China Bayles doesn't think of Jordan's Crossing, her family's Mississippi plantation, as home but when her mother asks her for help in dealing with her great-aunt she can't stay away. As it turns out, her mother needs a lot of help. Great-Aunt Tullie is in the advanced stages of Huntington's disease and has attacked an employee who later turns up dead. China has to try to find the real killer and also deal with her feelings about her family home and her genetic predisposition to Huntington's disease. I did figure out the mystery fairly quickly but still enjoyed this novel as part of a continuing series. The first in the series is Thyme of Death.

This is certainly a different book in this series. For one thing there is no Ruby Wilcox, and I for one really missed her, as well as other eccentric citizens of Pecan Springs. It was interesting to look back at China's early life, and the mysitical theme was actually quite well done. This wasn't a mystery though in the true sense of the word. It's more a search for the past in China's mother's family. I still enjoyed the book, but I do want to get back to the main storyline in the next book in the series. We also see China getting softer and more feminine in each book. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but I hope she doesn't get too soft since her toughness is part of the appeal of this series.

Susan Wittig Albert's China Bayles series has had its high points, as well as low points where several books in a row seemed to have the same plot, and where the murderer always seemed to be that one character who didn't have any real reason to be in the book *unless* s/he was the culprit. With _Bloodroot_, Albert rises above a few blah-ish books midseries, and proves she is a unique talent in the mystery field.

China is summoned by her mother to the family's old plantation, where her ailing Aunt Tullie is in trouble. See, Aunt Tullie was the last to see an old childhood playmate of China's, who claimed to have a deed to the plantation and now is missing. She had motive, means, and opportunity. And unless China can figure out what's going on, her ailing aunt may go to jail.

Haunted by a recurring dream from her childhood, and assisted by the ghost of a suicidal ancestress, China uncovers dark secrets in her family's past, from slavery and ill-treatment of Native Americans to hereditary diseases, illegitimate pregnancies, and murder. Albert paints an enthralling picture of her setting, showing both its beauty and its decadence. And I love these touches of "magical realism" she uses from time to time. As an added bonus, I had no clue whodunit until very close to the end!

Susan Wittig Albert's mystery novels are still enjoyable, but I'm beginning to figure out the "pattern" behind them. At the risk of committing a **SPOILER**, it seems that there is always one character who doesn't seem to have any reason to be in the book, just sort of shoehorned in, and that person always turns out to have done it. I hope the next few novels contain more twists.

This is a good China Bayles mystery. I was a little disillusioned after the previous two in the series, but this is a great one. I really enjoyed the story, and the wedding sideline was a great one. China is her usual rushed self in this story, and she's trying hard to concentrate only on her upcoming nuptials, but gets involved in spite of herself with another murder. This murder is of a citizen of Pecan Springs, who no one will really miss that much (except his wife). He's a sharpy, and he gets cut on his own misdeeds. The story moves along swiftly, and we see China trying to get wedding plans in amongst murders, hurricanes and faled wedding cakes. It's great. Read this for a whomping good ride.

LAVENDER LIES is about the eighth China Bayles novel. Albert is SUCH a good writer, her books are a true pleasure to read -- and hard to put down. This one may be the most fun so far, as the wacky women work together to solve the multi-layered mystery while China and McQuaid prepare for their possibly doomed wedding. I look forward to my visits to Pecan Springs, Texas. And I appreciate her little herb-related quotes, myths, and recipes. I've never actually made anything from a recipe in these books, but I must say Ruby's Lemonade with Lavender and Rosemary sounds like heaven on earth. And what my objection was in the last book was that McQuaid did all the work and called all the shots -- this time the very competent ladies -- with China back in charge -- do it all. And it's a lot of fun.

This installment of the China Bayles mystery series brings China up against a killer who somehow killed a chili cook off judge. This sets her off on a quest to solve the murder while at the same time looking into allegations of abuse at the Manor, a rehabilitation/nursing home. Her fiance, McQuaid, is recovering at the Manor from being shot in an earlier story. Together they sort through the myriad of clues and false trails while sorting out their own personal life. As always, Ruby is there to assist China, I love her fiestiness and attitude. The mystery in this book almost takes second place to the story of McQuaid and China deciding what their future will be, but a slam bang finish wraps all the loose ends up in a surprising twist. I love visiting China's Texan world, to soak up good cooking and the fabulous Texan Hill country. A good read and good recipes!

