If "Runabout" is anything to gauge Pamela Morsi's writing by .. I definitely cannot wait to try out all her other books! I just completely fell in love with the story - it was just so sweet & endearing. The main characters, Tulsy and Luther, are just beautiful. I loved the fact that Tulsy wasn't a stunning, spectacular beauty - like most romance novels; but instead is supposed to be very plain looking girl [i didn't believe it though .. she sounded beautiful]. The plot was strong - you know why the characters love each other in the end, why they had doubts in the beginning and such. Lovely, I'm looking forward to reading more Pamela Morsi.

Runabout is a nice change of pace from the usual meet-cute or meet-him/hate-him/fall-in-love-with-him romance. Pamela Morsi can almost always be counted on to write good characters as well as a good story, and she doesn't disappoint here. Tulsa May Bruder is the town wallflower, and has just been jilted by her fiance at the altar. Sympathetically, her longtime friend Luther Briggs offers to pretend to be courting her so the town will stop feeling sorry for her. She agrees--and they both find out quite soon how quickly _pretending_ to be in love can turn into the real thing. Tulsa May (Tulsy) is an utterly charming heroine, not gorgeous, but not nearly as ugly as she thinks she is, and Luther is every girl's dream male friend. Their blossoming love is true-to-life, and completely believable. The other subplots--Luther's younger brother's puppy love for the most spoiled brat in town, and the town doctor's unexpected match--are also interesting, while not distracting from Tulsy and Luther. And the villains, such as they are, aren't totally bad or evil, just not understanding Luther and Tulsy's relationship. "Runabout" is a sequel of sorts to "Wild Oats", but you don't really need to read "Wild Oats" to understand the characters. Tulsy is every girl who discovers that her best friend has potential to be more, and Luther is any man who realizes that the girl for him is right under his nose. This is one of my favorite Pamela Morsi novels. Go find a copy!

I put Pamela Morsi in the unreadable category 3 or 4 books ago, after loving her first turn-of-the-20th-century romantic comedies. Imagine my surprise when I gave her contemporary non-romance a try. The read was pleasant, sometimes amusing, never dynamic, got extremely light weight toward the end. But, if you're looking for something to read while you're waiting for the oil to get changed, here's your book. Not deathless prose, but so much better than her most recent efforts. And the ending might have been Morsi's shot at what I'm told is the new trend in the romance genre, toward real life stories that don't rely on the happy ever after perfect couple solution. I will buy and read Finding Wisdom when it comes out. (If you want a self help book, this is not it.)

DOING GOOD by Pamela Morsi is a story of Jane Lafton, a Middle Class woman married into an Upper Class world. Jane's main thrill i life was the country club her and her husband were members of, along with all of the other Upper Class couples in town. It wasn't until a life threatening car accident that her view of life changed. She made a promise with God to "do good" and that is exactly what she does.

This book was great! It is something everyone can relate to, because at some point everyone makes that promise to God. This book will make you laugh out loud, and it will also make you cry. I loved every character in this book, even the not so good ones. My only complaint is, it was very predictable..i knew right off the bat, what was wrong with Chester, and i also knew what the outcome of the book was going to be. None of these things ruined the book, for it is still a great book, and probably one of my favorates.

I highy recomend this book to anyone looking for a good "beach book", because this would be a perfect book to bring to the beach, and just relax and enjoy.

I love Pamela Morsi books and was skeptical about an contemporary novel. I loved it. The transformation of the main character is fascinating to witness. She goes from a self-centered snob to a caring, giving, thoughtful person. It's interesting to see how the people in her life react to the changes she is experiencing. This book is really a good read.

This book was written with Morsi's wonderful storytelling but I found it somewhat lacking in the character depth. I felt myself feeling very sorry for Moss and disliking Eulie. Perhpas I could've felt compassion for her situation if she showed a little remorse for forcing Moss to marry her but she thought he should "just get over it." I also found her to be disgustingly shallow. She couldn't understand how Clara could love Bug and too many times commented that he was ugly. I found it made her even more unlikeable to me. Then there was the situation with her youngest sister. If ever there was a child who need the strap, she needed it.

