5 comments about Holly.

1. Holly is an heiress from a very wealthy family. When she is thirteen years old, she falls in love with Lorrie, a sixteen year old from an old family with declining fortunes. Holly has never forgotten Lorrie. Several years later, Holly manages to convince her father to purchase a mansion close to Lorrie's home. While she's waiting to meet with Lorrie, Holly runs into Nick Taggert. They have a passionate affair but Holly hopes to end it because Nick is not "marriage material" for her because, well, she thinks he's just an average working man and not someone suitable for someone like her.
   
   To her irritation, Nick takes on a job as her father's gardener to stay close to her, which is fortunate for her because there is a conspiracy brewing to murder Holly for her millions.
   
   I enjoyed the story but could not bring myself to like Holly. She is a snob. Even at the end of the story, she's a snob although she tries to redeem herself. I doubt I'll read this one again.



2. I am going to start off by saying that A Knight in Shining Armor is one of the best Jude Deveraux books and also Remembrance was really good too.
   
   This book is a continuation of the Montgomery Taggert modern romances that Jude Deveraux has been writing for a number of years. However, Holly is the worst book I have ever read by Ms. Deveraux and I would suggest you save your money. I bought this book thinking it would be a great Christmas read and like some of the other reviewers have mentioned the situations the heroine gets into are just laughable and stupid (Falling down a well and having unprotected sex with her recuser within an hour of meeting him being one).
   
   I am wondering if Ms. Deveraux was on a deadline to submit a book for the Christmas season and she just slapped this mess together knowing that however horrible it is (believe me it is) it would still sell.
   
   Keep your money and if you have a taste for really bad porn and dumb plots check this book out at your local library.



3. This is the first Jude Deveraux book that I've read, so I don't have any of her other books to compare it with. I read what both of the previous reviewers wrote, and maybe I'm just easier to please than the first reviewer. If the book keeps my interest the entire time, has some interesting characters, and has a good ending, that's a lot of what I ask for. I also liked the fact that there wasn't all this awful violence included as part of the story (as other romance novels have had, and which I find highly objectionable). Moreover, unlike some of the Johanna Lindsey novels that I've read (but not her book "Angel"--that one also got five stars from me), this novel didn't wait until the very last page for the couple to finally get together. I loved the book, and I will continue to read Jude Deveraux's books based on my experience with this one. I don't often give five stars to a book, but like I said, for me personally this one deserves five stars.



4. Holly is mean, and she is always thinking about social status. Nick is lying to Holly and making her think that he has a low social status.
   
   I suppose I could say this was somewhat enjoyable, but I'm hardly able to believe that this is at all realistic. Everything just happened, with no thoughts about what was going on. I'm not sure I am explaining this correctly, but I probably wouldn't reccommend this book.



5. Jude Deveraux's novels often impress me (The Summerhouse, and Remembrance) but this new one by her, "Holly" leaves alot to be desired.
   
   This book is a continuation of the Montgomery Taggert modern romances that Jude Deveraux has been writing for a number of years. However, Holly is the worst book I have ever read by Ms. Deveraux and I would suggest you save your money.
   
   I bought this book thinking it would be a great Christmas read however situations the heroine gets into are just laughable and stupid (Falling down a well and having unprotected sex with her recuser within an hour of meeting him being one, and taking off all her clothes while cleaning since she got so hot and dusty being another).
   
   I am wondering if Ms. Deveraux was on a deadline to submit a book for the Christmas season and she just slapped this mess together knowing that however horrible it is (believe me it is) it would still sell.
   
   Keep your money and if you have a taste for really bad porn and dumb plots check this book out at your local library.

No comments about Remembrance.

5 comments about Someone to Love.

1. This wasn't Jude's best, but I did enjoy it. It wasn't as spicy as most of her books but entertaining none the less.
   
   I did enjoy reading about the house and the English village. It was almost like taking a mini vacation. It was nice to see the main character work through his grief. That part was very believable.
   
   I knew early on who the villan was. It was pretty obvious. She could have made any of the three ladies the bad guy.
   
   I always enjoy Jude Deveraux's books because of her incredible imagination. This book showcases imagination. Wouldn't it be nice to be a Montgomery and to have unlimited resources?



