Blue Moon (Book Three in the Moonstruck Series, by Linda Windsor.
Westbow Press, February 2005.

     When archaeologist Dr. Jeanne Madison plans her "Blue Moon" expedition to look for the Luna Azul, and early 18th century Spanish galleon that sunk off the coast of Mexico, she has no choice but to hire the only captain her project can afford, Gabriel Avery.  Her former professor and mentor, Dr. Remy Primston, accompanies her to Cancun to meet the captain of a charter fishing boat. The handsome, dark captain who sports a British accent is far from the crusty image she had. Far worse, he reminds her of a pirate and his blue eyes make Jeanne nervous.  Worse, one look at his rusty ship, the "Fallen Angel", makes Jeanne wonder if it can even hold any artifacts they might find.
     Jeanne returns to Cancun a few months later to start the expedition, along with students from Texas A&M University and a former classmate of Jeanne's who is now a photographer who will film their discovery, if any, for National Geographic. Accompanying Gabe on the expedition is his deck hand, Manolo, and Gabe's lab, Nemo. When Gabe's nemesis, Captain Marshall Arnauld of the "Prospect", suddenly shows up, Gabe fears Marshall will try to steal any discovery, just as he had stolen the rights to salvage a ship Gabe himself found several years earlier.
     Excitement abounds when the first sign of the Luna Azul's contents are found near a coral reef, but it's nothing compared to the excitement that Gabe stirs within Jeanne when they share dinner, or when Gabe reveals his concern when she comes down with a fever.  Then strange things begin to happen after their discovery: Gabe's ship suddenly develops problems, and a strange man keeps watching Jeanne and Gabe when they're on shore. And the excitement is only beginning…
     linda Windsor's BLUE MOON is an exciting novel filled with adventure and intrigue, deception and suspense.  It is also a story of love, set in the exotic seas of Mexico's Yucatan peninsula. BLUE MOON is a true treasure for any reader who loves a great romance, and one I highly recommend..

Tracings, by Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Finishing Line Press, 2005
 

Carolyn Howard-Johnson's TRACINGS is an outstanding, sensitive and poignant collection of poetry, guaranteed to touch your heart and warm your soul. Carolyn shares with us visions of family and strangers, visions to which we can all relate. But this is more than a mere book of poetry. It's a portrait of the aged and the youthful who have traipsed through life's journey, some fulfilled, others wanting. I have my favorites, such as Everywhere My Dream, From the Observation Deck, and Recognizing Denial, but you're bound to love them all. You will want to keep TRACINGS by your favorite chair or bedside, to read over and over.  And don't forget to buy a few copies to share with friends and family, because it's a definite keeper! Tracings may be ordered from Finishing Line Press.
 

The Marriage Bargain, by Diane Perkins.
Warner Forever, October 2005.