I enjoyed this installment in the China Bayles series more than the last one. In this book a chili cookoff judge is murdered (at least China and Mike think he was muredered). China was back to her usual confident, independent self in this story, and thank goodness no further mention of McQuaid's indiscretions. Ruby is her usual kooky self, and I think she is the character that makes this series worth reading. China uncovers a dastardly plot on her own this time because McQuaid is recovering from a serious gunshot wound that he received in the last book. She does get advice and help though from McQuaid and from Ruby who comes just in the nick of time at the end. A really good mystery, and it restored my faith in the series.

An exceedingly clever Texas cozy mystery, featuring China Bayles, former lawyer turned herb shop owner, in what is about the middle of a series of books by Ms. Albert. The characterization and interaction of characters is exceptionally inspired and the reader really feels she knows these folks before the book is finished - they live and breathe - well, all except the corpse, who doesn't survive the chili tasting contest and who no one is particularly sorry to see go. While the writing is well above competency, the plot does meander quite a bit. The chili / chile trivia throughout the book was interesting enough that the spousal unit took heed, and the recipe for cake with cayenne pepper was also a huge success! I particularly appreciate that not only do I have more China Bayles books to look forward to, but also a very fun website to visit these new old friends. Not only did I learn a lot about herbs and what you can do with them, I'm also learning about chili/chile and thoroughly enjoying the work of an exceedingly talented and smart writer.

If you like books with recipes, and have exhausted this series, let me suggest and recommend WORLD OF PIES (also set in Texas) and the Dianne Mott Davidson books. And the wilder women out there, might want to try the two Sweet Potato Queen books.

I'm about half way through ALL SHOOK UP, and am really enjoying it. Unless it goes seriously downhill from here, I have to give it at least 4 stars. This is the first romance book in quite a while that I've really looked forward to reading. The characters are smart, sweet and realistic, and the setting (a camp/lodge on a lake) is quaint and romantic. For my taste it combines the right amount of lightheartedness with a tiny bit of substance (relationship between single mother/young son, male lead dealing with unfortunate past, etc). This has been my favorite Susan Anderson book. If you like a light, sexy read with plenty of humor, quaint setting, homey family values, you will definately enjoy this book.

I really love Susan Andersen. I can't help it. No matter what kind of day I'm having, I can manage to sink into one of her stories like I do into my favorite chair. I look forward to ripping open my Amazon.com box and tearing into each new novel.Her characters are always fun and quirky , and seem to share a sometimes off-kilter sense of humor. 'All Shook Up' is no exception. I loved Dru. Here, we finally have a single mom who doesn't drone on for page after page about how life handed her the fuzzy end of the lollipop.Unwanted by her own parents, and forced,at 19, to raise a child on her own, Dru loves her son to pieces, and faces each day with a smile and a positive outlook. And J.D.? Oh,well. Ladies, how could you not love a guy who lives in faded jeans, crisp white T-shirts and has the shoulders of a football player?? Susan Andersen has done it again. This book is a bit lighter in tone than 'Present Danger', but still completely enjoyable. Her stories always make me smile. And isn't that the point of romantic fiction?

Not only is this an emotionally compelling story - his past as a troubled child and her concern for her son's future keep them at arm's length for a while - but it is very sexy as well! What a great combination! The love scenes are some of the best I have read from Ms. Andersen, very erotic *and* tender at the same time. This one is on my keeper shelf!

What a fun book! The New York Times isn't lying when it calls this book "a big, fat happy feast of a book..." It makes the perfect beach, vacation, airplane book (especially those coast-to-coast flights).

The author's slightly sardonic tone works well here and drew me in from the first sentence. How refreshing to identify with a novel's character because she is FALLIBLE in many all-too human ways. The author also deftly meshes the current story with an engrossing and wonderfully written backstory then brings them together wonderfully at the end.

