Abduction & Seduction

Rating:
Summary: A definite mixed bag, but worth a read
Review: First of all, please ignore the hokey cover of this book. The publishing house tried to have their cake and eat it too -- they wanted the "thrill of abduction" on the cover, thus the woman being carried off -- but they also couldn't make it seem "scary" or realistic so the lady and her pretty-boy abductor are grinning like fools at each other. It just comes off as a bit forced and surreal.

Once you get inside, you will see there are three selections in this book: "Redbird" by Diana Palmer, "The Bluest Eyes in Texas" by Joan Johnston, and "The Bounty" by Rebecca Brandewyne.

I enjoyed "Redbird" the most because the characters and the situation they found themselves in were believable. The author did not gloss over the possible consequences of the kidnapping, and instead worked with it. I also believed that the two would actually want to be together and make their marriage work by the end. Finally, I really liked the hero, a must for me to truly enjoy a romance story. While he could be rash, he is really a big lovable bear, with the nice twist of not being a ladykiller in his behavior. He is a good mix of Alpha and Beta characteristics.

"The Bluest Eyes in Texas" was OK, but it was over-the-top cliched with Ranger Burr Covington being obsessed with the social-economic differences between him and the governor's daughter, Lindsey Major, and especially with her blue eyes. I realize it's the title, but Johnston relied on the "blue eyes" theme to the point of annoyance. Considering the abruptness of the ending and the fact that I didn't believe for one minute Covington would have really proposed that soon, she could have deleted half of the references to "blue eyes" and saved the words for more character development and a better ending.

I liked "Bounty" the least. While it has the hottest sex scenes, I simply did not like Rafer Starr. He is a cliched Alpha-bad boy character. He sees "strong" Hayley Harper and immediately wants to "tame" her down, like some sort of house pet. This story also relied far too heavily on sexual chemistry and simply did not make me believe the characters were compatible for anything more than a roll in the hay by the time the story ended.

I felt that Palmer ("Redbird") did the best with the short format the authors were restricted to, and made the most of the space she had to create a more realistic romance. "The Bluest Eyes in Texas" would have benefited from more space to make the story less one-dimensional and allow for a richer, fuller maturation of the characters' relationship and especially a better ending. "The Bounty" would have not been any better with more space, just longer. Rafer Starr is simply not a likable character. His attitude is, "Sure honey, we can have a partnership. As long as I'm always in charge and you let me take care of you!"

Rating:
Summary: GREAT CATCH UP STORY OF HANK - LONG TALL TEXANS
Review: I do agree - Hank's story should have been longer -- but it was still excellent.

Hank Shoeman, of the Desperado Rock group and song writer, is being spied upon, probably by a sensation seeking reporter in his Colorado retreat.

He is going to protect Amanda Sutton [of Sutton's Way] from the press as she is having a difficult time with her pregnancy.

He grins, as he decides to abduct the reporter. A snow storm is coming down the mountain at the time and after he, a big bear of a man - 6 foot 5, carries Poppy O'Brien into his cabin an avalanch takes out the power - oh boy, no electricity.

Strangely, Poppy does not feal physically threatened by Hank. He does try to convince her to exercise sexual freedom but she refuses. She is waiting for a husband and marriage. [good for her - she is one gutsy lady]

Their pathway to love does have its humorous side - for the truly romantic this is one great story. Of Love, Tolerance, and Acceptance. For one not exactlly handsome man, he got one great lady! Hank's description and dilemma is well worth the read.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED as are most of D.'s stories - a great addition to the Long, Tall Texans series.

Rating:
Summary: good but too short a story
Review: I enjoyed this story the best of the ones in this book. I was disappointed that it was so short. I think that it could have been a full-length novel instead of the short story that it is. I would like to see her give the other bandmembers their stories also, perhaps Ms. Palmer could have her own book of short stories based on the band

Rating:
Summary: DEFINITELY A FOUR STAR STORY
Review: The Bluest Eyes in Texas leaves a lot to be desired - Too much repetition about the lavender eyes.
The characters of Burr Covington and fellons were great and Lindsay Major was not too bad but......
The plot of the story is not too bad but then again not enough.
Is not one of her better stories -- would not care to read again.
Alright to read once. Ho, hum, back to bed hopping!

Rating:
Summary: THE BOUNTY - GREAT STORY
Review: The Bounty is a great story about strong characters.
Haley Harper is a stong woman, except when it comes to her hormones. She is after the bounty.
Rafer Starr, of Shooting Starr, Incorporated, is a renowned bounty hunter. Admired even by Haley's dad, a bounty hunter in his own right.

The bounty on Dolan Pike is 25,000 dollars. Haley needs this bounty to keep her one woman organization going. She certainly is not going to brook any interference from Starr.

Except, wouldn't you know, Starr turns the tables on her and abducts her. Therein lies a great short story. Haley is not given much choice except to work with Starr. Of course, the hormones kick in and the attraction escalates.

If she is pushing 40, how many kids does she think she can have?
Both want children but whoa, they sure better hurry up.
Any chance of finding out in a later story??????????

Definitely recommended if you like kick butt action.