THE LONGING by Wendy Lindstrom
Fredonia, New York, May 1871
This book's title should have been The Secrets, the heroine Amelia has a big one and the hero Kyle has two or three.

To start I didn't read the first book but TL is a stand alone....Grayson married Kyle's fiancee, Evelyn after coming back from the Civil War a tortured soldier, he fell in love with Evelyn and she will him. Kyle is somewhat bitter but can't be hurtful to either because he loves them both. Evelyn is his childhood playmate and friend.

Amelia was seduced and left by Kyle's best friend, Richard. She knows she will not be able to marry now so she becomes the town's teacher. She has to live by very strict codes the school board has adopted. No bright colored dresses, she must be in her little apartment by dusk, only able to visit her parents once a week.

When Kyle believes Amelia's father has betrayed him after years of being friends with competing saw mills he angrily accuses him one night at his office. Her father collapse and dies of chest pains but not before begging Kyle to take care of Amelia and her mother. Even going so far as asking Kyle to marry Amelia and don't let "him near her." He means Richard but Kyle doesn't know what he is talking about, but he isn't about to be forced into a marriage to Amelia. He decides the best way to insure they are okay is to buy her father's mill so he gives Amelia a large bank draft then finds out the mill is near bankrupts.

Kyle goes to Amelia's apartment to get the money back but they are caught by a member of the school board. She is about to be fired when she tells the lady that Kyle is there to ask her to marry him, she forces him to agree. Amelia isn't about to let her reputation be ruined by Kyle which would hurt her mother farther.

They both bring secrets to this marriage but Amelia works very hard to make her marriage work and Kyle happy. He admits to her he still loves Evelyn and she puts off making love with him for fear he will find out she isn't a virgin. As their secrets come out it threatens their marriage and happiness. Rated B

Next book up, THE PROMISE by May McGoldrick.

I've really been reading this weekend, I am searching for my next to start this evening.
This morning I finished BLUE SKIES by Catherine Anderson.....I love her books but this heroine got a little tedious as she blamed everything AFTER the night on him. Hank is a wonderful beta cowboy that would do anything for his wife and his family. Carly didn't trust him to take care of her. I fell even more in love with him as he ran to the store for 7-up and saltines to get rid of her dry heaves. I rated it C+

Before that I finished SAVING DR. RYAN by Karen Templeton. I like her strong heroines, Maggie is almost penniless, pregnant, and dragging 2 kids to see if her deceased husband great uncle will let them live with him. On the way Maggie goes into labor during a thunderstorm, her two tiny children have to knock on the doctor's door. Ryan has loved and lost, his fiancee broke their engagement because he was always doctoring someone and never there for her. In the years since he has heartened his heart and decided he likes living in his 6 bedroom house all alone. After he delivers Maggie's new daughter he ask her and her children to stay with him until she can get up on her feet.
Maggie begins to turn his house into a home. Rated B

My only disappointing book this weekend has been RETURN TO LITTLE HILLS by Janice Macdonald. Edie is a world famous journalist return home for a month to see if her sister, Viv is right and her 80 year old mother, Maude needs to go in a nursing home. Maude is hard of hearing and drives Edie crazy....she drove me crazy also with her bragging on her oldest daughter Viv and putting down Edie.
Peter Darling is the principal of a trouble teen high school. He has 4 daughters that need a mother but he wants a woman that loves him first and then can be a mother to his children. Edie has no maternal instinct and has no desire to see if she can love his daughters. Peter is captivated by Edie and pursues a relationship with her against everyone's advice.....including mine! He should have just had a hot affair with her then found someone that wanted to raise a family with him.
I just have too much maternal instint to not want to grab those adoreable little girls and their sexy father....Edie put every rock in the path of happiness she could find, just couldn't understand her at all. The fighting with her mother and sister got on my nerves. Rated D

Weekly recap:
I had a wonderful week of reading, my best in a while. I read 6 books - 2
keepers.
WHEN THERE IS HOPE / Jane Goodger (who I think is the new contemporary author
Jane Blackwood with THE SEXIEST DEAD MAN ALIVE) and then the new release by
Kathryn Shay, THE UNKNOWN TWIN. Gave both of these A+.


