If you have a romance novel, please add it to the comments so we can crowdsource Valentine’s Day. Here are two I liked:
- Juggernaut–fun romantic story about innocense, crime, and justice
- Snow White and the Civil War (Part 1)–a Civil War era take on Snow White complete with dwarves, wicked stepmother, and magic
Juggernaut
by Bobbie Underwood
5/5
Juggernaut, a Romantic Adventure (2019) was written by Bobby Underwood, an Indie efriend. I don’t read a lot of romance but I’ve enjoyed Bobby’s other fiction so thought I’d try it. Another winner! The plot is not uncommon–a beautiful girl falls victim to criminals. While trying to untangle her dilemma, she finds the man of her dreams. No spoilers.
Kindergarten teacher Felicia wins a once in a lifetime vacation to Martinique. Her innocence and naivete make her the perfect foil for criminals who use her to carry out their nefarious crimes. Hotel Detective Jack Carter first notices Felicia’s beauty–inside and out. When she seems to be the perpetrator of serious crimes, he refuses to believe it and sets about finding the truth. As he spends time with her trying to unravel the mystery, the fall in love, something he never saw in his future.
On the surface, this is a fun romantic story but what makes it a standout is Bobby Underwood’s ability to tell the story. Through his pen, you feel Felicia’s excitement at winning this amazing vacation, her pain at being used, her, and her thrill at finding a man who is everything she’s ever hoped for. Juggernaut is highly recommended for a long plane flight or a short weekend. It’s not a long book but I sure wished it was by the time it ended.
Snow White and the Civil War
by Cathleen Townsend
5/5
Cathleen Townsend’s Snow White and the Civil War, Part 1 of 2, is a delightful story based on the well known Cinderella fairy tale but with many differences. In this case, it takes place in California in the 1850’s, during the time of the Civil War. A young girl–Gwen–has a lovely life with her mother and the big decisions of marriage in her near future when her mother dies of scarlet fever. Her father is a bit of a stranger to her, she to him, and when he remarries a beautiful woman who turns out to be a witch, he is ambivalent to the new wife’s poor treatment of his only daughter and refuses to interfere. The stepmother finally arranges for Gwen’s death but the man responsible for carrying it out allows her to escape. Her refuge ends up a desolate cabin frequented by seven dwarf miners. She agrees to take care of their cooking, cleaning, and sewing if they will keep her secret. All goes well until her wicked stepmother tries to find her. That’s when the story gets complicated.
Whether you like the original or not, you’ll love this fractured version. Townsend is an excellent storyteller who adds lots of original ideas into this favorite. I had planned to read it over a week or so and ended up finishing it in a weekend. Be prepared: It ends on a cliffhanger because–as promised–it is only Part 1 of 2. Part 2 is on my Kindle app, waiting!
More Romance
5 Indies I loved (Just in Time for Valentine’s Day)
Both books sound like fun, Jacqui. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLike
The Unwelcome Stranger and The Road to Ravenna. Both historical romance from the fourth century! Happy Valentines Day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oooh, I love that era. Thanks for the info!
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, thank you!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on quirkywritingcorner.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Both sound like great reads. Thanks for cluing us in:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoyed both. Fast and fun.
LikeLike
Snow White and the Civil War sounds really interesting! I’ll have to check that one out. I’m always looking for a new book to read and I like to mix it up a bit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am not into fractured fairy tales–but now I think I might be. Snow White was excellent.
LikeLiked by 1 person
These sound interesting, Jacqui. I particulary like the sound of Cathleen’s fractured fairytale. I have read one of her books before and I agree her writing is great.
LikeLiked by 1 person
She has a great writing style. Just the right pace for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Valentine’s Day, Jacqui!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Pam. You too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like some fun reads here Jacqui. Happy Valentines Day 💕 😘 ❣️ 😍 ❤️ 🥰 💘
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Cindy. They were excellent, left me feeling happy. Well, Snow White was only Part 1 so I suppose a better term would be “intrigued”.
LikeLike
As you probably realized, I am not a big romance reader. However, one of my favorite authors, Edward Abbey, does have one book that I would place in this genre “Dark Sun.” It’s also one of his shortest books.
It sounds like these books are all well told.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ll have to check that out. I have a few authors I read that write just one book in the odd genre, different from their norm. It’s interesting.
LikeLike
Awesome reviews, Jacqui. Thanks for the intro to Bobbie Underwood ad her book. And I also enjoyed Snow White and the Civil War. Cathleen is a wonderful writer. 🙂 I’ve never really gravitated toward romances, but I do enjoy Jacquie Biggar’s books. Perfectly Imperfect was awesome. 🙂 Happy Reading and Happy Valentine’s Day!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for the attagirl on Snow White, Diana. Happy Valentine’s Day to you, too. : )
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s just awesome to read these great reviews, Cathleen. Congrat!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Bobbie’s book is pretty straight-forward romance. I relaxed as I read it, loved his style and word choices, and reveled in the plot twists. Snow White–well, that is about as clever as it gets. I can’t wait to read Part 2.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful reviews! Both of these sound like must-reads.
LikeLiked by 2 people
They were both delightful. I spent several fun hours reading them.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for these, Jacqui. Happy Valentine’s Day.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You too, Anneli. Stay warm!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lovely reviews Jacqui. I’ve read Cathleen’s book and enjoyed how she has blended romance with magic.
