What Does It Means to be Human?

 

Sylv.ie is a beautiful robot designed to fulfill every desire of the man who owns her. She’s a beautiful sex toy, but as she lives in the attic and watches the family she begins to have feelings. She confides her feelings to her diary as she watches her husband with his family. She wants to experience more of life.

The husband visits her six days a week and his real wife is becoming annoyed. Sylv.ie confides her feelings to her diary, but as tension escalates she’s afraid she’ll be sent back to the factory for reprogramming. Now she has to worry about the diary and whether the thoughts she confesses are allowed.

This is an interesting dystopian thriller. Sylv.ie is a sympathetic character that raises questions about what it means to be human. I thought the question of whether AI can allow for the development of feelings such as love, desire and empathy was interesting. It is particularly interesting to see Sylv.ie wrestle with the idea of love since she is completely owned by the husband.

If you enjoy science fiction, this is a fascinating premise. It’s also interesting on the psychological level of what women are and what they can/ should become.

I received this book from Dutton for this review.

For Horse Lovers and Those Who Want to Be

 

I have been around horses most of my life so this book resonated with my experiences. I loved it. The writing is excellent, but the stories are even better. The author has bonded with horses from when she was very small and her parents tried to curb her energy with riding lessons. She tells her stories with wit and does a great job of introducing the horses with all the interesting personality quirks.

The book is separated into chapters each one designated by the name of a horse that Nir knew and how it changed her life in delightful ways. I loved the opening story about her trials learning to ride on a horse named Guernsey. The tale of a huge horse and a little girl is very entertaining.

One of my favorite stories was about a black couple, Gorge and Ann Blair who gave black kids from the inner city a chance to be with horses. Besides stories, the book gives information about many aspects of the horse business from show horses to rodeo roping.

If you want to know more about horses, this is a good place to start. You can learn a lot and the stories will make you want to go out and meet some horses.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

Who Owns Your Stories?

 

Jan is a professor at at small college in Pennsylvania. She writes historical fiction and because of her fascination with Mussolini she rents a small apartment in a villa in Tuscany for the summer. Here she meets Beatrice, also a professor at at college in the US. Her family has ties to the villa for generations and she spends her summers there

.

Beatrice and Jan meet, discover interests in common, and spend time with each other sipping wine as Beatrice talks of her fascinating family history. Jan is enraptured by the stories and says how much she would like to write them. At one point, Beatrice says, I give it to you.

The women stay in contact. Jan makes more visits to the villa. Then when Beatrice is nearing eighty, Jan decides it’s time to write the book. The question is whether Beatrice still wants to share her family history.

This is a leisurely book with lots of fascinating stories and descriptions of sights in Tuscany. It was like having a delightful holiday. The author does and excellent job of bringing the area to life. The story of Beatrice’s family is not told chronologically when makes it somewhat confusing, but he stories are so interesting it doesn’t matter.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It was saved from being a travelogue by the interesting question of who owns your stories.

I received this book from Doubleday Books for this review.

Murder and Obsession

 

Kelly Medina is lonely. Her nineteen-year-old son, Aaron, is away at college and her husband, Rafael, is a workaholic professor staying at the college during the week. Then a phone call changes everything. Aaron’s pediatrician calls reminding Kelly of her well baby appointment. She knows it’s a mistake and tells the receptionist who apologizes telling her there’s another woman in town named Kelly Medina who has a son.

Curious about the woman who shares her name, Kelly goes to the pediatrician’s office at the time of the appointment. When the baby loses a sock as his mother takes him out of the car, Kelly grabs it, introduces herself, and befriends the young woman.

Kelly is drawn to the baby in fact she becomes obsessive about taking care of him. Her friends and husband worry. Although we’re not told what it is, the suggestion is that there’s something in the past that had to do with Kelly and another woman’s baby.

This story is told from Kelly’s point of view, but throughout she talks to the younger Kelly in her mind. It becomes more and more eerie as the novel progresses. This is not a fast paced book, but as the plot becomes stranger you can’t help reading on to find out what’s going on and what will happen.