WHEN THERE IS HOPE Rated A+
Jane Goodger.
6/1996.
Newport, Rhode Island, 1888 / 1990s TT
Susan is happily married to Steven and so excited she is pregnant she is
almost sickening, on her way to see her doctor she is in a fatal car wreck
killing her and the baby. But her guardian angels answer her cries and let her have
a second chance at happiness by giving her Margaret Johnsbury's body after she
is killed in a fatal fall from a horse.


THE MARSHAL AND MRS. O'MALLEY. Rated C+
Julianne MacLean.
6/2001. . Harlequin Historical. HH-564.
Jo O'Malley might have been hell-bent to avenge her husband's murder, but
U.S. Marshal Fletcher Collins swore she wouldn't be allowed to take the law into
her own hands.


THE DUKE's MISTRESS. Rated C+
Ann Elizabeth Cree.
10/2002. .
Historical Romance. HH
Lady Isabelle Milborne had innocently played a part in her late husband's
wager -- which brought about the ruin of Justin, Duke of Westmore.


THE COURTING OF WIDOW SHAW. Rated C
Charlene Sands.
4/2004. . Harlequin Historical. HH-710.
Glory Shaw survived a nightmare only to awaken to a more disturbing reality —
her dead husband. Wanted for a murder she couldn't recall, she was rescued by
Steven Harding, a man she had ample reason to hate. But how would she call
him "enemy" when her traitorous heart claimed him as her true love?

KEEPING BABY SECRET. Rated B
Beverly Barton.
4/2004. SD-
Frank is not husband and daddy material but when Leenie finds herself
pregnant after a 2 week love affair she doesn't tell Frank he is about to be a
father. When their son, Andrew is 2 months he is kidnapped and now she needs Franks
support and help finding their son.

THE UNKNOWN TWIN. Rated A+
Kathryn Shay.
6/2004. .
Harlequin Superromance. HS-1206.

Alex sweeps her off her feet -- literally, carrying her out of a burning
building. When he gets a good look at her he believes she is another woman, his
childhood playmate and former fiancee, Dana.

I shouldn't had done it, it was a mistake if I wanted to stay awake today....but I did it and I loved it.

After coming home from the ubs I read KEEPING BABY SECRET by Beverly Barton, short fast SD read. I love Barton's The Protector series, they are stand alone books with really alpha heroes. Frank is not husband and daddy material but when Leenie finds herself pregnant after a 2 week love affair she doesn't tell Frank he is about to be a father. When their son, Andrew is 2 months he is kidnapped and now she needs Franks support and help finding their son. Good book rated it B.

But that wasn't the mistake, starting WHEN THERE IS HOPE by Jane Goodger at 8:30 was the mistake......I could not put this book down, Ms. Goodger kept drawing me farther and farther into the book with each and every chapter. OMG...this poor heroine goes to hell and back to find her HEA.

Susan is happily married to Steven and so excited she is pregnant she is almost sickening, on her way to see her doctor she is in a fatal car wreck killing her and the baby. But her guardian angels answer her cries and let her have a second chance at happiness by giving her Margaret Johnsbury's body after she is killed in a fatal fall from a horse.

Susan/Margaret remembers her angels, her past, and wants to have her baby. As she is recovers from her head wound she realized not only do the servants in her home hate her but her husband, Carter cannot stand the sight of her. But the ever optimistic Susan/Margaret knows she can make them love her just given time. For a month while Carter is out of town on business she turns the servants around but Carter has been fool by this lying bitch before and struggles with his feels and attraction to the woman that wants to be called Maggie now.

