These three books include contemporary love stories by Utah authors.
"A TIMELESS ROMANCE ANTHOLOGY: Annette Lyon Collection," by Annette Lyon, Mirror Press, e-book $4.99, 185 pages (f)
The latest in the A Timeless Romance Anthology offerings, the “Annette Lyon Collection” features tender works by this Utah author.
Having added her touch to each of the previous A Timeless Romance Anthology compilations, Lyon now offers a work built entirely around her words.
In the pattern of previous collections, Lyon serves up six romance novellas for readers to sample. This work differs in that only one story, “Our Song,” is new to the series. The other five pieces are borrowed from previous anthologies.
“Our Song” dabbles in the modest life of a couple working within Yellowstone National Park. They are unsure if their unsophisticated love can last.
“Golden Sunrise” brings together a pair of high school sweethearts who have each wondered for years what became of the other.
“Firsts and Lasts” tosses two strangers together for a one-week whirlwind in the beauties of New York before one of them must leave for good.
“War of Hearts” is an intense tale that unravels on a European battlefield when two jilted lovers are tossed together by tragic circumstances.
“Between the Lines” matches a humble Provo girl with a cultured Canadian pen pal who is closer than he seems.
“A Taste of Home” tells the story of a hard-working girl forced to spend Christmas with her childhood tormentor, and she finds he is not what she remembered.
The stories are simple and sweet, each with a flavor of its own. As with other works in the series, these are free from foul language and the romance doesn't go beyond kissing.
— Melissa Demoux
“THE SHEIK’S RUBY,” by Jennifer Moore, The Wild Rose Press, $16.99, 326 pages (f)
Shelby Walker is a writer for Colorado-based Wintersports magazine, and while on assignment to a ski resort, she meets a man on the ski lift as “The Sheik’s Ruby” opens. Because it’s early and they are the only ones on the lift, she playfully challenges him to a race.
Unexpectedly, they end up skiing together that whole day and Hakim Khalid, from Khali-dar on the Arabian Peninsula, holds his own. Shelby invites him to test out some snowmobiles later in the week. When she ends up injured in an avalanche, Shelby heads back to her parents’ home to recover.
Shelby, who grew in a small town in a ranching family, doesn’t want to be stuck there and is surprised when Hakim comes to visit after his business trip.
She also finds out that Hakim is the crown prince of Khali-dar and son of the Sheik.
To protect her, Hakim sends for her to come to Khali-dar, and Shelby struggles to adjust to culture, expectations and life very different from Colorado, including formal receptions at the palace, the disapproval of the Sheik, other women vying for Hakim and the threat of terrorists.
Utah author Jennifer Moore weaves an entertaining story with a strong and independent character that explores expectations of two different cultures.
There isn’t any swearing. There are a few instances of violence that are generally described. The romance doesn’t go beyond kissing.
— Christine Rappleye
“REDEMPTION BAY: Haven Point, Book 2,” by RaeAnne Thayne, Harlequin, $7.99, 378 pages (f)
In “Redemption Bay” by Utah Author RaeAnne Thayne, McKenzie Shaw is the young mayor of Haven Point, a small town nestled in the Rocky Mountains. She’s surprised and infuriated when Ben Kilpatrick, the older brother of a childhood friend, rents the house next door to her. His family owned the boat factory that was the main business in town, and he closed it after his father’s death.
The tech company he works for has short-listed Haven Point for a new facility, and it’s the first time he’s been back since the facility closed. Being back in town, he faces several unhappy people along with painful memories from his past.
McKenzie is determined to bring the facility to her city and makes sure Ben is at several events, including the Fourth of July boat parade. She starts to feel an attraction to him that she knows she shouldn’t feel.
However, Ben is the least of her worries when Haven Point is threatened by flooding.
Thayne’s storytelling ability shines in “Redemption Bay." She quietly leaves hints and then unravels a plot that’s more than a romance story and includes family relationships and dynamics.
There is some mild swearing scattered throughout the novel, and the violence doesn’t go beyond fisticuffs. There isn’t any described sex, and there is plenty of intense sexual tension and kissing. There are also themes of parentage and results of sex outside of marriage.
— Christine Rappleye