"More Than Meets the Ink" By: Elle Aycart Review

"More Than Meets the Ink" 

By: Elle Aycart

Synopsis from Goodreads:

      Wickedly sexy James Bowen is a bad boy of the highest order -- tattoos and attitude included -- which unfortunately ranks way up on Tate’s not-a-chance-in-hell list, right there along with skydiving naked over Teheran and juggling Ebola vials just for kicks. But what the heck, she’s on holiday, the guy is absolutely irresistible, and she needs to unplug from her life. With her dad and brother gone, Tate is left to deal with the family restaurant, which is fast going down the drain. Her employees are acting out, her boyfriend has bailed out, and her very own private stalker is emailing her to death with lovely threats of doom, fire, and dismemberment. So yeah, maybe a little holiday fling is in order. Strictly sex though, and no follow-up whatsoever once.
       She hadn’t counted on her take-charge holiday fling having an opinion of his own and stubbornly sticking around, before and after the sex, making himself at home in her life. There is definitely more to James than meets her prejudiced eye, and even if she's not ready to look deeper, James isn't prepared to permit her not to.

My Thoughts:
     Again I have plunged into the depths of those “If you liked 50 Shades...” lists on Goodreads and came out with “More than Meets the Ink” by: Elle Aycart! I was incredibly surprised by how much I ended up liking this funny, sweet, kinda hot romance from a relatively new author. How do I know this? Because as soon as I finished, I immediately hopped over to Barnes & Noble to get another book by her and they aren’t even out yet!
    James and Tate both meet while visiting their parents at a senior housing complex in Florida. As with all good romances, even though they are meeting in Florida, they both happen to live in Seattle (yay!). Tate decides she wants a fling with James and James is more than happy to oblige.
    Yet after their brief stay in Florida, when life returns to normal, James doesn’t want the fling to end. He is interested in more than just the obvious, he wants to help Tate with her restaurant and introduce her to his family. Tate is hesitant because, and granted this is a little silly, James is kind of wild looking with tattoos and this mkes her nervous. Silly I know and it's a plot device used over and over but I just kind of read over that part.
    Why did I like this book? Completely James. Absolutely the hero. Tate I could have cared less about, but James was so excellently written I felt like I knew him. He was funny, caring, tough, and pretty awesome just in a general sense.
    “More than Meets the Ink” is funny, romantic, and a pretty fun romance. The second title in what I’m hoping will be a series (hoping for James’ brothers) will be called “Heavy Issues” and will feature Cole, James’ brother. Not as intense as Fifty Shades, Elle Aycart gives you that intense hero we’ve been missing!

Book Details

Publisher: Loose ID

Date of Publication: June 28, 2011

# of Pages: 211

ISBN: 978-1611184310

"The Grimm Legacy" By: Polly Shulman Review

"The Grimm Legacy"

By: Polly Shulman

Synopsis from Goodreads:

     Elizabeth has a new job at an unusual library— a lending library of objects, not books. In a secret room in the basement lies the Grimm Collection. That's where the librarians lock away powerful items straight out of the Brothers     Grimm fairy tales: seven-league boots, a table that produces a feast at the blink of an eye, Snow White's stepmother's sinister mirror that talks in riddles.
      When the magical objects start to disappear, Elizabeth embarks on a dangerous quest to catch the thief before she can be accused of the crime—or captured by the thief.
     Polly Shulman has created a contemporary fantasy with a fascinating setting and premise, starring an ordinary girl whose after-school job is far from ordinary— and leads to a world of excitement, romance and magical intrigue.

