Reviews Page

ROMANCE BOOKS

In his novel, ‘Francesca,’ author Hugh Tetlow tells a mystery romance story about a woman by the name of Francesca living in Oxfordshire, England who suddenly finds her world turned upside down. Francesca struggles to come to terms with a loveless marriage, deal with the seedy underworld of diamond smuggling, and discover new feelings about a new man in her life that causes her to question her previous notions on love, life, happiness, and her future.

Francesca Westmoreland is a young woman in her thirties living in a loveless marriage with her husband Hector for 12 years. It is a marriage of convenience that leaves her feeling empty and unfulfilled. One day, her brother Ned is in a plane crash which leaves him badly injured and in a coma. On her way home from visiting her brother in the hospital, Francesca is in a car accident. She is rescued by Philip Lester who takes her to recuperate at his home where he and his daughter Emma live. Francesca finds herself drawn to their warmth and loving care which causes her to explore feelings she has suppressed for many years. It is not long before she learns that the plane crash may have been the result of sabotage and her brother was carrying contraband diamonds on the plane. When her brother awakens from the coma, he has no memory and is unable to help resolve the diamond mystery. The events that unfold involve Francesca becoming embroiled in a diamond smuggling plot that has the potential to harm not only her, but also her brother.

Told in the first person, readers will enjoy following Francesca’s vivid character development as she reflects on her past relationships that includes her relationship with her brother as a youth and her loveless marriage with an overbearing and coldhearted husband. Francesca’s emotional journey is at the heart of the story and involves struggling to find her sense of self and come to a new understanding of love. She develops from a fragile character to a character that is emotionally stronger and more self-assured. The story is a very sentimental character study entwined in mystery and danger.

‘Francesca’ is an entertaining tale of romance and mystery. It is not just a story of finding true love, but a story of a woman finding herself in the midst of danger and intrigue. I highly recommend ‘Francesca’ to readers who enjoy well written and researched romantic stories with plots that involve suspense and danger.

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Corin Ruth Jasmine Dienes had traveled to Nova Scotia, Canada from her home in West Sussex, England, to explore the province and visit with her brother. While traveling in the province, she came across a road sign that said, “Paradise – Next Right.’ She was so taken with the sign that she was inspired to write the romantic adventure novel, ‘Turn Right for Paradise.’

‘Turn Right for Paradise’ begins in England where the protagonist Isabel (Izzie) Brown learns that the man she is about to marry is not the wonderful guy she believed him to be. Heart broken, Izzie flees to Nova Scotia to make a fresh start. On the plane, she meets Brett Hammond and there is an instant attraction. Brett hires her to work for his business as his personal secretary. As the courtship progresses, Izzie and Brett are confronted with a number of personal and external conflicts and misunderstandings. The result is an emotional roller coaster ride with many unexpected twists and turns.

The novel reads as a romantic adventure with the central plot focusing on Brett and Izzie’s relationship. The story is rich in character development and readers will enjoy Izzie’s many struggles that result in significant personal growth. Both Izzie and Brett must overcome many obstacles and anxieties about each others motives before they can come to terms with their true feelings for each other. The plot contains a variety of personal conflicts and mysteries to be uncovered such as Izzie’s quest to uncover the mystery of her father’s disappearance. Set mostly in Nova Scotia, Dienes details a number of places in a way that enhances the romantic theme of the book.

‘Turn Right for Paradise,’ is written to be enjoyed in one sitting. Readers will identify with Izzie’s and Brett’s insecurities, fears, and intense passion for each other. It a fun and romantic read that is full of surprising revelations. It is a story that will be enjoyed by all fans of the romance genre.

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In her book, ‘Until Now,’ author Denise Skelton, presents a story of two people, each on their own tumultuous journey through life, who cross paths to find themselves, and each other.

Terry Myers is a young single mother of two sons living in Chicago. Terry is struggling financially while dealing with her ex-husband, a deadbeat dad who shirks his responsibilities as he spends his money and time with his new girlfriend and daughter. Due to the unfaithfulness and betrayal by her husband, Terry swears off men until she meets Wade who turns her world upside down.

Wade is an undercover FBI agent working as a teacher in Terry’s son’s school, trying to catch the person selling illegal drugs in the school. Because of his troubled childhood with an abusive father, Wade carries a lot of emotional baggage that has yet to be resolved. His focus on work and living an emotionally inert life becomes unraveled when he meets Terry. He becomes intrigued by Terry’s beauty, drama, and comical behavior. Their lives become intermingled in a series of chaotic events with many twists and turns resulting in comical and emotional predicaments.

‘Until Now’ is a story that is part romance and part overcoming one’s own emotional demons in order to learn to trust and love again. A refreshing part of the story is that it is a romance that involves racial diversity of the characters. As well, Terry and Wade are portrayed as real people with real life problems that readers will identify with such as struggling financially, dealing with a deadbeat ex-spouse, and dealing with childhood abuse. Terry Myers struggles to keep her life together for her children. Because of her difficulties with trusting men, Terry finds herself in a number of comical and awkward situations. Readers will be engaged by how Wade and Terry grow, evolve, and come to terms with their past and present situations.

‘Until Now’ is highly recommended to those who enjoy reading romance stories embroidered in real life problems where the characters are confronted with overwhelming personal challenges.

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In her novel, De Marco Empire, author J. Lou McCartney taps into various elements of a Shakespearean tragedy to deliver a modern tragic love story embroiled in the seedy mafia underworld of murder, revenge, obsession, and malicious jealousy.

