The Damsel in This Dress

Rating:
Summary: Romantic Suspense
Review: If you'd like to know what this book is about, here's the back cover blurb:

"Port Henry Ledger Book Review by Betsy Tremaine: WRONG GUY HAS THE WRITE STUFF IN TORRID LOVE STORY

"Let me tell you, dear reader, I've rarely been subjected to such drivel as I have in the novels of bestselling tough-guy cop-turned-author J. Soldier McKennitt. The man himself, however, is considerably more interesting. Having finally met him at a recent writers' conference in Seattle, I am pleased to report that Soldier is a tall, dark, and gorgeous hunk of literary superstar. To my surprise, he became quite the charmer once his self-righteous indignation evaporated ... Could it have been this critic's blonde hair and hourglass figure that brought about such an abrupt turnaround? Or perhaps our Soldier boy was simply vanquished by this reviewer's intelligence and caustic wit. In any case, due to the recent emergence of a crazed stalker, this plot has since thickened uncomfortably, and Detective McKennitt has brashly assumed the role of my knight in shining Brooks Brothers.

"Bottom Line: The only thing standing in the way of a beautiful relationship in this love story is the fact that the two protagonists are so deliriously, passionately wrong for each other!"
--------------------

I hope you enjoy the book ---
Marianne Stillings
website: www.mariannestillings.com

Rating:
Summary: A cute story and a strong debut!
Review: I came across this book on the Romance Reviews Today website (I've discovered quite a few good books there BTW) where they rated it a Perfect 10. While I wouldn't go quite that far in praise of this book it is still an impressive debut.

Betsy Tremaine is the editor of a small town newspaper in sleepy Port Henry, Washington. She also occasionally writes book reviews for the paper and those she writes for the books by (what she figures to be old and crotchety) Seattle cop J. Soldier McKennitt are absolutely scathing. Betsy is a smart, independent, nice woman with an hourglass figure who is reduced to feeling insignificant, overweight and unattractive in the present of her gorgeous, fashion-conscious, highly critical and insensitive mother. Her father was diagnosed with schizophrenia and has been institutionalized for the past ten years. And now it looks as if she is being stalked! Late night hang-ups and now a nasty, threatening note have Betsy on edge. Perhaps her trip to Seattle for a crime writers' conference will help her to relax. Unfortunately for Betsy, it is not to be!

Jackson Soldier McKennitt has already decided that Elizabeth Tremaine is a dried up old spinster who wouldn't know a good book if it bit her! His book sales and reviews from every other front prove that Ms Tremaine is in the minority, but her words still rankle. His good mood is restored when he meets a luscious blonde at a writers' conference. Man, is she ever gorgeous - all woman in all the right places! But when he gets a look at her name tag he decides to have a little fun with his nemesis in a writing seminar and the resulting story they compose together is quite funny. Soldier decides to put his annoyance at her reviews on the back burner when it becomes clear from several incidents that she is being stalked. He goes into full detective mode, working to protect Betsy, find her stalker and somehow keep his hands off her! He's vowed never to marry, especially after the death of his partner (over which he feels serious guilt). He's witnessed the devastation the families of fallen cops go through and he will not put anyone through that.

So, it comes down to determining who is stalking Betsy, can Betsy overcome her self-esteem issues and can Soldier get past his unwillingness to involve himself in a serious relationship? On the plus side, I really liked both Betsy and Soldier and I thought the author presented several plausible possible candidates for the stalker until about the last quarter of the book when it started to become more obvious. I think she's got a bright future in the light, suspense romance genre. On the not-so-positive side, at times I found the humor a bit forced and some of the dialog on the silly, corny side. She also introduced Soldier's also cop brother Taylor and Betsy's doctor best friend Claire and it looks like they will get a story - but if her website is correct, not until 2006!!! That stinks, as Claire and Taylor had a nice chemistry in the scenes they had together. Anyway, a solid debut effort and a book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Delightful!
Review: I gave this book a pass 2-3 times as I was browsing. Then, I bought it on impulse at Walmart. Am I ever glad I did! What a wonderful read! I love Soldier and Betsy. I hope that Ms. Stillings is hard at work on a story/stories for Taylor and Claire.

After reading two books in a row that drove me nuts, I was beginning to think there was something wrong with my "reading bone". Not so! It just took some excellent writing, some interesting characters and a neat plot to gather me back into the fold.

The first hint that I was going to enjoy the heck out this book was the result of the writing workshop that Soldier and Betsy attended. I laughed so hard that my eyes would tear up and I'd have to read it again. It took me several minutes to be able to get through it. It was priceless. I thought that would be my favorite part of the book. However, it was soon transplanted by the Dick & Jane type dialog the pair engaged in. Who knew a children's primer could be so sexy? LOL

I like the way that the villain isn't given away till nearly the end. And the fact that said villain didn't get in the way of a neat romance. Although just about everybody else did when things were about to reach their peak. If you catch my meaning. Can we say frustrated?

So, I am ever so happy to give this book the complete 5 star rating. I will be on the lookout for Ms. Stillings's next books.

Rating:
Summary: Delightful! Delightful! Delightful!
Review: I highly recommend this book to any reader looking for a fun read, great lead characters, and an interesting plot as well. I literally laughed out loud through several passages -- I agree with the previous reviewer who said the workshop Soldier and Betsy attended was hilarious. And what fun puns! Even Shakespeare would have admired the clever play on words throughout the book. Well done!

Rating:
Summary: Cute, funny, sexy, suspenseful.....
Review: I picked this book up at Barnes and Noble, hoping that it would be a good read. Let me tell you, I was not disappointed. I like the way the romantic chemistry between Betsy and Soldier came to a head, after they discovered who was who at the conference. Although both characters had self-esteem issues they had to deal with and overcome. The playful banter between them had me laughing until I cried. Suspense-wise, I had a feeling that Betsy was being stalked by someone she knew, but it was oh so nice to have a bodyguard around you 24/7, as handsome and as sexy as Soldier. Believe me, you won't be bored reading this book. Can't wait for the next book by Ms. Stillings.

Rating:
Summary: fun police procedural romance
Review: In Seattle, mystery author and currently desk cop J. Soldier McKennett is annoyed that Port Henry Editor Betsy Tremaine rips his latest novel in her review. At the Northwest Crime and Punishment Writer's Conference in which Soldier will provide a talk he sees a woman who he immediately wants, a feeling he is unaccustomed to having. Betsy sees a man staring at her who she thinks is sexy, but wonders if this is her stalker.

When they finally meet, both obviously recognize the identity of the other with a sigh of resignation. At the events, the duo tries to trump one another. That changes when Betsy's stalker raises the ante by refrigerating her mother's dog that is staying with her. Soldier returns to active duty to protect Betsy, vowing what happened to his late partner, which he blames himself for, will not happen to the woman he loves.

The lead couple makes this a fun police procedural romance. Betsy is not afraid to criticize (change that to rip off the skin) of her beloved when it comes to his "Crimes of the Northwest" novels while Soldier wishes she would appreciate his tales but does not sweat it as long as she loves him. Though intriguing, the stalker subplot pales next to the romance between these two likable protagonists.

Harriet Klausner


Rating:
Summary: Fun new romance author!
Review: Set in Washington State. Detective J. Soldier McKennett has become a best selling author while he is on desk duty, after the death of his partner. Everyone seems to love his novels except the Port Henry Newspaper Editor Betsy Tremaine. She continues on her previous path and rips his fourth novel to shreds in his reviews. He and his brother concoct what this reviewer must look like and have a good laugh.

Betsy lives alone in the house she grew up with. She is currently dog sitting her mothers Chihuahua "Piddle". She was promoted to Editor 5 months ago after the previous editor disappeared. She writes the book reviews on the side. She is very self conspicuous about her looks as she is not a "stick woman" which seems to be what everyone is looking for today. Even her mother says that her hourglass figure is not desirable.

Just before Betsy leaves for the Northwest Crime and Punishment Writer's Conference it is determined that she has a stalker, which Betsy is trying to convince herself is not really happening. Betsy and Soldier meet up at the conference after being immediately attracted to each other only to figure out their connection.

Soldier fights his attraction to Betsy as he has vowed that he will not be like his late partner and leave someone behind if there is an accident. But, as he protects her from the stalker he figures this is not going to happen. As things heat up both with the stalker and with their love life watch the sparks fly. Betsy is not afraid to tell Soldier when he is being stupid or not living in reality. Case in point is when he is determined to get her life history for background with the stalking and asks her about "her first time" she determines that he is not being as impersonal as he thinks he is and makes up wild stories that have him seeing cross-eyed.

I found this book fantastic and fun to read start to finish. I also admit I didn't figure out who the stalker was until just before it is revealed. I like heroines that have a lot of spunk and are not "jellyfish" when their hero is around. I also like hero's who can be taken down a notch and still come back giving as good as they get. This book has all of that. While there is a frightening stalking sub plot there are enough other character interactions that made me find this book almost lighthearted while dealing with a dark subject. I highly recommend this new author. My only issue is that her next book does not come out until next year.


Rating:
Summary: A Great Start...Looking Forward to More
Review: The Damsel in This Dress is a great start in what I'm sure will be a long, successful career for Ms. Stillings. Both funny and suspenseful, I very much enjoyed the story of Betsy Tremaine and J. Soldier McKennitt, people who begin as foes, become friends, and end up as much more.

I really liked the hero, J. Soldier McKennitt. His confidence was evident in the way he was able to shrug off Betsy's criticism of his writing and still find a way to like her. Too his protective instincts were very appealing, as was the obvious closeness and affection he felt for his brother, Taylor.

As for Betsy, she was the main reason I didn't give this book a higher rating. Although nice enough, I found Betsy a bit flat. I was never quite sure what exactly Soldier saw in Betsy. Granted, he told us very frequently through introspection what qualities she had that so appealed to him. But I never felt that I saw Betsy actually exhibiting these traits. For the most part, Betsy seemed to move through the story in a bit of a shell-shocked daze. Understandable given what was happening to her, but it hardly made me understand why Soldier fell so hard for her.

Also, the stalker plotline, which started off very promising, kind of fizzled for me. It almost went on too long, with too many people being injured or worse by the stalker before we get any idea of who it might be. Ms. Stillings' attempt to throw the reader off track only served to make the final revelation less impactful. I guess I just didn't buy the reasons given for why the stalker had chosen Betsy as its victim.

Even so, I did like the humor in this book. The banter between Betsy and Soldier was cute - they often engaged in battles-of-the-pun which sometimes went on too long but did serve to show us the natural report they had with each other.

I'll definitely be looking forward to Ms. Stillings' next book, which I hope continues with the romance we could see growing between Soldier's brother, Taylor, and Betsy's good friend, Dr. Claire.