My Thoughts:
I love anything Grimm. Doesn't it seem like your seeing it everywhere now? The TV show Grimm is everywhere and fairy tale books are popping up in great abundance. “The Grimm Legacy” was selected as a Truman Award winner, I decided I just had to read it!
Elizabeth Rew is your average teenager, going to school, having friend problems, complete with a wicked stepmother. Yet, what sets her apart, is that she has just been hired to work in a lending library, full of strange and wonderful objects with a few mundane ones to round out the collection. She discovers that the Brothers Grimm were not only real, they actually collected items from the stories they wrote. In fact, an entire section of the library is dedicated to the Grimm collection.
I'm not going to go into the plot too much, as I'm sure you can infer and with any other YA novel, there are a lot of friendship problems, family strife, and a mystery involving someone taking things from the Grimm collection. Elizabeth has to work through all of these problems, while also helping find out who the culprit is. In the end, she even finds a boyfriend who also works in the library, which I enjoyed very much.
At times the novel drifted, but overall it was a neat little mystery filled with things teens have problems with; friends, family, money, jobs, school. I work in a library and loved the library world Shulman presented within the novel, as well as the mystical elements therein. A fun YA novel, “Grimm Legacy” will appeal to wide audience while also leaving the doors wide open for sequels. Great selection for the Truman Award, that's for sure!

Book Details

Publisher: Penguin Group

Date of Publication: July 8, 2010

# of Pages: 336

ISBN: 978-0399250965

Armchair BEA - Getting to Know You :)

Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?

    Welcome to the Brunette Librarian! :) I am thrilled you are here for Armchair BEA - it’s my first year participating. My real name is Rachael and I live in a tiny town in the smack dab middle of Missouri. 

May 2012 - Kansas City Zoo

   I am an actual librarian (yay me!) and actually serve a community of about 45,000 in a neighboring town. I began my life in the library world in circulation checking in and checking out books, changed jobs and went to the Outreach department. Not many libraries have an Outreach department, but my library does. Through the Outreach program, the librarian pulls books for homebound people. It’s a great way to send books to people who normally wouldn’t have a chance to read. You have no idea of the look on people’s face when you bring books to their door. It’s pretty priceless! AND, after Outreach a job came open in our Teen/Adult Services department, I applied and here I am. I am now the Teen & Adult Services Librarian, and I have to say, it may be my favorite job yet.

My Library :)

      I began blogging in October 2011. I’m still a fairly new blogger but love it. While at a Missouri Library Conference so many of the librarians there had a blog and shared their views on books...it seemed fun, so I decided to try. Here I am all these many months later, still blogging and still reading and still having fun.

Tell us some non-book-related things that everyone reading your blog may not know about you.

     Hmmm...I have all sorts of crazy things to share.

• I’m 26 years old.
• I have five piercings all in my ears.
• I have a dachshund named Daisy Jane. She’s 6.
• I live in a town that has less than 300 people.
• I hate chocolate.
• My favorite TV shows are The Office and Bob’s Burgers. Love them!
• I’m a huge genealogy nut - I have my family traced back 8 generations

What is your favorite feature on your blog?

I love “What are you reading? Mondays” The meme is sponsored by by Sheila from "One Person's Journey" I enjoy visiting other blogs and seeing what everyone else is reading. It’s fun to find book ideas, and share your love of favorite books with one another.

Which is your favorite post that you have written that you want everyone to read?

One of my favorite posts that I have posted so far is my spotlight on “Saving CeeCee Honeycutt.” It’s been one of my favorite books of the past few years, but what makes it a favorite is that the author, Beth Hoffman, actually commented on my review! MADE MY YEAR, let me tell you.

Have you read "Saving CeeCee Honeycutt" By: Beth Hoffman ? The book is amazingly sweet, heartfelt, funny, and just endearing. Love, love, love it.

Have your reading tastes changed since you started blogging? How?

I am a hardcore romance fan, I have been for years. I love the romance of it all - the heroes, the heroines, the locales...all of it. However, since starting my new job in Adult Services, I have to coordinate five different book groups. That’s a lot of book group reading, trust me. I personally don’t feel that romances are super condusive for great book group discussion, so I’ve definitely had to broaden my reading selections. 
So, since starting my blog I’ve picked up a ton more young adult novels, mysteries, and just general adult fiction. I’ve even added a few nonfiction titles in there! Definitely broadening out my reading horizons!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! -

What Are You Reading?

is hosted weekly on Mondays

by Sheila from
"One Person's Journey"

Post the books you read last week, books currently reading, and books you plan on finishing this week.

