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		Press Reviews

Press Reviews

Read the press reviews for some recent Avalon Books releases.
	On the Crest of a Wave by Fran McNabb Mulligan Girl by Rebecca L. Boschee Outback Hero by Elisabeth Rose Everything But a Christmas Eve by Holly Jacobs Lady Eugenia’s Holiday by Shirley Marks Deadline by Cynthia Danielewski The Shadow Riders by Owen G. Irons Kiss and Tell by Loretta Brabant To Hope by Carolyn Brown The Hidden Truth by Michael Senuta The Wild Card by Loretta Jackson and Vickie Britton To Dream by Carolyn Brown The Master Plan by Carol Costa His Lordship’s Chaperone by Shirley Marks Pushin’ Up Daisies by Carolyn Brown Stuck by Elisabeth Rose To Believe by Carolyn Brown Drifter by Karl Lassiter Newport Summer by Nikki Poppen An Agreeable Arrangement by Shirley Marks Dead Man’s Money by V.S. Meszaros Holiday Dreams by Annette Mahon Everything But a Wedding by Holly Jacobs Miss Delacourt Speaks Her Mind by Heidi Ashworth Murder Express by Robert Scott Frame Work by Anne G. Faigen Judgment at Gold Butte by Terrell L. Bowers The Search for Justice by Judy and Ronald Culp Coming Home by Elisabeth Rose Montana Star by DeAnn Smallwood Salsa with Me by Roni Denholtz The Dove by Carolyn Brown Everything But a Bride by Holly Jacobs Blood Redemption by A.H. Holt Grave for a Dead Gunfighter by Kent Conwell Lost Youth by Robert Scott Marriage 101 by Deborah Shelley The Secret Correspondence by Annette Mahon Quiet Meg by Sherry Lynn Ferguson Quiet Meg by Sherry Lynn Ferguson The Devil's Game by Loretta Jackson and Vickie Britton Sierra Skullduggery by Jerry S. Drake Chocolate Secrets by Zelda Benjamin Stargazer by Amanda Harte In the Dismal Swamp by Patrick Balester Grave Justice by Glen Ebisch Death in the French Quarter by Kent Conwell To Trust by Carolyn Brown Miss Quinn’s Quandary by Carolyn Hughey Everything But a Groom by Holly Jacobs Means to an End by Michael Hachey The Swamps of Bayou Teche by Kent Conwell Evening Star by Carolyn Brown Guns Along The Brazos by Owen G. Irons Cupid’s Web by Carolyn Hughey Honeymoon Husband by Shirley Marks The Honorable Marksley by Sherry Lynn Ferguson Sweet Tilly by Carolyn Brown Encounter by Deadline by Mel Taylor Dream Weaver by Amanda Harte Tortillas and Second Chances by Sylvia Renfro Candy Kisses by Jean C. Gordon Morning Glory by Carolyn Brown The First Shall Be Last by Joyce and Jim Lavene Adieu, My Love by Lynn M. Turner Diamondback McCall: Island Lost by Robert Middleton Atascocita Gold by Kent Conwell Dolphin Dreams by Annette Mahon The Right Chord by Elisabeth Rose Thoroughly Mannerly Millicent by Judi Thoman Advertising Murder by Robert Scott The Brass Ring by Amanda Harte Laugh Lines by Holly Jacobs Christmas in Carol by Sheila Robins Kubiak's Daughter by Stephen Lindley Promises by Carolyn Brown A Dark Trail Winding by Pete Peterson Grim Finale by Dorothy P. O'Neill Painted Ponies by Amanda Harte Spin Control by Holly O’Dell Love, Julie by Christine Bush Extracurricular Murder by Kent Conwell The Lovin’ Kind by Nancy J. Parra The Write Match by Margaret Carroll Shannon: The Road to Whiskey Creek by Charles E. Friend Pretty Maids All In A Row by Michelle Buckman and A.H. Jackson All Things Slip Away by Kathryn Meyer Griffith Scraps of Paper by Kathryn Meyer Griffith Superior Death by Matthew Williams Night Calls by Holly Jacobs The Secret Wish by Annette Mahon The Ying On Triad by Kent Conwell Blood Debt by S.J. Stewart ’Tis the Season by Kathryn Quick Absolution by Carolyn Brown Palo Duro Shootout by Kent Conwell Final Note by Dorothy P. O’Neill Stone Fish by Olivia Ferrell The Bettin’ Kind by Nancy J. Parra Cruising for Love by Tami Cowden Bluebonnet Spring by Amanda Harte Before the Last Lap by Joyce and Jim Lavene Lovehandles by Holly Jacobs Next of Kin by Ami Elizabeth Reeves Choices by Carolyn Brown Poppy’s Place by Sylvia Renfro Vicksburg by Kent Conwell Pickup Lines by Holly Jacobs Turn of Fortune by Vicky Hunnings Last One Down by Joyce and Jim Lavene The Marryin’ Kind by Nancy J. Parra Falling for You by Kathryn Quick Miss Dempsey’s School for Gunslingers by I.J. Parnham A Matter of Motive by Michael Hachey Love on the Air by Sierra Donovan Laughing at the Thunder by Amanda Harte Augusta by Carolyn Brown Negotiating Love by Roni Denholtz Smoke Cover by Dorothy P. O’Neill Garnet by Carolyn Brown Gypsy by Carolyn Brown Mr. Perfect by Shelagh McEachern Skeletons of The Atchafalaya by Kent Conwell Velvet by Carolyn Brown Whistling in the Dark by Amanda Harte Loving Lana by Nancy J. Parra Willow by Carolyn Brown A Catered Affair by Carolyn Matkowsky Somebody to Love by Roni Denholtz Silver Creek by A.H. Holt A Wanted Man by Nancy J. Parra A Taste of Death by Mary Ellen Hughes Maggie’s Mistake by Carolyn Brown The Mad Herringtons by Jane Myers Perrine Emma’s Folly by Carolyn Brown Until Our Last Embrace by Joyce and Jim Lavene The Marshal’s Destiny by C. H. Admirand A Deadly Change of Power by Gina Cresse A Deadly Change of Heart by Gina Cresse A Golden Trail of Murder by John Paxson
On the Crest of a Wave -- ADVANCE REVIEW by Fran McNabb AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“A sad but ultimately hopeful story of love, destiny, and overcoming odds, certain to appeal to fans of romance novels and historical fiction.”
*— Booklist, January 1, 2010*
Mulligan Girl -- ADVANCE REVIEW by Rebecca L. Boschee AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“...a snappy hole-in-one romantic comedy debut.”
*— Publishers Weekly, December 21, 2009*

	“Boschee delivers a sweet, fresh-faced story that will appeal to readers looking for a gentle romance.”
*— Booklist, January 1, 2010*
Outback Hero (Partial review) by Elisabeth Rose AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“Readers will appreciate Rose’s snapshot of life in the outback.”
*— Shelley Mosley, Booklist, December 15, 2009*
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Everything But a Christmas Eve by Holly Jacobs AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“Jacobs”s latest hilarious foray into the crazy lives of the Salos is a candy-cane-sweet holiday read that will leave readers smiling and wondering about Nana Vancy”s next targets.”
*— Library Journal, December 2009*

	“If you want a funny, short, romantic story for the holidays, try Holly Jacobs' Everything But a Christmas Eve. It's a terrific addition to the Everything But... series. Jacobs' books in that series are always warm, and charming, just the perfect prescription for the hustle and bustle of the season. “Now that all of Vancy Bashalde Salo's children and grandchildren are married, she's bored. When her best friends suggest she take up matchmaking, she latches on to the idea. And, she knows just who she's going to try as guinea pigs. Eve Allen is the new office manager for Salo Construction, so Vancy invites her to dinner, along with TC Potter, the Salos' neighbor. “Vancy doesn't know that Eve ended a bad relationship. She also doesn't know that Eve and TC have a history that goes all the way back to kindergarten. But, Vancy wouldn't care, because she's convinced she's putting two people together who will be soul mates. “Eve is the woman who says, "Christmas seemed to be a season when things went wrong for her." And, TC, one of "America's Most Eligible Bachelors," is playing Santa at the mall, and understands the romance behind "The Twelve Days of Christmas." It might seem as if these two people will never get together. But, it's a Christmas romance. It might just take a dog named Bert, and a matchmaker named Vancy Bashalde Salo, but I think there will be a happy ending to Everything But a Christmas Eve. “Holly Jacobs' website is www.hollyjacobs.com”
*— Lesa Holstine, Chicago Sun-Times, Lesa's Book Critiques, December 21, 2009*
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Lady Eugenia’s Holiday (Partial review) by Shirley Marks AN AVALON HISTORICAL
	“Murder, greed, and hidden identities are skillfully interwoven with witty banter in this vivacious tale that finally sees Genie happy -- and wed to the correct man. California-based Marks (His Lordship's Chaperone) writes some of the few traditional Regencies currently on the market.”
*— Library Journal, December 2009*
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Deadline (Partial review) by Cynthia Danielewski AN AVALON MYSTERY
	“For fans of police procedurals.”
*— Library Journal, December 2009*
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The Shadow Riders (Partial review) by Owen G. Irons AN AVALON WESTERN
	“If you can’t beat them, join them and beat them that way. The Shadow Riders is a western focusing on a ravaging gang of bandits in Arizona called the Shadow Riders. Tyrone Cannfield, an Arizona Ranger, infiltrates the riders in order to bring them down. A fascinating and intriguing western of the law and the outlaws, The Shadow Riders is a surefire treat for those who love westerns.”
*— James A. Cox, Midwest Book Review, December 2009*
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Kiss and Tell (Partial review) by Loretta Brabant AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“Brabant’s heartwarming tale about an unlikely couple and two lovable little girls is sure to tug at readers’ heartstrings.”
*— Booklist, September 15, 2009*
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To Hope (Partial review) by Carolyn Brown AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“Brown’s entertainingly gossipy second installment...continues to develop her lively and smart historical romance series about the three O’Shea sisters.”
*— Booklist, September 15, 2009*
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The Hidden Truth by Michael Senuta AN AVALON WESTERN
	“Will Grant, convicted of robbery and murder, is released from prison when one of the real robbers makes a dying confession and exonerates him. Now Will is coming home to Coltonville--the scene of the crime--and even though he has been proven innocent, many of the town's residents treat him like a criminal. Will realizes that the only way to put the past in the past is to find out who was really responsible for the crime. Teaming up with an old friend and a beautiful female newspaper reporter, Will soon finds that clearing his name will be no easy task, especially since money from the robbery, coincidentally, has started to appear just as Will has come back to town. The book is an entertaining amalgam of the amateur-sleuth and western genres (the author has previously written both westerns and mysteries), and it should appeal equally to fans of both genres.”
*— Booklist, July 1, 2009*
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The Wild Card by Loretta Jackson and Vickie Britton AN AVALON WESTERN
	“Colorado, 1878. Drew Woodson is part owner of the Lyra Shay mine. He is not happy when his partner, Tommy, loses his own share in the mine to Matt Ferris: Drew has an abiding hatred for Ferris, a nasty man who, among many other misdeeds, once tried to kill Tommy. But now, all of a sudden, Drew and Ferris are partners, although Matt doesn't make any secret of the fact that he will do whatever it takes to force Drew out of the mine entirely. When Tommy's stepdaughter is kidnapped, Drew wonders just how far Ferris will go, and later, when Tommy declares he intends to strike back at the man responsible for the kidnapping, Drew discovers that his old friend has a secret and possibly a very deadly past. This tightly written novel appears, on the surface, to be a typical genre piece, but readers who delve below will find both a subtle and thought-provoking revenge story and a hero who is torn between his hatred of one man and his need to save a friend from himself.”
*— Booklist, July 1, 2009*
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To Dream (Partial review) by Carolyn Brown AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“...Brown continues her series set in the small Oklahoma town of Sulphur and the Cahill Bed-and-Breakfast (To Commit, 2008) with another folksy and heartwarming contemporary romance.”
*— Booklist, June 3, 2009*
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The Master Plan (Partial review) by Carol Costa AN AVALON MYSTERY
	“Snappy dialogue and likable characters enliven this cozy whodunit, the second in the series. A quick, enjoyable read.”
*— Booklist, May 1, 2009*
His Lordship’s Chaperone by Shirley Marks AN AVALON HISTORICAL ROMANCE
	“Lord Robert is so irresistible mothers encourage their daughters to compromise their virtue for a chance to become his wife. Since he's not ready to marry, he decides to hire a chaperone to protect him from unwanted advances. His mother, the duchess of Waverly, suggests Miss Catherine Hayward. At first Lord Robert barely notices her, but ultimately he finds himself entranced by the woman who’s meant to keep him unattached. And with the duchess' help, Catherine transforms herself from mousy chaperone to the talk of the town. Marks has fun with her characters, their situations, and clever plot twists, creating the ideal escapist read. Readers who enjoyed Miss Quinn’s Quandary (2008) and An Agreeable Arrangement (2009) will scoop up Marks' third historical romance.”
*— Booklist, March 15, 2009*
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Pushin’ Up Daisies by Carolyn Brown AN AVALON HISTORICAL ROMANCE
	“Quincy is putting up at the Black Swan Inn of Huttig, Arkansas, while investigating the disappearance of an unlikable specimen by the name of Ralph Contiello, who has ties to the mafia. Quincy's chief suspects are the three O'Shea girls: Catherine, Alice, and Bridget (Ralph's wife). But most of his suspicion is directed toward Catherine, who seems cool and capable, while Alice has air for brains and Bridget seems to be a scared little mouse. Quincy's case soon becomes less important than his relationship with Catherine, and he is torn between duty and attraction. The always engaging Brown beings a sprightly new historical romance series set just after the 1918 influenza epidemic that claimed millions. She also explores the concerns of war veterans returning home to no jobs, while introducing a new setting, an inn and its environs near the Arkansas-Louisiana border.”
*— Booklist, February 1, 2009*

	“PUSHIN' UP DAISIES is the first in a new trilogy by Carolyn Brown. Centering on three sisters, the novel begins with Catherine O'Shea's story. “Catherine, the eldest, is the toughest of the sisters. When their mother and father succumb to the flu, Catherine takes charge of the family-owned hotel and her sister's lives. The basis of this story is that Bridget's abusive husband is missing and his wealthy family, the Contiello's, want him found. “Bridget's in-laws hire a detective to unravel the truth about where their son went. Quincy Massey heads to the Black Swan where he questions the sisters individually and receives the same story. Ralph Contiello is a man who treated his wife horribly, had many mistresses and may have had some enemies. When he tried to force Bridget to return home with him, she shot at the wall and scared him off. “Quincy is not convinced he's being told the whole truth. Yet, the more time he spends with the O'Shea sisters, the more he likes them. In fact, he's falling in love with Catherine and realizes he may be in over his head with this case. “PUSHIN' UP DAISIES is a great story. The reader learns early on what happened to Ralph, but part of the mystery is kept hidden. From start to finish, you read eagerly hoping to learn the truth. “I really enjoyed the O'Shea sisters and can't wait to see if Bridget or Alice finds romance next. Plus, a peek at what Catherine and Quincy are up to will be an added treat.”
— Roundtable Reviews
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Stuck by Elisabeth Rose AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“Brad Harding is making an infrequent trip into Sydney from his country home to lodge a formal complaint on behalf of his community regarding the placement of a cell tower. An artist who works with wood, he enjoys the laid-back, friendly nature of his bucolic home. The bustling, impersonal city seems neatly summed up by the no-nonsense woman who steps into the elevator. She's slick, uptight, and all business. Ordinarily, they would have nothing to do with each other, but when the elevator breaks down they're forced to interact. Gina Tait is exactly what Brad imagines her to be, but much more lies beneath the surface. Gina sees Brad as some sort of counterculture hippie, but that doesn't stop her from leaning on him when the elevator goes dark. They might never meet again after their rescue, but that short time together leaves an indelible impression. Preconceived notions and prejudices fall by the wayside in Rose's highly enjoyable out-of-the-blue romance.”
*— Booklist, February 1, 2009*

	“Gina Tait, half of this offbeat novel's opposites-attract duo, is a busy woman whose overbooked life takes a 90-minute break when she gets stuck in an elevator with relaxed widower Brad Harding. While the two share an intense physical attraction, their lifestyles are far too different to contemplate a relationship. Still, after they escape the stalled elevator, they can't stop thinking about each other, and when they try to be friends, Brad's daughters decide Gina is the perfect candidate for motherhood. The transformation of total opposites to plausible lovers happens slowly but organically (despite the absurd setup), and the cast is charismatic and easily lovable. Romance readers looking for a low-key time-burner will have a ball.”
*— Publishers Weekly, February 2, 2009*
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To Believe by Carolyn Brown AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“Opposites attract, but unless both are willing to compromise, their marriage will eventually fail. Police tracker Roseanna Cahill and sophisticated business exec Trey Fields are living proof: they clashed at first meeting, eloped within four weeks, and were divorced four years later. But when Roseanna rescues Trey from certain death at the hands of kidnappers, they are blindsided by their emotions and slowly, tentatively attempt reconciliation in the face of family disapproval on both sides. Brown concludes her contemporary Broken Roads Romance series (To Trust, 2007; To Commit, 2008) with a poignant, introspective second-chance story set mostly in Murray County, Oklahoma, and featuring bed-and-breakfast and ranching lifestyles.”
*— Booklist, February 15, 2009*

	“After a whirlwind romance and quick marriage, Roseanna Cahill is saddened when her marriage to Trey Fields ends after four years. Granted, they are from different social classes. Roseanna is a rancher's daughter and expert tracker while Trey is the son of an oilman. When Trey is kidnapped, Roseanna agrees to track him and return him to safety. “Roseanna does the job with ease figuring she'll never see Trey again. However, Trey has other plans. He realizes that he let the best thing that's ever happened to him slip away and he'll do anything to win her back. “I've spoken to many romance readers who enjoy stories that focus less on sex than on the characters, but they shy from inspirational romances because of the strong religious themes. Avalon romances capture the best of both worlds. They contain strong, character driven romances that are geared more for the gentle reader without preaching. “Carolyn Brown is one of the best Avalon authors. Her stories touch your heart and make you want to get to know the characters better. I hope there will be more of Trey and Roseanna in the future. I'm especially interested to see Roseanna's strong-willed sister tangle with a guy she can't resist!”
— Roundtable Reviews
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Drifter by Karl Lassiter AN AVALON WESTERN
	“John Allen, an enterprising young man who's already been a blacksmith, a gunsmith's apprentice, and a coal miner, has his heart set on being a cowboy--so much so that he stows aboard a train bound for Wyoming and the frontier. Soon he hires on at a struggling ranch (as a blacksmith, to his disappointment), and before he knows it, he's caught up in a nasty war between rustlers and ranchers. This is a no-frills, old-fashioned western--the kind in which a bully calls our hero "a stinkin', lily-livered, belly crawlin' coward"--with rough-hewn characters and a simple heroes-versus-villains story line (and a love interest, of course). If the dialogue were a bit more corny, or the prose a bit more purple, the book might also read like a spoof, but in fact, it's a thoroughly entertaining formula western, the kind of story that, if it was made into a movie a few decades ago, would have starred the young John Wayne (with Gabby Hayes as Texas Dunn, Lassiter's curmudgeonly but lovable ranch cook). Old-school western fans will enjoy this one from start to finish.”
*— Booklist, February 1, 2009*
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Newport Summer by Nikki Poppen AN AVALON HISTORICAL ROMANCE
	“Gannon Maddox, the fourth Earl of Camberly, is going broke, thanks to 17 years of agricultural depression. Like many of his peers in Victorian England, he is selling family heirlooms to keep afloat. Except that Gannon has run out of things to sell. The solution? He decides to go to America and marry a rich heiress. Gannon makes the transatlantic trip to Newport Beach, the summer hangout for wealth Americans, where he meets beautiful and wealthy Audrey St. Clair. Audrey is under pressure from her mother to marry a man with money and power, but Audrey has other plans. She wants to enter a music seminary in Vienna, where she can pursue what she loves most. Poppen (The Dowager's Wager, 2006; The Heroic Baron, 2006; The Romany Heiress, 2007), who also writes as Bronwyn Scott, has penned a charming story about two people who start out using each other to meet their goals, and somehow find true love.”
*— Booklist, February 1, 2009*

	“Poppen’s latest historical romance, first in a new series, features Gannon Maddox, a handsome, broke English nobleman, who needs to marry an American heiress to save the family’s ancestral estates. The lavish excesses of late-19th-century Newport, R.I., where every doting mama is looking for a title for her daughter, is the perfect hunting ground, but Gannon is repelled by the scene and escapes to the seashore, where he meets Audrey St. “Clair, also an unwilling player in the marriage mart. Defying society’s dictates and her dragon of a mother, Audrey's dream is to study music in Vienna. She devises a risky plan in which Gannon will pretend to court her for the summer and she will show him how to invest his money. At summer’s end, Gannon can return to England wealthy enough to save Camberly and Audrey can freely leave for Vienna. But love intervenes and Audrey must choose between her dream and her man. While the prose can be overblown, the fun is in the caste system of Newport’s summer social season, while the engaging characters fulfill the expectations of the genre.”
*— Publishers Weekly, December 22, 2008*
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An Agreeable Arrangement by Shirley Marks AN AVALON HISTORICAL ROMANCE
	“According to her father's will, in order to keep her family estate, Lady Cassandra Phillips must marry a son of the Stewart family. Though Cassie finds rakish Edward, her betrothed, likable enough, she can't abide his older brother Julian. However, when Edward goes missing on a trip abroad, she and Julian develop a begrudging friendship that soon blossoms into more. With the deadline to be wed looming, Cassie must decide whether following her heart is worth risking everything she's ever cherished. Marks' second historical romance, following Miss Quinn's Quandary (2008), portrays Regency-era social mores that will appeal more to traditional romance readers than fans of Marks' contemporary romances, Geek to Chic (2006) and Honeymoon Husband (2007). While her characters are feisty and engaging, Marks' attempt at period-appropriate language is stilted at times. But she will have a chance to perfect her style: a third historical romance is in the works.”
