Customer Reviews (11)

I enjoyed this book...
I really enjoyed this book.I wasn't big on the supernatural powers shown in 2 of the stories especially the in Ruined by Jillian Hunter where a huge portion of the book focused around spirits & actually seeing one at the end.I'm not big on anything that I don't see as something that can really happen & what went on in that book was too far out there for me.My favorite books in this were the ones by Linda Howard & Mariah Stewart.I'm usually a historical romance reader so I thought it was funny how my favorites were the 2 contemporary stories but to be perfectly honest I didn't find the historical stories to really seem like historical stories.Hard to explain exactly but if I were really wanting a historical romance & I picked up one of the others I'd have been disappointed because they seemed more contemporary to me.So to me the jump back & fourth between historical & contemporary didn't really bother me.Well, I'm anxious to give another Mariah Stewart book a try sine I already do Linda Howard & Miranda Jarrett.Recommended.

nice beach reading
An odd mix of contemporary and historical from 5 strong writers.
I enjoyed them all, but wished Howard's would be done into a full book. It left you wanting more. It is a really neat quirky tale of a harassed sheriff hating the "blue moon" because things went wrong and there were more weirdos out than usual. He meets a witch called called Lilah. Just wish these characters could have been made into a full story. This was so quick, especially considering it was Howard's name pushing the book.
"Ruined" by Jillian Hunter is wonderful. A very strong, almost Gothic story that also could have benefited from a longer treatment. In 1843 her yacht crashed off of his cove of Cornwall. Rylan " DeWilde never expected to fall in love with his guest Sydney Windsor, especially after he learns she is engaged to marry his enemy. Would have made a super Big book!!!

The weakest was "Buried Treasure" by Miranda Jarrett. About two men competing for the same woman, and one a pirate.

Really enjoyed "Swept Away" about a PI chasing a woman he loves. But in order to keep on her trail, he must go home to a town full of bad memories.

I am not big on westerns, but Geralyn Dawson's "Castaway" was very good. In 1883 Texas, Drew Coryell lives alone on an island. He peace is shattered when his ex-wife arrives, needing a big favour. She wants his help in tracing a precious heirloom, but finds love the second time around even more precious.

Odd mix of contemporaries and historicals, but still very nice collection.

Howard & Hunter's Stories were the best
I enjoyed all of the stories, but the first and third stories were the best. Linda Howard is brilliant and I found a new author to enjoy in Jillian Hunter. This was a good read -- I hope they produce more.

it's okay
I got this book for Christmas and Linda Howard's story made me laugh, it was so bad. It could have been made into a great novel, but it was extremely unbelivable, the characters were two-dimensional, and her story was pretty bad. The other stories are pretty good. I don't think I've read the other authors, so I don't have anything to compare them to, but Howard's story disappointed me.She is usually a thought-provoking author, and in my opinion one of, if not the, best authors I've ever read. Also, the switching between historical and contemporary when I was expecting all contemporary was frustrating. All in all, it was an ok book at best.

Decent novella compilation
The novella can be a challenging genre for an author, since she has to create believable characters and develop a satisfying romance in a much smaller amount of time.

While "Under the Boardwalk" is not one of the best collections out there, it's still a decent collection of stories.My biggest complaint with the book, as a whole, is the combination of historical and modern stories.While I, personally, enjoy both types, I know a lot of romance readers have definite preferences one way or the other.Also, it's more difficult to create a distinctive yet satisfying and smooth collection of stories set in different periods.

I bought this collection for Howard's entry, and the story itself contains many of the elements I enjoy in Howard's work.However, the story was almost too short, and a bit unsatisfying, and I really wanted to know more about the characters and their romance.

Dawson's "Castaway" is a decent entry, with appealing characters and a believable romance.There were some funny moments.My major complaint is that it seemed more a contemporary romance than an historical one.

Hunter's "Ruined" was my favorite of the bunch.I loved the hero and heroine, and enjoyed Hunter's writing style.I can't wait to check out more of her work!

Jarrett's "Buried Treasure" was, I think, the weakest of the bunch.I couldn't get into the characters and didn't really enjoy the romantic plot.However, I must disclaim that the American colonial period isn't a period I typically enjoy reading about.

Stewart's "Swept Away" was another solid addition, with good characters and a decent romance.I appreciated the emotional depth provided by Jeremy's facing of his past, and the sunburn provided a few chuckles.

All in all, this is a solid addition to the compilation genre. ... Read more

Product Description

Heartfelt joy, enduring hope, and dazzling romance....Share the brightest treasures of the season with this acclaimed collection of holiday tales by five shining romance stars!

