The Highlander's Maiden - Romance

Author: Elizabeth Mayne, copyright is under M. Kaye Garcia

Title: The Highlander’s Maiden

Publication Date: 1999

Number of Pages:  295

Part of a Series: Yes.  Harlequin Historicals

Subject Heading(s):  

• Man-woman relationships-Fiction
• Highlands (Scotland)- Fiction
• Historical fiction, Love stories

Geographical Setting/ Time Period: Scotland, 1598

Main Character(s):

• Cassandra MacArthur, feisty redheaded daughter of a Scottish laird who prefers the outdoors.   
• Robert Gordon, Scottish cartographer who is good with a sword but generally self-controlled.

Plot Summary: When the king orders Cassandra MacArthur to marry and guide Robert Gordon, a cartographer from an enemy clan, she hides the letter and swears that she never will.  As the two face perils together they begin to fall for each other, although their families could never allow such a match.  When Cassandra tries to run away with Robert her father locks her in a tower.

Appeal:  

The pacing is fast, driven by adventure and the sexual tension between Cassie and Robert.  The language is all written with a Scottish accent and terminology.   All the men wear kilts.

Brief quote: 

“I canna seem to erase from my mind the vision of your hair floating round you in that shaft of sunlight. You were so exquisitely peaceful – a naiad—fair enough to grace King Neptune’s court.  Too beautiful to die so young.” page 115

Prizes or Awards: None

Similar Works: 

“To Tame a Highland Warrior” or “Beyond the Highland Mist” both by Karen Marie Moning for Scotland, kilts, strong heroines, and strong tension between main characters as one pursued the resistant lover. 

Reviewer’s Name: Jessica Conley

 

Form adapted from Saricks, Joyce G. and Nancy Brown. Readers' Advisory Service in the Public Library 2nd. Chicago: ALA, 1997.

Breathing Room - Romance

Author: Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Title: Breathing Room

Publication Date:   2003 (2002)              

Number of Pages: 372 (Avon paperback)

Part of a Series:    No

Subject Heading(s):   

• Americans in Tuscany
• Desire
• Fiancés
• Film actors and actresses
• Men/women relations
• Sexuality
• Women psychologists

 Geographical Setting/Time Period: Tuscany, Italy/2002

Main Character(s):  

• Dr. Isabel Favor: a capable yet vulnerable self-help personality.
• Lorenzo “Ren” Gage: a devilishly dashing film actor.

Plot Summary:       When Isabel loses her money, career, and fiancé, she leaves New York for Italy to start rebuilding her life. Her  plans are upset by a chance encounter with “Dante,” a handsome stranger who turns out to be Hollywood villain Ren Gage—and the owner of the Tuscan farmhouse she’s renting. Further complications arise when Ren’s ex-wife Tracy arrives at his villa with her four children. Isabel and Ren’s relationship sizzles as they conquer their vulnerabilities and their differences in order to come together.

Appeal:                 Phillips’ fast-paced style is humorous, descriptive, and steamy, with plenty of quick-witted, engaging dialogue. Characters are familiar yet nuanced, becoming well-developed as the story progresses. The story is character-centered, incorporating multiple points of view. Brief, lavish descriptions of the Tuscan setting provide a romantic frame. Characterization and frame may be the key points of this novel’s appeal.

Brief quote:           “You’re one uptight chick, Dr. Favor. Is that a building block of your philosophy? ‘Thou shalt be the most uptight chick on the planet’?”

                             “I’m principled, not uptight.” Just saying it made her feel stuffy, and she wasn’t stuffy, not really, not in her heart anyway. (p. 86)

Prizes or Awards:  None known

Similar Works:       Summer in Tuscany, Elizabeth Adler (fast-paced, steamy, Tuscany)

                             Strange Bedpersons, Jennifer Crusie (humorous, engaging romance)

Reviewer’s Name: Sara Vaughan

Beguiled - Romance

Author: Deanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand

Title: Beguiled

Publication Date: 2010 

Number of Pages: 461 (Large Print)

Part of a Series: No

Subject Heading(s):

