Summer At Willow Lake (Lakeshore Chronicles)

Book Description

Real estate expert Olivia Bellamy reluctantly trades a trendy Manhattan summer for her family's old resort camp in the Catskills, where her primary task will be renovating the bungalow colongy for her grandparents, who want one last summer together filled with fun, friends and family. A posh resort in its heyday, the camp is now in disarray and Olivia is forced to hire contractor Connor Davis — a still-smoldering flame from her own summers at camp

But as the days grow warm, not even the inviting blue waters of Willow Lake can cool the passions flaring or keep shocking secrets at bay. The nostalgic joy of summers past breathes new promise into a special place and people…a promise meant to last long after the season ends.

Customer Reviews:

Summer at Willow Lake.......2007-10-07

Have not read the book, it's for a friend, but the service
was good.

A few twists and turns .......2007-09-11

My book club picked this book and I was less then thrilled to read it when I first saw the cover, but you know what they say 'don't judge a book by it's cover' which was right in this case. It was a pretty enjoyable book - yes there are some sub-plots in the book that the conclusion is painfully obvious but there are other sub-plots that make it an interesting read and one that kept me up some nights. If you are looking for some good chick-lit I would recommend this book. It's actually good for book clubs as well - people had mixed reviews which always makes for a good discussion.

There's a Good Book Hidden Inside.......2007-09-05

First, this is more like a 2.5 than a 3 star book for me.

When I first started this story about a woman who is trying to get her life on track after her third serious relationship falls apart through no reason she can understand, I was interested. I liked the flashbacks to the camp, I liked her best friend, I liked her. I was willing to believe that this book deserved its RITA nomination. It was solidly entertaining, which is all I ever look for in my romance novels.

Somewhere along the way, I lost interest. Was it when I realized that her best friend was too awesome for her? That was a little early in the book. Was it when I began to think that her first boyfriend and new love interest was not so much a bad boy as a kind of lame man? Again, that was a little early. Was it when I realized I was following multiple love stories, solving a mystery about the main character's father, and watching a set up for future books? YEP. That's exactly where I lost interest in this whole thing.

This was my introduction to Susan Wiggs, and I found it both lackluster and slightly overwhelming. Was I supposed to care about all of the Bellamys? I know why romance novelists set up their series nowadays, and feel the need to revisit old characters from previous novels, but some days, I just want to read a standalone. I don't care about the future books or the past books. It's as hard to find a standalone romance as it is to find a single book in a fantasy series. WHY, authors, WHY? I know the answer is money, but, consider your readers.

If you like series, and you're ready to dive into them, and you love the idea of fake 'bad boys', perhaps you'll like this book. I just kept wondering why the main character didn't get together with her best friend who seemed like a way more awesome choice.

A Very Enjoyable Read.......2007-08-31

Olivia Bellamy is a three times loser in the romance department. Reeling from her latest breakup, she decides to go to her grandparents' camp in the Catskill Mountains. The camp holds a lot of painful memories for Olivia because she was always the fat unpopular kid. Determined to disassociate her past from her present, she decides to renovate the camp for her grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary celebration. It has been closed for a long time and she has her work cut out for her. She didn't count on running into her first love, Connor Davis. They had been at camp together as kids and both had walked away from their relationship with broken hearts. The story goes back and forth between their past days at camp and the present work being done. Working together causes them both to remember the past and their feelings for one another.

This is a romance without getting all mired down with bodice ripping writing. The characters are likable and we see both Olivia and Connor's sides of the story. I also enjoyed the descriptions of the scenery and wished I could visit.

This is the first of a series and I plan to read the following books.

Brings back all the memories of Summer and camping!.......2007-07-31

This was an enjoyable reading experience. Lolly returns to her grandparents summer camp, Camp Kioga, to re-vamp it for her grandparents up-coming 5oth wedding anniversary celebration where they will re-new their wedding vows. Lolly's (AKA Olivia Bellamy) ambition is to re-create the Summer Camp of years gone-by. Using all her experience as a stager for real estate and her unstoppable imagination, she undertakes this huge challenge of repairing a long neglected Summer camp. Along the journey of the transformation of Camp Kioga the reader experiences the transformation of Lolly Bellamy through flashbacks. These take the reader back nine years when Lolly was an insecure overweight girl who was hopelessly in love with a boy, Connor Davis, who was seemingly out of her reach. There is a secondary story line which is developed beautifully through the flashbacks of Lolly's father during which he spent time as a camp counselor at Camp Kioga during the seventies. There are still many insecurities to be dealt with and a mysterious family history yet to be revealed along the way. Connor Davis grows up into the sexy contractor Lolly hires to help renovate the camp. Lolly is now a beautiful swan yet there are misunderstandings to clear up and neglected feelings to resolve. The flashbacks are beneficial in revealing the motives of each character. All these people seem real with deep emotional layers, and it is hard not to get caught up in all the mystery and excitement of the re-newed relationships as the story unfolds to its last page and very satisfying conclusion. I highly recommend this book and I look forward to reading The Winter Lodge and Dockside, where I can get back into the lives of the people of Avalon, NY.

A Summer of Faulkner: As I Lay Dying/The Sound and the Fury/Light in August (Oprah's Book Club)

Average customer rating:

Great American literature
Challenging and thought-provoking
O Oprah
Quite a challenge for the average reader
Not for me.

A Summer of Faulkner: As I Lay Dying/The Sound and the Fury/Light in August (Oprah's Book Club)
William Faulkner
Manufacturer: Vintage
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0307275329
Release Date: 2005-06-03

Book Description

The 2005 Summer Selection is available in an exclusive three volume boxed edition that includes a special reader’s guide with an introduction by Oprah Winfrey.

Titles include:
As I Lay Dying
This novel is the harrowing account of the Bundren family’s odyssey across the Mississippi countryside to bury Addie, their wife and mother. Told in turns by each of the family members–including Addie herself–the novel ranges in mood from dark comedy to the deepest pathos. Originally published in 1930.

The Sound and the Fury
First published in 1929, Faulkner created his “heart’s darling,” the beautiful and tragic Caddy Compson, whose story Faulkner told through separate monologues by her three brothers–the idiot Benjy, the neurotic suicidal Quentin and the monstrous Jason.

Light in August
Light in August, a novel about hopeful perseverance in the face of mortality, features some of Faulkner’s most memorable characters: guileless, dauntless Lena Grove, in search of the father of her unborn child; Reverend Gail Hightower, who is plagued by visions of Confederate horsemen; and Joe Christmas, a desperate, mysterious drifter consumed by his mixed ancestry. Originally published in 1932.

