Physical Therapy by Aysel Quinn

November 7, 2014 By Leave a Comment

THERAPY
Physical Therapy by Aysel Quinn
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (52 pages)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

The ripping sound of her torn shoulder muscle replays in Tasha’s mind over and over, that is, until she meets the therapist bent on helping her recover. Ethan is a professional. He doesn’t stray from his goals, he doesn’t falter. But Tasha’s quick wit and sweet personality make staying professional a massive challenge. Will recovery come to mean something more than a functional shoulder for Tasha and Ethan?

Life is full of bumps and bruises. Unfortunately not all of them heal correctly without a little professional help. In Tasha’s case, though, this might actually turn out to be a good thing.

Tasha has a theatrical, playful personality that works really well for this tale. She adds flair to even mundane experiences like meeting a new doctor or learning new exercises that will hopefully help her shoulder recover. I enjoyed seeing the world from her point of view right away, and soon came to like her quite a bit as an individual once I’d gotten to know her better.

There was a subplot that never quite made sense to me. It involved some dramatic behavior that I found hard to believe. The characters involved in it were otherwise dedicated professionals who seemed to truly enjoy their jobs, so I had trouble understanding why they would behave the way the did. The main plot could have easily stood on its own without this addition, and the story would have been stronger without it.

The chemistry between Tasha and Ethan was strong. At first I wasn’t sure what I thought of them as a potential couple due to how reserved Ethan was during their introduction, but as soon as he warmed up to her I found myself rooting for a happy ending for them. They have far more in common than I’d originally thought. In this case, that’s a very good thing.

Physical Therapy is a good choice for anyone in the mood for something short and romantic.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Despite the Fangs by Dylan Newton

November 5, 2014 By Leave a Comment

FANGS
Despite the Fangs by Dylan Newton
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (377 Pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

Workaholic werewolves have such awesome perks.

Just ask Aribella Lupari, whose hectic schedule tracking missing people in the snowy Adirondacks allows her benefits humans can’t appreciate—wolves never return unopened wedding gifts, never gain weight from late night doughnut binges, and never worry over their encroaching uni-brow. For Ari, walking upright is overrated.

Then she tracks a hiker whose delectable scent calls to both halves of her werewolf self. Not only does Mason Gray look as good as he smells, he may be the only man who can love the beauty behind the beast. Ari should know better than to trust a human, especially after Mason blackmails her into tracking his kidnapped son. But her attraction for the mysterious single father has Ari ignoring her animal instincts.

Can the big, bad wolf live happily ever after, DESPITE THE FANGS?

Is Mason everything he claims to be, or will Ari’s heart be broken again?

Ari certainly is an interesting character. She is prickly and likable all at the same time. Her bravado and foul mouth is matched only by her enormous appetite. I found myself chuckling over her behavior several times as I read. Despite her harsh exterior, all Ari really wants is a happy ending. Unfortunately, a disastrous engagement years ago has permanently put Ari off all things romantic, or so she thinks. When Ari crosses paths with Mason, he awakens feelings in her she thought were long dead. However, Ari has a feeling that Mason isn’t being entirely truthful with her. As I watched Ari and Mason’s story unfold, I couldn’t help but wonder if Mason was the hero, or a cleverly disguised villain.

Ari and Mason have great chemistry and an intense connection that leads to some sizzling love scenes. Ari finds Mason’s scent to be intoxicating, and she literally craves his touch. However, there are trust issues always lurking just under the surface. Consequently, I had a hard time getting in to their romance. While Ari never gets the feeling that Mason is lying, he certain is leaving things out. Mason’s behavior always made me question his motives. For a man who claims to be in dire need of help to rescue his son, he seems to be taking his sweet time about it. As a parent, I know I would be an absolute wreck if someone took my child from me. While it is clear that Mason is concerned for his son’s well being, he certainly doesn’t seem to be as desperate as he claims. This should have been a red flag for Ari, but she keeps pushing aside her instincts in favor of trusting a man she really doesn’t know. While some of my misgivings were proven true, I’m happy to report my worst suspicions were not. I do think that certain plot points needed more explanation. When I finished reading, I still had questions about how much Mason planned in advance as well as questions about a sensitive state Ari finds herself in at the end of the book.

