Reviewer's Choice

A-G

Anne Beardsley
Hattie Boyd   
Natalie Brunelle
Diane Burton
Kimberly Campbell
Tracie Clark
Melissa Curran
Vicki Duby
Carol Durfee   
Sabrina Edwards
Jennifer Fletcher
Melissa Galyon
Robert Gibson

H-Q

Leanne Hinkle
Jennifer Kaiser
David G. LaGraff  
Karen Larsen  
Kimberly Lightfoot
Molly Martin  
Carrie S. Masek 
Karen McCullough  
Cherri L. Muñoz
Jenifer Nightingale
Paula Palmer
Gary Pullman

R-Z

Lisa Ramaglia  
Brenda Ramsbacher 
Mary Ann Smith
Michael Thal  
Jane Toombs
Janet Lane Walters 
Patricia White  

Ladies: A Conjecture of Personalities
Feather Schwartz Foster
Publish America
ISBN 1-59286-361-2

Wow! This book blew me away. Imagine all of our First Ladies from Martha Washington up through Mamie Eisenhower getting together and talking about what it's like to be a First Lady. Now imagine all the rest of the First Ladies, from Jackie Kennedy all the way up through Hilary Rodham Clinton, adding their comments via teleconferencing-and you'll get a vague idea of this book, which doesn't yet do it justice.

There's Mary Todd Lincoln claiming she's not crazy, only greatly misunderstood. Then Julia Grant breaks in and says of Mary, "This is not a stable person." These ladies are individuals, and their personalities shine through history without the interference-but definitely with the influence-of their more famous husbands. Some are sweet and capable, others are bitchy and gushy. All of them are fantastic individuals, thrust unwillingly into the spotlight.

Written by a historian, this accurate portrayal of the First Ladies is a must-have for any history buff. Yet it reads like fiction, which also makes it a must-have for all the rest of us (especially those of us who find most nonfiction rather dry), including students with term papers to write. If you enjoyed Cokie Roberts' FOUNDING MOTHERS-which was a great book as well-this book will be even better-think of it as FOUNDING MOTHERS with a sense of humor. Ration yourself: you'll end up limiting your reading to one chapter a night just to prolong the joy of reading it.

Part of the draw of this book is the author's way of getting into the heads of the First Ladies, giving each one the quirks and temperament of her time. Part of it is the subject itself, many of them mostly forgotten First Ladies. (Rutherford B. Hayes tends to be forgettable all by himself, but can anyone even remember his wife? You will after you read this book!)

I can't recommend this book highly enough. Enjoy!

Reviewed by:
Ann M. Beardsley

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Sierra Ransom
Alice Duncan
PageFree Publishing
ISBN 1-58961-032-6

Sam Ransom Glover has come to the California gold fields to escape the law and to reinvent himself. Sam has been raised in a family of outlaws. He wants an honest job and has settled in Muddy Flats to find one. He is in Zenobia Gray's Stew Kitchen when he decides he would like to work for her doing whatever he can since he is not a great cook.

Zee/Zenobia Gray fell in love with an actor in Massachusetts because he said he loved her and she needed that since her home was loveless. When Zee discovered she was pregnant, her father who is a rigid minister disowned her and wouldn't let her mother have anything to do with her. She decided to go to San Francisco where Mark Maguire was headed and wrote and told him when to expect the boat. Mark did not meet her and Zee was alone and lost in a strange city. Yung Lee found her on the docks and took her to a home for fallen women.

Zee lost her baby boy but she had Yung and they decided to try cooking in the gold fields. She didn't like Sam Ransom at first because he was too handsome to be any good but soon she was depending on him to do anything but cook. Their love grew out of his helping her and his building her a cabin so she could move out of the tent she had been living in.

Once in a while a story will come along that will tap into all your feelings and SIERRA RANSOM is one of those stories. It is filled with some wonderful and not wonderful characters that will be remembered long after you have finished the book. I fell in love with Sam Ransom and his strength right along with Zee Gray. Zee is a strong woman who is overcoming some traumatic things in her past. These two people are what love is all about. Life did not run smoothly for them but their love outlasted all the bad times. I couldn't put the book down until I read the last word.

