Match Me if You Can

by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

rated 5 stars

pages

Back Cover:

Annabelle is tired of being the lone failure in a family of overachievers. She's endured dead-end jobs and a broken engagement. Even her hair's a mess! But that's going to change now that she's taken over her late grandmother's matchmaking business. All Annabelle has to do is land the Windy City's hottest bachelor as her client, and she'll be the most sought-after matchmaker in town. Nothing is going to stand in her way -- not the drunk lying comatose under her car, not her family's disapproval, and certainly not the lingering effects of a broken heart. With his money green eyes and calculated charm, Heath Champion is the best sports agent in the country. He's wealthy, driven, and gorgeous, so why does he need a matchmaker, especially a red-haired screw-up like Annabelle Granger? True, she's entertaining, and she does have a certain quirky appeal. But Heath is searching for the ultimate symbol of his success -- the perfect wife. And to make an extraordinary match, he needs an extraordinary matchmaker, right? Thin, rich, utterly fabulous Portia Powers has spent her career making matches for everyone but herself. Her take-no-prisoners attitude has built Power Matches into the top matchmaking agency in Chicago. So what if she has more enemies than friends and she's one breath away from a nervous breakdown? Neither an upstart like Annabelle Granger nor Heath Champion's menacing, but oddly intriguing, bodyguard, will keep her from getting what she wants -- a Power Match for Heath ... the city's very own Jerry Maguire. Soon everyone in Chicago has a stake in the outcome, right down to Annabelle's overprotective book club. When the matchmaker promises she'll do anything to keep her star client happy ... does she mean anything? If Annabelle isn't careful, she just might find herself going heart-to-heart with the toughest negotiator in town -- a man who's beginning to ask himself: Exactly how perfect does perfect have to be?

My thoughts:

I really enjoyed this book. I laughed out loud several times. I love that SEP's heroines however flawed and insecure they might be, also have a sharp wit and a smart mouth. Love That!! My favorite scene was the one where she had a house full of rival football players. Heath "comes to her rescue" and while she is fuming at him and giving him a piece of her mind, the fellas are trying to explain why they keep hanging at her place. They are talking over her and she is smacking them on the backs of their heads. They love it, cuz she doesn't take their crap and acts like their mother.

For some reason I didn't get into the back story romance. Portia and Bodie, for some reason just didn't do it for me!! It felt icky, and too.....domineering! I didn't like that their first time together he took her from behind and on the balcony, and never spoke a word to her or kissed. He walks in and leans her over the rail, then leaves without a word. Too something for me.

I liked that Heath "got" Annabelle's family but I wished that she'd finally seen them the way he did. She felt attacked by them emotionally, and he saw them as almost competing for her attention. She doesn't feel loved and respected by them.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips rocks!!

Always Dakota

by Debbie Macomber

rated 3.5 stars

pages 377

Back Cover:

Local rancher Margaret Clemens is taking a chance on happiness, and going after what she wants for a change. And what she wants is marriage to cowboy, Matt Eilers. Regardless of what her friends and family say, and despite all the rumors, Margaret wants Matt anyway. Oh... and she plans on having his baby, too. Please join me for my third -- and final -- visit to Buffalo Valley, North Dakota. This town exists only in my imagination, but its spirit and sense of community are definitely real. Buffalo Valley resembles many places in my family's history, and perhaps in yours. If you've been to Buffalo Valley before, I invite you to come and visit the friends you've met there; if not, prepare to make some new ones. Buffalo Valley, North Dakota, has become a good place to live -- the way it used to be, thirty or forty years ago. People here are feeling confident about the future again. Stalled lives are moving forward. People are taking risks -- on new ventures and on lifelong dreams. On Happiness. And one of those people is local rancher Margaret Clemens, who's finally getting what she wants most. Marriage to cowboy Matt Eilers. Her friends don't think Matt's such a bargain; neither did her father. But Margaret's aware of Matt's reputation and his flaws. She wants him anyway. And she wants his baby....