Margaret has taken lovers, lied to get her way, throw temper tantrums, disgraced Carter and his family until no one in Newport RI could stand her presents. Carter's family cut her every chances they get, Carter attends parties that she isn't invited to, even when Maggie attend a party in her own home no one speaks to her and when she is sexually assaulted by one of Margaret's old lovers no one comes to her defense not even Carter. Maggie almost gives up but she knows she was given a second chance to have the child she craves and she is set on to making Carter love her and show everyone that she wasn't like the old Margaret.

I cried and cried as Maggie was hurt time after time by Carter and his family. Before Maggie, Carter had been to hell and back and I wonder why those angels didn't give Susan an easier second chance lets this horrible Margaret die and leave Carter in peace. But then Maggie is strong, resilient, and very determined to make her marriage work.

This is a wonderful TT, 3 hanky read, I gave it A+. I hate to say it but I've been a TT snob for years. This might be my 3 TT in over 8 years of reading romance and over 1600 books I've read. What have I been missing?? I think some wonderful books!

To make up for this terrible error in reading judgment I ordered 2 TT form Half.com that I can remember other readers recommending. One has the heroine tossed back in time as she is about to deliver her child into the world. Can you imagine going to sleep single and childless to wake up in hard labor! LOL

I would love it if anyone can recommend some good TT, I've already been checking out Ms. Goodger's other TTs.

While I watched American Idol, which I said I wasn't going to do but there just wasn't anything on the other 245 channels we get, I read a so-so book.
I hoped for so hot love scenes based on the title and the blurb but that just didn't happen. THE DUKE's MISTRESS by Ann Elizabeth Cree is the book. This is my first Cree book, her story is good just never pulled me in.
Justin's lust for revenge didn't last past the first kiss, but Belle is a wonderful proper English lady, she knows the rules society and follows them to the letter....until Justin.

I am wanting a hot book maybe even burning....I am sure I've got one somewhere in the TBR pile, just have to start surfing the review sites to see.
I think this is because Kathryn Shay's book had some "up against the wall sex."

I've noticed all the lists are very quiet, that means summer is really here. Kids get out of school, moms lose their computer time! Of course, this is a great time to knock down that to be read stack.

Next book up...it is a toss up between A FULL HOUSE by Nadia Nichols and RETURN TO LITTLE HILLS by Janice Macdonald (the hero is a single parent to 4 little girls the cover looks like 2 are twins) Did you see that Mad??

THE DUKE's MISTRESS Rated C+
Ann Elizabeth Cree
10/2002
Rom/H-Regency
(HH705)

SHE WAS WON... IN A WAGER

Lady Isabelle Milborne had innocently played a part in her late husband's wager -- which brought about the ruin of Justin, Duke of Westmore. Gone is the charming young man she had once known, because Justin now has a ruthless plan of his own.

The stricken look on Belle's face when he tells her she must pay what she owes strikes at his conscience. But nothing will stand in the way of his revenge. She must agree to become his mistress for the Season....

She has done it again...I just love Kathryn Shay's books, THE UNKNOWN TWIN is wonderful. I started it around 5:00 and just finished.

She does her best working telling firefighter stories. Alex is a great hero, strong, sexy, sensitive; a real alpha man with a beta heart.
Lauren is soft, sweet, loving, but afraid to love again after being hurt.

Alex sweeps her off her feet -- literally, carrying her out of a burning building. When he gets a good look at her he believes she is another woman, his childhood playmate and former fiancee, Dana.

I just can't believe some people I know (shaking my finger) still have her books in their TBR, they will be sorry this let her wonderful stories sit for so long.

THE UNKNOWN TWIN Rated A+
Kathryn Shay
HSR 1206
6/2004

Lauren Conway almost didn't make it out alive

She owes her life to Alex Shields, the handsome firefighter who carried her from the burning office building. But when Lauren wakes up in a hospital bed, everyone — including her rescuer — assumes she's suffering from amnesia. They're convinced her real name is Dana.