I didn’t like Kelly’s character, but the obsessiveness worked well in the story. There is a significant twist at the end that I didn’t see coming, but looking back all the clues were there. If you enjoy creepy psychological thriller, this is a good one.

I received this book from Harlequin for this review.

Stolen Books and the New York Public Library

 

In 1913, Jack Lyons, superintendent of the New York Public Library, lives with his family in an apartment in the building. His wife Laura loves living in the building with Jack and their two children, but she wants more. She applies to the Columbia Journalism School and is accepted. She faces discrimination, but she also makes friends with like-minded women who are fighting for the right to express their opinions, to earn their own money, and to have equal rights. Laura is torn between worlds until the theft of rare manuscripts from the library threatens everything.

In 1993, Sadie Donovan, Laura’s granddaughter, works at the New York Public Library where she has been promoted to curator of the Berg collection. She’s preparing for an exhibition when history seems to repeat itself when rare books start disappearing. With the help of a detective, she sets out to solve the mystery which could involve her family.

This is a great story of family secrets centered around a famous library. I loved the characters. Laura and Sadie were well developed and perfect for their time periods. The story moved quickly and the time periods meshed well.

For me the best part was being introduced to the library through the eyes of people who worked and lived there. This is an amazing book. I recommend it.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

A Tale of Two Birthdays

 

Elllie de Florent-Stinson is a fashion designer who seems to have it all: handsome husband, beautiful homes, and talented children, but appearances can be deceiving. She’s celebrating her fortieth birthday at her new home in Palm Springs. Ellie likes things to be perfect, but almost immediately things start to go wrong including a note from a friend from long ago saying they’re coming to the party.

When she was sixteen, Ellie lived in a trailer part. On her sixteenth birthday, Ellie and her best friend go out to celebrate. They do drugs, get drunk, and end up at the wrong party. It doesn’t end well and has haunted Ellie.

This story is told in two time lines, Ellie at forty and Ellie at sixteen. It’s primarily in her point of view with a few sections by her husband. I found the book rather slow going. The set up is interesting suggesting that secrets are about to come out, but nothing exciting happens. There is a twist at the end, but for me it didn’t save the book.

I didn’t care for Ellie either as a teen or as a forty-year-old. I thought she was too involved with herself, egotistical and selfish. The other characters didn’t come alive at all. The best part of the book was the vivid description of the way the super rich live. The author did a good job with that.

I received this book from Dutton for this review.

A Time Traveler in a Multiverse

 

In order to be a time traveler, you have to be dead in the worlds you go to so you don’t sustain serious injury. Cara is dead in 372 of the 380 worlds in the multiverse. She can go almost anywhere. Cara lives in a society that is highly structured. The city is a place of privilege. People live relatively luxurious lives. The city is surrounded by the barren wilderness Cara came from. Having come to the city to work, she now wants this life and plans to become a citizen.

Then the unforeseen happens. Clara goes to a world where she isn’t dead. The Clara in that world faked her own death and now the time traveler is in trouble.

This is a fascinating book. On one level it is an action packed adventure on the other it is a voyage of self-discovery for Cara. In traveling to different worlds she meets aspects of herself that make her think about who she truly is. In addition to that is the contrast between the life in the city and the life in the wilderness. What is it worth to work for all the glittery things in the city and what must you give up?

If you like adventure stories that also make you think, this is a good one.

I received this book from Penguin Random House for this review.

A Woman Survives in Paris During WWII

During WWII in Paris, Charlotte lives with her young daughter, Vivi, and works in a bookshop. She sees terrible things happen to women who collaborated with the Nazis, but she can’t help accepting food for Vivi from a German officer.

Now in New York in the 1950s, Charlotte works for a publisher, Horace. He and his wife Hannah sponsored her to come to the US. She’s grateful, but when Vivi starts asking questions about Paris and the war, she wonders if her secrets will come out.