*— Booklist, January 1, 2009*
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Dead Man’s Money by V.S. Meszaros AN AVALON WESTERN
	“Jim Wyatt has been let out of prison after serving time for a crime he didn't commit. Almost immediately, Jim chances upon a stagecoach that was just robbed by the nasty Bodine Gang, who are holding one of the passengers, a pretty young woman, captive. He could just ignore it and keep moving on, but Jim is an honorable fellow. He rescues the girl. Trouble is, being honorable can get you dead, and soon Jim is on the run from the vengeful Bodines, not to mention March Newton, the man who had put Jim behind bars in the first place. This is a solidly written western, full of the usual genre characters and dialogue--if it were a movie, it would be a Saturday matinee oater from the 1940s, with clearly delineated heroes and villains, a simple good-versus-evil story, and a protagonist who finds redemption through putting his life on the line for another. Sure, it's a formula, but it still works for many readers.”
*— Booklist, March 15, 2009*

	“The Meszaros sisters, Valerie and Susan, prove themselves to be skilled western authors in this action-packed hayburner (after Lone Survivor). Jim Wyatt is an ex-con, just released from prison for a crime he didn't commit. En route to his ranch in 1870s Wyoming, he stumbles into a stagecoach robbery, rescuing the sole survivor and the money from Lyle Bodine and his gang of murderous thieves. The survivor, Julie Carter, isn't sure if she is any safer with Wyatt, but she has no other choice, as the outlaws are after them. Meanwhile, back home, rancher March Newton, who framed Wyatt for murder, has stolen Wyatt's fiancée, is scheming to take Wyatt's land and has a posse tracking Wyatt. Wyatt and Julie are joined by some unlikely allies and together they whittle down the outlaws and the posse with some fancy Winchester and pistol work, blasting dozens of owlhoots into celestial pastures. Add greed, gunmen, gunsmoke and a surprise ending, and the result is fast-paced, bloody and exciting.”
*— Publishers Weekly, January 19, 2009*
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Holiday Dreams by Annette Mahon AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“When a broken faucet and a ruined Halloween costume send children’s librarian Momi Kanahele flying to the door of apartment manager Rick Mahoney to demand the situation be fixed, their relationship gets off to a soggy start. But Momi is attracted to the handsome Rick, and when he helps her choose another costume, she begins to see him in a new light. Amidst a waterlogged carpet, new floor tile, and cooking lessons (he teaches her), they gradually become friends. Still, unless Rick can resolve his past—and his aversion to the holidays—they may never be more. A wary hero who needs to take a chance, a heroine who is just the one to help him, and a magical family quilt combine in this gentle romance that adds a unique tropical touch to the festivities. This is the second installment in Mahon’s “Matchmaker Quilt” trilogy. Mahon (The Secret Correspondence) has a number of multicultural Hawaiian romances to her credit; she lives in Paradise Valley, AZ.”
*— Library Journal, October 15, 2008*
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Everything But a Wedding by Holly Jacobs AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“In this latest visit with the Salo family, Nana, more determined than ever to break the curse she put on her family as a young bride, focuses her energies on her granddaughter, Dori. But Dori has no interest in getting married. Ever. She's still smarting after being dumped by her last boyfriend, and believes that she's more buddy than girlfriend material. When Carter William Hastings shows up hoping to get Salo Construction to engage the services of Hastings Design, and Nana begins matchmaking, Dori enlists Carter's help in posing as her boyfriend, even though he appears every inch the metrosexual male--definitely not Dori's type. But "Carter" is really "Bill," who's got big plans to open his own firm in Arizona, and is only in Erie, Pennsylvania, to help his pregnant cousin, who is the Hasting behind Hastings Design. Will Dori and Bill find their way toward each other? Will Nana's curse finally be broken? All readers will enjoy the last endearing tale in Jacobs' trilogy.”
*— Booklist, November 1, 2008*
	“A beautiful conclusion to Holly Jacobs's latest trilogy, EVERYTHING BUT A WEDDING will leave you smiling. “Nana Salo started the wedding curse wishing Bela's family, her husband-to-be, who she thought jilted her, would never have a big beautiful wedding. Now, after her marriage to Bela and several children and grandchildren later, the curse remains or so Nana Salo believes. The last hope to change the curse is granddaughter Dori. But Dori never plans to marry and when her grandmother persists in trying to set her up with potential mates, Dori provides a boyfriend, her interior decorator Carter Hastings, as a ruse so Nana will leave her alone. “Carter, Bill, Hastings promises to help his very pregnant cousin CeCe land the Salo account by pretending to be CeCe's partner. However, Bill falls in love with Dori and regrets his deceit. What can he do, he always keeps his promises and what about that curse? “EVERYTHING BUT A WEDDING is a light hearted romance filled with humor and family devotion. This is one sweet read that must not be missed, especially if read together with EVERYTHING BUT A BRIDE and EVERYTHING BUT A GROOM. Holly Jacobs is synonymous with humorous romance and this series is a jewel in her crown.”
— CataRomance.com
	“I'm going to miss the Salo family since Everything But a Wedding finishes Holly Jacobs' trilogy about the family with roots in Hungary, and a business in Erie, Pennsylvania. If you enjoy light, fun romances, try this series, Everything But a Groom, Everything But a Bride, and, the concluding book, Everything But a Wedding. “Vancy Balshade, the matriarch of the Salo family, cursed Bela Salo's family when he failed to show up for their wedding. By the time he showed up late, due to an accident, she had relented, and said she hoped no one in his family had a big beautiful wedding, until the day they realized the wedding wasn't as important as the marriage. However, Vancy has lived with her curse her whole life, watching her children, and then grandchildren, marry, but never in that big, beautiful ceremony. “Her granddaughter, Dori Salo, is her last hope to break the family curse. But, Dori isn't a girly girl, and her heart has been broken before. If she falls for someone, he better be honest with her. So, Bill Hastings doesn't stand a chance with Dori. He's an architect, pretending to be an interior designer because his pregnant cousin begs him to stand in for her when she bids on a job for one of Dori's construction projects. The more Bill gets to know Dori, the more uncomfortable he is with his role as Carter Hastings the fourth. “One way or another, Holly Jacobs must settle the problem of the family curse, since she's ending the series with the romance, Everything But a Wedding. Let's just say, it's a romance. There must be a happy ending. And Holly Jacobs writes very satisfying romances. Everything But a Wedding won't let down the reader. It's another treat from Jacobs.”
— Lesa's Book Critiques, December 23, 2008, and *USA Today*
	“The final installment in Jacobs' Everything But trilogy is a heartwarming, funny, fast-paced romance with a captivating hero and a feisty heroine. The delightful supporting characters add another layer to this wonderful story of family and love. “Nana Vancy believes she's put a curse on her granddaughter, but Dora Salo doesn't care about a big family wedding--she's determined never to marry. She's happy working for herself, wearing jeans and a hardhat and only occasionally dreaming of Mr. Right. “Architect Bill Hastings is doing a favor for his very pregnant cousin--pretending to be metrosexual interior designer Carter Hastings IV to win the bid to decorate Dora's exclusive housing development. Dora begins to see the man beneath the designer labels, but can she forgive him once his deceit is revealed? Now that Dora is falling in love, can the curse be broken?”
*— Romantic Times, January, 2009*
	“The Salo Family Wedding Curse has been family lore for years, and Dori Salo has no intention of tempting fate, despite her sister and brother having found love. Her plan is to eventually break the curse in her own time and, so far, Dori hasn't found the one she wants to spend the rest of her life with. This hasn't stopped her family from trying to intervene by matchmaking. Meeting Carter William Hastings one day at a job site, the two hit it off. He's a metrosexual du jour, while she's more tomboyish; they're totally opposite from each other. They are just forging a friendship, right? “Carter would prefer to be called Bill, but he's keeping his true identity a secret on behalf of his sister, who's about to deliver a baby and has asked Bill to pretend to be an interior designer for her company so she can land a big contract. Upon meeting Dori, he's immediately attracted to her, though he has to act unlike his true personality. Bill would rather be fishing and doing things with the guys than pretending to be Carter, the sharply dressed man about town. When Dori asks him to pretend they're dating, he jumps at the chance. But as their friendship grows into something more, how can he come clean to her without it seeming he's dishonest? “A cute, lively story that will tickle your funny bone and leave you feeling good, EVERYTHING BUT A WEDDING shows how one can't always predict whom one will fall in love with and when. Dori is content in her job in home construction and hopes one day Mr. Right will be the one to break the curse. Into her life arrives Carter, totally the man who should be 'the one.' Meanwhile, he blends in with her raucous family, and Dori is soon wondering if indeed there is a future. “Bill loves his sister and would do anything for her. But lying to Dori eats at him, even as he begs his sister to be able to tell Dori the truth. Even as he tries to hide the real him, it doesn't take long before he lets his guard down. But, he also knows that after his sister has her baby, he's leaving town, and he can't hurt Dori by promising something more. When the truth about Bill is revealed, how will Dori react? Will he stick around? “Minor characters who play important parts in EVERYTHING BUT A WEDDING include Dori's grandmother, Nana Salo, whose being stood up at the altar started the family curse. Nana tries to convince Dori that Bill is Dori's Mr. Right. Also of note are Dori's sister and brother, whose stories were previously featured in EVERYTHING BUT A GROOM and EVERYTHING BUT A BRIDE. However, EVERYTHING BUT A WEDDING can be read alone without any disruption of understanding. “Will Dori and Bill break the Salo Family Curse? Will it turn into everything including a wedding? Find out in EVERYTHING BUT A WEDDING, an engaging tale you don't want to miss.”
*— Romance Reviews Today, January 2, 2009*
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Miss Delacourt Speaks Her Mind by Heidi Ashworth AN AVALON HISTORICAL ROMANCE
	“..."Miss Delacourt" is a marvel of an historical romance. Ashworth spins a yarn that recreates the manners, polite conversation and traditions of an era where such things mattered, and she does so with dash, aplomb and heaping helpings of humor. "Miss Delacourt" manages manages to be completely contemporary and yet triumphantly traditional. Think Ms. Cher Horowitz meets Miss Elizabeth Bennet. The burning question of the book is whether straight-talking Miss Ginny Delacourt and oppressively polite Sir Anthony Crenshaw belong together. Naturally, there are English manors, country estates, magnificent gowns, smacking loads of polite talk and for good measure, a case of the pox. The reader is certain that rich, hunky Sir Anthony and beautiful, kind-hearted Miss Delacourt are fated to fall in love. But where amour is concerned, one can never be sure. What you can count [on] is a deliciously satisfying romantic romp.”
*— Clayton Pioneer,December 5, 2008*
	“It was all the fault of his blasted grandmother's roses. If the dowager Duchess of Marcross hadn't insisted that Sir Anthony Crenshaw travel to her country estate to check up on her priceless roses, Anthony would still be comfortably ensconced in his London townhouse rather than rattling around rough country roads with the old termagant's ward, Ginerva Delacourt. Of course, the journey is fraught with one disaster after another, ultimately culminating in a house party from hell when Anthony and Ginny find themselves staying with a neighbor after Ginny's maid comes down with a contagious disease. Spending even more time with the opinionated, annoying Ginny seems like the worst sort of holiday imaginable, but much to his surprise, Anthony soon discovers he enjoys battling wits with the always outspoken Miss Delacourt. Ashworth takes some of the stock staples of the traditional regency and gives them her own unique spin in this refreshingly sweet, tartly humorous romance.”
*— Booklist, November 1, 2008*
	“A dashing rogue and a fiery heroine spar in Ashworth's charming Regency-era historical romance debut. Sir Anthony Crenshaw reluctantly accompanies Ginny Delacourt into the countryside at the request of his grandmother, who is trying to play matchmaker. But Crenshaw's mask of etiquette drives the spitfire Delacourt mad, and they can barely stand each other. When highwaymen accost the pair and force them to seek shelter at a local estate, they meet Lucinda Barrington and Lord Avery, lovers destined to marry, if only they can get past their foolish need for drama. Crenshaw and Delacourt begin to fall for each other, though their courtship is complicated by the attentions of both Barrington and Avery. The subplot involving Lord Avery and Lucinda Barrington elevates Ashworth's story above the genre's usual fare and the couple is a natural foil to Delacourt and Crenshaw. Their presence provides genre fans the opportunity to laugh at familiar circumstances taken to absurd extremes.”
*— Publishers Weekly, October 6, 2008*
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Murder Express by Robert Scott AN AVALON MYSTERY
	“P.I. and former policeman Jack Elton encounters trouble once again when he and his new wife, Valerie (a copy herself), board a cross-country train from Vancouver to Calgary as part of their honeymoon relaxing. But relaxing proves impossible for the inquisitive pair when a fellow traveler's body is found in the bathroom. Local officials write it off as a suicide, but Jack and Val know better, as they launch their own makeshift investigation, interviewing the countless potential murderers in classic whodunit style. Not quite Murder on the Orient Express but an entertaining cozy nonetheless.”
*— Booklist, December 1, 2008*
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Frame Work by Anne G. Faigen AN AVALON MYSTERY
	“Frame Work is an atypical mystery in that there's very little bloodshed or violence; even more notable is the lack of profanity, not to mention that all the characters are well-spoken and intelligent, even the villains. So perhaps author Anne Faigen's greatest achievement is how she subverts the grim and grisly noir conventions and comes up with a readable, often compelling story.”
— Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, January 18, 2009
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	“College professor Sarah Brandau receives an invitation to participate in a literary conference in Prague and persuades her grandmother, Edith, to accompany her. Edith raised Sarah after her parents died, and she does not understand how her granddaughter could abandon Manhattan for a rural college campus in Pennsylvania. After arriving in Prague, the two explore the area near their hotel and find an ornate picture frame in an antique shop. Edith purchases a print to put in the frame, thinking it will be a nice gift for a friend. Later, they examine their purchase and discover it is more than a simple print. When the dealer calls to try to get the picture back, Edith and Sarah find themselves in the midst of an art-theft scandal that extends back to Nazi war crimes. Readers of historical novels as well as mystery fans will enjoy this not-so-cozy adventure.”
*— Booklist, December 1, 2008*
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Judgment at Gold Butte by Terrell L. Bowers AN AVALON WESTERN
	“Joe Bratt, although short on formal education, has learned wisdom by making his own way from the time he was seven years old. Taught how to make a living by the old gambler who took him in, Joe knows a man should never sit down to a crooked game of cards, only fight if he must, and to stay away from respectable women. Of course, during the course of this story, he is hornswoggled into doing all the wrong things (though from the best of motives), from fighting and killing a man when forced into it, to paying a debt to beautiful Raylene Stanfield. When her father is accidentally killed on his way to take up appointment as judge in Gold Butte, she begs Joe to take his place. Judging another mans guilt or innocence isn't something Joe knows much about, but he'll do about anything for Raylene, even to getting himself killed. This is a fast-paced story full of endearing characters, which is sure to entertain and amuse the reader. Excellent action an dialogue, along with an intriguing story premise carries swiftly through to the end. The author has come up with some impressive and innovative judgments for Joe to make. Well done.”
*— Roundup Magazine, Volume XVI, No. 3, February 2009*
	“Here's a solid genre western with a slightly weird premise. Joe, a professional poker player on the run after gunning down a mayor's son (in self-defense), meets a woman whose late father had been appointed the new judge of Gold Butte. The woman convinces our hero that he should impersonate the dead man, and suddenly Joe is sitting on the bench, trying to act like he knows what he's doing. And, if trying to keep the townspeople from getting wise to the scheme isn't hard enough, it isn't long before trouble shows up, in the form of men who want to give Joe his comeuppance for killing the mayor's son back home. It's a story of a basically good man trying to do the right thing, which would easy enough if the right thing didn't keep turning out to have such awful consequences. Bowers keeps the proceedings light, but he never turns the novel into an outright comedy. This isn't Blazing Saddles, but it is a fun, lighthearted western with colorful characters and plenty of atmosphere.”
*— Booklist, December 1, 2008*
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The Search for Justice by Judy and Ronald Culp AN AVALON WESTERN
	“Third book in a series, The Search for Justice Tilman Wagner, his new wife, Catherine, and her son, James, have received a plea from Catherine's family to help save her brother's ranch. There's been a surge of cattle rustling and horse stealing that's wiped out the Stone's livestock, and now there have been questions raised about the old Spanish land grant that proves Stone and his wife's ownership of the Texas ranch. Adding to their trouble, one of the Stone's sons has taken a wrong turn, running up gambling debts that have wiped out their cash reserves. Worse, they find he may be in cahoots with the rustlers. When David Stone is shot and badly injured, it's up to Tilman and the women, helped by some very good friends, to save the ranch. They are soon to find greed is a hard enemy, and so is a divided family. While quite predictable in plot, there's still plenty of adventure and action to hold your interest. Sometimes Catherine's objection to gunplay seems a bit odd given the circumstances, and in this story the wayward son's motivation is weak, but all in all, this is a strong addition to the series. Expansion of information on the Spanish Barb horses would've pleased this reader.”
*— Roundup Magazine, Volume XVI, No. 2, December 2008*
	“The Culps return with a quick and formulaic installment of the Telegraph series. Tilman Wagner, new bride Catherine and adopted son in tow, arrives in town to help Catherine’s brother, David, who is having trouble with his cattle ranch. Rustlers in the pay of David’s neighbor are ransacking his herds, and he’s got some domestic problems—his son Cam’s gambling and drinking habits have him so in debt that he becomes a cattle rustler himself. With the help of old friend Butter, Tilman defeats the rustlers and saves the ranch before being called away again on another mission. The book doesn’t aspire to much more than standard genre fare; it hits the requisite bases and will while away part of an afternoon.”
*— Publishers Weekly, August 25, 2008*
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Coming Home by Elisabeth Rose AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“When Libby is told she can no longer play the cello professionally due to an injury, she returns to Sydney, Australia, to figure out what to do with the rest of her life. Libby is so passionate about her cello, this is almost too much to bear. As soon as she arrives, she is invited to a friend's home for dinner. Among the guests is someone who has never forgotten her. Charles lived one floor below her apartment in Vienna almost a decade ago when they were both students. All Libby remembers is that he used to pound on his ceiling when she was practicing. Charles doesn't hate music, but he certainly has issues with musiciains. His parents, famous in the industry, never had time for him. Now these two prickly individuals are thrown together again, and while Libby is not interested, Charles can't believe his good fortune. Readers will love Rose's enchanting tale of unexpected love.”
*— Lynne Welch, Booklist, November 1, 2008*
	“Libby's first night back in Sydney at a small dinner party at her friend's parents' house makes her feel like a Lame Duck. You know, the unaccompanied third at a party, nowhere to go, no friends, and nothing in your life of any interest. That's her; she just flew in to Sydney the night before and is in a deep depression because of the changes this famous cellist's life has taken. Repetitive stress has made playing the cello painful and impossible, and Libby has no other skills, even secretarial, and even if she did, it's impossible because of her hand. Soon after arriving at Bob and Betty Swift's house, she remembers how exhausting they are to be around, and their friends aren't much better, until a man arrives named Charles Hogarth claiming to know her from Vienna. Ah Vienna...she was there as a determined eighteen year old, set on becoming the student of a famous cellist and practicing for all she was worth. Whoops, Charles was the man in the room beneath her where she stayed, forever banging on the ceiling yelling at her to quit practicing. She had to practice if she wanted to get accepted by the famous Heinz Wanhal. Well, that's years under the bridge; now Libby has to figure out how to get a job and support herself with no skills. Then Betty tells an older friend of hers about Libby, and Gloria Bennett calls her to be a live-in companion, and Libby is grateful for a temporary solution to her problem until she can get her life put in order. But guess who Gloria is related to? “Irene Temple and Gerald Hogarth...two people Charles Hogarth has given up on ever forming an attachment to. Irene is a famous soloist and his mother. Shows all over the world were her thing, and a son merely got in the way. Gerald Hogarth is a famous conductor and his father. Leading orchestras never got in the way of raising a young boy. It was either nannies or great aunt Gloria taking care of him as a child. His lack of loving parents has infected every part of his life, and despite his parents' divorce, he hasn't had any contact with them in years. He's made his own way as an architect and moved to Australia, and when great aunt Gloria got too old, asked her to move in with him so he could take care of her. Nothing is too good for the only person who ever cared a fig for him, and if she wants a companion during the day, it's a great idea. Now he won't have to worry about her cooking things or falling down or getting sick with no one around to help her, until he finds out it's Libby. Charles fell in love with Libby at first sight all those years ago in Vienna, but no way is he letting his life get mixed up with that of a musician again. Those hurts run too deep; he's keeping everything platonic between himself and Libby; it's better for his mental health. “Becoming unusual in books lately, COMING HOME is written in the third person to tell the story of Libby and Charles. Despite the details given, I still didn't feel a strong affinity for them. The romance is very gentle and mild, nothing to harm anyone's sensibilities, and yet I felt no real passion between them. COMING HOME has taken a unique situation and presented it to us with the problems that it can cause in someone's life, and the setting in Australia has not been used nearly enough lately. “Charles and Libby both have an attraction to each other, and perhaps living together isn't a good idea. Libby tries tai chi with great aunt Gloria, and its gentle exercise and mind set help calm her down. The only thing Libby needs is a real job, something to rely upon the rest of her life; the doctor she consulted doubts she'll ever play the cello again. The main deterrent to her and Charles getting together is her obvious devotion to music, and her willingness to go back to it if anything can help her hand. Charles saw what single-minded devotion to a music career did to his life, and he never wants it again in his own life, but especially not for any child of his. Can Libby and Charles take the giant step of devotion and trust in their love, and work together to live a life that accommodates both of them, or should they give up without even trying? “Just the right mix of friends and relatives makes COMING HOME interesting. There's Bob and Betty Swift, those overly friendly, great host and hostess who will do anything for you, only their care and help soon drives you crazy. Gloria is Charles's adoring great aunt; without her, Charles's life wouldn't have been worth living when he was a child. And then there's Gloria's new boyfriend Oscar. “COMING HOME is strikingly reminiscent of the old romances of the early 1980's, with a sweet heroine, a strong man with a deeply hidden caring side, and lots of angst between them deciding if they dare give love a chance in their lives. A pleasant, evening's read is in store for you with COMING HOME.”