But Lauren knows she's not ill. What she doesn't know is who this mysterious woman is. And when she finds out, it will turn her life upside down.

I didn't get to read much this weekend, busy with kids and we had friends over for dinner on Saturday night.

Last night we watched the movie MIRACLE about the US hockey team, I remember watching the real thing. The movie gave me chills bumps it was so real. My DH collects sports movies so this one will be watched many times.

I did finish THE COURTING OF WIDOW SHAW by Charlene Sands, it was good but I easily could put it down to do other things which makes me rate it a C+. If you love the very beta hero, Steven is your hero. He is so in love with Glory he would give her up if it meant she would be happier. His mother ran a whorehouse to support them after his father deserted them and Glory's father was the preacher. Of course, Steven grow up believing Glory was too good for him. Had a bit of a murder mystery to it with who killed Glory's husband.

Well, this is the big week ~ we get a new Idol and a new Swan! To bad they've over promoted both to the point that I couldn't care less! I've notice with my reality TV addiction I've been disappointed in the BIG FINALE! About the only one that really has me glued to the TV and jumping up and down is Survivor. But then it is only about 7 weeks till Big Brother starts.....I wonder if I could get DSL before it begins??!!

THE FRIDAY FIVE

1.) Do you Blog? What are 5 of your favorite Blogs to read? (you can give links)
Mad's House (I have to track her down each week she moves a lot)
http://madshouse.typepad.com/
Carol Ann's http://shyann64.blogspot.com/
Wendy's (Batgirl) http://super_librarian.blogspot.com/
Leya http://wandeca.blogspot.com/
Kim's http://jaderingo.blog-city.com/

2.) Name 5 things that really piss you off.
Phone calls after 9:00PM about baseball
Phone calls after 10:30 PM from boyfriends or girlfriends on school nights.
Someone eats the last of my Dutch Chocolate ice cream
Kids fighting like 5 years olds when they want to be treated like adults
When I forget to mail out gifts and trades to my friends (pissed at myself)

3.) It is the weekend you CAN NOT read, name 5 things you would do for fun.
Watch movies
Go to garage sales
Go to ubs
Visit with friends
Sleep

4.) Use 5 words to describe yourself.
Humorous
Bald
Totally disorganized
Faithful
Animal lover


5.) Name one item that you wondered "What in the h*ll was I thinking" when you bought it?
Shark Steam Cleaner (I hate to clean!)

I had a slow week of reading and read one of the best books! I've got a lovely bouquet of keepers.

I just loved THE UNEXPECTED WIFE by Mary Burton HH 708.
It is a Mail Order Bride story but the hero, Matthias has no idea that fancy society lady that his little boy just threw up on his to be his wife. LOL
Thank heavens Abby is not a shrinking violet and stands toe to toe to fight for what she wants from Matthais. I rated this THE UNEXPECTED WIFE / A+

The other book was ONCE A GENTLEMAN by Candice Hern, it was an ugly duckling story that was also great. Pru has been in love with Nick for 4 years but she is like wallpaper to him until the night she falls asleep at his house and her father and her 4 Viking size brothers demand marriage for their ruined daughter and sister. Great fun as Nick and Pru talk to each other about making the marriage work and their individual dreams. Has so very funny parts where Pru shyly tries to seduce her sexy husband and he has to leave the house to cool down. I rated ONCE A GENTLEMAN / B

Now I am reading THE COURTING OF WIDOW SHAW by Charlene Sands HH 710.
Steven has loved Glory from a far until one night he comes along a house on fire. Boone Shaw is laying stabbed to death and Glory has been beaten but holds a bloody knife. Steven grabs Glory to takes her to the only place he knows she will be safe from the law, his mother's whorehouse. Glory has picketed for years to have brothel shut down but now it might be her only safe haven. Should finish this one this afternoon.

