Harriet Klausner's Review Archive
“A “No Drama” Valentine’s” by Leslie Esdaile. Jocelyn has given up on Valentine’s Day at least when it comes to men; instead this year she arranges a pamper party with her female pals, but each has to bow out. However, apparently half the world crashes her “pampering” party including Police Vice Squad Detective Raymond who with one look decides to toss everyone out so he can pamper Jocelyn.
“Valentine Survivor” by Susanna Carr. After her insensitive boyfriend Calder failed her on Valentine’s Day one year ago Shanna planned for this year’s holiday to be perfect. Everything is in place except she lives up to her surname Murphy as her date canceled and still stuck at the office she finds the dead body of her nasty boss. Desperate, Shanna calls her former boyfriend to help her. Calder readily agrees as he wants his Shanna back.
These three fine Valentine’s Day romances contain strong males, beleaguered females and fun twists.
Marrying the Marshal Laura Marie Altom Harlequin American, Jan 2006, $4.99, 248 pp. ISBN: 0373751036
An elated Caleb Logue plans to ask his pregnant girlfriend Allie Hayworth to marry him. However when he shows up with the ring, he finds she is gone. She left him a note saying she lost the baby and before that him. He is stunned to say the least and his father, a former US Marshal and now small town Oregonian sheriff, searches for Allie, but fails to find her.
Nine years later his superior assigns Portland based Deputy US Marshal Caleb Logue to protect Judge Allie Hayworth over his objections. When Caleb arrives he is stunned to see her with her eight years old son Cal. After recovering from the initial shock that left him paler than the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man, Caleb needs to know why and demands time with his child. Allie has hated Caleb since she felt he abandoned her once she informed him she was pregnant, but feels guilty not telling him of his son. Though irate, he still loves her and wants to be Cal’s father. First he must keep her safe from a real threat while persuading her that they belong together as a family.
Though a little communication nine years ago would have meant no story, fans will enjoy this second chance at love suspense thriller. The story line contains two interrelated subplots: the real threat to the judge and the efforts of Caleb, once he somewhat calms down, to convince his beloved to accept him in the lives of her and their son. Caleb and Allie come across as real people with their human mistakes. Laura Marie Altom provides a warm character-driven family drama with just the right amount of external suspense to enhance the novel.