What I Read This Week...

"New Species: Justice"

By: Laurann Dohner

Justice North is the face of New Species. Seeing him up close makes Jessie's heart race. He's the ultimate alpha male-big, muscular, exotically beautiful...and dangerous. Of course he's off limits. But then the sexy man purrs and all bets are off.Jessie Dupree is a mouthy, fiery human female who brings out the animal in Justice. She wants to show him how to relax, and he's all for anything she wants to do, but Justice has sworn to protect his people and to take a Species mate. He's torn between the woman he wants and the oath he's taken.Jessie knows a relationship between them probably won't end well; heartbreak is inevitable. But that won't stop her from freeing the wildness inside Justice and spending every moment she can steal wrapped around his hot body, making him roar with passion.

"New Species: Brawn"

By: Laurann Dohner

One look at Brawn and Becca is wondering how he’d look without his clothes. Brawn is instantly attracted to Becca but has sworn never to touch a human female. They just aren’t sturdy enough and he likes his sex a little rough. He is shocked to learn he’ll be living with her when she refuses to leave her home. He is there to represent New Species and to learn about humans so maybe this will be a good educational experience. He just has to keep his hands off her.

His good intentions go astray when they are kidnapped and locked together inside a cage. Brawn finds himself reliving a nightmare when he is once again subjected to breeding experiments at the hands of New Species’ enemies. They will use Becca to get what they want from him. Brawn will do everything he can to protect her but they only have each other to depend on while trying to survive.

"New Species: Wrath"

By: Laurann Dohner

Wrath volunteers to live and work outside Homeland where he’ll once again be confined in a small space with other males. He was subjected to horrific abuse and conditioning and forced to view endless sex tapes of human females while chained to Mercile’s perverted machines. Wrath knows he’s too dangerous and emotionally damaged to ever be with a female.

Lauren has just been detained by three big, buff, well-armed men—New Species. One of them really catches her eye. He is tall, sexy, and…her new roommate apparently. She has never met a man this truly spectacular and she decides to taste every inch of his amazing body. Wrath wants to explore that plan too. The sex is incredible and he gives her everything she needs but he’ll only go so far. Something is holding him back.

Lauren has to make him unleash his desire and Wrath has to get past his fear to give them a chance at a future together

"Rescue Me"

By: Rachel Gibson

She’s 33, unmarried, and stuffed into a Bubble Yum pink bridesmaid dress. And the whole town wants to fix her up with anyone with a dental plan… Who’s going to rescue Sadie Hollowell now? Everyone in Lovett, Texas knows Sadie has always been a ‘notional’ kind of gal. She got a notion to leave town asap , and never visit her daddy (bless his heart). Now, she’s back and got the notion to invite a good-looking, hard-muscled, total stranger to her cousin’s wedding. Better a stranger than some of the losers she’s dated. Vince Haven got his muscles the hard way—as a Navy SEAL in Afghanistan. He’s staying in Lovett to visit his crazy aunt—the proprietor of the local Gas N Go. Before he can get the heck back out of the small town, his aunt makes him an offer he can’t refuse. Maybe he’ll stick around Lovett for a while. Maybe he’ll make a ‘go’ of the Gas N Go. Maybe he’ll rescue Sadie out of that pink dress!

"The Ugly Duchess" 

By: Eloisa James

Theodora Saxby is the last woman anyone expects the gorgeous James Ryburn, heir to the Duchy of Ashbrook, to marry. But after a romantic proposal before the prince himself, even practical Theo finds herself convinced of her soon-to-be duke's passion. 