Take a seat in Oprah’s Classroom and sign up for Faulkner 101 on www.oprah.com/bookclub.

Customer Reviews:

Great American literature.......2007-06-28

The Oprah's Book Club is a great, inexpensive way to own these literary pearls. If you do not know what you are getting into I suggest you read first Light in August, then As I Lay Dying and finally, after bracing, The Sound and the Fury. I found the second a tad too dry and dark, but that's Faulkner. The last one is a book you will eventually reread. The first reading could be helped by the many high quality institutional web sites where this masterpiece is dissected and even rearranged for ease of approach. I am witholding a star simply because I have formed the opinion that Faulkner is, to put in mildly, racially biased or at least wrote for the racially biased. I would love to hear what Oprah thinks about this aspect of Faulkner's but I do not have the time. Enjoy.

Challenging and thought-provoking.......2007-01-05

These novels are not to be read for sheer pleasure, but rather for the challenge and the depth. They are not easy to read, though *Light in August* is the easiest of the three. The prose is so difficult at times that I needed to reread again and again. I had to stop and take numerous breaks because my brain got twisted around.

I strongly suggest getting research materials from a university librray if at all possible to help navigate the stories. In the end, the depth of these novels is profound and extremely rewarding. It was only after I finished them (and read a lot of extra research articles) that I truly appreciated them. These novels are definitely amazing and a great account of southern life in the early part of the 20th century (and after the civil war), and I admire Faulkner more than I ever thought I could.

If you thought James Joyce was complex, try Faulkner!

O Oprah.......2006-08-27

AS I LAY DYING by William Faulkner

I respect what he did, but I read about 15% of this one before I got bored. I don't agree with Oprah that he's difficult. I knew exactly where he was coming from and where he wanted to go. Many relevant themes and he was a damn fine wordsmith. But it's old news to this jaded old redneck. I don't know why. I realize I just dismissed an author who deserved his Pulitzers and his Nobel Prize, in a single short paragraph, but please hold back on the hate mail.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE SOUND AND THE FURY by William Faulkner

Ditto. You hate me, don't you?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LIGHT IN AUTUMN by William Faulkner

Ditto. Hoo boy, now you want me dead.

Quite a challenge for the average reader.......2006-07-25

Quite a challenge for the average reader.

I want to say something like, "you owe it to yourself to read these books."... and perhaps you do. I, however, don't get it. I read the insert by Opera, and all the scholars, I read As I Lay Dying, like I was supposed to, and I simply don't get the allure of Faulkner.

So reader beware. It is a challenge to read Faulkner, not because his ideas are so very profound, but because his writing style leaves me unable to care for any of his characters in any meaningful way. The dialogue is far too folksy, and though I fully realize what he is doing (presenting to us the depth of the human experience by showing us the trials and tribulations of poor folk who are just trying to make a living) I found I had no time to plod through anything more than the first 100 pages.

I realize mine is just one opinion, but think before you buy. In the reader's guide that accompanies the books, Opera suggests that you are not really a reader unless you have read Faulkner. Please take that with a grain of salt and give yourself a break... Faulkner just might not be for you.

Not for me........2006-02-22

I tried, really I did, to read these books. They were very difficult to understand. I even did an online discussion with "experts" to try to figure out what was going on, but it just didn't happen. I read "As I Lay Dying" entirely & the story behind the story told by the "experts" was okay, but did not make the read worth the time. The 2nd book, I couldn't get past the first few chapters & by the third book, I had given up. Definitely not my style.

Average customer rating:

Gone With the Wind???
Powerful start to new series
Secrets of a Summer Night
One Terrific Read!
Kind of bland

Secrets of a Summer Night
Lisa Kleypas
Manufacturer: Avon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0061259349
Release Date: 2006-11-28

Book Description

Four young ladies enter London society with one common goal: they must use their feminine wit and wiles to find a husband. So a daring husband-hunting scheme is born.

Annabelle Peyton, determined to save her family from disaster, decides to use her beauty and wit to tempt a suitable nobleman into making an offer of marriage. But Annabelle's most intriguing—and persistent—admirer, wealthy, powerful Simon Hunt, has made it clear that while he will introduce her to irresistible pleasure he will not offer marriage. Annabelle is determined to resist his unthinkable proposition . . . but it is impossible in the face of such skillful seduction.

Her friends, looking to help, conspire to entice a more suitable gentleman to offer for Annabelle, for only then will she be safe from Simon—and her own longings. But on one summer night, Annabelle succumbs to Simon's passionate embrace and tempting kisses . . . and she discovers that love is the most dangerous game of all.

Download Description

Four young ladies enter London society with one common goal: they must use their feminine wit and wiles to find a husband.So a daring husband-hunting scheme is born.

Annabelle Peyton, determined to save her family from disaster, decides to use her beauty and wit to tempt a suitable nobleman into making an offer of marriage. But Annabelle's most intriguing -- and persistent -- admirer, wealthy, powerful Simon Hunt, has made it clear that while he will introduce her to irresistible pleasure he will not offer marriage. Annabelle is determined to resist his unthinkable proposition ... but it is impossible in the face of such skillful seduction.

Her friends, looking to help, conspire to entice a more suitable gentleman to offer for Annabelle, for only then will she be safe from Simon -- and her own longings. But on one summer night, Annabelle succumbs to Simon's passionate embrace and tempting kisses ... and she discovers that love is the most dangerous game of all.

Customer Reviews:

Gone With the Wind???.......2007-09-18

First off, let me say that I am a HUGE Lisa Kleypas fan. No one writes a self-made man with SCORCHING sensuality like this author. She is in a league with just a few other authors...(McNaught, Garwood, Quinn, Howard, and Putney).

With all that being said, this was not one of my favorite's.

First of all, I really felt like I do when I watch Gone With the Wind. Scarlett is a spoiled, materialistic, self-centered character. The heroine of this novel is the same way. I tried to like Annabelle, but until the last two chapters of the book, I could barely tolerate her. She was entirely concerned about status, wealth, and landing a member of the peer. Shallow is another word I would use to describe her. Kleypas writes that she is this way to save her mother and brother from financial ruin and exploitaton, but I just didn't buy it.

Just like Rhett is obsessed with Scarlet in Gone With the Wind, so is Simon Hunt with Annabelle. I get frustrated when great heros get obsessed with shallow women..it seems like such a waste of a good man. For the life of me I have no idea why Rhett loved Scarlett and I am perplexed why a great man like Simon Hunt would be so obsessed with a woman's beauty that he'd see past her character defects.

I definitely will read the rest of this quartet...(Autumn, Winter, and Spring), but the first book is definitely not a keeper for me...a true rareity with a Kleypas novel.

