Jude Deveraux - Adrienne deWolfe - Judy Di Canio
Deveraux, Jude - ANGEL FOR EMILY, AN (Pocket - 1998) (4)
I'm not usually attracted to ghost, angel or fantasy-type reads, but this book really got me hooked after the first few chapters. Michael is a guardian angel who has been dropped to earth in order to help Emily. Unfortunately, he has no clue as to how to help her, even though he has known good-hearted Emily throughout many lifetimes.
I was chuckling during most of the book because Michael is continually mangling slang phrases, which Emily automatically corrects. AN ANGEL FOR EMILY is a sweet, lighthearted read. Be warned that the beginning is somewhat confusing, but if you stick with it, you'll have a few hours of reading fun. ~Connie R. (C1rams@aol.com)
Deveraux, Jude - BLESSING, THE (Pocket Hardcover - 1998) (4)
New York-based multi-millionaire Jason Wilding does his younger brother a favor by returning home to Abernathy, Kentucky, to stay in the home of Amy Thomkins' as an unofficial baby-sitter to the woman's child so his sibling can go out with her. Amy allows Jason to stay because she thinks he is gay and distraught over losing his lover.
However, Jason soon falls in love with Amy and her son, Max. He knows that his beloved is poor but proud so he secretly arranges to give gifts to her and her baby. When Amy realizes that Jason is not gay, they make love. However, Amy leaves him when she learns how wealthy he is because she feels he is trying to buy her. For the next year, an unhappy Jason hires private detectives to find her, but they fail to locate either Amy or Max, leaving the business mogul to wonder if he will ever find happiness again.
New York Times bestselling author Jude Devereaux demonstrates why she is a household name among fans of romance and women's fiction with an enjoyable tale about two people transformed by love. In spite of the fact the novel is filled with numerous clichés found throughout the genre, readers will feel blessed to peruse a story line constructed around the metamorphosis of the characters due to love. Clearly, THE BLESSING is another bestseller by one of the all-time greats. ~Harriet Klausner
Deveraux, Jude - WISHES (Pocket - 1991) (5)
The heroine, a pretty, genuine woman named Nellie Grayson, has to grow up too fast. After her mom dies, she needs to take care of her bratty sister and penny-pinching father. Nellie is overweight, and no one in the town—or in her family, for that matter—treats her well or sees her inner beauty. Not until Jace Montgomery comes to town. He is invited to dinner with the Graysons, and her father hopes Jace will fall for Terrel (the bratty sister). Instead he falls in love with Nellie. This is an excellent romance novel, which I've read many times. It makes me laugh and cry, and it leaves me with an all-around good feeling. ~Angie (ang540@aol.com)
deWolfe, Adrienne - SCOUNDREL FOR HIRE (Avon - 1999) (4)
Setting: Colorado, 1886
Raphael Jones is a flimflam artist; he and his partner are
selling fraudulent investments in a diamond mine. When Silver
Nichols approaches him at the miners' convention and tells him
he will be going to jail for his dishonest activities, they
strike a bargain. Her father is enthralled with a fortune
teller and psychic named Celestia, and Silver wants Rafe to
charm the woman away from her father.
Rafe is the right man for the job—he is a handsome rogue who can charm the birds from the trees. But he has acted so many parts that he's not too sure who he really is anymore. Rafe attends Silver's house party as the Duke of Chumley and meets her father. He genuinely likes the man, but is stunned to discover Max wants him to marry his daughter. Silver once had her heart broken, however, so she has turned her head toward business and has no interest in love. Will the scoundrel change her mind?
SCOUNDREL FOR HIRE is a beautifully written book, but I questioned a few slang expressions that seemed out of place. Was "butt out" used in 1886? Aside from these minor distractions, I really enjoyed the story. I especially liked Raphael—a man with an angel's name but a touch of the devil. He could quote Shakespeare and love sonnets, all the while trying to figure out a con. SCOUNDREL FOR HIRE sparkles with wit, and Rafe's mischievous pet otter, which is always getting into trouble, adds to the fun; but there is an underlying vulnerability about both the hero and heroine that is equally appealing. This is the first book of a series, so readers can look forward to revisiting the delightful Jones family again. ~Marilyn Heyman for Bookbug on the Web
Di Canio, Judy - BELOVED WARRIOR (Leisure - 1999) (4)
Okay, picture this! While driving her Jeep along a winding Pennsylvania road during a thunderstorm, Jennifer Giordano has her mind on other weighty matters: the loss of her mother six months ago, a stack of bills to be paid, and getting laid-off from her job. There is a flash of lightning, and suddenly she notices a huge, beastly man coming toward her with a sword. As she swerves into a ditch to avoid hitting him, so begins an adventure that will last her a lifetime...
Dar, son of Tyr, grandson of Odin, and until recently a resident of Asgard, has been tricked by the wily and devious Loki. He sent Dar and his faithful pet dragon, Firedrake, through time and dimension to earth, or "Midgard" as Dar calls our planet—one of the nine-known worlds. From that moment on, Jennifer finds herself living a bizarre fantasy. While sorting out the strange turn of events, to complicate matters she becomes hotly attracted to this big Norse hunk of a guy. Meanwhile, she is trying to keep Dar from destroying her antique furniture and the adorable little Firedrake from eating the neighbor's pets! As our hero searches for a way to return to Asgard, he is also caught up in the need to make Jennifer his woman—even if he must leave without her.
Now, a good love story needs a little intrigue and that is where Jason Wells, director of the mysterious "Wells Institute," and his creepy assistant, Henry Sneed, enter the picture. They want to get their hands on the warrior and his pet dragon. Posing as a scientist from Norway, Dar agrees to work at the institute in hopes of finding a way home. While there, he meets the ultimate absent-minded scientist known as Norman K. Rockville (a.k.a. Snorri), who eventually leads Dar to his discovery. However, Loki is not done with his mischief. He follows Dar to earth and wreaks a bit of havoc before he gets his comeuppance. Don't despair; this tale ends on a happy note, but you'll have to read the book to find out how that comes about. I won't ruin your fun.
Judy Di Canio makes her stellar debut with this utterly delightful and exciting fantasy romance for Leisure's Perfect Hero line. BELOVED WARRIOR captures Norse legend and brings it to life with an ideal blend of humor and intrigue to keep you reading from cover to cover. The author will spark your imagination and sweep you into a world of fantasy, as you dream about having a perfect warrior of your very own. ~Jolene Ehret for Bookbug on the Web
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