2. Ms Deveraux used to write good romance with pep.
   At the moment she is either trying to recapture her success with time travel, and missing the boat, or getting back to her prvious success with her Montgomery family and running out of ideas.
   this is the last one I will read.
   Thanks to Kindle I can preview these books and decide whether to buy or not and I advise everyone to buy a Kindle great help for those of us who love to read and spend too much money on bad books based on the reputation of the writers.
   icihiboo



3. I loved this book...it was fun and a good beach read! I laughed out loud a few times and it help my attention from beginning to end. I am looking for more from Jude, if anyone has any suggestions please let me know!



4. Jude Devaeraux is one of my all time favorite authors and I have read many of books. This book is defintaly one of her best! The charcters, and plot are great! I absoutly loved this book and I would recommend it for a long time Deveraux reader or someone just getting started.



5. I am always amazed at some of the savage reviews on Amazon. This book was no exception. I enjoyed the return to the Montgomery family. Ms. Deveraux had been criticized by fans eager for another Montgomery family book. So Ms Deveraux obliged. This book had the usual elements found in Deveraux books fan have always liked... quirky characters, funny dialogue and some unusual twists.
   
   What a lot of readers probably do not know is that in the year before this book was published, Ms Deveraux lost her beloved son, Sam, in a tragic accident. Every parent's worst nightmare. I truly thought about, prayed for and worried about Ms. Deveraux in the months following his sad death. In short, I think this book concerning the death of a loved one, is Ms Deveraux's way of dealing with this horrible issue. Jace Montgomery's fiancee dies in what appears to be a suicide. He is haunted by this. Personally to me, this book made a lot of sense. It tied in with what was happening in her personal life. I applaud the book as a great effort and an interesting read.

5 comments about Temptation.

1. This book started out very well with a heroine that's gutsy, independent, hilariously funny and a woman ahead of her time. However, as the book progressed, she turned out to be extremely selfish and completely ignorant of how those selfish actions of hers affected the people around her, namely her mother and later her stepfather, Grace and basically everyone else in the Scottish village. This book came off as one of those feminist books that preach "women=good, men=horrible", and even though it redeemed itself somewhat as it went along, I resented this because I've never been able to appreciate this rather frequent chime. Women, just like men, can easily succumb to selfishness and discrimination, which in times past and now, they have; and which Temperance herself easily proved.
   
   I particularly disliked the ending of this book because I wasn't so sure of the GREAT SIN James committed and why Temperance thought she should behave so righteously indignant about it. Yes, he was arrogant and insulting in certain areas of the book but so was Temperance, and in my estimation, even more so. It wasn't like she was completely honest and forthright and innocent about a number of things she did. In some areas of the book she was downright rude and insulting. And as usual she was never capable of thinking of any situation from anyone's perspective but her own. For a man who she claimed to love, she didn't even give him the benefit of dialogue. I mean no matter how in the wrong you are, no one would want someone to do to them what she did to James in the chapel. Another reason I can't give this book more than two stars, is the total lack of romance. I bought this book because it was marketed as a romance, I bought it because of the thrill of reading about the romance that's about to unfold between these two people. Temperance and James were BARELY together in the entire book--and when they were together it was far from romantic. The one scene that could have been deemed as romantic ended in catastrophe, and only because of Temperance's penchant for overreacting.
   
   Toward the very end, she was portrayed as the only wronged party but she wasn't. The hero was also wronged, yet he was the only one doing all the grovelling and her wrongdoings were made to look right and acceptable. I hesitate to say completely that this book was a poor one because it was enjoyable at some points, but it certainly wasn't what it led people to believe it was. I was disappointed that a novel that was meant to be a romance came off more like a women's fiction novel. I guess what I did like is that at the end Temperance did seem a bit more humble, she'd finally gotten down off of her high horse. As for the hero, I neither liked nor disliked him--as a matter of fact I hardly felt anything for him because he wasn't all that spectacular. One reviewer said he was more like a secondary character than one of the leads, and I agree. He had the potential to be a really great, irresistible hero and for some reason JD held him back. But I guess with a book like this, that's the point. I kept expecting him to evolve into something more memorable, but he didn't.
   