In the end, I just felt sorry for Moss. He never got to Texas and he was stuck with his selfish bride.

If you've never read Pamela Morsi before, begin with Marrying Stone or Wild Oats. This one just isn't up to her usual standard.

Although there were things I didn't like about "Sweetwood Bride," I enjoyed reading the book. Eulie Toby forces Moss Collier into marriage in order to reunite her family only to discover that they all must go their separate ways eventually. There is also a side plot involving Moss' uncle and a woman he was in love with years earlier. If there were one thing I could change about the book, it would be the youngest sister. She is the classic brat. The story is funny and romantic. It is great for the beach. (Also, the two people on the inside cover of the book look exactly like Sam and Ivy from NBC's "Passions." Just thought you might like to know!)

Romance author Pamela Morsi strikes again. She's written another funny, tender love story featuring an unlikely pair--a confirmed bachelor groom (with a shotgun at his back) and a young bride so desperate to find a home for herself and her younger siblings that she traps a stranger in a loveless marriage. Once again, Ms. Morsi's characters come alive on the pages of her latest book. We suffer with them when things go bad. We root for them to overcome hardships, doubts and crises--and celebrate when they do.

If you are looking for a book to chase away the winter blues then look into reading Summer Magic. I found four enjoyable stories by four remarkable authors. What I found so unique about this anthology is the originality of the four stories. All stories had one goal in mind that true love shall conquer all. Usually anthology's tend to only feature three authors, but with Summer Magic you get the added bonus of a fourth well known author. Each story is a unique work of art. They take you to settings far removed from one another. Each story can be read in one sitting, this is an added bonus for anyone pressed for time. Pamela Morsi, Jeane Anne Caldwell, Ann Carberry, and Karen Lockwood should stand up and take a bow, because they have wrote a master piece which soon will not be forgotten.

MAKING HAY Pamela Morsi Shy Vassar Muldrew and Lessy Green had become engaged. They were the most conventional citizens who looked forward to the most ordinary lives. Little did they know that when a haying crew pulled into their farm a outgoing man named Ripley would change their outlook. Ripley would open their eyes to what it meant to be truly in love.

A very sweet read. This was the first Pamela Morsi stories I have read, I look forward to seeing more of her work.

SUMMER DREAMS Jeane Anne Cardwell A horse race is the deciding factor in three people lives. Who will be the winner, and what will be the outcome for Spirited lass, Dorina Stevens, heartless Lord Julien Humbly, and the elusive scared Richard Michaels, Earl of Gloxbury. With the stakes held so high you know true love is not far behind.

Cardwell presents in this story with so many plots and twists it will get your hooked in the story right up until you finish the last page. I found myself holding my breath at the final end to see who the winner was in the horse race.

HOG Heaven Ann Carberry

A pigheaded Loralie Davis refuses to see what her future could hold. She is perfectly content in raising her pigs. Little does she know handsome Gabe Curran has other plans in store for her. Somehow I don't think it includes pigs do you?:)

Don't let the name throw you off, this is a delightful read. I found myself smiling right upon until the end.

WINTER HEATHER Karen Lockwood

Returning home to Scotland after being absent in America for the past five years Lord Glenncannon is shocked to learn his thirteen year ward Anne has grown to a desirable eighteen year old woman. Having secret hopes of returning to Scotland to wed Anne he is heartbroken to learn of her engagement. Now he must figure a plan to win the heart of his beloved Anne.

With such a rich description of Scotland, Karen Lockwood weaves this enchanting tale of love into the readers heart. Also it made we want to do further research on the history behind the Winter Heather.

I have read (and loved!) all of Pamela Morsi, but "Matters of the Heart" proves that even such a master as Morsi cannot make diamonds of some situations. The hero, having recovered from childhood cancer, has hung around the heroine for YEARS, never telling her his feelings for fear of rejection. I suspect that Morsi thought this showed his devotion, but to me, it revealed his weakness. Then, the heroine becomes convinced that the hero is secretly gay. I know that Morsi thought this combination would be light and funny, but with two such tentative, hesitant characters, "Matters of the Heart" was doomed. I also read another novella, included in this book, and even though it was last week, I cannot remember one thing about it, except that it was work to finish. I won't read the third. In short, thumbs down on "Matters of the Heart."

