I finished the "B" author challenge at CozyRomanceReaders@yahoogroups.com last night.
It only took me about 3 hours from start to finish. This might be my favorite Mary Burton book, I haven't found one that I rated below a B.
Her heroes start out alpha and mellow down a bit but still retain that lovable alpha quality.
Ms. Burton's writing flows evenly and doesn't drag or bog down in the middle. She keeps her secondary characters small with the main focus on the h/h. I really noticed this after the last book I read.

Who is your "B" author?
I choose Mary Burton

Is it a new to you author?
No

What are you reading?
THE LIGHTKEEPER's WOMAN
Mary Burton
2/2004
Rom/H-Victorian HH-693

Theme: Reunited, Outcast

Blurb:
North Carolina, 1884

Their grand passion had burned too brightly to survive. But faced with wedding another, Alanna Patterson was determined to reignite any smoldering embers of desire Caleb Pitt might still harbor for her. Would her brawny captain, now a solitary lighthouse keeper, rescue her from a sea of regrets? Or had tragedy both public and private sunk any hopes for a lasting love?

Caleb Pitt had once believed love was eternal as the sea, for Alanna Patterson had promised him FOREVER. But despite her vow, she'd left him to drown in disgrace. Now, years later, she'd reappeared on a storm-tossed wave, beautiful as a siren... and just as seductive!



What are your thoughts on the book?
I loved it. In the prologue Alanna and Caleb are so in love, planning to marry in just a few weeks. They've already had passionate sex aboard his ship several times and can't keep their hands off each other. Then the story starts 2 years later and they both almost hate each other and feel that the other betrayed them.

The mystery of what happened pulled me in right away. Alanna is delivering a box to Caleb as her father wishes, after he committed suicide. She is about to marry another man but first she has to see Caleb who now lives in a lighthouse off the Caroline coast in solitude.

One thing I really liked about the book is how both Alanna and Caleb grew up during the 2 years apart. She was a spoiled society girl and he was an invincible ship captain. When their world blow apart they didn't handle it very well but as time went on the both realized what was important and what was just window dressing, especially Alanna.

I also love a book that the hero fights for the heroine's love...he had it once and he is going to get it again no matter what. I think that is what I like about most reunited stories.
I also love lighhouse keeper stories and even North Caroline coast stories, like Bronwyn Williams books.


Will you buy other books by this author?
She is an autobuy for me, I have all of her books on my keeper shelf.
I rated this book B+ and would highly recommend her.