This was good but not quite as good as PAPER ROSES. I would have liked a story about Kyle (from _Paper Roses_) too. I think that the subject of this story was just not that interesting to me but it was done well and the characters were likable. I don't know that I would pay to have this book searched.

"Paper Tiger" is the second book in a trilogy that began with "Paper Roses." While it is not necessary to read "Paper Roses" first to enjoy this book, ("Paper Tiger" can certainly stand on its own as far as plot and characters go), it is a plus if you do so. This story of Daniel Mulloney, begins when he is a man in his mid-twenties. "Paper Roses" is the story of his adopted sister, Evie, with whom he was raised. But Daniel's boyhood and adolescence are featured prominently in the 1st novel, as are the adventures he almost always shares with his sister, and much information about the formation of his character. So, if you begin this book after reading its prequel, you feel like you are meeting an old friend and catching up on what has happened since you last heard from him. And, there is much about the character of Daniel Mulloney that is only revealed in book #1 - book #2 is more plot-driven.

Daniel was raised by a nanny who was paid for her services. His family abandoned him to her care when it was discovered he was born lame. The family obviously is a wealthy one, as Daniel was brought up to live as a gentleman, in post-Civil War St. Louis, Missouri. All his bills and his education were paid for by check, from the Mulloney family lawyer to the servant. Daniel grew up hurt and somewhat embittered that he had been so carelessly discarded. And he always wondered about his parents and extended family. When the nanny dies, Daniel goes to Texas with his adopted sister, and grows to manhood, surviving numerous adventures, including blowing up a small Texas town. He is a handsome, intelligent, witty and sensitive man with an interest in journalism and the desire to finally find out about his roots.

On his way to Cutlerville, Ohio, (home of the Mulloney clan), he meets a young heiress on the train. Georgina Hanover is an extroverted, mischievous and very attractive young woman, who goes after what she wants. What she does Not want is to marry her fiance, Peter Mulloney, heir to a fortune in his own right...and brother to Daniel. She would like to help Daniel start up a newspaper in Cutlerville and begin his journalistic crusade for workers' rights. The primary exploiter of workers and women in Cutlerville is Daniel's father - the one who abandoned him at birth. Go figure!

This is a terrific story, but it does not compare to "Paper Roses," which is one of my favorite books. "Paper Roses" is almost epic in its scope - involving many characters and various plots, subplots and themes. "Paper Tiger" is a terrific tale, but much less complex and ambitious - and less compelling too. As always, Patricia Rice creates characters that are realistic and 3-dimensional. Her take on social reform, journalism and photography in mid-19th century America, creates an interesting environment for her characters and is also great for plot development. Her humor is ever present. I recommend this book, on its own merit...but if you can, read "Paper Flowers" first. I look forward to beginning "Paper Moon." You can't go wrong with Patricia Rice!

This was a very entertaining and exciting book to read. I thought the characters were very interesting and that the author focused on their interaction in a way that was suspensefull. At some points in the book it was impossible to expect what was going to happen next. The relationship between Georgia Hanover and Daniel Mulloney was especially hot at times and kept my attention through the whole book. They were both very interesting and exciting characters in a topsy turvey world of family legacy and greed. The relationship was one that could impact the town they lived in as well as the families they were brought up in. There is a lot of character development and the plots and sub-plots were developed giving each of the brothers real personality,charm and pride. For Peter too much pride resulting in circumstances that would later result in his eventual demise. I enjoyed Paper Tiger enough to look into another by the same author.

Was kind of boring and didn't hold my interest and the titles are not all that original have seen them all before!

Unfortunately, it's the lead story that I couldn't even finish. Patricia Oliver is capable of a better effort. The next three stories (Carla Kelly, Edith Layton, & Patricia Rice) were amusing regency stories with the usual impediments to romance: relatives and misunderstandings. The fifth story, by Anne Barbour, was interesting, but I felt that I had read some of the scenes before. In fact, in one scene the dialogue came straight from Georgette Heyer's "Cotillion".

Overall, enjoyable stories for fans of regency romance.

