Dakota

The Anti-Romance, July 19 2004

Hands down, "Paradise Wild" is Lindsey's WORST novel. It shouldn't even qualify as a romance, it is so awful and boring.

The plot of "Paradise" revolves around two characters plotting revenge. Jared hates Corrinne's father and marries her as part of a plan to ruin her family financially. But Corrinne is so humiliated that she tracks Jared down to Hawaii to get her own revenge by ruining his reputation.

Both Corrinne and Jared are despicable as the heroine and hero. Corrinne is angry, unreasonable, catty, and money-hungry. She does have an interesting vice - she's a gambling addict - but even that bad habit (and its interesting results when she runs out of money) cannot make her… Read more

Which Twin Do You Prefer?, July 15 2004

"Tender is the Storm" is a clever Western romance that involves a mail-order bride from New York and the gorgeous horse trainer in Arizona who sends for her. Both have big secrets.

I really enjoyed this book and its personable characters. The heroine, Sharisse, has NO idea what it's like to rough it in the desert as she's accustomed to maids doing everything for her, including removing her clothes. It's hysterical to see her attempt to cook. As for the Holt brothers - yummy. Identical twins, one is charming and easy going, the other an ominous gunslinger. It's fascinating to realize that Sharisse wants them both!

The plot is straightforward, though there are twists aplenty. I… Read more

Why Was Selig's Story Ruined?, July 14 2004

The third in a trilogy, "Surrender My Love" lacks in the romance department. The story is about a Viking exacting vengeance on his beautiful Danish tormenter - oh yeah, and then they fall in love in the last 50 or so pages.

I have nothing against Selig, the angel-faced Viking hero. I loved him as the twice-blessed baby in "Fires of Winter" and as Kristen's returned-from-the-dead brother in "Hearts Aflame." He is so charming! But in "Surrender My Love," Selig doesn't get much opportunity to use that charm. Instead, he's wounded and beaten so badly in the beginning of the book that the whole story revolves around his pain, slow recovery, and revenge. I for one wished Selig hadn't… Read more