A spirited Irishwoman comes to a rugged Colorado town to govern a young ruffian and learns a love lesson from the boy's father: there is more to the man than meets the eye....In the midst of a blizzard, a snowbound woman offers shelter to a stranger, a man who is an expert at covering his tracks....Home for the holidays, an artist proves opposites can attract -- and make sparks -- when she falls for an unconventional doctor....A holly berry-picking contest in the California hills brings two determined hearts together for the greatest prize of all: a true and lasting love....A lively family reunion on a Montana ranch brings on a flurry of memories for a beautiful young writer -- and a winter storm that rekindles an old flame.... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Four softly romantic stories with one sizzler at the end
The reason I picked up this book is because Linda Howards' name was on the cover. I have throughly enjoyed her books in the past and figured that this one would be equally enjoyable. I was correct.
Jude Deveraux, Margaret Allison, Stef Ann Holm, and Mariah Stewart each wrote okay stories with Deveraux's being the best of the four. Her characters were very likeable and the story-line was enjoyable.
I do not know about the rest of you but I enjoy good sex when I'm reading a romance book and I must say that Linda definately delivered! I have an advid imagination but there are time when you would rather have it all laid out on the table for you, and boy does she lay out a spread! Linda's male character was insatiable! Look out energizer bunny-you have competion.
Those of you who did not enjoy "White out" and found it to be, "sickening, pornographic, and extremely dislikeable," you are obviously out of you league with Linda Howard, stick to Mrs. Barbara Cartland romances and your secret fantacies of "vanilla sex."

Cute stories to inspire the Christmas spirit!
1. The Teacher by Jude Deveraux: Wow - I can't recall a character in any western historical who displays the courage and grit of Kathryn! One can only admire the way she confronted even the hardest of people and stood up for what she believed in. I have a bit of a problem believing that the highly disagreeable Cole made the conversion into a kind and decent man, but I suppose only Kate had the power and charm to tame even the beastliest man.

2. Christmas Magic by Margaret Allison:Margaret Allison is the only author in this anthology with whom I wasn't familiar. I really like her style - the story flowed nicely and the dialogue was realistic and respectful. The theme of reconciliation between an estranged father and daughter is a wonderful illustration of the Christmas spirit, and showed how forgiveness and understanding are keys to inner peace and healing.

3. Jolly Holly by Stef Ann Holm: A magical story about the value of treasures that money cannot buy and the joy that can be found in sharing! The plot and the characters were quite unique, as was the setting, which was a refreshing break from the usual storyline formula of most romances.

4. If Only in my Dream by Mariah Stewart: I have two pet peeves concerning romance novels. One is the use of bickering dialogue representing conflict and sexual tension. On the contrary, this story was so delightful because of the respectful and loving way the characters interacted with each other, and I congratulate the author for brilliantly presenting the story in this manner! These were warm and likable people I admired immensely. My other peeve are conflicts that could easily resolved, or avoided entirely, if the characters simply communicated more openly and clearly with each other. Unfortunately, that was the case in this plot. Still, the story was highly enjoyable and quite relaxing to read, especially to this believer in the lasting qualities of true love between soulmates.

5. White Out by Linda Howard: Linda Howard is known for writing lusty and erotic scenes, so the graphic sex shouldn't have been such a shock to me, except that the previous 4 romances were comparatively sweetly romantic because the sexual aspects were left up to the imagination. I didn't like how the characters were nearly unconscious when they first came together, because it was so careless and animalistic. However, I like how the story opened, describing the lakefront property in such wonderful detail, as though it were a showcase home on HGTV. The blizzard was also described in such remarkable detail that it almost felt as though the storm was swirling around me too! This attention to visual and sensual detail is what makes Linda Howard's brilliant to me, not the gritty sex. This particular story redeemed itself from the off-putting erotica by ending with a dramatic flare of action, drama and mystery-solving.

just skip this
I agree quite thoroughly with the reviewers who expressed extreme dislike for Linda Howard's "White Out." It was sickening. Some of us read romance for the romance, not for explicit descriptions of sexual relationships which begin before the hero (and I use the term loosely) is even conscious.

As for the rest, Jude Deveraux's hero is a paternalistic town despot. Margaret Allison and Mariah Stewart tell fairly ho-hum stories about creative, artsy types going home and falling in love, one with a (supposedly) unconventional doctor and the other with her first love, with whom she had lost touch through a lame misunderstanding--don't you just hate it when these people don't TALK to each other?

The star goes to Stef Ann Holm for "Jolly Holly"; though not a total classic, this story does introduce a handful of very memorable minor characters, especially an intriguing couple of "elves" named Yule and Tide.

For "White Out" only
I only read the Linda Howard story "White Out," so I can't give a review of the others.But, that one alone is great.Yes, the premise of the Price's and Hope's relationship--and fabulous sex--is not something that can be applied to reality. But, so what? The story is still cute, fun, and very sexy.Plus, Howard has a true talent for making almost any scenario plausible with her skilled writing (e.g. anyone read "Son of the Morning"?). If you don't want to buy the anthology, I recommend settling in at Borders with a cup of coffee and reading "White Out" right there.Very Entertaining!