*— Carolyn Crisher, Romance Reviews Today, October 2008*
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Montana Star by DeAnn Smallwood AN AVALON HISTORICAL ROMANCE
	“Aries Burnett heads for Montana after receiving a marriage-of-convenience proposal from Ben McCabe. She conceals several essential facts from her intended, which become apparent upon her arrival: she is clueless about housekeeping, she's actually a trained doctor, and her four-year-old brother Timmy is part of the package. But Ben's father has arranged this marriage on behalf of unsuspecting elder son Jarrett, who strenuously objects to her presence, his past losses having hardened his heart and made him bitter and disinclined to risk further tragedy. Smallwood's intriguing historical romance incorporates a wealth of medical detail into the story while painting a vivid picture of Big Sky Country in all its glory and hardship.”
*— Lynne Welch, Booklist, September 15, 2008*
	“Aries Burnett, the winning heroine of Smallwood’s pleasant debut, has been trained as a doctor by her father, but 19th-century conventions prohibit her from getting her board certification. When her father dies, leaving her a mountain of debt and no way of supporting herself in Philadelphia, she answers an ad to be the mail-order bride to Montana rancher Jarrett McCabe. Her arrival comes as a surprise to Jarrett, whose brother Ben placed the ad without telling him. Jarrett doesn’t want a wife, but he agrees to take Aries on as a cook and housekeeper. As her competence and willingness to adapt breaks down Jarrett’s crusty resistance, a romance blossoms. Though predictable, the narrative has some life and a few nice tweaks—Aries’s acceptance by the townsfolk as a doctor is refreshing. Also, Smallwood focuses more on Aries’s development as a woman rather than strictly on the romance, which will likely win over readers who might otherwise pass on a western.”
*— Publishers Weekly, August 25, 2008*
	“Wise River, Montana - the Past “Aries Burnett's life is turned upside down with the unexpected death of her father. She went from living the luxurious life provided by her physician father to become a penniless miss in the blink of an eye. Not only must Aries find a way to provide for her younger brother Timmy, she also must figure out how to pay off her father's massive gambling debts. Her saving grace comes from an ad posted in the paper by a man looking for a wife to help with his Montana Ranch. Aries, knowing more about practicing medicine than cooking, grasps onto the opportunity presented and replies to the ad. “Jarrett McCabe is a man scarred. As a child, he watched his mother die in childbirth and eventually lost his wife in the same manner. These experiences have left him cold and angry. He never expects his family to try to find him a wife. Jarrett is immediately prepared to hate Aries and all she represents.he doesn't want a wife and he really doesn't want anyone else trying to procure him one! “Aries and Jarrett must come to some sort of agreement. He needs a woman's help on his ranch, and she doesn't have anywhere else to turn. They come to a mutual arrangement and both try to deny the attraction they feel for one another. However, their denial doesn't last long. “MONTANA STAR's heroine is a woman desperate to make a life for herself and her little brother. Its hero is a man who fears to love again. Their story contains pain and sorrow but eventually blossoms into the love we all long for. Aries's and Jarrett's passions feed off one another.their anger is explosive and their love is all consuming. This emotional whirlwind is what makes MONTANA STAR shine as an historical romance novel. “Other characters include Jarrett's brother Ben and their father, Ted McCabe, who are the male versions of the matchmaking mamas you normally read about. The citizens of Montana also play major roles and allow us to appreciate Aries's prowess as a physician. All of the characters add depth and dimension to a heartwarming tale of two lovers who overcome extreme barricades to be together.”
*— Romance Reviews Today, November 1, 2008*
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Salsa with Me by Roni Denholtz AN AVALON ROMANCE
	Finalist for Best Short Contemporary in the New Jersey Romance Writers’ 2009 Golden Leaf Contest “When Marisol Acevedo meets Dr. Alejandro Lares, sparks fly immediately--even as he is tending to her grandmother's injured ankle. Their desire grows as Alex takes salsa lessons for his cousin's wedding at the dance studio where Marisol is a teacher. But Alex, still damaged by a cold, cheating ex-fiancée, is reluctant to let their relationship progress, despite their attraction and their families' approval. His commitment fears are compounded by his cousin's troubled relationship with his own fiancée and desire for another woman. It takes an unlikely series of events--and new couplings all around him--to convince Alex that Marisol is a woman he can love and trust. Denholtz's romance is about the repercussions of true love trumping rationality. Though things work out just a little too perfectly, true romantics will be swept up by the intriguing story and passionate characters.”
*— Aleksandra Walker, Booklist, September 15, 2008*
	“SALSA WITH ME is a perfect 1, 2, 3, cha cha cha of family, friends and new love. Denholtz delivers a delightful tale you'll be sure to love.”
*— Caridad Pineiro, N Y Times* Bestselling Author**

The Dove by Carolyn Brown AN AVALON HISTORICAL ROMANCE
	“Katy Lynn is the town drunk's daughter, and Joshua is the preacher's son, so when his father discovers their summer romance, he packs Joshua off to an eastern college and buys Katy's promise not to pursue him. Heartbroken, Katy pours her energies into her Soiled Dove saloon and various other enterprises. When Joshua returns as Spanish Fort's new preacher, however, the sparks fly as both struggle to overcome the past. Brown's stand-alone historical romance set in small-town 1905 Texas addresses some of the ingrained business and social prejudices still rampant in American society more than 100 years later.”
*— Lynne Welch, Booklist, July 1, 2008*
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Everything But a Bride by Holly Jacobs AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“Noah Salo was engaged to be married to his childhood sweetheart Julianna. Nana Salo was thrilled and felt this would break the curse she inadvertently put on the family years ago. But when Julianna backs out, it's up to her younger stepsister Callie, to step in and help Noah through his heartbreak. This series about a family cursed with wedding disasters does not need to be read in order, but anyone who's gone through the trauma of planning a wedding will be able to sympathize with the goings on. Lighthearted and sweet, these books are great to share with the women in your lives.”
— Barbara Vey, Publishers Weekly Online, June 27, 2008
	“Jacobs brings readers back to Erie, Pennsylvania, and the Salo family. Nana is now counting on her grandson, Noah, to break the curse she visited on her family when she thought she was a jilted bride. In two weeks, Noah will marry his childhood sweetheart. At his stag party, he is dragged onto the dance floor by his intended's stepsister, Callie. She and Noah have always been buddies, and everyone thinks of her as one of the guys, but Noah's bride-to-be cuts in and tells him that the wedding is off. Suddenly, Callie and Noah are forced to see what's been there all along: they're perfect for each other. He doesn't see a problem, but Callie refuses to risk their friendship. So begins Noah's campaign to convince her to fall in love in Jacobs' sweet and tender tale of two hearts realizing they should be one. But will Noah and Callie break the curse?”
*— Maria Hatton, Booklist, July 1, 2008*
	“Summary: Nana Vancy hopes that the curse she inadvertently brought on her family will be broken when her grandson, Noah Salo, marries Julianna. But Julianna calls things off at the last minute. When Callie, Julianna's stepsister and Noah's friend, breaks up with her boyfriend, she and Noah end up taking the honeymoon trip together. While away they discover a different aspect of their relationship, one Noah wants to pursue when they return home. But Callie is afraid of what will happen if things don't work out. Noah has his work cut out for him to convince her to give this new relationship a chance. (Avalon, Aug., 192 pp., $23.95) MILD”
— Susan Mobley, Romantic Times
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Lost Youth by Robert Scott AN AVALON MYSTERY
	“When Eric Howes calls his friend, private investigator Jack Elton, at three o'clock in the morning, Jack realizes immediately that he has a case that must be solved quickly. Jennifer Herties, the daughter of a wealthy Vancouver businessman, has been kidnapped. To rescue the victim, Jack and his girlfriend, Val Cummins, a police officer, must first find Jennifer's father and then gain his trust. Scott (Advertising Murder, 2007) has written an engaging second book. The intricate plot along with the evolving relationship of Jack and Val provide the appeal here.”
*— Barbara Bibel, Booklist, July 1, 2008*
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Blood Redemption by A.H. Holt AN AVALON WESTERN
	“Wes Lane is madder than Hades when his blooded palomino loses a race to his cousin Red Thornton's mustang. Never mind that Red has always done his best to look after Wes. In addition to the horse race, they're rivals now over the prettiest girl in Arizona territory, and Wes doesn't like losing. “That's why after giving Red a push in a fuss out back of the saloon, Wes is on the point of braining an unconscious Red with a rock. A witness comes along in the nick of time--for Red. But when Wes shoots the witness and blames Red, and when Wes's father is the most influential man in the area and sticks up for his son, Red doesn't stand a chance of justice. “Despite some doubts of his guilt, he's shipped off to Yuma prison, where he is to serve his time. Three years later, Red is released early as most of the truth has come out. He comes home to find the family photo is changed and he now faces challenges he never before considered. “Holt has conjured up an excellent cast of very human characters for readers to root for. Full of well-placed action, Blood Redemption is a fine read.”
*— Round Up Magazine, Vol XV, No 5, June 2008*
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Grave for a Dead Gunfighter by Kent Conwell AN AVALON WESTERN
	“Even though Clint Bowles has buried his gunfighter past, he's still mighty quick with a sidearm, as well as when he's lobbing sticks of dynamite or rattlesnakes, in some of this novel's more off-trail action scenes. His principal nemesis, crooked Sheriff Hitch Faber, finally interrupts one of the longest poker game sin Western annals to gather an assortment of enemies against Clint that even include one named "Big Nose George" (although the George of this book seems too far from his usual sniffing grounds, and too old in 1868, to be the one who was famously lynched thirteen years later). Other menaces faced by the heroes include the obstinately spiteful Pete Bodine and his brothers, a regulation-issue crooked judge, and even a highly dubious Presidential hopeful. Scene vignettes are often sharply etched. Riding from their Arizona home to search for Clint's stepfather in New Mexico Territory, Bowles and his sidekick Speck get caught in a literally blinding snowstorm that those who have experienced similar ones in that region will recognize as rendered without exaggeration. The demise of a central character in a climactic scene is nicely touched in, and if the dialogue leading up to it is a bit high flown, the death itself is more effective for being low key.”
*— Roundup Magazine, Volume XVI, No. 3, February 2009*
	“Conwell's 25th western (after Atascocita Gold) is a fast-paced hayburner loaded with gunplay, powder smoke and a wagonload of perforated corpses. Cleve Bollinger is a wanted man now living straight as Clint Bowles. He has his saddle pal, Speck Adams, head to New Mexico after learning that an old friend, Sam Cooper, who Clint thought was dead, is alive and in trouble. On arrival at the small pueblo town of El Jardin, Clint and Speck side with Cooper in a vicious land war with land baron John Rawlings, his small army of hired guns and his paid-for sheriff and judge. Once the baddies realize Cooper has help and Clint's true identity is discovered, the lead starts to fly, and Clint's six-guns don't have time to cool off. The bad guys soak up most of the lead in this oater, and Conwell cleverly helps Clint ride off into the sunset in a satisfying, concluding plot twist. This may be pure western formula, but it sure is fun.”
*— Publishers Weekly, June 16, 2008*
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Marriage 101 by Deborah Shelley AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“A macho, marriage-shy coach convinced that divorce has been coded into his family's DNA and a human relationships teacher, strong on theory but woefully lacking in practice, find their ideas and patience put to the test when Rachel Levin's high school "Marriage 101" class dares her and coach Danny Riccuci to follow her students' assignment-stay "married" to someone they didn't choose for the school year! Sparks fly, emotions sizzle, and romance blooms between the reluctant pair as their preconceived ideas give way to live in this sweet, hilarious tale that is brimming with sassy humor, snappy dialog, and intriguing family dynamics. It even provides a lively take on the high school scene. Shelley (One Starry Night) lives in Glendale, AZ.”
*— Library Journal, June 15, 2008*
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The Secret Correspondence by Annette Mahon AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“Concerned when her elderly neighbor breaks her leg, health-care worker Julie Wong takes matters into her own hands and secretly emails the woman's Upstate New York-based workaholic son, never dreaming that an innocent online missive would turn into something much more significant-to both of them. Totally opposite, likable protagonists who beautifully complement each other; quirky, lovable secondary characters; and vivid descriptions of island life are highlights of this sweet, funny romance. Fans of Mahon will enjoy catching up with the rest of the inhabitants of tiny Malino, HI, in this latest in the author's (Dolphin Dreams) multicultural "Secret Romance" series. Mahon lives in Paradise Valley, AZ.”
*— Library Journal, June 15, 2008*
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Quiet Meg by Sherry Lynn Ferguson -- ADVANCE REVIEW AN AVALON HISTORICAL ROMANCE
	“In this Regency novel from Ferguson (The Honorable Marksley), Charles Cabot's quality landscape architect work nicely complements his noble lineage. A routine visit to the estate of Sir Eustace Lawrence quickly draws Charles into Lawrence family tensions: middle daughter Margaret has an obsessive stalker in the powerful, sadistic earl of Sutcliffe. Since Sutcliffe has already killed a young male friend of Meg's and gotten away with it, she has maintained an emotional distance from all men, fearing Sutcliffe will repeat his violence. But in spite of Meg's determined coolness, both she and Charles feel stirred by romance, and Charles, dressed in his aristocratic finery and flanked by his high-born cousins, baits Sutcliffe to show his hand. There's too much dialogue, but it's sprightly, and Ferguson's lively characters carry the day.”
*— Publishers Weekly, June 2, 2008*
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The Devil's Game by Loretta Jackson and Vickie Britton AN AVALON WESTERN
	“Fair play is not something that happened in the Wild West. "The Devil's Game" tells of Drew Woodson and his successful gambles going rotten. Gaining wins over the wrong people, he finds his money stolen and the one man he can trust missing. But his hidden feelings for his lost friend's wife and the evidence suggesting that said friend may be doing something shadier than being kidnapped makes it all the more complicated. "The Devil's Game" is a riveting novel of the old west, recommended.”
— Midwest Book Review, November 8, 2008
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The Golden Thread by Amanda Harte AN AVALON HISTORICAL ROMANCE
	“In less than a year, New York City heiress Eleanor Menger will have control of her fortune. In the meantime, though, to avoid marrying a man chosen by her greedy uncle, Eleanor assumes a new identity and supports herself by taking a job as a textile worker in the small town of Hidden Falls. Working in the mill proves to be more difficult and dangerous than Eleanor first imagined, but there are also some unexpected rewards, including a new sense of responsibility and the strong friendships Eleanor forges with her coworkers. What Eleanor didn't expect to find in Hidden Falls was the love of her life, who turns out to be the town's annoying and exasperating new newspaper publisher Brad Harrod. Deftly blending a charmingly sweet romance with some fascinating details about the textile industry and newspaper publishing in early-twentieth-century America, Harte creates another winning addition to her Hidden Falls series.”
*— John Charles, Booklist, May 15, 2008*
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Sierra Skullduggery by Jerry S. Drake AN AVALON WESTERN
	“In this sequel to The Gunfighter's Apprentice (2006), former gunslinger Tom Patterson is approached by a shady fellow with an unsettling proposition: do a little job for us, or your wife will suffer the consequences. Patterson gets himself out of that predicament and hightails it home to find that his wife, Betty, has just extricated herself from her own tricky situation. Tom isn't going to tolerate anyone threatening his family, so he sets out to determine who's behind it all. Of course, he isn't expecting to walk headfirst into a conspiracy involving a railroad company and some of the nastiest people he has ever gone up against. This is a no-frills formula western (it could have been written in the pulp era). Characters' positions on the good-to-evil spectrum are clearly marked, and the story is clean and simple (but not simplistic). For those who aren't looking for ambiguity in a western, who want only a good story about a single hero squaring off against a bunch of baddies, this one fills the bill and will provide a pleasant evening's entertainment.”
*— David Pitt, Booklist, May 15, 2008*
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Chocolate Secrets by Zelda Benjamin AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“They’re not exactly the Hatfields and McCoys, but the Martinellis and Simones have been feuding ever since Sal Simone stole the secret chocolate recipe from Alex Martinelli’s grandfather. Her whole life, Alex has heard how Grandpa Max’s best friend, Sal, betrayed him. Despite all those years of having it drilled into her that the only good Simone is a dead one, Alex begins to fall for firefighter Mike Simone after he saves her grandfather from a cooking fire. Instead of gratitude, stubborn old Max clings to his anti-Simone ways. Mike’s fellow firefighters, on the other hand, believe that a match between Alex and Mike is just the thing both of them need, and they begin to coach Mike on fail-proof wooing techniques, including using a daily horoscope to predict Alex’s moods. Endearing characters—from the matchmaking firefighters to the young, colorful assistant candy maker—provide a nice balance to the grumpy gramps. Benjamin’s romance is sure to charm readers.”
*— Shelley Mosley, Booklist, April 1, 2008*
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Stargazer by Amanda Harte AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“For Julie Unger, the job could not have come at a better time, for now she can leave Calena and her bitter divorce behind to do something she loves: restore an antique carousel. When Julie arrives at Hidden Falls, almost everyone is delighted to welcome her to the small town, including handsome chief of police Dan Harrod. But Julie doesn’t think she has time for anything other than her new job until she meets Rick Swanson, the architect who helped renovate the studio where she now works. When Julie discovers that both Rick and his son, Josh, are still grieving over the loss of Rick’s wife, Julie wants nothing more than to help, and in doing so, she finds a way to deal with her own sorrow. In the latest addition to her Hidden Falls series, Harte skillfully uses the healing power of love to create a richly emotional and sweetly charming contemporary romance.”
*— John Charles, Booklist, April 1, 2008*
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In the Dismal Swamp by Patrick Balester AN AVALON MYSTERY
	“Greg Parnell imagined his new assignment as a field agent for the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife would be laid-back, even boring, which would be just fine by him. But when the body of an activist and wife of a local politician washes up in the Virginia swamp over which he has jurisdiction, Greg’s adrenaline starts running again. Why are all the locals so quick to dismiss her death as an accident?”
	“Greg senses there’s more to it than that and finds an unlikely helper in FBI agent Dan Brennan. Their investigation rubs the townsfolk the wrong way, but that’s not enough to keep the young Yankee (Greg) and the cocky fed (Dan) from digging. Even when the local officials concede that a murder took place, they jump too quickly to make an arrest, leaving Greg to solve the crime on his own, making more enemies along the way. Believable dialogue, an engaging hero in the manner of C.J. Box’s Joe Pickett, and lots of Virginia backcountry ambience suggest a strong series in the offing from this talented first novelist.”
*— Mary Frances Wilkens, Booklist, May 1, 2008*
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Grave Justice by Glen Ebisch AN AVALON MYSTERY
	“In the second in a series, after The Crying Girl (2007), featuring Amanda Vickers and Marcie Ducasse, the inquisitive editors of Roaming New England Magazine, Ebisch’s journalist sleuths have found their way into another real-life mystery. In West Windham to cover a possible lake monster story, Amanda and her friend Nick are invited to a séance meant to contact the spirit of a prominent businessman’s murdered wife in the hope that her spirit can identify the culprit. Surprisingly enough, a clue is given, thus setting the wheels in motion for more death and the unearthing of secrets. Ebisch is fun to read even though Amanda and Marcie don’t exactly stand out as strong leading ladies. Happily, some of the secondary characters, especially Ben (the cemetery groundskeeper) and the medium, counter this and offer charming, entertaining moments. With a fan-favorite plot and satisfying comeuppances, Ebisch offers up a solid helping of American cozy fare, and readers will look forward to the next mysterious take from New England.”
*— Nina C. Davis, Booklist, April 1, 2008*
	“In Ebisch’s second mystery to feature Roaming New England Magazine reporters Amanda Vickers and Marcie Ducasse (after The Crying Girl), the two women are in West Windham, ME, investigating a sighting of the Lake Opal Monster. Then, they attend a séance arranged by a wealthy businessman wanting to find out who killed his wife, and the medium announces that the identity of the murderer lies with his widow in her coffin. Ebisch keeps both plots on track in this fine mystery that will capture most readers’ imaginations.”
*— Library Journal, April 1, 2008*
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Death in the French Quarter by Kent Conwell AN AVALON MYSTERY
	“Austin, Texas, private investigator Tony Boudreaux isn't at all fond of his native Louisiana. The cases that take him across Texas' eastern border are almost always dangerous and barely survivable (The Swamps of Bayou Teche, 2007). This time a childhood friend asks him to clear her brother of the murder charges that put him in prison, where he died. Why waste time and money clearing a dead man? It's only when Tony discovers a connection between his client's brother and the murder of Tony's cousin a few months earlier that he develops an enthusiasm for the case. The only clue he has is a shady Austin import business that employed both men and subsequently shut down in the dead of night. The business owners retreated--of course--into New Orleans' complex and dangerous smuggling industry. Eventually, Tony ingratiates himself with the smugglers and goes undercover with them. It's a dangerous game, but Tony is motivated by loyalty to family and friends. The eighth Boudreaux mystery is a pleasantly grisly sojourn into the Crescent City's corrupt underbelly. This is an unpretentious, no-frills, highly entertaining series.”