Still, the tabloids give the marriage six months.
Theo would have given it a lifetime…until she discovers that James desired not her heart, and certainly not her countenance, but her dowry. Society was shocked by their wedding; it's scandalized by their separation.
Now James faces the battle of his lifetime, convincing Theo that he loved the duckling who blossomed into the swan.
And Theo will quickly find that for a man with the soul of a pirate, All's Fair in Love—or War.

"Improper Relations"

By: Juliana Ross

When Hannah's caught watching her late husband's cousin debauch the maid in the library, she's mortified -- but also intrigued. An unpaid companion to his aunt, she's used to being ignored.

The black sheep of the family, Leo has nothing but his good looks and noble birth to recommend him. Hannah ought to be appalled at what she's witnessed, but there's something about Leo that draws her to him.

When Leo claims he can prove that women can feel desire as passionately as men, Hannah is incredulous. Her own experiences have been uninspiring. Yet she can't bring herself to refuse his audacious proposal when he offers to tutor her in the art of lovemaking. As the tantalizing, wicked lessons continue, she begins to fear she's losing not just her inhibitions, but her heart as well. The poorest of relations, she has nothing to offer Leo but herself. Will it be enough when their erotic education ends?

What I'm Reading Now...

"Summer Nights"

By: Susan Mallery

New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery's newest Fool's Gold story proves that wild hearts cannot be tamed... Horse whisperer Shane Stryker is done with passion. This time around, he's determined to meet someone who will be content with the quiet life of a rancher's wife. And the fiery, pint-size redhead who dazzles him at the local bar definitely does not fit the bill. Small-town librarian Annabelle Weiss has always seen herself as more of a sweetheart than a siren, so she can't understand why Shane keeps pushing her away. Shane has formed the totally wrong impression of her but only he can help her with a special event for the next Fool's Gold festival. And maybe while he's at it, she can convince him to teach her a few things about kissing on hot summer nights, too-some lessons, a girl shouldn't learn from reading a book! 

Children's Book Saturday: "Farmyard Beat" By: Lindsey Craig

 

"Farmyard Beat"

Written by: Lindsey Craig

Illustrated by: Marc Brown

Synopsis from Amazon:

As soon as the sun goes down, the animals are up! ("Sheep can't sleep. Sheep can't sleep. Sheep can't sleep 'cause they got that beat!") Before long, there's a giant farmyard dance party, complete with funny animal sounds. But what happens when all the racket wakes up Farmer Sue? Here's a colorful bedtime story that begs to be read aloud. 

My Thoughts:
      A cute book that can read like a song, “Farmyard Beat” will definitely be used at my library for story time! The book tells the tale of different farmyard animals as they dance because they have that 'beat.' A simple story, yet the flow of the story makes you bob your head, smile, and groove. This book is a great read aloud that will easily encourage interaction with children as they make the noises the animals make and dance along. Beyond being a fun story to read, the illustrations are pieces of paper painted and cut. An excellent book that I can't wait to hold in my hands, “Farmyard Beat” is perfect for toddlers and pre-schoolers.

I received this book from Edelweiss in order to give a fair and honest review of the material.

Book Details

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Date of Publication: June 14, 2012

# of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978-0375864551

"The Glass Castle" By: Jeannette Walls

"The Glass Castle"
By: Jeannette Walls

Synopsis from Goodreads:

In the tradition of Mary Karr's "The Liars' Club" and Rick Bragg's "All Over But the Shouting," Walls has written a stunning and life-affirming memoir about surviving a willfully impoverished, eccentric, and severely misguided family.

My Thoughts:

    My book group picked up “The Glass Castle” this past month simply because of word of mouth. Everyone had heard about it (except me!) so we decided we better see what all the fuss was about. Definitely one that makes you think, without a doubt the author, Jeannette Walls has had a pretty extraordinary life. We actually started our book group with this question and I believe it really sums up a lot about this book, “If you saw your mother going through a dumpster in raggedy clothes while you were with you friends, would you stop to introduce them?”