My Thoughts:

I liked this one better than Dakota Home! I like Margaret. She's unconventional and I dig that in a heroine! Matt, is the misunderstood hero, and I'm not sure how Margaret sees him as who he is, since they've only met once or twice supposedly and he didn't know she was a woman the first time or two he saw her....This book, closes all the open doors left by Dakota Home. Bob and Merrily lose baby Axel, but find themselves drawing closer to each other and growing in ways they never would have thought possible. Dennis and Sarah Urlacher are pregnant, well Sarah is, and is put on strict bedrest. This pregnancy and subsequent emergency delivery along with the intervention of a few of the towns pillar members help Calla to get a grip and decide to quit being the big baby she's been so far and be a better daughter to Sarah and cut Dennis some slack! I mean really!! She was Too Whiny For Words!! I wanted to SMACK Sheryl! 'Nuff Said.

Overall, I got emotionally invested in the characters, but honestly Debbie Macomber writes kinda gritty realistic relationships. They are not necessarily spicy, even though this book had I think 1 or 2 love scenes they were tame by romance standards. You do get a good idea of the emotional wasteland that can be relationships. So, when reading Ms. Macomber I feel torn. I like her stuff overall, but she is not the escape that I'm really looking for. Some people really love that. They want to get drawn into the angst, but that's not me. I don't like suspense movies either, cuz I get drawn in and it stresses me out! I chew my nails and spend 2 hours anxious, when I'd rather spend my 2 hours and 10 bucks laughing or something. So, that's me! If you like, the drama without the "heat" then Debbie Macomber is a good choice for you. She starts off kinda slow, but ends strong usually.

Dakota Home

by Debbie Macomber

rated 3 stars

pages 368

Back Cover:

Buffalo Valley, North Dakota, has found new life. People have started moving here people like Lindsay Snyder, who came for one year to work as a teacher and stayed, marrying local farmer Gage Sinclair. And now Lindsay's closest friend, Maddy Washburn, has decided to pull up stakes and join her in Buffalo Valley, hoping for the same kind of contentment. And the same kind of love . . .

Jeb McKenna is a rancher, a man who's learned to endure, as the Dakota earth endures. He's raising bison and, by choice, lives a solitary life. Maddy unafraid and openhearted is drawn to Jeb, but he rejects her overtures. Until one of North Dakota's deadly storms throws them together.

These few days and nights bring unexpected consequences for Maddy and Jeb. Consequences that, in one way or another, will affect everyone in Buffalo Valley.

My thoughts:

So, I liked Maddy and Jeb quit a bit. I felt like they didn't drag out the "conflict" too long. That is a personal pet peeve! I did feel like the first 1/3 of the book was slow and really a downer! I actually put it down for a while. Then picked it back up. Brandon and Joanie...it was like they were going to be the tortured couple then suddenly zoinks! They're back together and we don't here from them anymore! Then there's the whole Bob and Merrily thing. We see them get married after Merrily shows up with a baby, Axel. Then Sarah finally admits to Dennis that she's still married. She gets the divorce and they announce their engagement, then her daughter Calla runs away to go live with her father in Minnesota. Even though it started off slow, it ended well. a solid 3.

Wild Jinx

by Sandra Hill

rated 4 stars

pages 362

Back Cover:

Hot... When reporter Celine Arseneux entered The Playpen, a Baton Rouge club for men and women. She never expected John LeDeux to swagger up to her. Sure, the bayou's notorious bad boy is pure sex on the hoof, but even with her expose on the line, Celine refuses to be a conquest left cryin' in her crayfish--at least not again. Not for a man who doesn't remember her!

Bothered... Detective LeDeux has always been too hot to handle, but now he's on fire as the cop who posed as a gigolo to bust the Dixie Mafia. Joining Tante Lulu's treasure hunt seems a fine way to avoid the media ruckus--until Celine pursues her story deep into the bayou, stoking John's hazy memories of a sizzling night five years ago.

And ready to take it all off! Lovers and pirates and gangsters--oh my! It's another wild ride with Jinx Inc., where trouble is no match for a cagey Cajun matchmaker...and love conquers all.