I checked Walmart for some of my wish list but didn't see anything but reprints!
I am going to have to order the ones I really want.

I finished ONCE A GENTLEMAN by Candice Hern last night, rated it a B. I think it would have been a better book if I had read it in a day instead of a week. It had some very emotional parts but because spreading the book out it ruined the teary eyed parts. That is why when I start a book I like to finish it in one sitting. I enjoy the shy, unrequited love heroine theme, Nick was a bit alpha in the way I like. Pru changing from a wallflower to a rose in full bloom was very good also.

Yesterday my June Harlequin Historical arrived....WOOHOO 2 westerns!
THE UNEXCEPTED WIFE by Mary Burton and COURTING OF WIDOW SHAW by Charlena Sands. This afternoon I am starting the Burton book.

Well, my vision has changed for the worst with this chemo treatment so I am still about half way through ONCE A GENTLEMAN by Candice Hern. I will finish when the headache and vision clears back up next week (hopefully).

Got this from another list.....

What is your favorite:

Soap Opera - Okay, I hate to admit to this because I total got off of them but lately I've been watching Days and Passion. They make me so mad because there isn't any HEAs. And now Marla was shot and killed this week. I think Days is killing everyone off and starting all over.

Dessert - Dutch Chocolate ice cream with milk (this week)

Game Show -none

Birthday Cake Flavor -Italian Cream

Main Dish - T-Bone steak medium rare

Perfume - Gardenia

Clothing Brand - I shop at Walmart, J.C. Penney's and Cato

Day Time Show -The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Animal - Chihuahuas

Night Time Show - Jay Leno, Survivor, CSI, & ER.

Board Game - Clue

Song - anything 70s, Beatles, Chicago, Captain and Tennille, The Carpenters, Sonny and Cher, Donny Osmand, Rightous Brothers, BeeGees, Ricky Nelson, Seals and Croft, David Bowie, Cat Stevens...and so many more.

Candle Scent - Gardenia

Shampoo/Conditioner - HA HA

Laundry Detergent - Gain

Magazine - Home and Garden (summer), recipes (winter)

Snack - Hot salas and chips

Children's Movie - Sherk

Cartoon - Flintstones

Tooth Paste - Colgate

Deoderant - Secret

Smurf - Papa

Vacation Desitnation - Cancun

Children's Rhyme - Little Miss Muffet

Beverage - Sweet Tea & Diet Dr. Pepper

Lullaby - Hush little baby, Don't say a word. Daddy's going to buy you a Mocking bird. If that Mocking bird don't sing, Daddy's going to buy you a diamond ring. ...

Portrait Studio - Olan Mills

Soap - Anything that smells good

Search Engine - AOL

Childhood Toy/Doll - Chatty Cathy, Barbie, Betsy Wetsy, Pebbles and BamBam, Beanie Babies, and Sunshine Family.

Ice Cream Flavor - Dutch Chocolate, Rocky Road.

When David, the man Lexie loved still childhood marries another woman finds out his wife, Angela can't give him the children he wants he is devastated. Lexie offer to be their surrogate mother to their baby. Then Alexis finds out from Angela's ex-husband, David's wife murdered their child but it was ruled SID and he warns she will kill the child that Lexis is carrying. Lexis begs David to listen to her but when he doesn't she runs, leaving behind a large family that is worried about her and David feeling she has betrayed him.

WHOSE CHILD? Susan Gable is a wonderfully emotional book. For nearly 4 years Lexis has had Sarah all to herself and now David has found them and wants his daughter. Lexie has no legal claim since she isn't her biological mother, just her birth mother.

When Lexis ran she found a community that loved and supported both her and Sarah, since the cold night she gave birth all lone. She now runs a Bed and Breakfast and lives with the guardian angel that found her that cold night, Pappy.