     “The Glass Castle” is really broken into two sections - one part when Jeannette is a child and they live in the desert, while the second half has the family growing older, making future decisions, and basically living very different lives. Jeannette’s parents believed in a very basic life. They were absolutely fine with not having electricity or water, they ate what they had, and rarely thought about the future. They home schooled their children and moved dozens of times during their childhoods. As Jeannette grew older, she realized normal families didn’t live this way - they actually have food in their refrigerators and don’t have to eat just margarine.
     This is one of those books that you read and keep asking yourself, really? REALLY? At points you love the parents, their free spirits and easy going natures. At other times you are so frustrated about their complete lack of guidance, selfishness, and basic crazy that you have to put the book down.
     Perhaps the most interesting point in this book, or perhaps what surprised me the most, was that the children knew the way they were living was terrible and none of them replicated the living conditions in adulthood. Their parents may be fine with not working, going to food shelters for every meal and living on the streets, but their children are most assuredly not.
     An interesting look at life that is utterly foreign to me, “The Glass Castle” is one of those books you share with your friends on a you’ve gotta read what these people live like basis. Interesting and intriguing, I would definitely recommend this to those who like intense nonfiction reads. Our book club read it and boy, did we have an intense discussion!

Book Details

Publisher: Scribner

Date of Publication: January 9, 2006

# of Pages: 288

ISBN: 978-074324754X 

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly book meme where we let everyone know what books we are eagerly anticipating the release of. 

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine.

 

"Glimpse"

By: Claire Merle

Throughout England people are now divided into Pures and Crazies according to the results of a DNA test, with the Pures living in small Communities cut off from the madness of society, and the Crazies living outside the walls in the squalor and mayhem of the City. Until the age of fifteen, Ana has lived a privileged existence amongst the Pures, but her whole world crumbles when she finds out that there was a mistake with her Pure test. She is actually one of the Crazies, and one day in the near or distant future she will become sick. But Ana has already been promised to Pure-boy Jasper Taurell. Jasper is from a rich and influential family and despite Ana's defects, wants to be with her. The authorities grant Ana a conditional reprieve. If she is joined to Jasper before her 18th birthday she may stay in the Community until her illness manifests. But if Jasper changes his mind, she will be cast out among the Crazies. As Ana's joining ceremony looms closer, she dares to hope she will be saved from the horror of the City and live a 'normal' life. But then Jasper disappears. Led to believe Jasper has been taken by a strange sect the authorities will not interfere with, Ana sneaks out of her well-guarded Community to find him herself. Her search takes her through the underbelly of society and into the pits of the human soul. And as she delves deeper into the mystery of Jasper's abduction she uncovers some devastating truths that destroy everything she has grown up to believe, but she also learns to love as she has never loved before.

Releases June 7, 2012 

"The Next Always" By: Nora Roberts Review

"The Next Always"

By: Nora Roberts

Synopsis from Amazon:

The historic hotel in BoonsBoro, Maryland, has endured war and peace, changing hands, even rumored hauntings. Now it's getting a major facelift from the Montgomery brothers and their eccentric mother. As the architect of the family, Beckett's social life consists mostly of talking shop over pizza and beer. But there's another project he's got his eye on: the girl he's been waiting to kiss since he was fifteen...

My Thoughts:

   I haven't read a Nora Roberts book for several years. I have been in one of those funks since she wrote those really bad vampire books a few years ago and hadn’t gotten out. My mom actually read “The Next Always” first and couldn’t stop gushing over how good it was, so of course I had to dive in again!
     Beckett is an unrequited love kind of guy. He has loved Clare since he was a teen and was crushed when she married and moved away. Now she is back to living in Boonsboro, only this time she is widowed and living with her children. He’s a slow mover but he finally works up the courage and the nerve to make a move on the woman he’s loved for years.
     As with all Nora Roberts books, the romance is always a little too sweet. Yet, I liked the characters. Beckett is working with this two brothers to restore a bed and breakfast (can we say trilogy?) and there isn’t a single controversial thing about him. He’s all American, easy going, and calm. Even as boring as that sounds, he has a certain appeal and throughout the book you are definitely rooting for him. Clare is the classic overworked, overstressed mom. Pretty much cookie cutter, but as always, you can easily identify with her being overworked.
      A cute, sweet book that will leave you smiling when you finish. “The Last Boyfriend” is Book #2 in the Boonsboro Inn trilogy and will feature Beckett’s brother Owen and Clare’s friend Avery. Simple and fun, just what is called for during a weekend read!

