REVIEW: Flirting with Fifty by Jane Porter
Contemporary Romance published by Berkley 24 May 22
The older I get (I’ve been reading romance for approximately 50 years, so you do the math!), the more I find myself becoming irritated with some of the younger heroes and heroines I read. So when I get a chance to read more mature characters, I try to go for it. It’s an extra bonus that Jane Porter happens to be a favorite author for me, so I figured I’d win all the way around with this one.
REVIEW: Shadow Fire by Christine Feehan
Paranormal Romance published by Berkley 26 Apr 22
Elie Archambault has settled for an arranged marriage, determined to do his duty and forget the woman whose shadow once entwined with his. Imagine his surprise when his arranged bride turns out to be Brielle Couture, the woman he once desired. Can they work through their troubled past to find a happily ever after?
RETRO REVIEW: A Touch of Flame by Jo Goodman
Sandy M’s review of A Touch of Flame (Cowboys of Colorado, Book 2) by Jo Goodman
Historical Romance published by Berkley 5 Jun 18
Once again, Jo Goodman gives readers delightful characters in a time when they push over the line of what’s accepted, all the while weaving a sense of humor into life as they all do their best day by day, helping others and, of course, falling in love. Ridley gives Ben the surprise of his life when she steps off the train in Frost Falls.
RETRO REVIEW: The Price of Desire by Jo Goodman
Gwen’s review of The Price of Desire by Jo Goodman
Historical romance released by Zebra 1 Sep 08
Some books are just so damn good, you truly want them to never end. I put this book down and sighed. It delivers on so many fronts, it’s difficult to summarize them all. read more…
RETRO REVIEW: Crystal Passion by Jo Goodman
This week we are paying homage to one of our favorite authors here at The Pond, Jo Goodman. As far as we know at this time, she is still looking for a new publisher to continue giving romance readers such wonderfully emotional and impassioned reads. Those of us here at TGTBTU miss her terribly, and we fervently hope she finds a home for her work very soon.
This first review is one of the earliest we have for Jo’s books.
Casee’s review of Crystal Passion (The McClellen Family, Book 1) by Jo Goodman
Historical romance released by Zebra 1 Sep 99 (orig. Aug 1985)
I am really beginning to wonder if there is a Jo Goodman book that I won’t like in existence. I’m thinking not. I continue to be obsessed impressed with Goodman’s ability to draw me into the story.
[Ed.: for a peek at the original 1985 cover, roll your mouse over the blue book cover. It’s so 80’s, isn’t it?]
REVIEW: Always You by Samantha Young
Contemporary Romance published by Samantha Young 26 Apr 22
Fans of this series have been patiently – or impatiently as the case may be – for MacKennon’s and Arrochar’s story in this series. We have been teased nearly unmercifully through the first two books about their relationship. Will they get together or is Mac, the older man, going to break Arro’s heart because of their age difference? To say that is exactly what happens is only half of the story. There is so much more going on inside of Mac that most of us fans didn’t see coming.
REVIEW: The People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
Romantic Comedy published by Berkley 11 May 22
I’m an Emily Henry fan. It’s the Meg Ryan rom-com parallels that really get me. There’s a lot of When Harry Met Sally vibes in this one and I’m here for it.
REVIEW: When She Dreams by Amanda Quick
Historical Thriller published by Berkley 03 May 22
Maggie Lodge is a lucid dreamer who is estranged from her family. She hires PI Sam Lodge to help her solve the mystery of who’s writing threatening letters to Aunt Cornelia, an advice columnist who’s column she’s ghost writing. When an impersonator shows up at a convention on dreaming who Maggie had originally considered but then dropped, she and Sam are headed to Burning Cove to look for answers. Of course, the plot thickens and there are more questions than answers, once they arrive on scene.
REVIEW: The Last Firefox by Lee Newbery (Author) and Laura Catalan (Illustrator)
Stevie‘s review of The Last Firefox by Lee Newbery (Author) and Laura Catalan (Illustrator)
Contemporary Middle Grade Fantasy published by Puffin 03 Mar 22
I love when kids books use fantastical situations as a metaphor for the circumstances lots of ordinary children might find themselves in. Charlie Challinor lives in a small Welsh town with his two Dads, and is excited about the prospect of them adopting a second child, but also apprehensive. He is being bullied by two boys at school and is scared of lots of other things too. How can he learn to be brave enough to protect a younger sibling?
REVIEW: Kiss Hard by Nalini Singh
Contemporary Romance published by TKA Distribution 03 May 22
Ms. Singh writes Squee-worthy romances all the time, but this is one series that steals my heart with every book. The Eseras are the poster-book family that I want for my own with their deep-abiding love for family and the principles they live by that they’ve instilled into their children and grandchildren.
When Sailor Bishop married Isa Rain, her sister Catie became part of the Bishop-Esera family. Since Daniel and Catie were contemporaries, Daniel adopted her into the family and treated her as an equal, ignoring her disability as though it didn’t exist. Now they’ve grown up into a teasing and taunting relationship with some of their clever witty repartee on social media gaining them quite the following. Can this very public, seemingly adversarial relationship turn into romance? Most people would vote no, but …..