While the heroine is in truth one of those Danielle Steele characters of beauty, brains, and wealth, it takes you a while to figure that out. Her flaws and dysfunctional history make her believable and enjoyable. I never once wanted to BE the heroine, but I sure enjoyed reading about her. Along the way, Isaacs makes some rather interesting observations of what makes a family and what "family" really means, especially in today's society. What an unusual thing to find in a "mass market paperback."

I read Isaacs' Compromising Positions a fews years back and stumbled across Lily White in the library. (incidentally, i found Compromising to be excellent.) Lily has it all. Suspense, intrique, emotion, laughs. The first time I read this book, I read it like it's written, starting with Lee White as a lawyer who is handling an interesting case while ex-DA office coworkers give her dirty looks for going to "bat for the bad guys". All the goings on of looking into the lives of some very strange people who will con their way out of a paper bag. This storyline gets swapped back and forth every chapter with Lee's parent's marriage, her childhood, her marriage (and ultimately it's demise), leading up to the moment she finds herself secure enough to live a happy-ending life. The style of this book was different and Isaacs takes care to not make it confusing to the reader. Her words are intelligent and the story kept me going til I put it down. A while after I read it through the first time, I picked it up and read every other chapter to follow that story, then went back and read all the opposite chapters. Different tone, but just as delicious. You get more for your money with Lily White.

Although the first chapters are a little slow in developing the character, the author eventually succeeds at riveting the reader to Lee's plight. My favorite elements of this book are the way Ms. Isaacs incorporates the present(Norman Torkelson)with Lee's past (family history and relationships.) . I enjoyed this book immensely.

Compromising photographs, partly enhanced, are sent to Rachel Blair and Matthew Riordan for reasons unknown. Rachel has also been the focus of annoying incidents, but can't imagine who is behind them. Matt decides to defuse the scandal potential by announcing his engagement to Rachel.

Not up to Napier's usual high standards. The premise has potential, but the application was weak. Usually I am engrossed from the first paragraph, but this time I found my attention wandering. If this is the first time you have read a Susan Napier, don't pick this book.

A great story! Meet Matt - he's successful, intelligent, sexy and as mad as hell with Rachel whom he believes is blackmailing him...only she thinks that he is threatening her! Compromising photos get them both excited and it takes the two of them to solve the mystery! Matt is a complex, loveable character and Rachel is intelligent, independent and savvy. They make a great pair!

Loved it! I could hardly put it down! IT was a great read.

Back Cover description: Jennifer had taken drastic measures to become pregnant, and she was saving every ounce of love she had for her baby. There was no room in her life for marriage--but now the father of her unborn child had arrived on her doorstep! Jennifer's first problem was that her entire family believed Raphael Jordan was actually her husband--and that, at last, the happy couple could have a honeymoon! Her second was that Raphael was delighted to oblige...so Jennifer was forced to share a bed with her gorgeous, sexy, pretend husband!
I liked this book. The story was unusual and interesting. She was tricked. Jennifer got married because she thought she was helping a dying man, and in return he would help her have a baby by invitro. She was set up. Her husband used his son's sperm to get a grandchild. The son thought he had been setup. Good interplay between the characters and the plot moves along nicely

If you have read 'In Bed With the Boss', you will find this book disappointing. The story is lame and contrived. I just can't stomach the idea that a father wants a grandson desperately enough to trick his own son into donating his sperms and then strikes a bargain with a young woman to have his grandson by artificial insemination. Meanwhile, in order to give the baby his name, he marries the woman. Although this is a sham marriage, the whole thing appears somehow stilted and sickening, especially with the 'stepson' finding out and wanting to consummate the 'marriage'. This is nowhere near 'Nobody's Baby But Mine' by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, which is sexy, homorous and fun.

It started good but as the plot was revealed it became too . . . . weird, is the only way I can describe it. I didn't like how secretive she was about getting pregnant. It certainly wasn't realistic as to the measures that any woman with morals would go to. The description was good and the characteristics of Rafe were entertaining.

