Holly

Name: Holly
Author: Jude Deveraux
Pages: 277
Start Date: March 2
Finish Date: March 4
Type: Romance; Hardback
Status: Library; 6th Taggert Book
Rating:

Summary:A relentless campaign by phone, letter, and email has persuaded Hollander Latham's parents to purchase the home of her dreams: Spring Hill, a beautiful North Carolina plantation where Holly spent her memorable thirteenth summer. Now a successful architect, Holly is intent on reuniting with Spring Hill's neighbor and her love from that long-ago summer, wealthy heir Laurence Beaumont -- she dreams of working her way into Lorrie's heart while restoring his historic estate, Belle Chere. But as Christmas fast approaches, Nick Taggert -- a mysterious stranger who makes her laugh and tempts her with a surprising passion -- turns her plans upside down. One man can seduce her with fortune and privilege; the other can promise her the simple gift of love. And on a frost-covered Christmas night, Holly's choice will unmask astonishing truths and hidden dangers -- revelations that will forever change her charmed life and her vulnerable heart.

My Review: There ain't much to say. I think the main characters hit it off way to fast and it didn't seem real. Holly was a little idiotic and Nick made the Taggerts look bad. In places it moved to fast but then some thoughts seemed to go on forever. Not Jude's best... but a good quickie.

Exert: "Sorry, sir. Moonlight. Old friend who's grown into a beautiful woman." - pg. 149

Cover/Title: I'd have rather seen the Belle Chere. So-so name. Could have been better

Extras: X

~ The Clumsy Reader aka Christine

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The Raider

Name: The Raider
Author: Jude Deveraux
Pages: 338
Start Date: Feb. 17
Finish Date: Feb. 18
Type: Romance; Softback
Status: Library; 8th in the Montgomery Series; 1st in the Taggert Series
Rating:

Summary:
Jude Deveraux continues her beloved Montgomery saga in America with this dramatic, passion-filled tale of rebellion and love -- a breathtaking adventure to be savored all over again -- or discovered for the first time!The Raider In colonial New England, the British are hunting a fearless, masked patriot whose daring foils them at every turn. He's known simply as the Raider. Jessica Taggert, a proud-tempered beauty, thrills to the Raider's scorching midnight embrace, but despises Alexander Montgomery, the drunken town buffoon. In truth, the cleverly disguised Montgomery lives two lives...and only his triumph over the hated Redcoats will free him, at last, to know the full pleasure of Jessica's love.

My Review:I had this wanting to read a romance and here is what i picked up. And it satisfied me. It is a good book, in where the story might be familair, it takes on a less dramatic, and more historical feel. But the, quote, 'love' that the main characters suposedly have just didn't seem firey enough for me. Jess is fire-ball when she gets mad, but as the 'Raider' starts taking her clothes off, she chatters. It was a little like," Uh, chick, please get in the mood other wise your are going to put Jude to shame." And she almost did. Put Jude to shame I mean. But that's ok, because, you really needs more of that? LOL

Exert: Sorry, the book went back before I got one!


~ The Clumsy Reader aka Christine

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Twin of Ice

Name: Twin of Ice
Author: Jude Deveraux
Pages: 303
Start Date: February 14
Finish Date: February 15
Type: Adult Romance; Paperback
Status: Library; 1st in the Chandler Twins Series; 2nd in the Taggert series
Rating:

Summary:Happily betrothed to Dr. Lee Westfield, Houston is every bit the good girl she was raised to be. So when faced with Kane Taggert's brash marriage proposal, Houston is outwardly shocked. But beneath her gracious demeanor lies a woman of hidden longings -- and her defenses begin to melt the second this rugged stranger touches his hungry lips to hers.

