Welcome to our April edition of the

Second Saturday Review Soup,

a delicate blend of genres and tastes.

Take a moment to browse today’s specials.

There is something to satisfy even the pickiest palate.

Bon Appétit!

~~~

Inhale, Just Breath book #1

by Kendall Grey

http://www.kendallgrey.com/

She isn’t crazy. She isn’t crazy. She isn’t crazy.

Or is she?

Dr. Zoe Morgan has made researching and saving the wales her life’s work.  Thanks to a connection she can’t explain, she’s able to communication with them.  But with every gift, there is a curse. And unfortunately Zoe’s curse is insanity.  Pegged with panic attacks and a fear of following in her father’s footsteps right off the deep end, Zoe does her best to ignore the voices.  If only that worked.

Gavin Cassidy is a rock star set on a path of total self-destruction. Then the Dreaming plucks him right out of his pity party and forces him to acknowledge his duties as a Sentinel.  After having ignored his gifts as a Water Element since tragedy struck years earlier, Gavin hoped this summons would be a quick in and out of the Dreaming.  But the rock star soon discovers he isn’t going to get off so easy.

How to begin this review?  Wow just about sums it up.

I read a blurb Kendall Grey posted on Goodreads and IMMEDIATELY had to read this book.  Thankfully I was able to finagle an ARC.  Ms. Grey’s description of Gavin Cassidy made me an immediate fan.  As flawed as any hero I’ve ever read, Gavin is one unique dude.  I could totally see this spoiled rock star trying to thwart his destiny.  One has to wonder if he would have been able to ignore the calling if he hadn’t met his “Muse” in the Dreaming?

What grabbed my attention and made me want to read this book was the introduction of Zoe and her life or death plight to save the wales.  Her struggle in the very beginning of the story almost cost her that life but it really showed us who Zoe is.

Inhale is sexy, raw and in-your-face.  The hero cusses, smokes, drinks and admits he has slept with his share of women.  Because of this, the author’s unique voice makes this story stand out from any other I’ve read. With a fast pace and very little filler words, this story will keep you moving on to the next chapter no matter how many times you try to stop.  LOVED IT!

Reviewed by Tami Brothers

Five Petit Fours

Four Hot Tamales

Inhale scheduled for released May 1st. For up-to-date information, stop by GoodReads.

~~~

My Hollywood

By Mona Simpson

http://monasimpson.com/

In the well-to-do environs of Hollywood, children are cared for by nannies, either live-in or live-out, five days or seven. In “My Hollywood” the focus is on Lola, a Filipina nanny who starts out caring for Claire and Paul’s baby Will while her own five children grow up in the Philippines. Lola’s mission is to send home as much money as possible so her children can be educated and grow up to be professionals. She becomes part of a group of nannies, mostly Filipina, who share their stories and help each other through all kinds of troubles. At the same time, Claire enters the world of upper-class moms whose children are watched by these nannies; an inescapable air of competition grows around the children’s development and the husbands’ status. Claire struggles to advance in her career as a composer, becoming frustrated at the insufficient time available for her to work on her music, even with Lola’s help, as Paul’s growing success as a TV comedy writer inevitably takes precedence over Claire’s work. The very close and loving relationship between Lola and Will (and later with another child named Laura) is beautifully brought to life, and adds immeasurably to the emotional depth of this wonderful story.

Reviewed by: Arlene Almas (a huge thank you to Arlene for sharing his review with us)

Rating: *****

Buy at Amazon.com  /  Barnes & Noble   / Borders  /  IndieBound  /  Powell’s Books  Random House

Review originally posted at the Women’s Book Reviews.   Check out the site for more great reads.

~~~

The Big Guns, Mystery Men Series

By Helenkay Dimon

http://www.helenkaydimon.com/

Harlequin Intrigue

He was a Hero…

When he saw his mark being kidnapped, Recovery Project agent Zach Bachman had no option but to rescue her. Even if it endangered his assignment. After weeks of watching Sela Andrews from afar, he was now trapped with the blonde beauty as her bodyguard.

But could He Ever Be A Husband?

Her brave protector relished the heat of gun battles but retreated from his own emotions. Sela learned that when, in the dead of night in a darkened safe house, the loner became her lover. Still, as her would-be killers closed in on them again, she had no choice but to put her life- and her heart – in the hands of her reluctant guardian.

Okay, I’ll admit I’m a sucker for the Type A man that is handsome, fearless, carries a gun and will protect a woman even if he may be killed. Zach Bachman is that kind of man and he hangs out with other men like him. Sela is equally strong in her on right.  I really like this story. There is plenty of action and tenderness. Nice quick read that won’t disappoint.

Reviewed by: Susan May

4 Petit Fours

5 Hot Tamales

Buy at Amazon  /  Buy at Barnes & Noble  /  Buy at Books-A-Million