      Seventeen year-old Emma Chambers readily agreed to marry the handsome, uniformed Spencer Keenan, rather than his elderly uncle, Zachary Keenan, a Member of Parliament who was old enough to be her father. Marriage to Spencer was a marriage bargain: she would stay at his country estate, Kellworth, and have the protection of being his wife, while he was free to go off to war and pursue his dream of adventure.
    Little did Emma anticipate that her dashing husband's promise meant that she would have to use her own funds, or breed pigs, just to keep the estate running and care for the few servants she wasn't forced to pension off. Her only solace comes from the visits of Spencer's cousin, the Reverend Rueben Keenan, who carries her pleading missives to Spencer for help. Even the reverend agrees that Spencer's lack of response is dreadful.
    Spencer returns to London years later with his two boyhood friends from Eton, Viscount Theobold Blakewell, aka Blake, and Gideon Wolfe.  Together they formed The Ternion, friends sworn for life to protect one another. When Spencer is accused of cheating at cards by a young gambler, Blake and Wolfe serve as his seconds. Though Spencer is determined not to hurt the young man and suffer the consequences of being forced to leave England for fighting an unlawful duel, the gambler's shot strikes his chest.
    Blake and Wolfe deliver Spencer's body to his Kellworth estate for burial. Emma, distraught by his death, insists on seeing the body. How else can she be assured that her husband lies within the hastily made coffin? That another body has been placed there instead?  When she touches his face, all those present at the entombment are shocked when Spencer grasps her hand and asks for water.
    Emma cares for her husband during the following days and, once awake, Spencer can't believe how beautiful she has grown.  During his slow recovery, an inner war rages. Emma believes Spencer purposely refused to answer her pleas for help, despite his protestation that he never received her missives, and believes she cannot trust his word. Spencer, back on the family country estate, is forced to face memories he'd rather forget: Of the fateful day he was responsible for his older brother's death.
    Then, while out walking with Emma, a shot is fired in their direction. Then, the carriage he's driving while with Emma has an accident near where his brother died. Reminded of his part in his brother's death, Spencer blames himself. He killed his brother. He nearly killed Emma. Determined to keep her safe, he departs for London, only to have ruffians unsuccessfully try to rob and kill him.  Spencer begins to suspect that someone is intent on killing him. His friends, Blake and Wolfe, agree.  But then, Emma follows Spencer to London and, yet again, an attempt is made on their lives.
    Can Spencer protect Emma?  Can he discover the identity of the villain who means to kill him?
    Diane Perkins has written a marvelous, suspense-filled novel in The Marriage Bargain, a novel filled with all fully developed characters whose emotional struggles will touch your heart, as surely as the suspense will keep you turning the pages.  Once again she has proven herself to be a masterful storyteller, and I can't wait for her next release! 

Arcadia, My Arcadia By Nicholas D. Kokonis
May, 2004, St. Basil’s Publishers
ISBN 0-9754032-0-6

     Young Angelos Vlahos has a dream: to go to high school and eventually get a job so he can earn enough money to help his family, poor villagers who live on the barren Virgin Mountain of Arcadia, Greece.  His goal at first seems insurmountable as he heads off to the nearby town of Polis, armed with his graduation certificate, and faces the examiners who will determine whether or not he will be admitted to high school.  After the test – and the teasing of the town boys about his oft mended clothing and shoes – Angelos is certain he has failed his entrance exams.  Perhaps he should do as his mother wishes: stay in the village and help out the family.
    Then he receives the news that he has been admitted to high school!  Elated and proud, his parents arrange for him to live in a shabby shed in Polis while he attends high school.  There he faces the struggle of learning, classmates who tease him, and teachers who feel he would be better suited to the fields.  The challenges Angelos faces seem daunting, often insurmountable, and the tormented boy struggles between staying in school and returning to his family.  A deeply religious young man, Angelos finds the courage to endure.  He works hard to obtain good grades, earns food by sweeping the streets and, eventually, his good grades lead to a tutoring job.
     When his family’s well dries up during a severe draught, his father starts drinking and his mother’s arthritis worsens.  His older sister has found work in Germany, but his younger sister watches as her dowry dwindles so the family can eat.  Angelos often misses school to help out the family, and grows determined to travel to America and earn enough money to help support his family.  Yet many obstacles confront him. Can he obtain the necessary paperwork he needs to attend an American college? Can he find a sponsor?  Far more important, how will he earn enough funds to pay for the trip to America – an almost impossible task?
    Arcadia, My Arcadia is a marvelous book, one that kept me thoroughly entranced from the first page.  Nicholas Kokonis has the unusual and unique ability to reveal a human soul’s elation and torture, the conflict between hope and despair.  His writing, reminiscent of the classic authors, has an ability to touch our hearts with an endearing story that will long be remembered after the last page is read.  Arcadia, My Arcadia is a novel that should be on everyone’s reading list, and I highly recommend it for teenagers who would certainly identify with Angelos’ struggles.
    If you're interested in reading this wonderful book, you can purchase the book at the following website: http://www.myarcadiabook.com/ or send $25, plus $4 for shipping/handling, to: NICHOLAS D. KOKONIS, THE CENTER FOR PSYCHSERVICES, P. O. BOX 1155, DEERFIELD, IL 60015.

