An explosive and emotional Valentine read!
When Rhiannon MacNally found herself pregnant, the father was nowhere to be found. Now Kane Healey is back! Rhiannon not only has to protect her heart, but now she must protect her daughter as well from the man she has learned to hate. When Kane shows up uninvited in the darkness of a stormy night, the fireworks fly! Can Kane and Rhiannon open their hearts and look into their youthful past? Now that they are older, will they be wiser or will they make the same mistakes of the past? Will they discover true love this Valentine's Day?
Her One and Only Valentine starts with a bang, and quickly becomes an emotional read, explosive and heart-warming. Several surprises even though I thought I knew what what was coming. Very memorable ending...a definite surprise!
I am going to do a review of this book later but I would like to do something a bit different because this book tells a lot about how I read. No matter the academics, no matter the literary terminology, no matter the intricacies of the author's craftsmanship, I have always read for one reason. I read and love books because they open me up to a new way of seeing whether it be intellectual growth, aesthetic pleasure, emotional growth, or insight into the human heart mind and soul. It was true when I was 6 years old, it was true in the midst of academics, and it is true today.
Every time I read a romance with happy families, a part of me has to suspend belief. Sometimes, a father showing up or claiming a child is NOT a good thing. The things nightmares are made of! But I do suspend belief because I try to just open a book and ask what it has to give me whatever the story.
Trish Wylie's Her One and Only Valentine did something special to me. I really felt the heroine's reasons for what she did. In a personal way, Trish Wylie's heroine made me think of my mom and feel some of the tensions she must have felt as a divorcee with a child. Very well done. It just drew me in and throughout the story I just found myself moving along with the author as she created these emotional twists and turns. This romance is very well constructed but that insight into my mom is the gift this author gave to me that surpasses all that. And then...talk about a wild ending!!!! That's one I won't forget for a very long time.
One side comment on marketing:
I am really loving the covers of HR lately. The deep rich colors, the depth of the heart....I just wish marketing would quit junking up these beautiful covers with these "Great value" or "New Look" or other things. I am sure there are marketing studies galore that show these make books stand out on shelves to buyers but I hate them ruining these beautiful classic covers. It works ok here because it looks like a firework among the confetti but with the others not as well.
AKA Merri
Family Challenge Team: The Spine Breakers with my dh Glenn AKA Phaedrus
Another book that's been moved up my TBR pile
I love Trish Wylie. She's an auto buy for me. I have this book in my TBR and maybe, just maybe, I'll read it next with Valentine's day coming.
Great Review... I enjoyed reading it!
Kel (scoobie)
Quiet Canadians ~ 2008 Challenge Blog
Thanks! I loved this one.
Thanks! I loved this one. The heroine isn't divorced from Kane but it was just so cool how that author reached me the reader in this emotional space because of my own life and imagining my mom. I've thought about what my mom went through but never felt it like that until I read this book.
I am very happy I have 2 more by Trish Wylie in my TBR. I set up this little mini TBR with those 2 and an Ally Blake HR to read over the holidays that disappeared under the couch with all the wrapping etc. I just found it. I tihnk we need to get some end tables with a shelf for a mini TBR.
AKA Merri
Family Challenge Team: The Spine Breakers with my dh Glenn AKA Phaedrus
Why I write
PAISLEY!!! THANKYOU!
Its so so wonderful when a reader can take something away from a story. I love that when I read myself. And I said this last year to a reader who said some wonderful things about The Firefighter's Chosen Bride (her husband had been a firefighter and she took that liitle something extra from the story) - If I can touch just ONE reader for any reason then it makes what I do worthwhile. Sounds like I'm sucking up but I've said it for years. I have books on my shelves I'll never part with because they touched me and made me think about life and love and people.
So to have you say this book made you think is the most remarkable compliment. THANKYOU. You've made my day!
(waves to Scoobie on way out!)
RT REVIEWERS CHOICE AWARD WINNER 2008 for RESCUED: MOTHER-TO-BE
HER BEDROOM SURRENDER - Harlequin Presents - May - BOOKSELLERS BEST FINALIST as BREATHLESS!
http://www.trishwylie.com
thanks!
I remember the firefighter blog.
Firefighters are special. Your February Harlequin Romance is great. I just felt the heroine's feelings. In my family's case, my parents getting remarried would be like a suspense or horror movie and I love my step-mom --- she is like the voice of sanity between my parents even now when I am 47 years old ! Your heroine made me see my mom differently now as an adult. Lots of moving moments in this romance!
AKA Merri
Family Challenge Team: The Spine Breakers with my dh Glenn AKA Phaedrus
Hi Paisley
This one sounds really good and I have added it to THE LIST. This is a new author for me.
BTW... Jayne reviewed The Briton by Catherine Anderson ... I think in a new line coming out Steeple Hill Historicals..... It is a medieval and I know you love them so thought I would give you a heads up
Jeannie
Yes I am a readalholic and I don't want the 12 step program!!!
Jeannie
Jeannie, this book is really, really good. I just opened my heart to it and it took me away with its emotions.
I read Catherine Palmer's The Briton (a couple of blogs back) recently, almost as soon as it arrived. I won't repeat that blog but I totally agree with Jayne on that book. It blew me away.