   I would recommend that if you are not so caught up in the righteousness of feminism or one who have no appreciation for unequality in a relationship, no matter who takes on the role of the Alpha, burrow this book from the library or buy get it cheap from a used book store. I don't think it is worth buying brand new.



2. I disagree with the reviews that give this book a low rating.
   Honor is the word that I choose to use in reference to the behavior of both James and Temperence. She sacrificed her homeland for family loyalty to her mother by going to Scotland. Then she once again gave over to being unselfish to go to the "castle" to work as housekeeper. She did what she had to do to try to regain her own life. While she had her career on hold, she worked to make the world a better place, in particular for the oppressed women. She brought joy and dignity to the people who had lacked anything fun in their lives.
   At the end of the story, she had to choose whether to allow others to continue to control her path in life or follow her heart.
   I really liked this whole story and highly recommend it.
   No book Jude Deveraux has written has yet to disappoint me.



3. Having read and enjoyed one of her novellas in a Christmas anthology, I wanted to give Jude Deveraux another whirl. I picked up Temptation because the plot seemed interesting and because of its turn-of-the-twentieth-century Edwardian setting. There are very few Edwardian romances out there and I hadn't wanted to miss the chance of reading one. I loved this novel! I laughed my head off, enjoyed the no-nonsense heroine and loved James McCairn. The year is 1909. Temperance O'Neil loves her job helping abandoned women and single mothers in New York City make it on their own in a time frame when the women's movement had barely begun. She has become something of a celebrity among her peers and is resented by most men, including the New York mayor. But then her life changes when her mother marries an overbearing man with a very conservative mentality and he insists that she moves to Scotland with him and her mother and do "woman things." He now controls her father's inheritance and she is unable to disagree to his demands. And it doesn't help that she's twenty-nine and he considers her an on-the-shelf spinster. When she does everything to rebel against Angus once they move to Edinburgh, he makes her a deal: to go to the Highlands and help his nephew find a wife under the guise of working as his housekeeper. Then, and only then, she will be able to return to New York. Little had she realized that in the small McCairn village she would discover that James McCairn, the tall, dark, handsome and arrogant brute, had a gentle soul and that with his help she would find self-discovery. There are various twists throughout the novel.
   
   I cannot believe so many people gave this wonderful book such bad reviews. This is one of the best historical romances I've read this year. I loved the backdrop of the women's movement and enjoyed reading about a heroine with a strong head on her shoulders and not one that passes for being "spirited." Yes, she is a feminist, but to me that was a refreshing thing to read in an Edwardian novel, a time frame where women were beginning to make it on their own. We have to remember that in those times, unlike now, women were oppressed and had no rights and women like Temperance made a difference. This is truly a heroine ahead of her time, as the book jacket says. And for those who say that the novel isn't romantic, I thought it was very romantic. Temperance and James are great together and have awesome chemistry. The novel focuses more on Temperance's strong-willed ways and helping the McCairn women, but that's what makes this book so special. Also, there is little cheesy dialogue and corny, purple-prose in the writing, which is refreshing. James sounds absolutely delicious. There is nothing sexier than a Scottish farmer in a kilt. Yum. The other characters are fun as well, especially Grace, Ramsey and Melanie. I also enjoyed the comedy. I laughed so much while I read this novel. Sometimes I burst into laughter while on the train ride to work, which embarrassed me, but I couldn't help it. The one disappointing thing is that neither the heroine nor the hero utter those three little words. You know they love each other, but you want to read that line anyway, no matter how corny or how redundant it might be. Other than that, I loved Temptation. This won't be my last Jude Deveraux novel I will read. I've picked up A Knight in Shining Armor and look forward to giving it a whirl.



4. I laughed outloud so many times during this audio. I believe the narrator is Exquisite! She does the scottish accents so well that you really believe in each character. I believe she may be a co-author as well, but I'm not sure. This was a cute corky romance that I enjoyed very much. I believe the only thing I didn't particularly like was the time the two main characters spent apart towards the end. But over all I would definitely recommend this, at least in audio format.



5. I loved this book. I had purchased a used cd version and hadn't looked to see if all the cds were there. I had finished all the cds except the last one and found it was missing. I was sooo upset!!! I wanted to find out what happens to Temperance. So I had to purchase another copy of Temptation just to listen to the last 45 minutes of the book!! It was worth every penny.