I really enjoyed this book. I especially liked Ann Major's story. I thought the characters were very real and I could relate to them. Especially to Gabe who was really scared to take on a ready made family. I could identify with his feelings since I took on a ready made family myself, I thought Ann described what he was going through very accurate. Sam was a delightful character also.

I loved these stories--all of them! These novelas are about three successful guys who have everything in the world except a family and children. Each of them in their own way meets that very special woman and commits. I loved all the stories! Keep them coming!

i have been a long time fan of Pamela Morsi and I found this book to be a huge disappointment. Her earlier work, the historical romances she did, were wonderful uplifting stories of people falling in love and coming to terms with who they were. I found this book negative and depressing. I hope Pamela Morsi returns to her usual good work

I have to agree with previous reviewer, I like Ms Morsi's earlier books much better

The book was about a family of women and the problems that they have to overcome- individually and as a family. The problem I had with this book that there was too much whining and not enough good things. I know that doesn't make sense but the characters were downers. They all had great things going for them but they didn't communicate enough with each other and in the end very little was resolved. The only character who I liked completely was Brent, a family friend who might (or might not) have a crush on the 22 year old. To be honest, it seemed like a set up for a sequel.

Heroine: near-sighted, classically pear-shaped

Plain but passionate Princess Calhoun is swept off her feet when a handsome Eastern gentleman flirts with her at the annual fourth of July bash thrown by her father, "Royal Oil" baron King Calhoun.

Sexy Tom Walker is walking a fine line working days in King Calhoun's oil fields as "Toolie Tom," and spending his nights wooing the boss's daughter as "Gerald," the son of a wealthy family from back East.

Cessy chases down her dreams of being honestly loved for the woman she is on the inside, while Tom chases down the dream of having more money than he could ever hope to spend. The real test comes when the attraction and tenuous bond these two created during their courtship has to withstand the loss of her oil money and the revelation of his true background.

What worked for me:

Cessy seemed very real to me; she was a passionate and sweet lady who was overlooked by potential suitors because she wasn't a knock-out and had a tendency towards bossiness. And despite the fact that Tom was a gold-digger, I didn't dislike him for it. He never once had plans to leave Cessy or set up himself up with a mistress. He intended all along to be the best of husbands to her.

There was not one secondary romance in this story, but two! I do wonder if Cessy could actually have had a friend like Muna, a girl of Syrian descent, in the early 1900's. Despite being a bit P.C. this romance did add some humor to the story, and I enjoyed Muna and her fiance immensely. I also liked the neat and tidy epilogue at the end which ties Muna and Cessy together as sisters by law and not just spirit. :^) The other romance, which flourished between Cessy's father and a local madam, didn't do as much for me but was still sweet in its own way.

What didn't work for me:

King Calhoun had a daughter named Princess, and a girlfriend named Queenie. I was terribly disappointed that Tom's name didn't turn out to be Duke. *L*

Overall:

I don't generally go for American or Western settings, but I enjoyed this sweet and sexy story anyway. The characters were fun, and it was a nice twist on the Regency fortune-hunter stories I have read. :^)

Tom Walker, orphan from the Indian School, wanted to be wealthy, like some of his friends in the Rough Riders. When he sees tall, bespectacled, bossy Princess Calhoun, daughter of oilman King Calhoun, Tom changes himself into Gerald Crane, adventurous Eastern millionaire's son. He soon falls in love with Cessy, but doesn't know how to tell her the truth, even after they marry.

Gentle and slow, Morsi has another lovely tale with interesting characters. I found the story a bit too long, but this was one of her earlier books. The pacing is a little erratic, but Princess and Tom are worth the patience.

I liked this book, but not quite as much as some of her others, like SEALED WITH A KISS. It was so well written that I felt embarassed for Tom many times. It was as though I was there hiding. Read this, but read some of her other books too.