Beth Andrews Winner

The winner of a copy of 

Unraveling the Past by Beth Andrews is

erin

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Today's Special - - Beth Andrews

It's a pleasure to welcome RITA© award winning author Beth Andrews back to The Romance Dish!  Many of you know Beth not only as the talented, award-winning author of Harlequin Superromances but also as a member of the popular multi-author Romance Bandits blog.  Beth joins us today to chat about her new new trilogy (read PJ's review of the first book, Unraveling the Past, here), The Truth about the Sullivans.  


To connect with Beth, visit her website, like her at Facebook and check out her blogs at the Superromance Authors Blog and at Romance Bandits (on the 20th of each month).  


Take it away, Beth!

Sister Act

Ah, sisters. Those of us who have sisters know they can be the bane of our existence and the heart and soul of who we are. They can be our best friend or our worst enemy—sometimes both at the same time!

In my new trilogy for Harlequin Superromance, The Truth about the Sullivans, the Sullivan sisters must face some hard truths about the past, come to terms with the present and learn to live with the consequences of discovering everything they’d ever known about their past was a lie. I love connected stories and while heroes seem to be quite popular as the basis for those stories, I knew I wanted to write about these three women, these three sisters who share a bond so strong, nothing could tear them apart.

Layne, Tori and Nora are as different as three women could possibly be and that’s what fascinated me about them. While they share certain traits, had the same parents and were raised in the same household, in the end, they are unique and complicated individuals.

Layne, the eldest and assistant police chief, is honest, controlled and responsible. Tori, a single mother, is independent, clever and charming (or, as Layne would say, manipulative *g*) While youngest sister Nora is smart, says exactly what’s on her mind and leaps into situations without considering the consequences.

Layne is bossy. Tori is rebellious. Nora is stubborn. They argue and disagree and annoy each other to no end.

They also adore, inspire and admire each other. And when the going gets tough, as it does in my trilogy *g*, they have each other’s backs.

I had such a great time writing about these women, these sisters, that it got me thinking about some of my favorite sisters, in movies, TV, books and real life. Here’s a quick list of my faves:

Sally and Gillian Owens from Practical Magic (movie version)

The March sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, from Little Women (book and movie versions) I have to include this one since my older sister and I were named after characters in this book!

The Reed sisters, Alex, Teddy, Frankie and Georgie from Sisters (TV show) Does anyone else remember this show? I was so hooked on it for the first few seasons!

My daughters J They are the best of friends and truly love each other and being together.

Sisters of the heart – Blanche, Rose, Dorothy and Sophia from The Golden Girls

Sisters of the heart – Rachel, Monica and Phoebe from Friends

Sisters of the heart – Mia, Nell and Ripley from Nora Roberts’ Three Sisters Island trilogy

And lastly, sisters of MY heart – Tawny Weber, Kathleen Long and Anna Sugden, three women who are always there for me!

So today, let’s talk about sisterhood, whether those bonds were formed by blood or chance. Do you have sisters? Sisters of the heart? Who are some of your favorite sisters in film, TV or books?


One randomly selected person leaving a comment on today's blog will receive a copy of Unraveling the Past.  Thanks, Beth!

Review - - Unraveling the Past

Unraveling the Past

The Truth about the Sullivans – Book 1

By Beth Andrews

Publisher:  Harlequin SuperRomance

For Ross Taylor, taking the position of Police Chief in small Mystic Point, Massachusetts represents a chance for a new beginning for him and the teenage niece who’s recently come to live with him.  It’s not working out too well.  His niece is on the fast track to self-destruction and his fellow officers on the Mystic Point PD resent and mistrust his big city ways, especially his second in command, Layne Sullivan who had every reason to expect to be named to the position Ross now holds.   Then there’s that pesky mutual attraction between Ross and Layne that won’t go away even though both of them refuse to acknowledge it. 

The oldest of three sisters who were abandoned as children by their mother, Layne Sullivan has grown up with a lack of trust, an overdeveloped sense of responsibility and a take charge attitude both on the job and with her family.  She doesn’t take orders easily or well, especially when issued by an outsider who, in her opinion, stole her promotion.  She’s set to fight him at every turn but when an unexpected discovery that rocks the foundation of everything she’s believed about her family pairs the two of them on the investigation, she gradually begins to view Ross, and herself, in a new light.  The pain of her childhood, however, is deeply ingrained to the point of being nearly insurmountable.  Will she have the strength to overcome her fears in time to embrace the love Ross offers? 

One of the things I enjoy about Beth Andrews is her willingness to create less than perfect characters who struggle with the same issues that real people face every day.  It gives her stories a depth and wealth of emotion that I appreciate as a reader. 

