Limecello’s review of Eye of the Tiger by Diana Palmer
Contemporary romance published by Silhouette on 1 Mar 86

Most of you know I like Diana Palmer’s books – and here, I’m going to try to explain. I will say, that this (along with Coltrain’s Proposal, yes) is one of my favorite books. I only have about 20 more of her books to read (out of ~140?) so that should mean something. While reading the book, I kept wondering what it is about Ms. Palmer’s books that I enjoy so much – and this book really highlights why I appreciate her writing.

First, I feel that this book is different from many of Ms. Palmer’s other ones. It’s set in Kentucky, but more importantly, the characters are distinct. Eleanor Whitman is a nurse, and she’s hung up on Keegan Taber. Of course they have a “sordid encounter,” and she effectively avoids him for four years. Wait – that’s where the similarities to other books end. Ellie is smart, realistic, and true to herself. Yes, there is a slight issue of her not being in touch with her own emotions, but she stands up for herself. Ellie has a boyfriend, lives her own life, going toe to toe with Keegan. She’s very real, and someone you would like to have as a friend – Ellie’s spunky. She’s satisfyingly pragmatic and it’d be nice if more romance heroines were like her across the board.

Keegan Taber is a fun Diana Palmer hero because, well, he’s not a jerk. I’ll give you a moment to recover from your shock. He was a jerk, four years ago before the story begins, but now, he’s grown and matured. In fact, Keegan is madly in love with Ellie, and trying to get back into her good graces. He’s a bit heavy handed at times, and makes some stupid-man mistakes, but not only is that fiction, it’s how life goes. Keegan is a well-rounded character with depth and humor.

I liked how the heroine was actually the one who wasn’t pushing for a relationship, and is in fact, relatively clueless. It was nice for Ellie to not be depressed and mopey throughout the book, or believing/tricking herself into believing wedding bells were on the way simply because Keegan kissed her. If anything, it was the other way around. Keegan knows it’s not in Ellie’s nature to get close to people, and thinks their encounters mean Ellie is open to a committed relationship.

Ms. Palmer has so many fans, I think, because her writing is so real. It’s frustrating, and some people think the stories are ridiculous – and at times, yes, it does go there- but generally, and especially in this book, the plot, the characters and their reactions are so viable. Misunderstanding a simple issue can have widespread and long lasting repercussions. Events, minor or major can really change a person and greatly impact someone’s life. As much as the reader might not want to, it’s something they can relate to. While reading, even after a frustrating event, I’d think that just makes so much sense. Additionally, the secondary characters are all well written and enjoyable.

I also like her characters for how direct they can be, especially in their dialogue. It’s abrupt and at times awkward, but nice. You don’t normally read “You’re a nice man.” in a book when it means exactly that. Only. The character’s straightforward speech conveys what they’re thinking at the moment, but the plot follows all the convoluted nuances of the past, various reactions, and everything left unspoken.

Then again, there’s the major aspect of hero groveling. I love that. No hero can grovel like a Diana Palmer hero, and Keegan spends pretty much the entire book doing that. Albeit not explicitly. You feel emotionally connected to and invested with both of Ellie and Keegan, but not frustrated with them. I think Ms. Palmer strikes an excellent balance here.

Character driven stories are my favorite, and this book is a great example of that. Even if you’ve read a Diana Palmer book before and didn’t like it – I’d suggest you read this one. (If you can find it – I know it’s hard to get but it’s also available in two anthologies that should be easier to find – Lover Come Back and Heaven on Earth – possibly more.) In fact, I can happily recommend this book to anyone. It truly is one of my favorite Diana Palmer books, and a romance book I really enjoy in general.

Grade: A

She Wanted To Make Him Jealous…
Four years ago Eleanor Whitman had been crazy about Keegan Taber. Crazy enough to let him seduce her-and then find out he was engaged to another woman!

Now Keegan claimed he’d only ever wanted her-but Eleanor was seeing someone else. She and Wade were only friends-but Keegan didn’t have to know that…just yet!

Or

Years ago, Eleanor Whitman had had a furious crush on Keegan Taber – and he’d wanted nothing to do with her! But that was then… and now, four years later, Keegan would give anything to have Eleanor love him again. Could Keegan hope to win Eleanor back before his rival put a ring on her finger?