The Wagering Widow By Diane Gaston (aka Diane Perkins)
Mills & Boon, ISBN 0-263-84356-4, February 2005

     Guy, Lord Keating, is in dire need of funds. To get them, he follows in his deceased father’s footsteps, hitting the gaming tables, until he learns that Emily Duprey is an “heiress.” He woos, then convinces Emily to elope with him to Scotland, certain the marriage will solve his financial problems.
     Behind Emily’s quiet, mousy façade rests a spunky female who longs for love and a desire to escape her father—a gambler who sent away Emily’s sister, Madeline, after a scandal, declaring her “dead.” Emily is thrilled that a handsome, wealthy man would desire her, and agrees to elope when Guy tells her that her father refused to allow their marriage. Although their wedding night is bliss, Guy soon loses interest in the marriage bed.  If that isn’t bad enough, when Guy takes her home after their honeymoon and introduces Emily to his mother, the elderly woman makes it clear she doesn’t approve of the marriage. Even so, Emily is determined to make the best of things.
    Then Emily then learns Guy married her only for her inheritance – a mere pittance. Determined not to live with a man who doesn’t love her, she devises a plan: Using her deceased mother’s clothing, she’ll disguise herself as “Lady Widow” and use the card skills she learned from her father to win sufficient money to escape a loveless marriage and live on her own. She seeks the aid of her married brother, Robert, who also possesses the gambling habit.
    When the masked, alluring “Lady Widow” appears at a gambling house, the men quickly bet on who will be the first to bed her.  Cyprian Stone, an acquaintance of Lord Keating, convinces Guy to join him at the betting establishment to meet “Lady Widow.” Guy is astonished when he discovers that the seductive “Lady Widow” is his mousy wife, and soon wonders if she, like her father, is addicted to gambling. Though he’s hot happy about the fact other men are vying to bed her, he hides his discovery, playing along with her game, intent on preventing the other men from winning the bet – and discovering the answer to his worst fear.
     Complications arise when Cyprian Stone also realizes that the “Lady Widow” is Lady Emily, Guy’s wife.  Determined to win the ever increasing bet regarding bedding the woman, Cyprian threatens Emily, using knowledge of her sister Madeline’s past scandal and present identity as a happily married woman to force Emily into bed. But will he succeed?
    The Wagering Widow by Diane Gaston, aka Diane Perkins, is a thoroughly engrossing tale of love and deception, of desire and hope. The characters are wonderfully drawn, their goals and emotions expertly revealed as the story unveils. Emily possesses an inner strength and an ability to be kind in the face of rejection, characteristics that gained my admiration during the first few pages.  Guy’s reasons for marrying Emily at first appear selfish, however the reason for doing so are not: he wants merely to erase his father’s debts and provide for his aging mother and two aunts. Guy isn’t as shallow as he first appears; especially when he learns to admire Emily’s calm and patience in the face of his mother’s obvious disapproval. All too soon, Guys begins to understand of the true strength of character in the woman he married, and his initial attraction grows into full fledged love.  The Wagering Widow is a great read and a definite keeper.
    This book is presently only available through Amazon.ca (Canada) or Amazon.co.uk (England).  Diane has informed me that The Wagering Widow will be available for purchase from Harlequin Historicals in early 2006. Frankly, with all the wonderful rave reviews her book has received, you might now to purchase it from the Canadian site (less expensive than from England).  

Night Visions, by Ariana Dupré, New Age Dimensions Publishing, June 2004.
FIVE STARS! A wonderful tale of romantic suspense and the paranormal!

