Cait London
London, Cait - BLAYLOCK'S BRIDE (SD 1207 - 4/99) (5)
When Kallista May Bellamy was a small child, the only love and security she could count on was from Boone Llewlyn. She didn't realize at the time that he was her grandfather, only that he
was the one person who was always there for her. Her mother would drop her off at Boone's Wyoming ranch whenever she was between husbands or lovers, and the ranch became a haven for
Kallista, sheltering her from the unhappiness of her
childhood.
As BLAYLOCK'S BRIDE opens, Kallista has just returned to Jasmine, Wyoming two years after Boone's death. The executor of his estate is Roman Blaylock, whom she had a confrontation with four years earlier. At that time, she had been led to believe that he was a violent, physically abusive man. Still angry, she is ready to prove that Roman is unfit to be in charge of the estate. Even when Kallista discovers that what Roman's ex-wife told her was a lie, she cannot bring herself to trust him now.
After watching Roman interact with Jasmine's residents and getting to know him as a person, Kallista begins to see him through different eyes, however. She resists the temptation to surrender to the feelings of compassion and trust she is beginning to develop for him. Meanwhile, Roman tries to ease the pain and sadness that she feels with Boone's passing...as he falls deeply in love with her.
How Ms. London resolves their story makes this one of the best category romances I've read recently. Readers will find themselves turning the pages long into the night to finish this emotionally compelling book. Roman is a big, strong man, but the author lets you see inside him. The grief that is buried within him, his insecurity in regard to winning Kallista's love, and his sensitivity won my heart. I was totally involved in the story and did not want to put this book down. Cait London is a "new to me" author, and now I find myself hunting for her earlier books, especially the Blaylock and Tallchief series. Thank you, Ms. London, for such a wonderful reintroduction to category romance! ~Pat Cavender for Bookbug on the Web
London, Cait - PERFECT FIT, THE (SD 1183) (5)
The legends of the Tallchief men and women are passed down from one generation to the next, and each time a legend is solved, true love is found... Silver has long been intrigued by
the legacy of Elizabeth Tallchief. As young girls, Silver and
her sister purchased Elizabeth's old letters in an antique store and read them repeatedly, captivated by Elizabeth's love story and the mystery surrounding her missing pearls.
Now, as an adult, Silver is known for creating unique scents and blends of perfume. Palladin Incorporated offers her a job producing an exclusive line of fragrances. Nick Palladin is the troubleshooter for the corporation and the self-appointed guardian of the Palladin-Tallchief families. Silver accepts the job, hoping to meet the Tallchiefs and finally solve the mystery of Elizabeth Tallchief. What she didn't plan on was falling in love with Nick Palladin.
When Nick discovers Silver's real reason for accepting the job, they join forces and try to locate the missing pearls. He eventually realizes that Silver is the only woman for him, just as he is the only one to help Silver fulfill her destiny. THE PERFECT FIT is a heartwarming romance with love scenes that sizzle. Nick is a sexy hero who is fiercely protective, and Silver is a woman who loves passionately and completely. Put them together and you have THE PERFECT FIT. ~Robin Peek for Bookbug on the Web
London, Cait - RAFE PALLADIN: MAN OF SECRETS (SD 1160) (4)
Rafe Palladin is harboring a newly-discovered secret and needs to right a wrong. Many years ago his father swindled money from the Valerian family by selling them a run-down castle that had been moved from English soil to an area in the Rocky Mountains. Rafe's grandmother, plagued with guilt over her son's crimes, wants Doctor Valerian repaid for the castle that plunged him into debt and affected his health.
Rafe arrives at the castle, intending to purchase it and soothe his grandmother's conscience. He meets Doctor Valerian and his daughter, Demi Tallchief; and to his surprise, they do not want to sell the castle because it has become part of the Tallchief heritage (and Demi has plans of her own to use the castle for her women's sensuality retreat seminars). Since Rafe can't persuade the Valerians to sell, he decides to help them with much-needed repairs. While he works on the castle, he also fixes his interest on another project—"how to acquire Demi."
Cait London has written a humorous, sensuous romance about a methodical man and a very independent woman. RAFE PALLADIN: MAN OF SECRETS, which continues the Tallchief legend, is a wonderful love story that bridges two families as the hero and heroine find redemption and love. ~Sharon Laird for Bookbug on the Web
London, Cait - RIO: MAN OF DESTINY (SD 1233 - 8/99) (4+)
The happiest moments in Paloma Forbes' life were those spent with Boone Llewlyn when she was a young girl. Whenever her mother wanted to be free of her, she would drop her off at his home. Under Boone's watchful eye, Paloma would play with the little
chicks at the Jasmine, Wyoming feed store, then return to his home and play his favorite songs on the piano. She was a bright young girl—a child prodigy who performed her first concert at the age of six, but her childhood was not a happy one because
of her heartless mother. Paloma treasured her visits with Boone, and only with him did she feel safe and loved. She wasn't aware of their blood ties, however; Boone wasn't able to reveal that fact to her as a child.