I highly recommend WHOSE CHILD? Rated B+

Happy 16th Birthday Zachary Alan Robert Gilbert...I love you bunches!!
And no, you didn't get the 66 Chevy or the cell phone, sorry kiddo

Don't you some days want that bad boy...yesterday I read a great bad boy turned good, A FAMILY OF HER OWN by Brenda Novak. (Rated B)

Katie is a good girl that made a bad decision to go with the good guy instead of listening to heart and running with Booker. Booker loved her and ask her to marry him but instead she left town with David. Two years later she comes home broke, pregnant, and alone. To add insult to injury Booker picks her up off the side of the highway, takes her home and her mother slams the door in her face.

It was fun to watch Katie pick up self up (with a little help from Booker), and find work and her respect.

Started WHOSE CHILD? Susan Gable
This is an emotional book about a surrogate mother who ran to save the babies life and now 4 year later the father has found her and is taking her baby away.

A FAMILY OF HER OWN by Brenda Novak
PREGNANT... AND ALONE?

When Katie Rogers returns to Dundee, Idaho, it's not because she's disillusioned, broke -- and pregnant. She was going to make something of her life in the big city. Instead, she's paying a high price for trusting the wrong man.

Booker Robinson is the man she DIDN'T trust, the man she'd left behind in Dundee... and the first person she sees when she comes back. But despite Booker's notorious past, he now has a successful business and a home of his own.

He's also spent two years getting over Katie. She's the LAST person he wants to see. But when her parents refuse to take her in, she doesn't have anywhere else to go, and Booker soon finds himself with a roommate -- one who needs a father for her baby....

Katie's vowed she'll never trust the wrong man again. But sometimes a man isn't everything he seems. AND SOMETIMES HE's MORE....

Happy Mother's Day

I love Mother's Day, my husband is the best MD shopper.
I sent him and the kids lots of hinting emails and as I sit at the computer I can spy a few potted gifts in the backyard.

I finished HIGH COUNTRY HERO by Lynna Banning this morning. It left too many dangling threads about the hero, Cord's past for my taste. It had been too long since I read THE SCOUT to remember much about the heroine, Sage's parents, aunt, uncle and cousin. Ms. Banning seem to give hints about Sage's cousin Matt and an unrequited love for a married woman, I bet that is the next book. The married woman had a sick elderly husband.

For those that read HIGH COUNTRY HERO don't you think Cordell was born 80 some years too soon, he would have made a great 70s hippy!! Swimming in the rain, smelling the woods, listening to nature and so much more. LOL

Next up? I was visiting the Super Authors message boards this afternoon, Susan Gable has me interesting in reading her May HSR, WHOSE CHILD?. Looks very emotional and has one of my favorite themes surrogate mother.

HIGH COUNTRY HERO (Rated B-)
Lynna Banning
5/2004
Rom/H
When she trekked into the mountains with Cord Lawson to save a life, she'd thought that book smarts alone mattered. Now one rain-soaked river swim and bare-chested kiss in the sun later, she knew that being alive meant feeling things. But could she survive the heartbreak when her tantalizing tutor resumed his wandering ways?
Life was uncertain, so a man took his pleasures where he found them. That was the law that Cord Lawson lived by. But when he found Sage West, everything changed, for this surprising lady doctor sparked something new in his footloose soul — a certainty that he'd at last come home!

1. Name five things in your refrigerator.
Eggs
Bacon
Milk
Corn on the cob
Beer

2. Name five things in your freezer.
Hot Pockets
Pizza
Roast
Steaks
Ground Beef


3. Name five things under your kitchen sink.
Dishwashing det.
Mice poison
Bud vases
Cleaners
Thermos

4. Name five things around your computer.
Another computer
Assorted printers
Clock
Puppy dogs
Books

5. Name five things in your medicine cabinet.
Nausea pills
Contacts
Contact solution
Cough med.
Band-Aids

Thursday Threesome: Borrowed from Fatin's Blog and she has a link to original questions.

Onesome: Something old -- Do you have anything that you've owned simply forever? A cherished childhood toy, an antique handed down through the family...