Powerful start to new series.......2007-09-11

Annabelle Peyton is one of four young women who are having problems finding a husband amongst the British nobility for varying reasons. The four women, Annabelle, Daisy and Lillian Bowman, and Evie Jenner become friends and call themselves the wallflowers.

Annabelle's father died and left her and her mother penniless and Annabelle without a dowry. Even though Annabelle is beautiful, men know that if her circumstances become desperate enough they can have her as a mistress instead of marrying her. The wallflowers begin to work together to find husbands but Annabelle situation is growing desperate if she doesn't find a husband this season it is unlikely she will marry. Simon Hunt, a commoner who found his fortune in the locomotive industry desires Annabelle but he doesn't plan on ever marrying. However, he will do anything to get Annabelle. Unfortunately for Simon, Annabelle loathes him. Although she cannot deny her attraction, something about the arrogant Simon infuriates her.

This was a wonderfully written book and Annabelle and Simon were intriguing characters. The villan was sufficiently creepy and the action quick paced. Great start.

Secrets of a Summer Night.......2007-09-03

ISBN 0060091290 - Not following too many of the generic rules of romance novels has worked for Kleypas, making her one of the few romance authors I would read from again of my own choice.

Since her father died, Annabelle and her family have fallen on hard times, financially, when she discovers that her mother has taken a different fall of her own - assuming the role of mistress to a pig of a man to help pay the bills. Annabelle feels the pressure of the need to marry well, which will save her mother from Lord Hodgeham and keep her brother in school. Landing a man with a title and money isn't just an issue of snobbery, it's a must. Her upbringing has taught her that she should marry a peer and her families dire straits requires that he be wealthy enough to help them. Unfortunately, Annabelle doesn't have a dowry and without a dowry, she's just a pretty face, more likely to end up someone's mistress than the wife of a peer. After almost 4 seasons without an offer of marriage, Annabelle's on the verge of becoming a spinster.

Decidedly not the right man, Simon Hunt is the son of a butcher. He's wealthy, but in the low-class way of having worked for it. Worse, he likes to talk about work and making money. Some of the peerage invites him to places he really doesn't belong, throwing he and Annabelle in each other's way. She admits she finds him attractive, but she's got her mind set on marrying a certain sort of man. And she has a plan.

As the season began to draw to a close, Annabelle found herself sitting with 3 other girls. They'd sat together often, watching others dance, but never spoken. One night, however, that changes and the four girls make a pact to help each other find husbands. They've all got their own reasons for ending up wallflowers: Evie's family is wealthy but common and the Bowman sisters, Lillian and Daisy, are American and a bit too rough around the edges. They're only accepted at all into society because their father is very rich. The four become fast friends and the husband hunting begins with Annabelle's plight, since she is oldest.

The story of the girls' friendship is given more ink than the usual romance novel drivel, which is a huge plus. The girls are funny and real and I hope Kleypas realizes, through the next three books, that the romance isn't nearly as interesting as they are and keeps them centerstage. Simon and Annabelle don't follow the standard romance novel pattern too closely, either, with no other man/woman thrown between them and no major misunderstandings to muddy up the romance. That alone makes this one worthy of a quick read.

One Terrific Read!.......2007-08-24

This story was so beautiful. I love the entire wallflower series, I only wished I'd read them in order! Once again Kleypas has outdid herself.

Kind of bland.......2007-08-21

I'm glad I didn't read this book, the beginning of the Wallflower series, first otherwise, I might not have read the other three. This book is a very slow start to an otherwise entertaining series. It Happened One Autumn is good, The Devil in Winter is amazingly written and Scandal in Spring is extremely entertaining. However, as much as I didn't really enjoy Simon and Annabelle's story, I did enjoy reading about them in the following books. All in all, a good series and if you've read this one first and didn't care for it, don't let it stop you from reading the following books. They're much, much better.

Average customer rating:

Feel the love!!!!!!
Fantastic summer read, full of humor and love
A very enjoyable read
A warm, engaging book
Dale Cramer is a Master at his craft

Summer of Light: A Novel
W. Dale Cramer
Manufacturer: Bethany House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0764229966
Release Date: 2007-02-01

Book Description

From the Christy Award-winning Author of Levi's Will "You never know what the day will bring..." Mick Brannigan, a construction worker, loses a good-paying job because of some freak accident, sort of his fault but not his fault. Adding insult to injury, he finds himself playing nursemaid to his three kids. "Mick's whole life felt like an accident..." Even more flustered is his wife, Layne, now forced to get a job to keep a paycheck coming in. Mick isn’t the stay-at-home-dad type, she’s sure. He’s a good dad—when she is there to supervise it all…the unrelenting daily stuff. Keeping the house clean, food in the fridge. Attacking the ever-mounting laundry. Supervising their five acres of land and the menagerie of animals.... "It wasn't his idea to stay home with the kids..." A lot is on the line, and just how the Brannigan family will survive—that is, without anyone getting seriously hurt or killed, the kids not ending up psychologically and emotionally damaged, the laundry not undoing their marriage—all remains to be seen.... Packed with humor, true-to-life characters, and themes to enlighten the soul, Summer of Light is altogether poignant, witty, entertaining, and delightfully down-to-earth.

Customer Reviews:

Feel the love!!!!!!.......2007-07-26

I'm usually not a very emotional guy, but this book had me on the verge of tears time and time again. Don't worry they would have been tears of joy, not sorrow. This is such a sincere and heartfelt book it's hard to describe how good it makes you feel. It's like the whole time you're reading it, someone is giving you a hug, maybe that's the point. I guess it helps that I have a son and can relate to fatherhood. It also helped that the author managed to preach w/o shoving it down my throat, which is hard to pull off. I can't wait to read his other novels, especially if they make me feel like this one did.

Fantastic summer read, full of humor and love.......2007-07-10

Summer of Light by W. Dale Cramer is about Mick Brannigan, tough guy ironworker, who gets his life turned upside down by the Lord. Mick and his wife Layne are struggling to deal with their youngest son Dylan's diagnosis of sensory integration dysfunction. Dylan needs someone to work with him daily, and Layne can't leave her cushy law office job, so she suggests that Mick take a break to care for Dylan. Mick laughs at the idea. To him, being a father means working a job and bringing home a paycheck, anything less is unmanly. But then God laughs in Mick's face and soon Mick is out of a job and trying to put his neighbor's house back together. Mick has to learn what it really means to be a father from the Father himself. I love Cramer's other books, but they are heavy and spiritually deep. This book has equal depth but also a broad sense of humor that makes for delightful reading. Mick isn't afraid to laugh at himself, and it's obvious that much of this book was written with a smile on its author's face. Several chapters are almost stand alone essays, specifically the one about a visit to an unnamed Florida theme park. Mick's escapades with his three children, several chickens, goat, unruly dog and neighbors made me laugh out loud several times. As Mick grows, he befriends another neighbor and soon starts takes up photography, even entering photos in a local competition. Cramer manages the difficult job of describing the photos so that I could see them in my mind. Mick's faith grows slowly, but steadily and never in a showy, proselytizing manner. This is almost Christan chick-lit for guys. Cramer never fails to write a tremendous message of faith and life.