~~~

Paris in Love: A Memoir

By Eloisa James

http://www.eloisajames.com/

Publisher: Random House

Release Date: April 3, 2012

In 2009, Eloisa James sold her house, took a sabbatical from her daytime job as a Shakespearean professor, and moved to Paris, France with her husband and two children. While there, she chronicled her days and nights with smart, savvy snippets on Facebook and allowed her fans to experience the journey with her. She eventually gathered them all together, added some poignant essays to go along with them, and thus, Paris in Love was born.

It’s been a very long time since I read a memoir and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I appreciate and admire Eloisa James for giving us a small glimpse into her life. Despite her personal struggles leading up to her year in Paris, she remained strong for her husband and children. She didn’t give up and that is a testament to the wonderful person she is. If I hadn’t already met her, this book alone would convince me of that.

I adore this book for many reasons, but two stand out. One was her descriptions of Paris, a city I’ve never visited, but want to after reading this book. Through her imagery, I could see the vivid colors and landmarks throughout the city; I could smell the fresh bread and delicious foods; and I could hear the melodious sounds.

It’s night, after a day of rain…the windows are open and the strains of a glorious opera pour from the conservatory down the street.

Very early in the morning, the only light comes from tightly closed bakeries. Chairs are upside down on top of tables, but the smell of baking bread feels like a welcome.

Paris (and our apartment) is so dark and quiet this morning that I feel as if I’m entirely alone. The sky is the color of gray flannel, the darkness broken only by the dormer window of another early riser. The woman who lives in the attic painted her walls yellow, and reflected light bounces out like a spring crocus. If light were sound, her window would be playing a concerto.

One of my favorite quotes in the book is when Eloisa is speaking about desires: It’s nice that life is long enough to give you desires of many kinds. Indeed, how nice it is.

The other reason I adore this book is Eloisa’s interactions with her children. As a mother, I was particularly drawn to that. She didn’t sugarcoat anything—she spoke about their difficulties along with their triumphs. And it’s obvious how much she loves them and is proud of them.

I loved this entry. It hit close to home and reminded me of my daughter.

Anna in the bath, arguing over her bedtime. “Why,” she wants to know, “can Luca stay up until ten o’clock and I can’t?” “Because he’s fifteen,” say I, “and when he was eleven, he had to go to bed at eight o’clock, too.” “How do you know?” she demands. “Because I’m the mother of both of you!” “You might not be,” she points out. “You might be only a mother in disguise.”

And this one makes me wonder if I will experience this with my son:

I always thought boys’ reluctance to speak about their feelings was programmed by culture (nurture, not nature) and raised Luca accordingly. But lately he only grunts when asked questions about his emotions. “I can talk about my feelings,” he said today, when pinned down. “But” (with unmistakable revulsion) “not with my mom.” I do hope whomever he’s sharing all those feelings with appreciates the training I put in.

And one last entry, because the Harry Potter fan in me couldn’t not include this one:

Yesterday Anna burst into tears at bedtime, saying she had no friends, no one laughed at her jokes, and that she was failing school (her report cars indicates otherwise). I pulled out a Gryffindor key chain I had been saving for just such an emergency, and she cheered up while telling me why she was definitely a Gryffindor and not a Slytherin.

Me, too, Anna. Me, too. *g* These entries and so many more made for an extremely pleasant reading experience. Eloisa had me laughing, crying, and sighing, repeatedly. I just enjoyed it so very much. I found myself reading sections to my husband and he smiled and enjoyed them as well. Paris in Love is an absolute treat and should not be missed!