Reviewed by:
Hattie Boyd

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Heather Carter is not your everyday, run of the mill school teacher. She's a woman with a past, a woman with a secret. When a local gang threatens the lives of the children she teaches, she breaks the vow she's made to herself to help them. Now she's a woman in danger, who has to keep her wits about her. However it's hard to think straight around Quinn Archer. His touch gives her a comfort she hasn't felt in a long time, and looking into those gray eyes arouses a desire she never thought she feel again.

Quinn Archer has his daughter Brianna back again. The terror that almost cost him his life has past. When Heather comes to his daughter's rescue, he's more that grateful. He can't get her out of his mind. Her affection seems real, but he's knows she's hiding a secret. And it was another woman's deceitful secrets that almost cost him his life. Can he take that chance with his life and his heart and trust again?

Barbara Clark has created an exciting story, that you will not want to put down. The story is just the right blend of romance, suspense, and paranormal. The characters are very well thought out, and really come to life on the page. I especially loved Quinn Archer, and was sad when the story ended because I wanted more of him. This is a must read. You will not be disappointed.

Midnight Masquerade
Nancy Gideon
ImaJinn Books
ISBN 1-893896-48-X

Accident? Suicide? Or…murder? Loner detective Rae Borden returns home to suburban Washington, D.C. for her best friend's funeral. Guilt over their four-year estrangement spurs Rae to discover why her friend died. Nick Flynn finally has everything he desired--all the trappings of wealth and a plum job to afford them. Yet, a niggling doubt, a reminiscence of a past he'd prefer to forget, makes him wonder why his employers chose him. To avenge her friend's death, Rae doesn't hesitate to use Nick. But she doesn't count on the complication of mutual desire. Soon, they become embroiled in something more sinister than they expect. Where no one is who they claim to be. Where everyone wears a mask.

Get set for a heart-thumping, nail-biter from the first page. Once again, Nancy Gideon delivers an edge-of-your-seat read. Even the cover is enough to give you shivers. Warning: don't begin this story before bed and not just because you can't stop turning the pages.

One Fiancée To Go, Please
Jackie Braun
Silhouette Romance #1479
ISBN 0-373-19479-X

Jack Maris has found the perfect job in the cozy town of Pleasant River. One problem though, the boss of the company, Ira Faust, loves families and the scattered Maris clan, with their many trips down the aisle, has left Jack with cold feet and an appreciation for a commitment-free lifestyle. However, he loves the company and really wants the job, one small lie about a fictional fiancée couldn't hurt too much, right? He finds how much it can when he gets an invitation to dinner with that figment of his imagination. Only the beautiful redheaded girl who dumped lunch on him the day before can help.

Tess Donovan has been counting the credits until a journalism degree will finally be hers. She's worked full time while going to college for the past several years, with little chance to play or have fun. When the handsome stranger asks her to do him a small favor she agrees, not only to even the debt between them, but also to have a great time at a sumptuous restaurant.

That's when the trouble starts. The Fausts lead Pleasant River's society, and Cora Faust shares the same hairdresser as Tess' mom. Soon the whole town is talking about how the new vice-president of Faust Enterprises is engaged to Tess, and one small lie snowballs into several. It doesn't take long before Tess's mom and sister are shopping for dresses and planning the wedding, while Tess' brother-in-law is showing Jack around the town and his favorite watering hole. The question now is, will falling in love solve their problems? Or only make them worse?

ONE FIANCÉE TO GO, PLEASE is a welcome edition to the ranks of the traditional romance. With characters that step off the page, and fresh handling of the familiar false engagement plot, Jackie Braun is an author to watch. I can't wait for her next book!
—

Midnight Rose
Denise A. Agnew
Treble Heart Books
ISBN 1-931742-41-3

Alexandra is thrust back into Ross Havenwood's life after the death of her father when she is placed into his care. Ripped from her childhood home and thrust into a world she doesn't care for, Alexandra is haunted by visions of death and misery. At the same time she is intoxicated with intense feelings for Ross. One moment his making her livid in anger and frustration and the next he is looking at her in a way to light her insides on fire. Ross himself is struggling with visions of his own that involve the now beautiful, tall and passionate Alexandra. Immediately upon seeing her again, he has in incredible feeling that he must protect her from the evils of the world.

