Linda Jones - Linda Winstead Jones
Jones, Linda - CINDERFELLA (Love Spell - 1998) (4)
In this takeoff of the classic CINDERELLA, Linda Jones
reverses roles and gives readers a delightfully fun
fairy-tale romance set in Kansas, 1895. Despite her parent's wishes, wealthy heiress Charmaine Haley (the female equivalent of Prince Charming) prefers to live in Boston where she was properly educated, rather than settle down in Salley Creek, Kansas. However, dear old dad and mom are determined to convince their little "princess" that her childhood home has everything she could ever desire. Hence, they throw an elaborate masquerade ball in Charmaine's honor—and it's no coincidence that every eligible bachelor in Eastern Kansas is invited.
Local farmer, Ash Coleman (ash, coal, cinder—cute, huh?), decides to attend the ball after his godfather (no fairy godmother in this tale) coaxes him into going, but only because Ash is already enchanted with the lovely Charmaine. Of course, his wicked stepmother Verna and her two deadbeat sons, Elmo and Oswald, also attend the ball, hoping to gain a fortune by marrying into the Haley family. Incognito, our hero plays out a fantasy...and literally sweeps the beautiful princess off her feet. Not even his stepmother recognizes the handsome masked man. But at the stroke of midnight, Ash flees (on his horse named Pumpkin) after Charmaine's father mistakenly assumes his daughter's virtue has been compromised. One black boot (definitely not a glass slipper for this hero!) is left behind in Ash's haste to depart and avoid getting a bullet in his backside.
After the boot is paraded all over town and eventually matched up with its owner, a shocked and dismayed Charmaine finds herself hastily exchanging nuptials with Ash Coleman while her father points a shotgun directly at the groom's heart. She can't believe that her fantasy man, her "prince," turned out to be a sodbuster. Admittedly, she had fostered tender feelings for Ash when she was a child, but that had just been a silly crush. She is a sophisticated, modern woman now, who definitely knows her own mind. Wait until Ash discovers that his spirited new bride is an advocate of sexual abstinence in marriage. Considering the chemistry between these two, it doesn't take very long for him to change Charmaine's mind about that notion.
What a charming romance! The story line and winsome cast of characters kept me chuckling as I cheered on the downtrodden but lovable hero and the "princess," who had a lot to learn about life. CINDERFELLA is the perfect choice when you want a lighthearted and fun, yet sensual romance...with all the magic of a fairy tale. ~June Folk for Bookbug on the Web
Jones, Linda - INDIGO BLADE, THE (Love Spell - 1999) (4)
Two years before the Revolutionary War, Maximillian Broderick arrives in Charles Town, South Carolina. He appears to be a very wealthy, foppish English aristocrat, but in actuality he is the leader of a band of seven men known as the "League of the Indigo Blade." These men are rescuing colonists who have been arrested for speaking their minds against the King's rule. Penelope Seton has just arrived at her Loyalist uncle's home for the social season when her cousin Mary bursts into her room to gossip about the exciting news concerning the Indigo Blade's latest rescue.
Attending a ball the next evening and trying to discover any usable information, Max meets Penelope. She sees a bored fop who dresses in silk and adorns himself with lace, but his eyes fascinate her because they contradict his persona—they are bold and full of life. Max gazes into Penelope's eyes and sees spirit, tenderness and, most of all, peace—something he has been looking for all his life—and falls in love. Even though he knows she's a complication in regard to his plans as the Indigo Blade, he woos her and proposes. On the eve before their wedding, Penelope aids a friend, Heath Lowry, who was injured during a skirmish with British soldiers, then leaves him to rest at his request.
After their wedding night, Max hears from his colleagues that Heath Lowry had been captured by the British and that Penelope had been named his betrayer before he died. Max is devastated and feels betrayed by this news; and when Penelope awakens the next morning, she discovers the man who wooed and loved her has changed back into a shallow, vain and self-centered bore. Her protestations of innocence fall on deaf ears. Is their marriage over before it really begins?
Centering on the beginning of our country's fight for independence, THE INDIGO BLADE is an exciting and sensual story mixed with intrigue, jealousy and betrayal. The hero and heroine are very likable, but both have human frailties. Because of his background, Max lacks trust in Penelope; and she is uncharacteristically apathetic in proving herself innocent of Heath's death and confronting her husband about his cold treatment of her. There are numerous, fascinating secondary characters, both good and evil. Max's band of men are exceptionally well portrayed and add greatly to the story, as does a secondary romance involving Mary and an unusual partner. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy a romance about the history of our country and the brave, unselfish men and women whose dreams of peace and freedom helped bring forth our great nation. A fast and enjoyable read! ~Sharon Laird for Bookbug on the Web
Jones, Linda - JACKIE AND THE GIANT (Love Spell - 1999) (4)
Setting: Alabama, 1895
Linda Jones will delight readers with this magical Faerie Tale romance, based on JACK AND THE BEANSTALK. It all begins with a valuable Faberge egg that Rory Donovan owns. Even in the middle of nowhere Alabama, he keeps that little treasure under a locked glass case. Jackie Beresford hopes to steal the egg, however,
so she can retire from being a thief and live safely and comfortably the rest of her life.