A very enjoyable read.......2007-07-03

This is my second Cramer book and as with the first (Bad Ground) I highly enjoyed it. His writing style is top notch and his gift for getting me caught up in a story that has very little to no plot just astounds me. The characters are endearing (although I'm very thankful my kids don't behave like Micks) and very quickly you get to know them as friends. The book has many facets and lessons but never comes across as preachy (and I like preaching but you know what I mean). It's a good book to give an unbeliever. The humor is believable and flows well with the story, not seeming to be forced just to get a laugh. If you're looking for something to break up your murder mystery, war, end times and world domination novels this is a good choice. Dale doesn't live far from me so maybe one day I'll run into him in Home Depot so I can pick his brain to see where I can get some of this talent. (That's figuratively speaking of course).

1 Star = I've been robbed!
2 Stars = Why'd I finish it?
3 Stars = Good
4 Stars = Excellent
5 Stars = Life changing

A warm, engaging book.......2007-06-06

It's about the worst thing that can happen to a construction worker --- a freak accident that exposes an alleged safety hazard. For Mick Brannigan, an ironworker who thrives on "high steel," the accident stops his reliable routine in its tracks. But it's not his relatively minor injury that shakes up his world; instead, it's the loss of his job. The project manager can't risk another safety violation, and he fires Mick for gross negligence. To make matters worse, Mick's wife, Layne, begins pressuring him to stop looking for a job. Their four-year-old son, Dylan, needs constant supervision and a predictable routine; she reasons that her job in a law office could support the family, and Mick could stay at home with Dylan and their two school-age children.

For a man whose identity is wrapped up in his job, and whose father bailed on his family when he was a child, the idea of not being the provider does not sit well with Mick. But Layne's arguments eventually win out. He concedes that her plan makes sense, and he agrees to become a stay-at-home dad --- for a while. He used to manage a crew of tough construction workers on high-rise buildings. How hard could it be?

While that premise makes for some pretty funny scenarios, the heart of the book is the profound transformation of a man and his family. That transformation results in part from the unfamiliar situations that Mick is confronted with, but the greatest catalysts for change are the people in his life. W. Dale Cramer is a master at drawing believable, authentic male characters, and he gives every man in Mick's life the same attention to detail that he gives to Mick. The Man with No Hands, a homeless man whose intellectual insights "send everyone's wackometer into the red zone"; the eccentric neighbor Hap on one side and perfectionist neighbor Aubrey on the other; the construction workers; the residents of Overpass Plantation, a homeless community --- Cramer created each character with precision and care. And the women and children hardly get short shrift; Layne, her sister, the children, and even the dog have strong, finely developed personalities that have a distinctive impact on Mick.

Anyone who figures that Dale Cramer is a couple of books overdue for the inevitable sophomore jinx may as well give up. SUMMER OF LIGHT is his fourth book, and it's every bit as captivating as the previous three --- maybe even more so. With some authors, you can figure on reading only a few pages or a chapter to see if it's worth it. Not so with Cramer. His storytelling is so compelling, his writing style so exquisite that the reader doesn't stand a chance. He makes you resent your need to sleep and work and live a normal life; all you want to do is keep reading.

What sets Cramer apart as an author is his apparent insistence on strengthening every element of his novels to the max. There just aren't any weaknesses. As always, his characters are the people we see everyday, the people we know, the people who actually live and breathe and populate our communities. The dialogue reflects conversations you've heard and participated in. The story rings true. The imagery is nothing short of magnificent. And the ending is, as always, just right.

SUMMER OF LIGHT is a warm, engaging book --- and, like all of Cramer's novels, a rarity in contemporary fiction: a novel that will appeal to men without sacrificing the interest of female readers.

--- Reviewed by Marcia Ford

Dale Cramer is a Master at his craft.......2007-05-13

I've read all four of Mr. Cramer's novels. Interestingly, the Christy-Award winners were not my favorites. I felt that Sutter's Cross (his first novel) was the most finely-tuned and "real" of the four novels, with Summer of Light its runner-up.

Within the first few chapters, I knew the characters--and I loved them. The focus on photography in this novel lent itself to vivid description and also revealed a much deeper understanding of how each person viewed life.

Cramer's quirky characters are interesting but believable, and the Christian message is always clear but not overbearing. He strikes a perfect balance. Dale Cramer is a Master Craftsman.

Average customer rating:

Taming Him
First story good
This anthology is sure to give readers libidos a jump start.
three delightful erotic romances

Taming Him: Ellora's Cave
Kimberly Dean , Michelle M. Pillow , and Summer Devon
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1416536000

Book Description

In this steamy anthology, three strong, sexy women use their feminine wiles and powerful seduction to claim the men who can satisfy their every desire. . . .

KIMBERLY DEAN

Fever

Miserable at work with a raging fever, Delia Jenkins is sent home by her handsome, masterful boss. She tries to sleep it off, but hours later she is gently awakened by the arousing caress of her powerful knight in shining armor. Delia is still burning up -- with desire for his passionate, stimulating touch to make her feel better...in more ways than one.

SUMMER DEVON

Perfection

After volunteering for a lab experiment gone awry, Bryan Hartigan is irresistible to women. Thanks to a "come and take me" chemical that emanates from his pores, every woman wants his body -- and a group of thugs want the million-dollar essence it exudes. While on the run from relentless stalkers, Bryan meets Allie, a sweet, sensual waitress whose luscious curves he can't resist -- and who may be the antidote to his alluring curse.

MICHELLE M. PILLOW

Taming Him

Driving alone one night, Maggie Stewart sees an alien spaceship and can't believe her eyes. When a gorgeous, hard-bodied stud named Vladei emerges and kidnaps Maggie, intoxicating her with his euphoric aura and chiseled features, she is utterly confused and tempted at the same time. Once she's aboard the ship, Vladei treats her like a queen, showering her with enticing pleasures and unrequited passion -- until she will do anything to be his.

Customer Reviews:

Taming Him .......2007-08-13

Fever by Kimberly Dean

Delia Jenkins is sick, and getting sicker by the minute. Even as her fever rages through her she responds to the man who has come to care for her. His touch ignites an unstoppable passion in both of them. When she recovers, will Delia regret the passionate night she shares with her healer or will he turn out to be the man she has been wanting for?

