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CALDER'S ROSE
Kate Angell
Love Spell, Apr 2003, $5.99, 320 pp.
ISBN: 0505525321
Devin James and Shane McNamara share two things in common. They both write western novels. However, the genre has room for plenty of styles with Devin and Shane on opposite spectrums when it comes to the lead protagonist. Devin's novels star a prim virginal female finding love while Shane's tales center on a macho gun-blazing male who sleeps around.

Editor Angela Reims decides that collaboration between Devin and Shane will mean big bucks for everyone involved. However, neither author can stand the other as they argue over whether Rose Coltraine will fall into bed with Dare Calder especially in the first few chapters. As the lead characters of the novel written in hell play matchmaker, Devin and Shane begin to see the full depth of their writing partner. Soon this blossoms into love, but will either admit that they want a lifetime partnership after their constant brawls as a writing team?

CALDER'S ROSE is an entertaining tale that "breaks" the wall with a book within a book. The lead couple(s) are fun as "real" life imitates art when the protagonists fuss, fight, and fall in love. Though the "four" prime players behave too stereotyped that ironically emphasizes the extreme differences between them as they star in a satirical look at western and western romance novels. This novel is fun enjoyable and entertaining. This is a five star read.

Harriet Klausner


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