I had to write a review because I disagree with the previous reviewer. The two stories she chose to belittle are my two favorites in the anthology. I can't imagine why she had any trouble reading "Something Old" by Patricia Oliver. Sure, most of us have read many stories in which the heroine is a young girl who has a painful experience at at ton gathering. But this time the girl has the extreme bad luck to fall in love at first sight with a cad who doesn't even notice! Ten years later they meet again. Is this a second chance at love? "And a Six Pence for Her Shoe" by Anne Barbour is a wonderful love story. The heroine waits for her fiance to return from war. She quarreled with him just before he left. Will he give her a chance to prove her love is true? The other stories were fine, but I found them less memorable. Read this anthology and see if you don't agree!

I'm sorry, but I totally disaggree with the readers who loved this story. I could not connect with either the heroine nor the hero, so I didn't come to like them. Even at the end I couldn't think of what they would see in each other and what drives them together. The dialogs are often wooden, and the story does not come naturally: why on earth would Marc ALWAYS show up, when Jennifer is in the arms of another man (even if the author wants us to believe it's totally innocent...)

I was really disappointed with this book. It started off with such promise but by the middle I was thoroughly bored. I had a really hard time getting through the last half of this book. I could not seem to connect with these characters. Marcus was so overbearing and jealous and Jenny was just too "niave" to put it nicely. The only thing they seem to have in common was their sexual attraction for each other but there wasn't any sex going on!

Although there might be some out in readerland who will not like this story, I found it to be quite an enjoyable read. The heroine is very naive, maybe too much so in the beginning to be believable, but her growth and maturity is rewarding to follow. Some might criticize this story because Jennifer Lee is sort of clingy and not a totally strong and independant woman. Quite to the contrary, I felt it refreshing not to have to read about ANOTHER invincible woman. Jenny is strong in her own way, wanting to prove herself, but not necessarily all on her own. Marcus can be a bit TOO heavyhanded, not telling Jenny things because he doesn't think she needs to know or can handle the truth. Although it does get aggrevating to the modern reader, it is quite realistic to the time period. Men did not 'bother' women with too many details. That doesn't make it right or acceptable today, but it was how it was done then. I think Ms. Rice does a wonderful job in conveying the attitiudes of the time.

The relationship between Marcus and Jenny is also a delight to follow. Both are hurt, unintentionally by the other, but they learn to rise above that. Jenny has a hard time, not knowing the 'rules' that Marcus (and society) sets, so is often breaking them. The 'threat' of the story is quite predictable, but does not detract from the main premise of the story...Marc and Jenny's love. Grab this one if you can, its worth reading!!!

I finished it, but it took some time. I found the all the characters dull and their motivations unbelievable. And I know I had read Cleo's sister Maya's story a while ago, but for the life of me couldn't remember one bit of it, so that book obviously had the same impact on me as this one. Hard to finish and easily forgettable.

Almost Perfect is a story which steps on a lot of taboos and twists some conventions into pretzels. I'm a supporter of all trailblazing, whether it's 100% successful or not, so I really liked this book.

This book picks up where Ms. Rice's Impossible Dreams left off (I recommend reading them in order, but it's not necessary), with a heroine who is possibly the least heroic character you could imagine. At least, so it seems.

Cleo Alyssum is a reclusive recovering addict who has lost her son's custody because of her past history and is struggling to rebuild her life so she can be worthy of having him with her again. She has zero interest in men, little interest in most people at all, and really just wants to be left alone to renovate her isolated house on the South Carolina coast. This is an anti-romance heroine for the ages and I liked her a lot, even when she did a couple really stupid things (they're in character, so I forgive her).

Enter the hero, Jared McCloud, who is a down-on-his-luck cartoonist with a history of swimming in shallow emotional waters and running when the water starts to get deep. At first he just wants to rent Cleo's beach house. Then he really wants Cleo too, who wants absolutely nothing to do with him. General conflict and mayhem ensue, including a hurricane.

Despite having a cartoonist for a hero, this is not an airy, light book. There are many funny scenes and moments, but this novel deals with some major issues, and for the most part handles them sensitively and honestly. To me, Cleo is a fascinating character of great depth, and Jared surpassed my expectations by turning into a man worthy of her trust. I found the emotional journey these two took - along with the two abused/neglected teenagers they take under their wings - to be affecting and real.

I've read several of Ms. Rice's previous novels, and Almost Perfect is my new favorite work by her. As Cleo and Jared learn, the risks in becoming emotionally involved with each other (and others) are great, but so are the rewards. It a lesson we can all stand to think about now and then.

