Deb Stover
Stover, Deb - ALMOST AN ANGEL (Pinnacle - 1997) (Very
Highly Recommended)
Hilary is "almost an angel," placed in Transition until she can help another person through some personal difficulty or alter this person's life in a positive manner. Zach Ryan is dismayed when he arrives in the town he inherited, Columbine, Colorado, to discover a ghost town. And Hilary, whom he thinks is a beautiful, absolutely irresistible woman, keeps dissolving into thin air! A funny, fast-paced, exciting read. ~Beth C. (elizabeth_coogan@brown.edu)
Stover, Deb - ALMOST AN ANGEL (Pinnacle - 1997) (4+)
This is a beautiful story about a love that transcends time. There are several tender moments which bring tears to the eyes, but humor often lurks around the corner. In some ways I was reminded of Pamela Morsi's SIMPLE JESS while reading about one of the secondary characters, Elliott—a slow speaking, slow thinking young man, who has more intelligence than he is given credit for. ALMOST AN ANGEL deals with alcoholism, and the author has a wonderful way of showing how this disease can be overcome through love and caring. And the love scenes between Hilary and Zach are worth the price of the book (grin). I don't think I'll ever be able to look at chocolate ice cream again without remembering one particular scene! If you want to read a great time-travel romance—one with several unique twists that keep you turning the pages, this is it. ~Carol C. (angelca@ibm.net)
Stover, Deb - ANOTHER DAWN (Pinnacle - 1/99)
(Very Highly Recommended)
Deb Stover has written another blockbuster novel about redemption and second chances—a very enjoyable read.
Luke Nolan has been sentenced to die for a murder he did not commit, and after eleven years of failed appeals the day is finally here. He is going to die by electrocution in a specially constructed facility in the Colorado mountains, where he is the only prisoner. A young woman is part of the group of observers and Luke thinks she is a doctor, there to certify his death. At the same time the switch is thrown that will end his life, an explosion rocks the building. Luke survives the explosion. To conceal his identity from anyone who sees him, he takes on the disguise of Fr. Salazar, the priest who was among the official party, donning the priest's cassock and crucifix. Luke discovers that the young woman is also alive and that her name is Sofie. He also discovers that she remembers nothing, not even her name.
He wants to get away from the area as soon as possible, so he and Sofie make their way to the town of Redemption, where he discovers that he and Sofie are 100 years in the past. He is called upon almost immediately to act as a priest, an activity that makes him uncomfortable. What is also making Luke uncomfortable, in a different way, is his attraction for Sofie because he knows that he can't act on the attraction. Sofie, meanwhile, feels an attraction for "Fr. Salazar," and she doesn't understand it and is frustrated. So, the first question comes to mind. Just how is Deb going to resolve this one? Quite neatly in fact, and no, I'm not going to tell you. But I will mention that Sam Weathers, a character from an earlier book, appears in ANOTHER DAWN as the town marshall.
ANOTHER DAWN is a tightly woven, tense read that takes the reader on a roller coaster ride of emotions. You feel happy for Luke that he survived, sad for Sofie and Luke because of Luke's priestly disguise, and angry at the villain, wishing he'd get his. Two secondary characters, Ab and Zeke, make you smile, and there are secondary romances that are satisfying. An epidemic that has "Fr. Salazar" acting the priest...and feeling more and more guilty about it...tugs at your heart. All in all, this is a very satisfying read and one that will leave you with the warm fuzzies. ~Beth C. (elizabeth_coogan@brown.edu)
Stover, Deb - ANOTHER DAWN (Pinnacle - 1/99) (4)
Wrongfully convicted of murder when he was a teenager,
twenty-nine year old Luke Nolan is facing execution with only a compassionate priest and a tearful doctor to see him off. Before the execution can take place, however, explosions rock the prison building. When Luke regains consciousness he discovers the priest is dead, and quickly decides to take advantage of the situation. In an effort to disguise himself and escape certain death, he takes the priest's identification and dons his clothing. But when Luke hears the doctor's cry for help, he can't bring himself to leave the woman who cared enough to cry for him.
The explosion robbed the doctor of her memory, and the only clue to her past is a silver bracelet, inscribed with the name "Sofie." They set out for the nearby town of Redemption, Colorado, where Luke finds he must play the part of the priest whose identity he has taken. He soon discovers that a new chance at life is not the only result of the explosion. Luke and Sophie have been transported to the year 1891! Quickly realizing they are very attracted to one another, they find the attraction escalating when they are thrown together to protect a little girl. But Sophie feels guilty for wanting a man she thinks is a priest; and Luke wonders how, or if, he can risk telling Sophie that he is actually a convicted murderer and they are now living in the past.
