Rating: 
Summary: Awesome Novel!!
Review: I would definently recommend this novel to anyone who wants to escape into a world of romance and true love. This novel was very well written, and very suspenseful at some parts. It is a very good novel, and I would recommend it a thousand times!!
Rating:
Summary: Really liked this book. A great read
Review: Red Roses Mean Love is a fun and endearing first novel from promising author Jacquie D???Alessandro. After being jilted by her fianc??, orphan Hayley Albright has given up any dreams of romance to care for her younger siblings. When she rescues Lord Stephen Barrett from a failed assassination attempt, she hardly expects to fall for the handsome man who claims to be penniless tutor Stephen Barrettson. But as he convalesces in the warm family environment Hayley has created, he soon seems like an indispensable family member. Wealthy and powerful Lord Barrett thinks it a fine idea to convalesce undercover at Hayley???s modest but charming country home while he investigates who could be trying to kill him. A jaded rake who doesn???t trust any woman, Stephen believes himself immune to Hayley???s innocent charm and especially to her loopy family???s unconventional way of doing things. Convincing himself that he feels nothing, he nevertheless falls under the spell of the delightful Albright family while discovering feelings he never knew he had. Hayley is in love with Stephen but her own secret makes her hold back at first. Then the revelation of Stephen???s true identity and his deceit is devastating. Stephen storms back to London. How will they be reunited? D???Alessandro treats us to several inventive plot twists that surprise and entertain. It is lovely to watch Stephen transform from a cynical nobleman to a down to earth person finally able to trust in another person???s goodness. Hayley, however, is too angelic. She needs a flaw, however minor, to humanize her. Supporting characters are funny and charming, like Hayley???s outspoken little sister Callie and the family???s hilarious motley servants Grimsley and Winston. Former sailor Winston always has a funny phrase to express his surprise, such as ???Drop me from the crow???s nest and feed me to the fishes!??? Other comic elements include Stephen???s inability to ever get his romantic rival Jeremy Popplemore???s name right. Popplemore becomes Poppledard, Popplepuss, Popplecart, etc., depending on how annoyed with him Stephen is at the moment. This is a funny, very entertaining first novel with colorful characters, heartfelt love and a nice plot that holds the reader???s interest.
Rating:
Summary: D'Alessandro Means You'll Love It
Review: I've just completed both of Ms. D'Alessandro's novels and have to say that she is a rising Star in the Romance genre. This her first novel is a wonderful story that had all the elements I look for. Handsome hero, Lord Stephen, only our heroine Hayley ALbright doesn't know it. She thinks he's just a tutor who was wounded as a result of a botched robbery. The truth is he has just narrowly escaped the second attempt on his life and doesn't trust anyone. Narrowly escaped and survived, thanks to Hayley who comes upon his wounded body and nurses him back to health.
The Albright household, is just superb with characters you'll just fall in love with. This book is a definite keeper. Loved it.
Rating: 
Summary: OK but not memorable
Review: No doubt if anyone bothers, I shall receive a few "not helpfuls" for this review. Usually I only comment on books I really enjoyed or those which sadly disappointed me, having expected much better. Based on the comments here about RRML, I expected rather more of this book and it did not, in my view, add up to much more than a reasonable read and an average first effort. However, there is too much about it that smacks of first book and sloppy editing. Sometimes I think that editors deserve more criticism than writers for the sometimes silly final results we see in romantic historical fiction. The problem with RRML is that it is full of silly little errors which either the author or editor should have picked up. These add up to enormous distraction. Some examples of this are met on the very first page of the book. The setting is described as a pine forest with the sounds of chirping crickets. Pine forests do not and did not exist on the "outskirts" of London (try the Scottish Highlands for that!) and crickets do not feature in the natural fauna like they do in the author's home of Georgia. A "three piece orchestra" is referred to; it should be a string trio. A house has "tall Palladian windows"; the house is a brick London townhouse. Palladian architectural style is really best used in connection with large country mansions. The main characters get married in St Paul's Cathedral rather than their own parish churches as required then under English canon and secular law. The silliest folly is in suggesting that a woman could, by writing short stories, afford to keep a large family. Jane Austen received only pin money (perhaps only £100 or so) for Pride and Prejudice. Writing during the Regency era was not a career option which would provide any sort of reasonable income