Sunday Salon - Review: Unexpected Gifts by Holly Jacobs

Harlequin Superromance #1601, November 2009

Eli Cartwright’s career is devoted to counseling her pregnant teenage students and helping them cope with finding out they are about to have a child. At 44, Eli’s career is established and she’s involved in her own relationship. She knows exactly where life is headed and it’s not in the direction of a family – or so she thought! The day Eli discovers she’s pregnant, she’s stunned to say the least.

When Eli informs her boyfriend of the unexpected pregnancy, he makes no bones about not wanting to be a father. He wants nothing to do with the baby and quickly walks out of Eli’s life. Although she didn’t plan to have a child, she discovers that she truly loves this baby and wants to be a mother. She is determined to go it alone, if that’s what it takes.

A colleague of hers, Zac Keller, is overjoyed to learn Eli has broken up with her boyfriend. He’s loved her from afar for a long time. Hearing of her pregnancy doesn’t hamper his love for the beautiful teacher, but Eli’s not sure she’s ready for another relationship. Having a child is more than she can deal with right now.

Each chapter has some advice for teenagers who are pregnant and the same advice can be applied to older women as well. It’s a very nice touch.

Holly Jacobs is a wonderful author who never disappoints. Her stories are heartwarming, realistic and special. This is a fast-paced book. Readers will fall in love with these characters. I know I did. Ms. Jacobs is an author whose books I seem to read almost as soon as they are released. She’s that good! This is one of those “feel good” stories.

Upcoming Harlequin Event

I just heard about an upcoming Harlequin event that sounds absolutely wonderful. It's at the Openhouse Gallery in New York City. Harlequin is celebrating 60 years with a cover art display that is open to the public and FREE! They are exhibiting cover art from 1949-2009. I received a calendar with vintage Harlequin covers and it's beautiful. So, if you have a chance to go:

Who: Harlequin
What: Celebrating 60 Years of Cover Art
When: May 30 - June 12, 2009
Where: Openhouse Gallery,
201 Mulberry Street, New York NY 10012

You can also check out their website at www.openhousegallery.org.

Maternal Instinct by Caroline Anderson

Harlequin Medical Romance

Genre: Romance

When Dr. Eve Spicer meets Hugh Douglas, she’s sure he will be the one to win the physician position at Audley Memorial Hospital. She’s used to losing positions to men and expects this will be no different. She’s shocked when she learns that Hugh isn’t a fellow candidate, but the boss himself. She’s furious at his deception, but still determined to get the position.

Dr. Hugh Douglas falls head over heels for Eve, but he knows better than to mix business with pleasure. Unfortunately, he can’t keep his eyes or hands off the beautiful doctor. They throw themselves into their work, but can’t help falling in love at the same time.

This is a quick read and a delightful way to spend an afternoon. The characters are people I came to care about and enjoyed reading about. I definitely want to read more from the Harlequin Medical line and from Caroline Anderson.

For reading challenges: Read Your Own Book, A to Z Reading Challenge

A Sexy Time of It by Cara Summers

Genre: Romance

Harlequin Blaze #396

I love the Harlequin Blaze series. It’s been a long time since I read a time travel, especially a story in a Harlequin line. Usually I find they aren’t long enough to give time travel stories enough of a plot to keep my interest. That wasn’t the case with this one. The hero travels from 2128 to 2008, while the 2008 heroine is able to go into the future.

This story is set to the backdrop of the Jack the Ripper story. Jack the Ripper has been killing in three different time periods – 1880, 2008 and 2128. Neely is able to visit all three time periods due to a psychic connection she doesn’t quite understand. In 2128, it’s Max’s job to identify Jack the Ripper without changing any history. This means he cannot save the lives that the Ripper has taken. He has to quietly stand by when Neely could become the next victim. What makes things even harder is that Max has fallen in love with Neely.

Harlequin Blaze brings hot and sexy romance alive in this one. The chemistry is absolutely sizzling between Max and Neely. It’s a fast-paced book you can read in a matter of hours.