The story takes place in London, England where Katie and Lucy, two recent College graduates, become employed at the lavish and luxurious Club La Pregheira. The Club is owned and managed by two brothers by the name of Antonio and Gianni de Marco. Katie is an innocent and naïve young woman who finds herself captivated by the handsome and mysterious Antonio de Marco. Lucy becomes involved with Stevo, Antonio’s employee and close friend. The de Marco brothers’ world of crime and murder become entwined with the girls’ romantic relationships resulting in dangerous and deadly events that threaten to tear their lives apart.

As a romance, the narrative can be described as a tragic love story. Antonio and Katie’s relationship is one of obsession and control. Katie, drawn into Antonio’s charming and self assured manner, is blinded to his dark and sinister life which becomes her undoing. Themes of obsession, jealousy, and revenge are revealed through a host of deadly and vicious characters. The story is rooted in a clash of two worlds where Antonio believes he can keep his relationship with Katie separate from his dangerous and deadly criminal life.

In terms of character development, some of the criminal characters introduced had somewhat of a limited role. More development could have been devoted to the central characters. As well, one the main scenes central to the plot was a bit brief. It could have been expanded to deliver a more dramatic climax.

As a tragic love story, the author successfully adapts the elements of a Shakespearean tragedy to a modern plot. The story is full of surprising twists and turns making it a very entertaining read. De Marco Empire is highly recommended to readers who enjoy plights of “star-crossed lovers” unable to stop external elements bent on heartless destruction.

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At the beginning of Claire Jensen’s novel, Coffee, a quote is provided from Christopher Robbins’ book, “The Household Herbal,” containing passages about the medicinal virtues of Coffee. Such phrases include: “gives spirits to the body...” and “wonderfully fortifies and strengthens…” The phrases embody and give meaning to Claire Jensen’s magical romantic tale. In Coffee, forty year old Miranda Browning is a single woman with a past of troubled relationships. While working in her garden in England, she discovers a Genie lamp encased in sticky clay. After finishing in the garden she puts the lamp above the water heater to dry the mud out so that she can clean it in the morning. She is woken by a hideous, screeching racket. She runs the lamp outside to the deck and goes in to make some coffee to calm her noise-shattered nerves. The Genie smells the coffee aroma. At the request of the Genie, Miranda pours a bit of coffee into the spout of the lamp. The Genie is revived and introduces himself as Charles Hudson Witherall. Charles leaves the bottle and becomes Miranda’s loyal companion.

Miranda and Charles embark on a journey of danger, intrigue, and romance. They become entangled in an international crime ring, the kidnapping of one of Miranda’s closest friends, and dangerous confrontations with her ex husband’s drug associates.

Within this magical story, readers will enjoy the trials and tribulations Charles and Miranda encounter. A deep love and respect develop between the two characters. With other colorful characters that include family, friends, and other Genies and their companions, readers will enjoy their love of fine spirits, coffee, and exotic food.

The best way to describe the novel is a magical romance rooted in adventure, intrigue, desire, sensuality, love, respect, and faithful companionship. The focus on exotic aromas and spirits heavily symbolizes the strength and development of Miranda and Charles’ relationship.

The plot of a woman becoming involved with a dashing and handsome genie is a unique approach to the Romance genre. The symbolism of coffee as a rejuvenator and revitalizing agent strongly symbolizes character development through the senses. Descriptions of settings embroiled in sights, sounds, aromas, and taste, are vivid and add to the romance. Not only coffee, but fine wines and food that excite the palate, and the aromas of calming natural fragrances, are an integral mix with the romantic plot. As a fan of magical stories, I would have liked to have seen more of the Genie’s magical abilities. As well, a few areas of the narrative seemed a bit overly detailed.

The story is a charming magical romantic tale of finding love. With such plots as kidnapping, Italian gangsters, and magic of the Genie that includes the use of Ouija boards, the tale is a must read. Coffee is a charming story that Romance fans will love. It is a story to be read while curled up by a fire with a glass of wine. It is highly recommended to readers who enjoy the Romance genre.

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Denise Skelton’s, My Angel, tells the story of an interracial budding romance between Simone Porter and Matt Turner. Brought together by a tragic car accident that left Matt Turner in a coma for months, Simone and Matt develop a deep and spiritual friendship. Emotionally shut down after having his heart broken when his wife left him for another man, Matt finds himself drawn to Simone’s innocence, beauty, and unconditional kindness.

Matt and Simone confront outside influences seeking to keep the two apart. In a society where traditional parental values clash with the free spirit and modern ideals of youth, Simone and Matt struggle to find themselves as well as their love for each other. Matt’s friendship and attraction to Simone forces him to reflect on his past marriage and notions of love. His ex-wife‘s ordeal with the jealous and dangerous man she left him for develops into a deadly threat for both Simone and Matt.

Matt and Simone face many obstacles, internal and external, on their journey to finding the meaning of true love. Simone’s mother, an overbearing and controlling matriarch, dominates and influences every aspect of Simone’s life. From what she should eat, to what type of man she should date, Simone feels constantly scrutinized. Matt struggles with an outspoken and bitter father attempting to influence his children’s lives. Class, race, and sexuality are predominant themes throughout the book.

My Angel is a wonderful story about finding true love amid a struggle to find one’s identity in the face of traditional struggles of class, race, sexuality, and the traditional roles of men and women compared to the untamed spirit and independence of modern youth. Issues raised in the story often take place today giving readers a unique and engaging approach to resolving such conflicts.

With family drama and a heated romance, My Angel is a definite page-turner. I highly recommend this well crafted story to lovers of romantic tales embroiled in family interference, societal influences, and internal struggles that challenge the human spirit.

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