~Andrea

Five Stars

Buy at Amazon.com  /  Buy at Barnes & Noble.com  /  By at Books-A-Million.com  /  Word Bookstore  /  IndieBound  /  Posman Books  /  Random House

Review originally posted at The Romance Dish April 3, 2012.  Check out their blog for other great recommendations.

~~~

Tamed by a Texan

By Tanya Michaels

http://tanyamichaels.net/

Harlequin American

ISBN: 0373754035

Category romance

Chef Grace Torres has a lot on her plate. Her mother has recently moved into an assisted living center, and the family restaurant is barely making ends meet. Now her brothers want to sell the money pit, even as she clings to the place that holds the happiest memories of her family. Since her talent has landed her a slot in a televised cooking show that’s coming to town, she makes them a deal. If she can win the competition, she gets to keep the restaurant. If she loses, they get to sell.

The same cooking contest brings Ty Beckett to town, and he has some serious stakes of his own: if he can win the contest, then he will be a shoo-in for his own show. Ty keeps the better part of himself and his painful past hidden, but there’s something about Grace that quells his competitive nature and makes him want to open up to her.

I loved this book. Ty is a charmer and Grace, a spitfire. Michaels’ trademark humor shines even as the inner conflict of each character resonates. Only one word of caution: reading this book could make you hungry.

Reviewed by Sally Kilpatrick

5 petit fours, 3 hot tamales (And those tamales are really appropriate this time!)

Buy at Amazon   /   Buy at Barnes & Noble  /  Buy at Harlequin

~~~

The House at Riverton

by Kate Morton

http://www.katemorton.com/

For those of you who enjoyed ‘The Forgotten Garden’ by Kate Morton, I think you will find her first novel, ‘The House at Riverton’ equally as engrossing. Grace Bradley was only 14 years old when she began working as a servant at Riverton. Her life was inextricably tied up with the glamorous and eccentric Hartford family’s daughters Hannah and Emmeline. Then, at a glittering society party in the summer of 1924, a young poet shot himself and the only witnesses were Hannah, Emmeline and Grace. I really enjoyed Morton’s debut novel. I liked the way the author used flashbacks to tell the story and I fell in love with Grace and the story she had to tell. The secret Grace held dear her entire life unfolds in the last few pages of the book which only made the novel more riveting. The good news is, Morton has a new book out and I can’t wait to read it as well

Reviewed by: Dale Israel (a huge thank you to Dale Israel for sharing his review with us)

