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Book Review of Under The Boardwalk : A Dazzling Collection Of All New Summertime Love Stories (Sonnet Books)

jjares avatar reviewed on + 3275 more book reviews


Three of these authors are new to me; Linda Howard and Geralyn Dawson are favorites of long standing. I think the stories would have been less jarring if they had been presented from colonial times - to later times - to contemporary, rather than the jumping around.

BLUE MOON (Linda Howard) This is a rushed story, that could have been a great full-length novel, about law enforcement during full moons. A blue moon is actually the second full moon in a single month. From personal experience, I remember principals at school moaning about erratic behavior during any full or blue moon. The main characters were interesting and believable.

CASTAWAY (Geralyn Dawson) This is a charmer by an author who writes great dialogue with great humor. Although the story was supposed to be about Victorian times it seemed contemporary to me. It is about a couple who marry and are interrupted during the honeymoon by Hannah's father. He talks Hannah into getting an annulment. Ten years later, they come to realize they are still in love.

RUINED (Jillian Hunter) This is another interesting story that would have made a great full-length novel. The author did an excellent job of creating a gothic feel to the story. Sydney and three friends are shipwrecked off the Cornish coast and saved by author Lord De Wilde. Sydney is engaged to a moneyed duke, who (unbeknownst to Syndey) is an amoral philanderer.

BURIED TREASURE (Miranda Jarrett) This tale, on the other hand, was too long; I found myself skipping paragraphs. This is a colonial story about three friends who grow up and separate. Although Miriam Rowe loves Jack Wilde, he disappears. Now, it is four years later and Miriam is going to marry a Cambridge scholar. Suddenly, Jack returns and tries to separate the betrothed pair. The solution was too pat.

SWEPT AWAY (Mariah Stewart) This is a well-crafted story that moved smoothly along. Jeremy is a successful private eye who wants to reconnect with a chef he met during a previous case. However, he has a past that has been too traumatic for Jeremy to face for many years. Jody helps him face his past.