5 comments about Wild Orchids: A Novel.

1. This was one of Deveraux's best. The first half of the book was amazingly well written. The book alternates view points by chapter of the two characters points-of-view which is really interesting and makes the book even more fun to read. The first chapter will tug at your heart if you've ever lost someone dear to you. Ford is the most real character Deveraux's done. The relationship between Ford and Pat's dad is precious. If you are having trouble getting past the whole devil part of the story line, just jump in - you won't regret it. There is so much more to the story - I was a little dissapointed about this element too, when the rest of the story was so rich and real.



2. The CDs had a deep scratch on each disc, but it only cut out about 7 minutes of talk on each. The story was still understood. Service was great and fast.



3. I just didn't like it. Lost interest the first four chapters and thre out book.



4. Wild Orchids was an amazing read!! I couldn't put it down until it was done. There are stunning twists and turns, and whenever you think you know the end theres something else coming your way!!



5. I've recently discovered Jude Deveraux. I would have rated the book a 4 based on the first 300 pages, meaning it's a book worth reading word for word and rereading, but not worth buying. (I read so much public-library, light fiction these days that I usually read the first half or two thirds, then skim the rest. Reading a book word for word is saying something.) However, eight of the the last forty or so pages portray one of the most low key, chilling, succinct examples of evil and cruelty I could imagine. And its wrapped up in a romance novel with a sassy heroine and a hero like a roasted marshmallow -- crusty on the outside, but melted on the inside. I would have concluded this review with a rating of 4 3/4 -- until I read the 1 rating reviews of the book. Frankly, sweet and light romance books written about sweet and simple people facing nothing more than the lack of a love life bore me. That's the standard, apparently, of that group of folks giving such negative reviews of this book. Ignore 'em!

5 comments about The Mulberry Tree.

1. Who can tell? But I dont care! I loved it and read it non-stop for 2 days. (Kids got in the way!) I love Deveraux's books and this one was no exception. I loved the mysteries within the mysteries. I loved the characterizations. I loved the setting. The only reason I give it a 4 instead of a 5 is that I found it hard to believe that so many of her friends would up and move to be in that small town and to help her set up the business. But overall, I really did like it.



2. Opening on the devestation of a just made widow, Lillian's multi-billionaire husband Jimmie has been killed in a light plane crash & she finds herself forced to flee in the night.
   
   Villified by the press & bequeathed only an ugly behemoth of a house deep in the country in a lifeless town, Lillian assumes a false identity and begins to wake up to her life.
   
   On her first day there she meets nosy neighbours and gets herself a handsome house guest, who would immediately like to become a lot more.
   
   With a lot of help from the first friends she's had in her life, Lillian begins to remodel her house, renovate her self, and create her own career.
   
   Jimmie is slowly revealled not to be the picture of perfection he is first painted in as, and the pace changes from Lillian's personality makeover to a mystery, then quickly finishes as a suspense.
   
   The strong story and voice of the author makes this book riveting reading, although the various implausibilities in this book haunted me during and after...
   
   A number of the plot contrivations niggled, as Deveraux seeks to hint here and then completly changes elsewhere but I felt that the great style and the very real grip the book has had on my mind for the past 24 hours since I finished it deserve a 4 star rating.
   
   Not hugely romantic, although the hero not unlikeable, and Lillian herself also so so. . . Mostly interesting as a modern everyday life small town mystery/adventure.
   
   To wrap up my review and complain about all the unsolved pieces would include multiple spoilers, therefore I shall leave them out.
   
   Very much worth the read for the *food for thought* factor!
   
   kotori Sept 2007



3. This book was as good as I remembered. Bailey's story is that she moves to a small town after being widowed, and although she's welcomed, the town has many secrets. It's set in present-day, and is a good mix of humor, mystery, romance, and a little girl power. I felt like the ending was a little rushed, but it did not leave any unanswered questions. A good choice for any Jude fan, or food fan, since Bailey's handy in the kitchen.



4. This was a fantastic story. The mystery keeps you turning pages. Starting over is never easy. Bailey changes her looks and identity after her multi billionaire husband dies. She inherits an old farmhouse in Virginia. Bailey thinks she can start over but the past won't let her.
   