Yes, the day I was born my one of my daddy's Air Force buddies gave me a little elephant. I've got baby pictures of me and my elephant when I was a week old.

Twosome: Something new -- Buy anything new lately?

Yes, I bought 3 Corset purses off Ebay. 2 are to small so my daughter sold them at school and we are rebuying 2 more.

Threesome: Something borrowed -- Ever borrowed anything and never returned it?

Oh, yes....a brick builder for a walk way. You pour a bag of concrete into it let it set for about 15 minutes, move the brick builder do another set to make a walk way.

Bonus: Something blue -- See anything blue from where you are? What is it?
Shark Steam Cleaner.

Finished up THE ENGAGEMENT by Kate Bridges this morning....wow, I loved this book. This is another series book that gets an A this week, I only had one problem with this book. The hero's name is Zack and so is my son's! LOL

It starts with Virginia coming to Alberta to marry Zack after six year studying to be a doctor. She had been engaged to his brother, Andrew for 6 years then he jilted her for another woman. Zack has written to Virginia asking her to marry him, honoring Andrew's promise of marriage. But before Zack and Virginia can marry he is attacked on a train, wounded and fighting for his life.

They go back and forth, counting kisses, fighting, making up, doctoring, hunting bad guys. LOL
The sexual tension is always on hot to burning and has some of the best love making scenes I've read in a while. Oh, and Zack is a Royal Canadian Mountie, how sexy is that! He is funny and she matches him in every way.

The next book in this series comes out in Sept.

Code Red series:
Well, the first book, FATHER BY CHOICE / M.J. Roger, was just okay and now the second book in the series isn't much better.

I really like Kay David's books but SILENT WITNESS had a few holes in it. Most of David's heroes are very strong men, but Grant wasn't a good father or cop (JMHO). Andrea does some stupid things, one is following a dumb plan that Grant cooks up.

The third book in the series is Kathryn Shay, she has never failed me. It is a twin book, THE UNKNOWN TWIN (blurb below).

SILENT WITNESS (Rated C)
Kay David
5/2004
Rom/C

Hoping to start over, paramedic Andrea Hunt has come home to Courage Bay. But even she couldn't have known how her new life would begin — with a tragic accident that leaves her responsible for her nephew.

Kevin's a very special boy who copes with the changes he faces by not talking. His dad, Grant Corbin, feels increasingly desperate about being kept from Kevin.

Now he's come to Courage Bay — and he discovers that his son's life is more than complete without him.

Because Andrea seems to be all Kevin needs.

And before long Grant finds himself wondering if his ex-wife's sister can find room for him in the family.



The Unknown Twin
by Kathryn Shay

Lauren Conway almost didn't make it out alive

She owes her life to Alex Shields, the handsome firefighter who carried her from the burning office building. But when Lauren wakes up in a hospital bed, everyone — including her rescuer — assumes she's suffering from amnesia. They're convinced her real name is Dana.

But Lauren knows she's not ill. What she doesn't know is who this mysterious woman is. And when she finds out, it will turn her life upside down.

I just found a web site for Barbara Delinsky, she has written a book for Breast Cancer survivors, UPLIFT.
http://www.barbaradelinsky.com/uplift/uplift.cfm

There are some interesting entries in her guestbook.

One of my favorite books by her is COAST ROAD, the heroine, Rachel belongs to a reading group. One night on the way to a meeting her car slides off the road and she is hospitalize in a coma. Her ex-husband, Jack comes to her home to take care of their teenage daughters. As Rachel lays in a coma, Jack remembers why he fall in love with Rachel through her daughters, friends, and memories of wonderful times together. I highly recommend COAST ROAD to any woman that loves reading romance.

Anyone have a favor Barbara Delinsky book?

