THEN COMES BABY by Helen Brenna

Publisher: Harlequin Romance
Publication Date: December 2009
ISBN: 9780373716067
Contemporary Romance
Paperback
Reviewed by Penny
Obtained by publisher




Jamis Quinn has enjoyed years in his self-imposed island exile where he writes horror novels. Unfortunately, his new neighbors have shattered his tranquility. With a deadline looming he has not been able to write a word since Natalie Steeger has created a youth summer camp right next door and brought in a group of noisy kids. But try as he might, he just cannot keep his focus on his writing and off the beautiful and intriguing woman next door!

This book is enchanting, and has an intriguing storyline. Our main characters are as night and day. Jamis is reclusive and wants to be left alone, and Natalie is a people-person. She is such a warm hearted person that she just can’t NOT try to bring Jamis out of his shell and back into the land of the living. But her efforts are met with hostility and no trespassing signs. Only their budding attraction to each other keeps getting in the way. I love Natalie’s tenacity and vitality.

Author Helen Brenna has a wonderful book here, the only part that I did not care for is that it includes yet another unplanned pregnancy plot. It seems that many if not most of Harlequin’s books that I have read have included an unplanned pregnancy. And in this day and age, it is getting to be a little hard to swallow. But that not withstanding, this is an enjoyable and well-written effort from Ms. Brenna. The prose flows smoothly. THEN COMES BABY was easy to read and will delight most Harlequin readers out there.



THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THIS BOOK. THIS IS AN OBJECTIVE UNBIASED REVIEW

NEXT COMES LOVE by Helen Brenna

Publisher: Harlequin Super Romance
Date Published: October 2009
ISBN: 9780373715947
Contemporary Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Obtained via: Publisher
Reviewed by Penny


Erica Corelli spent just a few months on the Island of Mirabelle when she was a child. She has now returned, looking for a safe place to hide with her nephew from the little boy’s abusive father. But the very first day of their arrival, the island’s chief of police, Garrett Taylor is suspicious of her. He can’t put his finger on it, but he would bet his next paycheck that she is hiding something and not telling him the whole truth. And as police chief, it is his job to find out what and why.

I just could not help but feel for the young boy, Jason. He is so introverted and shy, knowing why they are hiding and why he is not able to use his own name. He would rather lose himself in his video games than make eye contact with another person. This character is magnificently penned.

This book grabbed my attention from the very first page. I have been a fan of Harlequin books for a number of years, and this one did not disappoint me. The characters are well rounded and totally believable. Author Helen Brenna gives the reader enough detail so that we really get to know Erica and Garrett, yet not so much that we are bogged down and grow restless. It is a very fine line that Ms Brenna walks beautifully.

If you are heading to the bookstore to grab a good book to curl up with, do not pass NEXT COMES LOVE up. It s a wonderful way to spend the afternoon!

THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THIS BOOK. THIS IS AN OBJECTIVE UNBIASED REVIEW.