   Twists and turns in the plot always lead back to the Golden 6. What really happened? That's what kept me reading.
   
   I love Jude Devereaux's writing. It was nice reading one of her old books. She is a talented author. You will enjoy this book.



5. I loved this book. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me angry and more. I don't remember the last time I had a reaction like that to a book. The Mulberry Tree is just wonderful. You care about the characters, you hate the bad guys and I couldn't put it down. I couldn't wait to finish this book.
   
   The mysteries will keep you wanting to know the end. The book does not go into so many boring character details except the main characters. The storyline is interesting and the food she talks about sound like you should to run out and try it. It's a believable story in that everyone has secrets but Bailey's is not the half of it.
   
   Pick it up, you'll love it. I couldn't understand the 3 star reviews, I had to give it 5!
   
   Annette

5 comments about The Summerhouse.

1. What if you could go back in time and fix/change things you did in your past? Armed with what you know now. This is the premise of this book by Jude Deveraux. I read her back when I was a teenager in the 80's and I still love her storytelling style. I've pondered this question numerous times during my life and I just past the milestone these ladies are approaching I can feel their angst. 40 is a age where we women, look back, look ahead, regret things done/not done, etc. Jude weaves this milestone in a fresh, thought-provoking manner. I thoroughly enjoyed it and have passed it on to friends.



2. This book has it all, magic, romance, mystery . . .I truly enjoyed it. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down, even going so far as sneaking some time to read it at work! I will highly recommend it to all my friends and family who also enjoy reading a good romance. Cannot WAIT for the Return to Summerhouse, which comes out in June '08.



3. I had to read this book for a book club and it is the worst book I've ever read! I can't believe this author makes money writing. The plot is so juvenile and elementary. It is horribly written! I agree with all the other 1 star reviews! Dont waste you time or money with this book. It was so awful that it took me forever to read it and I kept reading in hopes that it would get better but it never did. I can't wait to get rid of this book!



4. I liked this book because it started out the standard "friend story". You know the one, friends meet years down the road, talk about their loves and loss, all over a couple of martinis and chocolate. What is unique about this book is that the three friends here get to travel back in time and change things. Fanciful and light reading yes, but sometimes you need just that! The stories are engaging and the ending will make you smile. It just might get you thinking "What If"?? Take it to the beach and relax...



5. Amy Hanford has not been the same since suffering a miscarriage four months' ago. She's depressed and her husband Stephen is very worried about her. Stephen's father urges Stephen to take Amy to see therapist Jeanne Hightower. Jeanne has a very good reputation for helping her patients heal. Amy is very reluctant but finally agrees to spend a weekend in Maine with two other women who have suffered a trauma. Amy is not encouraged when she meets her companions for the weekend. Faith is recovering from her husband's death and Zoë is a young woman recovering from a serious head injury. They have nothing in common and Amy is sure that she'll be miserable all weekend. She couldn't be more wrong though. Things are going relatively smoothly when Amy starts having incredibly realistic dreams. When she realizes her dreams are real and she is actually going back in time, she becomes desperate to change certain events. With the help of Madame Zoya - a woman who promises to help a person rewrite their past - and her two new friends, Amy plans to go back in time to prevent a tragic event from occurring. In doing so, the course of each of their lives is changed.
   
   Return To Summerhouse is a very creative story. I love the way it's written. Amy, Faith, and Zoë are amazing, unique women. They each bring something wonderful to the story. Part three is my favorite part - I absolutely love the ending! Jude Deveraux pens an entertaining and very clever story with Return To Summerhouse.
   
   Nannette
   reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

5 comments about First Impressions.

1. I am a huge fan of Jude's. However, this book rambled along. If your looking for humor like you are used to seeing in her older books, you won't find much of it in this one. The supporting characters weren't very supporting with the exception of the leading man (not men). This book is worthwhile to check out from the library though.



2. If you loved Nancy Drew as a kid, you will love this adult version. It absolutely took me back to those days when I couldn't wait to read what happened next and solve the mystery - only this one has an adult twist.