*— Wes Lukowsky, Booklist, December 15, 2007*
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To Trust by Carolyn Brown AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“Dee Hooper was so anxious to escape Buckhorn Corner, Oklahoma, that she eloped with the first man to propose, but seven miserable years later she has sworn off men for good and returned home to the big old house populated by four generations of Hooper women. Boy-next-door Jack, now working in his late grandparents' convenience store and living in a dilapidated trailer, is glad to see her but understandably cautious about trusting her with his heart again. The tone of Brown's newest contemporary romance series is more acerbic than sassy, and the characters exhibit a much more insular outlook than her usual good-natured constructs, but the down-home setting and extended family relationships do entertain.”
*— Lynne Welch, Booklist, December 15, 2007*
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Miss Quinn's Quandary by Shirley Marks AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“One impulsive act could change Larissa Quinn's life forever. On the way to live with her aged aunt in the country, she claims to be the wife of a stranger to secure the last room at the inn. She is sure she'll never see involuntary husband Sir Randall Trent again. She doesn't know her aunt has plans for Larissa to attend the London social season, where she and Randall will be forced together when her lie resurfaces. Marks, the author of Geek to Chic (2006) and Honeymoon Husband (2007), tries out historical romance with this novel set in Regency England. Her chick-lit readers may be turned off by the premise, but Marks mingles modern sensibilities with the traditional setting. The romance that blooms between Larissa and Randall is predictable yet pleasing. A promising mystery element unfolds haphazardly but may provide some additional appeal for readers who like both romance and suspense.”
*— Booklist, November 14, 2007*
	“This charming if uneven Edwardian from Marks (Geek to Chic) opens as Miss Larissa Quinn completes her education and journeys to Westmoreland estate to become the companion to an aunt she doesn't know. She resolves, however, to have one adventure before resigning herself to her fate. On arriving at an inn, Larissa, spys a handsome gentleman, and claims that the two are newlyweds in order to secure the last remaining room. Once settled, it takes a little convincing to get the man, Sir Randall Trent, to go on with the charade. After a chaste night, the two board the coach assuming that no one will be the wiser and that they will never meet again. But Larissa's very undoddering aunt eschews dull country life for the London season, and when Larissa and Sir Randall inevitably meet, their "marriage" slips out of their control-leading to unpleasant and possibly deadly consequences. The lovers don't quite come into focus and often seem not to know whether to fight or kiss, but the inventive plot carries them along with sweet abandon.”
*— Publishers Weekly, October 22, 2007*
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Everything But a Groom by Holly Jacobs AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“Cursed! Yancy Bashalde didn’t mean to curse her children and grandchildren. When she cursed the man who didn't show up to marry her in Hungary, she meant to curse his children and grandchildren, so they would never enjoy a beautiful wedding. Unfortunately, she later married that same man, and suddenly, their descendants shared that curse. Holly Jacobs’ latest novel, Everything But a Groom, is a fun romance showing two people what it takes to make a marriage of love. “Yancy Salo ignored all of her grandmother’s stories, and had plans and counter plans for her beautiful wedding. What she didn’t plan on was her fiancé running off with a waitress. Suddenly Yancy is pursued by the media who smells a story about the bride who was cursed by her own grandmother. Her escape from the reporters led her straight to Matt Wilde, who has his own problems. “Wilde was quite happy building up his landscape business. He never expected to open his front door to find five-year-old twins, his brother’s sons, left on his doorstep. Yancy’s appearance in his life was a godsend since she seemed perfectly confident in handling two small boys. “Holly Jacobs has a knack for creating likable characters, from Yancy Salo and Matt Wilde to Yancy's grandmother, Nana Salo and Matt’s surprising stepmother. Fortunately for the reader, there are plans for two more books featuring Nana Salo’s descendants. Maybe there won’t be a big wedding in Nana’s future, but there’s bound to be romance. If Everything But a Groom is an example, it will be a fun, romantic story of two people who discover they need each other.”
*— Lesa Holstine, USA Today, December 27, 2007*
	“Although she doesn't believe in the wedding curse her Hungarian grandmother visited upon her family for three generations, Vancy Salo is taking every precaution to make sure her wedding goes off without a hitch. What she doesn't plan for is being stood up at the altar. Her family business is well known, and the story of the curse is too good for the media in Erie, Pennsylvania, to pass up. She's hounded by the press and in her agitated state she asks her landscaper to immediately remove all the special plantings he put in for the wedding. Matt Wilde has problems of his own. His young twin nephews, of whom he knew nothing, have been left on his doorstep, so he rushes to Vancy's with the boys in tow. She apologizes for her behavior, and they decide on a course of action: Vancy will stay at Matt's house to avoid the press and help him take care of his nephews. It seems too good to be true, and too good to pass up in Jacobs' very sweet tale of true love.”
*— Maria Hatton, Booklist, November 1, 2007* (starred review)
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Means to an End by Michael Hachey AN AVALON MYSTERY
	“Dexter Loomis (A Matter of Motive, 2004) is still interim police chief of Huggins Point, Wisconsin, even though he has been on the job for a year. When an investigative reporter dies in an automobile crash that was not an accident, he has a reason to reconnect with state homicide investigator Ann Summer. As they dig into the case, they find themselves skirting a federal investigation of the local Native American casino and its possible Mob ties as well as a burglary at the home of a famous artist. The artist may be tied to a murder that occurred 20 years earlier. When several people involved in the case die of poisoning, Dexter and Ann must find out why. Hachey manages to juggle several intriguing plot elements involving colorful characters while rekindling Dexter's romance with Ann. The rural setting adds charm to this agreeable mix of cozy and police procedural. Cozy fans who don't mind a little hard-boiled edge are the target audience.”
*— Barbara Bibel, Booklist, October 15, 2007*
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The Swamps of Bayou Teche by Kent Conwell AN AVALON MYSTERY
	“Dexter Loomis (A Matter of Motive, 2004) is still interim police chief of Huggins Point, Wisconsin, even though he has been on the job for a year. When an investigative reporter dies in an automobile crash that was not an accident, he has a reason to reconnect with state homicide investigator Ann Summer. As they dig into the case, they find themselves skirting a federal investigation of the local Native American casino and its possible Mob ties as well as a burglary at the home of a famous artist. The artist may be tied to a murder that occurred 20 years earlier. When several people involved in the case die of poisoning, Dexter and Ann must find out why. Hachey manages to juggle several intriguing plot elements involving colorful characters while rekindling Dexter's romance with Ann. The rural setting adds charm to this agreeable mix of cozy and police procedural. Cozy fans who don't mind a little hard-boiled edge are the target audience.”
*— Wes Lukowsky, Booklist, October 15, 2007*
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Evening Star by Carolyn Brown AN AVALON HISTORICAL ROMANCE
	“Tucker Anderson just can't believe his bad luck - he's broken his leg, cut his hand, and been concussed by a fall from the roof; and his aggravating cousins Clara (Morning Glory, 2007) and Tilly (Sweet Tilly, 2007) have hired a female doctor to mollycoddle and boss him for the next six weeks! Tucker has strong views - which he has loudly voiced on numerous occasions - on a woman's plce, and having to rely on Addison Carter for his every need is downright galling. Naturally, Addison is somewhat outspoken herself as befits one of Brown's heroines, and sparks fly from the moment they meet. Brown satisfyingly concludes her entertaining small-town Oklahoma Drifters and Dreamers romance trilogy with another colorful tale full of the quirky characters, verbal sparring, humorous escapades and historical detail her readers love.”
*— Lynne Welch, Booklist, October 1, 2007*
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Guns Along The Brazos by Owen G. Irons AN AVALON WESTERN
	“After two men gun Fred Jury down in his own home, his son, Ben, swears vengeance. As green as they come, Ben doesn't know exactly how he might go about tracking and facing the two killers, but his singleminded determination keeps him nipping at the men's heels, from a riverboat on the Mississippi to The Brazos River and the dust of Texas beyond. Along the way, Ben gets himself into all manner of unwarranted grief and soon finds his face staring back at him from a wanted poster. There are a few genuinely surprising twists and enough action to keep the story churning along, even as it morphs from a revenge tale to a quest of discovery as Ben learns the whole truth of his father's past and his long-lost mother. This will appeal to western fans who like their stories on the simpler, gentler side, or perhaps young greenhorns of the genre, but hardened cowpokes might best ride on past.”
*— Ian Chipman, Booklist, September 1, 2007*
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Cupid’s Web by Carolyn Hughey AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“Cassie Pirelli discovers that moving to New York City to escape her meddling, overbearing, Italian mother isn’t the answer to all of her problems. Yes, it does mean getting an apartment with her best friend, Megan O’Malley. And yes, it does mean a great new job at Merrill Finance Corporation. But family ties stretch far, and Cassie’s mother is bound and determined that her only daughter will meet a nice boy (preferably Italian), marry him, and have a bunch of grandbabies. “Cassie, who has already broken off one engagement, soon finds herself pursued by three men--her volatile boss; a guy at the office she likes as a friend; and last but not least, Sammy Scarliotti, a man hand-picked by her mother. Hughey has penned a brisk and entertaining romantic comedy, complete with a wise-cracking and endearing heroine.”
*— Shelley Mosley, Booklist, September 15, 2007*
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Honeymoon Husband by Shirley Marks AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“En route to their contest -winning wedding and honeymoon in Hawaii, Hannah Roberts’ fiancé Earl ditches her with a note scribbled on a hamburger wrapper. Alone in paradise, not only does Hannah have to find a way to explain to the contest organizers that the groom-to-be has absconded, she also has to come to grips with losing her high school sweetheart, even if he is a jerk. The hotel’s resident astronomer may be just the distraction she needs. Soon Hannah, who’s never taken a risk in her life, has fallen headover heels for the adventurous stranger, and he, the consummate bachelor, may have finally found the one. This concise novel is snappy rather than steamy; they are no raunchy sex scenes or breathy dialogue, which will be a relief for some readers, while others may be disappointed. Marks is still finding her legs as a romance author, but she has the happy ending down pat.”
*— Aleksandra Kostovski, Booklist, September 15, 2007*
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The Honorable Marksley by Sherry Lynn Ferguson AN AVALON HISTORICAL ROMANCE
	“Hallie Ashton thought she was kissing Richard Marksley, publisher of the literary journal The Tantalus, but it turns out that Hallie shared a kiss with his cousin Reginald, the Viscount Langford. Now that she is socially compromised, Hallie’s family insists that Reggie marry her, but Reggie has conveniently disappeared leaving Richard to deal with the tricky situation. Richard knows that the honorable thing to do is to marry Hallie himself, yet he is reluctant to commit to a woman whom he has only just met. So Richard comes up with a compromise: he and Hallie will become engaged only long enough for Reggie to return. But Hallie has a secret that could end their engagement before it even begins. “Ferguson’s sweetly romantic, expertly crafted traditional Regency romance is an absolute delight.”
*— John Charles, Booklist, September 15, 2007*
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Sweet Tilly by Carolyn Brown AN AVALON HISTORICAL ROMANCE
	“Matilda Jane Anderson was named after her grandmother’s two mules, and she’s every bit as stubborn as they were. When Sheriff Rayford Sloan tries to convince her it’s time to get out of the moonshine business, she digs in her heels and refuses to budge, leading him on a merry chase while conducting business right under his nose. But Ford is unwillingly attracted to her spirit and gumption, and although he’s sworn to uphold the law he’d rather be courting Tilly than arresting her. “Brown’s second Ozark-set Drifters & Dreamers historical romance takes place concurrently with the first (Morning Glory, 2006), exhibiting her trademark sassy dialog and colorful characters. As Brown brings an almost forgotten era to vivid life, she also explores social and legal issues prevalent at the time.”
*— Lynne Welch, Booklist, September 15, 2007*
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Encounter by Deadline by Mel Taylor AN AVALON MYSTERY
	““Readers are treated to more of Taylor's good writing and sense of place. Taylor also keeps his gift for dialogue...an entertaining tale of crime and detection.””
*— Jack Latona, Go Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, August 2007*
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Dream Weaver by Amanda Harte AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“Hidden Falls is a dying town. The population is dwindling, the buildings are dilapidated, and even the local high school is closing. Why then is John Moreland, CEO of JBM Enterprises, considering making his next real estate renovation project an old estate in Hidden Falls? John is sure he must be losing his mind, but the stately old house he spies for the first time feels like home. Maybe it's because Fairlawn is his family's ancestral home, and the Morelands were once the heart and soul of Hidden Falls. One hundred years ago, his family made a fortune from textiles, and their mill in Hidden Falls employed almost all the town's residents. But its heyday eventually passed, and now there's nothing to draw anybody to Hidden Falls. That is why John is envisioning converting Fairlawn into an exclusive hotel and spa for the very rich. His guests can come for a quick getaway and find everything they need at the resort. There will be no need to visit the surrounding town at all. “John's plan for Fairlawn, however, hits some snags when he meets some of the folk from Hidden Falls. Most notable is Claire Connors, a teacher at the local high school. She has made it clear that she wants John to do more than turn Fairlawn into a hotel. Her dream is for Hidden Falls to be brought back to life too, but that's not John's problem. Still, Claire has managed to get under his skin. She's beautiful and intelligent, and just like Fairlawn, John cannot seem to forget about either one. He should walk away from both because the last thing John wants is to become too attached to her or Hidden Falls. He's beginning to suspect, however, that it's too late for that. “Even though John has his doubts, Claire is certain that Hidden Falls is worth restoring to its former glory. Unfortunately, it's unlikely that she'll be able convince him to alter his plans. What's more, Claire is sure that the attraction she feels for John is mutual, but he seems to be just as unwilling to take a chance on her as he is with Hidden Falls, and she's not sure which is more heartbreaking, watching something she loves die, or never experiencing something that she knows could be wonderful. “DREAM WEAVER is the third Hidden Falls Romance, and it is a departure from the first two books, both of which took place around the turn of the century when Hidden Falls was at its peak and the Morelands were one of the three families that made up the town's high society. As this story opens, the Morelands, living elsewhere, are still fabulously rich and successful, but Hidden Falls has not faired as well. Having read the two previous books, it's rather sad to revisit the town and find it in such miserable shape. However, this new twist keeps the storyline original. And although the Moreland family is familiar to some of us, and we once again meet the residents of Hidden Falls, they are all fresh, new characters that all seem to possess their own kind of charm. John, in particular, is an alluring man. Not only does he enjoy wealth and looks, but he has charisma as well. But, not surprisingly, like so many men, Claire finds he has issues when it comes to trust and commitment. Still, the author does well to make the reader care for him, when it is Claire who garners so much sympathy. She's passionate in her zeal to save what she loves, and their romance often parallels the storyline about the restoration of Fairlawn, and ultimately the fate of Hidden Falls. With both, there are ups and downs, risks to take, and a lot of soul-searching involved. “In DREAM WEAVER, it is obvious that Hidden Falls and its residents are created with great fondness, and this loving attention produces a pleasant place to visit peopled with characters who ring true to life. Readers do not have to read the previous Hidden Falls Romances in order to enjoy DREAM WEAVER. It stands on its own as a sweet and gentle romance featuring likable characters.”
— Sandra Brill, Romance Reviews Today, August 2007
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Tortillas and Second Chances by Sylvia Renfro AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“Eight years ago Ray walked away from Celeste and their love. Now he’s back and wants to start over, but a reluctant Celeste knows that this time there is more at risk than just her heart. “Young and in love, bad boy Ray and good girl Celeste thought their relationship would last forever. But then Ray left town without notice or explanation, leaving Celeste devastated - and pregnant. Believing the worst of Ray, she never told him about their child. An arranged — and disastrous — marriage gave her daughter Mia a father, but soured Celeste on men when it ended. Her daughter is now seven, and Celeste has built a good life for the two of them despite her controlling father’s disapproval. “Years ago Ray let Celeste’s father’s lies send him packing. Ray left town determined to make something of his life, and his hard work has paid off in the multi-million dollar corporation he started. When Ray’s good friend and mentor Gus has a heart attack, Ray finally returns home and agrees to stay to run Gus’s boat shop while he recuperates. It only takes seeing Celeste once to realize she is the only woman he’s ever loved. Ray vows to win her back for good, and to do it without revealing his financial success, determined that Celeste love him for who he really is. “Celeste resolves to resist Ray’s charm, but her daughter has no such reservations. The child is enthralled with Ray, and the two seem to have formed a close bond in a short time. But Celeste is no longer an easily charmed, starry-eyed girl; she’s a woman conscious of what a relationship really means, and realizes just how much is at stake this time around. As the two inevitably become closer, Celeste and Ray hope that this time they can make their love last. Yet each still clings to their big secret, secrets that could destroy their romance for good. “TORTILLAS AND SECOND CHANCES is a sweet and tender story of a second chance at first love. Ray and Celeste’s lingering feelings are clear right from the start and rekindle steadily through the story, even with the tension of their big secrets. Their emotional growth and maturity over the past decade is deftly written, and makes their understanding and forgiveness of past hurts believable. This is a classic romance in a modern setting. Heartfelt, touching and romantic, it’s the kind of story that will make readers laugh and cry and then read the book all over again.”
— Leigh Orlowski, Romance Junkies, July 2007
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Candy Kisses by Jean C. Gordon AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“In the appealing, adorable Candy Kisses by Jean C. Gordon, Candy Price is burdened with a community of brothers who all think they know what’s best for her—and she’d love to prove them wrong, but first she needs to figure out what the right choice is. Stuck in Albany for the summer with only her landlord, the very handsome and cheerful Mike Wheeler, she decides to take on a challenge: She’s going to find Mike a new girlfriend and, in the meantime, they can share pointers on the dating scene. Candy is about to find out what love is all about, but first she has to learn how to stand up to the boss who takes advantage of her all the time and learn to let other people help her. Candy Kisses is an upbeat romance about two good people who need to make that love connection.”
— Barbara Samuel, BookPage, July 2, 2007
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Morning Glory by Carolyn Brown AN AVALON HISTORICAL ROMANCE
	“Jilted a decade ago, Clara Anderson buried her broken heart and bruised pride under a cloak of rigid adherence to routine and vehement opposition to change. But oil has been discovered under the cotton fields and cow pastures of sleepy little Healdton, Oklahoma, and when lanky, soft-spoken roustabout Briar Nelson rents a room in Clara’s boardinghouse, the Morning Glory, both experience an unwilling mutual attraction. Continued proximity results in Clara’s gradual progression from adolescent denial to a more mature attitude of acceptance with a concomitant sweetening of her disposition. Brown’s new Drifters & Dreamers series, set in 1917, introduces three cousins, the moonshine industry, and a new canvas for her folksy explorations of life and love at pivotal times in America.”
— *Lynne Welch, Booklist, July 1, 2007*
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The First Shall Be Last by Joyce and Jim Lavene AN AVALON MYSTERY
	“Montgomery County, North Carolina, sheriff Sharyn Howard is determined to bring down Senator Jack Winter, the man she holds responsible for her father’s death as well as the corruption in her jurisdiction. She teams up with FBI agent Brewster in an elaborate scam that involves Sharyn breaking up with her beloved boyfriend, Montgomery County medical examiner Nick Thomopolis, in order to date Winter. In addition, she must find the hit-and-run driver who killed young mother Michelle Frey. Sharyn hates the subterfuge of being Winter’s girlfriend—a man despised by her family and friends—and she mourns the loss of her relationship with Nick, who doesn’t know the reason for their breakup. With interesting plotlines—will Sharyn be able to resolve the long-standing question of her father’s death?—this volume will be particularly satisfying to followers of the series. Others will find it an entertaining mix of small-town procedural and domestic drama.”
*— Booklist, June 15, 2007*
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Adieu, My Love by Lynn M. Turner AN AVALON HISTORICAL ROMANCE
	-- STARRED & BOXED REVIEW -- “The hard-working widow Marie Jubert has survived the death of a husband, single parenthood, a siege, and life with an evil sibling, but it looks as though she might not get through her latest set of problems. The English schooner Donna Rae has been captured, and her crew imprisoned for smuggling. Unbeknownst to the good townspeople, the oh-so-respectable widow is a silent investor in the ship and relies on its smuggling operations to maintain her livelihood. Matthew Carter, one of the arrested sailors, also has a secret. However, once he's farmed out to Marie in a work-release program, he discovers that the widow also is not who she seems to be. The unusual time period, circa 1751, and venue, the French fortress of Louisburg, make for a refreshing historical romance. And tantalizing details, such as those of the cod industry in eighteenth-century Nova Scotia, add to the interest of the well-crafted story. Turner (Cutter’s Wake, 2002; Growing Attraction, 2001) has created a richly textured page-turner.”
— *Shelley Mosley, Booklist, May 15, 2007*
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Diamondback McCall: Island Lost by Robert Middleton AN AVALON WESTERN
	“Middleton reprises his eponymous cowboy hero in a western adventure with more narrow escapes than a movie serial. Jack “Diamondback” McCall now calls Spirit Feather, an Anasazi village in Arizona Territory, home. But he still loves a challenge, and when the village chief asks him to find a tribal relic—a golden hawk—hidden in a cave beneath the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, Diamondback readily agrees. Accompanied by best friend and partner Dakota Dan Smith and Fawn, his Native American girlfriend, McCall sets off on the arduous 12-day ride. McCall recovers the icon along with an “ancient leather scroll” that contains a map of the Mexican coastline near Vera Cruz and shows a legendary lost island rumored to be home to a temple adorned with a golden sun. Intrigued, the intrepid adventurers set off on a new mission that pits them against pirates, federales and a stormy sea. Fans of western fiction who appreciate an old-fashioned hero and nonstop action will enjoy riding along with Diamondback McCall.”
