The Bad Son by Linda Warren

THE BAD SON
Suddenly A Parent
Linda Warren
Harlequin SuperRomance #1375
ISBN: 0-373-71375-4
October 2006
Read October 29, 2007
Rating: 4
Setting: Texas

Beau McCain is now a successful lawyer and the one everyone depends on. He’s pulled his family together and when possibly he tries to save marriages. But he still can’t seem to let go of the feeling he’s the “bad son” as he father called him. He’s let everyone around him find love, helped them when he could, watched as his love, Macy Randall married, divorced and returned home to Waco, Texas. Now they live side by side in condos and are still best friends, but finally Beau has decided it’s time he went after what he’s always wanted, Macy.

Macy has issues of her own, but she’s always loved Beau, she’s just not sure she can be ‘in love’ with him. Then her sister shows up pregnant, and then leaves without taking the baby she just gave birth too. Now Macy finds herself caring for Delia’s baby, and needing Beau more than ever. But she can’t give him what she thinks he needs or wants.

Will they find a way to let go of their issues and enjoy the love they share or will life’s problems be too much for them to handle?

THE BAD SON is part of a series following the McCain family, but you can read it easily alone, as I did. The story is a good one, but did seem to move slowly. At times I got tired of Beau’s attitude and really wanted him to just move on with his life. For his age, his waiting didn’t make sense to me. I’m not sure if reading the previous books where he was a secondary character may have helped or not. Macy while being a compassionate character did seem her age either. She was an adult when her parents divorced but seemed to have acted as a child would over the event. There were things within the story that didn’t work for me; however I also couldn’t stop reading. I did want them to get together however I wondered often if there would be a way for them to do that or if they’d have to wait for another story to completely be together. The addition of Zoë as a character and the many animals Macy took in helped the story. Overall this was a good story. It will certainly have you thinking.

Make-Believe Mom by Elaine Grant

While this one is set in Montana rather than NC, I figured I'd post my review anyway.

MAKE-BELIEVE MOM
Elaine Grant
Home on the Ranch “Cowboy Country”
Harlequin Superromance #1445
September 2007
ISBN: 0-373-71445-9
Read October 28, 2007
Rating 4

Jon Rider needs help. Losing his wife was hard, but the risk of losing his seven kids is harder. When a social worker shows up, claiming a case of neglect was reported against Jon, he’s shocked and angry. Vet, Kaycee Calloway is on the ranch that morning having just helped a calf be born, now she finds herself in the mist of this family drama and unsure what to do. Then she finds herself directly involved when one of Jon’s children pulls her into the mix saying she’s going to be their new mom, that she’s engaged to Jon.

Now Jon and Kaycee find themselves wondering if maybe this make-believe engagement should become real. However not all the children are thrilled to have Kaycee in their lives, and Jon’s father-in-law is still determined to get his way, and they may have more on their hands than they can handle or love can survive.

MAKE-BELIEVE MOM is a good story. There are a range of characters and interesting problems for them to face. While things are settled a little more sweetly than I think true life would allow, the story offers readers a wonderful escape. The hero, Jon is sexy, and virile (with seven kids you’d expect that) but also strong and has a heart you can’t help but love. And Kaycee is a strong woman who’s put in a different situation. The story was fast and easy to follow. A wonderful way to pass an afternoon.

TURN TWO by Nancy Warren

TURN TWO
Nancy Warren
Harlequin NASCAR Library
November 2007
ISBN: 0-373-21783-8
Read: October 27, 2007
Rating 4 ½ (on a scale of 1-5)

This is the story of Mike Lundquist, a reporter, and his ex-wife, Taylor Robinson, the new PR manager for Hank Mission. They never expected to see each other again after their 3years of marriage fell apart. But now both are in North Carolina and working in NASCAR. Upon first seeing each other, they pretend to have just met, but soon old feelings as well as new are causing sparks to fly. When they are put in a situation that gives them more time together will they find that sometimes Love is worth a second chance?

TURN TWO is part of Harlequin’s NASCAR series and while it is connected to SPEED DATING it works fine as a stand alone title. Set in the world of NASCAR racing, we once more enter the excitement and thrill racing can offer. The characters in TURN TWO are realistic, believable, charming, and entertaining. You laugh, and tear up at moments. There is a cameo appearance from True-Life NASCAR hero, Carl Edwards. That certainly adds to the feeling these are friends you are visiting rather than characters from a book. This is a great story for fans of racing, second-chances at love, and great characters and settings. TURN TWO takes readers from North Carolina out to other tracks and home again. I highly recommend this one. Can’t wait for more. For a fun little story be sure to check out eharlequin.com for a free online read from Nancy Warren, HOOKED UP (http://www.eharlequin.com/article.html?articleId=1303). A great time is sure to be had once you enter the world of romance NASCAR has to offer.

No new books read by NC authors

Well I have not had a chance to read a book by an NC author or set in NC in recent weeks. But I hope to get on in soon.


Will post when I do.