Romance Books

This book was every bit as good as the others, maybe better. I just love Sookie Stackhouse, hope the series never ends.

These are somewhat the silly side for my tastes. I read the last two or three while home sick, just blew through them. The writing is not the strongest. There are a few humorous moments here and there, but they're just not that good. I do give credit that Sookie develops somewhat; she's not as 'green' as she was in the first book, and I like that she grows. The concept is a bit different with a woman who can read minds and she's intrigued by vampires because she can't read their minds, and gets introduced into all this intrigue and whatnot. Perhaps if this didn't go on into seven or eight books and actually got resolved without some major battle in each book and Sookie always battered and bruised and deciding who to sleep with and yadda yadda yadda. I also don't care for all the odd characters, the fairies and angels and werewolves and the hierarchies. I mean, yeah, if you have one supernatural creature why wouldn't you have other kinds? But I just don't care for it. In terms of fantasy I've much preferred The Book of Lost Things or The War of the Oaks. Maybe I just have vampire fatigue, because there are a lot of vampire chick fiction books out there right now. But if you like vampire chick lit you probably will like this.

Since there are already a plethora of reviews both praising and denigrating this book, I'll only tell you why I loved it.
I was happy that Ms. Harris was letting Sookie move on and out, in terms of new situations and new types of characters. A Fairy Grandfather,witches and, of course, Bob the Cat. I was also glad to see Barry the Bellhop show up again. Sookie needs to know someone else who is in her own "line of business".
As for the naysayers who weren't happy about our heroine's lack of acumen in not having figured out what was going to happen, fie on them. She is NOT supposed to be a superwoman, just a human with telepathic abilities. I'm perfectly happy with letting Sookie know what she knows when she knows it, even if I figured it out before she did. It's all about her journey, not mine.

I love these books....I alternately laugh and cry....I cannot wait for a new one and once I have it I cannot stop til I am done....I think the house could burn down and while I was escaping I would still be reading.....

I love this series, but this installment is just disappointing. There's no romance to speak of, no sexual tension, no witty banter, and all those great guys Sookie's introduced us to over the years barely rate a mention. Plus, the plot is pretty thin, and Harris devotes long passages to pretty mundane things like shopping. The plot of this book is mainly boring political intrigue, with Sookie sounding more like an embittered and inflexible Lily Bard (from Harris's Shakespeare series) than herself. I sure hope the next installment is better.

It looks like the most ordinary of crimes--a wealthy businessman is found dead in his bed, a rope around his neck and sexual aids both point to a possible sexual escapade going wrong. When his wife, safely alibied a thousand miles away, indicates that the dead man, Thomas Anders, was into kinky sex, the case seems open and shut. Except there are too many flaws for police Inspector Eve Dallas. Eve suspects the dead man's beautiful but cold wife, Ava--who stands to gain richly from her husband's death. Still, there's no doubt she was a thousand miles away, no bank withdrawals indicate the possibility of a murder for hire, and Ava's only known outside lover is a Licensed Companion who's personally known to Eve--no way would he have killed for her.

Eve continues to push on the case, looking for the flaw she knows must exist. The murder seemed well-planned, but the flaws indicated that the killer's nerve may have failed. Who could Ava have persuaded to do the deed? With the help of her billionaire-husband, Roark, Eve diggs deeper into Ava's activities. Could she have been responsible for her father-in-law's death as well? Still, without evidence, all she has is suspicion. Eve swears Ava won't get away with her crime, but even in 2060, evidence is needed to convict.

Author J. D. Robb (Nora Roberts) delivers another clever and well-written futuristic mystery. We didn't get the real emotional depth in some of the other In Death novels, but clever Eve, perky Sgt. Peabody, brilliant (and rich) Roark, and the rest of the characters in Eve's police world come together to follow distant connections, linking together possible crimes and possible connections that Ava had believed could never be found. STRANGERS IN DEATH is an enjoyable read--one I ended up consuming in a single sitting.