*— Publishers Weekly, June 25, 2007*
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Atascocita Gold by Kent Conwell AN AVALON WESTERN
	“Cowboy drifters Josh Carson and Tiny Hamilton shoot up nearly everything in sight in this wild hayburner from prolific western writer Conwell. These two saddle bums wander into the town of Atascocita where they immediately get into trouble with local gunsels over a poker game. Saved from tar and feathers by the sheriff and an old couple who run a wagon freight outfit, Josh and Tiny find themselves in the middle of a range war with murderous tycoon Cullen Leach. On a freight hauling job, Josh and Tiny befriend a pretty young woman, Marylee Gaston, heir to a large ranch and guardian of two younger brothers after her older brothers are murdered by Leach’s men. Rumors of hidden gold on the Gaston Ranch has every owlhoot in the territory sniffing around, willing to kill for it. As Josh and Tiny try to protect the old couple and the Gaston Ranch, ambushes and gun battles whittle down both sides, with well-ventilated corpses sprawled all over the prairie. When the last fusillade of bullets finally slams home only one cowboy is left standing (barely) with the girl and the gold. This is a smart, meaty story with likeable characters, funny gags and some nifty surprises.”
*— Publishers Weekly, June 18, 2007*

	“Josh Carson and his buddy Tiny Hamilton get themselves in deep after Josh welshes on a poker bet to a group of unsavories who don't mind settling on a tar-and-feather-based repayment plan. The two drifters are rescued by Frenchy Buckalew, a matriarchal freight line owner who pays off their debt in return for their help operating her struggling business. The dastardly Cullen Leach will stop at nothing, including hiring a band of cutthroat Comancheros to run Frenchy out of business, and if they happen to uncover a rumored cache of gold double eagles in the meantime, all the better. Although Conwell’s western world displays no shades of gray and is populated by one-dimensional characters it’s easy to recognize the villains because they “sneer evilly.” Whatever he lacks in originality, he mostly makes up for with infectious gusto. For Saturday morning western fans who would rather have their heroes bonk the bad guys over the head and give them a stern talking-to than shoot them full of holes, and who expect a neat bow wrapping it all up come story's end.”
*— Ian Chipman, Booklist, May 15, 2007*
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Dolphin Dreams by Annette Mahon AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“Concerned that the acquisition of the resort on Hawaii's Big Island by Donovan Enterprises might endanger the dolphin program where she works, marine behaviorist Jade Kanahele is totally unprepared to be so attracted to the magnetic Adam Donovan when he shows up on a reconnaissance mission - and the same goes for Adam. Is it simple biology, or could it be the heirloom quilt that Jade has just been given, which supposedly ensures that the recipient will be married within the year? Sexual tension shimmers between the protagonists in this sweet, heartwarming romance that is filled with the exotic but realistic flavor of the islands and is the first in the author’s “Matchmaker Quilt” trilogy. Mahon (The Secret Wish) writes gentle, beautifully descriptive Hawaii-set romances; she lives in Paradise Valley, AZ.”
*— Library Journal, April 15, 2007*
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The Right Chord by Elisabeth Rose AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“Grace has just been dumped. Did she lie, cheat, or steal? No, shes too nice. After a friend observes that Grace lets everyone walk all over her, Grace decides to toughen up. A violinist in Sydney, Australia, she dresses more professionally for the symphony, and if she has a problem with someone, she lets him know about it. So when a new neighbor, the famous science-fiction writer Harry Brimingham, moves in next door with his large dog, he meets no-nonsense Grace and isnt impressed because she reminds him of his strident ex-wife. Harry and Grace always seem to rube each other the wrong way. But Grace cant keep up the fa�ade forever, and Harry gets glimpses of the real Grace. Even then, circumstances intervene with enough frequency that is seems that because the started off on the wrong foot, it will stay that way in Roses sweet and charming story.”
*— Maria Hatton, Booklist, April 1, 2007*
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Thoroughly Mannerly Millicent by Judi Thoman AN AVALON HISTORICAL ROMANCE
	“After her mother, the Duchess of Weatherly, publishes a highly praised book on manners, Lady Millicent runs away to Scotland hoping to gain employment as the governess to Lord McDougal's children. You see, Lady Millicent is far from perfect and does nothing more than constantly embarrass her mother with her poor manners and clumsy ways. “In Scotland, Lady Millicent poses as her cousin Lady Mary. She begins he ruse to gain Lord McDougal's approval, but soon realizes that she is falling in love with more than just the children and the area, she's falling in love with McDougal as well. Will he have her when their relationship is based on lies? “THOROUGHLY MANNERLY MILLICENT is a pleasing historical romance that deals far more on the characters than the actual setting. This character driven romance is light and airy, suitable for a quick read. Avalon romances are gentle, without the gratuitous sex scenes, so they are perfect for teens and those who like their romances without a ton of graphic description.”
— Tracy Farnsworth, Round Table Reviews, April 2007
	“Lady Millicent has always felt that she has lived in her mother's shadow, the proper and mannerly Duchess of Weatherly, author of the renowned best selling tome on manners; something Millicent has never been too good at. Taking the advice of her mother's friend, Millicent decides to go to Scotland to apply for the job of a nanny. “However, upon arriving, she realizes there are actually two other ladies there for the job also, women who seem to need the job much more than her. Millicent is determined to keep her identity secret, however, she also wants to help the children and the other ladies. “Lord McDougal has no idea what was awaiting him on his arrival home. He desperately needs help with his two children, yet, picking from the three ladies in his home may be difficult, that is until he realizes Millicent is the damsel he rescued on the road. McDougal knows he has been in need of a wife, although he had not met the woman he thought he could live the rest of his life with, and one to help his children. It doesn't take long for him to realize that the woman he wants is right under his roof. “THOROUGHLY MANNERLY MILLICENT is a remarkable story filled with laughter and romance. Ms. Thoman gives readers an unforgettable tale that they will find hard to put down until the end.”
— Tangela Williams, Romance Readers Connection, April 2007
	“Lady Millicent is an embarrassment. Her mother is the Duchess of Weatherly, and well known for her impeccable manners. In fact, the duchess has just released a new book on the subject. After making a thorough mess of things at her mother's book release party, Millicent decides she must leave or risk damaging her mother's good name. With the help of her mother's publisher, Millicent escapes to Scotland to seek a position as a governess. To conceal her identity, Millicent pretends to be her own cousin, Lady Mary. “When she arrives at the McDougal household, she finds she's not the only woman seeking this position. After meeting the other women, Millicent's lie weighs heavily upon her, and she's not sure she can go through with this charade. “Lord McDougal would rather have a mother for his children than a governess. However, he will not marry until he can find someone who loves his children as much as he does. From the moment he meets Lady Mary he is intrigued by her. She stands up to his children, even at their most devious. When it matters the most, though, she's there for the children and shows just how much she cares. However, once Lord McDougal finds out that Lady Mary is not who she claims to be, will his feelings for her hold true? “THOROUGHLY MANNERLY MILLICENT is such a cute story. Judi Thoman really makes you love these characters. Millicent herself is so kind and caring that it's no wonder that everyone in the story is drawn to her. Lord McDougal is a dashing highlander and a wonderful hero. His children are a riot. It seems that every other page they are pulling some new prank to show just how little they want a governess. “When Millicent's lie is found out, there is some tension wondering at Millicent's fate. This is a happy story though, so while I won't tell you what happens, I can tell you it's all good. Be sure to check out this sweet new romance from Judi Thoman.”
— Heather M. Riley, Romance Junkies, April 2007
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Advertising Murder by Robert Scott AN AVALON MYSTERY
	“Jack Elton has been feeling like a nobody since he was booted off the Vancouver, British Columbia, police force, and trying to drum up business as a PI hasnt been easy in a town with relatively little crime. His boredom is soon abated when a young Asian woman turns up dead in the building of advertising firm Biggs, Wilberforce, Hutton, and Small. Brendan Biggs, one of the partners, calls Jack in to help with the investigation, even though Brendan becomes the prime suspect. Jacks first task is to ID the body, which takes him into Vancouvers large yet not overly welcoming Asian community. In this first novel, Scott, a pastor, renders characters with sensitivity, but the plot has some significant problems in terms of believability (Why, for instance, would a former cop with a sullied reputation be asked by police to help with a case?). With tighter plotting and more effort to use the distinctive Vancouver landscape, this series could develop into a keeper.”
*— Mary Frances Wilkens, Booklist, May 1, 2007*
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The Brass Ring by Amanda Harte AN AVALON HISTORICAL ROMANCE
	A Hidden Falls Romance “In this turn-of-the-century romance, Jane Moreland is newly returned home to Hidden Falls, NY, from a year in Switzerland, and she thinks nothing can keep her and longtime love Matt Wagner apart. But she soon realizes that the enduring antagonism between her wealthy mill-owning brother and Matt, now a lawyer representing the mill works, could keep her and Matt from catching happiness's fabled brass ring. Sweetly romantic and rife with solid historical detail and empathetic characters, this is the latest in Harte's "Hidden Falls Romance" series (Painted Ponies). She lives In Cheyenne, WY.”
*— Kristin Ramsdell, Library Journal, February 15, 2007*
	A Hidden Falls Romance “Jane Moreland arrives back in Hidden Falls after a year in Switzerland only to discover that Matt Wagner is also back in town. Several years earlier, a blossoming romance between Jane and Matt was crushed by Jane's family, who didn't think Matt was suitable husband material. A freshly minted attorney, he has now returned home to establish his own practice and win back his one true love. But once again, Jane's family threatens to ruin everything. Harte continues her refreshingly different Hidden Falls historical romance series, which began with Jane's sister Anne's story in Painted Ponies (2006), with a sweetly romantic tale of two people who will not let family, or business, get in the way of their second chance at love.”
*— John Charles, Booklist, February 1, 2007*
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Laugh Lines by Holly Jacobs AN AVALON ROMANCE
	A WLVH Radio Romance “LAUGH LINES is the fourth book in "A WLVH Radio Romance" series and grabs your attention right from page one. Dani Sinclair has moved home to Erie, PA and has taken a new job as CEO at Hamlin Texts. As the story begins, she is being watched by a killer mutant bug that she knows is waiting to chomp her. Mustering up courage, she jumps off the toilet seat and lands on the bug. To get away, she throws the toilet door open and catches a gorgeous man who fortunately is not injured. “Luke Miller, owner of the Chuckles comedy club, offers to give her a ride home as her car is disabled. He persuades her to try her hand at a standup routine at his club and the romance is off and running despite a few prat falls and a few rotten tomatoes. “If you enjoyed the first three books in this series, you'll simply have to read this one. Holly Jacobs gets better and better with each new book.”
*— Robert Gross, Round Table Reviews, February 2007*
	“Dani Sinclair is the new CEO of a textbook-publishing company, but she'd rather be an actress or a stand-up comic. So when she literally knocks Luke Miller down and then discovers that he owns a comedy club in Erie, Pennsylvania, her hometown, to which she has just returned, he appeals to her on several levels. Luke, however, blows hot and cold. Readers into Jacobs' WLVH romantic comedies (Night Calls, 2006; Lovehandles, 2005) will enjoy this one, although some readers may resist the numerous coincidences and somewhat unrealistic behavior.”
*— Lynne Welch, Booklist, February 15, 2007*
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Christmas in Carol by Sheila Robins AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“The last place New York advertising planner Andie Hartwell wants to spend Christmas is with her crazy family in Carol, WA. Yet when her mother insists, Andie heads home for one of the worst—and ultimately one of the best—Christmases of her life. A bratty kid sister, a ditsy aunt, divorced parents who are behaving like children, an odd assortment of friends and other relatives, a barracuda boss, and a hunky ex-boyfriend who wants her back set the mood for a wacky Christmas that unexpectedly changes the course of Andie’s life. Sometimes silly and often hilarious, this lighthearted romp has homespun values at its core and will appeal to fans of Debbie Macomber. Robins has written several romances as Sheila Rabe; she lives in Washington State.”
*— Library Journal, December 2006*
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Kubiak's Daughter by Stephen Lindley AN AVALON MYSTERY
	“Ex-Chicago cop Kubiak must prove that his son-in-law is not a murderer after the beaten body of a burglar is found in the son-in-law's truck. The burglar, by the way, had previously tried to hire Kubiak to investigate a murder/suicide in Lake County, IL. With no one to help him, Kubiak starts asking simple questions that result in his arrest, the disappearance of his daughter and her husband, and the eminent need to solve the crime before his family is destroyed. Lindley's larger-than-life policeman solved other crime sin a handful of short stories publishing Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, but he makes a fantastic hardcover debut with this first novel. Lindley lives in Wauconda, IL.”
*— Library Journal, January 2007*
	“Kubiak, a retired Chicago police officer, turns down former burglar Paul Baumgarten's request that he investigate the suspicious suicide. Jack Mackay supposedly killed the elderly couple who took him in and gave him a job, then turned the gun on himself after a high-speed chase with the Lake County sheriff's department. Baumgarten maintains corrupt sheriff's department employees killed Mackay. When Baumgarten is found dead in a truck belonging to Kubiak's son-in-law, David Hollinger, Kubiak has a change of heart and decides to investigate both incidents, hoping to protect his daughter and clear Hollinger, who is the leading suspect in the murder. Kubiak is not above a little breaking and entering if necessary, and his sarcastic, wise-guy attitude doesn't endear him to other law-enforcement officials. Lindley has a nice feel for Chicago and the suburb of Round Lake, where much of the action takes place, and he tells a gritty, fast-paced story with a well-developed, if not entirely likable, main character.”
*— Sue O'Brien, Booklist, December 2006*
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Promises by Carolyn Brown AN AVALON ROMANCE
	A Love’s Valley Romance “In the final installment in Brown’s Love’s Valley series set in rough-and-tumble post-Civil War Reconstruction era, Indigo Hamilton’s wedding day is finally here, and everything is just perfect until her groom’s first wife—a Southerner whom Thomas had been told was dead—appears at the church with their son in her arms. Indigo, as always, is only concerned with her own status and feelings, but Flannon Sullivan goads her into resuming her life despite her mortification and blighted hopes. He is also there when a Klan assassin, last seen in (Redemption, 2006), attacks Indigo, rendering aid, and she recuperates, serving as bodyguard. Enforced propinquity ensures that the two find themselves unwillingly attracted by each other’s good points, while continuing to strike sparks off each other’s perceived weaknesses. Brown ties up all the loose ends nicely, and readers will enjoy seeing Indigo finally get her own happy ending.”
*— Lynne Welch, Booklist, December 2006*
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A Dark Trail Winding by Pete Peterson AN AVALON WESTERN
	“Jackass Jake wasn’t always a jackass. Once, he was simply Jake, a city boy turned mountain man with a cool head and a sure-fire draw. Then he turned to drinking and gambling and whoring and some more drinking and before too long found himself the town drunk, fit for nothing more than cradling empty bottles in dusty alleyways next to rangy mutts. But when his old trapper pal Lafe (who gets shot bad and survives so many times, he’s more a walking scar than a man) finds him, he sets Jake straight just in time for the two to run afoul of Malachai Winter, a brute so wicked it’s almost comical. Thinning the plot is the love story between Jake and Ellie, who fall in love because, well, they’re the main characters, and that’s what main characters do. Still, there’s a good bit of fun here, and Peterson’s writing is surprisingly agreeable, despite some awkward soapboxing on love, respecting the land, and leading an upright life like a decent man ought to.”
*— Ian Chipman Booklist, November 28, 2006*
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Grim Finale by Dorothy P. O'Neill AN AVALON MYSTERY
	A Liz Rooney Mystery “Coroner’s assistant Liz Rooney (Smoke Cover, 2004, and Final Note, 2005) is back. When Marva Malin, the drama teacher at an exclusive Manhattan prep school, is found strangled in the auditorium, Liz is on the scene searching for clues. The fact that no one is upset about Malin’s death indicates that suspects will be abundant. Liz’s fiancé, homicide detective Ike Eichle, interviews witnesses and searches for the weapon, while Liz divides her time between work and planning their upcoming wedding. When members of an al-Qaeda cell kidnap her, hoping to exchange her for their leader, who is imprisoned in Iraq, Liz finds a link between one of her captors and the crime in the school. The plot is a bit far-fetched, but is very timely, and Liz and her friends make good company. An unlikely but engaging mix of traditional cozy elements with a terrorist suspense story.”
*— Barbara Bibel, Booklist, October 1, 2006*
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Painted Ponies by Amanda Harte AN AVALON ROMANCE
	A Hidden Falls Romance “After spending considerable time in Switzerland, where a skilled doctor had done his best to repair her tragically scarred face, Anne Moreland is ready to come back home to Hidden Falls. Ann is also bringing a new dream with her: a nursery for the children of the men and women who work in her family’s textile mill. Anne's plan meets with some initial opposition from her brother Charles, but when she receives some unexpected help from Rob Ludlow, the craftsman her brother has hired to create a carousel for her, Anne's dream quickly becomes a reality. The only thing Anne didn’t plan for in her new life is romance, but Rob is determined to prove that she deserves love, too. In a small New York town in the early twentieth century, a beautiful carousel brings two people together as Harte begins her new “Hidden Falls” series with Painted Ponies, a sweet, charming historical romance.”
*— John Charles, Booklist, October 2006*
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Spin Control by Holly O’Dell AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“Kate Brown is on her way up the ladder at a publicity firm, and if her next project is a success, her boss is willing to make her partner. But Kate has to work with the uptight new guy, Michael Korten, a recent arrival to New York, on a tricky project: spiffing up the image of a premier hotel chain by improving the image of the heir apparent, Devin, a conceited playboy. Things go from bad to worse when Kate not only realizes that she used to date said playboy, but also neglects to inform her boss. Kate and Michael do their best to change the public’s perception of Devin, but he doesn’t make it easy. Along the way, Kate begins to see Michael as more than a stuffed shirt, but can’t, or won’t, believe that he has feelings for her. As the relationship between Kate and Michael develops in fits and starts, O’Dell’s swiftly read story enchants readers with its upbeat charm and clever spin on pop gossip. O’Dell is a new author to watch.”
*— Maria Hatton, Booklist, September 15, 2006*
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Love, Julie by Christine Bush AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“Julietta Brightingham dreamed of becoming a teacher, but for that dream to become a reality, she has to reinvent herself. Leaving her socialite-heiress life behind in New York City, Julietta disguises herself as “Julie Bright” and travels to Eagle, Montana, to become the town’s new teacher. The moment she arrives, Sheriff Jack White is convinced Miss Bright is going to be trouble, but the obstinate, opinionated woman refuses to listen to a word of his advice. When Julie’s past puts her in danger, however, Jack not only does everything he can to ensure her safety but also finds himself trying to figure out how to convince her to stay. A strong-willed, resourceful woman who doesn't need anyone to fight her battles matchs wits with an equally stubborn man with a secret wish to learn to read in this sweetly charming western romance, perfect for libraries where gentle love stories are popular.”
*— John Charles, Booklist, August 2006*
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Extracurricular Murder by Kent Conwell AN AVALON ROMANCE
	A Tony Boudreaux Mystery “In his sixth adventure, Austin, Texas, PI Tony Boudreaux works to prove Frances Holderman, widow of school superintendent George Holderman, is innocent of his murder, so she can collect on an $8 million life-insurance policy. Because she is a suspect, the company won’t pay the claim. After a year, the police still haven’t made an arrest, so Tony reinterviews the suspects and sorts through their alibis and motives. After he eliminates various suspects from consideration, he begins to devise an alternate motive and suspect for the crime. Complicating matters, Tony’s girlfriend has just dumped him and his cousin’s son arrives in Austin to stay with him. Another subplot has Tony investigating his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend, who appears to be a con man preying on lonely, well-off women. Plot twists and a likably persistent main character make for an entertaining addition to this too-little-known series. A shocking turn of events at the end of the book paves the way for Tony’s next case.”
*— Sue O’Brien, Booklist, August 2006*
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The Lovin’ Kind by Nancy J. Parra AN AVALON HISTORICAL ROMANCE
	*One of Booklist’s* "Top Ten Romances of 2006"** A Morgan Family Romance “Parra continues her lively and adroit tale of a marvelously gutsy gal who bolts from her wedding and heads to Wyoming...thrilled to prove her mettle to a man who doesn’t prefer women on pedestals.”
*— Booklist, September 15, 2006*
	“Beth Morgan doesn't need to be told that she's the prettiest woman in Boltonville, Wisconsin - she already knows it. As she walks down the aisle to marry Eric Slausser, visions of herself bloated, pregnant, and not-so-beautiful come to mind, and she bolts. She decides to go stay with her brother in Wyoming. Her father agrees with her plan, but she insists that she travel with the man he trusts more than anyone else in the world, grudgingly wealthy Quaid Blair. Quaid is taking his prize horses up the trail, and is extremely reluctant to take the spoiled beauty with him. He vows to himself that he'll make the journey so difficult, Beth will give up. Surprisingly, Beth's fragile, feminine looks belie a strong, determined, capable woman. Thrilled to finally be with a man who doesn't treat her like fine porcelain, Beth rises to every challenge. In the third book in the Morgan Family Romance series ( The Marryin' Kind, 2005; The Bettin' Kind, 2005), Parra continues to create marvelously gutsy heroines-complex characters who aren't what the rest of the world thinks they are.” YA: Teens of all ages will love the rebellious young woman.