This anthology was much more than I had hoped for. Laurell K. Hamilton and J.D. Robb are my two favorite authors, but I've never read books by Krinard or Shayne before. I was almost surprised that I enjoyed all four stories.

J.D. Robb, aka Nora Roberts, contributed "Interlude in Death." This mystery/romance story follows her bestselling In Death series, as NYPD Lieutenant Eve Dallas and her billionaire husband, Roarke, chases an esteemed *rogue ex-cop* at an intergalatic conference. The cop harbors a personal vendetta against Roarke because of his mysterious past. As always, Eve and Roarke catch the villain, and manages to find time to chill out together. All in all, the story stands well alone, and will prove satisfying whether you're a long-time Robb fan or a new reader to the series.

Susan Krinard's story "Kinsman" is a futuristic/romantic thriller. When her brother's ship disappears during a secret space mission, a young princess of a small planet asks a "Kinsman," (a member of a special human *race* that possess certain telepathic powers) for aid. Along their journey to find the missing prince and his crew, the two discover a conspiracy brewing among the Kinsman's own people. They also discover that they're falling in love. I find this the weakest of the four stories, mostly because there were a lot of names and species that I didn't really understand. Also, *alien* type of stories are just not my thing. Perhaps I'll try her next wolf novel, SECRET OF THE WOLF, of which there was a short excerpt in the anthology.

Maggie Shayne's "Immortality" continues her Witch series. Puabi is an Immortal High Dark Witch who finds, after 4,000 years of existence, that she doesn't want to continue her old, evil ways. After being rescued by an unsuspecting human man and getting stranded on his island, Puabi rediscovers the zest to her life, as she and Matthew grow ever closer. However, Puabi's powers are slowly but surely diminishing. And there is unknown danger on the island. Tied into all this is the memory of Gabriella, Matthew's dead wife, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Puabi, although the two women are polar opposites. The ending is very poignant, with a wonderful plot twist. I had no difficulty following the plot, although I am new to Shayne's Witch books. I really loved this story, and I'll definitely pick up her other books now. A short excerpt of Shayne's upcoming romantic suspense novel, THE GINGERBREAD MAN, is included in the anthology.

"Magic Like Heat Across My Skin" is a sizzling, six-chapter preview of Laurell K. Hamilton's long-awaited NARCISSUS IN CHAINS, the 10th book in her bestselling Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series. After six months of celibacy, our heroine comes back to St. Louis and finds out that her wereleopards have been kidnapped by a rival group of shapeshifters. To get them back, she seeks her old lover, the sexy vampire Jean-Claude, for help. Jean-Claude agrees, but only if Anita will take the *fourth-mark* so that she has a chance to fight and live. At the S&M club Narcissus in Chains, Anita, Jean-Claude, and Richard (Anita's werewolf lover) *marry the marks,* merging their energies and completing their triumvirate of power. Anita may be a vampire hunter, necromancer, lupa of Richard's pack, and Nimir-Ra of the wereleopards, but she is human nevertheless. The line between humans and monsters is all-too-thin sometimes, and by consumating the marks, Anita may have become irrevocably changed now. Also, the story tends to lean toward the "erotic" side of romance, which will no doubt create mixed feelings among Hamilton's loyal fans. I found Laurell's writing style a bit "off," but I still can't wait for NARCISSUS IN CHAINS in October!

(Paperback review)
Out Of This World!!! No other way to put it! I've read all of the "In Death" Series by Robb(Aka Roberts) and enjoyed everyone. This one "Interlude..." did not disappoint. Excellent as always! I liked the fact it was short (89 pages). Told the story and got to the conclusion, left you wanting for more of Eve & Roarke.

I was however a disappointed w/Maggie Shayne's "Immortality"...Story done over and over in various venues of sci-fi/mystery. Bad turns good, dark witch finds love becomes white witch... it's not much more than a romance novel... Found it rather HO-HUM....

