A Great Catch

Rating:
Summary: I'm hooked on Ms. Jerott!!
Review: A friend turned me on to Michelle Jerott recently and boy, am I grateful! In the same contemporary romance vein as the author's also terrific All Night Long, A Great Catch is simply a great romance novel about the growing/changing relationship between two adults with history, and personal baggage to deal with. Quite simply, THIS is the kind of book that makes me read romance. These are the kinds of relationships I want to read about, the kinds of people I care about, and root for.

Luke and Tessa are terrific, well-developed imperfect characters - gasp, they're humans! I've seen some reviews comment negatively about Luke's persistence in pursuing Tessa and suggest that it smacks of sexual harassment since he is her boss. I would like to humbly suggest that those reviewers reread this book, because I think they missed the point. To me, these two characters were very clear about wanting each other, and about wanting to fight the attraction. When Tessa rejects Luke, it's not because she really doesn't want him. It's because she doesn't WANT to want him. There's a huge chasm in my mind between this type of tension-building relationship tango and sexual harassment.

Because of the "will they-won't they" dance going on, the sexual tension in this book is HOT. Actually, so is the sex once they get around to having it. The buildup of tension and earthy, honest quality of the exchanges reminded me of Susan Andersen, which I mean as a compliment.

I can't remember the last time I enjoyed reading a contemporary romance more than A Great Catch, unless it was when I read Ms. Jerott's All Night Long. I'm looking forward to catching up with Absolute Trouble.

I hope Ms. Jerott's publishing woes with Avon don't continue because she is an author to watch who deserves a devoted following, and a spot on keeper shelves everywhere. And Avon, PLEASE kill the horrible covers which have no resemblance to the actual characters! What are you thinking?!

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful, sizzling new contemporary by Michelle Jerott!
Review: A Great Catch by Michelle Jerott Review by Barb Deane, Barb's All Romance Book Store

Michelle Jerott's third book, her latest Avon contemporary, is entitled A Great Catch. What a perfect title for this book - be sure not to miss this one!

A Great Catch is set in and around Milwaukee, Wisconsin but most of the action takes place on the Taliesen, a grand old steamer that has been reconditioned and newly christened as a cruise ship travelling Lake Michigan between Milwaukee, Chicago, and various ports in Michigan. Something about drama on the high seas, even when the "sea" is one of our great lakes, takes the overall level of intensity up a notch from the very first pages of this book. And of course, throw in great characters as well and you have a riveting story.

Tessa Jardine has been hired on as the First Mate of the Taliesen, the kind of job she has been dreaming of since her early academy days and throughout her career in shipping. Being a woman, and a young woman at that, has never been easy in her male world, but Tessa has learned to deal with the snide remarks and sexist jokes. What she didn't expect to deal with, however, is the fact that Lucas Hall is the Taliesen's captain. Not only was Lucas her first lover before leaving her high and dry, more than ten years ago, he is also the man responsible for the death of Tessa's younger brother Matt in one of Lake Michigan's greatest shipping disasters.

Lucas Hall has had a hell of a life. His work in the Coast Guard was not only challenging but, at times, overwhelming. Being the closest thing to a cop on water, he dealt with all of mankind's evils and inhumanities while keeping the various shores of our country safe. While visiting the Coast Guard station while on vaction, Lucas ends up commanding the rescue attempt on the McKee, which exploded and sank, plunging five men to their deaths on the bottom of Lake Michigan. When given the chance, he becomes the captain of the Taliesen to face his fears and continuing nightmares in an attempt to redeem himself and lay old ghosts to rest. However, having Tessa as his first mate, and the close quarters that come with life on board, does nothing for his peace of mind.

Michelle has created very realistic, believable characters who are both drawn together and pulled apart by life and circumstance. Their struggle to find a way through the pain and past the protocol of shipboard romance is well crafted and, often, heart wrenching. Carefully drawn suspense elements add to the sexual tension and on-going conflicts to create a sizzling page-turner. Truly, this is a book you should not miss - positively A Great Catch.

Rating:
Summary: CATCH IT WHILE YOU CAN
Review: AFTER her sophomore effort in ALL NIGHT LONG, Michelle Jerott steers new frontier with the romantic suspense A GREAT CATCH. Her maiden voyage in narrating a tale between Lucas Hall and Tessa Jardine is buoyant and gripping. Ms. Jerott gives readers a pleasant surprise as she launches into great details in navigation, ships and her description in Tailesen is simply vividly detailed. Tessa Jardine and Lucas Hall after a short affair reunites and chemistry flies like that of the past. However shadows obliterate their romance as Tessa comes to terms with the death of her brother Matt caused by the alledged Lucas in a submarine mishap, while Lucas battle with the demons of his guilt. His job as a erstwhile coastguard makes his life even more complexed as he faces the traumas of death in the past.

Ms. Jerott's writing is powerfully raw, engaging and majestic as the liner charting new frontiers. The romance is sensuous and heartbreaking, complimented by an aura of vulnerability in the two flawed characters. Meanwhile, the mystery and suspense falters in contrast to ALL NIGHT LONG, where the beguiling chase and threat notes starts only until half of the story is told. However, Ms. Jerott gives readers a blasting finale where Lucas must face his own battle by rescuing the beleagueredpassengers on Taliesen. It excites and pulsates.

A GREAT CATCH is indubitably catchy and a must-read for romance fanatics for the waves of emotions amid troubled waters and the irresistibly sexy heroes and heroines. This voyage anchors her firmly to the grounds and establish her as a fine writer.