My Review: AwwwwwAhhhh!!!!! That was my reaction when I finished this book! LOL I really didn't want it to end. This is one of Jude's better books. And it has a twist: The other book Twin of Fire is, like,what i call a 'side car book' because it's the other side of the story. Like, in this book there is part when the other twin comes in and she is saying something about 'Indians' but you never find out what! Well, read Fire and you will. Well, I still need to read it too. Anywho, this is also about how the 'marble mansion' in Colorado got built and why. (In the other Mont. boooks they usally mention it). And, just good ol' love story that makes you curl your toes. Read.

Exert:"I got all a man can ask for," Kane said, moving to his side. "I got a naked woman in my arms she's smilin' at me." He put his big thigh between hers. "Hey, lady, you wanta get tumbled by the stableboy?" She rubbed her hips against his. "Only if he's very gentle and doesn't frighten me with his barbarian ways." Kane gave a grunt as his mouth followed his hand. "When a man wants somethin', he uses a gun or a knife, but, honey, the weapons you scare me to death." "You look terrified," she said, as she took his ear lobe between her teeth...... -pg. 258-259







~ The Clumsy Reader aka Christine

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Forever...

Name: Forever... A novel of good and evil, love and hope
Author: Jude Deveraux
Pages: 359
Start Date: February 7
Finish Date: February 8
Type: Romantic Supernatural Mystery; Hardback
Status: Library; 1st in the Forever Trilogy/ #18 in the Montgomery Series
Rating:

Summary: Darci Monroe overcame a childhood of neglect with an ebullient spirit, a positive attitude...and extraordinary determination. Now the resourceful young woman, hired as Adam Montgomery's personal assistant, devotes more than just professional attention to this devastatingly handsome millionaire. But one thing bars Adam from accepting Darci's love: he is intent on discovering the secret of his parents' disappearance, for she possesses the otherworldly abilities needed to help him fight a terrifying mistress of the dark arts. What Darci ends up offering is a gift greater than Adam ever hoped for, for Darci loves with all her heart, and all her soul, forever...

My Review: My mother had the 2nd book so we both read this and both got the same result: Disappointment. This is a bad book compared to Jude's other books. It was cute and funny and a little misterious but it was VeRy flat and so irritating. And it had THE WORST ending! It needed about another 30+ pages and she needed to forget writing 2 more books. And I'll tell you right now, in the other 2 SHE DOES NOT FIND ADAM!!!! and there is no inkling of there be any more books in series. The only reason that this get 3 daises is because I am imagining the end of this book is 'the end'. Truthfully I couldn't wait for this to be over, and will not be reading the others.

Exert: For a moment, Daci had a vision of transforming herself into Awesome Woman, creature of massive strength, and pulling stones from the walls and bombarding his head with them. But when Adam turned back to look at her she smiled sweetly and finished her third candy bar. ~ pg. 73

~ The Clumsy Reader aka Christine

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Wishes

Name: Wishes
Author: Jude Deveraux
Pages: 278
Start Date: January 24
Finish Date: January 25
Type: Romance; Paperback
Status: Library; Montgomery Book 12
Rating:

Summary: Jace Montgomery was a stranger in Chandler. Tall, proud, and ruggedly handsome, he would make any woman's heart beat faster...Even shy, sweet Nellie Grayson -- Nellie, who thought only of her beautiful younger sister's happiness. With Nellie's tireless aid, Terel Grayson easily became the belle of Chandler, Colorado.Yet Jace, homesick for his closeknit family in Maine, took immediately to Nellie. For the first time, Nellie was the center of attention. It was a heady, delightful feeling...almost as wonderful as the moment when Jace gave her her very first kiss.Nellie was sure her romantic idyll would end -- how long could Jace resist the lovely Terel's charms? But with the help of an enchanting new friend, Nellie would discover that her flirtatious sister might not be the woman to win the gallant Jace Montgomery....

