows that if the guy really wants you, he better be prepared to wait.

The setting is a large, old home by the sea with a lush, crisp landscape. It instantly evokes a feeling of chilly temperatures but softened by a fire and lots of rugs!

Will be posting my thoughts from Lynne Graham's trilogy next.