• Charleston (S.C.) Fiction
• City and Town Life- South Carolina- Charleston- Fiction
• Dog walking- Fiction 
• Journalists- Fiction
• Robbery Investigation- Fiction
• Romantic Suspense-Fiction Mystery- Fiction (Pioneer Library)
• South Carolina- Fiction (Library of Congress)

Geographical Setting/ Time Period: Present day Charleston, South Carolina

Main Character(s): 

• Rylee Monroe- a roller-blading dog walker in Charleston, S.C.
• Karl Sebastian- lawyer, family friend, and dog walking client
• Logan Woods- crime reporter for local paper and aspiring non-fiction book author (afraid of dogs)

Plot Summary: A strange series of Robin Hood style robberies affecting wealthy Charleston residents casts suspicion on Rylee Monroe- a local dog walker who literally holds the keys. Handsome family friend, Karl Sebastian offers to represent Rylee, and new friend, reporter Logan Woods, falls for Rylee as they look for answers together. But whose motives are honest and who is hiding a sinister secret?

Appeal: Christian Romantic Suspense, Intriguing Mystery, Gentle Read

Brief quote: “I’ve got half a mind to sic my dog on you- for old time’s sake,” she said.

“I’ve got half a mind to let you.” She jutted out her bottom lip. He was tempted to snare it between his teeth. Not the most appropriate of icebreakers. (Gist and Bertrand 2010, 387)

Prizes or Awards: Author has won 2 Christy (recognizing excellence in Christian fiction) awards (2006, 2007) and nominated for 2 RITA (Romance Writers of America) awards for Best Inspirational Romance

Similar Works: mysteries by Phyllis Whitney- endangered heroine, suspense

Million Dollar series by Mindy Starns Clark- female investigator, Christian romantic suspense fiction

Savannah series by Denise Hildreth- contemporary Christian romantic fiction set in the South, gentle read

Family Tree series by Patricia Sprinkle- contemporary intriguing mystery, set in the South

Reviewer's Name: Beth Lyle

A Cousin's Promise - Romance

Author:  Wanda E. Brunstetter

 
Title:      A Cousin’s Promise

 
Publication Date: 2009 
 
Number of pages: 277
 
Part of a Series: Yes. Indiana Cousins #01

Subject Heading(s): all from NoveList Plus database          

                                Amish – Indiana

                                Amish women

                                Christian fiction
                                Christian love stories
                                Fiancees
                                Mate selection for women
                                Men with disabilities
                                Triangles (Interpersonal relations)

Geographical Setting / Time period: Northern Indiana / present-day

 
Main Character(s):

Lorraine Miller – the protagonist, a twenty-something Amish woman, devoted to her faith, and engaged to Wayne Lambright.

Wayne Lambright – Lorraine’s fiancé who loses his leg in an accident and doubts his faith

Jake Beechy – Lorraine’s ex-boyfriend who returns to the Amish community and causes Lorraine to question her devotion to Wayne.

 
Plot Summary:

Lorraine, her cousins, and her fiancé, Wayne are involved in a traffic accident and their lives are thrown into upheaval as they struggle to come to terms with the affects of the accident and relationships in their Amish community. Matters are complicated when Lorraine’s ex-boyfriend, Jake, returns to the community.
 

Appeal:

Character-driven, fast-paced story that is romantic and empathetic and provides many details about life in an Amish community.  Christian references are present and are integral to the characters and the plot, but there is not a great deal of scripture.

 
Brief quote:

“No, no, I mustn’t think like that, she chided herself.  It would hurt Wayne too much if Jake and I got back together.  Her fingers gripped the reins until they began to ache.  At least, I think Wayne would be hurt.  If he really doesn’t love me anymore, then he might be relieved if I found someone else.” (p. 197)

 
Prizes or Awards: None

 
Similar Works:

White Christmas Pie – Wanda Brunstetter

Brides of Lehigh Canal series – Wanda Brunstetter. These are Christian love stories that are character-driven, feature the Amish community, and feature a good deal of dialogue (NoveList Plus)

 
Reviewer’s Name: Jennifer Lehner