3. Overall,I thought the premise of the story showed promise. What I found, after forcing my way through reading, was that the plot is not up to Jude's normal standards. The theme seems to drag and it's hard to stay intereseted when the plot changes so very much and so drastically every five pages. I also found he lack of romance a bit disappointing. It really didn't feel like there was enough of the charecters interactions to understand them. It's definitely not her useual style. Her romance writing style is what I like so much about herbooks, and I saw none of it at all.



4. I am proud to admit I am a fan of Jude Deveraux, but this book was better than the rest I have read. The heroine was believable. The story kept me trying to figure out what was going to happen next. I was surprised to the very last page. If you like Jude's books, you will love this one.



5. Jude Deveraux is my all-time favorite author, but this work is not up to par with her usual standards. When I pick up a Deveraux, I expect a fantastic love story. This seemed to me to be more of a "coming of age," but for a woman in her forties who never got the chance to "come of age" as a teenager. It was more about her growing up and realizing things about herself and her family than about the love.
   
   I didn't think the mystery overshadowed everything else, and I thought the characters were well-developed, but they didn't seem to get anywhere in their relationships, except maybe for Eden's relationship with her daughter.
   
   Also, am I the only one who thought "the other guy" was more suited to her than "the guy who got the girl"? I found myself frustrated with all the characters by the end of the book, and frustrated at the not-so-fairytale ending.
   
   I didn't have trouble getting through the book, as I've seen other people say, but I was certainly a little disappointed in it, as I have been with several of her latest contemporary novels. (Holly and Carolina Isle come to mind.) I find myself wishing the old Jude would come back.

5 comments about Mountain Laurel.

1. a huge Jude fan, and would read any of her novels based on hr authroship alone. But this book stands alone in her series and no romance book I've ever read makes me cry so much, laugh so hard, or fall in love with the same man so often (just don't tell my future husband that).
   
   'Ring isn't dreamy, he's too straitlaced and perfect. Tall, dark, handsome, devoted to his duty as an army officer and to his men he needs excitement.
   
   Enter LaReina, the singing duchess. She's actually a mountain girl, daughter of famous explorers who's sister Laurel has been kidnapped. For ransom she must transport gold in her giant coach under the cover of a singing tour.
   
   Her friend sent for one man to escort her but since he died Ring the tight-butt comes along to spar verbally with her and warily watch her three hired companions.
   
   Filled with beautiful descriptions of Native Americans, really colorful secondary characters, and great humor that will have you giggling this is a timeless escape.
   
   And the love between these two characters is so real it will instantly make you remember how it feels to fall in love. No hate-love here it's simple attraction and two very well rounded characters with their own wounds and insecurities coming together in desperate times.
   
   The sex is very minimal and towards the end but this is the most sensual thing I've ever read. The anticipation that builds between these two will have you chasing your honey that night.
   
   How I wish they'd make a movie of this novel! But for now, I'll keep reading it, and it would be so terrible if you missed this one.
   
   Admitedly, the follow up "Wishes" about their son is very funny but lackluster in comparison, but you revisit with these heroes. And twenty some odd years later in the second book, you feel their love just as strongly.
   
   Don't miss this or you will be sorry!



2. Madelyn Worth (Maddie) is a World famous opera singer also known as La Reina the singing Duchess. She journeys out to the West to rescue her sister, Laurel, who has been held hostage. She must sing in 6 towns and deliver letters at each post.
   
   Captain 'Ring Montgomery has been assigned to escort her across the rough terrain by General Yovington. He's none to pleased to be babysitting a 'travelling singer', not knowing the purpose of her journey into the West. At first he tries to scare her so that she goes running back to safe East. He fails and stands by his duty and escorts from one town to the next.
   
   Maddie does not want 'Ring to travel with her as she thinks that he will put Laurel's life at risk by attempting something dangerous like chasing after the kidnappers. She does all she can to dismiss him but fails. As the journey across the West in search of Laurel, they find a growing attraction for each other that they cannot deny.
   
   It's a pleasure always to read a Jude Deveraux book, especially ones that concern the Montgomery clan. Those Montgomery men sure are to die for. Always handsome, gentle, caring gentlemen. However, I was not drawn into the love story. I could not believe that these two people really cared for each other. Neither did I warm to Maddie who I thought was rather spoilt. However, the plot runs smoothly and the secondary charachters add flavour to the book. 'Ring Montgomery also makes an guest appearance in "Eternity" also by Jude Deveraux which I thought was a much better book than the present.
   