I'm a huge fan of crime mysteries, so when I saw this book at the store I thought, best selling author, it should be good! I can finish a 400 page book in a few hours. I've had this book over a week and cannot get myself to finish it. The characters are cliche and unrealistic. The main character has had a hunch about who's responsible for a murder from way too early in the book, which is making the filler very boring. The author also seems to assume that female readers will want to read petty side stories and will enjoy hearing about the main character's gorgeous husband and huge mansion and their fabulous life together. For someone who wants to read a real crime novel, buy a Michael Connelly book. Maybe Nora Roberts has better work out, but I know I'm not going to bother with any of her writing again.

I've read all of the In Death series and most of Nora Roberts' other novels. While I enjoy them all and find them all to be a step above most other authors in the genre, this one just kind of... annoyed me.

I've enjoyed Eve and Roarke and the murder mysteries. As a female in law enforcement, I enjoy seeing a lead character that is a strong female in the profession. However, I really found Eve's behavior in this book to be really offensive. I do not enjoy how Roberts seems to portray beat cops/patrol officers as morons and fat slobs. Eve seems to take pleasure in treating the beat cops like crap, which I really disliked.

As far as the story itself, it was entertaining and worth the cost of the book. It wasn't my favorite, but I did like a break from the "killer wants Eve as his ultimate trophy, so Eve sets herself up as bait and takes him down with a karate chop of doom!" plotline that Roberts seems so fond of with these books.

It wasn't her best effort, but it was still a decent read.

We must be sick people to hang on every one of these death stories, but again she keeps me from knowing the answer until the time is right.

Every one of the (In Death) books are great! This one is no exception. I love the intracacies of Lt. Dallas and Roark's relationship, the bantering, subtle humor and sizzling sex scenes! I highly recommend Strangers in Death. You won't be disappointed.

Now You Die, the long awaited and much anticipated final book of the Bullet Catcher Trilogy, recently found its way into my hot little hands and didn't leave them until I turned the last page. Now You Die is a non-stop thrill ride of mayhem that leaves you breathless. All I can say is that Roxanne St. Claire has done it again and better than ever!

Anyone who has read any of the Bullet Catchers books will have been waiting for Lucy's story. Most of us didn't think it would be with Jack but hey that's just how things work out sometimes. If you ask me I think they are the perfect pair. Though I have to say one Bullet Catcher is hotter than the next and each has that one thing that is totally endearing.

Finishing up the three part story, Now You Die can definitely stand alone, giving you enough back story to bring you up to speed and help you navigate the treacherous waves of a 30 year old murder.

Ms. St. Claire weaves so many twists and turns into this one it is impossible to figure out -- just how romantic suspense should be. Now You Die combines knife edged tension, scorching hot love scenes and sends you hurtling off a cliff smack into a conclusion that no one could possibly guess. Yup you've got it all here...can't ask for anything more, all that's left to say is WOW!
Lynda, SimplyRomanceReviews.com

I really loved this book! Lucy Sharpe is my favorite kind of heroine - tough, strong, smart, but with a little weakness that she tries really hard not to show the world. And there's nothing better than when one alpha-like guy is the only person who can find that weakness. I love that set up for a romance novel and Roxanne St. Claire uses it perfectly in this book. All along, there is constant escalation of danger, a twisting story line that had me guessing about the bad guy to the very end, and glimpses into the "Bullet Catcher" job and world that I really loved. I gobbled this one up in a day and will definitely read it again. Highly recommended!

I am thoroughly hooked on this Bullet Catchers series. I didn't think she could top the last book, but Roxanne St. Claire scored a direct hit with Lucy Sharpe and Jack Culver in NOW YOU DIE. This time the story is bigger -- as the Bullet Catchers go tearing after one of the most powerful men in the country and the action is fast-paced. This is the most emotional of the books so far, as the heroine's past haunts her, and the hero's many layers are peeled away bit by bit. There's plenty of suspense, lots of action (including a wild scene with an alligator!), wonderful love scenes and a really unexpected twist at the end. The last eighty pages are total page-turners -- and the ending made me teary. I completely loved this book and now I can't wait for the next one. Dan Gallagher deserves his happy ending, too!

