The Baby Planner by Josie Brown

The Baby Planner by Josie Brown

Josie Brown's latest novel, The Baby Planner, is set in an idyllic San Fransisco.  Katie Johnson is married to Alex, a money manager of a venture capital firm that specializes in tech start-ups.   They're both successful in their own right, gorgeous, and passionate.  There's only one thing Katie wants to change about her life - to have a child with Alex.

Alex has a son from his earlier marriage and was heartbroken after losing the custody battle. Alex doesn't want his son to feel abandoned and refuses to have any more children - at least for the moment.  Katie figures that things will change when he gets promoted and hen things are more stable; she's willing to wait.  In the meantime, she enjoys close friendships with her twin sisters and her many nieces and nephews.  And she gets a particular charge from knowing that even her job helps her protect children:  she works for  SafeCalifornia, the state agency empowered to investigate consumer safety complaints and Katie focuses her investigations on child safety issues.

SafeCalifornia loses its funding and everyone loses their jobs.  But Katie recovers quickly - she takes stock of her life and throws herself into her top priority: a child of her own.  But this baby goal is a secret and in public, her energy is focused on her new business - as a baby planner. 

While most people would avoid surrounding themselves with babies if they can't have one, Katie's much more of an optimist than the rest of us.  She dives into the new role, moved by her love for kids and her natural desire to do things right.   Confident that her husband will succumb and finally find himself ready to be a father.   Her husband Alex is proud of her, supports her efforts,  and her practice blossoms.    As she comes across all types of moms-to-be,  Katie draws them in. 

In the tradition of the best women's fiction, Katie draws us in as well.  Just as she befriends the soon-to-be parents, she endears herself to us.  She's the sort of person that we'd love to know and to welcome into our lives.  Her optimism and energy  make Katie Johnson such a compelling and sympathetic lead character - just the sort to propel the novel forward.  When Katie faces the worst possible day of her life -- her worst nightmares all come true -- she still doesn't sink into an annoying caricature of herself.  Instead, she behaves with integrity and humor. 

The Baby Planner is a fun, engaging read - and a book to share with friends.

ISBN-10: 9781439197127 - Paperback  $15
Publisher: Gallery; Original edition (April 5, 2011), 352 pages.
Review copy provided by the publisher.

About the Author:
Josie Brown is the author of Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives, Impossibly Tongue-Tied, True Hollywood Lies, and Last Night I Dreamt of Cosmopolitans, and the coauthor of The Complete Guide to Finding Mr. Right.  She lives in Marin County, California, with her family.  Visit her website at www.josiebrown.com

Dark Prince by Christine Feehan

Dark Prince by Christine Feehan

The blurb:
Enter the enchanting world of the Carpathians, where dark adventure, mystery, and love await and the desires of two daring hearts unite in one irresistible pattern.

A telepathic hunter of serial killers, Raven Whitney helps to catch some of the most depraved criminals.  But her work keeps her from getting close to others, and has drained her body and spirit.  In need of rest and rejuvenation, she embarks for a vacation far from home.

Mikhail Dubrinsky is the prince of the Carpathians, the powerful leader of a wise and secret ancient race that thrives in the night.  Engulfed by despair, fearful of never finding the mate who can save him from the encroaching darkness, his soul cries out in loneliness--until the day that a beautiful voice full of light and love responds, softly soothing his pain and yearning.

From the moment that they meet Raven and Mikhail are helpless to resist the desire that sparks between them.  But just as fate unexpectedly brings these life mates together, malevolent forces threaten to destroy them and their fragile love.  Yet even if they survive, how can theses two lovers -- Carpathian and human -- build a future together?  And how can Mikhail bring Raven into his  dark world without extinguishing her beautiful goodness and light?

Review:
The Carpathians are a unique race, similar to vampires but more complex.  Not only are Carpathians monogamous but they only fall in love once.  The male Carpathians grow darker and more cruel over time because of their violent existence. Not only do they feed on blood but they hunt down those of their race that have "turned" and have become ruthless killers.  The one thing that keeps a Carpathian male from darkness is falling in love.   Those that do not fall in love slowly see the world in darker and darker terms.  When the male finds his life mate, the world grows more colorful -- he literally sees in color again -- and is happier, content.  

We see the physical effects of love when Mikhael meets Raven.  Their love story is particularly well done - rather explicit but tasteful.   Mikhael and Raven are sympathetic lead characters and draw you in.  I found myself engrossed with their love story and the suspense.  After all, Mikhael and the Carpathians face deadly killers while Raven is able to sense and hear the Carpathians and the hunters.  Mikhael tries to behave decently - struggling against incredible difficulty and odds - and it's his courage and integrity that inspire loyalty and devotion from the Carpathians and the villagers.  Raven's willingness to take on others' suffering makes her a good match for Mikhael.  Her inherent goodness and empathy give Mikhael and the Carpathians hope - she represents a new beginning, a possible future for the race. 


I very much enjoyed Dark Prince.  The story of the Carpathians is complex and fascinating while the danger that the race adds suspense.  The best part is the love story between Mikhael and Raven. Overall, Dark Prince is an engrossing, satisfying read!

ISBN-10: 9780062009623 - Hardcover $19.99
Publisher: William Morrow; Special edition (March 8, 2011), 496 pages.
Review copy provided by the publisher.

About the Author:
Number one New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan has had more than 40 novels published, including four series that have hit number one on the New York Times bestseller list.  She is pleased to have made it on to numerous other bestseller lists, as well, including Publishers Weekly, USA Today, Washington Post, B.Dalton, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walden books, Ingram, Borders, Rhapsody Book Club, and Walmart.  In addition to being a nominee for the Romance Writers of America's RITA Award, she has received many honors throughout her career, including a Career Achievement Award from Romantic Times and the Borders 200 Lifetime Achievement Award.

William Morrow has offered to sponsor a giveaway of Dark Prince - more details in the days to come!

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