Ross and Layne encounter many such obstacles on their journey.  First, there’s the fact that he’s her boss and starting anything romantic between them is contrary to their mutual ethics and professionalism.  Rather than glossing over the issue, Andrews deals with it head-on. 

Then there’s Layne’s dysfunctional childhood and the emotional scars she still carries.  She’s stubborn and abrasive but as her layers are slowly peeled away and we see the pain and vulnerability that lurk beneath her protective shell she becomes more relatable, more likeable.  That’s not to say she undergoes any major personality shifts.  She doesn’t.  But that’s okay.  She is who she is and that’s the woman Ross falls in love with.  Thank you, Ms. Andrews for not making Layne undergo a major change in order to be “worthy” of love.

And, finally, there’s Ross’s relationship with his niece; a teen with abandonment issues and a single uncle who has no clue how to relate to her.  Andrews doesn’t sugarcoat this relationship either, depicting it with all the frustration, heartbreak and tumult that can accompany an out of control teen and the by-the-book adult into whose life she’s been dropped.  Lessons need to be learned on both sides of this relationship and, ironically, it’s Layne, the woman with abandonment issues unable to help herself, who has the insight and ability to guide them and, especially, help Jessica begin the long journey to what I hope will be a happy, emotionally healthy life.

While only a secondary character, Jessica’s role in this story is prominent and, of all the characters, she’s the one who most touched my heart.  She’s only fifteen and, obviously, has a lot of growing up to do but I’d like to go on record right now.  Ms. Andrews, this young lady deserves a happy ending!  I sincerely hope that Jessica will return with her own story at some point in the future.

Woven into this romance is the mystery surrounding the mother of the Sullivan sisters and what really happened to her all those years ago.  We’re given a few clues in this book but complete answers will be unveiled over the next two books in the trilogy.   Needless to say, all three sisters have been significantly impacted by the events of their childhood as we can already see from their interactions in Unraveling the Past.

 I look forward to both the unraveling of the mystery as well as the individual journeys of Layne’s sisters, Tori and Nora and, happily, readers won’t have to wait too long for their stories.  On Her Side (Nora’s story) will be published in August and followed by In This Town (Tori’s book) in October.   Knowing Beth Andrews, both are certain to be roller coasters of emotions packed into fast paced stories with intriguing, complex characters that keep me glued to the book from beginning to end and thinking about the characters long after I turn the final page. 

~PJ

Is it a Bird? Is it a Plane?

by Anna Campbell

No, it's a SuperRomance!

As I said last month, I've been on a bit of a Harlequin kick lately. And I must say it's been blissful. There have been all those Sarah Morgans (check out last month's review if you missed it - highly recommended reads!). There were a stack of India Greys and the wonderful week where I managed to knock over five Liz Fieldings in a row.

As you've probably gathered from the title of this piece, I've also read some great SuperRomances so I thought I'd share a couple of them with you. I'm delighted to say that all these books are still available from Amazon.

Since I discovered Aussie Sarah Mayberry a couple of years ago, she's moved into the position of a must-buy for me. I love her books - they're full of so much heart. And her books are heartbreakingly real, full of people you could imagine meeting and liking if they lived next-door (as in fact, the hero and heroine here do). I think that's one of the strengths of the SuperRomance line - these wonderful love stories are based so closely in the here and now. You KNOW I love a larger-than-life story like a passionate historical or a Harlequin Presents - but occasionally it's nice to touch base with the everyday and discover it can be as magical as any romance featuring arrogant dukes or managing millionaires.

In HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, widower Joe Lawson is seeking to put down roots in Melbourne for him and his kids after a really rough couple of years. He falls in love with his free-spirited neighbor Hannah Napier who hasn't had an easy time of it lately either, what with her fiance dumping her just before the wedding in favor of her sister. All she wants to do is leave the humiliations of the past behind and get outta Dodge (well, Melbourne). Joe and Hannah are just so darn likeable so you cheer every uncertain step they take toward love. The first date scene in particular is poignant. You'll love this!

I reviewed another Karina Bliss (WHAT THE LIBRARIAN DID) back in June last year. At the time, I commented on the rich emotion and the wonderful cast of characters, not just the hero and heroine (this was the rockstar going back to uni and falling in love with the outwardly-repressed librarian, lovely story!). There's equally rich emotion in HERE COMES THE GROOM and you'll fall in love with the residents of this small New Zealand town. They perform like a Greek chorus on the increasingly madcap courtship of childhood best friends Dan Jansen and Jocelyn Swann. Barry, the owner of the local menswear store, is a particular favorite. I was snickering into my morning cup of tea when I read his scenes and you will be too.