In this third story of the trilogy, "First You Run", "Then You Hide" and "Now You Die". Roxanne St. Claire delivers her best yet!

Reading the stories in order isn't a 'must'. Each one can certainly stand alone. But I always try to read a trilogy in order. I feel if the author wrote them in a specific order so I like to follow the same order.

Reading the first two will enhance your enjoyment of the third! The characters intertwine throughout all three and knowing who's who will make you feel more apart of the story and share a camaraderie with each character.

This is Lucy's turn! Telling Lucy's story was a tall task since she is a mainstay character from the very first 'Bullet Catcher' book. Anyone who has read the series (in any order)knows Lucy is present and meaningful in each book. She deserved a GREAT story and Roxanne St. Claire gave it to her...and lucky for us, we get to read it!

I won't go into details about the story. I will tell you there is romance and sex (great sex ;) an entertaining rollercoaster story. There is a perfect, well-deserved end to the story and a wee cliffhanger, too!

I highly recommend this book. If you love the suspense & romance genre you will love this book and all of Roxanne St.Claire's other books as well.

Happy reading!Now You Die (The Bullet Catchers, Book 6)

Through two books we've followed Lucy Sharpe's group of Bullet Catchers hunt down women -- triplet sisters -- who were adopted through a black market ring. Their birth mother had been involved with an influential politician who was the triplets' father. Then she was convicted of murder, a murder she suspects he committed. Only he's powerful and connected and "he can do anything" including convict an innocent woman. Two of the girls have been found (and fallen in love with Bullet Catchers in the process). Now Jack Culver needs access to information to prove the woman's innocence, and only Lucy Sharpe can get him that access. Of course, Lucy considers Jack as something lower than mud on the bottom of her shoe and is an unwilling participant until Jack begins to prove himself worthy. And when the sparks start flying between them -- sexual sparks that is -- neither of them can deny it. Soon the hunters become the hunted. In this third book of this 2008 Bullet Catchers series, you'll get rough action, flaming desire and a convoluted plot that's as good as I've ever read.

I tried to like this book. I didn't enjoy Sweet Talk because of Nicole and hoped that I would like her more in this book dedicated to her, but I didn't.

She still comes across as nasty and judgmental. However, I did like the relationship she had with Raoul was sweet, I never understood why Hawk was with her.

I was also put off by Hawk's relationship with Brittany that the author decided to deal with in the last five chapters or so of the book. For two hundred and some odd pages, Brittany never seemed to have a problem with Nicole or behaved in a way that was spoiled or selfish and then, suddenly, she starts yelling at Nicole and acting like a princess. It didn't fit.

The dialogue was witty but at times there was too much of it. The characters did a lot of talking. And I never saw Nicole really change. She was still selfish, controlling and bossy.

I am looking forward to Jesse's story because I always kind of liked her. We'll see.

The Keyes sister are back in this sizzling romantic romp. Twin sisters Nichole and Claire may look similar, but their personalities couldn't be further apart. Nichole is the plain Jane who just goes with the almost tranquile low of life; while Claire is the rough-n-tumble concert pianist, who lives life on the wild side. The story begins to take off after a minor theft at the bakery Nichole works at when she meets a man so striking it's almost beyond her imagination. Can Eric Hawkins see beyond Nichole's spurious defense and capture this girl next door? Susan Mallery has done a wonderful job creating these three dimensional characters and framing the picture around thir lives. I'd also highly recommend for fans of this genre to read The Fates by Georgiou, another highly rated novel that should be on everyone's list: Fates

This is the 2nd book in the trilogy of the Keyes sisters. It was also my absolute favorite of all three. The sexual tension between Nicole & Hawk jumped right off the pages!

Yes, Nicole was sarcastic and had a comeback for everyone. I loved that about her. She had a tough girl image, but a heart gold which Hawk saw right away. Their romance was sweet, but also had it's troubles.

Definitely do not miss this one!

