WHAT I'M READING--HOW ABOUT YOU?

As I mentioned last month, covers are an important tool in attracting readers, especially if they’ve never read anything by that author before. I admit to choosing books from a cover then I read the blurb. Then I look at the price. 

Yep, I have a threshold over which I won’t pay. I believe my limit is generous, but some books are more than that. If the e-book is as much as the paperback, I buy the paperback.

For that reason, I just purchased the paperback of HEART OF THE WEST by Penelope Williamson. This purchase is due to Anna Jeffrey’s recommendation. Anna is a friend and a great writer so I respect her opinion.This is not a new book, but apparently a much-loved one by Ms Williamson's fans.

First I have to read (also in paperback) LITTLE BEACH STREET BAKERY by Jenny Colgan for my book club meeting on the 8th. According to the cover, it's an international bestseller. This is a new author for me but I chose the book because of my daughter’s recommendation. She read it for her book club.

Currently I’m reading WILD HORSE SPRINGS by Jodi Thomas to review. How great is it that her publisher sends me her books to review? I know! She is one of my favorite authors. I feel tremendously lucky to be on the reviewer list. You can read my review on the 10th at http://sweetheartsofthewest.blogspot.com.

In the meantime, what are you reading? Would you recommend the book to others?

Do you read books by the great authors who are members of this blog? I hope so! Let me know your favorites. 

I’ll give a prize to someone who comments.

REVIEW OF ONE TRUE HEART BY JODI THOMAS

By Caroline Clemmons

As she did in her historical romance about the founding of Harmony, Jodi Thomas takes three couples and intertwines them in this latest contemporary novel set in Harmony. In ONE TRUE HEART, six characters seemingly with no similarities become partners in the quest for a criminal and find love as well.

Former Captain Millicent McAllen has returned to Harmony to heal from her war wounds, a shattered leg. Harmony is the last place she felt secure and happy. Unfortunately, that was when she was ten years old. Even though my situation is less traumatic than war, I've undergone several ankle surgeries and could identify with Millicent.

Drew Cunningham left the horrors of a mass school shooting in which he was a hero to retreat into life in a cabin and teaching one class at a local college. He appears to be a shy academic, supposedly writing a book on local history. He wants no attention and avoids crowds. Drew is the sort of man who reminds me of my husband--he wants no glory but he steps up and does the honorable thing. 

Kare Cunningham is a brilliant woman who masquerades as a loopy fortuneteller. She found her half-brother Drew to reward herself for her life with isolating but cold parents. But she has another mission. I adored this free-spirit whose loving heart manages to bring out the best in everyone.

Johnny Wheeler is more embarrassed than heartbroken when he catches his wife with her friend Max. He farms the land several generations of his family have farmed before him. When his ex-wife told him he was boring, he couldn’t deny the label. Johnny is my favorite of these characters. He is a sweet, hardworking man whose heart needs solace. 

Beau Yates has made a success of his life in spite of his parents. He’s returned to Harmony to try to make peace with his dying father. Something is holding him in town, though. Here is where the songs come to him and where at seventeen he met the girl whose memory still inspires his music.

Ashley Lark Powers has no real complaints--except she didn't want to go into banking. Her daddy owns three banks and her parents are the best. But she can’t forget the young singer who calls her Trouble and sings songs she knows are for her.

These six people make three unforgettable couples as they join forces to defeat a foe of the United States. On the way, they find love more powerful than they had dreamed.

Ms Thomas vivid writing evokes a mental image. I believe I could walk through the town of Harmony and find my way from Winter's Inn to Hatcher's book store to the Blue Moon cafe and to all the other places she's named in this series. The Mathesons and McAllens and the other residents of Harmony are real people in my mind. I love every Jodi Thomas novel I have ever read. Her masterful storytelling keeps the reader engaged until the last word. Don’t miss this one. I give it 5 stars. 