Book Details

Publisher: Berkley Trade

Date of Publication: November 1, 2011

# of Pages: 352

ISBN: 978-0425243213

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! -

What Are You Reading?

is hosted weekly on Mondays

by Sheila from
"One Person's Journey"

Post the books you read last week, books currently reading, and books you plan on finishing this week.

What I Read This Week...

"More Than Meets the Ink"

By: Elle Aycart

Wickedly sexy James Bowen is a bad boy of the highest order -- tattoos and attitude included -- which unfortunately ranks way up on Tate's not-a-chance-in-hell list, right there along with skydiving naked over Teheran and juggling Ebola vials just for kicks. But what the heck, she's on holiday, the guy is absolutely irresistible, and she needs to unplug from her life. With her dad and brother gone, Tate is left to deal with the family restaurant, which is fast going down the drain. Her employees are acting out, her boyfriend has bailed out, and her very own private stalker is emailing her to death with lovely threats of doom, fire, and dismemberment. So yeah, maybe a little holiday fling is in order. Strictly sex though, and no follow-up whatsoever once.

She hadn't counted on her take-charge holiday fling having an opinion of his own and stubbornly sticking around, before and after the sex, making himself at home in her life. There is definitely more to James than meets her prejudiced eye, and even if she's not ready to look deeper, James isn't prepared to permit her not to.

"New Species: Fury" 

By: Laurann Dohner

Ellie is horrified to discover the pharmaceutical company she works for is doing illegal experiments. Company scientists have spliced human and animal DNA, creating exotic new species. One such “experiment” captures her heart and she’ll do anything to save him—even if he hates her for it.

Fury has never known compassion or love. He’s spent his life in a cell, chained and abused by humans. The one woman he allowed himself to trust betrayed him. Now he’s free and set on vengeance. He vows to end her life but when she’s finally in his grasp, harming her is the last thing he wants to do to the sexy little human.

Fury can’t resist Ellie—the touch of her hands, her mouth on his skin, her body wrapped around his. He’s obsessed with the scent of his woman. And Ellie wants Fury—always has. She craves his big, powerful body and wants to heal his desolate heart.

But loving Fury is one thing…taming him is another.

"New Species: Slade"

By: Laurann Dohner

Dr. Trisha Norbit is flat on her back in a hospital bed, pinned under a really big New Species male. Though drugged out of his mind, he promises her ecstasy and is determined to deliver-but hospital staff intervenes. 215 is a man Trisha will never forget. But, when she meets him again at Homeland...he doesn't even remember her The nosy new doctor wants to know all about the breeding habits between humans and Species. Slade proposes a hands-on education but she's not interested in a one-night stand. He can't offer more because he's haunted by the memory of a woman he once tried to claim. He's shocked when he realizes they are one and the same. He's blown it-she'll never give him a chance now.But, when her life is in danger, he's the only one who can save her. As they flee through the wilderness, their desire ignites and cannot be denied. Hot sex, on the run, has consequences that are even more dangerous and will change their lives forever.