Linda and Jude carry it all....
Ok, first of all, I personally love Jude and just about everything she writes (notable exceptions would be High Tide and Legend- both of which were poorly written) but, this short story just doesn't make me go "hmmmm.."Maybe because I didn't like Legend I was a tad biased against this story since it picks up where Legend left off.Again, it wasn't as poorly written, but there was just no magic. Likeable, but not memorable. However, I REALLY liked Linda's little tale. Her tale starts out like so many dates that we have and just choose not to talk about..but, this time, instead of showing the guy the door, we show a little more.The chemistry in this is just phenomenal.And, hey, let's face it..this is why we women read romance novels and especially why we read Linda Howard..THE SEX!!I have never wanted to be a character as bad as I wanted to be that girl.One word describes this tale...GRRRRR.The rest of the stories are fluffy and sweet, but if you want REALLY good dreams, ditch the rest and just read Linda. ... Read more

Product Description
A scholar specializing in ancient manuscripts, Grace St. John never imagined that a cache of old documents she discovered was the missing link to a lost Celtic treasure. But as soon as she deciphers the legend of the Knights of the Templar - long fabled to hold the key to unlimited power - Grace becomes the target of a ruthless killer bent on abusing the coveted force. Determined to stop him, Grace needs the help of a warrior bound by duty to uphold the Templar's secret for all eternity. But to find him - and to save herself - she must go back in time . . . to fourteenth-century Scotland . . . and to Black Niall, a fierce man of dark fury and raw, unbridled desire. . . . ... Read more

Product Description
From AudioFile:On her thirty-fourth birthday, small-town librarian Daisy Minor resolves to enliven her boring life by finding a man with whom she'll have a steamy fling. Makeover done, she dances the night away and later finds a place of her own on the seamy side of town. Then one night she sees something that puts her in danger, and she finds herself having to deal with the infuriating local police chief--single, attractive . . . and sexy. Although the premise is a little shopworn and the "makeover changes all" plot point a trifle unbelievable, Linda Howard gives Daisy a lot of spirit and the police chief a lot of spice--and the result is good chemistry that makes for an enjoyable romantic thriller. Kate Forbes's narration is relaxed and sensual, her Southern accents believable. Male voices are effective, and Forbes easily handles both the bantering and the suspense.M.A.M. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Save your money
From the back cover:

BLUEBIRD WINTER by Linda Howard
Kathleen Fields had to reach the clinic, but a Christmas blizzard left her stranded without hope for her life--or her unborn baby's. Then Derek Taliferro arrived with his doctor's skill, his caring heart. Together, they brought Kathleen's child into the world and discovered love, the greatest gift of all.

HENRY THE NINTH by Dixie Browning
Being fixed up with her landlady's brother was not Mary Pepper's idea of a good time. But when a horrible cold and a horrendous work schedule obliterated Christmas, Henry whisked her off for a late celebration on Hatteras Island, where they found themselves creating some rather unusual new traditions of their own...

SEASON OF MIRACLES by Ginna Gray
The town spinster, tenderhearted Kathryn Talmidge had long adored Daniel Westwood in silence. The gruff widower finally proposed--but soley to give his kids a new mom for Christmas! Though motherhood and sharing Dan's life were all Kath had ever dreamed of, now she prayed for the miracle of his love...

THE HUMBUG MAN by Diana Palmer
Montana rancher Tate Hollister had to be the grouchiest, grumpiest humbug man widow Maggie Jeffries had ever met. But, as the holiday season progresssed, Maggie discovered that Tate wasn't completely immune to the Christmas spirit--his loving embrace on a cold winter's night could prove to be the gift of a lifetime...

And my review:

BLUEBIRD WINTER is a story that has been reissued in Silhouette's "Delivered by Christmas" collection. I've already reviewed it on that products page, but I'll repeat it here: I didn't like this story. I know not everyone feels the same way I do, but I don't like graphic descriptions of childbirth. I'm quite squeamish, and that's just not the kind of thing I look for in a romance novel. Children being born - fine. Talking about blood, etc - no. I tried to get past that, but the story didn't capture me. One star.

HENRY THE NINTH was another story that I didn't bother to finish. There was nothing glaring wrong or awful about it, it just wasn't very engrossing. The author liked to head-hop a lot, which was rather annoying. Also, this was a story that was almost all prose and very little dialogue. It felt a little rambling at times. Two stars.

SEASON OF MIRACLES was the only story worth reading in this collection. It was an okay way to spend an hour, but nothing knew is covered here. The marriage of convenience that becomes love, the wife secretly in love with her husband (a man she's pined after since she was sixteen), an unexpected pregnancy, an adorable little boy who longs for a mother, a sullen teenager who wants nothing to do with a new mother, etc, etc. Nothing all that memorable or outstanding. Fine for a one-time read, but not a story you would bother to re-read. Three stars.