I really enjoyed Ms. Newton’s take on werewolves. Instead of glamorizing shape shifters, Ms. Newton chose to show cases the strengths and weaknesses of both the animal and human forms of her characters. This really grounded her story and helped make her characters believable.

I had fun reading Despite the Fangs. Ari is an entertaining heroine, and I found it easy to cheer for her. Does the werewolf get her happy ending? Read Despite the Fangs to find out.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Help Wanted: Wife by Fleeta Cunningham

November 4, 2014 By 2 Comments

WIFE
Help Wanted: Wife by Fleeta Cunningham
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (53 pgs)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Aloe

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

When practical-minded rancher Cole Witherspoon decides his ranch needs a woman’s touch, he goes about filling the vacancy in the most sensible way. He places a help-wanted ad. He never suspects just how many lessons he’ll learn when an out-of-work schoolteacher answers the ad.

Cherilyn Bixby is a sensible person, capable around the house, and pretty, but she makes the mistake of wearing her best dress to meet Cole–and his huge, undisciplined dog. She’s not overly fond of dogs, nor is her big, red cat. A cat that will not be living in the barn, no matter what Cole says.

Romance is definitely in the air, but when the fur flies, Cherilyn sticks to her guns, and Cole must decide if his future just might be held in the tufted paws of Cherilyn’s beloved feline friend.

She should have known that it wasn’t going to be a piece of cake when he was three and a half hours late picking her up at the station. If she’d had some place else to go, she probably wouldn’t be waiting. However, the town was four miles away, it was raining and she was wearing her good clothes. She waited…

Ms. Cunningham picks characters that are mismatched. They’re not from the same part of the world, they don’t have the same likes, and while they are both looking for companionship, they have some edges to take off. I like her feisty female character who takes no guff from anyone. She might have been a schoolteacher but she’s no shy lily. She’s more of a forget-me-not.

The author sends her to a house filled with men. There’s Cole, the good looking hunk who is looking for a wife to cook and clean; an uncle, an older brother and a younger nephew. Another thing she has to deal with is a monster dog that goes on the rounds with Cole. You get an inkling of trouble to come when she has arrived with a cat.

One of my favorite parts is when he tells her there are no animals allowed in the house; her cat will have to go in the barn. She informs him he can either take her to the hotel to catch the bus back or she’ll be sleeping in the barn with the cat. Such a sweet beginning, wouldn’t you say?

Her potential husband is quick to make decisions. The problem is that he doesn’t always think them out, he just reacts. This will come back to bite him in the butt further on in the story.

Ms. Cunningham writes a sweet romance story where the two cantankerous characters both agree to smooth out the rough spots and try together again. Cole is real inventive on how to apologize to Cherry for his previous actions. That’s another of my favorite parts of the story.

Why not give this one a read and pick out your own favorite spots? I found a lot to like about this short tale. I think you will, too.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Secrets of Ugly Creek by Cheryel Hutton

November 3, 2014 By Leave a Comment

UGLY
Secrets of Ugly Creek by Cheryel Hutton
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (135 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Nobody knows how special Ugly Creek is, except the people who live there and guard its secrets. When journalist and ex-resident Madison Clark discovers an infamous muckraker plans to film a documentary there, she volunteers to interview him. Somebody must protect the little town. She didn’t realize she’d also have to protect her heart.

For Gibson “Mac” McFain, this documentary series means a fresh start. He didn’t count on a feisty, yet attractive, reporter questioning his motives. Worse, someone is determined to undermine his efforts by attacking him and his crew. No matter what he feels about Madison, Mac can’t risk ruining what’s left of his career.

Love requires trust; but both Madison and Mac believe it’s a luxury they can’t afford. That leaves desire and it’s only a matter of time before they act on their longings. But are the stakes too high to be sleeping with the enemy?