— (Starred Review) Booklist, May 15, 2006
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The Write Match by Margaret Carroll AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“Kit McCabe is trying hard not to be late for her big assignment at White Weddings magazine. She is supposed to write about the wedding guru Ethel Van Winterden and the winner of an all-expenses-paid wedding contest. The publicity surrounding the televised event is amazing. Kit snags a cab in a downpour, sharing with a good-looking stranger who captures her interest and she his, but hopes are dashed when they arrive at the same location and realize she is covering his wedding. Kit quickly realizes that Mark Dawson’s fiancée is trying to expand her modeling career by exploiting the event for all it’s worth, with little or no thoughts of love or romance. This would be a chance for Kit to move in on Mark, but her job’s on the line, never mind the ever-present cameras. Why, when Kit finds the man of her dreams, is he unattainable? Cute and funny, this timely tale touches the romantic streak in us all.”
*— Maria Hatton, Booklist, June 1, 2006*
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Shannon: The Road to Whiskey Creek by Charles E. Friend AN AVALON WESTERN
	A Sheriff Shannon Western “Although this is the sixth in the series about Sheriff Clay Shannon, chronologically it is the second installment, slotting in between Shannon: Carrying the Star (2002) and Shannon’s Law (2000). Chronicling Shannon’s journey to Whiskey Creek, the novel tells the story of a Wild West lawman who is trying to figure out what to do with himself now that the West isn’t so wild anymore. Chasing employment and fearing that he is rapidly becoming obsolete, Shannon winds up putting his life on the line to protect a town from a gang of outlaws. Bravery, or one last hurrah before he fades away into the sunset? Not even Shannon is sure. This exciting novel fills in an important gap in Shannon’s life and is must reading for fans of the series, not to mention old-school western fans who like their stories told with no shortage of blood, guts, and glory.”
*— David Pitt, Booklist, June 1, 2006*
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Pretty Maids All In A Row by Michelle Buckman and A.H. Jackson AN AVALON MYSTERY
	“Tori Roache and J. B. Kale, partners in a publishing firm, are invited to a mystery weekend at the Priory Hotel in Oxfordshire, very close to where a gruesome crime took place in the eighteenth century: 12 nuns were decapitated. Not bad enough? Their bodies were put into a fruit press and squeezed dry. The beautiful Tori is the descendent of Mary Gant, the prioress, who was never found after the crime and reputed to have run away with an unusual diamond. Part of the weekend’s activities will be looking for the jewel. Tori and Kale make their way through many twists and turns, literally as well as figuratively, as they comb ancient buildings to try and track a modern-day murderer as well as figure out the long-ago crime. The narrative is choppy in places, with lots of backstory fitted in here and there, but there is plenty to like here, too, including the relationship between Kale and Tori and the vividly evoked village setting.”
*— Ilene Cooper, Booklist, May 2006*
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All Things Slip Away by Kathryn Meyer Griffith AN AVALON MYSTERY
	An Abigail Sutton Mystery “For those mystery fans who are not into the gruesome-type of story, Kathryn Meyer Griffith's All Things Slip Away is the book for you. This book combines mystery and relationships to tell the story of freelance artist Abigail Sutton, retired Chicago cop Frank Lester, and the little town of Spookie. All Things Slip Away picks up where Scraps of Paper left off, with Abby and Frank's relationship taking on a new twist. “Ms. Griffith proves once again that what may seem to be on the surface of the idyllic small town life can have it's roots in tragedy, and that the only things that can be counted on are love and trust. Filled with strong relationships, quirky characters, and a good mystery, it is the relationships that really make this book shine for me. If you get the chance to read All Things Slip Away, grab it because this book is a definite keeper. I can't wait until the next Abigail Sutton book comes out.”
*— Theresa Rhodes, Novelspot.net, May 2006*
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Scraps of Paper by Kathryn Meyer Griffith AN AVALON MYSTERY
	An Abigail Sutton Mystery “Kathryn Meyer Griffith's Scraps of Paper is an engaging story of what happens when you go digging into the past and the possible consequences. It also has an underlying story about dealing with what life hands you and finding the strength to move on. Both Frank and Abby are strong characters they have had to deal with the loss of a loved one and to learn to deal with that loss. You find yourself drawn to them and to all the quirky people who live in the little town of Spookie. In the end you want to know what happened in the old house so many years earlier. I'll be looking forward to more books about this quaint little town.”
*— Theresa Rhodes, Novelspot.net, April 2006*
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Superior Death by Matthew Williams AN AVALON MYSTERY
	“Vince Marshall reports for the local paper in Apostle Bay, a small Michigan town in the tourist-heavy Upper Peninsula. Always digging for a story in the news-poor village, Vince can’t help feeling excited when he learns that a woman has fallen to her death off Eagle’s Cliff. But no story comes without strings, as it seems Vince’s mother might somehow be involved in the girl’s death. Why, though, would the police want to brush the case under the carpet? Vince is distracted by this question—but, then again, Vince is distracted by many things, including the affectionate relationship that seems to be growing between his wife and her coworker and his growing sense that he is not cut out for fatherhood. Vince’s journey of self-discovery serves as a fitting backdrop for this light but satisfying mystery, the first of three in Williams’ Lake Superior series.”
*— Mary Frances Wilkens, Booklist, May 2006*
	“Nothing is what it seems... [in] this the first of a projected series of three mysteries set on Lake Superior.”
*— Library Journal, April 2006*
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Night Calls by Holly Jacobs AN AVALON ROMANCE
	A WLVH Radio Romance “Talk-show host Cassie Grant can give expert advice on the subject of love, but when she calls off her own wedding—and not for the first time—she gives up on romance, gets herself an Old English mastiff, and settles into spinsterhood. Although he doesn’t believe in love himself, Cassie’s friend and neighbor Jonathan Cooper tries to figure out how to help her. Funny, charming, and sweet, this romance is the third in Jacob’s "WLVH Radio Romance" series and is perfect for those who enjoy gentle, playful reads. Jacobs (Lovehandles) lives in Erie, Pa.”
*— Library Journal, April 15, 2006*
	“Jacobs returns to WLVH, a radio station dedicated to love introduced in Lovehandles (2005), focusing this time on the nighttime DJ Cassie Grant, who has just cancelled her wedding. Although she has a knack for bringing couples together, she can’t seem to do the same for herself. Vowing to give up men altogether, she gets a dog. Although still a puppy, this huge mastiff resembles a pony, and only really listens to Cassie’s neighbor, Cooper, a handsome divorce lawyer who doesn’t believe in love. Cassie and Cooper have become good friends, but now Cooper can’t stop thinking about Cassie romantically, and she discovers that she has similar unwanted feelings towards him. But her belief in knock-your-socks-off love and his cynical outlook on the subject lead them to believe that nothing will come of their attraction. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth as Cassie and Cooper discover that anything’s possible in Jacobs’ cheery and amusing contemporary romance.”
*— Booklist, April 1, 2006*
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The Secret Wish by Annette Mahon AN AVALON ROMANCE
	A Secret Romance “In Mahon’s latest addition to her string of delightful tales about Hawaiian small-town life, Abby Mana’olana’alohi Andrews has moved back to Malino after many years on the mainland to open a beauty salon. Her matchmaking Aunty Liliuokalani thinks that the still-single and much-sought-after Kevin, who Abby had a crush on in second grade, would be the perfect husband for her niece. As the free-spirited stylist and the hunky firefighter work together to renovate the beauty shop (a team effort set up by Aunty Liliuokalani, of course), they get to know and respect each other. Abby and Kevin, as well as the other characters, including the grandmother with Alzheimer’s, are so real they seem like people you know. Mahon’s latest heartwarming story is perfect for anyone looking for a multicultural or “gentle” read.” “YA/M: Teens will identify with the perky, purple-haired stylist.”
*— Shelley Mosley, Booklist, March, 2006*
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The Ying On Triad by Kent Conwell AN AVALON MYSTERY
	A Tony Boudreaux Mystery “Conwell’s latest Tony Boudreaux finds the Austin, Texas, PI taking on a case he can’t refuse from Danny O’Banion, a charming Mob boss. O’Banion’s cousin, Robert Packer, is on death row for the murder of the governor-elect and scheduled to receive a lethal injection in seven days—unless Tony can track down a guy named Red, who supposedly has a video that shows another man committing the crime. Soon enough the search for Red has taken Tony into the mysterious world of Asian tongs and triads. Complicating the PI’s life are a plethora of relationship problems involving his significant other, Janice, who has decided that she wants to help him with his investigations, and his ex-wife, Diane, who wants to stay at his house. The Boudreaux series offers straightforward formula fare: nothing fancy, either in terms of characters or plot, but easy, page-turning entertainment for mystery fans who favor the fast-food side of the genre.”
*— Jenny McLarin, Booklist, February 1, 2006*
	“In his fifth case, Austin P.I. Tony Boudreaux has a week to save an innocent man from execution. This one presents a broad target--its plot and development...is smoothly readable and should please its intended audience.”
*— Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, May 2006*
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Blood Debt by S.J. Stewart AN AVALON WESTERN
	“Toby Granger’s father, Nat, who works at Shad Wakefield’s ranch, is critically ill. Shad feels obligated to track down Toby, a 16-year-old runaway, before Shad dies, and the trail takes him to the gold camps of northern New Mexico. Just five years after the Civil War, the West is populated not only by good folks looking to make a fresh start but also by desperate men whose time in the war spawned bitterness and a propensity for violence. As Shad and his pal Abe Featherstone struggle to find the boy, they learn of a scheme to rob a gold shipment. Before they can act, the shipment is stolen, and lives are taken. Shad and his crew follow the thieves but are stonewalled when it appears the booty disappeared into thin air. In some ways, this is the standard road-trip western, with the good guys out-thinkin’ and out-shootin’ the baddies, but veteran western author Stewart supplies enough originality and storytelling skill to keep it moving at a crisp pace. An enjoyable western adventure.”
*— Wes Lukowsky, Booklist, February 15, 2006*
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’Tis the Season by Kathryn Quick AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“When longtime mall Santa Jack Winters decides to turn in his beard and his ho-ho-ho over the creeping commercialism of Christmas, his Christmas-loving daughter, Holly, valiantly rises to the challenge as Jack agrees to keep his jolly old self if she can get one Scrooge to change his mind about the spirit of Christmas. Of course, Jack’s test subject is handsome, buttoned-up Michael Sutton, the mall manager and a bona fide Christmas-hater. This entrancing romance will add a touch of magic to the season. Quick (Falling for You) lives in New Jersey.”
*— Library Journal, December, 2005*
	“’Tis the Season is a sweet, emotional tale that is sure to warm your heart. Kathryn Quick narrates this story in a tender, loving and smooth voice, and has peopled it with likeable, delightful characters.”
— (4 stars) Betty Cox, Affaire de Coeur
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Absolution by Carolyn Brown AN AVALON HISTORICAL ROMANCE
	A Love’s Valley Romance “Ellie Hamilton had been knocked out, beaten, and shackled to the wall of a small, rundown cabin. After collecting only half the ransom—the rest to be paid upon her safe return—the kidnappers left her to die, but luckily Colum Sullivan was tracking her. Finding her unconscious and feverish, he nurses her back to health and they begin the long trek back on foot to her home, only to discover that their troubles have just begun. The second Love’s Valley historical romance is set in the mountainous region of south central Pennsylvania just after the end of the Civil War and features Monroe’s cousin and Douglass Esmeralda’s brother from Choices (2005). As the title suggests, Brown tackles the concepts of forgiveness and absolution in this story of former enemies trying to rebuild shattered lives. Brown’s use of a down-home, folksy style may irritate some but will surely charm others as it provides a more complete mental vision of the various characters via their verbal sparring matches.”
*— Lynne Welch, Booklist, October 15, 2005*
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Palo Duro Shootout by Kent Conwell AN AVALON WESTERN
	“The Civil War rages, but Josh Miles and Leeboy Strauss have decided to sit it out as cowhands in their native Texas, working for J. S. Tipton, who took them in years ago as teenagers and has become more of a father than a boss. Fate intervenes when a third man Tipton raised, Zeke Tanner, comes into their lives while they’re driving a herd to market. Tanner, a Union officer, has hijacked a load of Confederate gold and is posing, along with his men, as Confederate soldiers. Tipton recognizes Tanner, and Tanner inadvertently kills him, hoping to protect his mission. When Miles and Strauss find out who killed their surrogate father, they take off in pursuit, hell-bent on revenge. Before they can administer frontier justice, they’ll have to survive a couple hundred miles of hostile Comanche territory. This is a solid, well-told western tale with nicely drawn characters and plenty of action.”
*— Wes Lukosky, Booklist, October 15, 2005*
Final Note by Dorothy P. O’Neill AN AVALON MYSTERY
	A Liz Rooney Mystery “That O’Neill also writes romances will come as no surprise to readers of her latest Liz Rooney mystery: the story definitely focuses more on relationships than suspense. That might not be a bad thing, however, as the mystery of who killed young country superstar Buford Doakes is less interesting than Liz’s relationship with her NYPD boyfriend, Ike. Liz has left her Staten Island home for a weekend getaway to a resort in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains—the same one where Doakes is headlining. Accompanying her is best-friend Sophie, a new member of the NYPD who’s engaged to fellow-cop Ralph. Not big fans of Doakes, Sophie and Liz are somewhat surprised to be invited to a preconcert party in his suite. Curiosity wins out and they attend, only to leave when Doakes’ sleazy manager herds all the girls into the hot tub for a photo shoot. After Doakes is found murdered the next morning, the girls begin to investigate and are soon joined by Ralph and Ike. A pleasant outing for fans of lite mystery.”
*— Jenny McLarin, Booklist, October 1, 2005*
	“Liz Rooney and best friend Sophie travel from NYC to the Pennsylvania mountain resort of Lorenzo's-on-the-Lake. But their weekend idyll is interrupted when the star performer for that weekend, studly country singer Buford Doakes, is found murdered in his hot tub. Liz and Sophie decide to help investigate the murder. Why not, since Liz has engaged in sleuthing efforts in the past, much to the chagrin of her boyfriend, NY homicide detective Ike Eichle. Soon Liz and Sophie's lives are in danger, and Ike and Sophie's fiancé, Ralph, arrive on the scene to help them with their investigation. Liz and her sidekick Sophie are engaging protagonists. Though the mystery is somewhat predictable, cozy fans will enjoy the antics of the various characters as they try to solve a murder amid the picturesque mountains of Pennsylvania.”
— RT Book Club, November, 2005
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Stone Fish by Olivia Ferrell AN AVALON MYSTERY
	“Ferrell’s debut is not without flaws, but the quaint Arkansas setting and exciting New York reporter protagonist provide considerable compensation. When Maggie Rome, a New York reporter, receives a call from her ex-husband, Gary, her first instinct is to hang up—until he tells her that his younger sister, Susan, has committed suicide in Arkansas. Neither Gary nor Maggie believes the young girl would kill herself, so Maggie travels to tiny Armen, Arkansas, to investigate. After it becomes clear that the Glorious Church, a local religious cult, has played a role in Susan’s death, Maggie attempts to infiltrate the highly secretive organization. Unfortunately, Ferrell almost blows it with her copious, clunky dialogue. Endless boring fights between Gary and Maggie serve no purpose except to convince readers that removing half the dialogue would make the novel twice as good. Still, Ferrell has created a suspenseful story and a spunky, compelling heroine. Let’s hope to see Maggie again with less talk and more action.”
*— Jenny McLarin, Booklist, October 1, 2005*
	“Global reporter Maggie Rome is at her New York apartment when her ex-husband, Gary Brady, calls to inform her that this sister, Susan, has died. “According to police, Susan committed suicide with poison. But Maggie doesn't believe that she would kill herself and travels to the small Arkansas town where Susan was attending college to investigate. Something is not quite right in the town of Armen, where the Glorious Church, a cultish religious organization, has its headquarters. Could the leaders of this group have some connection to Susan's death? The suspense in Ferrell's novel is first-rate. As Maggie carefully uncovers clue to Susan's bizarre murder, the mystery and Maggie's attraction to handsome sheriff Neal Conrad heat up. With its captivating characters and smoothly executed plot, this mystery is not one to be missed.”
*— Romantic Times, December, 2005*
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The Bettin' Kind by Nancy J. Parra AN AVALON HISTORICAL ROMANCE
	A Morgan Family Romance *Starred Review:* “When her brother loses Applegate, Amelia Morgan’s beloved prize horse, to professional gambler Alex Laird, Amelia refuses to let the horse leave without her. After the sheriff says Amelia can’t go with Alex unless they get married, Alex decides to call Amelia’s bluff. Much to his shock and chagrin, Amelia readily becomes his bride at an impromptu wedding. With no intention of making Amelia his wife in the truest sense of the word, Alex intends to leave her in his huge house along with all the other treasures he’s amassed; but perky Amelia wins over the servants, and soon, Alex, too, feels drawn to his spirited wife. With this poignant and humorous tale of the redeeming power of love, Parra has added yet another candid, courageous, can-do heroine to her Morgan Family series which includes Wyoming Wedding, and the Marryin’ Kind. And it’s a sure bet that readers who love the rogouis gambler heroes in Georgina Gentry’s To Tempt a Texan, LaVyrle Spencers The Bamble and Nan Ryan’s Lifetime of Heaven will go for Parra’s rogue too. “YA/M the stubborn young heroine will have teens cheering for her.”
*— Booklist, October 15, 2005*
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Cruising for Love by Tami Cowden AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“Nina Kerensky is in a bit of a pickle. She’s leaving tomorrow on a cruise where she’ll meet her grandmother and sister. They’re expecting Nina to bring her new husband, but Nina isn’t married. A free-spirited travel writer eager to please, she decided to cheer up her grandmother when she was ill by telling that she had a boyfriend, and well, it just snowballed from there. When Nina meets the veterinarian who will be taking over for her current one, it seems as though fate has intervened. He’s a "doctor" and his name is Steve, just like she told her grandmother. Nina asks him to go with her and pose as her husband. Steve is intrigued by Nina, but says no; that is until his ex-wife informs him that she’s following him to Denver. As Steve learns more about Nina, he becomes very interested, but Nina is so worried about keeping her stories straight, she doesn’t realize that he’s falling for her. Cowden’s cute, light-hearted tale is perfect for a quick romance fix.”
*— Booklist, September 15, 2005*
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Bluebonnet Spring by Amanda Harte AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“Contemporary Romance “Hilo, Hawaii and the Outskirts of Kerrville, Texas — Present Day “Rebecca Barton is on the vacation of her dreams. Hilo, Hawaii is a tropical paradise and would be perfect . . . if she were not all alone. It’s true that she needs to get away from it all, the haunting memories of Tim, her deceased husband, and the stress of suddenly raising two young, boisterous children, all by herself. But Rebecca also has a personal reason for deciding to stay at The Bradford Resort, one that is very close to her heart. “Doug West is a high-powered CEO. He owns and operates Apex, a company that manufactures high quality automobile filters. Doug’s company is aptly named because it is the apex of his existence. While he is taking a rare vacation in Hilo, awaiting the arrival of his fiancée for their upcoming marriage and honeymoon, he receives a call from her instead. She coldly tells him the wedding is off since he is already married . . . married to his company, that is! Doug is stunned by her rejection. Suddenly, his romantic lovers’ getaway feels more like a prison. “Rebecca is definitely starting to feel out of place, too. Although the locale is delightful, she is surrounded by couples who are in love and whose eyes shine with happiness. Rebecca soon notices a male guest who appears to be alone, though she cannot imagine why, because he appears very confident, if not arrogant, and is undeniably sexy. While she would agree that he is hot, she is shocked when his arm bursts into flame after he gets a little too close to a torch. After she comes to his aid, he is blatantly ungrateful and his “Thank you” sounds amazingly like “Leave me alone!” “Although Doug’s arm is throbbing in pain, his ego is smarting a lot more. Luckily it doesn’t take long for him to realize that he is actually feeling more angry than heart-broken. When his pain and anger subside, he is ashamed of his behavior towards the beautiful stranger who came to his aid and wants to apologize. When he sees Rebecca again and gets to know her better, he realizes that he is attracted not only to her looks, but also to her as a person as well. Amazing what some sun and fun can do for a little broken heart, eh? Doug then has what he believes to be the mother of all great ideas . . . he could still enjoy his honeymoon, but with Rebecca instead! He is thinking only of outdoor activities in the area, of course. “Sharing Doug’s honeymoon brings Rebecca no small amount of conflict. On one hand, the sexual attraction between them is electrifying . . . which confuses the hell out of her since she loved Tim dearly and practically stopped living herself when he died a year ago. Yet one gentle kiss from Doug and her feelings are explosive enough to start a mini-volcano. On the other hand, Rebecca knows that she and Doug are from two different worlds, and when their vacation comes to an end, so will their platonic interlude. After all, she is from Canela, Texas, and he lives in Detroit, Michigan. But after they part, Rebecca discovers that sometimes the world itself is not too great a distance to reunite two wandering hearts. “BLUEBONNET SPRING is a charming story where romantic love and sexual tension seamlessly intertwine to give the reader a sweet, captivating story. The importance of family and its tender bonds are evident throughout, and it is heart-warming to witness Rebecca dealing with her two young children who feel the loss of their father. This book also deals with the realization of lifelong dreams and the importance of believing in oneself enough to take the first step. And last but not least, we get to witness the transforming power of love. “Doug is a somewhat fascinating hero whose virtues appear to come to life the moment he meets Rebecca. Previously, having had little interest in kids, he bravely takes hers on, and, lo and behold, he not only finds them delightful, but they are fond of him as well. Rebecca’s biggest obstacle is dealing with the circumstances of her husband’s death and moving on. Together, Doug and Rebecca create magic as their love blossoms like bluebonnets in the springtime. “For a delightful story that will instill hope in your romantic heart, I recommend BLUEBONNET SPRING.”