Laurell K Hamilton's "Magic...." made me want to read more, I'll pick up "Narcissus in Chains" first chance I get. I read a review that said 'Buffy (the Vampire Slayer) look out for Anita'.... I have to agree! Anita, Jean-Claude and Richard were a very good mix.

The one that truly surprised me was Susan Krinard. I've read a couple of her "Wolf" stories and expected more of that series. THIS WAS GREAT!! Great isn't good enough, "KINSMAN" WAS EXCELLENT WRITING. Although you didn't know the species, in a short 87 pages, you were able to pick up on the character traits, even visualize the way they looked. I'm hooked and want more. A very pleasant surprise deviation from her past theme, shows she is a creative, gifted writer. Are there more stories of Jonas Kane VelArhan out there that I haven't yet discovered?? (If so, please!, someone send me the names of these books!) This is steps way beyond Startrek or Starwars! Ms. Krinard give us more please!!!!

This anthology of four paranormal romance stories totally rocked! Laurell K. Hamilton and J.D. Robb are my two favorite authors, but I've never read books by Krinard or Shayne before.

J.D. Robb, aka Nora Roberts, contributed 'Interlude in Death.' This mystery/romance story follows her bestselling In Death series, as NYPD Lieutenant Eve Dallas and her billionaire husband, Roarke, chase an esteemed *rogue ex-cop* at an intergalatic conference. The cop harbors a personal vendetta against Roarke because of his mysterious past. All in all, the story stands well alone, and will prove satisfying whether you're a long-time Robb fan or a new reader to the series.

Susan Krinard's story 'Kinsman' is a futuristic/romantic thriller. When her brother's ship disappears during a secret space mission, a young princess of a small planet asks a 'Kinsman,' (a member of a special human *race* that possess certain telepathic powers) for aid. Along their journey to find the missing prince and his crew, the two discover a conspiracy brewing among the Kinsman's own people. They also discover that they're falling in love. I find this the weakest of the four stories, mostly because there were a lot of names and species that I didn't understand.

Maggie Shayne's 'Immortality' continues her Witch series. Puabi is an Immortal High Dark Witch who finds, after 4,000 years of existence, that she doesn't want to continue her old, evil ways. After being rescued by an unsuspecting human man and getting stranded on his island, Puabi rediscovers the zest to her life, as she and Matthew grow ever closer. However, Puabi's powers are slowly but surely diminishing. And there is unknown danger on the island. Tied into all this is the memory of Gabriella, Matthew's dead wife, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Puabi, although the two women are polar opposites. The ending is very poignant, with a wonderful plot twist. I really loved this story, and I'll definitely pick up her other books now!

'Magic Like Heat Across My Skin' is a sizzling, six-chapter preview of Laurell K. Hamilton's long-awaited NARCISSUS IN CHAINS, the 10th book in her bestselling Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series. After six months of celibacy, our heroine comes back to St. Louis and finds out that her wereleopards have been kidnapped by a rival group of shapeshifters. To get them back, she seeks her old lover, the sexy vampire Jean-Claude, for help. Jean-Claude agrees, but only if Anita will *marry the marks* so that she has a chance to fight and live. At the S&M club Narcissus in Chains, Anita, Jean-Claude, and Richard (Anita's werewolf lover) merge their energies, completing their triumvirate of power. Anita may be an animator, vampire hunter, necromancer, lupa of Richard's pack, and Nimir-Ra of the wereleopards, but she is human nevertheless. The line between humans and monsters is all-too-thin sometimes, and by consumating the marks, Anita may have become irrevocably changed now. Also, the story tends to lean toward the romance side, which will no doubt create mixed feelings among Hamilton's loyal fans. New readers will most likely find this story difficult to follow, but very, very sensual. I found Laurell's writing style a bit 'off,' but I still can't wait for NARCISSUS IN CHAINS in October!

Back Cover description: The groom was having an affair-with his bride's best friend! Jane had been desperate to stop the wedding. She had to prevent her best friend making the biggest mistake of her life....Marrying Ryan Blair would have been disastrous. He was too rich, too powerful, too hot to handle!
There had been only one solution: to stand up in church and declare that she, Jane Sherwood, respectable businesswoman, was having a secret torrid affair with Ryan! It had worked. The wedding was finished. But now Ryan was determined to make Jane pay for his wrecked marriage-by making her his mistress for real!

