Monday, June 29, 2009

I've got a big stack of books on my Just Read But Need to Review pile. None of these are reviews that are "required" by any obligations I have to authors or publishers, but I like to keep my reviews going because I know this is one way people like to choose books for their own To Be Read pile and I've got some selections that just might fit the bill:




Title: The Pajama Girls of Lambert Square
Author: Rosina Lippi
Publisher: Berkely Trade
Genre: Fiction, Romance
Pages: 368
On Sale: March 3, 2009


Authors Website
IndieBound
BooksOnBoard

Synopsis:
For John Dodge, moving to new places and reviving ailing businesses is a way of life. So when he sees an ad for Scriveners, a stationery shop in a small town in South Carolina, he decides to take the plunge.

As soon as he arrives in Lambert's Corner, Dodge falls happily into the whirl of gossip, gifts, and quintessential Southern hospitality. Link Kay, one of his employees, warms up to him after Dodge admires his expertise on pens. Bean Hurt-a feisty and outspoken ten-year-old-becomes a fast friend. And Maude Golden, the mayor, supplies him with indispensable information. But the one person who really catches Dodge's eye is Julia Darrow-the beautiful but aloof pajama-wearing owner of the Cocoon, a popular store specializing in luxury linens. Dodge tries to befriend her, but she remains elusive and mysterious. Everyone knows that she is a widow, but no one seems to know why she came to town or why she never leaves Lambert Square-or does she?

Like Dodge, Chicago-born Julia is fleeing a tumultuous past. But with the help of a hilarious and endearing cast of characters, Julia and Dodge learn that, sometimes, you don't need to go far to find home.

My Review:
I received this book from Lynn Viehl of Paperback Writer (who is actually an author of 40+ books) in a contest where we named our favorite read of the year. The Pajama Girls of Lambert Square was Lynn's favorite read and it is easy to see why. Rosina Lippi spins an amazing story will characters that are not only 3 dimensional, but with believable flaws and strengths. An enjoyable read from beginning to end this would make a fantastic book club selection with plenty of topics, plots and surprises to need more than one bottle of wine.

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Title: How To Score
Author: Robin Wells
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Fiction, Romance
Pages: 400
On Sale: June 1, 2009




Authors Website Don't miss the contest Robin Wells is running!
IndieBound
BooksOnBoard

Synopsis:
Museum curator Sammi Matthews isn't just in a dating slump, she's putting men on the injured list. After giving one date a black eye and cracking another's rib, Sammi decides she needs professional help. Enter life coach Luke Jones, who advises Sammi on how to overcome her klutziness. And their phone sessions work Sammi soon meets a sexy FBI agent who seems to know just what she needs.
When his brother Luke goes into federal protection, FBI Special Agent Chase Jones agrees to cover for him. Then Sammi's hot voice sizzles down the line, and the usual "phone only" rule is out. With "Luke" coaching her by day, and Chase dating her by night, Sammi's confidence soars, along with her appeal. Chase falls hard, but how will Sammi feel if and when he comes clean? Chase would rather she break all his bones than risk breaking her heart.
My Review:
I received this book from Kelly Moran in, you guessed it, another contest. If you require that every book be true to life, I'm not going to tell you to put this book down, but I am going to ask you to give Robin Wells a little slack and check your believability hat at the door and curl up in a comfy chair to just enjoy this new well paced selection from Robin Wells. Sure, Chase breaks all the doctor patient rules in dealing with Sammi Mathhews but you can't blame him for keeping his charade going. It was a nice story with maybe a bit too many plot lines but not too worry it'll fit nicely into your beach reading this summer.


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Title: Best Enemies
Author: Jane Heller
Publisher: St. Martins Press
Genre: Fiction, Romance
Pages: 352
On Sale: April 6, 2004


Authors Website
IndieBound

Synopsis:
Book publicist Amy Sherman tripped over it when she caught her fiance horizontally attached to her best friend, the impossibly tall, inexcusably blonde, and insufferably gorgeous Tara Messer, who added insult to injury by marrying the cad right out from under her.After four years of therapy, Amy's finally back on track-until she has to publicize the hottest new book of the season by "the next Martha Stewart." Nightmares do come true. It's the dreaded Tara who's the author, and why shouldn't she write a bestseller about perfection? She's the perfect woman enjoying the perfect life with the perfect man. Who'd ever guess she's living the perfect lie?When Amy tries to save face by roping a handsome mystery writer into posing as her fiance, her little white lie leads to yet another romantic triangle. She just might find true love this time-if she lets herself-but first she and Tara must settle old scores and team up against the man who played them both...

My Review:
This selection came from my local library sale shelf and was so exciting from the uptake I HAD to use it for my Teaser Tuesday this week. With great dialog, a unique story line and a plot that doesn't stop Best Enemies was difficult to put down. With really two different plot arcs this could have easily been split into two different novels so there are no wasted pages here. A great beach read selection and an author worthy of another spot on my To Be Read list.


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Title: Instant Attraction
Author: Jill Shalvis
Publisher: Brava
Genre: Fiction, Romance
Pages: 320
On Sale: February 1, 2009



Authors Website
IndieBound
BooksOnBoard

Synopsis:
Accountant Katie Kramer is a quintessential good girl—working hard, recycling diligently, all the while trying to ignore the feeling that she doesn’t fit in anywhere. That’s all she wants. Well, that—and amazing sex, and the kind of daredevil escapade she can look back on when she’s crunching numbers in a dusty cubicle. Which explains why she just took a job in Wishful, California, working for Wilder Adventures and Expeditions. Waking up to find a magnificently built stranger towering over her bed—that part defies explanation…After wandering the planet for months following a life-changing accident, Cameron Wilder has come back to the only home he knows. Under other circumstances, he might be thrilled to find a gorgeous woman sleeping in his cabin, but now, while he’ll risk his body taking clients on adrenaline-drenched excursions, his heart is off limits. Still, Katie’s killer smile triggers something deep in his gut…among other places. Showing her how exhilarating it can be to stop balancing her life as if it was a checkbook is the biggest rush he’s ever felt—and an adventure Katie’s wishing would never end...
My Review:
I am a big fan of Jills' books and her blog so I'm not sure what took me so long to grab Instant Attraction out of my To Be Read pile. Lucky me, I was able to read this one cover to cover (ahh the road trip), unfortunately I still have to wait a few more days for the next installment in this series about the rough around the edges Wilder brothers who not only run Wilder Adventures but also run up the temperatures of just about every woman in town. Great characters with fantastic dialog are hallmarks of a Jill Shalvis book and this one doesn't disappoint. If you haven't read it yet I can't imagine what you're waiting for, it'll melt the snow and curl your toes.

2 comments:

Chris said...

Hey, I just won a book over at Kelly Moran's, too! :)

Unknown said...

Thanks! I say this honestly and sarcastically at the same time. They've all been added to my to-be-read pile.