Fever is an erotic fantasy with a touching romance. It's hot, sexy and romantic.

Perfection by Summer Devon

Bryan Hartigan could have any woman he wants because every woman wants him. An experiment gone bad has women uncontrollably lusting after him. According to the Dr. only the perfect woman can cure him. When Bryan meets Allie Hamdon, he discovers what the perfect woman really means.

Perfection is fun and predictably romantic. It's sweet and sexy and Allie and Bryan are terrific together.

Taming Him by Michelle M. Pillow

Maggie Stewart is desperate to believe that the spaceship and the sexy alien that has emerged from it are just a dream. All too soon Maggie realizes that her dream man is very real and he's come to take her as his bride.

Maggie may have found what most women consider to be the perfect man in Taming Him. Vladei is sexy, considerate and willing to share.

The trio of stories in Taming Him are creative, sexy and romantic. This is a very fun anthology to read.

Nannette reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

First story good.......2007-05-20

First story good - well written, belivable - very erotic

Second story - so-so. Quick end to story - like the author looks at computer and realizes time to wrap up

Third story - dumb. And I prefer not to read about threesomes. Would not have purchased book.

This anthology is sure to give readers libidos a jump start. .......2007-03-04

FEVER by Kimberly Dean
Delia Jenkins has only been working for Lloyd Security Systems for two months. Catching a bug that gives her a skyrocketing fever is a huge inconvenience. She tries to work but Rob convinces her that she'd recuperate better if she went home and took care of herself. On the way out of the office she practically stumbles into her boss, Jackson Lloyd. He is none too pleased to see her in Rob's care.

Rob promises to stop by Delia's apartment to check on her later so she's not surprised when she's awakened by the arousing voice and caress of a man whom she's sure will be able to help douse the incredible heat that has her practically delirious. Will she come to regret anything she experiences during this night of incredible heat?

Kimberly Dean does an incredible job creating a scenario where having a raging fever is unbelievably sexy. While being so ill and having a brain cell frying fever is no laughing matter, Delia's lack of inhibitions which is caused by the fever is downright funny. There's no shortage of suggestive ways to cool down a heated body in this smoldering tale but I can guarantee it'll raise your body temperature a notch or two.

PERFECTION by Summer Devon
Bryan thought nothing of agreeing to be a lab rat in exchange for an extraordinary amount of money, until the experiment went very wrong. The experiment had unexpected results and suddenly he's irresistible to women. Now he's running from the throngs of women who desire him and the goons who are determined to learn the secret to the essence he exudes... it could be worth millions.

While on the run, Bryan meets Allie, a late night waitress at a diner. He's immediately attracted to her but fears any attraction she feels for him may be a direct result of his the experiment. The goons who are after Bryan decide that they'd like Allie to visit their facilitiles for some testing. This is something that Bryan has no intention of allowing. Somewhere out there is the perfect woman and having sex with her will cure him of this affliction. Can Allie possibly be the cure to what ails him?

Summer Devon turns the male fantasy of being irresistible to women into a nightmare in this little gem of a story. I could just visualize this poor guy being mobbed by women and his fear that Allie will do the same thing. I loved the way Allie and Bryan form a bond and vow to help each other. Among such chaos their relationship is gentle and sweet and of course, very hot!

TAMING HIM by Michelle M. Pillow
When Maggie Stewart's car dies on a deserted road she tries to convince herself that there is no such thing as alien abductions. Unfortunately the flying saucer and the gorgeous alien who emerges from it appear to be very real. As he approaches the car Maggie tries to lock the doors but the locks refuse to stay down. He finally opens the door and she screams to no avail. The alien touches her and instead of fear, she's filled with longing and hope.

Vladei has waited a long time to find his companion. He wants badly to have someone in his quarters to return home to each night. He believes that the gods sent him to her... all she has to do is tame the dragon in order for her to become his wife.

Michelle M. Pillow tells a thoroughly exciting tale in TAMING HIM. Readers will easily be able to understand the emotional plight that both characters are going through during this story. If you're curious about what it means to tame the dragon, well I suggest you read this story. You'll get a kick out of the significance of that particular statement, I know I sure did.

Kimberly Dean, Summer Devon and Michelle M. Pillow will have your senses rioting with the three thrilling tales in their anthology TAMING HIM. Each story is extremely different and packed with raw emotions and exciting situations. The men are unforgettably hot and you can't help but adore the women who are bold enough to claim them. Every story is a delight to read and will have readers searching for more books by each of these authors. All three of these stories have been previously released as e-books though Ellora's Cave.

Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)

three delightful erotic romances .......2006-12-29

"Fever" by Kimberly Dean. Delia Jenkins is very ill with a high fever, but comes to work at Lloyd Security Systems because she has only been there two months and fears losing her job as she has a project budget due today; she adheres to "presentism" instead of absenteeism. Her peer Robbie informs the boss Jackson Lloyd that he is taking her to bed. Not long afterward, a drugged ailing Delia is awakened by a compassionate touch. As she feels better she sees her hero nearby nursing her though she wants him to provide her a different type of 104 degrees fever.

"Perfection" by Summer Devon. Metcher Corporation's experiment with pheromones made Bryan Hartigan irresistible to women, which proves a curse as he can go nowhere without a woman chasing his body; stalkers are the norm. He only recently learned from Dr. Nathan that his only escape is to find Ms. Perfect. However as he seeks her he also has to elude women and an apparent group that want to steal his essence even if it means killing him to do so. At a restaurant he meets Allie the waitress, who is turned on to him, but for the first time in months he is turned on too.

"Taming Him" by Michelle M. Pillow. Maggie Stewart is driving by herself when she sees an alien spaceship lands nearby. She thinks of fleeing before she becomes an alien abduction statistic, but then she sees the hunk Vladei. He kidnaps her, but on his vessel he treats her like no human ever has before. Instead of a prisoner or a slave, she is a queen given regal pleasure by her king.

These three erotic romances contain delightful storyline, hot hunks, and fully developed (not just their boobs) females who keep each tale focused. Sub-genre fans will enjoy these "everyday" sirens teasing, tantalizing, and taming their testosterone men.

Harriet Klausner

Average customer rating:

cheesy dialogue
Catherine Anderson - WOW - is she is amazing or what?????
Summer Breeze
LOVED IT!!!
There should be a six star rating...

Summer Breeze
Catherine Anderson
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0451217101

Book Description

The year is 1889, and Rachel Hollister hasn't set foot outside her house in five years. Ever since a savage attack left her family dead, she's cordoned herself off from the outside world, afraid to let anyone into her home-or into her heart. But now trouble has appeared on her doorstep-and suddenly she has no choice but to let a handsome rancher enter her well-guarded existence.

