Sealed With A Kiss

Rating:
Summary: Hearts, flowers and dreams -- Very highly recommended
Review: Hearts and flowers become the substance of dreams in Harlequin's Valentine collection SEALED WITH A KISS. Authors Debbie Macomber, Judith Bowen and Helen Brooks bring their marvelous talent together in this medley of treats certain to sweeten the approaching holiday.

"My Funny Valentine" by Debbie Macomber: The victim of her mother's and her children's well meaning matchmaking, Dianne Williams has been declaring for weeks that she can find her own date to the Valentine banquet. Out of desperation, Dianne pays a sexy tow truck driver to escort to her banquet. Now she finds herself overwhelmed by a fierce desire for more than just the services originally agreed upon.

"Mom and Mr. Valentine" by Judith Bowen: Professional hockey player Patrick McCarthy has been nicknamed Mr. Valentine for his role in becoming some lucky lady's Valentine date in a charity raffle. Unfortunately, before he can fulfill his role for the forth year, a devastating injury takes him off the ice and has him house sitting for a couple weeks next door to Lisa Hudson. Lisa's son idolizes Patrick; whereas, he represents everything Lisa abhors -- too bad that her attraction to him makes her feelings that much more complicated.

"Her Secret Valentine" by Helen Brooks: Five years of working in the same law firm has not decreased Jeanie's love for Ward Ryan. Unfortunately, he thinks of her as buddy; that is, until he unexpected finds her crying after an office party. Deliberate misrepresentation regarding the identity of the man who provokes such tears leaves Jeanie in a delicious conundrum as Ward begins efforts to prove she deserves better treatment that she's receiving from the lout who makes her cry.

Single parents find their paths to love that last beyond Valentine's Day in SEALED WITH A KISS. From the US, to Canada, to England, these Valentine couples discover the joy of love, where it begins with the guy in a tow truck, the guy house sitting next door, or the guy at the office. Old love or new love, impossible or improbable, each story delights and entertains with memorable individual voices coming together in a harmonious collection. Very highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: A Tree Died For This?
Review: How sad. 2 of my favorite authors, Debbie Macomber and Judith Bowen, participated in this very boring book. I didn't like any of the characters. Perhaps because these stories were shorter. but the protagonists personalities just didn't come thru. Plus the falling in love forever in 2 weeks or less just doesn't hold my interest.

In all 3 stories, I kept waiting for something to happen. It never did. The 3rd story was the worst. My Secret Valentine should have been left on the editorial cutting room floor. What a mess. I like stories where I know what both sides are thinking. The heroine is of the TSTL variety and I wanted to slap her just about every other sentence.

Dull, dull, dull describes this book and these stories fully. I know Ms. Macomber and Ms. Bowen can do much better. I'm not sure the other author has a clue on how to write an interesting story.

Save your money unless you are a masochist.

Rating:
Summary: A Tree Died For This?
Review: How sad. 2 of my favorite authors, Debbie Macomber and Judith Bowen, participated in this very boring book. I didn't like any of the characters. Perhaps because these stories were shorter. but the protagonists personalities just didn't come thru. Plus the falling in love forever in 2 weeks or less just doesn't hold my interest.

In all 3 stories, I kept waiting for something to happen. It never did. The 3rd story was the worst. My Secret Valentine should have been left on the editorial cutting room floor. What a mess. I like stories where I know what both sides are thinking. The heroine is of the TSTL variety and I wanted to slap her just about every other sentence.

Dull, dull, dull describes this book and these stories fully. I know Ms. Macomber and Ms. Bowen can do much better. I'm not sure the other author has a clue on how to write an interesting story.

Save your money unless you are a masochist.

Rating:
Summary: Pretty good over all
Review: These were touching tales of women and their fantasies. I have just one little description I take exception with and that was in the "My Secret Valentine" story. Some of these authors try so hard to describe the male idols with all these sexy symbols, I was wondering how Ward managed to be so tan and firm since it was January in London and he was a solicitor keeping long hours in the office or court and than going home to his motherless daughter. Doesn't jibe.