THE HUMBUG MAN was, unforunately, another letdown. I've yet to be able to finish a single story by this author. The hero was very annoying, and I could not see what the heroine ever saw in him. I also felt that there was no real attraction between the characters apart from sex. That just isn't enough for a satisfying romance. And the heroine had the weirdest habit of saying comments that made no sense, or just came out of nowhere. Instead of coming across as delightfully eccentric (which is probably what the author was aiming for), the heroine just came across as strange. If I met her in real life, I'd probably start backing away slowly. Plus, the whole thing about her being a widow with a son, yet knowing almost nothing about sex is a tired, and over-done theme. Why is it that a heroine can never enjoy sex, even with her late husband, until the hero gets his hands on her? Sigh. Two stars.

There are far better Christmas romance anthologies out there. In fact, other collections released by Silhouette have had at least one story that was worth keeping. See my list "Christmas romance books worth buying" for a list of my favorites. As for this installment from Silhouette, I would recommend that you save your money. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

One enjoyable story in this collection
From the back cover:

THE WAY HOME by Linda Howard
For Anna Sharp, the choice was clear. Saxon Malone might not want their baby, but she did--even if it meant giving up the man she loved. But maybe, if she could show him the value of his past, he might be willing to share the future--as a family.

BACKWARD GLANCE by Robyn Carr
News of her "ailing" mother sent Leigh Brackon and her twin toddlers rushing home. But once there, she found her spry mom sipping medicinal wine and old flame John McElroy knee-deep in landscaping the backyard! Coincidence? Leigh suspected maternal meddling--and feared the truth John might discover in her sons' eyes...

SO THIS IS LOVE by Cheryl Reavis
Little Huong Brenner knew all about the customs of her adopted country. On Groundhog Day you searched for a groundhog, so on Mother's Day... But to betroth her reticent father Jacob to attractive Jessica Markham, Huong had to rally her baffled new brother, invoke her Asian ancestors--in short, manufacture magic...and mayhem!

And my review:

Well, first off, I am NOT a Linda Howard fan, so I didn't expect to like THE WAY HOME. But I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed this novella in spite of myself. The relationship between the hero and heroine might turn off a few readers, though. It starts off with the hero propositioning the heroine--he offers to let her be his mistress, but makes it very clear that it will never lead to marriage or true commitment--sex and money is all that he is prepared to give her. Usually, the idea that a woman would sell herself so short would have really turned me off, but I found myself enjoying this story anyway. The hero's pain was so sharp that I found myself caring for him, even when he was a bit arrogant. I liked watching him go from a man unable to express love to one who welcomed it--and his child. And I loved that the heroine was willing to do what was right for her baby, no matter the cost to herself. Four stars.

Robyn Carr's BACKWARD GLANCE failed to capture me. I thought that both the hero and heroine were very immature, and that they had no real idea what love truly is. I was never able to believe that they would be able to make a true adult relationship work, so I had a hard time cheering for them. And the things keeping them apart seemed extremely shallow and childish. This was a story that you could tell where it was going right from the first page. Totally predictable, and not very engrossing. Two stars.

Cheryl Reavis' SO THIS IS LOVE read more like a Young Adult novel than a contemporary romance. More pages were devoted to Huong Brenner and her half-brother's antics (and the strained relationship between them) than were used to develop the relationship between the hero and heroine. While reading about Huong's misunderstandings of our culture was funny, it wasn't what you'd call romance. Ultimately, the romantic part of this book was very lacking, and I was left unsatisfied by it. Two stars.

As with most romance anthologies, the page restriction often hampers the character development. However, Linda Howard's story is a pretty good read, and fans of her will enjoy it.

It was good
I had already read the book before and just wanted it for my own. The 3 stories in the book are decent. Of course, my favorite was the one by Linda Howard. ... Read more

Product Description
Linda Howard's new romantic thriller, her hardcover debut, brings psychic phenomena, hot sex, and deadly danger into the life of an appealing young artist. Paris Sweeney, who calls herself Sweeney, is living a pared-down existence devoted to painting when she begins to see ghosts. Worse, she starts painting disturbing images while sleepwalking, then wakes with an unnatural, bone-deep chill that can only be dispelled by direct body contact with the unexpected new man in her life--Richard Worth, the soon-to-be ex-husband of the gallery owner who sells Sweeney's work. Then Sweeney realizes she's painting the picture of a murder victim, just before the actual crime takes place. Can she stop the killing before it happens? And if not, is she destined to become either the prime suspect or the murderer's next victim? Howard keeps the suspense streamlined and straightforward, focusing equally on the relationship between the sympathetic Sweeney, whose dreadful growing-up years forced her to become more independent than is good for her, and Richard, whose drive to leave his old life behind matches his determination to make Sweeney part of his future. A sensual, page-turning diversion that's sure to win the author new fans. ... Read more

Product Description
A collection of three romantic stories by three popular authors, all set during the Christmas season, includes "Bluebird Winter," "The Gift of Joy," and "A Christmas to Treasure." Original. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Three great stories
Could not put the book down. Not one great story but three.

Cute feel good book
I picked up this book for Linda Howards "Bluebird Winter".This book is a follow up to her books "Almost Forever" and "Sarahs Child"."Bluebird Winter" is about the young man that lived in the apartment complex of Sarah and her husband.He was the son of her single neighbor.He was "adopted" by Max (Almost Forever) and Romeo (Sarahs Child), they put gave him the money to put him through medical school.This book was great if you follow Linda Howard.It was like returning home and seeing how someone grew up.He grew up to be a successful doctor and finds himself a single mom.It was a cute story.