   Lea Ling Tsang



3. Maddie Worth is known as LaReina, which means the Singing Duchess. She is no duchess, but she is a talented opera singer enjoying her steady rise to stardom. But when she receives a notice that Laurel, her younger sister, has been kidnaped by spies who may or may not be against slaves, she has no choice but to abandon her tour in the Northeast and do what the captors demand from her. Her job is to play decoy by singing across the West and help them deliver messages and notes. Captain Christopher " 'Ring" Montgomery is put in charge of protecting her while she "tours" the West. Straitlaced and honorable to a fault, 'Ring isn't thrilled with the idea of escorting some singer. He has more pressing matters in his hands, like serving his country. His idea is to scare her off so he could be freed of helping her, but Maddie refuses to budge and gives him a hard time as he reluctantly decides to do his job. He realizes that something is troubling her, but will she trust a law-abiding soldier with her dilemma? Her sister's life is in the hands of her captors, and they are not happy with the fact that Maddie is traveling with a soldier. There are various twists throughout the novel.
   
   This pre-Civil War romance is fun, romantic and sensual. Jude Deveraux has once again given me a story that I couldn't put down. 'Ring is so incredibly hot. He is reserved compared to other Deveraux heroes, but his seeming indifference to Maddie makes him all the more sensual and handsome to me because it is obvious to everyone except Maddie that he has the hots for her. And he is hilarious! I loved his quips when Maddie was telling him about her father while she removed cactus thorns from his body, one of the funniest scenes in the novel. Maddie, like all Deveraux heroines before and after her, is spirited, independent and intelligent, a woman before her time. She sort of reminds me of Axia from The Heiress. The sexual tension between them is so palpable it almost jumps off the pages. The love scene seems almost anticlimactic because it isn't quite as wonderful as the tension between the protagonists before they get together. The scene is great, but not as good as I expected. There is also a lot of back story about characters here that could be spun off to another novel, like the stories centered on 'Ring's sister or brother. All in all, Mountain Laurel isn't as engrossing as the works I've read by this author so far, but that's not saying much because this is above most romances I've read and I can't recommend it enough.



4. Basically if you like an easy read with a romance, funny comments, and declarations of love in the end...then this book is for you. It's not highly intelligent or factually correct, but it's cute and warms your heart. If you then also have a little knowledge of opera, or just like it, then you'll probably get this book and the characters a little bit better too. I loved it! Hope you will too!



5. She is known as LaReina, the singiness Duchess. Maddie Worth is a spicy young opera star on a mission to save her beloved younger sister; Laurel. When Captain 'Ring Montgomery is given orders to escort Maddie he is furious! Why should he, the Captain of the fort, play nursemaid to a pretty little singer?
   
   After Maddie refuses his offer to escort her, 'Ring attempts to scare her from her journey so he may return to the fort. Maddie isn't scared easily though and beats 'Ring at his own game.
   
   'Ring is unaware of her real reason for traveling and exposes her lies little by little. No matter how hard he presses she will not give him the truth.
   
   Annoyed with 'Ring hovering over her, she runs from him. This leads to a hilarious and never ending chase through town. Just when he thinks he's caught her, she screams and 'Ring is jumped by eight men. She stops in a bar and takes a few shots of Whiskey and points to 'Ring upon his arrival, "He's paying." before she splits. 'Ring grows frustrated by her game and eventually catches up to her, roughed up with a bruised ego.
   
   During a meeting with one of her blackmailers, 'Ring handcuffs her to him to keep her from escaping. However the next morning they are robbed of their key and horse and must travel down the mountain cuffed together, leading to another hilarious scenario.
   
   No matter how much Maddie wants to tell 'Ring of her sister's abduction she refuses. 'Ring begins to piece things together and discovers her secret about Laurel. He leaves camp one morning and leaves only a note behind. Maddie grows worried that 'Ring won't return. Where did he go?
   
   ---
   
   Make sure you read this before you read "Wishes" or the whole story will be spoiled for you! :( It's a wonderful book, but I couldn't help but grow frustrated by 'Ring's game of chase with Maddie. One minute he's romantic and the next minute he's platonic.