Charlotte is an interesting character. She’s a survivor, but you can’t help wondering if she took the easy way out to survive. One shouldn’t judge. WWII in Paris was a nightmare, but it made me feel a little uncomfortable about Charlotte.

Antisemitism was prevalent in the US in the 1950s. Unlike many books about WWII and the aftermath, this book didn’t shy away from the problems and how it affected people’s lives, in this case the teenage Vivi.

I thought the author did a good job presenting the background in Paris during the war and in NY. It made the book very interesting. The descriptions of the settings made the actions of the characters much more real and understandable.

I received this book from St. Martin’s Press for this review.

 

Trapped in a Cabin by a Psychopath

Anne is a therapist. Fourteen years ago she married a man who turned out to be abusive. Anne is now living with her teenage daughter, Thea, who is going through a difficult time. In order to try to become closer, Anne decides to take Thea and her mother, Rose, to the White Mountains in New Hampshire to relax.

While they’re hiking, Thea is grabbed by a man with a gun. He forces the three women into a remote cabin with no heat and no cell service. If they’re going to escape alive they have to rely on each other and their survival skills.

The story is largely told through backstory. All three women have made good and bad decisions in the past which have led to their present difficulty. These stories of the past tie together to reveal what led to the current situation.

This is a character based thriller. While there is action the emphasis is on the women. I liked all three, but Rose was my favorite. She is resilient and although she has secrets, she seems best able to cope with them. The author also gives us a view into the man’s head without telling us what he wants. I thought this added an extra dimension to the story.

If you enjoy character based thrillers, this is a good one.

I received this book from Dutton for this review.

 

When the Truth Comes Out

 

Daisy and Simon are reasonably happily married, and they have a beautiful six-year-old daughter, Millie. Simon drinks too much sometimes, but Daisy understands and feels she can handle it. The trouble starts when Simon thinks they should have another child and they visit the fertility center. Daisy doesn’t really want this, but if it will help her relationship with Simon, she’ll try.

After the clinic visit, Simon’s drinking becomes worse. Daisy thinks she can handle it as usual until a terrible accident puts an end to their happy family, perhaps forever.

The story is told from the alternate viewpoints of Daisy and Simon. Considering the tissue of lies behind their relationship, I thought this was very effective. I didn’t really like either character, but using the two viewpoints gave a better understanding of the character’s motivations.

The book has a number of twists, but the ending is quite a shocker. The revelations keep coming. It’s almost too much. I though the plot was interesting, but it got rather dark after the accident. It’s a good thriller with character development, particularly on Simon’s part, and lots of themes like alcoholism, domestic abuse and friendship.

If you enjoy thrillers, this is a good one.

I received this book from Harlequin for this review.

An Elusive Eco-terrorist

 

The Green Man, an Eco-terrorist who has phenomenal technical skills has blown up six sites generating major news stories and terrifying people. The latest is his successful demolition of the Boon Dam on the Snake River killing a dozen people. The Green Man justifies his actions because he believes the wold must be alerted to the severity of the ecological crisis.

The Green Man is the at the top of the FBI’s most wanted list and a major manhunt is underway. Time is of the essence. No one knows where he will strike again and how soon.

Tom Smith, a young agent, sympathizes with the ideals of the Green Man, but he knows he must be stopped before more people are killed. He’s unique as an agent because he’s a computer whiz from Stanford and could be making more money outside the agency. However, Tom’s father was an agent and he feels he should follow in his father’s footsteps. Tom thinks he has insight into what the Green Man is planning, and he’s given the go-ahead to try to ferret out the next target.

This is a fast paced techno-thriller that will keep you turning pages. The story is told from the view points of Tom and the Green Man. This is particularly effective because of the complex backgrounds and personal relationships of the main characters.

I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of devices used by the terrorist to achieve his aims. It’s very well done. However, this can be a difficult book unless you share some of the ideals of the main characters. It can seem repugnant to readers who see the destruction of human life as abhorrent.

I received this book from Dutton for this review.