And Ryan took his time (a few years) to grind Jane into the ground. He finally has his revenge-she's broke and bankrupt. They have an intense love-hate feeling for one another. The scene where she goes to the hotel room with the older guy to have sex just sets up the relationship with Ryan. You know he isn't going to let anyone have her but himself. If you can get past the intense revenge setup, the story works.

Hi, i know this is where you write reviews, but I wanted to learn more about this book before purchasing it and since it is out-of-print, it it hard to find info. Can anyone tell me more info about the main female character (hair color? good looking?). Thanks in advance!!

At the start of this book, Jane Sherwood has been driven to desperation by her best friend's former fiance, Ryan Blair. He rightly blames Jane for preventing his marriage on the very day of the wedding. He has spent the last 3 years getting revenge, by ruining her company, getting her thrown out of her apartment, and hurting her in any other way that he can. She is an emotional wreck, but defiant.
The undercurrent of their hatred of each other is an intense physical attraction. As their actions become more extreme, the attraction takes over and changes the nature of their relationship.
This was a much better book than I expected based on one of the reviews. I liked it a lot, thought it was very well written and very captivating.

Susan Minot writes a compelling story. Ann Lord is a woman at the end of her life. She is bedridden with cancer and through her pain and drug induced sleep we are allowed into her mind and her memories. Ann has had a full life with several husbands and five children. Throughout it all she feels that a piece of her is missing. Her heart was given to a man she met at a friend's wedding many years before. For Ann, he was her soul mate. She is devastated and broken hearted when the truth of his situation is revealed to her. She carries on with her life but is never the same. She is emotionally crippled for life. This is obvious in her other memories when she really doesn't come across as a truly loving mother or wife.

The stream of consciousness manner in which Ann's story is told is confusing at times but well worth the effort. The writing is beautiful and evokes much emotion in the reader. I found it almost heart wrenching to even read. I truly felt for this character. So many of us live with the memory of the one that got away...for Ann it was all consuming. In the end, we can only hope that she has found the peace that has evaded her all of her life.

A wonderful writer not to be overlooked.

Ann Lord, a woman in her mid-sixties, lays dying of cancer in her home while her children from her three marriages and friends gather to wish her farewell. Susan Minot takes us into Ann's dying thoughts, her remembrances in a beautiful and evocative novel. Ann has married three times, had several children, had one die. She has lived what others would consider a privileged life, yet these dying thoughts reveal otherwise. Many many years before, prior to her marriages, she had a brief encounter with a man who she believes was her one true love. The memories of her life fade and blend in her mind, yet the weekend she was with Harris Arden remains clear in every detail. Ann does not come across as a warm and loving parent, or even a very good friend. She does come across as a human, a human with emotions that were stunted when the reality of her love for Harris and what will happen becomes clear to her. Evening is a beautifully written novel, full of evocative prose. I thoroughly enjoyed it. A word of caution, however. The Evening narrative jumps around in time without any concrete guidance. If novels like that bother you, think twice before picking this one up. Otherwise, enjoy the read. It's marvelous. Susan Minot is very talented and Evening is a beautiful novel.

On her deathbed, drifting in and out of lucidity and clear thinking as the level of morphine in her system ebbs and flows, Ann Lord remembers her life's highlights and tries one last time to make sense of all that has happened since the pivotal summer of her life: the summer she met Harris Arden and had a brief but life-changing affair with him. To sound trite, it was clear they were meant for each other. Without giving too much away, suffice it to say that they didn't not marry and live happily ever after. In spite of what might seem to others a full life filled with the usual ups and down, successes and tragedies, Ann never again experiences the love she felt for Harris.
Heartbreak, pathos, love, memory, aching pain, and soaring passion - all come back in bits and pieces as Ann's deathbed vigil plays itself out. Beautiful writing throughout, the quality of which Susan Minot has come to be known for.
Exquisite book.