Limecello’s review of The Maverick by Diana Palmer
Contemporary romance released by Silhouette Desire 8 Dec 09
I’m pretty sure people believe that Diana Palmer is one of my favorite authors. This statement isn’t true. It’s more that Ms. Palmer is almost a compulsion – like a drug I can’t quit. I know there are other Palmer addicts out there, so you know what I’m talking about. Many people read a book by Ms. Palmer and think “I don’t get the hype.” But generally, every story has something about it that makes it special. I’m sorry to say, that The Maverick wasn’t one of these surprise gems.
Both the hero and heroine have had appearance in previous books by Ms. Palmer – her seemingly never ending Long Tall Texan series. (I do not lie- I’m pretty sure there are more than 60 interconnected stories at this point, and that’s low balling it.)
I’m going to talk about the hero, Harley Fowler, first because he’s been a part of so many previous stories. Harley seemed to be perpetually unlucky in love. He’s dated practically every heroine from when he first appeared, to now, when he finally gets his own book. I don’t want to say it, but I’m a little disappointed. (Not as much as others, based on reactions I’ve seen – but… still a bit let down.) Harley has surprising depth, and the reader knows him to be a good guy. He used to be cocky and immature, but now has grown into a respectable, and likable man. Harley knows what is important in life, and doesn’t care about image or what other people think of him in regards to what is “in” or “fashionable.” All of these characteristics are things you look for and want in a hero, but unfortunately Harley just falls a bit flat here.
Alice Jones I believe was a medical examiner, but regardless, she also has appeared in a number of previous books. She’s quirky, has an off kilter sense of humor, and essentially weirds people out. Alice uses her off beat humor as a way to amuse herself and cope with the cases she deals with. I understand that. However, Ms. Palmer takes it too far in the book. I don’t think there’s a single instance where someone doesn’t walk away from Alice. The reader feels beaten about the head with Alice’s supposedly “fun and sassy” personality, that simply isn’t. Alice is just… weird. I get that she’s supposed to be whimsical or idiosyncratic… but it reads as if Alice, or Ms. Palmer is trying too hard. (And sadly without succeeding.)
I liked Alice and Harley as individuals, but didn’t think they had any chemistry as a couple. It seemed as if Ms. Palmer had a check list – one she uses for every book, and made sure she hit the high points, and let the rest go. Harley used to be a jerk, but now he’s matured and ready to settle down. Check. The heroine falls in love with the hero first. Check. The heroine is inexperienced [generally a virgin- which yup, she is here] – check. (And it’s not that I have an issue with the concept – simply that there seems to be no reason for it here. Other than… Alice’s social skills or lack thereof may have guaranteed that happenstance.) Someone is murdered/there is a horrific crime committed in Jacobsville. Check. The townspeople all come out en masse – check.
Alice proposes to Harley – jokingly- I believe the first time she meets him, and every subsequent time. Their first meeting is incredibly antagonistic, and yet suddenly they become friends. And more than that, they begin dating, and hello they’re all over each other. O_o Oh and Harley just so happens to be a senator’s kid, though he’s been estranged from his parents for over a decade. Don’t worry – they reconcile by the end of the book. Of course. (Oh- check mark here too.)
This isn’t the worst Diana Palmer book I’ve read, and by no means one of the worst books in general I’ve ever read. I’m just sad that it’s very disjointed, and essentially not up to par for other books by Ms. Palmer. The flow isn’t quite there, and too much is happening at once, in too short a time period. As a result, the plot, romance, and pacing of the book are all shortchanged.
If you’re a die-hard Diana Palmer fan, or love Harley, read this book. It’s cute, and explains a lot about him. If you’re wondering if you should try out a Diana Palmer book, stay away from this one. She has so many better ones out there.
Grade: D-
Always in the middle of trouble, be it during roundup or at Jacobsville county dances, Harley Fowler emerges unscathed. Until he meets whirlwind, top-notch investigator Alice Jones, who is trying to solve a murder involving the one family Harley doesn’t want to talk about—his own. Suddenly he’s in the midst of mayhem—and all he can think about is protecting Alice. But the stubborn woman is unappreciative of his efforts. What’s a confirmed maverick to do? Is seduction the solution?