Rural communities are supposed to be quiet and safe. If only Ugly Creek had gotten that message.

The storyline itself was compelling, but it took a while for the science fiction and paranormal elements to show up. At first I was slightly puzzled by this decision because the blurb lead me to believe that these things were central to the plot. It’s difficult to discuss Ms. Hutton’s reasons for doing this without wandering into spoiler territory, but this definitely wasn’t an error. As soon as I figured out why she wrote it this way, I completely understood why the author needed to include so much other information in the beginning.

While I appreciated the fact that the main character had her share of flaws, some of them were so deep-seated and serious that I had trouble picking out the positive attributes of her personality as well. It would have been helpful to have a few more examples of her strengths so that my perception of her could be balanced better. Madison can be incredibly opinionated and judgmental, but I never quite figured out what she’s like at her best.

I’m a sucker for canine characters. There’s something endearing about including a friendly, mischievous dog in a story, and Gizmo is no exception to this rule. Some of my favorite scenes involved all of the hijinks he got into when the humans were distracted by other things. He’s quite a funny little guy.

The romantic subplot never made sense to me. The characters involved in it have good reasons to dislike one another, so I found it odd that either one of them would want to spend even more time with someone who was such a source of conflict in their lives. I would have preferred to either have read a full-length novel that better explains their mutual attraction or to have something shorter than cut all of those scenes out.

This is the second book in a series. I didn’t realize this was the case when I requested it, but I had no problem at all getting caught up on the most important details of previous events within a chapter or two. It can definitely be read as a standalone work, and that made me happy.

Secrets of Ugly Creek is a good choice for anyone who likes science fiction whose setting is completely humdrum and ordinary.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Wrong Drawers by Misty Simon

October 29, 2014 By Leave a Comment

WRONG
The Wrong Drawers by Misty Simon
Publisher: Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (249 pgs)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Aloe

Ivy Morris is back, and this time she’s determined to stay out of trouble. She’s comfortably ensconced in her costume shop, happy as a clam. Happy as a clam can be, anyway, when her father has moved in with her for an indefinite amount of time, putting her love life frustratingly on hold.

So when her best friend asks for help with an in-home demonstration party, Ivy jumps at the chance to get out of the house and away from Dad. She has no idea of the subject until she gets a look at the cookies. But that becomes the least of her troubles when she walks straight into another murder scene. One where she’s the prime suspect.

What else could go wrong? When you’re Ivy Morris, the only right answer is “everything.” With the help of hunky Ben Fallon, this girl will try to figure out why she’s being framed and what it has to do with her getting THE WRONG DRAWERS.

Ivy is losing her mind. She moved miles away from home to have her own life and now her Dad has come to visit. It also doesn’t look like he’s going home any time soon. She has a hunky boyfriend she wants some alone time with and between working and her Dad, it isn’t going to happen. What’s a girl to do?

This is Ms. Simon’s second novel about Ivy. I haven’t read the first one but this one stood just fine on its own. I like her main character and Ivy’s squeeze. I also like the touch of having Dad around. Without seeming it should, it adds more spice to the story. Ms. Simon’s words flow well, the story fits together nicely and she keeps you wondering what will happen next.

To get some time away from her Dad, she agrees to help her girlfriend do a party. You know, like a Tupperware party. Except it’s not Tupperware they’re selling; it’s sexy stuff. Ivy gets a clue about that when she notices the shape of the cookies she’s icing…

If it isn’t bad enough she’s embarrassed by the party items, she has argument with the demonstrator and hides in the bathroom for a break. When she comes out, the woman is dead and she’s got Ivy’s scarf around her neck.

There’s a lot of give and take between all characters, more than one romance going on, and Ivy trying hard to prove her innocence. Despite all that, she’s still trying to find the time to have some loving of her own. You have to admire her persistence and her ability to cope when everything seems to be going against her.

I found it to be an interesting cozy mystery with an odd mystery and enough love for everybody. What more could you want?