Friends into lovers is one of my favorite themes and this is a lovely exploration of that often fraught process. After facing tragedy in Afghanistan, ex-Special Forces officer Dan returns to his home town determined to establish a family and a fulfilling life. An essential element of that life is his childhood friend Jocelyn who runs the local newspaper. Jocelyn has had trauma of her own to deal with in the past years (trauma Dan doesn't know about and when he finds out, it's a heartbreaking scene). She's unwilling to risk the one stable relationship in her life for the possibility of romance with Dan, especially as she recognizes that he's still shell-shocked from his army experiences. When Dan sets out to change her mind, there's some wonderful comedy but at the heart of this book, it's a moving story of healing and forgiveness and love finally brought out into the open. Recommended!

Two of the authors in this review are already auto-buys for me. Molly O'Keefe was a new writer to me when I picked up THE SON BETWEEN THEM.

One word - wow!

The tone of this one is darker and more intense than a lot of Supers. And the story was really unusual - don't be fooled by that secret baby tag on the front. Yeah, there is a secret baby but it's handled in such a different, intriguing way, you'll be drawn in from the first page.

Sam and J.D. (Sam's the heroine and J.D. is the hero) have been in an uncommitted but passionate relationship for years when suddenly everything in their world tuns upside down. It's not just the existence of their child, it's events in the outside world that suddenly impinge on their affair and threaten either to destroy it or to carry them towards an emotional fulfillment both always believed beyond their reach. Sam is my favorite sort of romance heroine - she's smart and capable and strong and she acts like an adult in even the most trying of circumstances. J.D. is a genuinely tortured hero and he's gorgeous. His unforgettable struggle to emerge from the dark into the light will touch your heart. Molly O'Keefe was a major discovery for me.

So what's been your genre of choice lately? Are you a SuperRomance reader? Can you recommend any other authors I should try in this line?

Review - - A Marine For Christmas

A MARINE FOR CHRISTMAS
Diamond Dust Trilogy - Book 1
by Beth Andrews
Harlequin SuperRomance
Release Date: November 9, 2010

One of the things I admire most about this 2010 RITA winning author’s writing is her willingness to tackle difficult subjects head-on. From the first page of A Marine for Christmas, the characters are sucked into the turmoil of an emotional maelstrom and I went right along with them, never even considering turning back. Brady Sheppard has loved Liz Montgomery for half of his life but she ripped his heart to shreds by breaking their engagement in a Dear John letter sent to Afghanistan. The book opens as a drunken Brady, a shattered man both figuratively and literally, crashes Liz’s wedding to another man.

Twenty-six year old, JC Montgomery loves her older sister even though she’s spent most of her life trying, unsuccessfully, to measure up to her. Not only has Liz has always been prettier, slimmer, smarter and more successful, she’s always had Brady, the man JC has been in love with for as long as she can remember. When Brady threatens to ruin her sister’s wedding reception, JC convinces him to leave and drives him home, never intending to stay. But, when Brady kisses her, she throws caution to the wind and takes a moment out of time for herself…a moment that leaves her pregnant…and brokenhearted. Because Brady still loves Liz, wants nothing to do with JC or the baby and is headed straight for a lifetime spent at the bottom of a bottle.

See what I mean about tackling tough subjects? Brady is a broken man. His career dreams have been shattered right along with the shattered knee he received courtesy of roadside terrorists in Afghanistan, the love of his life dumped him for a doctor, the post-war guilt and flashbacks he suffers are just one symptom of the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) overtaking his life and the only comfort he can find is in a bottle. It’s going to take one very strong, very special woman to bring him safely out of the storm and back into the sunlight of a happy life.

Andrews doesn’t make things easy for her characters and, while Brady and JC have the happy ending they deserve, she doesn’t wrap up everything prettily with ribbons and bows. This is real life and relationships have suffered: JC and Liz, JC and her parents, Liz and her husband, Brady and his mother and brothers. All of these relationships face challenges because of the actions of the various characters and only with love, trust and time, will they begin to mend. As a reader, I appreciate that Andrews recognizes this and keeps her stories true to life. As this is the first book in a new trilogy, I have hopes that we will see the progression of these relationships throughout the series.

A Marine for Christmas is a new release. Next year it’s going to be one of those treasured friends I lovingly re-visit each Christmas. I have no doubt it will continue to be for many years to come. If you haven’t read Beth Andrews yet, I strongly encourage you to pick up a copy of A Marine for Christmas. It’s a gift that should be on every romance reader’s list!