I don't know if it is a trend to make the women in the current romances, and even suspense novels so unlikeable but I have almost decided to quit reading some of my favorite writers. I enjoy reading about strong women but Nicole has been cruel to her family and I have not found any reason to care what happens to her. For her sisters and lover to be loyal is a real mystery to me. She seemed selfish and if she truely cared about others she would listen to them. I did find myself concerned about Jesse but according to the reviews Nicole continues to treat her badly in the next book.

Nicole Keyes has always been the responsible sister. Twin to Claire, a concert pianist, Nicole was the one left at home while her sister toured the country. Nicole loves her sister and while she doesn't bear her sister ill will at how their lives turned out, she does wish that her life would mean more to someone than it actually does. These thoughts keep Nicole busy because they allow her to forget her somewhat boring existence.

Working in her bakery, Nicole notices the young man ordering doughnuts and acting suspicious. When the phone rings and the clerk's back is turned, the young man makes for the door without paying. Nicole is on him faster than you can say chocolate and fully intends to prosecute the young man to the fullest extent of the law. That is, until the boy's coach walks in and proceeds to turn Nicole's entire existence upside down. Never before in her entire life has Nicole simultaneously hated and desired someone more. With a charming smile and killer eyes, Eric Hawkins is her ultimate midnight fantasy all wrapped up in eye-catching and gorgeous package. Nicole strives to remain steadfast and uncommitted. After all, she is the responsible one, right?

Susan Mallery wastes no time in jumping in and grabbing her readers. Eric Hawkins is the ultimate catch for any woman. For Nicole, he is the ultimate bad boy that she knows she should deny but is unable to. Her attraction to this home town hero made me laugh more than once and yes, even shed a tear or two. Nicole is blustery, hormonal, and acidic in her barbs towards her ex husband and the people who have hurt her. But I loved how Hawk saw underneath her defense mechanisms to the starving for affection woman that was underneath. It made their love story that much more special.

Susan Mallery has set the trap and fully ensnared me with Sweet Spot and I fully intend to read the next installment, Sweet Trouble. Since Sweet Spot is the second installment of trilogy, I highly recommend going back and reading the first of the series, Sweet Talk. You will be glad you did! ***Natalie for Wild On Books***

I have just discovered a new world, and I like it! I normally don't read books like this and I am sorry I didn't delve into this world sooner! I had read the Twilight series (it was a gift, I wouldn't have even bothered if it was me picking out reading material) and I liked it, but it was written for young adult so there was a lot of teenage angst in it. I was looking at recommendations and I ran across Mercy and I am not sorry I took the suggestions! I have read all 3 and am getting ready to pre order the 4th! They are not long reads, perfect for a lazy summer day by the pool!

I don't know why people compare Patricia Brigg's Mercy Thompson series to Kim Harrison's books. Briggs is at least 10x better in plot development, character development and writing styles. Brigg's characters are more complex yet believable. The twists in plots are pleasant surprises.

Great, easy read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I stumbled upon it while looking for some paranormal/vampire books. Unfortunately most had erotica and/or had ridiculous plot lines.

This one has great characters and romance takes a backseat. I quickly picked up the other two in the series and am eagerly waiting for the fourth installment.

Every entertaining, hardly any down spots and a good start to a new urban fantasy. Hopefully Mercy will come to terms w/ her feelings about Samuel and Adam soon. Can't say i'm crazy about the way women rank or are valued in the packs though.

I saw this book when it first came out, but resisted buying it for a long time because I was afraid it was going to be yet another "Mary Sue fights the forces of darkness!" However, I had read Patricia Briggs before and found her to be an excellent author, so I was on the fence about this for a long time.

After reading it, I'm sad that I waited so long. The character of Mercy Thompson is smart and capable, without being contrived or super powerful. Sure, she has her own special abilities that allow her to get along in this world full of werewolves, vampires, and fae. She is a skinwalker, which means she can change easily from human to coyote form. However, this ability doesn't come with the super-strength, super-speed, and super-agressiveness that comes with being a werewolf.

I found Mercy to be likable and wanted to find out what happened to her next. She is confident and independent, without being completely stupid. She knows her limitations, whether or not she likes them, and yeah, sometimes she has to let the "big boys" go play while she sulks.

