Sandy M’s review of Healing Luke by Beth Cornelison
Contemporary Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 1 Sep 09

The title of this book caught my interest recently, so I pulled it from the bookshelf to keep it handy just in case. I’ve read a number of historicals and paranormals over the last several weeks and I needed a contemporary for a break. So I picked up Healing Luke, and I’m very glad I did.

Luke and his brother, Aaron, are ladies’ men and never have one iota of trouble when it comes to getting the woman they want and are sometimes quite competitive in that area. They’re close due to their mother’s abandonment when they were young. They run a fishing business with their father and life is good until an explosion on one of their boats leaves Luke severely injured, then angry and moody that his life has changed so drastically. Ms. Cornelison does a terrific job with the circle of emotions in Luke that people go through when something like this happens. He loses an eye, a thumb, and is scarred from the burns he suffers. His family is beside themselves with worry ever since Luke quit his therapy to sit around the house drinking while moping. They don’t know what to do for him now. Luke only wants to be left alone to wallow in misery, especially now that women will never look at and respond to him as before.

Trying to move on and get on with her life after her fiance left her at the alter, Abby, who’s an occupational therapist, goes on her honeymoon by herself. She walks into Luke’s life for a day of snorkeling but ends up working with Luke to help him move on too. Of course, he’s having none of it, wanting to do things in his own time and in his own way. He slowly responds to Abby, only to take two steps back when his brother also seems to be interested in the lady. But Abby knows how to deal with such contrary patients and she never lets up when it comes to Luke. She makes a mistake or two along the way, but that’s because her feelings are so involved more and more – not only for Luke but for his entire family. Abby has her own issues, but it’s her outgoing and forward-looking attitude that makes her strong and independent.

Everything in this story is so real. From family life with tragic issues and handsome competing brothers to anger over the unfairness of life to the building of trust and love, Ms. Cornelison has written a wonderful book full of emotion and romance. I sure hope Aaron gets his own book. I have checked the author’s website but found no clues if that’s a possibility. I think he’ll make a great hero all on his own too.

Grade: B+

Summary:

Ladies’ man Luke Morgan has the world at his feet until a freak explosion leaves him burned and bitter. Luke’s family offers gutsy occupational therapist Abby Stanford a job facilitating Luke’s physical therapy, but Luke wants no part of his family’s schemes or Abby’s help. When sparks fly between Luke and Abby, Luke must face his deepest fears in order to claim the woman who brought his family together and taught him the real meaning of love.

Read an excerpt.

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of The Christmas Stranger (The Bancroft Brides #1) by Beth Cornelison
Romantic suspense released by Silhouette Romance Suspense 01 Oct 09

I’ve never naturally gravitated towards Harlequin’s romantic suspense category lines, despite being a longtime mystery/suspense fan.  I suspect it’s because, as much as I love the category format, adhering to a shorter word count, delivering a satisfying romance, and one top of all that, a satisfying suspense plot is a really tall order.  It takes a particularly skilled writer to be able to pull it off.  For the most part Beth Cornelison does in this first book in her Bancroft Brides trilogy.  The suspense plot wasn’t exactly challenging, but thoughtful characters and a climactic finish swoop in to save the day.

A year ago Holly Bancroft Cole’s husband, Ryan, was murdered.  They found his body in an abandoned church, his wallet and shoes missing.  Given the questionable neighborhood, police suspect a vagrant of the crime, but there are precious few leads.  Which means 12 months down the road, the case is still unsolved.  Holly has filled the void with her teaching job and volunteering at a local community aid center.  That is where she meets down-on-his-luck Matt Rankin.  Matt is living in a shady motel, currently in between construction jobs, and has lost custody of his kids to his in-laws.  If anyone needs a break, it’s this guy.  Through a series of circumstances, Holly ends up hiring him to complete renovations on her farm house.  Work has stalled on it ever since her husband’s death, Matt needs the job, and she just wants to be finished with it all.  But what will happen when Holly discovers the many secrets that Matt is keeping from her?  Especially in light of the fact of their growing attraction?

Yes gentle readers, we have ourselves the ol’ Big Secret plot.  It works fairly well here, as the Big Secret is highly charged and very emotional.  However, it does rely heavily on coincidence.  The reader has to be willing to buy into the fact that Matt and Holly’s paths have crossed before – even if they don’t realize it right away.  Sort of like two ships passing in the night.  The author lays out the facts in a slow and concise manner, having Matt unfold his tragic past throughout the entire course of the story.  This is at times frustrating as he shares the truth with Holly in drips and drabs, instead of just laying all of his cards out on the table, and getting it over with – thereby causing turmoil later on in the story.  That being said, both Holly and Matt are very nice people, you want them to succeed, and glory be, even with reticence and holding back, they do talk to each other – making it easy to buy into their budding romance.

The suspense thread here is decent, but it’s fairly obvious early on who our bad guy is.  That said, the author does a fine job of leaving motive up in the air until it’s revealed during the final chapters, and this helped save the day.  It’s easy to get bored with a suspense thread if you unravel it early on, and in this case the author does the smart thing by holding back just enough to cultivate an exciting finish.

While The Christmas Stranger didn’t change my life, it was a fast, quick read that kept me entertained.  Holly and Matt are both very likeable people, and the suspense plot kept the story humming along at a good clip.  There’s also a nice bit of Christmas flavor to the story, that would make this one an ideal holiday read – with an added bit of excitement as Holly unravels the mystery of her husband’s death.  It’s a good, solid start to a new series, and future books are planned for Holly’s two sisters.

Grade: B-

Summary:

After her husband’s death, Holly Bancroft Cole knows Christmas won’t be the same this year. Still grieving, she decides to complete the renovations on her North Carolina farmhouse and hires a construction worker. Drawn to his piercing eyes and gentle manners, Holly can’t shake the feeling that secrets lie behind the handsome stranger’s warm smile.

Haunted by memories, Matt Rankin can’t remember the joy that simple pleasures bring until he meets Holly. When a harrowing attempt is made on her life, Matt realizes he can’t live without this beautiful angel. Now he must protect the woman he loves at all costs—even if it means risking his own life.

Read an excerpt.