A Kidnap Victim Returns

 

Twelve years ago, Jenny Kristal set off for a friend’s house. She never got there. She was six years old and the community came together to find the kidnapped child. Now suddenly she’s back. Her parents, Laurie and Jake, are happy about the reunion, but her brother Ben has reservations.

Jenny has the same characteristics she did at six, including the dimples. She also has memories that fit the child she was. Still, Ben isn’t convinced. He makes snarky comments and makes up fake memories of their childhood to trip her up. Then Jenny gets emails from a Facebook account telling her she’s not safe in the house. What is really going on?

The is an unusual take on the story of a kidnapped child. Having a child return after twelve years can be as traumatic as the original kidnapping. The plot moves swiftly with plenty of twists, but the last one is truly unexpected.

I liked Jenny and found her a character I could related to. Following her journey added an extra dimension to the thriller. I thought the author did a good job handling the family’s reaction to the return of their child after so many years. It you enjoy psychological thrillers with plenty of twists, the is a good one.

I received this book from Dutton for this review.

Alzheimer’s and a Mother-Daughter Relationship

Lou Ann Hunter, aka Lulu the Love Guru, is scheduled to start a trip to publicize her empire. Her specialty is giving advice on love, sex, and relationships. Lulu’s mother, Patricia, resides in a care home for the elderly because she has Alzheimer’s.

Unfortunately, Patricia loves men and has a propensity for wandering at night and getting into other people’s beds. The result is that she’s being expelled from the care home, her third one. With no where else to put her mother, Lulu cancels her trip.

Patricia expresses a desire to return to Sutton Hall, the plantation in Louisiana where she grew up. Wanting to honor her mother’s last wish, Lulu engages a nurse and they head for the plantation. Unfortunately the building is in serious disrepair, but Lulu has money and hires the local handyman, Simon, to make the house livable. He’s a hunk and after some disagreements, romance ensues.

Although there is romance, this is primarily women’s fiction highlighting the relationship between mothers and daughters. The book is often humorous, but in reality there’s nothing funny about Alzheimer’s. I thought the author did an excellent job describing the progress of the disease. The book is worth reading for this insight into the mental deterioration of a loved one.

I thought Patricia was a remarkable character. Suffering from a serious disease, but also remarkably humorous. Lulu is a good character, but I found her much harder to like and relate to than her mother. She seemed very self-centered. If you enjoy women’s fiction, this is an enjoyable read with a good message.

I received this book from Gallery Books for this review.

 

An Eligible Bachelor Makes a List

 

The Honorable Jeremy Malcolm, would like to find a wife, but the young ladies he meets seem insipid. He decides that he needs a list to sort out their qualifications against what he wants in a wife. Julia Thistlewaite, a rather spoiled beauty, doesn’t understand why he isn’t smitten with her until she finds out about the list.

Deciding that Jeremy needs a lesson, she invites her friend, Selina, to come to town for a visit. Selina is poor and can’t afford a season on her own, so she’s thrilled to visit Julia until she finds that she is part of a revenge plot.

This is a romantic comedy in the style of Georgette Heyer. The plot is fast paced with quit a bit of humor as the plan to get revenge unfolds. This is particularly true because Jeremy and Selina are attracted to each other.

Julia and Jeremy were interesting characters and fairly well developed. Julia was not. I found her tedious. Cassie, Julia’s cousin, was a buffoon. It was fun for awhile, but again his character became boring.

This is a fast read, so if you like romantic comedy, you may enjoy it.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

Lincoln Tries an Abolitionist Case

 

Lucy, a twelve-year-old slave girl, is desperate to escape the plantation where she was born. On the way to being sold, she escapes and heads for the underground railroad where she hopes to get help. Unfortunately, she’s captured in Springfield, Missouri, where Lincoln practices law. He’s running for president and trying to keep a low profile while waiting for the vote count.

Abby Kelley Foster, a fiery abolitionist speaker, is in Springfield and eager to give a speech. She thinks Lincoln’s approach to ending slavery is too gradual, and she wants to make the point in his city.