Rio Blaylock's happy-go-lucky nature conceals a painful past. As a ranger, he has had several heartbreaking experiences during rescue missions, and he is haunted by one particular event involving a child who died after falling down a mine. Even his closely knit family has failed in their attempts to get him to discuss that loss. In the last eighteen months since the death of Boone, his friend and neighbor, Rio has made numerous attempts to get in touch with Paloma. He is the heir to half of the feed store, and he wants to buy out the half that was bequeathed to her. Because she is a highly successful pianist now, Paloma is extremely hard to locate at any one moment; but with his brother Roman's help, Rio is finally able to meet with her. The sparks fly immediately, and faced with an unresolved situation, Rio challenges her to return to Jasmine and face the memories and questions that make returning there so painful.
Disillusioned by her mother and the only man who had ever loved her, Paloma has acquired a basic distrust of all men. Her defenses are high and this leads to her wariness of Rio and his brothers, which creates some great, even funny confrontations with his family. Rio quickly realizes she is the woman for him, but he also knows she needs time to resolve her tangled emotions. Even after an unexpected intimacy, Paloma feels she has to maintain her distance from Rio, something that proves almost impossible to achieve.
RIO: MAN OF DESTINY, book two in the Blaylock series, will keep you enthralled from beginning to end as you witness the fiery confrontations between the hero and heroine, then the healing that takes place. Paloma's slow realization that she can feel emotions she has never felt before will bring a lump to your throat, and you'll get teary-eyed as she slowly develops a closeness with her first friend ever, Roman's wife Kallista. The way Rio tries to be patient by giving Paloma the time she needs, and the teasing he endures from his family as he battles his own male instincts are just two of the great moments in this sensual, emotional book. Do yourself a favor and read RIO: MAN OF DESTINY. I'll be impatiently waiting for the next story about Tyrell Blaylock! ~Pat Cavender for Bookbug on the Web
London, Cait - SEDUCTION OF FIONA TALLCHIEF, THE
(Silhouette Desire 1135) (4)
Fiona is the youngest of the Tallchief siblings, who were
orphaned by a man named Palladin. All her life Fiona was taught to be good so the family would be allowed to stay together, but now that she is an adult she takes up various causes, including the kidnapping/rescue of a zoo-neglected elephant, Eunice. While bringing Eunice to safety, she happens upon a convenience-store robbery at the same location where her parents died, and she tries to intervene. A passerby comes to her rescue—Joel Palladin, the oldest son of her parents' murderer. All these years he has kept track of the Tallchief clan, especially Fiona. And now he has returned to Amen Flats, Wyoming...not only to refurbish an old ranch and rebuild the relationship with his young son, but also to woo and claim Fiona as his own. When Joel is wounded in the robbery attempt, Fiona nurses him back to health, but the sparks begin when he discovers what she is hiding. Joel is determined to win her, but she is just as determined not to be won!
This is an emotional, sensual love story about a very fiery woman and a man haunted by the past. THE SEDUCTION OF FIONA TALLCHIEF is the fifth title in the continuing Tallchief series. ~Sharon Laird for Bookbug on the Web
London, Cait - SLEEPLESS IN MONTANA (Avon - 11/99) (5)
Hogan Kodiak grew up in Sweet Grass County, Montana, not really knowing who he was because his father Ben refused to tell him about his mother. He was raised by Ben's wife, Dinah, along
with his half-siblings, Aaron and Carley; but when tragedy struck, Dinah was forced into a divorce. She took Aaron and Carley with her and left Hogan with an even colder and more
unfeeling father. Hogan lived for the day when he could leave home, which he accomplished through an art scholarship to France. The night before his departure, someone tried to rape his
sister Carley; but she convinced her brothers and her best
friend, Jemma Delaney, never to tell Ben and Dinah.
Eighteen years later, Hogan returns home to resolve the unanswered questions in his life. Now a successful artist, he finds himself stretched to the limit, tired and unsatisfied with his work. Jemma pays Hogan a visit to inform him that Carley, who lives in Seattle, is once again being stalked by the rapist. Jemma plans to bring her back to Montana, where all the Kodiaks can protect her. Carley is not to know about this plan, however; she will be told her father wants his family to come home because he is terminally ill.
