MY CURRENT FAVORITES

WHAT I READ THIS MONTH

The Bride’s Baby (Harlequin Romance) by Liz Fielding

This wonderfully written and entertaining book follows an unlikely couple from their intimate encounter to the altar.  I had no idea how Ms. Fielding would bring these two strong-willed and likeable people together, but she did!  And she did it through a fun and heart rending story.  Sylvie has had her share of heartbreak, (she's been left at the alter by her groom) and now she provides other brides with their fantasy weddings.  Tom is the dashing and quintessential self-made man who has also been left at the altar.  He takes off only to return several months later to find out Sylvie is pregnant...
Read it.  You'll like it!

Doctor in the House (NEXT - Contemporary) by Marie Farrarella

One of the things I loved about NEXT novels was their willingness to tell a "different" love story.  One of my gripes about NEXT was that I was under the impression NEXT was supposed to be about older women.  Too many of the heroines in that line were in their early thirties, when I'd hoped to see forty-somethings (and beyond) ... but I digress.

Bailey DelMonico is a pretty woman in her early thirties who wants to be a neurosurgeon.  Ivan Munro is forty-six and is a brilliant neurosurgeon who wants every other aspect of life, outside of surgery, to go away.

Living up to his nickname - Ivan the Terrible - he is anything but hero material.  Though described physically as tall, dark and handsome, I was only able to imagine one man for Ivan - HOUSE!

So how is a pretty and smart young thing supposed to fall for a guy like that?  Marie Farrarella does a beautiful job of convincing the reader of that very thing.

Another aspect of NEXT novels I have always enjoyed was flexibility in time frame.  This book takes close to a year to unfold, and for that reason the developing relationship between Bailey and Ivan was believable.  He irked the heck out of me, but Farrarella did a fantastic job of countering every sour trait of his with the optimistic and loveable Bailey.  I absolutely loved the ending, but honestly, when two people become intimate for a period of months, it is hard to believe that none of the final topics in the story were ever discussed before then.  Also, at the time I felt it was a stretch to believe that Bailey would put up with some of Ivan the Terrible's shenanigans, Farrarella said she knew she was taking on a big task with this unsympathetic hero, and I agree.

The writing was great and I really did enjoy this book, and I am extremely sorry that the NEXT line has been cancelled.

Manuscript Makeover by Elizabeth Lyon

Manuscript Makeover is a comprehensive writer's tool kit for the serious author.  I have read others on this topic, and find this book to be excellent.  Ms. Lyon takes the reader through every stage of the creative and revision process with fantastic tips and recommendations.  She covers everything from style, craft, and characterization to synopsis writing and marketing.  She uses examples that help clarify whatever point she is making.  There is one problem with the book.  It makes the reader/writer feel, as always, there is soooo much more to learn.  I feel I will be a better writer having read Ms. Lyon's book, and I definitely recommend it to aspiring and even published authors.  I will be writing a more in-depth article about this wonderful book for a future LARA Confidential Newsletter.