"New Species: Valiant"
By: Laurann Dohner

Tammy has always tried to be prepared for any calamity life might send her way but she never imagined a sexy, lion man-beast in her future. He's huge, got the most exotic, golden cat-eyes she's ever seen, and she's so terrified she's speechless for the first time in her life. He's stalking closer, growling at her, and she's too terrified to even flee.Valiant hates humans. But when he gets a whiff of the adorable human female who has invaded his territory, he starts rethinking. Her fear scents of pure, sweet temptation and the closer he gets, the more appealing she becomes. Once he's got his hands on her, he isn't about to let her go. One thought will change his life. MINE Before Tammy can regain her senses, she's flat on her back in Valiant's bed. Now he just has to use every inch of his big, buff body to convince her that she should stay with him forever.

What I'm Reading Now...

"New Species: Justice"

By: Laurann Dohner

Justice North is the face of New Species. Seeing him up close makes Jessie's heart race. He's the ultimate alpha male-big, muscular, exotically beautiful...and dangerous. Of course he's off limits. But then the sexy man purrs and all bets are off.Jessie Dupree is a mouthy, fiery human female who brings out the animal in Justice. She wants to show him how to relax, and he's all for anything she wants to do, but Justice has sworn to protect his people and to take a Species mate. He's torn between the woman he wants and the oath he's taken.Jessie knows a relationship between them probably won't end well; heartbreak is inevitable. But that won't stop her from freeing the wildness inside Justice and spending every moment she can steal wrapped around his hot body, making him roar with passion.

"The Trouble with Valentine's Day" By: Rachel Gibson Review

"The Trouble with Valentine's Day"

By: Rachel Gibson

Synopsis from GoodReads:

Dumped by her boyfriend, stressed out by her job, Kate Hamilton needs to regroup and get back some self-esteem. She moves from the bright lights of Las Vegas to the wilderness of Gospel, Idaho for some small-town fun. But when her first attempted seduction of a hunky stranger is completely rejected, she wonders what else could possibly go wrong?

Well, for starters she quickly realizes that the Mountain Mama Crafters Original Poetry reading is about as good as it gets on a Friday night. Then she comes face to face with Rob Sutter, former ice hockey madman, owner of Sutter's Sports—and the hunky stranger who told her to get lost!

Rob's been more than burned by love—but then he and Kate find themselves in an ultra-compromising position in the M & S Market after-hours, giving the phrase "clean-up in aisle five" a whole new meaning, and cause a whole lot of gossip in Gospel..

My Thoughts:

      Rachel Gibson is hands down one of my favorite contemporary romance authors. She writes witty dialogue with great characters and wonderful plot, all the while making you smile as the romance develops. “The Trouble with Valentine's Day” is the third title in her Chinooks series about hockey players and keeps up a wonderful series.

     Kate Hamilton begins the novel in a bar on Valentine's Day, never a place anyone that's single wants to be. She decides to take life in her hands and actually propositions a cute man sitting next to her. When he turns her down she's embarrassed, but is mortified to learn when she arrives in Gospel, Idaho, the very same man owns the store next to her Grandfather's grocery store.

     Rob Sutter is a retired hockey player living in Gospel as he recovers from a bad injury. He opened up a sports goods store when he realizes that he will never return to the game he loved so much. He was surprised by Kate when she propositioned him, but finds himself intrigued by her as he begins to spend time around her.

     Kate and Rob are both lost and yet find themselves when they are together. They both are at a crossroads regarding their careers, neither has a love life, and they don't know what the future will bring. It was fun to watch these two characters, who in their former lives had been so sure of themselves, find their way again.

 “I want to try with someone who loves me enough to try with me. I want to grow old looking at the same face every morning. I want to grow old looking at the same face every night at the dinner table. I want to be one of those old couples you see still holding hands and laughing after fifty years of marriage. That's what I want. I want to be some one's forever.” (Gibson, 343).

     Isn't that language just gorgeous? Kate and Rob are a wonderful couple and their romance is pretty wonderful too. Not my favorite in the series, but it would be pretty hard to compare to Jane and Luc in See Jane Score. A great addition to the series and a perfect addition to the romance world in general.

Book Details

Publisher: Avon

Date of Publication: January 25, 2005

# of Pages: 384

ISBN: 978-0060009267