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Customer Reviews:

cheesy dialogue.......2007-09-10

Maybe it was just me, but I found the "hero" of the story to be.... lacking? The dialogue was at times ridiculous and why in the world does he name his you-know-what and actully tell Rachel after barely knowing her? STUPID! And the storyline, come on! I figured out the "mystery" way before the end. Pretty predictable.

Catherine Anderson - WOW - is she is amazing or what?????.......2007-07-05

************** Okay - I don't usually get sentimental over books - I read them and either love them or don't get through them - I have a very busy schedule and don't have time to buy books that are not worth my time. Catherine Anderson's books are all fabulous... very poignantly written and on the same shelf as Cheryl St. John's books.

I don't typically go for contemporary romances, as my period is historicals, so I have not read any of Anderson's contemporary books - but some of my friends love them.

Getting back to Summer Breeze.... WOW in a huge way. The story sounded intriguing from the beginning and what made me give it a 5 star rating, is the beauty of how the book is written, the depth of all the characters and the compassion and joy you feel for all of them.

From the time the book starts, in 2005 where Tucker Coulter has found a musty, old diary in the attic the story propels itself with tidal wave force never letting up. He and his mother start reading the entries in the diary and you are transported right back to 1889, to a small town called No Name. Yup, it's a Western, but believe you me, don't let that deter you, because if you like novels that absorb you and make you want to almost be there as a part of what you are reading... well, this is just like that and you will not want to put this one down - I read it in a day!!!

I am not going to waste time giving you a plotline. I will just say that the story of Joseph Paxton and Rachel Hollister will have you laughing (his sayings are laugh out loud funny) and crying at the beauty of the tenderness and patience that Joseph exercises with Rachel and how his carefree and outgoing manner change her from the recluse she had become to the vibrant woman at the end of the book. You will cheer when you are reading and frown when you are finished... the story was that good.

******* If you have not gotten your claws into Catherine Anderson's stories - I strongly urge you to get her books, pronto... Keegan's Lady is the book of Ace and Kathleen - who appear in this story. Another great one is Annie's Song.

I hope you agree with me. Catherine Anderson is rare talent indeed. It is hard not to be moved by the depth of emotion that flows through the pages of her books. DEFINITELY SHELF KEEPERS***********

Summer Breeze.......2007-04-11

Catherine Anderson Is One Of My Favorite Authors, She Is Very Powerful The Way She Puts Everything Into Words Of A Great Story, Annie's Song Was One Of Those Novels

LOVED IT!!!.......2007-03-08

I haven't read a book in 2 years due to having a young one at home - I have no time. I went away for a few days a brought this book with me (I bought it last summer and hadn't cracked it yet). Once I opened it, I couldn't put it down. It drew me in- made me laugh, cry, and love each character. I would tell anyone to read it and let them introduce themselves to Joseph and Rachel...their love was so beautiful as well as the story.

There should be a six star rating..........2006-09-21

There should be a six star rating just for "Catherine Anderson". No one writes like her. She truly knows the human heart, and true love. The heroes in her stories, are to die for. Her characters are always wonderful. The heroines are great. And all her characters are always so well researched, human, and real. Wonderful, great, fantastic work. Catherine Anderson, I am a new fan of your writting.

"Summer Breeze" is the sequel to "Keegan's lady". "Catherine" is one of those very, very rare authors whose writting is superb.

Highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

I Have to Love It, Since I Wrote It!
good anthology
Three Fun Stories!!!
three fun erotic romances
I paid good money for this?

Bad Boys Over Easy
Erin McCarthy , Jen Nicholas , and Jordan Summers
Manufacturer: Kensington
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0758208456

Customer Reviews:

I Have to Love It, Since I Wrote It!.......2007-08-12

Since I'm one of the authors of this book (Jen Nicholas - THE CUPID CURSE), I have to say it's awesome!!

Seriously, it's got three great stories, and if you like hot & spicy romance (with, at least with my story, some paranormal thrown in), then you'll love BBOE!

good anthology.......2005-10-01

Three tales, three talented writers add up to great fun. BRAVA is Kensington's current Romantica/Erotica line. While this book is great reading - I really enjoyed it - fans of pure Brava style might find this a little light in the erotica "heat". The writers are solid. I especially like Jen Nicholas' story. It has GREAT premise for a series, and I hope to see it done down the road. However, by Brava's hot hot hot standards, the story is slower developing. About 80-page novella and the Hero and Heroine don't meet until chapter four. I am not saying this is a fault, just a "meter" for those trying to gauge the level of their romances. If you go in wanting Red Sage level, you might be disappointed. For those of use just looking for a great sexy Romance Anthology then this is dead on target.

Jen Nicholas shows bright promise as a Romance writer. THE CUPID CURSE is engaging, breezy. She is very strong with quirky characters and an original premise that lends itself more to a sexy romance series than erotica. I hope she follows through on this premise and does some CUPID tales. We learn there is not one Cupid, but thousands. There is Cupid Central where they handle details of romances. Like a Romance Publisher who receives a flood manuscripts from hopefuls, Cupid Central is flooded with letters that are along the lines of `Dear Santa' letters, only these are `Dear Cupid, please find me the perfect man (or woman...lol). When Valentine Lewis sends in her request, they naturally sit up and take notice. Gideon is a cupid in training (along the lines of a nun - how they have novices and you get an idea of Gideon's standing in Cupid Central). This is THE case to put him over at CC and get him promoted to full Cupid. Only when he shoots his arrow meant for Valentine's chosen, he ends up accidentally shoots himself in the bum!!! Love has to ensure. The story is bright, witty, engaging, but it's until chapter for until the Heroine and Hero meet. Fine by me, but other erotica readers might get antsy. As I said, the premise is perfect for a series of stand alone titles and I hope to hear more from this talented writer.

MESMERIZED is another funny tale. Amanda Dillon has men dropping at her feet, but she discounts that as they are hypnotized at the time. The one man she wants on his knees is Derek Armstrong. Derek is a reporter and he is on the trail of the elusive Amanda and wants the scoop, even if he has to permit her to hypnotize him to get the down and dirty to prove Amanda is a scam artist. This one sizzles, as Amanda doesn't quite know what to make of the sexy reporter. A delightful tale.