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

A Saved Woman by Nancy Fraser

October 28, 2014 By Leave a Comment

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A Saved Woman by Nancy Fraser
Lawmen and Outlaws Series
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Historical
Length: Short Story (64 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

Katy Anderson has experienced more heartache than most know in a lifetime. Given to a man old enough to be her father, she has spent the past six years secluded from everyone except for her three young children. Her husband’s untimely death brings relief that … finally … she and her children are free.

When Sheriff Mitch Logan arrives at the Anderson homestead, he is moved by her sad circumstances and vows to right the wrongs done to Katy. Mitch has always shied away from marriage due to his dangerous profession, yet he quickly changes his mind when Katy comes into his life, and into his heart.

Despite her best intentions to keep the handsome sheriff at arm’s length, Katy can’t help but admire his honesty, and his kindness. All too quickly, she finds her resolve weakening as Mitch convinces her to trust again.

Can Katy’s broken heart be mended?

Katy is an amazingly resilient woman given the path her life took six years ago. The tragic circumstances of Katy’s life are conveyed very quickly and without any graphic details. However, Ms. Fraser provides enough to give me a sense of what Katy had to do to survive as well as protect her young children. Katy immediately won my respect and sympathy. Despite the hardship she’s endured, Katy is still a strong and loving woman. She never let her life with Tobias break her. While she is understandably slow to trust, Katy still tries to see the best in others. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly Katy makes friends given the fact that she’d been isolated from society for so many years.

Katy and Mitch make a wonderful couple. I really like how slow and gentle Mitch is with Katy. He never pushes her and always lets the relationship progress at her pace. I enjoyed watching Katy learn what a relationship between a man and a woman could be. Clearly, Katy’s children are the priority of her life. Fortunately, Mitch is great with Katy’s children. His interactions with them are natural and completely genuine. I do think that Mitch and his relationship with Katy are a little too perfect. Katy and Mitch encounter a small hiccup on the path to their happy ending, but it was resolved before it became a serious issue. I would have liked that situation to be teased out a bit to give Katy and Mitch’s relationship more depth.

A Saved Woman is a truly enjoyable read. Katy is definitely an admirable character, and Mitch might be the kindest and most generous hero I’ve ever encountered. I recommend A Saved Woman to anyone looking for an uplifting tale of love and kindness.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Death Rub by Ashantay Peters

October 23, 2014 By 2 Comments

RUB
Death Rub by Ashantay Peters
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press Inc
Genre: Suspense/Mystery, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (244 pgs)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Thornapple

Class reunions can be murder – even after finding the perfect dress.

Struggling massage therapist Maggie Jenkins only worries about rent, ducking her fifteen-year high school class reunion and whether she’s too old for her new boyfriend. Until she finds her client dead with no one else in the building. And all clues point to Maggie.

Construction supervisor Cam Darrow knows the seven-year difference between him and Maggie means nothing when love is at work. Convincing her to believe in him isn’t easy when her first love returns to town, evidently set on winning Maggie back. Not to mention the increasing stack of evidence against Maggie makes Cam worry she’ll be permanently out of his reach – in prison.

When another of Maggie’s classmates dies, it’s apparent the Class of 1999 produced more than graduates. Will the murderer add Maggie to the growing roster of death?

This book is just the right kind of romantic mystery that would be perfect to curl up with a cold winter night or a lazy weekend afternoon.

Maggie has worked hard to build a life for herself as a massage therapist. She has a devoted boyfriend, even if the seven year gap in their ages has her concerned. She has all but forgotten the pain and betrayals from high school which are all in the past now. But, with Maggie’s high school reunion fast approaching, she is reminded of all those rivalries, and the backstabbing and teenage angst. It was a time in her life she would rather forget, but someone from her class is harboring more than just a little resentment. When a murder takes place, it looks like one of Maggie’s old classmate could be responsible, but it’s Maggie who becomes the primary suspect.

With people coming into town to attend the reunion, Maggie meets up with her old high school boyfriend, Travis, who claims he wants a second chance with her. But, her old nemesis from high school, the one who stole Travis away from her, is still hell bent on destroying anything that Maggie has.  When it becomes clear Maggie may be arrested for murder she and her friends do a little sleuthing on their own, which gets them some unwanted attention.