LikeLiked by 2 people
And thanks again for the lovely reviews, Balroop. : )
LikeLiked by 2 people
Eek–I should have been clearer. Thanks, Balroop for YOUR kind reviews. : )
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to hear that. And you’re right–it was pretty seamless.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for the reviews. They sounds like a lot of fun. Happy Valentine’s. 💛
LikeLiked by 2 people
Perfect day to think about romance!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much, Jacqui, for all the lovely reviews over the years. You really are a terrific blogging friend. : )
LikeLiked by 1 person
I truly do enjoy your books, Cathleen. They have just the right mix of action and character for me. This one is like that. I’m looking forward to Part 2.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And I’m looking forward to the next installment in your prehistoric series. : )
LikeLike
These both sound great. I don’t write romance but I enjoyed Jacquie Biggar’s Valentine and highly recommend it. Here is my review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3194454805?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
LikeLiked by 3 people
Good addition! Between the hunk and the dog, that’s a perfect cover!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh, wow! Thank you, Darlene 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sound like fun reads, Jacqui! ❤ HAPPY VALETNINE'S DAY!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Happy Valentine’s Day to you, dear Bette. (Side not to anyone who isn’t familiar with Bette’s work–always well worth the read. https://4writersandreaders.com/.)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Two reads–if we sit in a comfy chair with a beer and chocolate, we can get both read!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sounds like a great Valentine’s Day to me. In fact, I sent out a newsletter a couple of days ago and I reminded my readers: it’s perfectly okay to buy your own flowers and chocolate. Topping it off with a book or two sounds perfect. : )
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oooh, I like the sound of that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Snow White and the Civil War sounds intriguing!
LikeLiked by 2 people
And it is. I have Part 2 on my kindle, just waiting… I am excited.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ah, thanks, Jacqui. I think most people will actually like part 2 better–it’s Jack’s story, and it has a lot more action. It also remedied something I disliked about the original fairy tale–here’s this guy, they know nothing about him, and yet he’s here to take their beloved Snow away. But everything’s all right because he’s rich. I mean, he could’ve had a dozen mistresses, been cruel in a bunch of different ways, and nobody even worried about that. So in part 2 you see Jack grow into the kind of man who you’d be fine seeing marry your daughter. And he also helps California save the Union in the Civil War. That last part really happened–not Jack’s role since he’s fictional, but it came very close at one point. You can Google the Chapman affair and get an eyewitness account of the man who actually tried to steal the California gold shipments for the Confederacy, if that sort of thing interests you.
If the Confederacy had gotten their hands on California’s gold, they could have won. All they would’ve had to do is sit things out, since to them a stalemate was the same as a win. But instead, they had to go to Gettysburg, in large part because the farms in the border states on the Confederate side had been stripped bare by constant raiding. Nobody was willing to run the blockade for worthless Confederate script. But if they’d had gold, it would’ve been a different story.
Anyway, I’m a bit of a history buff, and it’s a part of the Civil War that no one knows about. : )
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well that makes Part 2 even more enticing. I’m pushing it up the TBR list. So much research! But I’m glad you do it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I actually love the research. I’d come home from the library with a stack of books I could hardly carry and just dive in. I’d resurface in a couple of weeks, smiling. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll look forward to the review.
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing!!.. Happy Valentines Day!!… 🙂
Until we meet again, on this day and every day..
May flowers always line your path
and sunshine light your way,
May songbirds serenade your
every step along the way,
May a rainbow run beside you
in a sky that’s always blue,
And may happiness fill your heart
each day your whole life through.
May the sun shine all day long
Everything go right, nothing go wrong
May those you love bring love back to you
And may all the wishes you wish come true
(Irish Saying)
LikeLiked by 4 people
You remembered I’m Irish!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m Irish, too, or at least partly. : )
LikeLike
LikeLiked by 3 people
Whew–he missed!
LikeLiked by 2 people
That was close!
LikeLike
Both of these novels sound interesting, Jacqui. Thanks for the great reviews.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Add yours to the comments, Jill. They’d be perfect!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll second that–thanks so much for all the terrific reviews, Jacqui! : )
LikeLike
Hi Jacqui – what fun reads … Bobby’s sounds a great interlude read … while Snow White – sounds fascinating … thanks for the tips – great to know about – enjoy your day – Hilary
LikeLiked by 2 people
They’re both fun and well-written. I’ve read a lot of Cathleen’s books. She does a great job of pacing the plot and developing her characters.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ah, shucks. Thanks, Jacqui. : )
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think it’s some time since I read something that would be considered romance. I think the last was The Right Wrong Man by Pamela Wight. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Perhaps I should read some again. 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Good one. I loved that one, too. I don’t read a lot of romance but I do read lots of Indie novels. So, that widens my genres.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It good to read widely. I should do more. 🙂
LikeLike
Great reviews, Jacqui;) I have Snow White and the Civil Wars on my Kindle and I’m eager to read it soon.
LikeLiked by 3 people
It’s as good as it sounds. I can’t wait to start Part 2
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aw, thanks, you two. DL, I just left a review on Bigfoot yesterday in all the usual places. I’m jealous of that one, btw. I’ve always wanted to write a Bigfoot story, and I’ve got it to the point that I know it has to be a mystery, but I haven’t quite figured out what to do with it yet. I loved your solution–keeping Bigfoot as a character who always remains offstage, as it were.
And The Button is next. : )
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Cathleen 🙂 Yay! I based Bigfoot on a news article about a local lake being poisoned to kill the invasive pike fish and it took off into Bigfoot territory. My only solution to nothing ever being found was it had to fall into alien catagory.
LikeLiked by 1 person