~PJ

Authors Who Put the Super in SuperRomance

I’m a huge fan of category books. There are several lines that I enjoy reading, with stories that range from sweet to spicy to blazing hot. Today, let’s talk about Harlequin’s SuperRomance line. Written by some of the most talented authors around, these often family oriented books are shorter than single-titles, coming in at around 250 pages, which make them quick reads and easy to tuck in my purse. (I always carry a book with me.) But, while short in length, when I pick up a SuperRomance I never feel like I’m being short-changed. These heartwarming and emotional stories give readers the full romance experience. As they say at eharlequin.com, Super Romance is “More than a romantic relationship, it's mainstream romance with the promise of happy ever after!”

There are many SuperRomance authors whose books I enjoy reading but today I’m going to spotlight three authors: Kay Stockham (a long-time favorite), Beth Andrews (a new, rising star) and Sarah Mayberry (a new-to-me author).

I was introduced to Kay Stockham’s books three years ago when a blog I visited recommended A Christmas to Remember (Nov 2007). I read the entire book in one sitting and, as soon as I finished wiping away the tears, I drafted an e-mail to the author, then immediately set about finding her backlist of books. Kay has a gift for drawing me into a story, to the extent that I become “friends” with her characters, have a vested interest in their lives and care deeply about their happiness. She isn’t afraid to tackle difficult topics, writing with a depth of emotion that never fails to touch my heart, and taking both her characters and me (the reader) on emotional roller coaster rides that leave us stronger, better people in the end.

Many of Kay's books are on my keeper shelves and, like old, dear friends, are visited time and again. One of my favorites, Man With A Past, was a much-deserved 2007 RITA finalist. 

Kay’s current release, She’s the One (Mar 2010), is the final book in her heartwarming Tulanes of Tennessee series and brings us the story of Alexandra Tulane, the only daughter of the Tulane family.  In She's the One, Stockham takes us to a remote lodge in Alaska where she brings together a man and his son hiding from the world and a woman who thinks she has life figured out but discovers that she's been running from it instead.   Once again, this talented author has written a story that will have you thinking about these characters long after you turn the final page.

You can find more information about Kay at her website.





As a regular visitor to the Romance Bandits blog, I had heard about Beth Andrews long before her debut book, Not Without Her Family, was published by Harlequin SuperRomance in June 2008. All it took was reading that first book for me to know that Beth was on her way to being a star in the world of category romance – a fact that was confirmed this year when her second book, A Not-So-Perfect Past, was named as a RITA finalist for Best Contemporary Series Romance.

In this story, the author gives us a hero who served prison time for killing his abusive step-father and pairs him with a mother of two who is trying to heal from an abusive marriage. It’s to the author’s credit that there were no easy answers in this relationship. Both the hero and heroine had to grow and learn to open themselves to love but, more importantly, they had to learn to love, and forgive, themselves. With her flawless writing, Andrews not only made me believe in this unlikely pair but had me cheering for them the entire way.

Beth Andrews’ next release, Do You Take This Cop?” will be released May 11th. You can find more information about Beth at her website.

The author of sixteen published novels, Sarah Mayberry is an author I managed to miss until earlier this year. On the one hand, I’m disappointed that I hadn’t read her books until recently but, on the other hand, I’m thrilled to know there are fifteen more Sarah Mayberry books out there that I’ve yet to enjoy! In Home for the Holidays, Mayberry brings us the poignant story of a widower and his two children struggling to find their way after the death of their beloved wife and mother two years earlier.

Moving the family from Sydney to Melbourne to be near his mother, Joe hopes a new house in a quiet neighborhood will help them begin to heal but the motorcycle-riding mechanic next door throws a monkey wrench into his plans. Hannah has sworn off men since her fiancé ran off with her younger sister and wants nothing to do with the man and children who have moved in next door but life, and children, have a habit of interfering with our best laid plans. Home for the Holidays is another emotion-packed story with realistic characters and situations to which I could easily relate. Mayberry has created not just a hero and heroine, but also children, who must learn to overcome pain and grief and open themselves to love and new beginnings. Keep the tissues handy for this one!  Mayberry's beautifully flowing writing is a joy to read and her heartwarming story captured my heart.

Mayberry's most recent SuperRomance, Her Best Friend, was released April 13th.  You can find more information about Sarah at her website.














You can also check out these, and other, SuperRomance authors, and their books, at eharlequin.com.

Do you read Harlequin SuperRomances?  Who are your favorite SuperRomance authors?  Favorite books?  What SuperRomance authors have I missed that I need to try?   


~PJ