One of the places you can buy ONE TRUE HEART is at Amazon in print or ebook. http://www.amazon.com/True-Heart-Harmony-Jodi-Thomas/dp/0425268411/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427942778&sr=1-1&keywords=jodi+thomas

REVISITING FAVORITE BOOKS

By Caroline Clemmons

So many books, so little time. As an author, hundreds of my friends and acquaintances are authors of fine books. My already long TBR list grows every day. Thank goodness for my Kindle Fire. I'm sure you who love to read have a similar problem.

But do you ever reread books? Among my friends, we’re divided about evenly in this. I’m in the group that rereads favorites. Why?

Each time I read a favorite book I learn something new. How the author phrases description, the emotions evoked, and the setting not only entertain me, but teach me for my own writing. Each read reminds me why this book is one I treasure. I embrace the characters and their story again.

The characters in these books are old friends who I love to revisit. The authors excel in writing a memorable book. I dissect the most memorable passages to discover what about this book made it unforgettable.

Here are some of those I reread:

PRINCE CHARMING – As with most of Julie Garwood’s historicals, this one begins in Great Britain. But Taylor Stapeleton and Lucas Ross move quickly to the United States and their frantic race to rescue Taylor's nieces and escape a truly evil villain.

FOR THE ROSES – Julie Garwood takes a group of orphans from New York west to establish a home. Imagine children caring for an infant and surviving on their own as they escape pursuit. Not only surviving, but thriving to establish a dynasty.

THE PROMISE OF JENNY JONES – Maggie Osborne creates the opposite of most governess-type stories when Jenny Jones—a tall, gangly, red-headed muleskinner—give her promise to a dying woman. Against seemingly insurmountable odds, Jenny Jones safely delivers her young ward to the girl’s father to fulfill her promise.  

LORD PERFECT – Loretta Chase always uses vivid descriptions, but I believe this one is her finest. Bathsheba Wingate is a delightful heroine and the perfect foil for Lord Perfect, Benedict Carsington. Ms Chase’s description of the first meeting is especially priceless.

TO KISS A TEXAN – Jodi Thomas. Wes McClain’s story and that of the woman he rescues touches my heart each time. I have long wondered why women captured by Indians and recovered ceased to be human to bigoted pioneers.

Louis L'Amour

FALLON – For some reason, this Louis L’Amour story relaxes me each time I read it. But that goes for all Louis L’Amour stories. The man was one of America’s most gifted storytellers. My husband and I have each of his books from the Louis L’Amour Book Club and reread them occasionally.

MUCH ADO ABOUT MARSHALS – Like all Jacquie Rogers’s books, this one makes me smile while she leads me through a twisting plot. Cole is one of my favorite heroes. By the way, that's her nephew on the cover. She has a new cover, but this is the one on the book I have.

OUT OF THE DARK – Geri Foster writes great romantic suspense filled with sexy adventure. This one, her first of the Falcon series, is my favorite. I can easily picture Geri as the heroine, Emily.

Among other authors I reread are Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick, Nora Roberts, Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Marjorie Allingham. These authors make us believe that good triumphs over evil and people can live happily ever after. I like that. They write hope in their stories.

MOBY DICK and CRIME AND PUNISHMENT are not on the list. No, these cited are not heavy reading, although I have favorite classics also. Among them are THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO by Alexander Dumas and A TALE OF TWO CITIES by Charles Dickens. You’ll note that both of those is  romantic, although in a different context than a modern romance novel.  

Those listed as favorites are books that lighten my heart, renew my appreciation for the printed word, and confirm my belief that great writing is not limited to the classics or only in “literary” works. Great writing happens every day with thousands—maybe hundreds of thousands—of writers working alone in their writing caves or on the laptop surrounded by family.

Reading is exercise for the mind. Imagination allows us to visit anywhere in this world or another, to vicariously become any profession. It also sharpens our appreciation for the here and now.  Is it any wonder Smart Girls (and Guys) Read Romance?