     Angie Benton fears sleep. Her nightmares tend to come true and, lately, she's dreamt of two men and her own death. When a stranger walks into her gift shop, she recognizes him as one of the two men who haunts her dreams, and fears he's intent on murdering her.
      Jared Maxwell is a determined man. He recently purchased the old Slayton estate and needs Angie's property to return that estate to its original grandeur. He doesn't believe in love at first sight -- at least not until he meets Angie in her shop. But why does she react to him with such sheer terror?
     Angie wants nothing to do with Jared, yet her desire to avoid him is stymied when she meets with her attorney and learns that she must live in the old Slayton manor with Jared. Together, they must convert the old house into a functioning Bread & Breakfast, or lose their properties. But the house is haunted, and odd things begin happening immediately.
     First, she and Jared tour the property and, while visiting a small two story house, Angie kisses Jared when she relives the love that a dead woman had for her husband. Then Angie gets trapped in the barn, which is set on fire.
     Jared, realizing Angie's life is in danger, does what he can to protect her. But can they fight the ghosts of the past? Can Angie trust a man who just might intend to kill her?
     This premiere novel by Ariana Dupré (aka Melissa Alvarez) is a thrilling story that will hook you immediately and keep you turning the pages. The characters are fully developed and the setting is so real that you won't want to put this tale of love and revenge down. "Night Visions" is the first novel in a trilogy and I, for one, am anxiously awaiting the next installment.
 

Paper Moon, by Linda Windsor. Westbow Press, January 2005.
FIVE STARS! A great inspirational romance!

     Caroline Spencer is the divorced mother of 16 year-old Annie who, along with her best friend, Karen, want to take a school trip to Mexico. Naturally, they need chaperones, and Caroline joins them on the trip designed to promote family togetherness.
     Blaine Madison barely makes the plane to join the school sponsored trip.  Traveling with a group of Christian teenagers and their parents to Mexico makes Blaine feel uncomfortable. After all, he lost his faith in God after his wife died. But it will give him an opportunity to spend time with his daughter, Karen.
     When he's seated next to Caroline on the plane, her natural humor has the stressed out Blaine smiling for the first time in ages.  Then, the night of their arrival in Acapulco, the kids visit the disco club, Banditos, where no liquor is served.  There his daughter Karen meets John Chandler, a senior at the University of California in Mexico City, and Blaine’s parental instincts get into high gear.  It’s not only the difference in ages between his daughter and the college student that make him suspicious.  There’s something about John just doesn't sit right with him.
     Unbeknownst to the travelers, John is involved in a ring of thieves who steal priceless stamp collections, meant to be sold abroad. John’s goal is to find a naive target: someone to mail the card carrying the stolen property from the States. Despite the rule of not accepting packages, Karen falls prey to John's request.
     As the school group tours Mexico, Blaine finds himself turning to Caroline for help in understanding his daughter.  The spiritual depth behind Caroline's words eases the guilt Blaine feels over the loss of his wife, and also helps bridge the gap between father and daughter.  And Caroline finds herself attracted to the handsome, lonely widower.  As the days pass, her attraction for Blaine continues to grow.
     Then John discovers that Karen has lost the envelope he gave her, and Karen and Annie disappear. Blaine blames Caroline, and Caroline trusts in God to keep the girls safe.  Is Blaine ready to give God – and Caroline – a second chance?
     Linda Windsor has won numerous awards for her novels, including historical and contemporary romances, and after reading “Paper Moon,” I can see why.  “Paper Moon” is filled with adventure, suspense, marvelous humor and great sensitivity.  To say I eagerly look forward to her next release is an understatement.  This is definitely a not-to-be missed book!
 

  Somebody to Love, by Kate Rothwell. Zebra, July 2004.
FIVE STARS! A tale of love, pride and suspense...