I am always enthralled with tales of Jack the Ripper and Ms. Agnew has done a fantastic job of interweaving her characters with real life as it existed in 19th century London. She has written a chilling account of the gruesome murders of London's East Side and the visions that Alexandra has of the murders before they happen. She has created a sweet and passionate romance between Ross and Alexandra and then catapulted them headlong into a mystery that the reader cannot wait to see solved by the team.

There is also a budding romance between Alexandra's close friend, Flora, and Ross' employee, Percival Drake. Even the two of them have a few choice romantic trysts!

You'll find this novel to have lots of steamy romance and an equal amount of suspense. Pick up this novel today and I guarantee you will not be disappointed.—Melissa M. Curran

Natchez
Deb Crockett
Scheherazade Tales
ISBN 1-58345-008-4

Rebecca Bennett is quite unhappy when she learns her father has sold his mercantile store and is moving them to Natchez, Mississippi to become cotton farmers. She is also upset that he is taking his money in gold with them, instead of putting it in a bank. When the steamer, taking them from New Orleans to Natchez sets sail Rebecca notices a man running to catch the boat, he hires a man and his boat to take him out to the steamer. While boarding the wind blows the man's hat off and Rebecca catches it. She wonders who this handsome stranger is. Later, that evening Rebecca learns the dashing man is non other than Oliver Sebastian, the man her father is buying the cotton farm from. During their time on board Rebecca is confused by the feelings Oliver stirs in her, feelings she thought long dead since being jilted a few years before.

Englishman, Oliver Sebastian, is a very wealthy man. He is instantly drawn to Rebecca and fascinated by her innocence and beauty. When her father is murdered, his money gone and Oliver almost losing his life in the melee, Rebecca confesses her love to Oliver. Oliver becomes distant and withdrawn, but offers to take her in since she has nowhere to go and no money. This causes Rebecca to believe Oliver does love her and wants a future with her. When they arrive at the farm Rebecca is shocked to learn Oliver is married. His wife, Charlotte, is in ill health and he is selling the farm to take her back to England. Oliver does confess his love to Rebecca, but he has an obligation to his wife and loves her too. Rebecca decides she must find a way to make some money so she can return to Savannah.

Rebecca's life is turned upside down when she learns she has a taste for poker and is lucky at it. Card sharp, Gentleman Jim enters her life and she takes up with him all the while dreaming of Oliver. After a time Rebecca learns there is a side to Jim that is terrifying and she wants nothing more to do with the man. She returns to Natchez to buy the cotton farm. But what will happen when danger follows her? Will she ever be able to put Oliver out of her mind?

Filled with gamblers, rich men, intrigue, riverboats and murder, NATCHEZ, will have you surprised at every turn. It is a delightfully well-written novel that had me turning the pages unable to put it down. The characterizations are so well defined I felt I could reach out and touch the characters myself. I was drawn into the story that takes many twists and turns I never expected it to take.

The city of Natchez is vividly brought to life before the reader's eyes. Ms. Crockett's research of, Natchez, a city that had more millionaires than any other in the US before the Civil War shines through. Readers witness Rebecca growing from a Naïve rich girl to a woman of independence with a backbone. NATCHEZ is a top-notch novel and not to be missed, that is why I am nominating it for a Reviewers Choice Award.

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When Kane Darcy rides into Cimarron every woman's head turns. But only one can turn his heart. Abby Prescott's family has plans for her future - finishing school and marriage to the banker's son. There is no room in their plans for Cimarron's new Marshall Kane Darcy. Abby and Kane are drawn to each other despite her father's objections. A twisting plot full of surprises lead the young lovers into trouble when an old acquaintance of Kane's shows up with bank robbery on his mind. Engaged to another man Abby must decide her future while Kane fights his own demons regarding his future.

Marion Marshall shines! Ms. Marshall creates rich compelling characters with real hopes, fears, doubts and heartaches. Kane is a wonderfully sexy and irresistible hero. You will fall in love with Ms. Marshall's characters. This book kept me up till 2 a.m. I could not put it down till the end.

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