— Elisabeth Anders, Romance Reviews Today, August 2005
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Before the Last Lap by Joyce and Jim Lavene AN AVALON MYSTERY
	“After a speedboat flies out of a local lake and crashes into a car, Montgomery County, North Carolina, sheriff Sharyn Howard learns her missing assistant’s purse was found on board, covered with blood. Although the case is outside her jurisdiction, Howard and her team investigate and find her dazed assistant, Trudy, at the scene when race-car driver Duke Beatty is shot dead. When it looks as if Trudy will be accused of the crime, her husband, one of Sharyn’s deputies, quickly confesses to the murder and is arrested. Sharyn believes neither Trudy nor her husband to be guilty, but her efforts to clear them run afoul of a long-term FBI investigation. Likable characters, fast pacing, and an intriguing subplot about Sharyn’s attempts to learn the truth behind her father’s death make for an enjoyable read. Give this little-known series to fans of Margaret Maron’s Deborah Knott novels.”
*— Sue O’Brien, Booklist, August 1, 2005*
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Lovehandles by Holly Jacobs AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“They are Punch and Judy, the morning DJs at WLVH, “where love is more than just a song.” Popular for their prickly banter and safe inside their roles, it takes the station’s latest promotion, a live broadcast from the wedding of a previous promotion’s contestants, to turn their professional relationship on its head. Judy believes that she is tall and gawky and lies to herself about being immune to Punch, real name Peter. Goaded into attending the reception by Judy, Peter brings along the latest of many girlfriends. When Judy begins talking with the best man, Peter can’t help but be bothered by it, and it’s obvious to his date that he is attracted to his colleague. Peter convinces Judy to dance, and feelings do swell between them, but Judy knows him too well and doesn’t trust anything he does or says. The more she pushes him away, the more determined Peter becomes in this charming, funny story of clashing egos and unexpected love.”
*&mdash Maria Hatton, Booklist, August 1, 2005*

	“Judy Bentley and Peter “Punch” O’Brien host the morning show on the WLVH Lovehandles radio station. They’ve been working together for about a year. It’s just lately that the pair is having feelings of attraction. Recently WLVH hosted a contest that brought together another couple, and it seems like the love fever is getting a hold of Judy. “Peter is starting to see Judy in a new light. But, he’s definitely fighting his attraction for his coworker. After all, she’s the one that said it’s not right to get involved with someone you work with. And, Peter and Judy definitely work closely together. “When Judy goes out on a date, Peter gets a little jealous. He’s not sure what to do about his feelings, and neither does Judy. She has always gotten a little breathless when Peter flashes his killer smile at her, and now she’s certainly having intimate feelings for him. They decide to try out the dating scene and hope it doesn’t mess up their working relationship. Will anything good come of their trial date? “LOVEHANDLES is a funny, adventurous love story written by the talented Holly Jacobs. I’ve enjoyed every novel I’ve read by Ms. Jacobs, and this one is certainly a great read. The sparks between this hero and heroine keep the reader quickly flipping the pages and eagerly anticipating the outcome. I loved all the little adventures this DJ duo had to go through in the name of promotion. This is a book you’ll want to add to your shopping list. Don’t miss out on LOVEHANDLES, the sequel to PICKUP LINES, another fabulous love story by Holly Jacobs.”
— BJ Deese, CataRomance Reviews
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	“As the author of Lost and Found (2004) and The 100-year Itch (2003), Jacobs is a veteran of the romantic-comedy genre, and her newest tale is sure to amuse.”
*- Shelley Mosley, Booklist, April 1, 2005*
Next of Kin by Ami Elizabeth Reeves AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“Ami Reeves populates Delight, Arkansas, with a cast of fascinating characters — especially young Sally Brown, who’s a strong, smart and interesting heroine that readers will look forward to seeing again in future books. Next of Kin is a sparkling debut mystery.”
- M. K. Preston, 2004 Mary Higgins Clark Award winner for Song of the Bones
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Choices by Carolyn Brown AN AVALON HISTORICAL ROMANCE
	“Douglass Esmeralda Sullivan, half-Mexican and half-Irish, wanted an adventure, but placed her trust in a sorry Yankee Rascal who would have bedded and abandoned her. So she descends the stagecoach in the middle of the desert and perches on her trunk, awaiting help, only to be accosted by Captain Monroe Hamilton, a true gentleman (albeit another Yankee), who insists on seeing her to safety. Caught in a tangle web of lies, fearing pursuit by her brothers and incarceration in a convent for her misbehavior, and plotting revenge against the dastardly Raymond, Esmie finds herself willy-nilly on the road to Philadelphia with the handsome captain, who is alternately exasperated and amused by her antics. While not up to her usual standard—much of it reads like a rehash of her previous series—Brown’s latest is nonetheless an enjoyable light and frothy historical romance with plenty of trademark sass, down-home descriptions, and verbal sparring.”
*— Booklist, June, 2005*
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Poppy’s Place by Sylvia Renfro AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“For Poppy Sullivan the Mojave National Preserve is a place she will fight to keep untouched. In the past movie companies have wanted to come out to do documentaries, and the few that have come left trash everywhere and not shown any respect for the land. So when Josh O'Donnell shows up literally in front of Poppy's tire of her Jeep, Poppy has a little bit of trouble trusting him to do as she says about not leaving trash and to show respect for the land and the animals. “To try to win over Poppy's trust Josh enlist the help of her grandmother. Poppy's grandmother see's the sparks that are shooting up all around Poppy and Josh so she is all too happy to help in any way that she can. When Poppy finds out that her grandmother has agreed to prepare breakfast and lunch for Josh's crew she refuses to help until she realizes that she can keep an eye on Josh to make sure he does as he has promised he would do. “After being with each other day after day Josh and Poppy start acting on the feelings that they have for each other. Josh knows that he isn't ready to settle down and he knows that Poppy loves the land where she lives and would never want to leave. What do they do? Are they going to just let the best thing that has ever happened to either one of them just slip throught their fingers or are they going to find some kind of solution to their dilemma? Sometimes in life you just have to take a chance on love and just jump in with your eyes wide open. “I really loved Sylvia Renfro's book POPPY'S PLACE. The book was full of adventure, love and beautiful sunsets. In POPPY'S PLACE, Sylvia Renfro lets you see; through her words, what you would be seeing if you were there with Josh and Poppy in the East Mojave Preserve.”
— Tammy Kelley, Romance Reviews Today
	“Penelope "Poppy" Sullivan was a desert girl. From the moment she set foot in Providence, she knew she was home and promised to never leave again. Adopted by the loving Mike and El Sullivan when she was 8 years old, she was shown just what love can be like. She treasured her environment and did not stand for anyone destroying it. “When she learns that the hunky man she finds stranded on the side of the desert trail is part of a film crew, she is livid. Through charm and a general good will, Josh O'Donnell shows Poppy that he shares her view about taking care of the natural wonderland surrounding them. Quickly, the attraction that had started at that first meeting grows into something more than either of them expects. Both have their doubts that a woman rooted in the desert can survive leaving and that a notorious rolling stone can allow him self to collect a little moss. The big question is whether or not they will even take the leap necessary to find out. “In a time of faced-paced romances, this sweet romance is a breath of fresh air. Two people falling in love, instead of in bed, seems like a wonderful new idea. For this reviewer, who is used to and loves the pace of whirlwind romances, this was a chance to stop and smell the roses (or poppies, in this case). This beautiful love story reminds us all that love can be gentle, tender, and just what we need. Beautifully written, with a mix of fun, joy and bittersweet memories, Miss Renfroe takes us deep into the East Mojave Desert with her rich details and full descriptions of desert life. This book is a serious keeper to be brought out in times when a little uplifting is needed.”
— Thia McClain, Romance Reader's Connection, July 2005
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Vicksburg by Kent Conwell AN AVALON MYSTERY
	“When Tony Boudreaux's good friend Jack asks to be driven to his father's funeral in Vicksburg, Mississippi, Tony would love to say no; after all, it was Jack's own fault he just lost his license and broke his arm in a drunken fall. On the other hand, the prospect of a breather from a controlling girlfriend sounds fine, so he agrees to the seemingly simple drive from Austin, Texas to Vicksburg. Sure, he's a PI by trade, but when Jack confesses en route that he suspects foul play surrounding his father's death, Tony begrudgingly agrees to take the case, convinced in large measure by the double hourly pay Jack promises to deliver out of his father's generous estate. Tony proceeds to ingratiate himself in the bizarre little town of Vicksburg, which he finds to be full of history and a wacky assortment of characters, not the least of which are Jack's own siblings. Quirky and amusing-even when Jack meets danger head-on, you can't help but chuckle-this amiable, accessible crime tale oozes southern charm, even if it mocks it.”
*- Booklist, May 1, 2005*
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Pickup Lines by Holly Jacobs AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“Readers are in for a treat with this story. What better way to while away a few hours then by reading this quick, easy, funny read?”
- Kelley Hartsell, LoveRomances.com, March, 2005
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	“As the author of Lost and Found (2004) and The 100-year Itch (2003), Jacobs is a veteran of the romantic-comedy genre, and her newest tale is sure to amuse.”
*— Shelley Mosley, Booklist, April 1, 2005*
Turn of Fortune by Vicky Hunnings AN AVALON MYSTERY
	“Sadly, it looks as if the Shark Morgan-Dell Hassler trilogy is at an end, as Shark and Dell move on with their lives. In this final adventure, Beaufort County (Hilton Head Island) detectives Shark and Dell investigate not only the murder of a man found shot in his car but also the cases of a missing fisherman and the hit-and-run death of a Hispanic restaurant worker. In his personal life, Shark’s relationship with his girlfriend, Jazz, seems to be breaking up, and Marissa Langford, the former murder suspect who almost cost Shark his job, returns from Paris to settle her late husband’s estate, stopping by to see Shark, to Dell’s disgust. Adding to Shark’s woes, annoying new crime reporter Rebecca Sands seems determined to solve the crimes first. Shark and Dell’s easygoing, friendly partnership is one of the highlights of this satisfying police procedural.”
*- Sue O’Brien, Booklist, March 15, 2005*
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Last One Down by Joyce and Jim Lavene AN AVALON MYSTERY
	“Montgomery County, North Carolina, sheriff Sharyn Howard reluctantly leaves town to attend a retreat for local law enforcement personnel in an abandoned mining town on isolated Sweet Potato Mountain. Soon after she and two of her deputies arrive, one deputy is injured in an old mine shaft and another is killed. Next, several men are killed in an explosion. With an old radio, now broken, their only means of communication, the group—deeply distrustful of one another—starts down the mountain after a raging storm floods the local waterways. Back in town, Sharyn’s department investigates the death of a young woman from an apparent car accident, and a sniper shoots another deputy. Alternating story lines keep the narrative moving as suspense builds and the two cases tie together. Personal issues, including Sharyn’s difficulties with her boyfriend and her ongoing project to decode her father’s journal, add texture to the main plot. This tenth in the series offers an entertaining quick read for fans of rural procedures.”
Booklist, February 15, 2005
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The Marryin’ Kind by Nancy J. Parra AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“THE MARRYIN' KIND is the fifth book in the Morgan Brothers Romance Series. The third book, LOVING LANA, was reviewed in Roundtable Reviews in November 2003. Madeline Morgan, at the ripe age of twenty- three, is determined to remain unmarried. There has not been one man in her life that has convinced her she should marry. Her father disagrees and has determined she must marry before her younger sisters. This poses a problem. As a solution, Madeline's brother, Robert, has found a way to help his sister. Madeline secretly became promised to Evan Montgomery prior to his departure to fight in the Civil War. When Evan fails to return and the Montgomery ranch falls into disrepair, Madeline is given the deed to the ranch by the townspeople and moves there. Some eight years after the war, Trevor Montgomery, Evan's brother, returns expecting to find the ranch unoccupied, only to find Madeline living there. This poses a problem, aggravated by Trevor's attack of malaria. Madeline can only offer Trevor a bed and tends to him. The reader must remember that in the 1800s, an unmarried man and woman living in the same house caused the woman's reputation to become damaged. Since it was the townspeople who gave Madeline to deed to the ranch, how best to rectify this situation? I found THE MARRYIN' KIND well worth reading. It seemed that the previous books dealt with other characters so not having read them did not detract from my enjoyment of the book.”
- Robert H. Goss, Roundtable Reviews, January, 2005
	“Madeline just isn’t interested in getting married. She enjoys her freedom. But her kid sister is worried because their father mandated that the younger sisters can’t be courted until Maddie is safely wed. Then, in a stroke of impish genius, their brother suggests that Maddie claim to be secretly engaged to Evan Montgomery, one of his friends who went off to fight in the Civil War, never to be heard from again. Maddie moves into Evan’s abandoned cottage, and for two years, this works out just fine. Then Evan’s brother, Trevor, comes home, and he is not so sure about Maddie. Parra sets the traditional tale of the eldest daughter being forced to marry first in the Old West and gives it a clever twist. With her adroit blending of pathos and humor, Parra has crafted another winner, the fifth book in the Morgan Brothers series, following Saving Samantha (2002), A Wanted Man (2002), Loving Lana (2003), and Wyoming Wedding (2004).”
*— Booklist, February 1, 2005*
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Falling for You by Kathryn Quick AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“FALLING FOR YOU is a feel-good story that is poignant, charming and humorous. The protagonists are outstanding and the secondary characters are well developed. Kathryn Quick writes with a pleasure and enjoyment that is contagious and heart warming.”
4 1/2 stars - Affaire De CoeurJanuary-February, 2005
	“...FALLING FOR YOU is warm, funny, and enjoyable, and readers should not miss this captivating romantic comedy. “From the first page to the last, FALLING FOR YOU will grab your attention as Stephanie and Marty meet, fall in love, and struggle to overcome the barriers for a future together. With descriptive dialogue and situations, FALLING FOR YOU is a wonderfully written story and one that I highly recommend.”
- Patti Fischer, Romance Reviews Today, January, 2005
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Miss Dempsey’s School for Gunslingers by I.J. Parnham AN AVALON WESTERN
	“Education, Miss Dempsey believes, is the key to rehabilitating criminals. In particular, she takes this to mean her unique method of teaching at Miss Dempsey’s School for Gunslingers. But what self-respecting bad guy can take a town like Destiny seriously when the jail has only three walls? The little town seems to be a magnet for anyone and everyone who’s on the wrong side of the law. Thimbleriggers use Destiny as a place to con the citizens—and each other. Underhanded tonic sellers escalate their claims to the public from a universal tonic that will cure all ills to a powerful potion that’s able to raise the dead. Destiny’s politicians, of course, run the crookedest elections in the Old West. Even the contest for Miss Dempsey’s firm but fair hand is as devious as a courtship can get. Parnham’s fast-paced, humorous story about a deliciously criminal frontier community won’t fail to delight.”
*- Shelley Mosley, Booklist, January 1, 2005*
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A Matter of Motive by Michael Hachey AN AVALON MYSTERY
	“Set in a small Wisconsin town, Hachey’ s first novel serves up an eclectic and compelling cast of characters. Readers will be delighted with recently promoted, endearingly inept police chief Dexter Loomis, who could have been played by Jimmy Stewart. Reluctant hero Dexter comes to the aid of childhood friend Ann Summer, a special agent with the Division of Criminal investigation in Madison. Ann has returned to tiny Higgins Point to investigate the supposed suicide of her father, a police officer. Though very few people believe her, Ann persists in reopening the case. As Dexter helps her uncover the truth, she in turn helps him solve his first homicide-the murder of a pregnant young woman. Although the mysteries are somewhat easy to solve, readers will enjoy the characters so much that it won’ t matter. The relationship between Ann and Dexter is fun and heartwarming, and Hachey captures small-town Wisconsin life perfectly. Here’ s hoping that this promising first story is just the beginning of a long-running series.”
*- Jenny, McLarin, Booklist, December 1, 2004*
	“The death of the mayor’s daughter upsets the tranquil life of new police chief Dexter Loomis in Hachey’s first novel, a by-the-numbers contemporary whodunit set in the small town of Higgins Point, WI. “With scant practice doing actual police work, Loomis must overcome his insecurities to pursue his suspicion that the woman was murdered. His prospects are bolstered by the propitious return of Ann Summer, a veteran homicide detective looking into the mystifying suicide of her father.”
*- Publishers Weekly, November 22, 2004*
Love on the Air by Sierra Donovan AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“Donovan’s debut novel shows a good grasp of the broadcasting industry as well as a deft touch with characterization. Her well crafted, leisurely, and refreshingly candid inside glimpse at the realities of this outwardly glamorous industry appeals because this gentle romance captures the camaraderies, as well as the competitive nature of radio’s personalities.”
*- Lynne Welch, Booklist, December 1, 2004*
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Laughing at the Thunder by Amanda Harte AN AVALON HISTORICAL ROMANCE
	“Tom Fleming was searching far and wide for his "Fourth of July Woman," a woman to inspire the troops fighting in Europe. He never thought he'd find her in Canela, Texas. When Martha Wentworth York walked past him, he knew he'd found her. Martha had no desire to have her photograph plastered all over the world since she knew pictures of her only brought bad luck. As Tom tries to persuade Martha, they begin to develop feelings for each other. Can a small town woman and a world traveler make a relationship work? Amanda Harte delivers in her third installment of her "War Brides" trilogy. Martha is the sister who stayed behind while her other sisters went off to Europe to help the war effort. She's content with her life in her hometown. Amanda Harte's moving characterization shows the reader the believable process as Martha learns she may be content, but is she happy? Martha is a woman true to herself, her environment, and her times. Tom is an equally well-developed character, flawed and human. As a result, their developing relationship rings true, and their struggle makes the ending even more satisfying.”
*- Lea Moyer, Affaire de Coeur, September-October, 2004*
	“In order to salvage his career, photographer Tom Fleming promised his editor a photograph of the “Fourth of July” woman, the perfect woman to symbolize everything for which American soldiers in France were fighting “The War to End All Wars.” Tom fears that he will never find his muse until he stops in the little town of Canela, Texas, and sees Martha Wentworth York. Martha is exactly the woman Tom envisioned, but convincing the sensible schoolteacher to let him take her picture isn’t going to be easy. Yet the more Martha says no, the more determined Tom becomes to get her to say yes, for not only has Tom found the perfect woman for his photograph, he just might have found the perfect woman for him. Harte expertly brings her War Brides trilogy to a sweetly satisfying conclusion with this gentle story of romance set in a small American town during World War I.”
*- John Charles, Booklist, November 15, 2004*
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Augusta by Carolyn Brown AN AVALON HISTORICAL ROMANCE
	“The finale to Brown’s series about the Dulan sisters—beginning with Willow (2003) and Velvet (2003) and continuing with Gypsy and Garnet focuses on Gussie, the oldest, and the only one who made it to their original destination of Washington, California. She’s also the first to be picked from among all the galls off the bride train, and that’s not so good. Her intended groom, a self-righteous, judgmental preacher, takes exception to her from the moment he sees her in her best dress, a red satin saloon-girl’s finery with black lace trim. But Gussie falls in love with Gideon Jefferson’s four headstrong young daughters and consequently determines to make the best of her situation. The strong conclusion to Brown’s gentle historical Promised Land series showcases her ability to bring a vibrant time to life in all its glory, as the bride-train women build a community, support each other through the trials of marriage to strangers, and stand up for their right to respect and fair treatment from their men folk.”
*- Lynne Welch, Booklist, December 15, 2004*
	“Ms. Brown has certainly concluded the Promised Land series in a magnificent way. AUGUSTA is a touching story of two lonely people looking for acceptance and love in a harsh world. Neither Gussie nor Gideon was an ideal mate, each having many faults and prejudices. But, I enjoyed the romantic dance between Gussie and Gideon, knowing that eventually they would become partners. Gideon’s four daughters are precious and endearing, the stars of many outstanding supporting characters. Augusta’s story is fitting for the brash, outspoken, and strong woman that Gussie is. An outstanding series, I just adored all of the Dulan sisters and look forward to revisiting the Dulan sisters from time to time in the future. Ms. Brown has won over another devoted fan and I for one can’t wait for more from this author.”
- Kendra, Romance Reader at Heart, October 31, 2004
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Negotiating Love by Roni Denholtz AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“Valerie McFadden, a third grade teacher, and Douglas Cooper, a local business owner, are on opposite sides of the table during negotiations between the teachers' union and the board of education. Despite having polar positions on salaries and benefits, each feels an intense attraction to the other, which creates problems with the respective negotiating teams. “Denholtz's very sweet romance has...several enjoyable moments. {The} protagonists are likeable...and are clearly ...citizens who care about their community and look out for the best interests of others.”
*- Romantic Times, October, 2004*
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Smoke Cover by Dorothy P. O’Neill AN AVALON MYSTERY
	“The fourth in her series featuring the detecting duo of Liz and Ike, O’Neill's latest is a good choice...”
*- John Charles, Booklist, September, 2004*
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Garnet by Carolyn Brown AN AVALON HISTORICAL ROMANCE
	“Garnet Dulan, like three of her sisters before her, has chosen to leave the bridal train headed for California and strike off on her own. Frenchman’s Ford, the Nevada Territory, is a dangerous town, and Sheriff Gabe Walker takes instant exception to Garnet’s appearance in the Silver Dollar Saloon. First he tries to run her out of town; then he arrests her for bank robbery and murder. When she is broken out and threatened by the true culprits, however, he suffers a change of heart, helped along by a strong mutual attraction. So Garnet, now unable to make her living as a saloon piano player, discerns the town’s need for a good seamstress and settles into a cottage owned by Gabe’s uncle. The consistently high quality of Brown’s plotting and characterization makes the Promised Land series, and in particular, Garnet’s tale, a delight to read, as Brown skillfully incorporates a wealth of interesting historical detail into each vivid adventure.”