Read an excerpt here.
I read a Diana Palmer – bought on a whim at the book store – and it was so very, very bad that I really cannot see anything even slightly tempting about reading anything else by her. ALL the reviews of her recent works have given a huge thumbs down. I am assuming that she used to write books that were good.
I keep writing horrible things about her books and then erasing them, so I will just ask: what of her back catalog has inspired this devotion?
awww some of them are good Phyllis 😉
I am rereading Lawless right now and already bought this one. But I am so trying to quit her. Maybe one day
I used to love Diana Palmer – back in the days when I first started reading romance. I then had intensive therapy and managed to quit my addiction! For nostalgic purposes only I clicked on ‘excerpt’ and had a small read – didn’t make it to but half a page, it was that bad. Do people over 6 years old and in the playground actually talk to each other like that? (((Cringe)))
Phyllis – I agree with Sybil – and her more recent ones have been a mixed bag – I’ve given a few grades in the “B” range. (http://goodbadandunread.com/tag/diana-palmer/)
The Savage Heart is one I enjoy a lot. Coltrain’s Proposal, Eye of the Tiger… and the one in Royal Weddings, I believe. Lacy is also one I enjoyed, Blind Promises… ah yes. And Lawless. 😀 Really like that one too.
So, Lawless, Coltrain’s Proposal, Eye of the Tiger, Savage Heart, and Lacy are some of my favorite Palmers. I think it’s hard to know because a number of her books have been re-released, and reading something with the “now” mindset as opposed to “written in 1983” makes a difference.
(But yes, I’m also with you on being disappointed as to a number of her newer books.)
Sybs – maybe 😛 You haven’t read a few of her newer ones, right?
Willa O_o (heh you snuck in your comment while I was writing!)
uh oh! Which book did you read an excerpt from? If it was The Maverick… avoid! avoid! :X
I just read that excerpt and…. word salad (yummy yummy). He hits her with a door and she doesn’t believe he’s a cowboy because he doesn’t have a hat – 6 year old for sure – and she tries to gross everyone out and is buying her crack medical examiner supplies from the local hardware store and standing there talking about open cases with strangers? I don’t get it.
I’ll see if the library has any you’ve mentioned. Thanks (maybe) 😉
lol lol lol Phyllis – I understand. You have to go in knowing Diana Palmer books are a bit quirky, but I know the heroine has annoyed even die hard Palmer fans. So you’re definitely not alone. (And yeah, I gave the book a D- so…)
😀 Hopefully you do like the ones I suggested and the library has them!! *scared*
You know that part in The Godfather Part 3, the part where Al Pacino says “Every time I try to get out, they bring me back in.” Or something like that anyway. It’s the same with Diana Palmer. She’s like the mob. You like it at first, but then you just gotta get away, but when you try…you find yourself in the Walmart Book section picking her up again. She’s not good for me, but I confess, I am addicted.
Hi Limecello – yep, clicked on the linky for the excerpt for Maverick after your review. Still trying to do a brain wipe!! Your grade D- my grade DNF and that was just the excerpt! Lol! 😀
Misty – haha *yes* that’s… how I’m feeling at this point :X Even worse, I try/tried to find her backlist/hard to find books on ebay? And … yeah I’ve definitely spent more money than I should. Danger!
Willa – awweee.. haha :X well in defense of The Maverick O_o… the rest does get better after the excerpt. But yeah. The beginning? Not good. I think I put the book down for nearly 2 wks :X
I bought it cuz I end up getting them all… I try to not to but
I plan to read Heartless cuz lime sez to
There are two things I know will end up in a palmer book: Native American History along some sort of conversation about eating meat. Both I can do without, and not because I don’t like Native American History or eating meat. Niether one usually belongs in her story. She just sort of throws them into the conversation for no reason other than she can.