5 comments about Secrets: A Novel.

1. jude deveraux has a way of making you really care about not only the lead characters but all of the supporting characters as well. i love all her books.



2. Like many of the other reviewers, I have read every Jude Deveraux book published. I've read many of them multiple times but this will not be one of them. Once was more than enough. It all had the elements of an interesting read but they didn't come together into a satisfying story, much less a satisfying romance. The biggest secret is why her editor didn't send the manuscript back with orders to keep working until she got it right.
   
   Bottom line: if you are a Jude Deveraux fan and simply *must* read this book, get it from the library. Better yet, skip this book and instead go back and re-read your favorite of her earlier books. You'll be much happier.
   
   A big part of the problem was that the book didn't make me feel the emotions brewing between Cassie and Jeff. The words said what they felt but didn't *convey* what they felt. And Cassie and Jeff's interactions through most of the book were stilted or limited so when the time came for them to discuss their feelings, it felt fake. I appreciate what one of the reviewers said about this book being appropriate for a teen to read, but even without explicit sex scenes there should have been a little sizzle -- at least some smoldering glances. Deveraux is so good at writing romance, I don't know how she could have missed the mark so far in this book.
   
   Another thing missing is a hero and heroine you can really pull for. Cassie is a doormat for most of the book. Yes, some of Deveraux's best books have had heroines who started out being doormats. But those women had something inside them that made you want them to break out of their shells and grab happiness. Cassie is just boring. And Jeff is more of a background shadow than a hero. Nothing in the book made me understand why Cassie got such a crush on him when she was 12 or why she still thought she loved him now that she's an adult. He's even more boring than Cassie. The most interesting character in the book is Althea Fairmont.
   
   Perhaps all the extra goings on -- Althea Fairmont, Skyler, nearly everyone being a secret spy, Leo Norton, the secret meeting at the lake, the mystery weekend, etc. -- got in the way of writing a good romance. I hope Ms. Deveraux hasn't lost her touch because when she is on her game, she writes some of the best romances I've read.



3. I have not submitted reviews when I have had not much positive to say. However, I felt this title read like a outline for a 1970's Harlequin and it is now 2008. The book had the making of a nice story but appears unfinished and just the outline not the actual finished novel. The characters are all over the place in thoughts and actions and all seem so immature for the ages that are given. ?? Not sure what happened here as this author it capable of much more. Now I feel guilty for complaints.... but the hard back price for this particular title was is what had me a little/lot irritated/disappointed.



4. I was extremely disappointed with this book. The plot was outrageously contrived, and the characters were thin and poorly developed. In one scene the heroine, a shy homebody, can suddenly dance like a house afire with a partner, because she took dance lessons as a child. The characters weren't real enough for me to care about.
   
   Like many other reviewers, I've been a fan of Deveraux's for many years, and have read all of her books (except Return to Summerhouse, which is next). Also like many others, I've noticed the quality of her books has gone down in recent years.
   
   Yes, we all want our favorite authors to come out with new works frequently, but not at the cost of quality. Jude, please, PLEASE take your time and write the stories that we love so much. I recently introduced a friend to your books (Knight in Shining Armour and Remembrance), and she loved them. It saddens me to say this, but I would be embarrassed to recommend this book to a friend.



5. I loved Knight in Shining Armor, but unlike that story, which very skillfully persuaded the reader to suspend (a lot of) disbelief and to become emotionally involved with appealing, well-developed characters, this book is just incredibly silly, tiresome, and very, very boring. At best it was like a Nancy Drew story. There were far too many characters, none of them interesting, and the little girl who seemed important in the beginning of the novel simply disappeared after a few chapters (although the heroine spent the entire bulk of the book occasionally remembering to "miss" her). Having a complete neighborhood populated only by lots of spies with way too much time on their hands, as well as a Norma Desmond-like movie star, was ridiculous and impossible to relate to.
   
   "Fish out of water" stories can be very entertaining, as can stories of innocents caught up in intrigue. Neither of those ideas works in this book. The novel is irritating in its silliness, has virtually no romance nor passion, and what little hook it establishes in the early chapters quickly dissolves. And after all, a novel called Secrets should at least have some good ones. This story has absolutely none to care about.