The romantic triangle that's beginning to take shape between Mercy, Samuel (her old flame), and Adam (her "sexy" next door neighbor.) is very well done because she's so straightforward about her feelings.

Overall, this was an excellent book with excellent characterization. The only problem I had with the novel is that sometimes the action wasn't as intense as it could be. The only time I was genuinely afraid for any of the characters was in the vampire den. I never felt a sense of heart-stopping action, though it was interesting enough to keep me reading.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in dark fantasy, and especially those who want a heroine who isn't just another, perfect "Mary Sue."

I picked up this book because I knew it was the first in a series and tend to prefer series to just stand alone novels lately. I was not disappointed in choosing this series, the story is a different take on vampires and there was a lot of information to take in (Moroi vs. Strigoi vs. damphirs and what they all mean and who hates who, etc.) but the story moved fast and I couldn't wait to reach the ending to see what happens. There is cussing so I don't recommend for younger ages despite it being a young adult novel and there is some sexual scenes (non-explicit). I do recommend this book (and series) for anyone who likes books that are just "cookie-cutter" versions of each other.

This book surprised me; Richelle Mead took the old concept of vampires and built a unique world from it. I enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to all fans of fantasy books.

I was a little confused in the beginning because I didn't understand what was happening, but once things got more clear I really started to enjoy it. It's dark, romantic and very funny!

Though I no longer fit into the YA catergory, I can't help but to dabble every now and then. I was lucky enough to come across this new series. WOW, I have to admit when I first started this book, I couldn't quite make myself like the characters, but no more than 5 pages later I was hooked and the characters fate became my own. That's how you know you're reading a great book, you getted pulled into their world, and that DEFENITLY happens here!! So if you're ready to surrender your day (cause you won't get much done while reading this) grad this book and it's sequel and enjoy!!!

I am a Twilight fan and was recommended by Amazon to read this book. Of course I didn't think it would dazzle me quite as much as the Twilight books, but was very pleasantly suprised how much I liked this book. I read Frostbite as well and it made me love this series even more.
I am not sure I would give this book to my teenager to read because of some of the language, talk about getting naked, and self mutilation (cutting). But since I am 29, it doesn't really matter to me and didn't bother me. In conclusion, I really loved the book and look forward to the third book. I am glad I bought it.

excellent historical novel with recognizabile lead character. worthy of the pulitzer that it won.

The "horror", "shock" and "dismay" by reviewers who found March an aborhent departure from the classic that inspired this beautifully conceived novel seems more aptly suited to pre-teens than mature adults. Is it really so amazing that a decent man can be flawed? That a happily married man might, in extraordinary circumstances, stray and break a wedding vow? Or that an idealist's certainty may crumble under the grim reality of war's carnage.

This is fiction people. It uses the skeleton of a story to add flesh and bones to a character who is "the absent presence" in Little Women. It is the novel Louisa May Alcott might have written if she were not constrained by 19th century convention. If one wants that convention perpetuated, I suggest sticking to the "sequels" to Gone With The Wind and Pride and Predjudice. I for one don't care to know what a balding Rhett or a Darcy with arthritis might have been like. But I do greatly appreciate a nuanced portrait of the 19th century with all its idealism and venality. It seems to be a century very much like our own.. And that is historical fiction at its very best.

This book was a big hit with my book club. Well-developed, interesting characters and a good story. Good historical fiction by an accomplished writer.

"Little Women" is one book that is a big sentimental favorite with me. It's the first book I reviewed for Amazon and I still re-read it occasionally,because it's like visiting an old friend. I think Ms. Brooks has done a wonderful job with her back-story of Mr. March,the family patriarch,who is really a minor character in the original. He is shown as a highly idealistic man(especially for the times he lived in) A strict vegetarian,extremely intelligent ,unique in his spirituality(the real-life father was a Transcendentalist.) I also really liked how "Marmee" is portrayed. Almost saintlike in "LW",here she is shown as a smart,intense woman. Outspoken and at times,very temperamental,yet still likable,much like her daughter,Jo. Finally this book truly shows the horrors of war and slavery,a subject the original book lightly touched upon,as the LW was written a book for children,girls in particular. I wouldn't reccomend this book to anyone younger than 12 or 13 as there is a lot of graphic depictions of Slavery and the war itself,the injured especially,that are a far cry from Alcott's genteel writing. Overall,I found this book a fast,fascinating read and both a plausible and worthy successor to the original story.