Rating: ****

Buy at Amazon  /  Buy at Barnes & Noble  /  Find at GoodReads

Review originally posted at the Women’s Book Reviews.   Check out the site for more great reads.

~~~

A Stranger’s Gift, Woman of Pinecraft Series

By Anna Schmidt

http://www.booksbyanna.com/

ISBN: 978-1-61626-234-1

Barbour

A Hurricane Sweeps Love onto One Woman’s Path

Hester Detlef, local Mennonite volunteer coordination for disaster relief in Pinecraft, Florida defied the Old Order Mennonite tradition of limited education to get her college degree. Still single, Hester is well aware that her father has attempted to match her with Samuel Longbecker, but she has no feelings for the carpenter—or any other man.

When a devastation hurricane roars across the barrier islands just off the Gulf coast of Florida, John Steiner is swept in Hester’s path. Due to his stubbornness to evacuate his cluster of ramshackle buildings at the onset of the hurricane, John is badly injured. And after being formerly shunned by his Amish community, he’s now jobless, homeless, and faithless.

As Hester offers a helping hand, will John have the patience to put up with the Mennonite do—gooder who seem determined to restore his faith, rebuild his property, and renovate his heat? And will Hester find love amid the debris?

I had heard and read that the Mennonite/Amish romance stories are very popular but I hadn’t read one in years, and even then it had been only one or two. I will have to say that I really enjoyed this one. The characters are well rounded and likable, even when they are trying not to be as Samuel was. If you are interested in a good sweet romance this would be the one.  Solid story.

Reviewed by: Susan Carlisle

Buy at Amazon  /  Buy at Barnes & Noble  /  Buy at Barbour Publishing

E

**The books we review on this site, unless otherwise noted, are our own personal copies. The Petit Fours and Hot Tamales blog members do not accept payment in exchange for a review or mention.**

April hopped right in and brought with it all kinds of new books and authors.  So many that we don’t know where to begin.  We’d love to hear your recommendations and find out what you are reading.

As an added bonus to encourage you to share, we’re giving away a $5 gift card to a book seller of your choice to one lucky commenter.  All you have to do is leave a comment and share some of your favorite new finds to be eligible.

From our March First Saturday Recommendations we had some amazing books shared by our readers.  In case you missed the post, we’ll list those books below.

1. Firelight by Kristen Callihan recommended by Jane
2. The Rake And The Recluse by Jenn LeBlanc recommended by Mary Preston
3. Celebrity in Death by J.D. Robb recommended by Marilyn Baron
4. Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult recommended by Marilyn Baron
5. Good to a Fault by Marina Endicottrecommended by Marilyn Baron
6. The Next Always …Book One in the Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy by Nora Robert recommended by Sandra Elzie
7. The Widows of Wichita County by Jodi Thomas recommended by Pam Asberry
8. A Mother’s Homecoming by Tanya Michaels recommended by Pam Asberry
9. Organize Now by Jennifer Ford Berry recommended by Tami Brothers
10. Edge of Midnight by Leslie Tentler recommended by Pamela Mason
11. Once A Good Girl by Wendy S. Marcus recommended by Annie Rayburn
12. Heart Surgeon, Hero…Husband? by Susan Carlisle recommended by Annie Rayburn

A huge thank you to all our readers.  We can’t wait to see what you guys have in store for us this month.  Be sure to stop back by in May to see who won the $5 gift card.

Oh wait! You probably stopped by to see who won last time, didn’t you?  Well, that sneaky bunny left a lot of clues and after picking the blue egg, the winner is Pamela Mason!  Congratulations Pamela!!!  Shoot us an e-mail and we will get that sent to you ASAP!!!

So back to the launch party. There I am, courtesy of my kind husband’s pledge to keep the kids—and with book in hand, thanks to Tanya Michael’s best Christmas present ever. There’s a long line, a ton of people, and I am completely star struck. Kinda like the time I met Harry Connick, Jr. Or how Joshilyn herself felt about meeting Stephen Colbert. (And she does a much better treatment of this subject that you can find here—if you promise to come back and finish reading mine because I’m needy like that.)I finally get up to meet her, clutching my two books, and she and the bookseller are engaged in some kind of witty negotiating over the proceedings of the evening. Their conversation ends with Joshilyn saying, “No, there are only six people in my world.” She lists husband, kids, I think the dog, the bookseller and adds “and Sally over here.” I walk away clutching my book and inwardly jumping up at down like my 1989 self at a New Kids on the Block concert. I’m one of only 6 people in Joshilyn Jackson’s world!!!!

 And the whole episode—on top of highlighting what an idiot child I am—got me to thinking about the importance of interacting with other authors and of being a fan girl. There’s a magic that comes from interacting with those who manipulate the words on the page in a way that speaks to you personally. I treasure my e-mail from Tess Gerritsen where she encouraged me not to give up. I came up with the idea for Beulah Land while sitting in a Dianna Love and Mary Buckham workshop. Leigh Michaels once gave me some great advice when I was seeking agents. I had the luck of having Stephanie Bond critique my work at the Gin Ellis Workshop one year, and she has always been a fount of spot on advice. One of my favorite moments was at M&M 2010 when Sherrilyn Kenyon said, “What can I do for you, baby girl?” I mean, really. Sherrilyn Kenyon called me baby girl?!  Another favorite moment? At M&M 2009, I didn’t have my copy of Heros and Heroines for Tami Cowden to sign. She signed a business card, and I sighed and groused a little about it not having the same mojo as if she’d signed the book. She snatched back the card and wrote “Feel the Mojo!” Priceless.

But one of my favorite moments actually happened in the Still Elementary cafeteria. I ran into Tanya, oh she of the awesome present, there and she says to her daughter, “This is Miss Sally. She’s a writer just like Mommy.” But, no, not just like Mommy. Tanya had written well over 20 categories and 2 women’s fiction novels at that time. I had written stuff best used as under the bed dust bunny repellent. To have a published author acknowledge that I, an unpublished writer, was just like her? That was a pivotal moment. Tanya’s words gave me the validation I needed to stop saying I was an “aspiring” novelist. No, I was a novelist. I am a novelist.  Even if I’m never published, I’m still a novelist because I write novels and try to get a little better with each one I write. And I greatly admire the work of Tanya Michaels, but I’m even fonder of my friend, Tanya Michna.

 So those are just a few of the moments when I’ve rubbed elbows with the literati. What about you? Do you have any inspiring moments with published authors that you would like to share?

P.S. No, Michna, where in the blue hell would I be without you? No doubt, I’d be out there blushing, blinking twice and trying to make every day Arbor Day.

Welcome to our January edition of the Second Saturday Review Soup, a delicate blend of genres and tastes.

Pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee or tea, and browse today’s specials.

Bon Appétit!