After a failed attempt that results in Jackie stealing only a gold harmonica...and hiding when a nude Rory wakes up, she decides to return to his plantation home and try again. Bad mistake. She is caught by Rory, and as an alternative to going to jail, she agrees to be a governess to his six-year-old son Kevin. Within a week, the little boy and the family's crusty housekeeper openly adore Jackie, but Rory fights his persistent, lusty thoughts of the little pixie.
JACKIE AND THE GIANT is an enchanting, emotional tale about relationships and trust. The hero and heroine are two people who, for their own different reasons, have vowed never to marry. This story is also about a young boy who wants his father's love but finds himself shut out, both physically and emotionally. With Jackie's love and affection, he soon becomes a happier, more emotionally satisfied child. Rory is unable to demonstrate or trust in his feelings, but Jackie teaches both the son and father a bit about magic—that holding a dried bean in your hand and making a wish will somehow result in your wish being fulfilled. I must admit that I was distracted during a few scenes, unable to suspend disbelief; but when all was said and done, I found myself caught up in the magic of this heartwarming story. ~Pat Cavender for Bookbug on the Web
Jones, Linda - SEDUCTION OF ROXANNE, THE (Love Spell - 1/00) (4+)
Like the story of Cyrano de Bergerac, THE SEDUCTION OF ROXANNE
is a heartbreaking tale of lost chances, good intentions, and
misunderstandings. Linda Jones bases her story on the French
classic by Edmond Rostand, updating it for modern readers by
situating the star-crossed lovers in the post-Civil War American
West.
Cyrus Bergeron, now the local sheriff, has never quite recovered from his wartime trauma, but not necessarily for the reasons the Paris, Texas residents might think. He is a man who has twice been charged with a sacred trust: once when he left for war, and once more at the very moment he failed that first vow. Eternally conflicted, he must weigh his promise to Louis (to watch after Roxanne) against his failure to keep the promise he made to Roxanne (to keep Louis safe). Cyrus carefully watches from a distance, never allowing himself to realize that the concern he feels for the young widow might be something more, or to consider himself worthy enough to be her friend.
Roxanne Robinette's heart hasn't been amongst the living since her husband Louis died. Yet one afternoon as she walks home from teaching, she begins to see vibrant colors for the first time in three years. As her awakening continues, she rejects the stagnant life she's fallen into and makes a fateful decision. She is going to get married. She picks Cyrus to be her advisor and matchmaker, sensing a friend in him because of the sorrow they've shared. Her only criteria for marriage is that the man she weds must have a peaceful occupation, so she will not lose two husbands to the gun. Cyrus' newly-born hopes that she meant to marry him are cruelly dashed, but to fulfill his promise to Louis, he sets out to find Roxanne the perfect husband.
Linda Jones gives new life to an old classic in her treatment of the familiar Cyrano/Roxanne tale. By changing the setting and time period to the post-Civil war era, she creates fresh, poignant conflicts for her characters that go beyond the classic love triangle of the original story. Cyrus' guilt and longing and Roxanne's first, faltering steps into a new life are written with true insight into the hearts of these two characters. Their long road towards realizing the blessings to be found under their noses is a wonderful journey of hope and healing. THE SEDUCTION OF ROXANNE will break your heart, then steal it! ~Deborah Roy for Bookbug on the Web
Jones, Linda Winstead - BRIDGER'S LAST STAND (SIM 924)
(4+)
Frannie Vaughn lost her fiancé, got fired, and received
a lousy haircut all in the course of a day. Detective Mal
Bridger, on the very same day, stopped for a cup of coffee and a Twinkie at the local convenience store and killed the man who was robbing it. These two lonely, miserable people meet in Rick's Retro Bar and Grill on a rainy night in Decatur. An instant attraction and the need for comfort leads the two to the Riverwatch Hotel for what is meant to be a one-night stand. But Frannie and Mal didn't count on the events of the day taking such a toll; instead of a night of passionate sex, they both got a good night's sleep.
Early the next morning, feeling disappointed and embarrassed and certain she will never see Mal again, Frannie sneaks out of the hotel room. In a hurry, she decides against taking the elevator to the lobby, opting for the stairs instead—and bumps into a soon-to-be murder victim on the stairwell. Bridger wakes up just as Frannie is slipping out the door. What a frustrating way to start the day. He goes back to sleep, only to be awakened by his partner a short time later. It seems a murder just occurred and the prime suspect is his companion from the night before, Frannie Vaughn. Suddenly Mal finds himself back in Frannie's life...in a big way, and this time he has no intention of letting her go.
Filled with fun characters, tender passion and an intriguing old-fashioned mystery, BRIDGER'S LAST STAND is what good reading is all about. Linda Winstead Jones brings her charming and witty writing style to the series line with a definite bang. Despite the suspenseful overtone, BRIDGER'S LAST STAND left me with a warm, fuzzy feeling that so many of the series romances haven't provided lately. ~Olivia Holton for Bookbug On The Web
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