Deb Stover has written a unique time-travel romance that opens with a bang, immediately capturing the reader's attention and holding it throughout the story. She takes us along on a journey with some surprising twists, leading to a very satisfying ending that doesn't cheat discerning time-travel fans. ~Karen Witkowski for Bookbug on the Web
Stover, Deb - ANOTHER DAWN (Pinnacle - 1/99)
I was fortunate enough to read an advance reading copy of ANOTHER DAWN. This was a fast-paced, couldn't-put-it-down, had-to-read-again book.
As always, Deb provides a warm, funny, passionate story. The first chapter grabbed me and wouldn't let go. Luke is the kind of hero I love—kind, honorable, passionate and sexy. Sofie is the perfect counterpart for him—strong, witty, lovable and warm. Also, the book is peopled with wonderful secondary characters. ANOTHER DAWN has all the elements that Deb writes so well: humor, compassion, suspense, romance (get the asbestos gloves out!), and an ending that will have you on the edge of your seat until the last word. I must say I let out a deep sigh of relief at Deb's resolution to the characters' conflict. I've read and loved every one of Deb's books to date, but I think this may be her best book yet! I urge everyone who loves a great romance...with twists that only Deb can do, to read ANOTHER DAWN. You won't be disappointed! ~Terrie Figueroa (Muse500@aol.com)
Stover, Deb - SOME LIKE IT HOTTER (Pinnacle - 1997) (5)
SOME LIKE IT HOTTER takes the place of honor on my keeper shelf as my all-time favorite book. At first, I couldn't believe anything recently written could replace some of my old favorites as the best, but this one did. This book is powerful, emotional, tender, funny, sexy, and it's packed with adventure. It's hard to call this the best time-travel ever written, because in my opinion, it's the best novel ever written of any genre. The publisher should have made this a hardcover with a different title, because men would really like this book, too. ~Ella
Stover, Deb - STOLEN WISHES (Zebra - 10/99) (3+)
In 1888 Kansas, the Goode family was struck by an unexplained
fever, orphaning thirteen-year-old Mary and her nineteen-year-old
brother Robin. The last words that Mary's mother spoke were,
"Take care of Robin as he will always be like a child." Upon
Mary's recovery, she learns that the Sheriff had taken her brother to an insane asylum. There she finds Robin telling his beloved ROBIN HOOD story to his two friends, Friar Tuck and Little John, and she leads the three men to freedom. Chapter One begins eight years later in the Indian Territory, also known as Sherwood Forest, where Robin and his band of Merry Men reside with Maid Marian.
Little John is on watch when a stranger rides into the forest; and after a rattle snake bite leaves the man unconscious and close to death, Little John carries him to Maid Marian for healing, after doing his best to remove the venom. Named "Will Scarlet" by Robin, the handsome stranger is actually US Marshal Shane Latimer, who has come to arrest Robin's band for thievery. When Shane awakens, weak and in pain, he pretends to have amnesia while he recovers and learns more about this unusual group of men. Meanwhile, he finds himself in a state of constant lust for his nurse Mary.
While STOLEN WISHES is an adventuresome romp through the forest, Deb Stover gives readers much insight into the characters, including the physically challenged secondary cast. You will be delighted as you watch their lives unfold; and as the hero and heroine fall in love, you'll cheer on the sweet, tenderhearted Mary as she sacrifices her well-being for love. Shane Latimer was first introduced in ANOTHER DAWN, and it's a joy to see his return as the tall, handsome hero of STOLEN WISHES. Enjoy this imaginative, humorous, and sensual story. ~Carol Carter for Bookbug on the Web
Stover, Deb - WILLING SPIRIT, A (Pinnacle - 1996)
This time-travel romance blew me away! Somehow the author managed to make the heroine's ex-husband's divorce attorney into a loveable hero. I'm not sure how she did it, but this book made me laugh, cry, and fall in love with—sort of—TWO heroes. Trust me, it worked, and it's a wonderful book! ~Hilary
NEXT PAGE
Background provided by Judi's Doodlings
Copyright © 1997-1999 Bookbug on the Web