My Review: I didn't really have any inkling to read this but then my mom read the part about the "Kitchen". It's in the first 20 pages, and after she read it had to, too! I promise you will read the beginning and then you won't want to put this book down till you have finished it!!!! It has Kane & Huston Taggert which are in "Twin of Ice" also by Jude, which I am planning to read, but from his book I already love them.(Also there is a book about Jace's parents). But anyway, you can't help but feel sorry for Nellie, love Jace, despise Tara, and laugh at Berni. The only bump for me was that, it's great that Jace loves Nellie from 1st sight but it didn't click as real for me. I'm a more "over time(and short by that) you realize you love them" kind of person, then a "BOOM, I am going to marry that person";And Jace is definitely the latter. But this is an adorable book, so sit down with some pie and enjoy this book that has love, laughter, and a perfect ending!

Exert:"Ah, men like obedience. Nellie, let me give you a little advice from somebody who's known a few men. I don't know if you've heard this or not, but there's a saying that a man's best friend is a dog and that diamonds are a girl's best friend. Man's best is a dog because that's what he wants a woman to be: a dog. He wants a pretty little wife, preferably blonde, who will do whatever he wants, when he wants it. He wants to able to say, 'Come on, let's go,' and she'll get up, tail a-waggin', and follow him. He doesn't want her to ask questions about where or when or how, and he does not want her to have an opinion. For a woman, she's found out that she can trust something like diamonds because they don't run around all night, nor do they constantly point out how she should behave."

~ The Clumsy Reader aka Christine

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A Knight in Shining Armor

Name: A Knight in Shining Armor
Author: Jude Deveraux
Pages: 464
Start Date: January 3
Finish Date: January 4
Type: Adult Time Travel, Romance; Paperback
Status: Library ;Montgomery Book 16
Rating:

Summary: Vacationing in England with her lover, Robert, and his spoiled teenage daughter, heroine Dougless Montgomery is abandoned by them in a remote country churchyard near the tomb of Nicholas Stafford, an earl who died in 1564. Almost immediately, an armor-clad swashbuckler materializes--Nicholas himself, reincarnated in the 20th century to clear his reputation, having been unjustly convicted of treason. Intrigued by his plight, Dougless agrees to help Nicholas learn his accuser's identity and restore his good name. They become lovers, and their adventures briefly lead Dougless back to the 1560s, allowing Deveraux to portray that period from a contemporary woman's perspective, as well as 1988 through the eyes of a confounded Elizabethan nobleman. Well-detailed historical highlights and a heartwarming conclusion will enhance the novel's commercial appeal to Deveraux fans!

My Review: OMG! I loved this book! Both my grandma and mother said I had to read it so I did. And I loved it! I cried a few times but that just shows me even more that it was good. I have read another one of Jude's "time-travel" romances (Legend) and this one was just as good! NO, wait, even better!!! After reading this, i thought about finding a guy, make him dump me, then cry for a Knight in Shining Armor, because i would looooooovvvvvvvveeeeeee to have a Nicholas!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL I can't give this book enough praise!

Exert: " He held her face in his hands. 'Only you have I loved, my Dougless. No other woman. Only you.'
She felt it then. She felt his body was no longer solid in her arms. 'Nicholas,' she yelled in fear. He kissed her again softly, but with all the yearning and wanting and desire and need he felt for her. ' I'm going with you,' she said. 'Take me with you. God!' she screamed. 'Let me go with him!' 'Dougless," Nicholas said, and his voice was far away, 'Dougless, my love.'........ Dougless ran to him, but she couldn't reach him. A streak of sunlight came through the windows and flashed off his armor. And then there was nothing. For one hideous moment, Dougless stood and stared at the tomb; then she put her hands to her ears and screamed, a scream such as no human had ever uttered before. The old stone walls vibrated with the sound, the windows quivered and the tomb...The tomb just lay there, silent and cold.
Dougless collapsed to the floor." - pgs. 251-252

Cover/Title: I like the cover because that's really where everything BIG happens. And the title has no flaws in it what-so-ever.

~ The Clumsy Reader aka Christine

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