Tina Leonard - Julie Elizabeth Leto - Linda Lewis
Leonard, Tina - MATCH MADE IN TEXAS, A
(Harlequin American 796 - 10/99) (4)
Four elderly well-meaning matchmakers, Kitty, Swinnie, Bert, and Tom, need a man! Their hometown of Sunflower Junction, Texas has a population of only twenty, and it looks like that number is going to dwindle even more if they don't find a
husband for Mary van Doorn.
Since the death of her parents a few months ago, Mary has been responsible for her six sisters and the family's sunflower farm. Now she has to think about returning to California for her medical residency and she's making plans to sell the farm. But, of course, the foursome can't bear to see the van Doorn girls leave for good, so Kitty comes up with a brilliant plan. She will introduce Mary to Jake Maddox, a wealthy businessman who is interested in buying a home in Sunflower Junction where he can raise his young nephew. When Kitty gets a look at the prospective home buyer, she knows he's perfect for Mary, so the fearless quartet invite him to dinner. Mary is instantly attracted to Jake—he's the most handsome man she's ever met—but she endeavors to totally ignore the attraction between them because he doesn't fit into her plans. Unfortunately, she's met the right man at the wrong time in her life!
Having been raised in an unloving, dysfunctional family, Jake is looking for a home in the country, where he and his abandoned nephew Cruise can get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and get to know one another—the way Jake and his parents never did. He is drawn to Mary, but realizes she can't be forced to stay in Sunflower Junction just because the matchmakers would like her to marry and remain there. She has always put everyone's wants and needs before her own, and he thinks it's high time she looked out for her own best interests. But can Jake let Mary go once he discovers he's fallen in love with her?
A MATCH MADE IN TEXAS is a heartwarming, sensual romance starring two very personable and vividly portrayed characters. The endearing matchmakers definitely steal the show and the reader's heart, however. I chuckled at their antics—what they didn't come up with to try to get Mary and Jake together! I highly recommend A MATCH MADE IN TEXAS to those readers who enjoy humorous yet tender love stories that concentrate on the growing relationship between two people as they deal with the obstacles that challenge their happiness. I certainly hope Tina Leonard revisits the van Doorn sisters in future books, and I'd love to see those four elders in action again! ~Sharon Laird for Bookbug on the Web
Leto, Julie Elizabeth - PRIVATE LESSONS (Harl. Tempt. 724 - 3/99) (4)
Hailey Roberts is a physical therapist and an accomplished
dancer. She is also desperate for money, so she packs all her belongings and travels to Tampa to open her own dance therapy studio, hoping that she and her teenage brother can leave their domineering aunt's home. But shortly after arriving, she loses everything in a car jacking and must turn to her cousin, an exotic dancer, for help. Hired to fill in for her cousin at a groom's bachelor party, Hailey nervously arrives at the stately home of Grant Riordan, the groom's best man and the CEO of an ultraconservative investment firm. Unaware that his brother has ordered a stripper for the party, Grant is surprised when she walks through the door.
An accident soon occurs that causes Hailey to temporarily lose consciousness...and lose her memory. Grant reluctantly agrees to let her stay at his house until her identity is discovered, despite the fact that he has a very nosy neighbor who just happens to write a gossip column for the local newspaper. His boss is a stickler for propriety and Grant's career could be ruined if it's revealed he's harboring a stripper, but he can't just turn her out onto the street. He is uptight and repressed and Hailey is obviously the opposite, but an attraction develops between them and catches fire. Their good intentions go out the window as each decides to give the other PRIVATE LESSONS in love. Danger lurks in the shadows, however; and their lives become endangered when they go in search of Hailey's identity.
PRIVATE LESSONS is an extremely spicy romance with a pinch of adventure, and although the amnesia theme has been used many times, it fits well into the general plot. But the characters are what make the book! Hailey and Grant are exceedingly likable because both are willing to forge ahead into a new, loving relationship even though they're so different and they've both been hurt by love in the past. The hero is an understanding and caring man, who is sensitive to Hailey's feelings about her "occupation." In turn, she tries to minimize the damage her presence is causing his career. The many wonderful secondary characters, especially Grant's nosy neighbor and prickly boss, add much humor and enjoyment to the story. This book is hot to handle, but more importantly it left me with a wonderful, warm feeling in my heart and a smile on my face. ~Sharon Laird for Bookbug on the Web
Leto, Julie Elizabeth - SEDUCING SULLIVAN (Harl. Tempt. 686) (4+)
Angela Harris, a successful marketing executive and single mom, and Jack Sullivan, a world-renowned photographer, were high school sweethearts who split up on prom night after a misunderstanding and betrayal. They meet again at their ten-year high school reunion, but unbeknownst to Jack, Angela has plans to seduce him—to get him out of her system once and for all. She knows that her future can't begin until the door to the past is closed.
Jack has his own personal agenda—his life is in need of renewal after the heartbreaking ending of a recent relationship. Angela comes along at just the right time. As far as she is concerned, however, her seduction plans backfire when she discovers that Jack arouses passions that she didn't know existed. He "isn't any further out of her system than the blood pumping through her veins." She tries to make him believe that this is only a weekend fling, but in Jack's mind the reunion has just begun! Luckily for him, a business problem has Angela asking for his professional help—and the seduction continues.
SEDUCING SULLIVAN is a hot, sizzling story with love scenes that will leave you breathless. This romance is a feast for the senses and portrays every woman's fantasy of coming into contact with a past love. The main characters are wonderful, and what Jack can do with an ice cube will heat you up rather than cool you down! Throw in a Jacuzzi and a bottle of wine, and the air conditioner will be turned up to the max! I loved this book! ~Sharon Laird for Bookbug on the Web
Lewis, Linda - CINDERELLA AND THE TEXAS PRINCE
(Silhouette Yours Truly - 1998) (4+)
Unusual circumstances cause Cindy Ellerbee to be sent, as a housekeeper, to a rarely-used ranch house out in the middle of nowhere (it would spoil the story if I explained further). About six months later, the "richest bachelor in Texas" escapes his mother's plans to marry him off (in keeping with family tradition, he is supposed to wed before the age of 35) by going to his ranch for some solitude. He wants to get away from ringing telephones and beautiful women seeking his money! Travis Rule not only falls in lust, but hears music when he meets the most unlikely-looking housekeeper imaginable. Then his mother arrives a few days later with two beautiful rich girls in tow—prospective brides—and the story really gets fun.
For those who like a humorous, light story, I think you'll find CINDERELLA AND THE TEXAS PRINCE a joy to read. Most likely, you'll finish it in one sitting because it moves so quickly. Don't forget to read the first page before the title page to see "how to catch a prince" (even if your glass slipper is a size nine)—it kind of sets the pace. *grin* If you happen to be in a reading slump or need some smiles, this fairy-tale romance is for you. ~Carol C. (angelca@alltel.net)
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