Whisper to the Stars is a vintage-contemporary romance that revolves around a trope hard to find nowadays: unrequited love. It starts out strong, with the promise of a deeply moving emo story. And it delivers, up to a point. Then it falters. Somewhere in the middle, it loses sight of what a romance is supposed to do: to engage and enthrall the reader. 2 1/2 stars
As long as I have memory, Tiffany White’s Forbidden Fantasy is a book I will never forget reading. Hopefully, if you pick it up, you’ll feel the same way, just for a slightly different reason. 4 stars
Debbie Macomber’s Country Bride was my introduction to this hugely popular author. I’m ashamed to admit that although I’ve read a handful of her Harlequins, I had no idea that Debbie Macomber was such a commercial hit with her small-town romances. Up until recently, I had no clue that she’s got a whopping 200 million books in print and has written several movies for the Hallmark channel. 4 1/2 stars
I have to give it JoAnn Ross for her book Tangled Hearts, in that she tried to do something unique in a category romance novel. It’s just unfortunate for me that I didn’t like where she went with it. 1.5 Stars
Bride at Whangatapu includes the hallmarks of almost every one of Robyn Donald’s books: the environment of New Zealand and a cruel hero. 2 Stars
Anne Mather’s No Gentle Possession consists of two plot points: separated lovers and cheating. The hero and heroine briefly dated in the past and she broke it off when his relationship with his young stepmother was a bit too close for comfort and creepy. 4 Stars
Trust in Tomorrow by Carole Mortimer (also known as Cherish Tomorrow) offers an engaging romance between its main characters. Sadly, the overall plot suffers from implausibility and a lack of emotional depth. 2.5 stars
Harlequin Temptation #288 Forever Mine, Valentine by Vicki Lewis Thompson, sequel to Be Mine, Valentine, and St Valentine weilds Cupid’s bow and arrow to great success. 4 1/2 stars
In Anne Mather’s The Waterfalls of the Moon the teenaged heroine is in pursuit of a much older man, but the hero’s not taking what she’s offering so easily. 3.5 stars
Harlequin Romance #3026 Game Plan Rosemary Hammond An ultra-macho football coach pursues a buttoned-down young, college professor. 3 1/2 Stars