Delivered by Christmas
I was totally delighted by these stories.They were heart warming. I closed the book wanting to read more by these authors.

Delivered by Christmas is a quick, pleasurable read!
I loved Linda Howard's "Bluebird Winter." It was a single parent's dream-come-true! A strong, handsome, well-respected doctor coming to the aid of a pregnant woman and falling, not only in love with her, butwith her baby, too.Mmmm... In "The Gift of Joy" by Joan Hohl,who couldn't relate to two people living different lives discovering theyboth need a change? And when they have a chance meeting, what else would weall hope for, but to have the sparks fly! Unfortunately, Sandra Steffan's"A Christmas to Treasure" is the slightly weak link in thisanthology - am I a cynic to believe it's just too good to be true?

a doctor as a hero
This is Linda Howard's Bluebird winter (1987) as a new release. The hero is a doctor (? ) which is something new for Howard. I found this one the best in sequels, Sarah's child and Almost forever. But something ismissing. This book is from the same period like Diamond bay and I waitedall the time when hero changes to some kind of spy or something mystical.But all the time he was just an ordinary doctor who happens to fall in lovewith a poor girl. The story was ok, but nothing special.

Buy the way...Linda Howard is releasing August 2000 SIM A game of Chance. Who might bethe hero...? I am looking forward to it. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Unlikely Alliances
i bought this book because of diana palmer and linda howard and didn't bother with the last one so i can't review it for you.

diamond girl had kenna working for 2 brothers and was in love with the younger one Denny. his older brother regan came from new york to be with his brother. kenna is a dowdy, plain jane and regan made a deal with her to attract denny's attention. denny has a latin lover that regan thought was a gold digger and set out to break them up by getting kenna's attention. obviously it backfired from all the time that kenna and regan spent together. they fell in love and denny's lover wasn't a gold digger at all, she had her own family money.

i forget what linda howard's title was but it made me angry!! i usually don't get emotional about characters in romance novels but this guy made me furious. they've been separated for 10 years, neither one bothered to file for divorce. he was a traveling journalist and bought the newspaper that she works at and all hell breaks loose. he wants to go back to the way things were before, as if nothing happened!!! never mind that she was dating someone but yet he could continue to see his lover whenever he wanted!!! i don't think so!!!but as all romance novels end this one ends happily ever after. i was so mad after reading this i didn't want to read anymore romance novels!!!

so 2 out of 3 ain't bad.

Diana Palmer....Paper Rose
I love her books, I have never read a bad one by her. This one is just great. I love any story about Native Americans. Tate is every womans dream. What a love he has for Cecily. And the baby makes the story . All i can say is read Diana Palmer books. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Worth it for Linda Howard of Course, but others Average Read
An older book with three stories by three authors and sold pushing the fact that Linda Howard is one of the authors.pretty much mediocre tales except for Howard's, which are always highly entertaining and leave you wanting more.Worth the price just to check hers out.

Linda Howard- ' The Way Home'--Pregnant and unsure of what to say to her boss and lover, Anna Sharp must risk her heart and everything she is for a baby that Saxon Malone never wanted.
Touching and believable, it picks up right in the middle of their tumultuous affair and sucks you right in with all the intensity and emotion Howard is known for.Anna is no wimp and I found her lovable in spite of her decision to stay with Saxon, who is unfeeling at first and cold.Saxon redeems himself as do all of Howard's most determined heroes in the end....4 Stars

Paula Detmer Riggs- 'Family by Fate'--Eliza Vargas must find a way to save depressed and weary cop Max Savage and inform him he will be a daddy.Max is in no way able to have a normal life now and does NOT want a baby.Can she make him see otherwise and heal his heart before its too late?
This was an 'okay' tale of love lost and found, but the constant 'whining' and 'pity trip' that Max was on the entire story tended to weigh it down immensely.It got tiresome and before I knew it, I was bored and ready for Eliza to move on.The immediate love between the two also didn't wash with me and came off sounding more like a forced romance.There was too much backstory here to make a 'short story', it felt clipped and choppy...2 stars

Stella Bagwell- 'Baby on Her Doorstep'--Caroline Pardee is stunned when she discovers a baby on her doorstep wrapped in a blanket with birth certificate and all.The dad?Unknowing neighbor Joseph Garcia.
The heroine came off as very 'preachy' and unlikeable.Rarely do I find the heroine unlikeable in a story, but here I was hoing the hero would wake up and take his baby and get out before it was too late.They were mismatched and it was clear why she was still unmarried and alone after 'all these years', in her words.She was a nag and preachy and acted 'holier than thou' too many times to count.
I found myself talking out loud during the book and saying things like, 'Who are you to preach?""You never had a child, get off your high horse!""Ho was he supposed to know how to take care of an infant?""At least he is trying you jerk!Leave him alone!"Agh...too 'goody-goody' for my tastes.She came off too pushy and nosey.I think the author was trying for 'strong heroine' here or whatnot, but she just read as a pushy, irritating old-maid.Sorry for the bluntness...1 star

