Nightshade & The Hero

I just love summer! Not only it’s beautiful and hot, but I really catch up with my reading. Even with the kids at home, they let me read. They’re too busy playing, making crafts, watching movies and reading. I've been reading up a storm...I can get used to this.

Here’s the blurb for Nightshade by Susan Wittig Albert:

China's herb shop and catering business may be thriving, but she's still reeling from her father's death, and not even remotely interested in her half-brother Miles's investigation into that event. China's husband, on the other hand, has no such qualms. And when fate forces her to get involved as well, China realizes it's time to bring the past to light—or else it will haunt her the rest of her life.

But China and McQuaid discover that Miles may have been keeping as many secrets as he seemed determined to uncover. How deep do the layers of secrecy go? And who has a stake in concealing the truth after sixteen years?

Of all the China Bayles’ books that I’ve read, this one is my least favorite. That being said, it wasn’t a bad book, I just didn’t enjoyed as much as the previous ones. It was great to see the usual characters, and some new ones as well, but overall I thought that it was just too much going on. With all the goings on, what I was looking forward was her interaction with her niece. I saw China’s tough exterior (in relation to her brother) melt away with each interaction with the little girl.

Nightshade by Susan Wittig Albert (3/5) Mystery; Published: Berkley (3/2008); Series: # 17, China Bayles; 100 + Reading Challenge (34); July Book Blowout (10); Library book;

Here’s the blurb for When A Hero Comes Along by Teresa Southwick:

When Joe Morgan showed up again on Kate Carpenter's doorstep, the E.R. nurse didn't know what to think. After Kate had discovered she was pregnant, she'd waited to hear from the helicopter pilot and on-duty marine. Nothing. So why would the man who had left without a second glance suddenly return to her life?

Joe wanted to be a father to J.T., and Kate wouldn't stand in his way. She couldn't know that during Joe's harrowing tour of duty, thinking of his son—and of her—had kept him alive. But would the demons of the past prevent Joe from repairing the damage to Kate's heart—and embracing his family for keeps?

Both Joe and Kate have issues. And they both involve trust. They have to come to terms with these issues before they can give their relationship a try. Being a parent, I can certainly understand both Joe and Kate's feelings for their child, and their difficulty to let go certain responsibility to the other parent. I especially found this believable.

It's a easy and enjoyable read, I was drawn in quickly and I'm looking forward on reading more of the author's work.

When A Hero Comes Along by Teresa Southwick (3/5) Romance; Published: Silhouette Books (6/2008); Silhouette Special Edition # 1904; New Author; 100 + Reading Challenge (35); July Book Blowout (11);