When I Fall in Love

When I Fall in Love by Lynn Kurland

Title with a "W" Word

pages 445

rated 5 stars

Back Cover:

Nicholas dePiaget is finished with demoiselles more interested in his riches than his heart. He is certain he'll spend the rest of his life in his leaky castle, watching others enjoy wedded bliss, until he stumbles upon a flame-haired maiden in distress. His honor demands that he help her return home-if only his heart would allow it.

Jennifer McKinnon is convinced that there are no more knights in shining armor-at least not in Manhattan. Then a chance trip to England leaves her wondering if a happily ever after might be in her future. Little does she know that a hero of legendary chivalry awaits her...eight hundred years in the past.

But desires of the heart and dangerous secrets threaten to tear them apart, and only time will tell if true love can lead them to a fairy-tale ending....

My Thoughts:

I really loved this story. It was a great romantic tale. It truly was a fairy tale for grown-ups. Ms. Kurland writes real people with humor and grace. She acknowledges their flaws and makes them real. The story of Nicholas and Jennifer is full of passion and romance. They both have to come to terms with the complications that time travel provides. I enjoyed the natural progression of Nick and Jennifer's relationship as they each come to realize their love for each other and make choices that will affect their future together. There were bittersweet moments where each was trying to look to the needs of the other. I enjoyed the secondary character who were written well and displayed ranges of emotion but most of all dedication to one another.

Something else I like about this book was that it didn't have a "love scene". It's kinda nice to hear of an alpha male who falls in love with someone without having to continually read about the state of his..."kibbles and bits". I mean really, sometimes the way some of these stories are written it's a wonder that these guys can walk straight! **rolls eyes** Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy a good steamy story too, but a pure romance is a nice fresh change of pace from time to time.

My only complaint would be that When I Fall in Love is obviously part of a series, and not the first in that series. My personal preference is to read books in order. There seemed to be many back stories and many other pairings of past/present that I felt like it would have enhanced my story experience to have known from the onset. But that's my fault for not doing the research before reading it.

Accidentally Yours

Accidentally Yours by Susan Mallery

#13 New (to me) author

Rated 5 stars

Back Cover

Single mom seeks billionaire's pocketbook to fund dying son's research cure. Will seduce if necessary. Blackmail is not out of the question. Miracles welcome.

Cynical billionaire seeks working mom with a heart of gold for PR campaign to improve his standing in the community. Must to willing to attend social events. Anyone looking for love, need not apply.

It seemed like the perfect match...until the unthinkable happened.

My Opinion

I really loved this story. I loved that Kerri was willing to go to these extremes to help her son. I loved that even in times of struggle, she was able to give her son as normal a life as possible. I also felt like her guilt at being attracted to Nathan was there. I think I would have felt the same thing. If I'd prayed that prayer, and felt like I was supposed to sacrifice my happiness for my child, then when I was a'lustin over luscious Nathan, and something bad happens to my child...You better believe I'd feel to blame. Is it rational....Nope! Is it what I'd feel...Yep! I think that's SO realistic. I LOVED Tim and Lance! I loved the romance also between Abram and Linda.

Nathan was a true tortured hero. It's impossible to imagine how he felt in letting his son "go". The guilt he felt at working so much, and losing his own child. His only coping mechanism was to drown in work, and distance himself from human connection. It's safer that way! I understand why he would feel that. I love the transition for Nathan, in his own personal growth, and in his relationship with Frankie. In my mind's eye Frankie gets well, and hooks up with Grant! Yeeeaa!

Susan Mallery reminds me of Nora Roberts in all the ways that I love! Her ability to touch my heart and make me giggle. I love a heroine who is driven, but is able to maintain a healthy heart. I love a hero and heroine who can be sarcastic with one another. I adore a story with humor, and wit. This was that kind of story for me! LOVE IT!!

Sugar Daddy

Sugar Daddy by Lisa Kleypas

pgs-418

rated 5 stars (Can you believe it!? I finally gave a 5!)

SHE'S FROM THE WRONG SIDE OF THE TRACKS

Liberty Jones has dreams and determination that will take her far away from Welcome, Texas -- if she can keep her wild heart from ruling her mind. Hardy Cates sees Liberty as completely off-limits. His own ambitions are bigger than Welcome, and Liberty is a complication he doesn't need. But something magical and potent draws them to each other, in a dangerous attraction that is stronger than both of them.

HE'S THE ONE MAN SHE CAN'T HAVE When Hardy leaves town to pursue his plans, Liberty finds herself alone with a young sister to raise. Soon Liberty is under the spell of a billionaire tycoon -- a Sugar Daddy, one might say. But the relationship goes deeper than people think, and Liberty begins to discover secrets about her own family's past.

Will they find their hearts' desires --or will HEARTBREAK tear them apart?

Two men. One woman. A choice that can make her or break her. A woman you'll root for every step of the way. A love story you'll never forget.

I don't typically read books written in the first person. And I think, I prefer the third person, cuz you get a broader view! However, I really liked this story! Having lived in a trailer in Texas as a youth, and not being what would be considered the desired specimen of a Texas female, I could relate to Liberty. I actually cried in the scene when she loses her virginity. The raw emotion she was feeling, (not passion!) was so earnest. I feel her story is told with honesty and a believability that would probably have been missing had it been written in the 3rd person. Liberty's voice was so strong, that I'm not sure any other method would have done it justice.

I really liked the conflicted Hardy of Welcome. I knew many boys just like him. We couldn't wait to get away from our small town, depressed upbringing. I just wish he hadn't used her the way he did.

I do feel like the end was a little ...rushed? The turn of events, regarding Hardy, Gage and Liberty! The pace of the rest of the book, was so (not slow) but paced! then the end needed wrapping up, (almost like her deadline was around the bend, or something). However, I will say, that it was the right time, to start wrapping it up. To have dragged out the Gage/Liberty relationship more, would have stalled the plot. IMO!

Gage, **sighs**! I love a good brooder. And he's a good brooder!! But, he didn't drag it out tooo much! There is only so much brooding a person can take without wanting to shake him til his teeth rattle. Gage, was that perfect balance, of brooding/humor/normalness! I think he was blond in the book, but my mind's eye has him as a dark haired guy! **sighs again**

Now, will I read Blue Eyed Devil? I think it's Hardy's story with Haven. I probably will, but not right now, cuz I'm mad at Hardy! (that's pretty sick and twisted of me, I know!! Like, I'm punishing a fictional character!!) I hear she has a third coming out soon in this series too! I'll probably read them both! Hardy better behave!!

I may even substitute this for something in one of my challenges! We'll have to see!