I agree that high school angst and the old pains we suffered can stick with us for years to come, no matter how silly that is. However, murder usually isn’t a part of the equation. In this case it is and I loved how Maggie and her friends became partners to solve the crime.

I enjoyed this book quite a bit and found Maggie a character I could relate to. She’s a little sassy and sarcastic at times, but is a good person with the same frailties all us are prone to, making her a believable and real character. The secondary characters are her friends Ginger and Katie. Each one of them adds their own quirkiness and humor and are super supportive of each other.

I am always a sucker for the amateur sleuth type mysteries. This book is a whodunit in the cozy mystery vain with a romantic suspense blend. There is no graphic violence, just a light mystery with great characters and a plot that kept me guessing all the way to the end.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Under Starry Skies by Judy Ann Davis

October 21, 2014 By 8 Comments

Cover_UnderStarrySkies

Under Starry Skies by Judy Ann Davis
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Historical (Early American)
Length: Full (306 pgs)
Heat: Sensual
Rated: 4 stars
Review by Poppy

Hired as the town’s school teacher, Maria O’Donnell and her sister Abigail arrive in the Colorado Territory in 1875, only to find the uncle they were to stay with has been murdered.

Rancher Tye Ashmore is content with life until he meets quiet and beautiful Maria. He falls in love at first sight, but her reluctance to jeopardize her teaching position by accepting his marriage proposal only makes him more determined to make her part of his life.

When their lives are threatened by gunshots and a gunnysack of dangerous wildlife, Tye believes he is the target of an unknown enemy. Not until Maria receives written threats urging her to leave does she realize she is the target instead of the handsome rancher.

With the help of Tye, Abigail, and a wily Indian called Two Bears, Maria works to uncover her uncle’s killer and put aside her fears. But will she discover happiness and true love under Colorado’s starry skies?

A fun trip back in time to post-Civil War era America!

Abigail and Maria O’Donnell have hit on some hard times. Their father’s death left them in great debt and have few options other than to head to Colorado to live with an uncle. All well and good until they discovered he was murdered.

I have to be honest and say I didn’t read the blurb to this story before I picked it up, and I honestly believed the heroine was Abigail. The first few chapters are from her point of view and from Tye’s and Maria is barely a blip on the radar (and it was a rather unfavorable blip for me … she came across as weak and whiny). Imagine my surprise when the story veered off from my expectations, and Maria was our heroine! Thankfully, as time passes, Maria grows a spine and by the end of the book is a woman to be admired.

There is a secondary story with Abigail and a potential beau, and I suspect she will be the lead in the next story of this series. Speaking of which, this is apparently the second book in a series, but I had no problem at all sorting things out. Honestly, had I not checked (and had Abigail’s story not been so open-ended), I might not have realized it was part of a series at all, so fear not if you worry about reading it on its own.

The mystery in this story is fairly weak, so if you’re a mystery buff this might not be the best choice. There was never any real doubt as to who killed Uncle Henry, so it’s mostly about trying to prove it and understand why it happened.

I enjoyed the secondary characters, especially Two Bears and Millie, and I also appreciated how relatively independent so many women in this story were (which made it harder for me to believe Maria was that worried about losing her job if she married Tye). Honestly, the conflicts here weren’t that strong, but my fondness for the characters and the writer’s skill at writing kept me turning pages. Yes, the author has remarkable talent with her words. Plot blips aside, her talent for characterization, description, etc., kept me well engaged.

I might not have picked up Under Starry Skies on my own, but I really enjoyed it. More, I really liked Abigail and do hope the author selects her as the heroine for the next book. I’d truly like to see how things turn out for her!

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

As Good As Gold by Heidi Wessman Kneale

September 29, 2014 By 1 Comment

GOLD
As Good As Gold by Heidi Wessman Kneale
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc
Genre: Historical, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Short Story (50 pages)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Orchid

Daywen Athalia wants love–true and lasting. Fearing a future of bitter loneliness, she seeks help from a gypsy woman. The price: a hundred pieces of gold. Daywen’s never had two shillings to rub together in her life. Where’s she going to find a hundred gold pieces?