My Thoughts:

There is a soft spot in my heart for Tee-John. We first met him in Love Potion, when all 3 of his adult brothers wonder think they are his daddy! He's about 10 years old and full of mischief. This story finds John an adult now and a police detective. He is faced with a woman who'd been a "one night stand" some 5-6 years ago. And of course sparks fly. Celine Arseneaux is a reporter who get caught up while trying to write a story, and ends up in John's back pocket. Of course, he doesn't know that she has a son, and that he is the father of that son. Secrets are revealed and all heck breaks lose. Add in our favorite ex-amish navy seal, cuban heart throb, matchmaking aunt, an ex-hells angel and an ex nun and you have Wild Jinx. It is a fun read, but not my favorite of the series. At the end they all discover that there are 2 more LeDoux boys. Hmm! I sense some more Jinx coming on?!

A McKettrick Christmas

A McKettrick Christmas was written by Linda Lael Miller and is the story of Lizzie McKettrick the daughter of Holt McKettrick and step-mom Lorelei. As Lizzie travels home from finishing school in San Francisco with Whitley Carson, whom she hopes will propose at Christmas, an avalanche strikes the train in which they are traveling. Trapped in a train car with a handful of strangers including a very handsome Dr. Morgan Shane! It is said that in the worst of circumstances a persons true character is revealed. This happens during the avalanche. Add in a silly talking bird, a couple of straight talking kids, and possibly an angel in disguise and you have A McKettrick Christmas!

rated 4 stars by this reviewer! I love me some McKettricks!!

The Texas Ranger

by Diana Palmer

pages 380-ish

rate 2

Back Cover

He is a true Texas Ranger.
A man of integrity with a soul of steel -- pursuing honor and justice is as natural as breathing in Marc Brannon's line of work.
Called to the scene of a high-profile murder, Brannon finds himself pitted against the vibrant -- and vulnerable -- junior investigator from his past. Years ago his heart had been intertwined with Josette Langley's . . . until she'd made an explosive accusation that had sent shock waves through political circles -- and shattered his faith in her.
Now they are back together again . . .
And there is more at stake than just their stubborn pride. For this homicide investigation is becoming more complex and dangerous with each passing day -- and time is not on their side. Can these disillusioned lovers close in on the truth before the culprit claims another victim?
Or will they both be caught in the cross fire . . . ?

My Thoughts:

Yea, I just didn't really like this one. Unfortunately!! He ruined her life...she ruined his...He said things that were beyond harsh. She is the dowdy, pure, type! He thinks she's sexually experienced, and "comes on strong" on a date, to find that when he tries to "get the job done" he can't. Her "maidenhead" is impervious. She'll have to have a "minor surgery" before she's capable of having intimate relations with a man. Let the record show, that this "minor surgery" was mentioned a dozen times! NO KIDDING!! I was so over it. Geez! We get it, she's a virgin!! He's the experienced man. She doesn't believe in premarital sex and only wants to settle down and have kids and make bisquits or whatever. He is a ruthless uber-manly man and gets away with being a jerk because she "loves him". Ack!!

The Rustler

by Linda Lael Miller

3rd in the Stone Creek Series

pages 374

rated 4 stars

Back Cover:

Where does an outlaw go when he's ready to turn straight? For Wyatt Yarbro, reformed rustler and train robber. Stone Creek is his place of redemption. And lovely Sarah Tamlin is the perfect angel to help him clean up his act...

But Sarah keeps a dark secret behind her prim and proper facade, even as her heart is lost to charming, sexy Wyatt. When a vengeful enemy prepares to unleash havoc on the peaceful town. Wyatt and Sarah will discover that they can't hide from the past. To win the fight, they must believe in something they never trusted before---the hope of tomorrow.

My Thoughts:

I enjoy Ms. Miller's Stone Creek novels. I liked Wyatt, and his redemption. I liked Lonesome. Who wouldn't!? I also liked Sarah, and felt like her "secrets" were overplayed. I did like that one of her secrets was that she was a part of a secret "Women's Poker Society". Fun!! The story was all good, however I did feel like the end was tidied up a little to suddenly. It was a fast and good read. It was not my favorite of the "Stone Creeks" but it was a good solid read.