Lucy is scheduled to be returned to her owner because of the Fugitive Slave Law. In her speech, Abby incites a crowd to keep Lucy from being taken. This ends in her being charged with inciting a riot. She wants the best lawyer in Springfield to represent her, so she goes to Lincoln. He reluctantly agrees although he worries that it will cost him the election.

This is an interesting novel about the time just before Lincoln became President. The emotions are well portrayed, but the plot is not particularly historically accurate. For me, this made the book rather choppy. The author did explain the historical discrepancies in a note at the end, but that didn’t work well for me.

The book had a great many characters. This made the character development for most of them rather sketchy. I thought the author tried to tell too many stories in detail within the confines of a single book which made it difficult to get interested in any one character.

I received this book from Harlequin for this review.

The Secrets of Royalty

 

Thelma Morgan, twin sister of Gloria Vanderbilt, was married to a Viscount, but after their child was born the marriage became formal rather than intimate. Then Thelma met Edward, Prince of Wales. They had a four year romance, but marriage was out of the question because Edward didn’t want to marry a divorced American.

When Gloria Vanderbilt becomes involved in a bitter custody battle over “little” Gloria, Thelma decides she must go to the states to support her sister. She’s reluctant to leave Edward, but her good friend Wallis Simpson tells her she’ll take care of him.

The story shifts between Thelma’s marriage, her affair with Edward, and the Vanderbilt trial. I didn’t find it hard to follow. I though the author did a good job keeping the story moving and bringing the characters to life.

Although the book is historical fiction, the story sticks closely to the facts. Where this is not the case, the author tells us. I found the book very enjoyable. If you like seeing behind the curtain of the lives of the rich and famous, this is a good read.

I received this book from Harlequin for this review.

Money Doesn’t Bring Happiness

 

Tabitha is poor, working as a waitress. As a teenager she was in love with Connor Ford, a wealthy young man. He loved her but his grandmother put a stop to the romance advising him not to marry the help. Now she’s grownup, but when Connor walks into the grill where she works, the old magic is back, but Connor is now married to a much older, wealthy woman he doesn’t love.

Tabitha and Connor resume their romance, and he plans to divorce Nina, his wife. Then Nina apparently takes her own life. Connor and Tabitha quickly marry and the nightmare begins. Nina left a note before she died suggesting that her death would be foul play. Was Connor involved? Tabitha doesn’t know who to trust and her wonderful new life begins to feel like a trap.

This is a fast paced thriller with plenty of glitter. If you enjoy watching the rich this is a fun book. I thought the descriptions of Tabitha’s new life were well done. It was a nice contract to hew growing sense of anxiety.

The characters fit the story, but I can’t say they appealed to me. Tabitha seemed incredibly naive. Connor was harder to figure out, probably by design, since there was a question of whether he was guilty. The ending had a significant twist which resolved the stories’ issues. All the clues were there but the twist was still unexpected.

I received this book from St. Martin’s Press for this review.

Sisters Support Each Other Through Tragedy and Love

When her mother died, Willa took on the role of raising her sister, Harper and brother, Lucas. She thought when they were grown she’d have her own life, but then Harper suffered a serious illness and Willa nursed her through it.

Now Harper is well and trying to live life to the fullest which worries Willa especially when she plans to climb to the summit of Mount Rushmore. Willa, too, has found her place serving her bake goods in her coffee shop. When she meets Sean O’Malley, they’re both interested but shy. They become close, but Sean has a demanding career and Willa still feels responsible for her family.

Harper urges Willa to take a chance on love, but then a recurrence of Harper’s illness makes the sisters rethink their priorities.

As usual with Debbie Macomber’s books this is a lovely romance. It’s filled with the importance of family and sisterhood. Harper and Willa are characters you can relate to. The setting is beautiful and Sean is a great hero.

If you enjoy romance, this is a good one.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

 

A Love that Lasts Through Hard Times and Tragedy

 

They met in Dublin in 1978. Maeve is from Brooklyn, New York, in Dublin on a scholarship to study acting at Trinity College. Murtagh is a potter also studying at Trinity. The attraction is immediate. Maeve decides to continue to study in Dublin to be with Murtagh.