Bel MacEuros made a career of theft from fey creatures. When the cursed gold he rightfully stole from a gnome is taken from him by Daywen, the consequences could bless or break his life.

It is not the gnome’s curse or a gypsy’s blessing but another magic, far deeper and more powerful, that will change their lives forever.

The choice:  Loneliness or rob a rich man? Daywen thinks there is no choice. Theft is the only way to go.

She robs the rich man who has entered town so she can pay the gypsy in the woods for the Enchanted Faerie. The gold is cursed but Daywen is unaware of this.

This is a lovely story, short but with everything included. Love, magic and internal questioning by Daywen and Bel MacEuros, the man the Enchanted Faerie chooses for her. Neither wishes to fall in love with the other, and their anger rises as Bel tries to retrieve his money and Daywen tries to stop him taking the Faerie.

I enjoyed the book, well written and with well rounded characters. Bel is the strong male hero, Daywen the seemingly docile young woman who is desperate enough to do anything. The gypsy is not your typical old crone, more a herbal woman who likes to help. Bel’s mother is really lovely and talks sense to her son.

I enjoyed spending an hour with this story. It caught my interest and held me right to the end. Good book.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , ,

An Independent Woman by Frances Evesham

September 29, 2014 By Leave a Comment

WOMAN
An Independent Woman by Frances Evesham
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (306 pages)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

With nothing left from her childhood except a tiny portrait of a beautiful woman, some skill with a needle, and the knowledge of a dreadful secret, Philomena escapes her tormentor, Joseph, and the dank fogs of Victorian London, only for a train crash to interrupt her quest for independence and freedom.

Trapped between the upstairs and downstairs occupants of the great country house, Philomena hears whispers of the mysteries and lies that lurk in empty corridors and behind closed doors. Her rescuer, the dangerous, enigmatic Hugh, Lord Thatcham, wrestles with his own demons and makes Philomena’s heart race, but she must fight her passion for she can never marry.

Haunted by her past, Philomena’s only hope of happiness is to confront the evil forces that threaten to destroy her.

Philomena has a secret (a shock to this reader). It overshadows her every effort and decision. Moreover, at the death of her kind, caring guardian, she becomes a target for his ne’er-do-well son. Disguised and without much planning, she runs. The train she’s on from London to Bristol wrecks. At the wreck, Philomena and Lord Thatcham’s lives become entangled with the reader immersed in it all. I felt as if I were there feeling the tensions, the suspense, the uneasiness, and the inching in of love that seems to be hopeless.

Lord Thatcham, a widower with a four-year-old son, takes his responsibilities and his position as a peer of the realm seriously. He sees and understands change as the business and trades people in the country gain wealth and power. He is not a snob like his mother, but he does feel his importance and authority.

He does not intimidate Philomena though. At one point she tells him he is bad-tempered, proud, and thinks others are beneath him. She stands toe to toe with him and speaks her mind, offer her opinions, wins the heart of the precocious four-year-old John, and gains the respect of the servants at the Thatcham estate. She and his sister Selena become friends, but the mother is another thing altogether. Her devious, underhanded ways really do rev up one’s blood pressure.

There is an undercurrent of what really happened to the late Lady Thatcham and her connection with the hated neighbor Arthur Muldron. The coincidence that involves how Muldron came to own the estate next to Thatcham House and how he knows Philomena may be a little bit of the stretch, but the story is so good and so compelling, I couldn’t stop reading until I knew all about it.

What seems like an impossible situation that brings everything to the climax leaves precious little wiggle room for Lord Thatcham and Philomena to have a chance at a happy-ever-after. There are some tense times as two antagonists conspire against Philomena in order to secure their own place in society.

Frances Evesham slips the reader into a time of rapid change in England, uses light and dark character traits, light and dark places, and love that will not be denied to create a page-turning story.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,
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