Breaking news: Romance Reviews and Submission Progress

I had to pre-empt some of the other August reads. The Intrigues are just TOO GOOD to pass up!

The Cape Diablo series hooked me in, starting with Secrets of His Own by Amanda Stevens. I was swept away by this book. Totally felt like I was there. And I have to say, I loved the treatment of the hero. Now I know this is my second time blogging about it, but it was that good! The pacing was very thriller, yet with gothic overtones. I knew I would love this book when I first described it in my 'Summer Love' August reading list post, and I was not disappointed. An excellent read.

I was driven to purchase book two of Cape Diablo: Undeniable Proof by B.J. Daniels. A completely different tone than Secrets of His Own, yet just as good. The cover on this is completely creepy! Again, like Secrets of His Own, picked it up and couldn’t put it down. Great pacing, and interesting cast. The heroine is a witness on the run from a guy she thinks is a turned cop, and the turned cop is the hero. Stuck on a haunted island with danger at every turn. Total fun. Another excellent read.


Since I’d stocked up on Intrigues and didn’t want the buzz to end, I read Forbidden Territory by Paula Graves. This is her first book, and a sign of good things to come. The description was very fluid and lyrical, and the heroine tormented. There were two children in the book that really amped up the plot. The heroine is a psychic. The hero a cop. Two missing children, one present, one past, and a very evil villain.

I’d recommend all three, especially the Diablo series (an excellent idea). I love the way the island’s sordid history and curses are playing out.

I also read a very intense Intimate Moments: Somebody’s Hero by Marilyn Pappano. This is NOT for the faint at heart. It deals with domestic abuse, but not in the traditional sense. It’s usually the heroine that is the former victim: in this it’s the hero. The heroine is a romance writer post divorce with a young child. They are neighbors. They are so right for each other, but the emotional conflicts tear at them like you can’t believe. This is a very touching, heart wrenching story.

Again, a good read.

I’m getting what I want in romantic suspense far more from category lately than I am single title.

I also finished Summer at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs. This is the BEST book I have read all year. A keeper. As soon as I finished it I wanted to read it again. I’ll post a review later, so much of it is still swirling around in my noggin.

Dropped from the August Reading List:
All the Futuristics, Sci Fi, and non fiction. I’m moving them into September. For some reason, I'm not feeling all that spacy or futuristic. I was at the beginning of august, but reading the short story futuristic from Jayne Castle sated me for the moment.
Between the substitutes, I’ll probably come out even with page count.
Tim laughs when he sees me devour books. He says I approach reading as if it’s a contact sport. *snicker* It’s one of my great pleasures, so why not give it my all when I can?

AND FINALLY:
I packaged up the proposal requested by an agent and I’m sending it out tomorrow.
I wanted to make sure I had it the way I wanted it, so I packaged, then waited, gave it a final check, and then sealed the magic envelope.