*- Booklist, September 1, 2004*
	“GARNET is a delightful addition to the Promised Land series by Ms. Brown. Garnet’s bravery and spunk are endearing, and I cheered for her throughout the story. I just wanted the sheriff to get his comeuppance after treating Garnet so horribly! With plenty of action, this fast-paced story keeps you involved until the end. A sweet romance, GARNET is a lovely story that conveys the notion that first impressions aren’t always accurate.”
- Kendra, Romance Reader at Heart, August, 2004
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Gypsy by Carolyn Brown AN AVALON HISTORICAL ROMANCE
	“As the bride train progresses westward through Wyoming, Gypsy Dulan ponders her future in a California mining town, married to a man she doesn’t know. Raised as a respected member of a rich Mexican land-owning family in Texas, she defied her abuelita to visit her long-absent father in Missouri, only to find him already dead. In a moment of solidarity with her newfound sisters, she signs on as an extra for the bride train, only to find herself falling desperately in love with brash, hot-tempered, and diminutive Tavish O’Leary when he takes his uncle Pat’s place guarding the wagon train outside Fort Laramie. Sparks fly, even as the two rescue each other. Third in the Promised Land series, Gypsy’s story is more contemplative than those of her sisters, but plenty of action and humor move Brown’s gentle historical romance along the way to Utah.”
*- Booklist, April 1, 2004*
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Mr. Perfect by Shelagh McEachern AN AVALON ROMANCE
	“Verrick Grant is excited as she settles into her new condo in a suburb of Vancouver because she’s never had a real home. Her glamorous mother sent her to boarding schools, never taking the time to know her. She doesn’t understand why Verrick is a dentist instead of the wife of a wealthy man living a jet-set life. Verrick’s first meeting with her new neighbor, Lionel Parford, is unsettling as she accidentally sets off her smoke detector. He looks absolutely perfect, while Verrick is a total mess, and so it is every time she sees him. His immaculate appearance and impeccable manners inspire her to call him “Mr. Perfect.” But he is intrigued by his neighbor and speculates about her job and social life, having no idea how to approach her. McEachern’s gentle and sweet story is perfect for readers who like a chaste romance with a delightful ending. “YA: The juxtaposition of responsible Verrick and her flighty mother will appeal to teens. PE.”
*- Patty Engelmann, Booklist, March 15, 2004*
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Skeletons of The Atchafalaya by Kent Conwell AN AVALON MYSTERY
	“During a family reunion, Tony Boudreaux, a Texas P.I. with Louisiana roots, gets caught with everyone else at the family plantation house in Whiskey Bend, LA, when hurricane Belle blows through. Unfortunately, someone murders the mansion’s owner and then two more members of the same immediate family (by screw-driver, poison and cottonmouth, respectively). Since the police cannot come until the storm has passed, Tony takes matters into his own hands. Squabbling, mud slinging, and dirty dealing tempered with Cajun spice, hints of voodoo, assorted angry animals, and old-timey prejudice result in an easy-to-read winner. This is author Conwell’s second mystery (after Galveston)”
*- Library Journal, December, 2003*
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Velvet by Carolyn Brown AN AVALON HISTORICAL ROMANCE
	“Velvet Jane Dulan was meek, mild-mannered, and well-behaved until she left home, journeyed to St. Joseph, Missouri, met her four sisters, and joined a wagon train of mail-order brides heading to California. Waking from a high fever to find herself abandoned to the not-so-tender mercies of taciturn Dr. Hoyt Baxter, however, she discovers she has a full share of Dulan gumption, which she puts to good use in facing down a group of renegade Indians and an equally daunting set of disapproving women at nearby Fort Laramie. Gradually she carves a place for herself in Hoyt’s home and his heart, befriends some of the officers’ wives and proves herself by example. Second in the Dulan sisters family saga, Brown’s Promised Land romance is a gentle, historical set against the unforgiving backdrop of the Old West, providing a poignant view of the hardships suffered by the pioneers and a humorous description of one woman’s discovery that even a timid mouse can learn to stand up and roar.”
*- Booklist, December 1, 2003*
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Whistling in the Dark by Amanda Harte AN AVALON HISTORICAL ROMANCE
	“American Emily Wentworth thinks that volunteering as an ambulance driver will get her to the front lines in France where she can search for her missing twin brother, but instead her talents as a mechanic keep her stuck in Calais. Then popular war correspondent Grant Randall shows up needing someone to repair his Model T, and Emily offers to accompany him as driver and mechanic. Grant has a gift for getting others to reveal the details of their lives, but Emily quickly finds that the journalist prefers to keep his own past a secret. As they get closer to the front, Grant teaches Emily to whistle in the dark to help reduce her worries. Determined to return the favor, Emily shows Grant how to let go of the barriers that keep others from getting close to him. A second Wentworth sister finds romance in war-torn France as Harte continues her captivating World War I War Brides series with this pleasantly romantic story of two people who discover love is possible even in the darkest of times.”
*- John Charles, Booklist, 2003*
	“The second entry in Harte’s World War I ‘War Brides Trilogy’ (after Dancing in the Rain) this sweet romance takes auto mechanic-turned-ambulance driver Emily Wentworth from Texas to France in search of her twin brother, Theo, who has been declared missing. But with a twin’s intuition, Emily knows that he is still alive; and when a dream pinpoints his location, she ends up accompanying crack war correspondent Grant Randall (whose Model-T needs constant care) across the devastated country-side in a dangerous journey to find him. Employing a seldom used but nicely handled setting, this gentle, heartwarming romance features likeable characters and a nice sense of place and will appeal to readers who enjoy their historicals short, sweet, and series-linked. Harte has written several earlier romances for Avalon (e.g., Dancing in the Rain and Imperfect Together) and lives in New Jersey.
*- Library Journal, February 15, 2004*
	“WHISTLING IN THE DARK is set during World War I, or the war to end all wars. The use of this time period is not at all common and I find it quite refreshing.... Ms. Harte provides plenty of detail to make the landscape of France come to life...[Emily] for her time, she is a most unusual young woman. Her independence, determination, and talents are characteristic of women today. These traits, coupled with her upbeat, optimistic outlook on life, are what Grant finds so irresistible. WHISTLING IN THE DARK is short but sweet. The plot stays focused on Grant and Emily, with a few minor appearances by secondary characters. They help to move the love story along, and by the time the main characters reach their final destination, a fine romance has developed between the two.”
- Sandra Brill, *Romance Reviews Today*
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Loving Lana by Nancy J. Parra AN AVALON HISTORICAL ROMANCE
	“Lana Tate ekes out a living singing in a Wyoming saloon to support her alcoholic, self-pitying father and herself. She longs to move to San Francisco, where she can do something with her exceptional musical talent. The last thing she wants is to wither away and die in this forsaken wilderness like her mother, a former opera singer. Hearing about a wild stallion and the $2,000 reward for its capture, Lana decides that this is her ticket out of town. Armed with sugar cubes and an even sweeter voice, she sets out on her mission, but Taggart Morgan has his eye on the same prize. As they are forced to work together, a third person wages a ruthless search for the same horse. This is the third in the Morgan Brothers series — following Saving Samantha (2002) and A Wanted Man (2002)— all wonderful books with strong, stubborn heroes and plucky heroines who aren’t afraid to go toe-to-toe with them. YA/M: Teens will identify with the young woman who has to do things her way or not at all.”
*- Booklist, October 15, 2003*
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Willow by Carolyn Brown AN AVALON HISTORICAL ROMANCE
	“Summoned to her long-lost father’s deathbed, Willow Dulan arrives in St. Joseph, MO. just in time for the funeral and discovers that she has four half-sisters, all by different mothers. With no money and no ties but one another, the women decide to seek their fortunes as ‘spare’ mail-order brides in a ‘bride train’ heading to the California gold fields. The journey is lively, sometimes funny, and predictably romantic for the brave but reckless, take-charge Willow and handsome, opinionated Nebraska rancher Rafe Pierce. The protagonists are irritatingly dense when it comes to dealing with their feelings for each other, but they spar beautifully, and readers will cheer when they finally come to their senses. This first volume in Brown’s five book Promised Land series nicely sets the stage for the stories of the remaining sisters, and fans of linked series will want to stay tuned. Appropriate for collections where sweet, gentle Westerns are in demand. Brown has written a number of earlier sweet historicals and lives in Davis, OK.”
*- Library Journal, November 15, 2003*
	“The first book in the new Promised Land series introduces the Dulan sisters. Willow arrives in St. Joseph, Missouri, after a long and tedious journey only to find herself attending a funeral service. Her father, Jake’s only legacy to the five Dulan girls is each other, and they decide to join a wagon train of mail-order brides heading west to California under the direction of Hank Gibson and Rafe Pierce. Hank anticipates trouble but Rafe precipitates it by arrogantly dismissing the sisters as delicate, useless creatures who won’t last a week on the trail. Almost immediately, Willow proves Rafe wrong by hauling him out of the river when his horse tosses him, stitching him up, and leading the wagons across the prairie to join the rest of the group while Rafe is unconscious. Full of good-humored banter and exciting moments engendered by the very real dangers of travel in pioneer days, Brown’s gentle historical romance beguiles the reader into wanting more stories of these enterprising and determined Dulans.”
*- Booklist, October 15, 2003*
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Way Out West by Blanche Marriott AN AVALON ROMANCE
	This February release has been honored by the New Jersey Romance Writers with their Golden Leaf Award in the “Short Contemporary” category. The award ceremony will be held Friday, October 10 at the NJRW 2003 Conference.
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My Lady Mischief by Kathy Carmichael AN AVALON HISTORICAL ROMANCE
	Avalon Romance Author Kathy Carmichael took the honors at this year’s Dorothy Parker Awards of Excellence for her historical romance My Lady Mischief, winner in the “2002 Historical Romance (short)” category. Find out more about this book “THE 2002 DOROTHY PARKER AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE “Reviewers International Organization (RIO) is proud to announce the winners of our Dorothy Parker Awards of Excellence for 2002. RIO is an on-line index of professional book reviewers available to review books in both print and electronic mediums. With members in every corner of the United States, plus Canada, Barbados, and Ireland, we are dedicated to presenting global coverage of books: romance fiction (all sub genres), mainstream fiction and mysteries/suspense/thrillers fiction. ... “2002 Historical Romance (short) ** Winner: MY LADY MISCHIEF by Kathy Carmichael ** 2nd: THE DUMONT BRIDE by Terri Brisban 3rd: A SCANDALOUS JOURNEY by Susannah Carleton”
A Catered Affair by Carolyn Matkowsky AN AVALON CAREER ROMANCE
	“A Catered Affair is a delightfully sweet romance. The tension between Tom and Mary Beth is absolutely electrifying and set my poor heart a-throbbing. Much to Mary Beth’s chagrin, Tom waltzes back into her life as if their past problems never happened. She sputters and fumes, trying to push Tom away, but he remains undaunted, pursuing her with a passion. Mary Beth’s partner, Gail, brought a subtle balance to Mary Beth’s intense personality. Taylor, Tom’s old girlfriend, hovered around him, constantly belittling Mary Beth, adding wonderful discord and giving the reader someone to despise. “Carolyn Matkowsky does an excellent job establishing the setting and feel of a catering business. Her creative metaphors help create the atmosphere. One of my favorites: her insides quivered like a half-baked soufflé’. A Catered Affair proceeds at a good pace, never dragging, and will have you truly wondering how this intriguing couple will ever make peace and find the love they both desire. Pick up a copy of A Catered Affair for a delicious smorgasbord of romance and second chances.”
- Vickie McDonough, Women on Writing
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Somebody to Love by Roni Denholtz AN AVALON CAREER ROMANCE
	“It’s a charming sweet romance that will keep you riveted until the very end.”
- Vickie McDonough, The Word on Romance
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Silver Creek by A.H. Holt AN AVALON WESTERN
	“This wholesome and spirited read is hopefully the start of a promising career for a talented writer. Her settings are realistic and the action non stop. The writing is both original and pays homage to classic devices.”
- Amanda Kilgore, Huntress Reviews
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A Wanted Man by Nancy J. Parra AN AVALON HISTORICAL ROMANCE
	“Looking for a novel that demolishes the mousy librarian stereotype? Parra’s sweet historical Western romance does just that, and so much more. Brianna McGraw, a librarian separated from her younger brother, Ethan, finally has enough money to send for him. In the meantime, Ethan, and 14 other orphanage boys are put on an orphan train and sent west, where unscrupulous miners “adopt” them and use them for slave labor. Brianna tracks Ethan down, but the miners want a thousand dollars for his release. Seeing a wanted poster offering a thousand dollar reward, Brianna McGraw, librarian, becomes Brianna McGraw, bounty hunter. Thanks to her fine research abilities, skill with weapons, and photographic memory, she captures Trey Morgan and begins the arduous trek from Wyoming back to Nevada. But Trey just doesn’t seem like a criminal, and the longer they travel together the more they appreciate each other. Readers who like feisty, resourceful heroines, such as those in Leslie LaFoy’s Maddie’s Justice (2000) and Megan Chance’s Fall from Grace (1997), will find much to admire in this story of a librarian who does us all proud.”
*- Shelley Mosley, Booklist,* September 15, 2002**
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A Taste of Death by Mary Ellen Hughes AN AVALON MYSTERY
	“Maggie Olenski, a children’s book author and amateur sleuth, heads for picturesque Cedar Hill, New Hampshire, to complete a book and do a little skiing. Within hours of arriving, she and friend Dyna Hall witness an acrimonious town meeting concerning the conversion of a ski resort to a granite mine. When the mine’s developer is murdered and a friend of Maggie and Dyna’s becomes the prime suspect, Maggie launches her own investigation. Hughes capably combines elements of both cozy and environmental mysteries. The characters are engaging, the plot has more twists than a tough ski slope, and there is plenty of cozy ambience, thanks to a charming cat, much attention to food, and the ski resort setting. Fans of Diane Mott Davidson’s Goldy Bear series or Leslie Meier’s Lucy Stone novels should add this series to their lists.”
*- Booklist,* February 15, 2003**
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Maggie’s Mistake by Carolyn Brown AN AVALON HISTORICAL ROMANCE
	“Maggie Listen wants to marry a man who can dance and laugh. Everett Dulanis plans on marrying a beautiful, refined woman. When Everett offers Maggie a ride home after a barn dance, the two of them wind up innocently spending the night together after a storm overturns their buggy and leaves them stranded. When Maggie and Everett are discovered together the next morning, they’re forced into a shotgun wedding. At first Everett intends on immediately dissolving his marriage to a loud, simple country girl, and Maggie is more than willing to go along with the plan because the serious, dull doctor is not her idea of the perfect husband. But a little help from some meddling friends and some time spent in each other’s company just might change the way Everett and Maggie feel about their brand-new marriage. Featuring a delightful feisty heroine, Brown’s third gentle historical romance is a sweetly appealing love story.”
*- Booklist,* February 1, 2003**
	“Forced into marriage by a storm, an innocent night together, and an irate, shotgun-wielding father, Everett Dulanis and Maggie Listen know that they are wrong for each other. After all, Everett is an educated Southern doctor who needs a “proper” wife, and Maggie is “country” to her roots and isn’t interested in anyone who can’t dance and maker her laugh. Divorce, it seems, is the solution—until they fall in love. Although their refusal to acknowledge their feelings for each other goes on a bit too long—indeed, it takes the entire book to settle the issue—Maggie and Everett are genuine, likable characters, and readers will want to see them happy. The third in a series (Emma’s Folly, Violet’s Wish), this story features a number of characters and references from the earlier books and will please series fans while standing nicely on its own. Humor, down-home charm, and Brown’s easy writing style add to the appeal of this sweet historical, which is appropriate for any library with a demand for non-sexy historicals of the Americana variety. It may also be of interest to young adults and readers of Christian romances. Brown has written a number of earlier romances for Avalon and lives in Davis, OK.”
*- Library Journal,* February 15, 2003**
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The Mad Herringtons by Jane Myers Perrine AN AVALON HISTORICAL ROMANCE
	“THE MAD HERRINGTONS is a grand Regency houseparty romp that has everything but villains. It's fun, funny, and heartwarming, with love enough to go around for all. “In summary, THE MAD HERRINGTONS is written with skill, humor, and a light touch. The people are delightful, the pace rapid, the dialogue and musings enchanting. I cannot praise this debut enough and I urge every Regency lover not to miss it. ”
*- Romance Reviews Today,June 1, 2002*
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Emma’s Folly by Carolyn Brown AN AVALON HISTORICAL ROMANCE
	“When her father insists that she marry a man she despises, Emma Cummins packs her bags and flees her family’s Georgia plantation for Oklahoma. After stepping off the train in Gutherie and immediately attracting the attention of the town’s sheriff, Emma does the only thing she can think of: she pretends to be the fiancee of the first man she sees, local farmer Jed Thomas. Much to his surprise, Jed plays along with Emma’s little game, but before they know what’s happening, Emma and Jed wind up getting married to one another in front of the local justice of the peace. Emma plans on staying a few days with Jed before divorcing him, but once she meets the four young children Jed is raising, Emma’s future veers off in a direction she never would have expected. Avalon debuts a new line of historical romances with Emma’s surprise choice, which is an excellent choice for libraries where gentle, old-fashioned historicals are in demand. Flavored with a hint of Laura Ingalls Wilder, this short, sweet romance will draw younger teens who are just discovering the genre.”
*- John Charles, Booklist,February 15, 2002*
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Until Our Last Embrace by Joyce and Jim Lavene AN AVALON MYSTERY
	“Husband-and-wife writing team Joyce and Jim Lavene (One Last Goodbye) present another episode in the Diamond Springs series, Until Our Last Embrace: A Sharyn Howard Mystery, in which a woman is killed by bears. But when Sheriff Howard finds honey and bear attractant on her clothes and strychnine in her body, evidence first points toward the woman’s husband, and then beyond him to his wealthy family.”
*- Publishers Weekly,November 26, 2001*
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The Marshal’s Destiny by C. H. Admirand AN AVALON WESTERN
	“The Old West meets the aulde sod when a roving lawman rescues a mysterious Irish woman traveling through the Colorado Territory. Bullets fly, pulses pound, and love rides to the rescue in this emotionally stirring debut by C. H. Admirand.”
- Nancy Butler, RITA-winning author of Regency romances
	“Fast-paced action and breathless romance bring a fresh side of the Old West to life in The Marshal’s Destiny. C. H. Admirand writes with the gift of a true storyteller.”
*- BookBrowser,* July, 2001**
	“C. H. Admirand hits the ground running with her debut novel—and she never stops. The action has all the punch of the Wild West. Don’t miss this one!”
- Shirley T. Hailstock, Waldenbooks Bestselling Multicultural Award Winner
	“A fiesty heroine, a powerful hero, witty dialogue, and fast-paced action...The Marshal’s Destiny is a stunning debut!”
- May McGoldrick, Winner, Best First Historical, Romantic Times
	“A great escape for any reader, with a tender love story, action that races along like a runaway stagecoach, and wonderful, memorable characters that stay with you long after the book is finished.”
- Debra Mullins, author of The Lawman’s Surrender
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A Deadly Change of Power by Gina Cresse AN AVALON MYSTERY
	A Devonie Lace Mystery “Cresse’s third mystery is a tidy, precise work, well organized and nicely crafted. For most collections.”
*- Library Journal,* June 1, 2002**
	“Building a better mousetrap may bring the world to your door, but building a better automobile engine is grounds for murder in A Deadly Change of Power by Gina Cresse. After just-married Devonie Lace realizes that someone is trying to kill Ronnie Oakhurst because Ronnie holds the key to technology that would make fuel obsolete, Devonie decides to investigate, and soon finds her own life in danger.”
*- Publishers Weekly,* May 27, 2002**
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A Deadly Change of Heart by Gina Cresse AN AVALON MYSTERY
	A Devonie Lace Mystery “Gina Cresse (author of A Deadly Change of Course - Plan B) offers A Deadly Change of Heart, in which series heroine Devonie Lace gets more than she bids for in her new Ford Explorer, obtained at a U.S. Marshal’s auction. The unexpected package found in her new car gets Devonie enmeshed in a murder investigation, and, and her stellar sleuthing skills bring her to the killer’s ruthless attention.”
*- Publishers Weekly,* September 17, 2001**
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A Golden Trail of Murder by John Paxson AN AVALON MYSTERY
	“Paxson's story has a good pace, a tough mystery (with an action-packed climax), achingly beautiful descriptions of Montana, and an engaging hero. It includes intriguing views of gold mining, the militia movement, and Internet research ... a solid effort that will appeal to fans of western mysteries, especially to readers of C. J. Box's recent Open Season.”
*- John Rowen, Booklist,* May 1, 2001**
	“More than just tell a good story, though, Paxson tells it well. His descriptions of the landscape are wonderfully evocative -- it's hard not to shiver when he describes a blizzard, impossible not to see the Montana countryside when he describes the view from Ben Tripp's cabin. He plays out his storyline like a pro and uses language the flows like a Montana stream. His dialogue is as realistic as any I've read. A GOLDEN TRAIL OF MURDER is an excellent choice for both fans of cozies and fans of hard-boiled. One can only hope that it is merely the first of Ben Tripp's adventures that Paxson will be sharing.”
*- BookBrowser,* July, 2001**
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