Dianne Venetta

You know what? I really, really liked Ladd Springs! I know this sounds a bit strange; it's as if I am surprised by having enjoyed reading a book I selected with my tastes in mind. However, I did take something of a chance on this book; I entered (and ended up winning) a Member Giveaway on LibraryThing for this novel. I love mysteries, but as a rule I steer clear of cozies. Although, now that I think about it, I'm pretty certain the information provided on the contest site didn't trigger my show more dislike of this sub-genre by invoking it to describe the book. I just have seen it placed in that category since, and I would definitely say that the book has a cozy ambiance given my read of the novel.

My interest was inspired by the description of the plot and no other factor. The family inheritance dispute with so many characters at cross-purposes struck me as original, at least in light of my own previous reading experience, and as a story that could really make a novel a pageturner. Although as I've already mentioned, the atmosphere embedded in author Diane Vendetta's story is of a warm, cozy type that correlates with an underwhelming reading experience for me. However, in this case, the ambiance only enhanced my engagement with the plot, which proved interesting in accordance with my expectations. The style and setting pulled me into the story rather than pushing me out, as I worried it might before I began reading.

Thank you for reading my ideas; I hope they can help some of you to decide whether Ladd Springs would prove an unexpected (or perfectly predictable) pleasure for you. show less

Jennifer's Garden is a fun to read modern romance. The author, Dianne Venetta has a smooth, easy writing style that is a pleasure to read. Her descriptions really drew me in to the story, especially when writing about the garden and all the wonderful flowers.

This book is more character-driven than story-driven. The story is nice, but it's the characters and their relationships with each other that make this book special. Jennifer is powerful in her career, but vulnerable in her personal show more relationships. Jax deals with friends in an effortless ease, yet worries how people view him in his career choice. For me, the best relationship was between Jennifer and her best friend, Sam. They laugh and cry together, draw strength from each other, it's the kind of friendship everyone wants.

There were a couple issues I had with the story. Aurelio, the fiance, was too flat of a character. I realize this was done purposefully, but I felt it was done a little too heavy-handed for him to seem real. Also, the book was too long for me. There were a few places that felt like a good ending spot, but it just kept going. I feel it would have been more enjoyable if it had been about a hundred pages shorter.

Overall, the book is well worth the read. Ms. Venetta has a talent for writing engaging characters that should make her popular with readers. If we're lucky, she'll write a romance for Sam!

I received this book from the author, I was not required to write a positive review. show less

Ladd Springs in Tennessee has been home to the Ladd family for six generations. Now, though, the property is at risk from multiple directions. Ernie Ladd, the current owner, promised his sister on her deathbed that he would leave the land to her daughter, Delaney Wilkins, and Delaney's daughter Felicity--but Ernie can't forgive Delaney for having married the son of an old rival, even though the marriage did not survive. Hotel developer Nick Harris wants to buy the property for the latest show more addition to his hotel chain. Neighbor Clem Sweeney is taking advantage of Ernie's loneliness and sense of isolation--and has found a secret in the forest that, if he doesn't get caught, will make him rich.

And Ernie, even though he has plenty of money to do so, hasn't paid the property taxes in three years. If he doesn't do so soon, Nick--who is willing to pay a fair price and make provisions for the family in the deal--will wind up buying the property for back taxes.

The conflicts among the family spiral even further out of control when Delaney finds armed men trespassing on the Ladd property, seemingly having found something very, very interesting about a boulder in the woods.

The family and personal conflicts here are beautifully developed. Delaney's love for the land, Ernie's resentments and regrets, Nick's vision of "Serenity Springs," and Clem's jealousy and greed are all palpably real. We get a gradual unfolding of the sometimes painful family history, as well as Nick's background, experience, and dreams.

It's a thoroughly enjoyable novel. Recommended. show less

Samantha Rawlings is a very powerful, vivacious and successful attorney in Miami, she is one case away from making partner in the law firm. With the winning case before her, no one or nothing is going to take away her thunder .... but her boss, Raul Martinez, a senior partner with the firm has other ideas. He wants her to mentor their new young attorney, Victor Marin, a transplant from Philadelphia, and to make matters worse, he wants her to utilize him on the case. Samantha has already show more noticed that Victor is quite attractive, but there is something that he is hiding, he is too interested in the case, and she is bound and determined to find out just what his secret is ... and while she's at it, she wants to enjoy his company! Can they mix business with pleasure? Can Samantha maintain her focus on winning the case and securing the partners position? Will Samantha find out what Victor's secret is, and will it affect their working relationship? More importantly, can their affair turn into something more than just Lust On The Rocks?

Lust On The Rocks is a fast paced sizzling novel that keeps the reader's attention throughout the book. The storyline is well written, it is full of intrigue, sensuality and passion, everything a true romance fan could ask for. The characters are realistic, their engaging and complex personalities give the story depth and make it that much more compelling. Samantha and Victor's affair/relationship is just plain sizzling! Their sexual attraction leaps off the pages, it definitely has the wow factor. I really liked Samantha's sassy, no nonsense, independent personality, I found myself grinning throughout the book. Having met Samantha's character in the author's novel, Jennifer's Garden, I was hoping that Samantha would have her own story to tell, and I was not left disappointed. The novel touches on a lot of interesting topics: wrongful death, bereavement and justice, pregnancy and miscarriage, younger man - older woman relationship, and of course romance. I really enjoyed the mix of topics that the author provided in this book, and I loved following Samantha and Victor's journey.
Lust On The Rocks is a must read for all romance fans that likes to add a little spice to their reading, and I would definitely recommend that you read Jennifer's Garden first!

Disclaimer: At the request of the author and Goddess Fish Promotions, a Kindle edition of the book was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review and participation in the virtual book tour event.

Virtual Book Tour Event: On Friday, February 10, 2012, in association with Goddess Fish Promotions, Dianne Venetta participated in a virtual book tour event with an Author Guest Post on Jersey Girl Book Reviews.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2012/02/author-guest-post-dianne-venet...

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2012/02/lust-on-rocks-by-dianne-venett... show less