When Murtagh graduates he has trouble finding an apprenticeship. Then he gets an offer he can’t refuse to take over the business of a famed ceramics artist on the island of Inis Óg. Maeve makes a decision to go with him although she misses the theater. They marry and raise four children on the island. Murtagh becomes a famous potter and Maeve, a good mother. Then tragedy strikes.

Maeve has always suffered from depression. It’s a trial for the family, but they stay together and try to help her until one day she gives up and they are left alone.

This is a powerful and emotional story. It deals with difficult issues like mental illness and keeping a family together. I thought the author did an excellent job. The characters are very real with their successes and tragedies. Murtagh and Maeve are strong characters and the children add another perspective to a difficult time.

The setting in Ireland is beautiful. I loved the descriptions of the island. This is a book worth savoring. The story will stay with you for a long time.

I received this book from Harlequin for this review.

Two Rape Cases Intersect in a Startling Conclusion

 

Rachael Kral has become a star because of her podcast, Guilty or Not Guilty. Her first podcast solved a cold case and overturned a conviction. Now she’s in the small town of Neapolis covering the rape trial of the town’s golden boy. The town's loyalties are sharply divided and the rape victim has been subjected to ostracism and abuse by some of the town’s people.

Rachael is completely wrapped up in her podcast, but she finds it hard to ignore the notes she’s getting from a girl named Hannah. Hannah is seemingly always there, but she avoids meeting Rachael. She says she wants help in solving the death of her sister, Jenny, twenty-five years ago.

This story is a good psychological thriller. It keeps you guessing as the plot twists and clues are revealed that begin to form a link between Jenny’s death and the current rape case. The story is told from two points of view, Rachael and Hannah. I thought this was very effective, since Hannah is basically hiding from Rachael although she wants her help.

The pace is good and the trial scenes are realistic and well done. I also enjoyed the transcripts of the podcasts. I thought it was a good touch.

I received this book from St. Martin’s Press for this review.

The Perfect Vacation Turns Deadly

 

Kate, her husband, and two children are in France on their way to a reunion with Kate’s best friends from university. The women are turning 40 and haven’t seen each other for awhile. A week in a gorgeous villa on the Mediterranean seems like the perfect time to relax and catch up.

The problem is that Kate found a string of text messages on her husband’s phone that suggest he’s having an affair and with one of her best friends. She decides to use the week to figure out who it is, but gets more than she bargained for when things turn deadly.

This is a well done psychological thriller. The pace is good and the plot being slowly revealed by the author keeps you turning pages to discover the underlying motive. I loved the setting. The villa is so spectacular you wish you could be there. I wasn’t as crazy about the characters.

The story is told over the days of the week and moves from Kate’s POV to that of the others. This way we get lots of background information at the same time we get to know the characters which keeps it from being a recitation of facts from the past. However, I thought the women were all egocentric. Even their children were unlikable.

However, if you like psychological thrillers, the plot is worth it.

I receiver this book from St. Martin’s Press for this review.

A Road Trip Leads to Romance

Megan, Scarlett, and Juliet grew up together. Juliet moved away and Megan and Scarlett had a falling out. They haven’t spoken in years. Juliet knowing nothing about the rift invites both friends to her wedding in Quebec. Scarlett suggest they make the trip an adventure and drive to Quebec from Florida.

Megan isn’t sure she wants to spend that much time with her ex-friend, but she’s in a dead-end job and feels the need for something more. As the miles roll by, the friends begin to communicate. In fact, as the adventure progresses they become more intimate until Megan has to face her own sexuality. Scarlett had been aware of hers for years, but Megan had been trying to ignore her interest in women.

This is a romance, but it’s also a character study. As the characters get to know each other again and let their guard down, they become very real. I liked both characters, but Megan was my favorite. She had to figure out who she really was. I thought she did it bravely.