I ended up reading A COWBOY SUMMER by Debra Salonen, I had forgot last year Debra and I chatted (via the Silh-Harl list) about the PBR (Professional Bull Rider). My hubby's company makes PBR jackets and we always go to the PBR events when they are in Ft. Worth. This is a very extreme sport, fun to watch but I wouldn't want to be the girlfriend, wife, or mother of a bull rider.

A COWBOY SUMMER is a great book. Will Cavanaugh is the ideal cowboy-gentleman, he is what I would hope my son grows up to be, except the bull riding part. Will could eat crackers in my bed any day! Dynamite love scenes, they talked as they nibbled on each other.

While I was reading this wonderful book my DH was watch an awful movie, 10.5 on NBC. I tried not to watch much of it but as California slide into the ocean my eyes kept being drawn to it. I was hoping Wendy (new to Cal. friend) wasn't watching it. I like Texas, flat and still! LOL

Next up, I think it is going to be THE LOVE OF A COWBOY by Anna Jeffrey...still in the mood for more cowboys.


A COWBOY SUMMER (Rated B+)
Debra Salonen
4/2004
Rom/C
Anne Fraser can't refuse her stepfather's request to manage his ranch while he's away, but she has reservations about taking her daughter back to Nevada for the summer. Especially when she discovers that her stepfather has also talked his grandson — champion bull rider Will Cavanaugh — into helping out at the Silver Rose.
Now, in addition to running the ranch, worrying about her child and reassuring her boss in New York that her absence is temporary, Anne has to find a way to deal with the feelings she still has for Will.

I've been cleaning the sun porch and listening to the radio this morning......just heard they are opening a Half Price Bookstore in the town next to me. Actually, when I start my radiation it will be just down the block!! ::::::doing the bookie dance::::::::

I've shopped out my ubs here in town, I've got more credit than she has books I want.

It is gorgeous here today.....in the 70s and lots of sunshine.

I haven't started a book today, thinking about THE LOVE OF A STRANGER / Anna Jeffrey or A COWBOY SUMMER / Debra Salonen.
Has anyone read either of these?

I read a wonderful book last night by Janice Kay Johnson, MOMMY SAID GOODBYE. HSR#1197 I highly recommend this book, rated it an A.

Julie Lofgren was a super-mom, PTA president, perfect wife and mother. Then one day she vanished, leaving behind her purse, van, clothes, and 2 children. Craig Lofgren is the police only suspect, they believe after a fight the night before her disappearance he killed her and disposed of her body.

Now it is a year and half and Julie hasn't returned or been found, Brett, her son is having trouble at school and the lead detective has died leaving his police daughter determined to finish what her father start; putting Craig Lofgren behind bars. The only reason he hasn't been arrested is Julie said good-bye to Brett before she vanished.

Robin McKinnon is Brett's sixth grade teacher who is trying to help Brett deal with the angry and frustration of the police questioning his family and friends who all still believe his father is a murder. As she get to know Craig, she believes in his innocent.

Ms. Johnson does a wonderful job of unfolding the mystery, she keeps the romance at a slow simmer not letting it spill over in to adultery. We see both Robin and Craig as caring parents who would do anything to protect their children. I was very impressed that Craig remained in a town that gave him and his family the cold shoulder not because the police advised it but because it was a connection to their mother.

Open Letter To British Romance Critic:

You asked, how others on a popular historical Yahoo list felt about your constant put down of American romance authors writing about English history and their total lack of historical accuracy. (my words not yours)

You bored me to tears...insulted me daily...and made me wonder why in the hell any American romance author and/or romance reader would ever be interested in any British romance books. Single handily, you could bring back western/frontier and Americana romance books. Then I would thank you!

Of course, this is just my opinion but I was ask how I managed to block your emails and only saw them when another list member responded to your lessons on British history. I became quiet popular on the list at giving out directions how to block unwanted email.

I wave bye-bye, for I understand you are now going to pester some other list, at which time if you do an intro, I am saved because your still blocked.

JMHO