Rhe’s Bookshelf – Writer Spotlight on Harlequin Writer Lisa Dyson

Today I’ve got two book reviews for you from Harlequin author, Lisa Dyson. Today I’m talking about two of her ‘Super Romance’ novels. I actually had the extreme pleasure to attend the Washington Romance Writers Luncheon and sit at the table with Lisa, whom is an absolute gem. She is the sweetest AND she loves gloves….which I also love. When you live on the East Coast in the DC area you gotta love your gloves. I got the opportunity to read two of Lisa’s books, Prince Charming Wears a Badge and A Perfect Homecoming. One of the reasons why I love the Super Romance category of Harlequin is that there is more of a story line and more ability to really investigate the characters for some really deep character development.

{click link to purchase}
summary
 The only reason Dr. Ashleigh Wilson is back in her hometown is to help her pregnant sister—and maybe repair their relationship. She’s certainly not here to see her ex-husband, Dr. Kyle Jennings, or mend any fences with him. Too bad he doesn’t accept that. Worse, the more time they’re together, the more the old attraction flares! 
 
Even if she still has feelings for him, Ashleigh is not staying. Because that would mean facing the past and all she left behind. Kyle, however, seems convinced they have another shot at happiness. And after a few persuasive kisses, Ashleigh begins to wonder if he’s right….
Review
 
I gave this book only two and a half stars, and I know that sounds horrible, but I tend to be stingy with my stars. The book in general is written amazingly well. After reading two of her books, Lisa’s writing is lovely. It’s wordy in the best sense of the word and really develops the characters. I, however, just couldn’t get past this Ashleigh character about half-way through the book. The general struggles of the characters ring true, and you can sympathize. But there’s a certain point in time where you’re over it and I found myself struggling to complete the book based solely on her character alone. For me, the “Super Romance” part of the book and the fact that you could spend more time worked against the characters for me.
{click link to purchase}
Summary
 
Callie James never expected a handsome prince or a fairy-tale ending. She already knows that life is full of unhappy-ever-afters–like finding her boyfriend with another woman, and being forced to return to her hometown and deal with her troubled past. Fortunately, she’s pretty much safe from romantic entanglements. That is, until she discovers the chief of police is also her teenage crush, Tyler Garrett. Now she must find a way to face her wicked stepfamily, win over Prince Charming…and save herself in the process.
 
Review
 
I am a succor for a theme based off of something beloved, like the Cinderella story. I think that’s exactly the reason why a lot of us read books. We want to be taken to a different time, place, idea….perhaps one with a ring a truth so that it isn’t so unbelievable. I truly like this book, which is why I gave it four stars. There are parts within the book *spoilers* having to do with the Step Mother, and her father, and mostly the step-sister that almost took it too far from my perspective. But having never suffered any abuse like what was portrayed in this book I can’t really say if the reaction was too much or not. Even the basis for her leaving to go back to her home town seen incredibly far-fetched…but like I said, maybe that is something that really could happen, and a way someone really would react. It wasn’t so much that i didn’t like the book. It is a great read and i couldn’t stop!!! That is the marks of great writing and a great book!!

**this post contains affiliate links**
Vote For Me @ The Top Mommy Blogs Directory Vote For Me @ The Top Mommy Blogs Directory

Continue Reading

Military Monday and *Giveaway*

If you saw my last post about Military Romance novels you might have read its become a recent curiosity for me. It’s not really an obsession, per se….but I do now find myself scanning the shelves for uniforms when at Wal-Mart or Target.  I’ve run across a common thread and I haven’t decided how I feel about it.  So while updating you on my recent reads, and giving you a chance to win some books, I thought I would open this up for discussion.

Here’s my discovery.  Most of the books that I’ve read have the same, but very interesting conclusion.  They have all ended with the military member miraculously timing his declaration of true love and marriage with him someone being able to end his career in the military.  Many times the conclusion is portrayed to the reader by inference that he is choosing his love, and his women, over his career.  The women in the story almost always doesn’t know if she can handle his career and either wonders this allowed all through the book or actually makes that a prerequisite for the returning of her love, or for accepting a proposal.  I don’t know about you but this completely sticks in my craw.  For one it portrays us women in a completely negative light.  Why yes, I will love you, but only if you give up the career that you’ve been in for however long, because I am too week and fragile to handle this difficult lifestyle.  Why yes, I’ll love you but only if you completely give up who you are so that I can have everything I want.  Clearly loving and being with me is a fair trade for whatever you will now have to do to find a career after what seems to me to be a sudden and quick break from your current career.

Now I know I’m totally thinking about this too much, and I’m most definitely reading too much into this.  Are these books not more likely to appeal to the Military Women?  I mean, I don’t know about the rest of us in this category but I wouldn’t mind reading a romance novel that ends with the guy remaining in the military.  It seems to me that there can be love and romance within the military life!  So now that everyone is rolling their eyes at me, LOL, how about I give you a chance to check the out yourself.  Personally I think they are better than any Shades of Grey book out there even though I haven’t read Shades of Grey.  But the military life, while not to be completely romanticized to the point where reality has to place….is pretty darn romantic if you ask me.

What are your thoughts?

Prize: 3 Harlequin American Romance/Operation Family Books
I found all of these at Wal-Mart at different times.  I’d never noticed them before, so I wonder if being in a high volume military location has anything to do with that or not; or maybe I never really paid attention to them before.  This is my first dive into Romance Novels.

The SEAL's Stolen Child (Harlequin American Romance, No 1430)A Baby For Christmas

A SEAL's Secret Baby (Harlequin American Romance, No 1415)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Continue Reading