for either men or women. Even Sir Walter Scott had a day job! I could go on and on. Unfortunately, the above merely accentuates the problems with the story because the characters cannot rise above them. Hayley Albright and Stephen Barrett are very one dimensional cardboard cutouts. They don't really seem to have adult emotions, conflicts or feelings. The peripheral characters, especially the old family retainers, are burlesques of reality. The conversational language used by the H/H and virtually everyone else is out of synch with the time period the author wishes to place them in. They are all boisterous, they flop and plop into chairs, their hearts "slam against their ribs"; words "erupt from his lips like steam from a boiling kettle". Sorry this is just to silly to swallow! The plot line is not too bad although mixing a murder with the slapstick behaviour of the main characters is jarring and I was left not sure if the author was writing a comedy or a mystery. The book was plainly a labour of love - look at all of the thanks and so on the author has included. But, she needs to get a grip on her research, make sure she has a better understanding of the physicallity of her timeframe and settings and learn to round out her characters into people one can believe in (and care about). Unfortunately, I had to force myself to read this book to the end and although it was pleasant enough, the errors and lack of sharp development was annoying and in the end I was just simply bored. When I think what Carla Kelly or Mary Balogh or Edith Layton can do with a 60 page short story in terms of characterisation, conflict and plot development, I wondered why everyone seems so taken with this book. It is, ultimately, at least 100 pages too long. C+ for the author for a first effort; D- for the editor.
Rating:
Summary: Good Book
Review: R.R.M.L. is overall a charming and an entertaining read. I specially enjoyed reading about the meanings/definitions and origins of different kinds of flower. I never thought about these things and now it made me want to learn more about it. Interesting, indeed. I admit, the initial plot was somewhat thin for my liking. Also, I find the mystery twist a bit too predictable. However, the detailed and lovable characters made up for this fluff. In my opinion, both Stephen and Hayley are interesting couple. They have their flaws, which I prefer to have in all my hero/heroine. Their flaws makes them more realistic in my eye. Stephen is cold, arrogant, impulsive and very detach. He grew up with rules and propriety. His family was too stiff that touching was even considered improper. Showing of emotions or giving compliments wasn't encourage, instead it's considered inappropriate... And then he met Hayley and her family. They made him feel different. He felt something new/strange emotions he had never felt before. This confuses him that is why he makes lots of annoying decisions. Meanwhile, Hayley grew up in a loving home. Her parents died and left her to carry on the responsibility for her family. So that puts a lot of burden in her life... since then, she merely went on and forgot her own happiness. Yes, she is a bit too good hearted, too forgiving perhaps. Normally, I would hate a heroine like this but in Hayley's case, I understand her character. I understand why she forgives and accepts Stephen too quickly. I think this is mostly because she is very lonely and very much in love. She took care of everyone and have forgotten her needs until Stephen fired that "Longings"... Finally, here is a man who makes her feel pretty, makes her feel special. Despite the misunderstandings and Stephens insensitivities towards her, she can't deny the way she feels for him. I think it takes a lot of courage for someone to be so open and honest about their feelings despite the consequences. Her honesty made me admire her more. No pretentious for Hayley. I love you and that is that. Aside from the primary characters, I love each and every one of the secondary characters in this book. Their conversations, their antics and the humors (although, there were some humor that got kindda old towards the end) will warm your heart and will make u smile. I love the sweet and innocent Callie the most. Her tea parties and her heart warming words. Indeed, A child's love can touch and soften even the most hardened heart. The ending of this book was charming but there were parts I find a bit too unimaginable---the abrupt improved changes of Stephen's parents and Gregory's all of a sudden change from being a drunk to a well, responsible man... hmmm... I would think this kind of change takes more than just couple of months! Nevertheless, this book is worthy of your time. Lots of laugh, smile and sigh. Jacquie D' Alessandro was suggested to me by two of my Amazon friends. Her book ratings were mostly high so I went out and bought two of her works. I wasn't disappointed at all. I've read and enjoyed the WHIRLWIND WEDDING just as much as this one, RED ROSES MEAN LOVE. I do believe Ms. D'Alessandro have lots of potentials. She is indeed talented and I will buy more of her works in the future.
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