I had very high expectations for this book given her other book. Both my wife and I could not finish it and gave up half way through it. it is extremely well written, but I got to the point that i just did not care what happened to the main character.

Esmee Alden ran her own investigations company out of Seattle with her partner, Daniel "Dax" Killian. She is an expert at art-recovery. When her father, Burt, owes his bookie, Franklin Bleak, eighty-two thousand dollars, it is Esmee he calls. Multi-millionaire Isaac Nachman's reward will cover the debt. All Esmee has to do is recover a Meinland painting (done on copper), retrieve the reward money, and pay off Bleak. So Esmee is in disguise as a street girl reporting to a client (who has the painting). It should have been easy, just like her nickname, Easy Esmee.

Johnny Ramos has just come off his fourth tour of duty in Afghanistan and is stunned to see Esmee trolling the streets of Denver. He went to school with her and cannot figure out how the smartest girl in school could end up selling herself. Since Johnny has not come down from his last deployment, all his instincts are still razor sharp and on high alert. Good thing too, because Esmee has no idea how many bad guys are after her.

***** Drama, drama, drama! That is what readers get in this suspense filled story. There is some unneeded and repeated information, but the constant action and drama is in no way broken due to it. I enjoyed every second my nose was buried within the pages of this exciting tale. Splendid entertainment! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Just when I'm certain Tara Janzen has written her best book ever, she surprises me with another one that's even better. Or it's just different. Or it's just that she's that talented. With her release of LOOSE and EASY, the third in her spin-off special ops series my Keeper Shelf is becoming crowded.

Bad boy, Johnny Ramos, newly returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan is waiting for his new assignment to Special Defense Force, SDF, an elite group of operatives based in Denver and deployed out of the Pentagon. He's come home to Steele Street, his days of running wild through the city long behind him. That is until he sees the valedictorian of his graduating class, the good girl who'd left him panting, strutting her barely-there miniskirt and fishnet hose into a hotel. Esme Alexandria Alden doing tricks? He follows her right into trouble, and is soon running wild through the mean streets of his youth trying to stay one step ahead of the law and the bad guys chasing them.

Seattle P.I. and art-recovery expert Esme Alden has this job planned out down to a gnat's eyebrow. Impersonate a local dominatrix, fleece her client of a stolen painting, return it to its rightful owner, take her fee and pay the ruthless bookie threatening to break her father into small pieces. She doesn't plan on her gorgeous high school crush crashing the party and changing all of her plans.

LOOSE and EASY is a fast-paced, non-stop action joyride, with Esme and Johhny chased in his 1968 Mercury Cyclone GT every step of the way. Staying ahead of their pursuers isn't their biggest challenge; it's staying ahead of their memories and passion for each other. Their race to the finish line and into each other's arms is one of the most satisfying reads I've had in a long time. Janzen never fails to amaze!

In Denver bookie Franklin Bleak informs art recovery private investigator Esmee Alden that her father Burt owes him over eighty thousand dollars in gambling debts that is due now or else. She knows what or else means to someone as bleak as this vicious bookie is. So the story of her life repeats itself with "Easy Alex" risking everything to bail her dad out of trouble.

Since she does not have that amount of money, she finds a source. Multi-millionaire Isaac Nachman is offering a reward that will cover the debt, her expenses and more. She must retrieve the 1910 Jakob Meinland "Woman in Blue" Expressionist masterpiece painting from Otto von Lindberg and give it to Nachman. Masquerading as a street hooker, Esmee begins her quest only to have her almost high school lover Johnny Ramos, back at home after his latest military tour in Afghanistan, recognize her. Shocked as she was the valedictorian at East High, he needs to know why. Soon after he challenges her, the pair finds themselves in double and triple crosses with the only persons to trust being themselves.