      Kate Rothwell’s “Somebody to Love” follows the exploits of the Calverson family, this time centering on Timona Calverson’s worldly and successful brother, Griffin, and her best friend – Araminta.
     Araminta Woodhall, the Calverson’s family cook, left to work with Linder Kane, a wealthy, albeit cruel man who keeps his mistress, Olivia, captive in his house, one he repeatedly beats into submission.  Araminta realizes Kane’s treacherous side all too soon, yet stays for two reasons: one is to save enough money to open her own restaurant; the second is her desire to help Olivia escape Kane.  If she can only convince Olivia to leave…
     Griffin Calverson has his reasons for being isolated. He has no mother. His father hunts dinosaur bones and has no interest in overseeing the family wealth. It was up to Griffin to keep a watchful eye over his younger sister until she married.  A man of many worldly successes, Griffin learns that Linder Kane, a deceitful man, might be trying to steal his company.
      Since the two of them have not met, Griffin visits Kane’s home, presumably to dine and gamble, but secretly to learn what he can about his ruthless business opponent.  The rumor that Araminta had become Griffin’s cook becomes truth when Kane insists his cook make an appearance to accept the crowd’s compliments.
     Griffin, who can’t afford to have her reveal his identity, seeks her out. When he confronts her, Araminta recalls the growing attraction she had for the handsome brother of her best friend when she worked for the Calversons.  And although Griffin was also attracted to Araminta, he knows society would frown upon his marriage to a woman of color and develops his own agenda – that of wooing the sultry beauty into becoming his mistress.
      Araminta, a strong willed, independent woman, will do whatever it takes to help the people she loves. Her desire to aide her helpless friend, Olivia, forces Araminta to seek Griffin’s help. Despite her growing attraction to Griffin over the course of several meetings, she refuses to become his mistress. She wants marriage, though she too realizes the impossibility of achieving that goal with Griffin.
      Deceit and danger from Griffin’s competitor, Kane, quickly ensnares the young couple. When Griffin is attacked by Kane’s henchmen and recovers at Araminta’s home, he learns the truth of her parentage, the obstacles she has overcome, and begins to realize how much she means to him, especially when one of Griffin’s friends, a police detective, proposes marriage to Araminta.
     Will Araminta and Olivia escape Kane’s clutches?  Will Kane destroy Griffin and his empire?  Most important, will Araminta sacrifice her long-standing principles to remain by Griffin’s side, reach her goal of owning a restaurant, or settle for marriage to a policeman?
     “Somebody to Love” is a well-written novel of two people who share a common enemy. The plot is swift-paced, the characters fully-developed with individual challenges and goals that slowly merge to a thrilling ending. Kate Rothwell’s “Somebody to Love” is precisely that – a wonderful tale of love, pride and greed.
 

Somebody Wonderful, by Kate Rothwell. Zebra, July 2004.
FIVE STARS! A wonderful, heartwarming tale!

      Policeman Michael McCann has a heart of gold – one that extends to his neighbors, orphans and even to the beat-up dog he adopted named Botty.  Mick walks his beat on the streets of 1882 New York when he rescues a female being attacked by a gang. The possibility that she’s a prostitute doesn’t deter him from taking the beautiful injured woman to his small apartment to treat her wounds. After all, he knows she won’t get good treatment at the local hospital.
     Timona Calverson boldly sets out to take photographs during her short stay in New York City before departing with her rich paleontologist father, Sir Kenneth Calverson, and his personal secretary, Mr. Blenheim, to the next dig site. Why should she be scared? After all, she has traveled the world with her father, lived among primitive tribes and hard conditions. Besides, she learned self-defense from her older brother, Griffin.  Those experiences don’t help her, however, when she’s outnumbered by several men.
      Timona awakens in Mick’s small apartment, believing she’s in a brothel and the man treating her wounds has less than honorable intentions. She soon realizes her misconception after she learns the handsome Irishman is a policeman. While her initial concern is for her father—that he and his secretary made the train heading to the next digs in time—her thoughts swiftly return to Mick. She hides her true identity, determined to win his heart. But first, she wants to learn more about Mick, whose heartwarming smile and reassuring manner set her so at ease. The following day, after Mick responds to a fire in the apartment building, she realizes he has a heart of gold – a commodity that, to Timona, is worth far more than her father’s riches.
     Though Mick has his doubts about Timona, he can’t avoid being captivated by her natural beauty, sense of humor and loving personality. Then he meets Timona’s brother, Griffin, and the obvious wealth that surrounds Griffin brings the stark reality of their relationship to Mick. He and Timona come from different backgrounds entirely. Even though Mick does his best to explain this to Timona, he can’t quite bring himself to force her out of his life…especially when she insists on staying in his apartment.
     Then her father’s secretary, Mr. Blenheim, learns of her whereabouts and sends hired men to bribe Mick to forget Timona – an attempt that fails. But Blenheim has his own personal reason for wanting to break up the couple’s growing love. He wants to marry Timona himself – even if it means kidnapping and forcing her into marriage.
        Kate Rothwell’s premiere novel, “Somebody Wonderful,” is an absolute joy to read, full of humor, an exciting plot, and characters so believable you can’t help falling in love with them. I couldn’t put it down!  I certainly look forward to reading her next release, “Somebody to Love.”
 