~~~

When We Danced on Water by Evan Fallenberg

http://www.evanfallenberg.com/home.html

Reviewed by Debbie Weiss

Originally posted Sept 11, 2011 at the Women’s Book Reviews – For Women Who Like To Read

When We Danced on Water takes place in contemporary Israel, but there are flashbacks to other cities in other times throughout the book. The story revolves around two individuals, Teo and Vivi. Teo was born in Poland but moved to Denmark to attend The Ballet Academy in his late teens. He was a brilliant ballet dancer in his youth and at the age of 85, he is still one of the world’s most influential choreographers. He was instrumental in establishing the Tel Aviv Ballet and is still actively involved in training dancers for current performances. In spite of his artistic successes, Teo’s personal life is almost nonexistent and has been this way for many years. He often thinks that maybe he did not make the right decisions in life and should have taken the time to have a family.

Teo stops off for coffee each morning at a cafe on his way to work and he strikes up a relationship with the waitress, Vivi, a woman in her 40′s who also considers herself to be an artist. Her artistic pursuits are eclectic — painting, sculpting, photography, etc. Vivi is socially isolated, just as Teo is, having had an unfortunate romantic relationship with a German while she was in the army. She has never been able to get over it and move on with her life. These two lonely people have long discussions about the creative process and the concept of passion vs. obsession.

Over time, their friendship deepens and they confide in each other about the darkest secrets of their past. Both spent time in Berlin, but during different years and under very different circumstances. Teo and Vivi care for each other and by revealing their stories to each other, they help each other heal. I thought this was a beautifully written book and I am glad that I read it because it is the kind of book you continue to think about long after you are done reading it.

Rating: ****

~~~

Young Adult Review

Ashfall by Mike Mullin

http://www.ashfallbook.com/

Review by Trish Milburn

Originally posted Jan 10, 2012 at The Romance Dish

This past month, I managed to read a very enjoyable YA book during all the holiday craziness. Ashfall by Mike Mullin is the first in a post-apocalyptic series about Alex, a teenage boy from Iowa, and what he endures after the supervolcano under Yellowstone National Park explodes, sending the planet into a prolonged winter with no sunlight. I’ve always loved stories of survival and that’s what Ashfall is at its core. Alex, who was home alone when the volcano erupted, sets off on a journey to Illinois to find his parents and younger sister, who had gone to visit Alex’s uncle. Along the way, he meets people who help him and others who are a threat to his very life.

When the way we are used to living is sent into chaos, man quickly descends into basic survival mode. With no electricity, dipping temperatures, air that’s dangerous to breathe, no way to travel other than on foot, and the constant search for food and water, Ashfall is an edge-of-your-seat read. It’s one part scary and one part hopeful, particularly when Alex finds people who haven’t lost their humanity or kindness in the midst of the eruption’s aftermath. He has to grow up fast and learns there’s more strength in him than he ever knew. He also finds an unexpected friend, and perhaps more, when Darla, a teenage girl, and her mother nurse him back to health after he’s injured by one of the people bent on taking whatever they want however they can.

The sequel to Ashfall, Ashen Winter, is scheduled to be released in October.

~~~

Mystery

The Black Cat – A Richard Jury Mystery by Martha Grimes

http://www.marthagrimes.com

Reviewed by Maxine Davis

From Jacket:

The suave and savvy detective superintendent from New Scotland Yard returns to investigate the death of a well-dressed woman—witnessed only by a black cat…

Richard Jury is pulled out of his jurisdiction when  beautiful young woman is found dead outside a pub in Chesham.  Her Yves Saint Laurent dress and Jimmy Choo shoes suggest wealth and privilege, but no one in the village has a clue who she is.  There’s no ID, and the only one close to the scene that night was the pub cat.  A similar crime then occurs in London—this time the victim’s shoes were Louboutin—and Jury must confront questions of identities and appearances, both human and feline, before he labels someone a killer…

Martha Grimes is an American author of more than 25 books and can tell a British mystery with the best of them!  The Black Cat is a fun read that keeps you guessing—and wondering about the cats and dogs that have their own mystery going.  (“If you have friends who like animals, whimsy, and murder, you can’t do much more to brighten their day than put Ms. Grimes’s latest mystery in their lap.”—The Washington Post)