This is a fast-paced romantic suspense thriller that never takes a breather as Esmee fails to live up to her nickname; nothing goes right on this tour of the streets of Denver except for Johnny. The story line is filled with action although there is some repletion for the benefit of understanding (in terms of the reader and not the cast) as information is reiterated. Still Tara Janzen provides an exhilarating tale as Esme with Johnny at her side takes on a horde of thugs from seemingly all sides of the Mile High city.

Harriet Klausner

This is a fabulous book. A "chick" book, but Elin Hilderbrand knows her stuff and brings it once again. I recommend this book to every woman.

This wasn't the best book I've ever ready, but I love every minute of reading it. It made me feel like I was there on Nantucket with the three women. A pleasure to read and I can't wait to read more of her books!

This was a pretty fast read. I, at first, had a hard time getting into it. But after chapter 3 I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. Ms. Elin Hilderbrand has a wonderful way of making you feel like you are right in the book. I cried, laughed, and got ticked off, all in one book. If a book can do that for me it is great! I am also reading her book now, Summer Affair, and I highly recommend that one as well.

This is the first Elin Hilderbrand novel I have read. I just grabbed it on my way out of a store attracted by the "summer read" it appeared to be. I had no idea what it was about, I just took a chance. I am very glad I did since I enjoyed it so much I finished it in two days and started reading it over again! I enjoyed the way the author introduced her characters slowly only giving you enough information you needed for just that moment. Later she opened up more of the past while adding in the what was happening there in Nantucket. I just knew from the beginning that Josh would be the spark that help the women come back from the despair they had been in when they arrived on the island. I loved the fact that Vicki had a normal marriage, not one littered in affairs and severe problems. It made her struggle with cancer so true to life, so real. Brenda's situation was very interesting, her career in academia over and a new one trying to blossom. Melanie's handling of her marriage issues may not have turned out the way many women thought it should, but the way the author described the character Melanie was, it made perfect sense that she would make that decision in the end. I ordered three more of her books on amazon because I could not wait to start reading more.

As a two and a half year survivor of breast cancer and mother of two young daughters, I couldn't believe the accuracy and emotional connection I felt with the main character, Vicki. While You feel no one can ever understand what going through cancer is really like, Elin Hilderbrand nailed it. I loved the rest of the characters and twists and turns. Ironically I read this book while recuperating from an elective oopherectomy. I cried when Vicki lived! Praise for cancer survivors! Praise to Elin Hilderbrand! Today I am off to buy her new novel, and to try and book a get-away to Nantucket with my husband!

Charlaine Harris has created some of the most interesting characters you'll ever hope to meet in her Southern Vampire series starring Sookie Stackhouse and a supporting cast as varied as any you could imagine. I was hooked after the first one and eagerly await each installment. You'll laugh out loud on one page and cringe on the next. I recommend this series without hesitation. Entertaining & fun.

I love this series, and I can not wait until the next book is release.

I listened to the audio version of this book and I have to say that Johanna Parker (the reader) adds a lot! She has created a Sookie with the soft southern accent we might expect and with just the right amount of sassiness to truly bring her (and her friends) to life. The books and the plots are superficially pretty lightweight. But I just adore the character of Sookie. She is so real and she makes me laugh and cry. There's some profound wisdom in there, too. The author doesn't hit you over the head with it, but it sneaks in repeatedly - often as Sookie is thinking through things like discrimination and friendship. I owe a big thanks to another reviewer who, like me, did not appreciate "Undead and Unwed" but suggested Sookie Stackhouse as an alternative. Charlaine Harris and Johanna Parker are an awesome team and I'm taking 2 more of these on vacation with me!

I laughed my head off. This is great entertainment. Charlaine Harris is a hoot and I am looking forward to more. thank you.

I became hooked on the Southern Vampire series the moment I picked up the first book. This book was good. I would go so far as to say it was great, but it was not fabulous. I've come to expect fabulous from this author. Not enough appearances by our favorite vampires. I felt as though I had missed reading a book in the series.