Rating:
Summary: A romance to last a lifetime!!!!
Review: I have wrote reviews about books being good and given them 5 stars, but boy I didn't know what a good book was until I read A Great Catch. This could have been just about a love story between two people with a past, but it was so much more than that. There were a dozen stories going on in this book that all tied together. The mystery was Excellent and helped define the characters. Instead of it being a simple mystery of trying to figure out 'who is behind the threatening notes' it became more about 'what the notes mean' and none of the mystery took away from the powerful and hot love story between Lucas and Tessa. If anything the mystery added to it. All of the characters in this book were well written, even the crew on the boat. This is one darn fine book that I will enjoy reading again and again.

Rating:
Summary: Best Book Ever!
Review: I have wrote reviews about books being good and given them 5 stars, but boy I didn't know what a good book was until I read A Great Catch. This could have been just about a love story between two people with a past, but it was so much more than that. There were a dozen stories going on in this book that all tied together. The mystery was Excellent and helped define the characters. Instead of it being a simple mystery of trying to figure out 'who is behind the threatening notes' it became more about 'what the notes mean' and none of the mystery took away from the powerful and hot love story between Lucas and Tessa. If anything the mystery added to it. All of the characters in this book were well written, even the crew on the boat. This is one darn fine book that I will enjoy reading again and again.

Rating:
Summary: This Was A Great Book
Review: I read this book in one sitting it was so good.

Tessa Jardine is a 1st mate on a new boat that cruises the Great Lakes area. Her new Captian is someone from Tessa's past. Lucas Hall was Tessa's lover 10 years ago and he is back but there are things in his past that torment the handsome Captain that he must overcome. One of these things is the role he played in a tragedy that is connected to Tessa.

Both try to play it cool and pretend that there was no connection to each other, but they are both drawn to each other since the feelings that they had for each other 10 years past are still very prevelant.

This was a great story full of the things that make Michelle Jerrott such a wonderful author. Tension, complex relationships, and wonderfully steamy love scenes will keep you turning the pages. A really wonderful way to spend a day.

Rating:
Summary: This Was A Great Book
Review: I read this book in one sitting it was so good.

Tessa Jardine is a 1st mate on a new boat that cruises the Great Lakes area. Her new Captian is someone from Tessa's past. Lucas Hall was Tessa's lover 10 years ago and he is back but there are things in his past that torment the handsome Captain that he must overcome. One of these things is the role he played in a tragedy that is connected to Tessa.

Both try to play it cool and pretend that there was no connection to each other, but they are both drawn to each other since the feelings that they had for each other 10 years past are still very prevelant.

This was a great story full of the things that make Michelle Jerrott such a wonderful author. Tension, complex relationships, and wonderfully steamy love scenes will keep you turning the pages. A really wonderful way to spend a day.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Book
Review: I'm pleased to see Michelle Jerott is continuing her pattern of writing keepers. This is a sweet and sexy story that I finished in a day. The chemistry between Tessa and Lucas is set in motion on the first few pages and builds throughout. There are factors plaguing their relationship, but they build interest. Add humor, an undercurrent of mystery and danger, and all this equals a great book

Rating:
Summary: A one-sitting read!
Review: If you have read Michelle Jerott's previous two books you really don't need to read what I want to say about her newest offering. You already know that she writes romances with heroes and heroines who are just that bit different from the usual, stories full of warmth, touches of humor and hot, hot, hot and sexy! "A Great Catch" won't disappoint you. For those of you who have never read her books...well what a treat is in store for you! It's a rare and wonderful thing to discover an author who writes books like this and I envy you reading her for the first time. In Tessa and Lucas you will find two ex lovers reunited despite themselves. Tessa is fighting the sizzling attraction for all she is worth. After all he never explained his sudden termination of their romance 10 years earlier and his involvement in the death of her brother has made any reconciliation impossible. Or has it? Lucas is that most wonderful and rare romance hero: an alpha male with sensitivity. Suffering with his own demons since the accident that killed Tessa's brother, Lucas decides that since he can't resist the woman he'll break down her defences and win her back. The ensuing clashes and clinches will keep you entertained enough to read the book in one sitting - I know I did! And I'll bet you will all be out in the kitchen measuring the height of those counters too....you'll know what I mean when you read the book <g>!

Rating:
Summary: Taliesen... the new Love Boat
Review: Tessa Jardine has a slight problem. She just got hired as a First Mate on the glamorous passenger ship, The Taliesen. After working very hard to prove herself in a male dominated shipping industry, she can't let anything go wrong. Things get a little complicated when the captain of the Taliesen turns out to be Lucas Hall- who's got two strikes against him. He is not only her ex lover who ran out on her 10 years ago (without a word) but also a man who's been involved in the death of her brother and 4 other men in an accidental ship explosion. Of course, this is just the beginning. Things start to sizzle when unfinished love business creep up between Tessa and her captain, Lucas. Tessa does her best trying to fight off their mutual attraction but circumstances beyond their control seem to get in between them- making their affair even more complicated. Don't worry, there is a happy ending! This is a romance novel, after all!

Of course, I would have a difficult time fighting off a sexy captain like Lucas, myself. Lucas Hall is definitely A GREAT CATCH! Wow... what a STEAMY book! I haven't read a good romance with a kick in a while and I'm glad for the refresher! This book is worth every 5 stars given by the reviewers.

09/28/00