5 Petit Fours

~~~

Harlequin American – Romance

Claimed by a Cowboy by Tanya Michaels

http://tanyamichaels.net/

Reviewed by Sally Kilpatrick

Review: Lorelei Keller is an actuary, a woman who avoids taking risks by her very nature. She has never felt at ease in her hometown, where she was the nerd, or in the presence of her mother, a woman who leans on the spiritual almost to the exclusion of the practical. When her mother passes unexpectedly, Lorelei rushes home and runs headlong into laconic Sam Travis, a cowboy who often passes through the B&B Lorelei’s mom ran. He can’t understand why Lorelei would stay away from a mother who clearly loved her so very much—especially not when his mother had abandoned him and foisted him on a gruff uncle. When Lorelei’s mom leaves the B&B to Sam, things really start to heat up between two people who are utterly convinced they have nothing in common despite a mutual attraction that threatens to break down their respective defenses. Throw in a nosy matchmaking older lady who liberally spikes her coffee and a demonic cat, and you have a vivid cast of characters in charming Fredericksburg, Texas.

If you like strong and silent cowboys, eccentric Texas characters, a very opinionated cat, and some serious sexual tension, then this book is for you. As always, I’m particularly partial to Michaels’ sense of humor in which Sam becomes “Monosyllable Man” and the cat’s relationship to Satan is often questioned. It’s the end, though, that got me. Both characters have struggled with a great deal of loss, and their struggle to accept love despite a history of loss is especially poignant.

5 Petit Fours/3 Hot Tamales

~~~

Harlequin Presents Extra – Romance

With This Fling by Kelly Hunter

http://www.kellyhunter.net/Index.html

Reviewed by Susan Carlisle

With this fling… Successful archaeologist Charlotte Greenstone has no time for men, so invents a convenient one – who bears a highly inconvenient resemblance to sexy stranger Greyson Tyler! To protect her mortifying white lie, Charlotte begs Grey to act as her temporary fiancé…

I thee bed? One glimpse of Charlotte’s killer curves and Grey can’t resist making his own outrageous proposition – he’ll pretend to be her fiancé… if they can enjoy all the benefits of being a couple! Smoking-hot grey is definitely fling material, but Charlotte knows that’s all it can ever be… Isn’t it?

This book has a funny primus to begin with that I was unsure where it was going and was pleasantly surprised by the twist and turn that really worked. I got caught up in the characters’ lives and their desires. Grey is a hot leading man, and Charlotte is someone the reader can like. With this Fling makes a great Sunday afternoon read. I enjoyed.

**The books we review on this site, unless otherwise noted, are our own personal copies. The Petit Fours and Hot Tamales blog members do not accept payment in exchange for a review or mention.**

Have you ever had an amazing experience and realized afterwards that your life would never be the same again? The Georgia Romance Writers 2011 Moonlight & Magnolias Conference was such an experience for me. I made lots of new friends, strengthened existing relationships, acquired knowledge that will sharpen my skills as a fiction writer, and gained insights that are changing the way I approach every new day.

Here is a small sampling of what I know now that I didn’t know before.

1. Volunteers have more fun. (Sally Kilpatrick)
2. Note cards are not necessary when pitching to agents and editors. (Maria Geraci)
3. Don’t let a harsh critique stop you from writing, editing or brainstorming. Use it to help you make your manuscript better. (Nicki Salcedo)
4. Theme is not characterization or plot, but once determined it can further your understanding of your own work, improve your story and even help you write your synopsis. (Gabi Stevens)
5. To write a great novel you first have to know how to dissect one. (Pamela Varnado/Mary Barfield/Tamara DeStefano/Connie Gillam)
6. Treat your writing like a business and take every income tax deduction the law allows, even if you aren’t making a profit. Yet. (Diane Kelly/Becke Turner)
7. Don’t enter writing contests if you are looking for praise and admiration. Enter contests in order to receive feedback that will help you strengthen your writing. (Megan Kelly)
8. Done properly, writing from multiple points of view can deepen and broaden your story, help you expand your subplots, and create more opportunities for your readers to identify with a character. (Wendy Wax)
9. World building is not just for werewolves. (Tanya Michaels)
10. Men and women think and behave differently, and understanding these differences can help us create more believable characters. (Leigh Michaels)
11. Reading books give us permission to experience emotions that might be too painful to experience directly. Writing books gives us an opportunity to provide that outlet for others. (Eloisa James)
12. There is no such thing as too much bling. (Karen White)

Thanks to each of you for sharing so freely of your time and yourselves. I am already counting the days until next year’s conference!