I am on such a roll with great reads lately I can't believe it. Maybe last year's Challenge and exploration helped me to discover more which kinds of books appeal? I had never read Trish Wylie before this book and now I am sooo happy I have some unread by her in my TBR!
AKA Merri
Family Challenge Team: The Spine Breakers with my dh Glenn AKA Phaedrus
Trish Wylie and Ally Blake
Which books do you have? I bet I've read them. I like both these authors.
I just finished a book so I may be picking up Trish Wylie now. The problem is I also read a blog about the book The Stranger which is an HSR. I've had it in my TBR for such a long time. I may read that, too, in the next few books. My TBR is so huge I can't make up my mind what to read next... :-)
Kel (scoobie)
Quiet Canadians ~ 2008 Challenge Blog
Trish Wylie
The two unread Trish Wylie boks I have in my TBR are Rescued: Mother-To-Be and also Bride of Emerald Isle. I am trying to be really good this year and keep up with my incoming books but I have several HRs unread in my TBR that I am also dying to read if I can catch up with my new HR reads. I just started subscribing to this line.
AKA Merri
Family Challenge Team: The Spine Breakers with my dh Glenn AKA Phaedrus
Bride of the Emerald Isle
Merri, this was the second book that I read by Trish Wylie and it confirmed for me her place on my favourite and autobuy list. The emotions with which she imbues her stories and her characters, are so real ~ and there is always this marvelous sense of an underlying magical touch.
That may sound odd, but both her Emerald Isle and Firefighter's Bride stories really got to me. I'm definitely going to be getting this book, and the other that you mentioned, as soon as I can.
Thanks for yet another memorable review ~ I love checking your blogs out!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
kalyko ~ Reading: One of life's little joys and a much needed reward!
On Bride
Bride of the Emerald Isle is awesome. I could just picture myself there when I read this book. Read it soon Merri it's really great. Now I need to read this one soon. Great review by the way.
The D2K Paranormal Junkies ~ 2008 Book Challenge Blog
thanks
I'll choose that one next by her. I went ahead and get her firefighter Presents recently.
AKA Merri
Family Challenge Team: The Spine Breakers with my dh Glenn AKA Phaedrus
(No subject)
“Romances are the emotional vitamins of the soul.” Vince
Trish Has New Book Available Tomorrow
Hi All:
In case you have not noticed, Trish Wylie has a new Presents coming out tomorrow called “At the Billionaire's Bidding”. It is part of a series so it should be interesting. You can download it tomorrow, if you do eBooks.
Trish is an automatic buy for me. I’ve read three of her books. I think the best one was “Bride of the Emerald Isle” the next is “The Firefighter’s Chosen Bride”—both which I rated excellent and last “Her One and Only Valentine”.
There is a saying “that we see what is behind our eyes” so you may enjoy these books differently. I thought “Bride” was perfect from page one until the end. “Firefighter,” on the other hand , had some of the best writing in parts. I had a problem with the heroine in “Valentine” as I think a real woman, in that situation, would have accepted the hero much sooner and not held out so long for him to prove himself. There was nothing wrong with the guy. I’ll review the new book as soon as I can download it.
BTW, a writer I find very much like Trish Wylie, and Ally Blake, is Abby Gaines. For something different, you might try Abby’s NASCAR book.
Thanks,
Vince
“Romances are the emotional vitamins of the soul.” Vince
This is another one I am
This is another one I am patiently waiting for. My order was shipped on the 24th or maybe not so patiently
. It just seems this shipment is taking longer than usual or maybe it's full of books that I want to read now. 
Glad to hear I made a good choice with this one. Can't wait to read it.
See what I read last year - Star's Reading Lounge
http://www.myspace.com/kimanipress
http://www.myspace.com/kimani_tru
impatient reader
Vince, I have or will have both of those by Trish Wylie. I don't normally read Presents but there are several authors who have upcoming releases that excite me.
Star, I am getting impatient too. I had a package of Medicals that invoicedx on Jan. 9th that are still not here plus an HR subscription on the 16th. I am getting very anxious about the MR shipment the closer the it gets to the offical loss date. Te more time the USPS has a package, the more it seems likely it will arrive damaged. Normally the HR would be here by now too. Of course...I do have a months worth to read in my TBR now but II have really been looking forward to these.
AKA Merri
Family Challenge Team: The Spine Breakers with my dh Glenn AKA Phaedrus
Oh drat, I almost bought
Oh drat, I almost bought this one when it jumped out at me the other day...but i couldn't remember what i'd read about her books last year...just that i'd seen her name lots... ack...i'll be sure and get it with my next order.
Very nice review Merri!
Kathy D
thanks
Thanks. I always see my past and my parents' divorce through my eyes as the child, but this book made me see how my mom must have felt. I'll always remember this book for that ...and also one image at the end.
AKA Merri
Family Challenge Team: The Spine Breakers with my dh Glenn AKA Phaedrus
Oh, this is in my second
Oh, this is in my second shipment so I am still waiting.
At least I still have my Clint.
See what I read last year - Star's Reading Lounge
http://www.myspace.com/kimanipress
http://www.myspace.com/kimani_tru
Just finished this one..
and I see what you mean about the ending!
The D2K Paranormal Junkies 2008 Challenge
Yes, that's an ending no
Yes, that's an ending no reader will forget.
AKA Merri
Family Challenge Team: The Spine Breakers with my dh Glenn AKA Phaedrus