Tracy Talley~@

Looking for a romance book... this one is for you
"A Bouquet of Babies" is a wonderful romance book that has three stories in one.Linda Howard opens the book with "The Way Home."In this story Anna and Saxon are very intimate.One day Anna has to make a decision that will, either way, change her life.Saxon, hurt by his past, is determined not to allow Anna too close.Will she succeed?It did not take me very long to become engulfed in this story.
"Family By Fate" is the second story written by Paula Detmer Riggs.I would have to rate this story close to "The Way Home."Liza and Max, total strangers, were on a skiing trip when their paths crossed.They came to know one another better, and fell in love.Later, an event happened that changed Max's life to the unexpected, but Liza knows that she can change him for the better.
In the third story, "Baby On A Doorstep," Caroline finds a baby on her doorstep by mistake.While she is searching for the father of the baby, she finds someone who she falls in love with.The problem is that he is not as willing as Caroline to be a family.
This book, "A Bouquet of Babies," is one that I would recommend to anyone that loves to read good romances.

Howard is incomparable
A BOUQUET OF BABIES is a nicely packaged anthology with stories by Linda Howard, Paula Detmer Riggs and Stella Bagwell. Not that these stories lack poignancy or anything, but Ms Howard's story spears off such emotionalpowerhoue that the other stories falter in comparison. Linda Howard isamazing with her central characters, Anna and Saxon Malone in "The WayHome" where she explores a woman's heart trapped by Saxon's facade ofimpassion. Anna loves Saxon much but finds that he has withdrawn with hispast as an orphan. Anna's pregnancy and marriage crumbles his assuringidentity as a single man, but he knows he loves Anna and is willing to makea compromise. This story will wring heartfelt compassion for Anna andtriumph when they succumb all the odds for a happy-ever-after.

The otherstory by Paula Detmer Riggs is equally heart-wrenching with Lisa and Maxembroiled in an unforgettable passion. The other by Ms. Bagwell tells ofCaroline Pardee falling in love with the father of a baby she has found.

A BOUQUET OF BABIES is worthwhile for fanatics of Ms. Howard andheart-rendering stories, but for those who have read "The WayHome" in her past books, the appeal of this book will be underminedthough.THis is not to say that the other two authors are not good - theyare equally credible. BUT with Linda Howard, she is incomparable.

great stories, high-voltage dramas, a pleasure...
When this book was delivered to me, I had no intention of reading it immediately since i wanted to reserve it for a more convenient time.But curious what Linda Howard's story would be, I scanned the pages and read the opening line of the prologue of "The Way Home."Just likethe rest of her books, the first lines jolted me and caught me reading onan on. Its an extremely absorbing and heart-wrenching story. Saxon Malonecame like an iceberg at first but as the story unfolds, i couldn't help atear. LH never wasted a word or a line. She weaves magic in all herwritings. This story is so emotinally-laden. Anna is a remarkable womanwith such unconditional love and such an irrisistible force in Malone'slife. The plot is perhaps unthinkable for Today's woman and it's albeitunconventional, but having read several of LH's books, i can say that she'sa tremendously prolific genius of a writer who hardly puts limits to herwriting.

The second story by Paula Detmer Riggs is a heart-tugging,heart-warming, and uplifting story. This is the first time that iencountered this author and i'm heavily impressed. "Family ByFate" is reminiscent of the film "An Affair To Remember."Even the poignancy of the film is carried in this story. You'll surelyadore and admire Max Savage as much as i do. He's lucky to have such aformidable heroine like Lisa. The story offers delightful scenes, lots ofinteresting characters, has a vibrant pacing, steamy, and towards the end,i got the feeling that i was reading a full-length novel. I'll definitelygrab other books from this author.

Stella Bagwell's "Baby On ADoorstep" makes an enjoyable read as well. Caroline Pardee finds ababy by mistake and in the search for the baby's father she finds ahandsome but unwilling guy.

Three in one- "A Bouquet of Babies"is a book i can recommend to anybody who loves beautiful romance.

Disappointed again...
I was so excited when I saw Linda Howard's name on the cover that I didn't notice that it's yet another reprint! This is so frustrating! When is she going to write new material rather than reprinting her old stuff! It's agreat story but still... ... Read more

Product Description
Don't even bother running for shade--these sizzling stories will keep your temperature high from cover to cover! Join "New York Times" bestselling authors for a collection of some of the hottest novels ever to come together in one volume: "Overload" by Linda Howard, "The Leopard's Woman" by Linda Lael Miller and "Lonesome Rider" by Heather Graham Pozzessere. Republished titles. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

3 good stories
I liked all three stories in this book. It made me order more books from these authors.

