Book Review: Just A Hint - Clint by Lori Foster

Just A Hint--Clint - Lori Foster

Synopsis:
When schoolteacher Julie Rose is kidnapped by a bunch of thugs who plan on ransoming her for a large sum, Clint Evans and his best friends Mojo and Red, are hired by her ‘fiancé’ Robert Burns to find and retrieve her.
But there is more to the story than meets the eye, especially when Robert insinuates that the person behind Julie’s kidnapping could be the infamous mobster Asa Ragon, and suggests that Clint find a way to get rid of him.
Realising that there is an ulterior motive behind Robert’s ill-conceived theories, Clint approaches the mobster and, through him, is able to locate and save Julie.
At Robert’s insistence, Clint also finds a place for her to stay out of danger, at least until the mastermind of the kidnapping plan is found.
But Clint and Julie soon find their lives on the line as the person behind Julie’s kidnapping decides to seek vengeance following her rescue, and despite Clint’s strong resolve, he finds himself falling in love with feisty and seductive Julie, and she with him. With a little help from some of Julie’s friends, they have to work out who is out to get Julie, and stop them before it’s too late.

What I gained from reading this book:
This story is a classic ‘damsel in distress’ tale, despite Julie’s feistiness and ability to fight for herself. The fact that she has a wealthy background, while Clint is from the wrong side of the tracks also makes this story more appealing to readers, as it brings together some of the different elements of society, and shows that love can blossom between people from opposite ends of the scale.

Positives:
This novel includes small time thugs, neighbourhood mobsters, wealthy estate owners, out of control gambling addictions, illicit love affairs, and of course, an exciting love story, so it is very appealing to readers on many fronts.

Negatives:
Clint can come across as hardheaded, and his no-nonsense approach to violence when defending the woman he loves can be a bit over the top at times. But these characteristics are representative of most of Lori Foster’s male characters, so readers will just have to take it in their stride.

Rating: 7 out of 10

Genre: Romance

Recommended for: Any woman who fancies herself as a damsel in distress, waiting for her knight in shining armour to rescue her.



Australians can buy the book by clicking the picture below:

Book review: Just say yes by Myretta Robens

Just Say Yes - Myretta Robens

Synopsis:
Cassie Hartwell is the youngest daughter of the Vicar in the small rural town of Oakleigh. With her social-climbing mother constantly trying to set up matches between her and all the eligible bachelors in the county, Cassie is disheartened with love and instead spends her time renaming and playing with her neighbours’ friendly dogs. One day she comes across one of the dogs, Brummell, sitting on top of the new land steward, Geoffrey Dorton, and instantly forms an attraction to the handsome man. But she doesn’t realise that Geoffrey’s real name is Geoffrey Dorrington, Earl of Cheriton, and that he is working under the alias to prove himself as more than just socially elite. As the future duke, Geoffrey knows that a relationship with the Vicar’s daughter is out of the question but as he begins to fall in love with her, Geoffrey realises he has to tell Cassie the truth about who he really is, and risk losing his anonymity in the county. Will love win out?

What I gained from reading this book:
This book shows that social standing should not stand in the way of love. Geoffrey initially considers forgetting about Cassie as she is only the Vicar’s daughter and therefore does not possess the graces to become a future duchess. But he eventually realises that you can’t chose who you fall in love with, and that class shouldn’t be an obstacle. The ideas in this novel could be related to modern life, where people in a higher socio-economic demographic could just as easily fall in love with someone a lot less fortunate than themselves. In other words, this book shows that it is okay to break down social barriers in the name of love.

Positives:
In this novel, Robens portrays Cassie as a fiery young woman and Geoffrey as nobility in disguise and this premise works well in her story of love and status. Her other characters, the arrogant and obnoxious Rodney Gilbert, and his esteemed but haughty uncle Sir Edmund, contrast with the purity of Cassie and Geoffrey, and help readers to determine that being the richest person doesn’t necessarily mean being the kindest or happiest one.

Negatives:
Although this book was published in 2005, it’s set in the era of Pride And Prejudice, when people attended balls and women were accompanied when on walks with men. If you generally dislike reading about people during these times, then this book will not be of interest to you.

Rating: 6 out of 10

Genre: Epic Romance

Recommended for: People who enjoy reading old-fashioned style romance stories set in the 1800s


Australians can buy the book by clicking the picture below: