Prince Of Frogs (Zebra Debut)

Rating:
Summary: MUCH more than a romance!
Review: A quick, engaging read! It's definitely a romance novel - filled with sexual tensions and innuendos, but even most of that is in fun, verbal banter...

More importantly, there are SO MANY REAL-LIFE THEMES running through the book at the same time:
* wanting more time with significant others,
* wanting more time for our kids,
* professionals (men and women) and their conflict to achieve at work and be supportive at home, and
* the ever-present need for good friends to confide in!

I introduced this book at a women's discussion group (where we're mostly in our 30's and 40's), and we spent the majority of the time talking about these vital issues that hit so close to home for all of us!

Don't let the pink cover and the romance packaging fool you, this fun book offers lots for thinking women to mull over, too!

Rating:
Summary: A well written , delightful and colorful romance
Review: At O'Dark in Silicon Valley, statuesque optimist Dr. Risa Taylor and grumpy pessimist Ben MacDonald meet in line at the local Starbucks. Ben is surprised and feels foolish that he experiences desire before coffee as he still mourns the death of his wife two years ago. Ben wants to see Risa again. However, she has no time for men as she is about to adopt triplets.

Ben turns out to be that "Ben", father of little Molly, best friend of Risa's godson Jason. Ben and Risa meet again at the school and once she realizes that the workaholic she is attracted to is a widower, Risa liberates her screaming libido. However, he thinks she is pregnant with the triplets and assumes there is a man in her life; not realizing yet she is divorced and adopting. As Ben and Risa fall in love, she wonders if he will have time for her and her new kids when he spends little time with his own daughter who he loves and who needs him desperately.

Though coincidence seems a bit overused, this romantic romp will amuse readers as Ben and Risa struggle with misconceptions especially marital status and the disbelief that the other loves while their children matchmake or intrude at wrong moments. The cast is terrific whether they are La Ti Da big women, workaholic men, or giggling-weeping children. Like Little Jack Horner, contemporary fans who read PRINCE OF FROGS will believe that we "pulled out a plum" of a tale.

Harriet Klausner


Rating:
Summary: Don't want to hurt the author's feelings...
Review: Because I gather this is a first book. But the dialog in this book was weak, the humor adolescent, and the characters very similar. You know it's a bad sign when the author needs to tell you when the character is telling a joke. It's even worse when the author does it over and over, and you're not laughing. The jokes were mostly puns and cliches (on the level of "don't assume, it makes an..." come on!), and self-conscious "bedroom" talk, where the characters literally get embarrassed for using the word "bed" in mixed company. No, I'm not kidding. This is a contemporary romance about a divorcee and a widower! That said, the clean prose and light-hearted tone saved the book from getting 1 star.

Rating:
Summary: Prince of Frogs
Review: I loved the book! It is such a sweet and romantic story (really 2 stories). I won't give away too much by saying the story is about a pediatrician, also a single parent, who adopts newborn triplets, all boys. The romance that begins is quite unexpected to "Doc" and is really a lovely story. Risa's (Doc) obvious love for children in her professional life as a pediatrician and in her personal life is very compelling. Although she will take a long leave of absence to care for her babies, she is already feeling the pull of a working mother while hoping there will be enough time for a relationship which is still very new. I wanted the story to go on much longer. I can't wait for the movie.

Rating:
Summary: What a fun read! ...and we've all kissed a few frogs!
Review: I really enjoyed this book! Finally, some contemporary fiction/romance set in Silicon Valley!...and with an (ahem) older heroine (she's only 36)...who deals with some more complex life issues (like adopting triplets) than only her career and her man. Barbara Plum keeps the several dimensions of the plot moving with lots of action and rich descriptions of the characters and what is going on. There are four year old kids in the book which lends another element. A lot happens in this book...what with the soon to be born babies, the kids, the friends, the man, the frogs, the dog, you get the idea...and all woven together in a fun, fast moving plot.

Risa, the heroine, is refreshing compared with some of the other heroines I typically enjoy reading about. Often they are 20 something singles living in New York and London. Risa deals with more "grown up/real" issues that a lot of the women I know are dealing with now....work, finding her man, wanting a child, but not the most confident on the dating scene, having friends with more complex needs than just having someone to go to bars with.

I loved the fact that the setting is in Silicon Valley. I'm a little biased as I live there, but I can't help but find it interesting. Many of the other books I enjoy are set in NY or London. So I found the local descriptions really fun. I can picture the Christmas tree farm in Felton and the Plumed Horse restaurant in Saratoga. The 101 and 280 that one character drives on are commute routes I've taken. Then of course, you have the Silicon Valley characters...there is a workaholic who seems very familiar.

As a new mom, I enjoyed the kid characters and the details about the babies. The issues around the kids and the babies are not all roses and there are some surprises that the heroine must deal with.

All in all, a fun read with lots going on with refreshing characters that have "real" problems and of course some romance!

...and by the way, what a good value it was at $2.99. it will make a good stocking stuffer for a lot of my girlfriends!

Rating:
Summary: Not as good as I'd hoped...
Review: I really thought I would like this book and I can't believe how bad it was. The writing was jumpy and all over the place. I really couldn't enjoy the characters very much. I kept having to go back and figure out how they got to where they were. Am I right in saying that the first half of the book took place in 2 days? I also couldn't figure out Ben's age and why Risa even liked him. He was grouchy and grumpy and mean at times. Sigh. Even the secondary characters were annoying. I doubt I will be buying any more books by this author which is too bad cause I really liked the premise of the book.

Rating:
Summary: Ughhhh
Review: Let me start by saying, the characters were believable and lovable. The story line was good and a little unbelievable. The part that irks me is the actual writing (and I don't know if I should blame this on myself, for only reading after a long day-with my mind not always into it, but.....); in one area Ben's having Molly straight out of college-that puts him at 26 (at best), but he started college at 16, so maybe he's only 20 now? In all other areas, it's implied that he's in his late 30s/early 40s, welllll which is it? In other parts, we just jumped into things, I kept asking myself "how'd that happen?" "where did that come from?". And I'd reread the last page to try and make it make sense, and sure enough-there is no explanation! Even with a good story line, only sheer determination got me to finish this book.

Rating:
Summary: A Good Read For A Debut Effort!
Review: Ms. Plum's debut effort was very enjoyable for the most part with very vivid characters with very real and honest problems. Risa and Ben are two people that need the other but don't see this right from the start. Their romance is slowly built and as a result the reader will find themselves truly invested with the characters. Secondary characters and storylines are also well done and bring something special to this story.

Seldom do debut efforts speak to a reader. The process of finding a unique voice and way of telling a story comes with time. Ms. Plum is well on her way to becoming a worth while voice in the genre of romance. I recommend that you give this debut effort a chance.

Official Reviewer for www.romancedesigns.com

Rating:
Summary: A Romp of a Good Read
Review: Prince of Frogs is a fun, funny, sweet story of a modern woman on the verge of having her every wish fulfilled, of having it all, and yet whose romanctic hook-up is maddeningly illusive. Meet Risa "Doc" Taylor, dashing widower Ben McDonald and his thoroughly enchanting daughter Molly,Risa's best friend Kelsy and her prize son Jason. . .and let's not forget the triplets Risa is on pins and needles waiting to adopt! Join this crew for a bumpy leap-frog romp through the perils of modern dating, California style. It's an entertaining whirl of a read you won't soon forget.

Rating:
Summary: An A+ Romance!
Review: This book took me by surprise: It has everything a good romance should, and more! I don't feel that way about very many books these days, but THIS is an absolute delight.

Prince of Frogs is such fun to read! The characters are really appealing, especially Risa--what a wonderful, loving portrait of a fascinating combination of professional and female--and the children were really delightful. I enjoyed the adults' caring and inventive treatment of the kids.
This book has a definite author's "voice" and it is a flat-out joy to read something with laughs, tears, and subtle wit on every page. I love a book where the reader isn't talked down to.
AND I LOVE THIS BOOK! Don't miss it.