OK, quick reads
Overload:What a dissappointment for Linda Howard.There was a reason Elizabeth broke up with Tom - he was controlling and domineering.An extemely good reason to stay away from him.You never believed that she loved him.There wasn't a good reason to.

The Leopard's Woman:I thought this was the best of the 3.Yes, unbelievable, but very hot!I would have liked this to be a full book by itself.Miller could have made it much better, much more believable if she had expanded the background and characters.

Lonesome Rider:I'm not a fan of historical romances, but this was ok.Just like the others, unbelievable.

This is an ok book if you want some quick reads.If you are looking for some good romance fiction, look elsewhere.

Perfect Summer Romance!
Blackout by Linda Howard - Elizabeth Major was an interior designer who was just starting to break into the wealthy market.She worked out of her office in a sleek Dallas highrise across the hall from the security offices of Tom Quinlan.Elizabeth didn't know much about Tom, but she got involved with him anyway - the physical attraction between the two of them was just too much to resist!However, Elizabeth unexpectedly broke off the relationship after a short time and avoided Tom whenever possible, never even telling him why she dumped him.Unfortunately, a record heat wave left her stranded in the office building with only Tom for company.And this time, Tom was determined to discover why Elizabeth had left him...

The Leopard's Woman by Linda Lael Miller - Olivia Stillwell loved her job.She got to travel all over the world researching new scenes for her uncle's books and focus on her artistic pottery in her down time.Olivia wasn't particularly enjoying her latest assignment in Mexico, especially when her car broke down and she was kidnapped by bandits and sold to Esteban Ramirez, a wealthy rancher.Unsure of what Esteban planned to do with her, Olivia was determined to fight Esteban every step of the way.But as the hot summer days turned into sizzling siestas and sultry nights, Olivia found it more and more difficult to resist Esteban...

Lonesome Rider by Heather Graham Pozzessere - Blade McKenna lived for revenge.Ever since the soldiers had murdered his wife, their unborn child and his father, he had dedicated his life to hunting the men down, one by one.His path led him out west, where he ran into the beautiful widow Jessica Dylan, who was on her way to claim her late husband's ranch and only legacy.Jessica tried to hire Blade to work for her and protect her, but Blade's price was too high - he wanted Jessica.After a great deal of thought, Jessica agreed to his price and started a whirlwind romance between two very different people...

Summer Sensations is a typical anthology in that the stories have little, if anything in common, except hot days.I enjoyed Overload by Howard, but felt that I didn't get enough time to get to know the characters.I also felt that I entered the relationship in the middle and never really got to see the beginning or a definitive end.Still, her characters were engaging and her sex scenes were hot, as always.My favorite story was The Leopard's Woman.I am just a sucker for those domineering, hot-blooded Latino men who take what they want and spend the rest of the time persuading their women that they are right where they belong.I could definitely feel the heat coming off of the pages for this one!Lonesome Rider was also well written and I really liked the hero, but the heroine was a little too perfect for me.It was the only historical romance in the anthology and so it stuck out a bit more.I had a hard time getting into it because I was expecting another contemporary romance.Still, you can find this book at bargain prices and if you read all of the stories at separate times, I think you can appreciate each of the individual authors' strengths more fully.Recommended for fans of the authors - all stories are reprints so check your shelves before you buy!

a hot read for a summer night
Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

Overload by Linda Howard (originally published in 1993)

Elizabeth Major has her own interior design business in a sleek office building in downtown Dallas. Across the hall Tom Quinlan runs a Private Investigation office. Tom and Elizabeth had a passionate relationship not too long ago until Elizabeth suddenly cut it off for no apparent reason. One hot day in midsummer, they get stranded, alone together, from a severe blackout, trapping them within the building. They cannot resist the fire between them, so they indulge it. But can their passion for each other overcome the secrets keeping them apart? Or is there a chance beyond this one night together, in the summer heat?

Ms. Howard weaves yet another intense tale for which she is famous. This story is full of passion and sensuality. As always, her characters are skillfully rendered. The sparks between them fly off the page.

The Leopard's Woman by Linda Lael Miller (originally published in 1992)

Olivia Stillwell is in Mexico, researching details for her famous author uncle's next book. She is kidnapped and sold to Esteban Ramirez, and is confined to his ranch. Olivia is terrified of what she will be forced to do as his slave. However, from the moment she looks into his eyes, that fear slowly fades into an entirely different kind. She finds herself instead fearing losing her self, body and soul, in his embrace.

Ms. Miller has written many a passionate tale, and this is just one more. She manages to pack a lot of punch, and plot, into this short novella. The characters are intriguing, though they could stand to have a little more dimension to them. In spite of that, this was another pleasing read by her.

Lonesome Rider by Heather Graham Pozzessere (originally published in 1993)

Blade McKenna has but one desire...to avenge the horrible murders of his wife and their unborn child, and his father. Jessica Dylan is on a quest of her own. She only wishes to head west to claim the land of her late husband's ranch. From the moment these two meet on their entwined paths, they are drawn to each other. When Jessica gambles herself as the prize, and loses to Blade, they find it impossible to resist each other.