The trip is also interesting with rest stops at a variety of places that are well described. You almost feel you’re on the trip with them.

I received this book from Harlequin for this review.

A Texas Ranger and his Ex Face Danger to Protect an Infant

Texas Ranger Eli Slater had fallen into bed exhausted when he heard footsteps on his porch. When he went to investigate to his surprise a baby in a car seat was sitting by the door. Unsure what to do with this strange gift, he sees a car race into his driveway. The driver, Ashlyn Darrow, his ex, leaps out pointing a gun at him.

Eli manages to get the gun away from her, brings her and the baby inside, none to early when two men dressed as policemen start firing into the house. These are the same two men who kidnapped the baby. Eli would like to get their story, but the gun battle ends with them both dead. Now he and Ashlyn have to figure out who wants them dead and they must protect the baby, Cora.

If you like plenty of violence and a fast paced narrative this is your book. Starting with the first chapter it’s a non-stop race to find out who wants Eli and Ashlyn dead. In spite of the danger and non-stop action, Eli and Ashlyn feel old feelings being rekindled. While the romance is there, the emphasis is on finding the reason for the attack on them.

I received this book from Harlequin for this review.

Friends Finally Become Lovers

Sammy and Ryder has been friends since their teenage years. Sammy grew up in an a family. It got so bad that she finally moved to a trailer on Ryder’s family property next door. She loved being part of his family then tragedy struck. Ryder’s parents, aunt and uncle, and his mother’s best friend were killed in a plane crash. Ryder gave up his dreams of going to college on an athletic scholarship to take care of the family. Sammy became his support, but the romance was held a bay because Ryder didn’t want to hurt her.

Now Sammy needs something, and she thinks Ryder is the one to supply it. She wants to have a baby. She doesn't want the encumbrance of a traditional relationship, but Ryder isn’t sure he can live with that.

This is an unusual cowboy romance of unrequited love. Seeing the main characters recognize their feeling and come together is very satisfying. The descriptions of the setting are wonderful if you love the west.

My criticism is that the characters’ thoughts took predominance over the plot. They were always in their heads. It was rather annoying. Still, it’s a good romance.

I received this book from Harlequin for this review.

Two Thirty-Somethings Need to Start Living

Ellen and Unity have been friends since childhood. Due to life events, they’re both single in their thirties. Ellen is a single mother who has raised her son, Cooper, alone. Unity is a widow of three years. Still in love with her husband, she can’t move on.

Times begin to change when Ellen hears Cooper telling a friend that he worries about going to college because his mother needs him. Unity is resistant to change, she realizes there’s a problem when she gets kicked out of her grief counseling group. They each make a list of things the want to do to change. Trying to complete the tasks on the list makes for amusing scenes.

This is a character driven book. The plot is entertaining and the dialog often wonderfully witty. The characters, including the men in the book, are realistic. You may not love them. I found Unity quite annoying at times, but because the story line is clever, this is a hard book to put down.

I received this book from Harlequin for this review.

Business and Romance Collide

Rani Gupta, a talented architect, needs to succeed in her career. She was married in a traditional Indian marriage that ended in divorce followed with a romance with a co-worker that almost got her fired. It resulted in her having been passed over for promotion several times.

Now she has a chance to show what she can do. When her designs for a hotel owned by an Indian businessman, Arjun Singh, spark his interest and win her company the contract, she vows to keep their relationship strictly business. The unfortunate fact is that neither can deny their attraction and soon things move into dangerous waters.

The multi-cultural background for this novel is very interesting. Traditional Indian marriage arrangements are contrasted with the more informal arrangements in the United States. I admired the characters and their desire to chart their own path, particularly when family pressures were severe. It’s a good insight into the problems faced by people from one culture trying to adapt to another.

I liked Rani. She was likable and wanted desperately to succeed in her chosen field. I wasn’t as taken with Arjun. He is very sure of his appeal and keeps secrets the end up making problems for the couple.

If you’re interested in the problems of a multi-cultural romance, this is a good choice.

I received this book from Harlequin for this review.