By Any Other Name

Rating:
Summary: Easy on the eyes,
Review: Easy on the eyes and just plain fun! I had a lot of fun reading this book!

Rating:
Summary: Easy on the eyes,
Review: Easy on the eyes and just plain fun! I had a lot of fun reading this book!

Rating:
Summary: Funny, sexy, all out enjoyable read!
Review: I know what I'm getting when I pick up a MaryJanice Davidson novel. I expect a droll, sexy, no-fuss read and I am never disappointed. By Any Other Name isn't as laugh-out-loud funny as Undead and Unwed and The Royal Treatment, but it is nevertheless full of Davidson's signature bantering and lighthearted humor. But this isn't just a light romantic comedy by any stretch, it has quite an interesting and compelling plot. Erik Chambers is known to be a ruthless, savvy businessman who has lost trust in women. But when he meets Stephanie, a tall, blonde and gorgeous, not to mention insubordinate and fiercely independent woman, his life isn't the same. Erik isn't exactly Prince Charming, and Stephanie can't stand him -- that is until she falls in love with him. They try to uncover and find closure to a poignant incident surrounding Stephanie's birth while pretending that they hate each other's guts. What follows is a humorous and moving story about love, family and... going fishing?

This is a great, fun little gem. The story surrounding Stephanie's past is very touching and it compelled me to finish it up in one sitting. Erik is an earnest hero -- flawed and far more realistic than most male characters in romance novels, though he got annoying at times. Stephanie is Davidson's typically strong, independent heroine with a mind of her own and a penchant for quips. Sometimes the novel got a bit sugarcoated for my taste. I like my romance to be edgy, erotic, creative and less formulaic than the dime-a-dozen romance novels out there, and Ms. Davidson has supplied that to me. This novel has a bit of the aforementioned sweet-as-candy narrative and dialogue, but what saves it from being formulaic for me is the strong, determined heroine. I loved it. By Any Other Name is the perfect novel to read on the beach or on a hammock during sunset. Another great one from MaryJanice Davidson! Enjoy...

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable with a slight annoying touch
Review: I love Ms. Davidson's books. They have humor, they're sexy and great romance. The only thing I did not like about this book was how very naive Stephanie was and it was pretty ridiculous that she and Eric were afraid to say "I love you." Good grief they were all over each other, what do three little words mean when it should have been obvious how they both felt. But it was the heroine's actions that were really hard to take. How could anyone living in the 21st century be so unaware of what men and women do in bed. These flaws gave the book 3 stars otherwise I would have given it 5.



Rating:
Summary: 4 1/2 stars - Creative, funny, poignant and sexy!
Review: This is my first book by this author and if you like a story that keeps you on your toes this one's for you. It's a roller coaster ride of ups and downs when Stephanie learns that she is not the orphan she always believed, but that her father is alive and well. And then she learns that Erik, the man she has developed a very reluctant attraction to, is the one man who can take her to meet her father. Their relationship is stormy to say the least, but an undeniable attraction lurks just below the surface.

Erik is rude, arrogant, bitter and ruthless but he's also incredibly handsome and sexy. Stephanie is no wimp and she's not intimidated by him in the least. But she also discovers that he has a keen sense of humour and is capable of an unexpected kindness that begins to grow on her. For Erik's part, he has become a bit protective of the optimistic, lively and open Stephanie, for he knows only too well how cold her father can be. His protective instincts surprise him and he discovers that he will do anything to keep her from being hurt. But he also knows that she needs to know the awful truth. At least he can be there for her when she confronts it!

But all is not what it seems, and there are twists in this story that you likely won't anticipate. Erik certainly doesn't, as he confronts her father with the declaration that he has come to care for "... one of the characters in this little psycho-drama you've created and we're both tired of the lies." But can they handle the truth? I won't spoil it by saying more, but suffice it to say that this is one convoluted and sad situation! Can anything good come from it? YES!

MaryJanice Davidson is an author that I will definitely be keeping my eye on and look forward to reading more from! A recommended read!

Rating:
Summary: 4 1/2 stars - Creative, funny, poignant and sexy!
Review: This is my first book by this author and if you like a story that keeps you on your toes this one's for you. It's a roller coaster ride of ups and downs when Stephanie learns that she is not the orphan she always believed, but that her father is alive and well. And then she learns that Erik, the man she has developed a very reluctant attraction to, is the one man who can take her to meet her father. Their relationship is stormy to say the least, but an undeniable attraction lurks just below the surface.

Erik is rude, arrogant, bitter and ruthless but he's also incredibly handsome and sexy. Stephanie is no wimp and she's not intimidated by him in the least. But she also discovers that he has a keen sense of humour and is capable of an unexpected kindness that begins to grow on her. For Erik's part, he has become a bit protective of the optimistic, lively and open Stephanie, for he knows only too well how cold her father can be. His protective instincts surprise him and he discovers that he will do anything to keep her from being hurt. But he also knows that she needs to know the awful truth. At least he can be there for her when she confronts it!

But all is not what it seems, and there are twists in this story that you likely won't anticipate. Erik certainly doesn't, as he confronts her father with the declaration that he has come to care for "... one of the characters in this little psycho-drama you've created and we're both tired of the lies." But can they handle the truth? I won't spoil it by saying more, but suffice it to say that this is one convoluted and sad situation! Can anything good come from it? YES!

MaryJanice Davidson is an author that I will definitely be keeping my eye on and look forward to reading more from! A recommended read!