FUZZY LOGIC is by Erin McCarthy and is another enjoyable tale. A bit more Brava style, this story has Ashley Andrew, confession shopaholic, is shocked when her credit cards are maxed to the limit and beyond. She is forced to take on a second job to make payments on the massive debt. She to accept a job as a Pleasure Party consultant. She accidentally leaves her case of "party favors" on the doorstep of sexy next-door neighbor, Lucas Manning. This story is a riot. Ashley and Lucas are a sexy couple, but it's the witty laugh out loud humor as Lucas feels the need to make sure Ashley is prepared to peddle the pleasure toys. McCathy's style of humor is what captivated me, leaving me looking forward to more from this writer.

So this is a SUPER anthology, thought the "heat" is light.

Three Fun Stories!!!.......2005-08-15

Brava has produced another fun "Bad Boys" anthology with Erin McCarthy headlining this time around.

"Fuzzy Logic" is the story of friends that finally realize that they are in love with each other. Well, kind of anyhow. Lucas has always known that he's loved his best friends older sister Ashley. It's now time to make Ashley realize that he is not just her brother's best friend, but the one man for her? Will she finally realize that age is not a factor and that Lucas really loves her for her?

"The Cupid Curse" is the story of Gideon a cupid in training. He has accidently shot himself with the "love" arrow that was meant for Valentine's true love. This might just be the answer to a wish rather than a true curse.

"Mesmerized" is the story of Amdana Dillion. She has more men falling in love at her feet that she can stand. Of course they are hypnotized at the time. The truth of the matter is Amanda would love for Derek to fall mesmerized at her feet but because of love not hypnotism. Will these two find love or will it just be a test of wills?

All three stories were entertaining. They are fun, light reads that are steamy and sensual. Brava has the ablitiy of turning out short stories that don't cheat the reader with content...or lack thereof. This is one read that I recommend that you add to your reading list. There fun, quick, and packed with yummy heros!

Official Reviewer for Romance Designs

three fun erotic romances .......2005-04-27

"Fuzzy Logic" by Erin McCarthy. The package contained adult sex toys that should have went to his best friend Pleasure Party advisor Ashley Andrews, but a mistake delivered it to scholarly Lucas Marcus instead. Lucas realizes his friend has a thriving business over the Internet, but he wants to change their relationship by making him her sex toy. .

"Cupid Curse" by Jen Nicholas. Lonely and despondent Valentine Lewis, named for her holiday being her birthday, pleads with Cupid to send her true love to her. Cupid's apprentice over a century old Gideon intercepts the entreaty. Felling capable of handling the assignment, Gideon visits Valentine only to find he no longer wants to be a virgin as he desires the mortal; she reciprocates.

"Mesmerized" by Jordan Summers. Performer Amanda Dillon hypnotizes men in her act making them desire her. Journalist Derek Armstrong joins the audience to prove she is a fake. However, this time she is unable to bring the hunk out of his trance. Show over, she takes him with her to her home so that she can undo what she did to Derek, who shammed going under, but instead finds he is mesmerized by real desire.

These three erotic romances will hypnotize readers with fine erotic tales in which Cupid would agree that love is illogically fuzzy but searing fun.

Harriet Klausner

I paid good money for this?.......2005-04-21

This book was so bad, I am now turned off from the whole "Bad Boys" series. They have gotten progressively worse, and this one took the cake. While the first story was actually readable and somewhat believable, the last two stories felt more like an insult to my intelligence. The "Bad Boys" series has lost a customer unless I know and like at least one of the authors from previous books.

Average customer rating:

Great summer read for romantics :)
Showcases the complexity of love and relationships
A keeper
Has Me Hooked on This Author!
Not a good book

Summer Light
Luanne Rice
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0553582658
Release Date: 2002-05-28

Book Description

When it comes to love and family, the things you can’t see are what matter most of all.

Bestselling novelist Luanne Rice has inspired the devotion of readers everywhere with her “rare combination of realism and romance.”(The New York Times Book Review) Now she presents her most magical novel to date, an entrancing story of love at first sight, the true meaning of family, and angels right here on earth.

May Taylor works as a wedding planner, passing on the timeless traditions of her grandmother and mother. The Taylor women have always believed in the presence of magic in everyday life--especially the simple magic of true love and family. Yet May’s own faith in true love was shattered when she was abandoned by the father of her child. Still, she finds joy in raising her daughter Kylie, a very special five-year-old who sees and hears things that others cannot. . .

Martin Cartier is a professional hockey player and sports legend. His father, a champion, taught him to play to win--at all costs. Now Martin’s success veils a core of heartache, rage, and isolation. Yet Kylie glimpses the transcendent role Martin will play in May’s life and her own--unless his past tears their blossoming love apart. Then only Kylie will see the way home--and only May will be able to lead them there, if she can believe in magic once more.

Customer Reviews:

Great summer read for romantics :).......2007-06-17

The only reason i don't give this book five stars is because i think five stars should be reserved for truely amazing works of literature. This book however, was highly enjoyable. I couldn't put it down after i started to read it. I have a soft spot for stories like these. It was quite moving and i loved all the characters. They made the book and story come alive. To the people who think it's to sappy for them, i say, then why read novels that have a romantic vibe about them? Aren't they all just going to be too sappy for you? All in all...great summer read. I recommend it highly!

Showcases the complexity of love and relationships.......2005-08-04

At its center, this is a romance novel--the story of how unlucky-in-love May Taylor and famous-but-lonely hockey player Martin Cartier find each other--but it's also much more than that. May and Martin are brought together by May's daugther, Kylie, who seems to have a special gift of seeing things others do not. One of the things she claims to see is Martin's long-dead daughter, Natalie, who may have a vital message for her father. Martin refuses to speak of Natalie, and he blames his own father, Serge, a once-great hockey player in his own right, for her death. Ultimately, it is all of these relationships plus others which make this a more rich, complex novel. One problem I had with the book is that the character of Martin is not always sympathetic; at least from my own women's perspective, it was hard for me to understand at times why May continued to put up with him. Regardless, I still found this to be an engaging read, and I will definitely look into other work by this author.

A keeper.......2004-01-09

This is the first time I've read anything by LuAnne Rice, but it definitely will not be my last.
I'm inspired by the way she draws the reader into the lives of these characters and you suddenly find yourself wrapped up in their emotions as if they were your own. I'm eager to see if she is consistent with her style and technique. I highly recommend this book.

Has Me Hooked on This Author!.......2003-07-15

I was in my favorite bookstore a month or so ago and asked one of the employees for some help in introducing me to a new author. I was tired of reading the same old authors time and time again. She told me about Luanne Rice and reccomended that I read Summer Light. I bought the book and had it read within a few days time. I loved this book! I am now hooked on her books and have borrowed 5 of them from my mother!! It isn't often that an author can get me so hooked on a book that I don't want to clean house, cook, etc.!!
The plot in Summer Light has ups and downs just like real life does. The child in this story is fascinating and I am a true believer that we all have angels surrounding us. We just have to be open to it to believe. I would highly reccomend this book to anyone!! I can't wait to dive into the rest of Luanne Rice's books!!!!!