What is the best tidbit you have brought home from a conference, writing or otherwise? Share it in a comment and you will have a chance to win a pair of sterling silver birthstone earrings handmade by yours truly! Good luck!

His Valentine Surprise

Tanya Michaels

http://www.eharlequin.com/author.html?authorid=986

Publisher:  Harlequin

ISBN-10: 0373753470

Genre:  Romance

Mark Hathaway gets called into the principal’s office when his six-year-old daughter, Vicki, sends an e-mail to everyone on the PTA mailing list asking for a new mommy.  Fortunately for him, the principal, Shay Morgan, is just the valentine he needs.  Now, he has to convince her that going out with him won’t keep her from getting the principal job she’s always wanted while revitalizing sales at his outdoor equipment store and, oh yeah, spending more time with his daughter.  Can he convince Principal Morgan to be his valentine?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  I cooked supper with it, read it in car pool, and sometimes even sneaked a peek at red lights.  I laughed and I sniffed while reading this small town story, but I found some worthy antagonists as well.  I can promise you that you, too, will fall in love with Mark Hathaway, as he burns pork ribs but sets up an incredible chocolate fondue spread.  Just like Shay, you won’t be able to resist Vicki’s sweet persistence, either.  If you’re looking for a well-crafted story with three dimensional characters, then look no further.  His Valentine Surprise would make a great Valentine’s Day present to yourself, and, hey, it’s fat free.

Texas Baby

By Tanya Michaels

Harlequin

ISBN-10: 037375325X

ISBN-13: 978-0373753253

Category Romance:  Harlequin American

Texas Baby lives up to the promise of its cover:  hunky cowboy and adorable baby.  Of course, the reader will also be treated to a determined heroine, a precocious five-year-old, and a cadre of villains and allies.  This story is far richer than the title suggests.  Addie Caine became a mother of two overnight when her brother and his wife passed away in a boating accident.  Leave it to fate to introduce her to the man of her dreams on the one day she’s allowed herself to fall apart.

Giff Baker is pretending to be a consultant at the company where Addie works, but he’s really a corporate spy, hired to find out who’s been leaking sensitive information to competitors.  Unfortunately for Addie, more than one person thinks she’s the culprit.  Even as love blossoms for Addie and Giff, the reader is still on the edge of her seat knowing that there’s another shoe that still has to drop.

Interspersed with the tale of Giff, Addie, and the informant, the reader is treated to Tanner and Nicole, the children who capture Giff’s heart almost as much as Addie does.  Giff, as a hero, really shines as he changes diapers or helps Tanner overcome a fear of boats and the water.  His comforting words to the boy about teamwork resonate with multiple meanings, a metaphor that Michaels pulls off with aplomb.

As expected, Michaels delivers rich characters, humorous moments, a perfectly poised black moment, and a delicious denouement.  In particular, look for the passage where Addie forsakes Ben and Jerry—it’ll be one of the few times in your life that you laugh out loud while you’re crying.

by Tanya Michaels          

Harlequin (American Romance)

ISBN-10: 0373753152

Romance

Brooke Nichols is torn between a handsome, successful fiancé and a hunky, unpredictable fireman.  Oh, to have such decisions to make—especially when the fireman is Mr. July for the local charity calendar.

I resisted this book at first because I’ve never been a fan of the heroine-is-engaged-to-the-wrong-man-but-falls-in-love-with-someone-else plot.  Boy, am I glad I agreed to read this book, though.  Tanya gives a tried and true plot a new twist, being careful to keep all of her characters both noble and true to themselves.  Not only did I love all of those noble characters from Indy music loving Brooke to tortured Jake and even workaholic Giff, but I got wrapped up in the book’s plot completely.  I wanted to see how this heroine was going to get herself out of an incredibly sticky situation:  falling in love with The Best Man in Texas.

As usual, Tanya Michaels’ story resonates with emotional undercurrents and sparkles with humor.  This was a fun read with well-rounded characters, and I can easily recommend it.  I can’t wait for the sequel where the guy who loses Brooke’s hand will get a happily ever after of his own.