With her record, Cleo Alyssum knows she needs to remain perfectly clean if she is to regain custody of her seven-year-old son Matty. Thus, she finds contentment and isolation from her past on a secluded South Carolina island until renowned cartoonist Jared McCloud of Scapegrace fame arrives asking to rent the dilapidated guesthouse. Cleo refuses until a teenage neighbor playing a prank causes an accident involving Jared. To keep thirteen-year-old Gene out of trouble with the law, Cleo rents the property to Jared.

Jared is very attracted to Cleo, but she rejects his advances, as she does not need a new man in her house except for her Matty. However, she admits that Jared is nice and seems to care about others when he begins to help Gene and the lad's sister with their personal problems. Still his efforts to reach Cleo constantly fail leaving it up to a natural disaster like the hurricane that descends on the island to show her that Jared is nothing like her deceased husband was.

ALMOST PERFECT is a superb relationship drama that stars two strong lead characters and a deeply wounded but a bit over-characterized support cast. The story line predominantly spins around Jared and Cleo, but also provides a deep look at other relationships especially when a caring adult gets involved with teens. Patricia Rice has written an angst laden relationship drama that hard core fans will fully relish.

Harriet Klausner

The main character, Aelvina, was a very stupid woman. I never read a book with a character who did the complete opposite of everything that was asked of her. She put herself and everyone else in constant troubled and dangerous situations. I would have ended this story with her being beheaded for disobeying the king's orders. So much for happy endings. I truly couldn't believe Patricia Rice wrote such a bad novel until I noticed this was one of her first books. Pass this one by. It's too long and boring.

This book was very sour. I did not like the way it was written at all. I did not have the heart to finish it. It did not grasp my attention nor did I find it to be worth my time. The author spent too much time on the sexual aspect of the story and forgot all about the charms usually found in romance books. I would not recommand this book to anyone.

I just finished reading this book. I was surprised at the negative reviews. The story line kept me reading. It kept me wanting to know what happened next and the results. This story was written with the realities of the times, ie, the way women were treated and used. The reality that things are not always nice like the rape and the evil, etc. The sex, even when it was rough, was good for them and that's what counts. I cared about Phillippe and Aelvina, I liked them, she was strong and he was stronger, I rooted for them. Their lives were not easy. This is the reality of those times. This was not a completely tender love story (but it became one towards the end). It wasn't all nice nice. It was a MATURE story with a love that evolves and is very moving. This is one of Ms. Rice's earlier books and is better than two of her later ones that I have read. If you are mature and want to read a very well written and mature love story, read this book.

While the review questions in this book are very comprehensive, the rationals for the answers are not supplied. Instead, a page number next to the answer is supplied, but it doesn't actually match up with that page in the book. There must be some other book that goes with this, but I sure couldn't figure out what book it was. It's difficult to test yourself when you can't find the rational for your answers. I know that I learn and retain information better when I know the reason why something is done. I therefore would recommend that it someone knows what the companion book is, please list it on this site!!

It is somewhat hard to keep a focus as the text refers to many studies. I like plain and simple language I can understand and not all the "study" statistics!!

What made me dislike the book so is the fact that Theodora is portrayed as a weak character. This milktoast of a woman never stands up to the man with whom she is in love with. Like the entire novel she lacks the flair and passion necessary to make a successful romance story. As far as the "hero" being a badboy he was anything but that. To me he was a spoiled boy accustomed to getting everything he wanted. Wayward Angel was my first novel by Patricia Rice and unfortunately reading it did not turn into a pleasurable experience. Now whenever I am standing in the Romance section of any bookstore I make it a point not to look at any of Patricia Rice's novels.

This was my first Patricia Rice novel, and it was enjoyable to a point. The characters were well-developed but I thought that they got lost as the story went along, perhaps that was the point. Dora was a strong character, and I quite liked her. She was timid & usually no one knows she exists, but when she believes in something or is challenged .. she manages to rally her strength & courage. I did not like Pace all that much but I have to presume that he was basically a good person considering the circumstances of his upbringing. He also had immense guilt for treating Dora the way he did and knowing he wasn't good enough for her. It's an enjoyable read, but it's not a keeper. I doubt I'd read it again.

I have read a few other books by Ms Rice and have enjoyed them much more. Maybe this one was just a little to dark for me. I never really got to the point where I cared much for any of the characters. But I will certainly try Ms Rice again!