The Improper Wife, by Diane Perkins. Warner Forever, November 2004.
 FIVE STARS!  Delightful "marriage of convenience" Regency

     Diane Perkins brings an interesting, intriguing twist to the “marriage of convenience” theme in her first U.S. release, THE IMPROPER WIFE.
     Captain John Grayson, known to his friends as Gray, is a man of means – but is also a haunted man.  Gray was disowned by his father when he decided to enlist.  He drinks himself to sleep each night, trying to forget his young, pregnant wife who died.  Despite his best attempts, visions of her tragic death haunt his dreams.  One morning, he’s awakened by a pounding on his door and opens it to find a lovely, but obviously pregnant woman asking for Captain Grayson. Before he can clarify the obvious error, her child insists on being born, almost immediately. Gray has little choice but to help her deliver her baby boy.
     Maggie Delaney believes she has murdered her husband, Captain John Grayson, when she pushed him into a river during an altercation. Alone, pregnant and left with minimal funds, she struggles to survive – until she reads in a discarded paper that Captain Grayson has returned to London. Surprised that her husband is still alive, she learns his whereabouts from the Regimental offices, and then rushes to his quarters, only to be told by a man whose dark looks remind her of a pirate that he is Captain John Grayson.  She has little time to pursue the man’s lies when her baby insists on being born. And until she discovers the truth behind Gray’s lies, she provides a false identity, that of Maggie Smith.
     After the child’s birth, Maggie continues to insist that she is Captain Grayson’s wife. Annoyed, yet reminded of his personal loss as he watches her hold her new baby son, Gray doesn’t have the heart to send her away. Instead, he places her in the charge of his cousin Harry and Harry’s wife, Baroness Tess Caufield, with instructions for Tess to deliver Maggie back to her proper home, wherever that might be. He leaves funds with Harry for Maggie’s intermediate care, then returns to duty.
     Harry and Tess find Gray’s request somewhat suspect. Who wouldn’t, when the young, beautiful female he claims is a stranger is holding an infant? They take her to their home and, as Tess helps Maggie unpack, she finds papers revealing the marriage of Maggie Delaney to John Grayson. Now convinced that Gray has deserted his wife and child, Harry and Tess decide to take Maggie and her infant to Gray’s family estate and Gray’s father, Lord Summerton.  Maggie, homeless and alone, agrees for the sake of her son.
      Gray returns to London, only to discover that Maggie is at his family estate and has insinuated herself in his family’s lives.  Has she does this for financial gain?  Or is she really the caring person she pretends to be?  Gray resolves to discover the truth behind these questions and more.
      THE IMPROPER WIFE is a fast-paced, captivating, not-to-be-missed Regency novel. I thoroughly enjoyed the suspense in the story, the developed characters. Maggie's pain, her determination to provide her son – her only living relative – with a home, was thoroughly engrossing. Gray's feelings of loss after his older brother's death, his father's banishment, and his initial distrust of Maggie were totally believable. THE IMPROPER WIFE is a real keeper!