Judie Aitken - Victoria Alexander - Charlotte Vale Allen
Aitken, Judie - LOVE BEYOND TIME, A (Jove - 1/00) (4+)
Dr. Ryan Burke arrives at the site of the Little Big Horn
Battle encampment, ready to begin the work she has been
preparing for all of her life. Her mission is to preserve
the old ways by obtaining oral histories from the elders,
those descendants of the Indians who fought General Custer.
Though white herself, Ryan has always felt an affinity with
the Lakota.
Once at the site, Ryan is confronted with a chauvinistic boss who is intent on making her job miserable; and she is appalled to learn that someone is pilfering artifacts dug up on the site and selling them to private collectors. Kate befriends elder Charley Crying Wolf, and they decide to stop the thief in any way they can—even if it means going beyond the legal channels that Charley's hotshot Indian grandson, Dillon Wolf, is pursuing in Washington, DC. When a sudden and severe thunderstorm destroys Ryan's tent, Charley Crying Wolf gives her his special, magical tepee, which transports Ryan back in time to the days before Custer's Last Stand; back to find a way to reveal the thief...and find her heart's destiny.
Judie Aitken's A LOVE BEYOND TIME is a bravura debut! I was completely enchanted with her storytelling, superb prose, and exquisite depiction of the Lakota ways. Though history tells us the outcome of the Little Big Horn Battle, Ms. Aitken's thrilling depiction of the events will keep you turning the pages. Lakota warrior, Wolf, is a hero to die for—one whose tepee I wouldn't mind sharing! A LOVE BEYOND TIME is a magical, enthralling novel that will touch the hearts and minds of all romance readers. ~Debora Hosey for Bookbug on the Web
Alexander, Victoria - BELIEVE (Love Spell - 1998) (4)
Tessa St. James, an assistant professor of classic literature,
dislikes the Medieval time period and dreads teaching the
Arthurian legend. She considers herself a practical person
and doesn't believe in such fantasy...or even love, for that
matter. Imagine her disbelief when she receives a mysterious
box of books with a note saying, "Everybody needs a bit of
magic," and finds herself magically transported back in time
to Camelot! Tessa comes face-to-face with Merlin the
Magician and is introduced to a handsome knight, who turns
out to be Lancelot's son, Sir Galahad. Merlin has chosen
Tessa to accompany Galahad on his quest for the Holy Grail,
and she is told that he will fail without her.
Eventually she realizes that Merlin selected her partly because of her lack of faith in magic and love. Tessa and Galahad work together to solve the riddle that will help lead them to the Grail, and they soon fall in love. Both are concerned about what will happen at the journey's end, however. If they succeed in their quest, Galahad will be the guardian of the Grail forever, and Tessa will be returned to her time.
BELIEVE takes a fun, lighthearted look at a familiar legend and gives it a new spin. But beyond the fantasy, this is a story of a woman learning about belief, faith, and trust on her own personal journey. A delightful new romance in the magical Love Spell line! ~Karen Witkowski for Bookbug on the Web
Alexander, Victoria - WEDDING BARGAIN, THE (Avon - 1999) (4+)
Setting: London, 1818
Due to all of her outrageous actions in the past, Pandora
Effington is known by the ton as the "Hellion of Grosvenor
Square." She doesn't want to marry without love, and after
surviving seven London seasons, she is still single.
While attending a rout, Pandora ("Dora") seeks a private assignation with Maximillian Wells, Earl of Trent. Following some verbal sparring, he agrees to meet her after midnight at the burial grounds behind Grosvenor Chapel. When Max arrives, she demands to know his intentions in regard to her friend Cynthia, whom Dora believes Max is pursuing. To her surprise, he informs her that the only woman he's interested in is her. Having secretly observed Dora over the years, Max has decided she is the perfect woman—spirited, fiery, and beautiful—to be his wife and the mother of his children. Dora immediately refuses him, stating that she is no brood mare! In her opinion, Max is a rake, a rogue, a scoundrel and a beast! But he won't take no for an answer and cleverly argues his case, which leads to a discussion of both his and her requirements for a spouse. Max admits that he wants to be Dora's hero, then challenges her to devise a test so he can prove this to her.
Dora comes up with the "wedding bargain." If he can pass her test, she will marry him; but if he doesn't, she will choose his bride. Max is confident he can meet the challenge, until he hears what it is—the twelve labors of Hercules! He is determined to win Dora, however, and he always gets what he wants. He doesn't intend to lose; but, of course, neither does Dora.
THE WEDDING BARGAIN is a hilarious, sensual regency romp that any romance reader will thoroughly enjoy. Max and Dora are a hoot; both are spirited, independent, and single-minded, but still very likable and charming (and perfect for each other). It took a clever imagination on the author's part to help Max get through the twelve labors of Hercules, especially in a more modern time period. Adding to the fun are the secondary characters, Max's mother and Dora's spunky family. I highly recommend this witty "battle of the sexes" romance to anyone craving a funny, heartwarming read. ~Sharon Laird for Bookbug on the Web
Allen, Charlotte Vale - MOOD INDIGO (Island Nation Press
Hardcover - 1998) (2+ or 3)
Chip Stevenson was arrested for the murder of his intended bride,
whom the coroner declared had taken her own life by plunging from
the balcony of her luxury apartment. His one phone call was to
his beloved Aunt Honey, Honoria Barlow, the brilliant "doctor
fixit" of innumerable movie scripts and the only constant in his
life. After his release from the absurd charge, Chip did the one
thing that would alter all their lives. He asked his aunt to find out what really happened to Cordelia.
Honoria's extended family was delightfully supportive and ever caring—her beloved Russian, Mikhail; housekeeper extraordinaire, Ruth; loyal friend and attorney, Len. With the help of her close companion and assistant, Maybelle Robinson, Honoria began her private inquiry into the life and death of Cordelia "DeeDee" Carlson. What she unveiled not only shattered Chip's illusions, but led her to the very brink of death.
Ms. Allen is brilliantly descriptive of time and place in this New York City setting. Throughout the story, she evidences great expertise in the vernacular of the 1930s. If you enjoy all the nuances of this time period and do not require a heavy dose of romance, this subtly-woven mystery will be a pleasant, enjoyable read for you. ~Mona Montana for Bookbug on the Web
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