Ms. Pozzessere is an extremely talented author, a fact which is evident in this, one of her earlier works. The glimmer of her future stardom is found on every page. Her characters are beautifully created, and she delivers well on an often used plotline, making it her own.

This book is a hot one, to be enjoyed in the peak of the summer heat. Or perhaps, it should be saved for warming up a cold winter's night. This is one to be enjoyed several times over.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, 2001. All rights reserved.

Sizzle Fizzle
This collection of 3 stories was yet another attempt by Silhouette Books to recycle old stories, and it was fairly disappointing. (Stories are copyrighted 1992 and 1993).

Linda Howard's "Overload" is okay, but the plot is really thin (blackout throughout the South during a major heatwave) and not probable in that if a blackout of that magnitude had really happened, a lot of people would have been died from the heat -- ala Chicago in 1996. It's all I could think about while reading the story.It was also a lameand disappointing story from Linda Howard who has some really outstanding books under her belt.

Story 2, by Linda Lael Miller "The Leopard's Woman" was a tired, woman-is-kidnapped-and-male- lead-is-a son-of-a-gun-who-is-a-real-he-man.Give me a break! The woman was a ninny, and the plot was unbelievable, even for a fantasy.The only redeeming quality was the description of the Mexican countryside.

"Lonsome Rider" by Heather Graham Pozzessere was the best of the three, and the shortest.It wrapped up too conveniently, but the story was enjoyable.

It took me a whole week's worth of layover time in airports to get through this book, which is unusual for me.I bought this book because of Howard and Pozzessere, and I feel that it does not live up to their potential. ... Read more

Product Description
Two beloved Linda Howard novels--Midnight Rainbow and Diamond Bay--appear in a single volume. Reprint. ... Read more

Product Description

ReadHowYouWant publishes a wide variety of best selling books in Large Print and Super Large Print formats in partnership with leading publishers. EasyRead books are available in 11pt and 13pt. type. EasyRead Large books are available in 16pt, 16pt Bold, and 18pt Bold type. EasyRead Super Large books are available in 20pt. Bold and 24pt. Bold Type. You choose the format that is right for you.

The Sexual Harassment Handbook is the first book that gives you the insight to assess a sexual situation on the job and take effective action, before the lawyers are called in.

To find more titles in your Large Print or Super Large Print format, Search in Books using EasyRead and the size of the font that makes reading easier and more enjoyable for you.

Customer Reviews (3)

A valuable resource for employers, supervisors and employees
Employers are increasingly aware that sexual harassment is a problem and that they may be in for trouble if an incident happens in their workplace. However, they still struggle to understand exactly what it is and how to prevent it. In this useful manual, attorney Linda Gordon Howard explains U.S. law in plain language and provides real-life examples of sexual harassment. She points out that sexual harassment affects more than the actor or the target; it can create mistrust and poison the entire workplace atmosphere. She provides advice about investigating complaints, taking action and creating policies. getAbstract recommends this book to human resource managers and supervisors who wish to create workplaces that comply with the law and remain free of hostility.

Everything You Need To Know
As a manager of a good sized company I really needed to read Ms. Howard's book. I now keep it out in my office so everyone can see it. Sexual harassment happens a lot more often than people realize. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and now feel much more competent in handling any issues that come up. Thank you Ms. Howard for writing such an insightful and helpful book.

A Smart, Balanced Perspective
Finally, a sane approach to the subject of sexual harrassment.Far too long, we have been blinded by our emotional responses to the issue of sex in the workplace.Howard, a lawyer, brings her sharp legal mind to the topic, demonstrating that the biggest dangers are misunderstanding and miscommunication.Every HR professional should purchase this book. ... Read more

Product Description
El millonario griego Nikolas Constantinos quería cerrar rápidamente y del modo que fuera un trato de negocios con Jessica Stanton, a la que llamaban La Viuda Negra y, desde luego, el amor no formaba parte de aquel plan. Para él, el amor consistía en sexo sin compromiso, el amor llevaba al matrimonio, y el matrimonio, a Jessica, una mujer con un pasado escandaloso que podría ser su ruina. Pero el amor era algo sobre lo que él no tenía ningún control… ... Read more

Product Description
Men with the courage to protect and defend their own. In "Mackenzie's Mountain", still paying for a crime he didn't commit, Wolf Mackenzie has a chip on his shoulder the size of Wyoming. But prim-and-proper Mary Elizabeth Potter doesn't see Wolf as the dangerous man the town has branded him. Until a series of violent acts against women make the townspeople question whether Wolf has reformed - and Mary must prove his innocence. In "Mackenzie's Mission", Night Wing - the revolutionary test plane with a top-secret weapons system - was Colonel Joe Mackenzie's number-one priority. Then he discovered someone on the inside was sabotaging Night Wing, and with her late hours and specialized expertise, Caroline seemed the obvious choice. So Joe set out to discover her innocence - or guilt... ... Read more