Johanna Lindsey - Elizabeth Linington - Diane E. Lock
Lindsey, Johanna - ALL I NEED IS YOU (Avon - 1998) (3+)
Casey inherited more than just her good looks from parents Chandos and Courtney Straton, and when her father tells her, in no uncertain terms, that she can't run the Texas ranch left to her by her grandfather Fletcher, stubborn Casey comes up with
a plan. In order to prove that she can do anything a man can
do, she takes on the persona of a bounty hunter. When Easterner Damien Rutledge III approaches "Kid" (Casey) and offers a hefty sum for her services, our heroine quickly discovers that
handling an intelligent, sexy man poses more of a challenge than
tracking down a desperate killer for a reward.
If the names Chandos, Courtney and Fletcher ring a bell, you may have read the prequel, A HEART SO WILD. While ALL I NEED IS YOU did a nice job of catching up with those characters, some of the plot twists seemed to be handled rather superficially. In addition, it lacked the sizzling sensuality found in earlier Lindsey romances. Even so, if you've been entertained by this author's books in the past, you will probably enjoy this one as well. ~Connie Ramsdell for Bookbug on the Web
Lindsey, Johanna - ALL I NEED IS YOU (Avon - 1998) (3)
East meets west in this lively tale. Seventeen-year-old Casey Straton believes she's qualified to manage her late grandfather's ranch, but despite her qualifications and pleas, her father resists. He thinks she should marry and settle down instead. Casey has a dangerous need to prove she's capable of doing more than just "woman's work," so she sets her sights on becoming a bounty hunter, disguising herself as a boy named Kid.
Damian Rutledge, a rich New York businessman, has traveled west to hunt down the man who murdered his father. After his stagecoach is robbed, he stumbles upon Casey's campsite. Kid apprehends the outlaws, and Damian is quite impressed with the "boy's" sharpshooting skills and easy confidence. The handsome city slicker doesn't know how to ride a horse or handle a pistol and there are a few humorous moments as he "learns the ropes." Damien hires the young bounty hunter to find his father's killer, and what follows is one adventure and misadventure after another. Our hero also discovers Kid is a female, of course, and she realizes the tenderfoot isn't as helpless as she once thought. Meanwhile, they both recognize the growing attraction between them.
ALL I NEED IS YOU is an entertaining, albeit light, role-reversal story for western fans and those who enjoy a strong, take-charge heroine. ~June F. (bookbug@oocities.com)
Lindsey, Johanna - JOINING, THE (Avon Hardcover - 5/99) (3)
Setting: England, 1214
Wulfric de Thorpe remembers his betrothed as a little hellion who attacked him with her pet falcon when she was five-years old, and he is not eager to take her for his bride. Milisant Crispin's vivid memory of that meeting differs, however; she remembers an
arrogant young man who killed her pet falcon and nearly crippled her with his brutality.
The tone of the story is set when this spirited pair meet for the first time as adults. Wulfric arrives at his intended's castle, only to discover his future bride is a strong-willed shrew, who dresses in boy's clothing and wants to prove she is as capable as any male. Mili, unwilling to marry this monster of a man, persuaded her father to grant a month's waiting period to decide if she will honor the marriage contract. She continually challenges the strong warrior, and he takes advantage of the situation and insists she return home with him. On the long journey, Wulfric and Mili each find they've met their match...and their mate.
Johanna Lindsey amuses and intrigues her readers with unusual twists and turns throughout this tale. There is much clashing of wills before these two strong, independent people learn about love and forgiveness, which makes for an interesting and entertaining read. However, I would have enjoyed THE JOINING much more had the lead characters resolved their "big misunderstanding" and recognized their love for each other much earlier in the story. ~Carol Carter for Bookbug on the Web
Lindsey, Johanna - PRESENT, THE (Avon - 11/99) (3+)
When the Mallory family meets at Haverston to celebrate Christmas, a present that mysteriously appears in the parlor
stirs up a great deal of curiosity—and nearly as much speculation as the old, unidentified grave on the ancestral estate. Amy Mallory Anderson "senses" the mystery present has something to do with her great-grandmother, Lady Anna, and the rumor about her gypsy blood. The family gathers around as the package is opened; and it does, indeed, contain a leather-bound journal that was written by Anna and her husband, Christopher Mallory. Thus begins their story.
Anastasia "Anna" Stephanoff, the daughter of a gypsy who died during childbirth and a Russian noble who wanted nothing to do with the child, was raised by her maternal grandmother. Now at a marriageable age, Anna is faced with the dismal prospect of marrying a gypsy she detests. In an attempt to avoid the marriage, she turns her seductive charms on Christopher Mallory. The handsome marquis awakens from a drunken stupor to discover he married the beautiful gypsy, but even though he is quite enchanted by her, he will not accept their marriage. Shortly after Anna leaves and returns to her people, her beloved grandmother dies (she is buried on the Haverston estate), and the gypsies disappear without a trace. The mystery surrounding the unmarked grave has been solved, but what about Anna and Christopher? You'll have to read the book in order to find out how they get back together, but I will say that the marquis is in for a surprise or two.
Readers are also treated to a secondary love story involving Anna's eldest grandson, Jason. As the rumors about the Mallory's gypsy heritage are proven, Jason attempts to convince his longtime housekeeper and mistress, Molly, to forget their class differences and make him a happy man by becoming his wife. Fans of this popular series will enjoy visiting with old friends again and meeting the ancestors of the Mallory family. THE PRESENT is an entertaining book, even though it is only 200 pages long and Anna and Christopher's love story is "wrapped up" much too quickly. In case you have difficulty keeping all the characters straight, a family tree is provided, but I would suggest that you read the other books in the series before beginning this how-it-all-began story. ~June Folk for Bookbug on the Web
Linington, Elizabeth - ANGLOPHILE, THE (5)
Set in 18th-century Dublin, this novel has just about everything you could ask for in a historical romance: fine prose, a fascinating hero, sympathetic heroine, good action and suspense, and an interesting historical background. I also found it deeply romantic. Although THE ANGLOPHILE was originally penned in the 1950s [reissued in 1985], it even contains some sex (though not explicit). The backdrop of Anglo-Irish relations should be of special interest to those who like reading about matters Irish. ~Elena P.
Lock, Diane E. - TRUE LOVE (Zebra To Love Again) (4+)
This contemporary novel centers on the problems and fantasies of a woman in her late 40s as she examines her values and the direction in which her life is heading. An emotional, well-written story about second chances and the meaning of true love. ~June F. (bookbug@oocities.com)
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