Although Hogan is physically attracted to Jemma, he has never liked her. She's brash, bossy, and always after the almighty dollar; but her one redeeming quality is her loyalty to Carley—she will do anything for her friend. He agrees to Jemma's plan, but warns her that he will not reconcile with his father. Jemma doesn't like Hogan either, although she sees the fire in his eyes and secretly desires him. He is not the kind of man she wants because she cannot control him. For Carley's sake, however, Jemma decides the Kodiak family must bond together now, even if it kills them! She will help them flush out the stalker—but everyone will be sleepless in Montana until this monster is caught.
SLEEPLESS IN MONTANA is a fabulous saga that combines suspense and sizzling romance with a sprinkle of humor. Cait London delves into the innermost thoughts and feelings of each character as the dysfunctional family reunites to save one of their own. The hero and heroine are dynamite together, but all the family members are so well portrayed they can't help but compete for center stage. SLEEPLESS IN MONTANA is an emotional, multilayered story that will linger in your mind long after you finish the last page. A must read! ~Sharon Laird for Bookbug on the Web
London, Cait - THREE KISSES (Avon - 1998) (5)
In Lolo, Wyoming, belonging to "The Club" meant power, and if you crossed any of its members they made you sorry—very, very sorry. Cloe learned this lesson the hard way when The Club framed her father for the murder of her mother's rapist.
On the mend after a divorce and still angry and bitter about the past, Cloe returns to Lolo twelve years later. She is reunited with her childhood buddies, Josy and Angelica, and once again crosses paths with Michael Bearclaw. As a teenager she had been terribly infatuated with Michael, but a failed attempt to seduce him had left her feeling hurt and rejected. Her old heartthrob, now a forensics expert, is as sexy and handsome as ever, but she is feeling much too vulnerable to get involved with any man. Seeing Cloe after so many years sends Michael into a tailspin, however, as he calls up old memories and realizes how much he still desires her. He is determined to finish what they started long ago.
The sensual tension between these two is so hot it could sizzle bacon without a fire! Cloe finally reveals the secrets of her heart...except for the most important one: her love for Michael. She needs time to deal with her resurrected feelings, but Michael has waited long enough to claim what is his, and there is no mistaking the fact that Cloe is his (he's an "alpha" man all the way). In order to get on with their lives though, they must first deal with the past. The only way to do this is to bring down The Club and its members. As it turns out, Michael is also out to right an old wrong, and with his help, Cloe intends to find out who committed the murder and prove her father's innocence once and for all. The Club will pay for what they did to her family!
Ms. London has written a tantalizing contemporary novel about a hero and heroine who struggle with their feelings for each other, while trying to deal with old hurts and bring closure to the past. The lives of the secondary characters are intricately woven into the plot, and Cloe's friends, Josy and Angelica, also find their own great loves during the course of the story. Filled with drama, dangerous secrets, and love scenes that are sizzling hot...yet achingly tender, THREE KISSES deserves five stars! ~Robin Peek for Bookbug on the Web
London, Cait - THREE KISSES (Avon - 1998) (4)
Devastated and broke after the end of her twelve-year marriage and marketing career, Cloe Matthews returns home to Lolo, Wyoming—a town she had never wanted to see again—in order to help her mother save her restaurant. When Cloe was a child, her father was unjustly convicted of murder and the family was evicted from their ranch by "The Club," a group of "city
fathers" who controlled Lolo and discouraged outsiders from ruining their town. After her father's imprisonment, the only bright spots in Cloe's young life were her mother and brothers; Michael Bearclaw, a family friend and her first love; and her two best friends, Josey and Angelica (who, along with Cloe, called themselves the "Wild Willows").
Michael, now a forensic expert, has also returned home to Lolo, following the recent death of his father. Cloe reunites with Michael and her friends, and soon develops a marketing strategy for her mother's restaurant, which irritates The Club because it brings in outsiders. At the same time, the Wild Willows and Michael investigate the murder that sent Cloe's father to prison (and to his death); but as the investigation continues, incidents occur that are meant to discourage their progress. Along the way, there are also some romantic developments: Josey finds a new love, Angelica rediscovers an old love, and Cloe tries to discourage Michael's pursuit of her. Can Cloe commit herself to him, considering their past history? Will the Wild Willows be able to help each other face their pasts, and forge a new, safe and happy future...in spite of The Club?
Cait London has written a sensual, emotional novel that embraces two kinds of love—that between a man and a woman, and the special bond between lifelong friends. Although THREE KISSES has more than one love story, the plot centers around Cloe and Michael. She is strong, intelligent, yet vulnerable; and he is tortured by his past, but firm in his belief that Cloe is his—always has been and always will be. The sexual chemistry between these two is definitely hot. I recommend this book to romantic suspense fans and readers who enjoy multiple love stories, as well as a heartwarming tale about friendship. ~Sharon Laird for Bookbug on the Web
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