Not a good book.......2003-07-02

This was my first time reading Luanne Rice, and I must admit I wanted to read the book mostly for the hockey storyline. I was, unfortunately, very disappointed and couldn't even finish the book. The storyline was not believable. I had a hard time with May constantly staying after Martin to talk about Natalie and his father, and I couldn't figure out why she could not seem to understand why he was so upset with his father. I never got a sense of a great love between this couple either - there was nothing that made me really believe that they really were passionate about one another or had any "sparks" between them. I didn't really dislike either character, but they did not seem to fit one another. I also found some of the hockey aspects of the book to unbelievable - I won't get into details, but suffice it to say I wondered if there were any other players on the Bruins team or just Martin? The whole thing was just so sickly sweet that I couldn't stomach it.

Average customer rating:

Barbara Bretton's novels are to be relished!
A 1st Class Book
Back to Shelter Rock Cove
One of the best books I've ever read!
Held My Interest - A Great Story!

Girls of Summer
Barbara Bretton
Manufacturer: Berkley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0425192695
Release Date: 2003-11-04

Book Description

Dr. Ellen Markowitz has learned the hard way that nothing is quite the way it seems-not family and certainly not love. But during one magical summer, she will discover that hope and love can sneak back into your heart when you least expect it.

Customer Reviews:

Barbara Bretton's novels are to be relished!.......2005-08-22

I truly enjoyed this follow-up novel to A Soft Place To Fall! It's a heartwarming story about small-town life in coastal Maine, written in brilliantly realistic detailed characterizations and relationship dynamics (not just romantic relationships, but also friendships and family-life). The author's style easily draws the reader into the town so that you feel a part of this lively community and its people become your friends.

A 1st Class Book.......2004-04-27

I am so happy to have stumbled upon Barbara Bretton. Her writing, storylines, characters and settings are all very believable and absorbing. The title of this book is a bit weak and I felt it didn't really describe the book but, aside from that, it was a wonderful book. I think women of all ages would enjoy this book and its characters. The characters were rich and complex, Bretton was able to make me laugh and tear up at various points, and the story was full and highly believable. Bretton even delicately touched upon 9/11 through one of her characters and I thought it was tastefully done and very realistic. This is only my 2nd Bretton book, but I will be reading all her books from now on. Highly recommended. 5 Stars!!

Back to Shelter Rock Cove.......2004-04-21

This sequel to the wonderful "A Soft Place to Fall" is not as good as the first book, but it is sweet and lovely nevertheless, and a nice and easy read.

This trip back to the insular Maine town of Shelter Rock Cove focuses on ob/gyn Ellen Markowitz, a single woman in her thirties whose 6-month engagement has just ended as the book begins. There's really no love lost, but Ellen is justifiably humiliated and at loose ends, and the last thing on earth she needs is her hippie dippie half-sister Deirdre blowing into town without warning. But that's Deirdre, and this time she's not alone. She has a barely running old heap of a Hyundai, a large harp, a 110-pound dog named Stanley--and, as Ellen quickly finds out, an agenda.

And so begins a summer that changes many lives, including those of Ellen, her sister (and another one to boot), and her handsome, thrice-married medical partner, Hall Talbot, whose friendship means more than Ellen can admit.

This book is basic Bretton--not every loose end is tied up, not every plot line is explained, but who cares? The book, like all her work, is simply charming.

One of the best books I've ever read!.......2004-01-30

"Girls of Summer" was my first Barbara Bretton book. I really, really fell in love with her style of writing and her characters. I just loved Ellen, Deirdre and Hall...and of course Stanley! I can't say enough about this book...except that I really look forward to read the pre-quel to this, as well as all of her other books. Way to go Barbara, you have a winner here!

Held My Interest - A Great Story!.......2004-01-11

I read A LOT of romance novels and even some suspense, but there are very few contemporary romances that I could get into, although I'm not sure why.

This is the 2nd book I've read from Barbara Bretton. The other was Shore Lights which I like alot, but I'd have to say that "Girls of Summer" was better. It hooked my interested right away and held it the whole way through. I know it's a good book when I'm really sad when I get to the end.

I'm now looking for another book to read & I looked at "A Soft Place to Fall", but it's kind of hard since I started with the second in the series... I hate when I do that!

Customer Reviews:

Couldn't Put COME SUMMER Down.......2004-04-02

I couldn't put this book down. The day after I finished it, I gave it to one of my friends, saying "You HAVE to read this". And she loved it too!

A real page turner.......2004-03-31

Liza Cassidy leaves California to close her family home in Nevada following the death of her mother. As she goes through things, she finds the autopsy of her twin sister Laurel dead five years from a brain tumor. Liza is stunned as Laurel apparently gave birth to a child.

Liza travels to Alcott, New Hampshire where Laurel spent her last happy days. There she confronts Laurel's beloved Jack McCall, sire of her nephew and meets little Tommy recovering from chemo due to cancer now in remission. As Liza and Jack exchange information about the beloved Laura, they fall in love. However, will they be able to overcome the ghost of her twin to find their own happiness even though she would have wanted that for two of the people she most loved in the world.

COME SUMMER is clearly a tear jerker with Laurel's death and Tommy's leukemia. However, readers will too easily categorize the novel that way for the tale is much more as the entertaining story line is a deep character study that looks inside the soul of the lead couple and indirectly Laurel. The key support cast, mostly his relatives and friend, but also her deceased mom and sister, provide depth as each one is unique so that the audience receive a strong drama that will touch the heartstrings of fans. This work is dynamite reading

Harriet Klausner

Come Summer by Sandra Steffen.......2004-03-27

AWESOME STORY!
Wow, I just finished reading this book and I can't stop thinking about it! I loved everything about it. I love sister books anyway, and this is one of the best I've ever read. And the 3 McCall brothers make it even better...

When artist Liza Cassidy discovers an unopened letter from her beloved sister, who died 5 years earlier, everything changes for Liza, for the letter reveals that Laurel had a child. As Liza travels to the Atlantic seashore, she's travelling back in time--to the last year of Laurel's life. There's much to discover in charming Alcott, NH, such as her adorable nephew, his father, Jack, and jack's brothers, one a preacher, the other the family bad-boy. However nothing is quite as it seems, and a quest for knowledge becomes a discovery of a new life for the McCall brothers and three special women...

Hold on to your hats, because you're going to laugh, cheer, worry about, and fall in love with these characters.

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